Chapter 108 – Fieldwork Hinderance
Ellie’s work involved observing the movement and numbers of scarabs at several different points. And so they traveled by carriage between these points.
She was surprised by how comfortable the carriage was at first, but she quickly grew used to it, and just quietly looked through documents while traveling. She was very passionate about her work.
Menew, Ralph and Mofusen took turns driving and watching the road from behind.
As the Knights Guild and Adventurers hunted roadside monsters quite regularly, it was mostly safe. However, they were not on the main road this time. It was a journey where monster attacks were quite possible.
In fact, they encountered monsters three times before arriving at the first point. Still, they defeated it without ever being in danger, and they arrived right on time.
“I shall go into the forest, but I want someone to come with me.”
And so Menew and Ralph went with her into the forest.
Thanks to the cooperation of the Adventurers Guild, they knew the average encounter rate for scarabs.
While walking down a beaten path, Ellie took detailed notes of the number of scarabs she saw, as well as their state.
“How strange…”
Ellie muttered with a serious expression, when they were at the halfway point.
“What is it?”
“There are so many of them. There should not be this many. Is there a spawner nearby…?”
Apparently, when a spawner appeared deep in the forest, the number of scarabs would temporarily increase. This was because there were more creatures, and excrement. However, they had not encountered many monsters yet.
They walked to the gathering place, and Ellie continued to mutter about how something was odd. As for Menew, he was quite popular with the scarabs.
They would always approach him while rolling a ball of dung. As he had the language skill, he could mostly understand what they were saying. ‘You can roll me anytime.’ ‘It’s not like I came here for you or anything.’ ‘For you, this dung ball… No, never mind!’ They all seemed a little embarrassed.
However, Menew did not tell Ellie what they were saying, as he knew it would just make her jealous again. Though, if he could trade places with her, he would do so very willingly.
“How strange? Well, let’s go back then.”
Menew guessed that he was the reason that there were more than usual. But he couldn’t say it. And so he was silent on the trip back.
Of course, it wasn’t as if he was sure about it yet. However, he could confirm it on the next trip.
If it turned out that Menew’s presence was affecting the number of scarab encounters, then this escort mission was a failure.
“We should inspect this point again tomorrow. If their numbers have increased, then I need to find out the reason.”
At night, Ellie continued to passionately go through her documents by the fire.
As for the others, it had already been decided that Totto and Mofusen would accompany her tomorrow. This was because judging by the monsters, they had determined that it would be safe for Totto to go.
More than anything, they had to take Menew off from escort duties.
As for Menew, he desperately hoped that he was not the actual reason for the abnormality.
Because staying with the horses was very boring.
It was with that wish that he went to sleep that night.
As he knew about the effect of Totto’s anti-monster potion, Menew had gone to sleep without putting anyone on watch duty. However, two pairs of eyes were watching from a hill deep in the forest.
“Damn it. Someone has come.”
“They will never find us. They won’t come this far.”
“You never know. After all, a scarab researcher is with them.”
“When there are this many, it is difficult to hide.”
They wore tattered robes of red and white. It was Argus and Sangus of the Wind Clan.
The two culprits from Muzeria, who had captured Totto.
“But if they find us by chance…”
Sangus muttered, and then a giant figure walked up to them from behind.
It looked like a kobold, but was much larger. It was like a giant wolf that stood up on its hind legs.
“It is your turn, Summoner Argus.”
“I know.”
The figure moved towards Argus and rested its chin on his shoulder.
It wore a muzzle and its legs were chained. Also, it had glowing red eyes.
Argus petted the monster’s neck as he watched Menew and the others.
Eventually, he stood up, and along with the monster and Sangus, disappeared deep into the forest.
Thanks for this chapter!