Chapter 6

"Hey, kid, what's going on?"

Giles's face twitched.

"It's a monster attack. Monsters are overflowing from the Beast Forest. You guys know about it, right?"

"Y-Yeah, we know. But isn't that why we do the 'culling' every year?"

Giles was right.

The vast forest that spreads across the eastern part of the Darkvalt territory is actually composed of two forests. The western "Squeezed Forest" and the eastern "Beast Forest."

The two forests are separated by the Terna River, which is about a hundred meters wide, and the vegetation and the types of monsters inhabiting them differ significantly.

In the "Squeezed Forest" adjacent to Ophel Village and Tena Village, relatively low-level monsters like Corn Rabbits, Giant Rats, and King Frogs appear. With our current level, we can handle them. Lead and the others should be able to hunt them at a good pace.

On the other hand, the "Beast Forest" extends from the other side of the river to the distant Almar Mountain, and it is home to mid- to high-level monsters, from Murder Apes and Manticores to Cyclopes. The monsters get stronger as you move from the outer edge to the inner part. Giles's father, Christoph, could probably hunt the outer edge monsters alone, but it would be difficult to go deeper.

The culling of the Beast Forest's monsters was a duty imposed on the successive Darkvalt lords by the kingdom.

According to legend, if the culling is not done at all, the monsters will overflow from the forest within a few years, attacking the surrounding villages and even reaching the capital. Of course, the culling requires a significant number of personnel and funds, which is a heavy burden for a single barony. Therefore, the kingdom has provided substantial subsidies annually as support.

However, the current lord, the Pig Father, embezzled part of the subsidy and secretly reduced the scale of the culling. Instead of hiring multiple high-level adventurer parties to cull for a month, he reduced the scale and shortened the period to about half.

The monster attack four years later was the result of this accumulated reduction, as mentioned in the game.

"Unfortunately, the current culling isn't enough. The scale is too small, and the period is too short. If this continues, the monsters will overflow from the forest in a few years."

My words made the subordinates' faces turn pale.

"Does the lord know about this?"

In response to Staniev's question, I shook my head.

"He probably hasn't noticed. Even if I advise him, he might not listen. My father has been reducing the culling scale year by year due to his stinginess. As a result, powerful monsters have been appearing in the territory over the past few years... Have you noticed?"

This time, both of them shook their heads.

"N-No... But now that you mention it, there have been stories of unusually strong monsters appearing recently. Last year, a Hell Spider appeared near this village."

"I've also heard that a Bandersnatch appeared in the forest south of Tena Village."

A Hell Spider is a giant venomous spider, and a Bandersnatch is a large rabid dog with an abnormally long neck when attacking. Both are mid-level monsters, and according to Bolman's memory, Giles's father led the troops to defeat them.

"Right. If you don't want to die, you have to do what needs to be done. Got it?"

The two nodded.

"Alright. Then let's show you one of the answers to the homework."

It's not a very cool way, but...

After checking the answers with the two subordinates, we walked out of Ophel Village for about fifteen minutes and arrived at the entrance of the forest.

"Wait here, and they'll show up eventually."

Saying this, the three of us practiced sword swings while waiting.

As expected, the two we were waiting for soon arrived. A brown-haired boy and a pink-haired girl.

"Wow, they really came!!"

The subordinates were surprised, but it wasn't a coincidence. In the game, Bolman and the others wait for Lead at this time and place to plan a revenge attack, only to be defeated.

"Again, it's you two."

The future protagonist, Lead, held a wooden sword with a weary look. Beside him, the future heroine, Tina, gripped a child-sized staff in her right hand while holding a blue pendant at her chest with her left.

"I won't give you my mother's memento!!"

Yesterday, it was too dark to see, but Tina is indeed a beautiful girl. Her beautiful pink hair swayed in the wind, and her slightly fierce green eyes stared at us.

The subordinates, who were targeted with weapons, also readied their wooden swords.

Oh, no.

If this continues, it will lead to a battle and a defeat scenario.

"Giles, Staniev, put down your weapons."

I extended my hand to the side and hurriedly restrained the two.

"Wh-What!?"

Not only the two who were stopped, but also a surprised voice came from the front.

I am about to change the game's scenario with my will and actions.

I stepped forward in front of Lead and Tina and said as authoritatively as possible.

"I am also the son of a noble. I will keep my promise. I won't touch that pendant again."

Everyone was surprised by these words, but Lead soon glared at me suspiciously.

"Really?"

"Really. I swear by my blood. ...But, there is one condition."

"Condition?"

"Yes. Soon, we will explore a certain place. You two must accompany us. If you agree here, I won't bother you again."

Lead and Tina were confused, and even Giles and the others looked puzzled.

"Wait a moment. We need to discuss this."

Saying this, the protagonists turned and started whispering.

While they were discussing, Giles asked about the current situation.

"Is it okay, kid?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, it seems like we lost..."

I couldn't help but chuckle at his words.

"Probably not. We'll win this battle."

"Wh-What???"

"Just watch."

I pointed to the front with my chin. It seemed that Lead and the others had finished their discussion.

"Have you reached a conclusion?"

I asked, still sounding arrogant, and they all nodded.

"Then, what's your answer?"

Lead opened his mouth with determination.

"If we agree to the condition, will you really stop bothering us?"

"Yes. I swear by the name of Darkvalt."

"...Alright. We agree to the condition."

"Is the girl okay with this?"

Tina, who was turned to, looked a bit troubled but eventually nodded hesitantly.

"I'm okay with it, too."

"Good. Then, let's make a pact. You two will accompany us on the exploration. In return, we won't bother you anymore. Got it?"

I reinforced the agreement.

"I swear by my sword."

Lead raised his sword and held it in front of his face.

"I swear by my mother."

Tina gripped the pendant at her chest.

"I swear by the name of Darkvalt."

I also raised my sword to show.