Chapter 24

As the cold season approaches, the town begins to prepare for winter.

Even in modern houses that are well-insulated and equipped with efficient heating systems, it's not the case here.

In the Kingdom of Halperia, winter was endured with large amounts of firewood and charcoal.

This is also true for Regal.

However, with the recent mysterious economic boom, Regal has seen a surge in immigrants, leading to a rapid increase in population. As a result, the demand for timber and firewood has been steadily rising.

It's only natural that logging-related jobs have been continuous.

I'm glad this is a food-producing country. That's a relief, at least.

"Another Charge Dear, huh? You guys really hate the sound of logging, don't you?"

On the outskirts of the Baroa Forest, forestry workers are all out in force.

Timber, thinned timber, anything is in demand in Regal now.

Even Regal's Earl, who had been hesitant about reducing the forest, finally gave the green light this year.

While the trees in the forest grow at an incredible rate, if they are cut down without planning, resources will run out. Until now, they had been cutting down trees from the back of the forest, creating a path through the forest, but it seems that the transportation costs have finally caught up.

For us on the ground, it's much easier and more appreciated to start from the outside.

However, no matter where you work, monsters will appear.

A Charge Dear, standing quietly on the other side of the trees, is a typical example.

This Charge Dear, which has a dangerous horn that excels in charging and stabbing, apparently makes sounds by thrusting or scratching the surface of trees to assert its territory.

To Charge Deers, human logging is like starting a fight head-on. I don't really get it, though.

But I can't afford to get mad just because we're cutting down trees. You guys have some serious values, like the elves in a grim fantasy world.

The elves in this world don't get angry over such things.

"Hey, how about we flatten this forest and turn it into a golf course?"

I bang the trunk of a nearby tree with my bastard sword, provoking the Charge Dear.

It's like a flagman. Normally, wild animals would run away from such provocation...

"Kyu!"

The Charge Dear, upon hearing the sound, lets out a high-pitched cry and rushes over.

Its resistance to provocation is way too low.

"Your face is all red."

"!?"

I deflect the tip of the horn aimed at my lower abdomen with my bastard sword.

What a powerful impact. Even with considerable force, I can only slightly alter its trajectory.

But thanks to that, the Charge Dear's sharp horn is deeply embedded in the tree next to me. It's like a Diablos.

Now the Charge Dear is powerless. It can pull out its horn with its strength, but it takes a moment.

"Hearing about a Cherub that doesn't run and has Diablos' weakness, it sounds pretty weak, doesn't it?"

While muttering something quite irrelevant, I slit the Charge Dear's throat.

A particularly high-pitched scream echoed through the forest.

"Hey, did you take down a Charge Dear? Thanks a lot."

"Hey, really? Thanks, man. It's a pain to run from them every time."

"Don't worry, it's my job."

I carried the Charge Dear back to the worksite.

Here, many men are bustling about from early morning to supply Regal with timber.

I only did the basic dissection, removing the blood and unnecessary organs. I plan to do the detailed dissection here where there are many people and the necessary tools.

"Hey, man. For the dissection, the guild members over there are doing it all. You should take it there."

"Oh, so the Shield of the Earth is doing it. That's great. Thanks, old man."

"Let me know if something else comes along."

Charge Deers are known to actively attack when they hear logging sounds, making forestry in this world very dangerous.

Therefore, when logging, it's customary to cut down a large amount at once and bring a large number of guards.

This time, the main force of the guards sent by the guild is the "Shield of the Earth."

They are a classic party excelling in close combat, with many veterans, making them a reliable presence.

As I walked to where the Shield of the Earth gathers, I saw a familiar face.

It was Alex.

"Ah, Mr. Mongrel. I was worried something had happened since I couldn't see you. ...So, you took down a Charge Dear? Alone?"

"Hey, Alex. Well, as a solo, I can move freely. I was hunting the ones coming from deeper in the forest."

Alex, who often talks to me at the tavern, is also a member of the Shield of the Earth.

When I laid the Charge Dear I took down on a tree stump, Alex started inspecting the corpse.

"A young male."

"He wasn't afraid of the sword. An inexperienced individual, I guess."

"Only the throat is injured, and the fur looks sellable, which is a relief."

"It's light and easy to carry, too. They're doing the dissection over there, right? Can you help me with the meat? I'll give you the two front legs if you do."

"Is that okay? That's a lot to get just for dissection..."

"It's fine, it's a hassle. I'm satisfied with the liver, heart, and tongue."

"You don't eat meat..."

"I do, but I get tired of it. I sell it."

I like game, but eating it continuously gets tiring.

The seasoning options are limited... but with organs and tongue, I never get tired. I could eat them forever.

"Besides, there will be more Charge Deers coming for a while. If I'm going to be full anyway, I only want to eat the best parts."

"The meat from the back isn't bad, either."

"Yeah, sure."

"You don't sound very enthusiastic..."

Deer is fine, but it's hard not to compare it to beef.

"Hey, goblins are here, and hobgoblins too!"

While we were talking, a voice came from the distant forest.

It's a work signal. With hobgoblins, there are a fair number. We can't let any escape. It might not lead to serious injuries, but we need to lend a hand.

"Let's go."

"Ugh, I have to clean my sword after cutting goblins."

"Mr. Mongrel, you're quite particular about such things."

"I'm the cleanest man in Halperia."

"You're a weirdo..."

"That's just a blunt insult."

We rushed to the scene with a leisurely pace, and the vanguard of the Shield of the Earth was already fighting a small group of goblins.

"Zei!"

One of the members swung a longsword, cutting down a goblin wielding a club from a distance.

The size difference and weapon reach are so obvious that such a stark contrast in combat is rare.

In the Kingdom of Halperia, a longsword is a "sword as long as possible while still being carried without difficulty by an individual."

The minimum requirement for someone to be called a swordsman is the ability to enhance their body with magic, even slightly. This allows them to wield a longsword. With their bodies enhanced by fantasy power, the main weapon, the sword, naturally becomes larger.

Conversely, to slay the large monsters that roam the country, a long and sturdy longsword is essential.

"One-sided, as expected of the Shield of the Earth."

"Well, we don't struggle against goblins."

Alex says with a wry smile, but it's not so smooth for new guild members. They have to block with their shields, barely avoid attacks, and look for openings. They have to devise strategies multiple times during combat.

The common practice of killing from a distance with a long reach is far ahead of them.

"Well, I have to get to work too."

"Ah."

Alex also runs towards the group of goblins.

He's an interesting guy, suddenly becoming serious and swinging his sword in battle, contrary to his usually polite demeanor.

It would be good to show this side to a woman, but the Shield of the Earth is all men...

"Mr. Mongrel, can you just hold them back over there!"

While I was thinking leisurely, a goblin that had "escaped forward" was approaching.

Why do goblins come in groups? Why do they run towards us? It's pointless to think about it. It's better not to overthink their actions.

"Uha-ha-ha-ha!"

"!?"

I raised my voice and hit the trunk of a nearby tree with my bastard sword, intimidating the goblin. I felt like a monkey.

Even goblins, who are usually unflappable, are taken aback by a human suddenly turning into a monkey, and their movements pause. They can't think of complex strategies, but they are intimidated by unusual energy. A clear bluff is the best way to hold them back.

"What was that noise..."

Alex, looking exasperated, beheaded two goblins that had stopped from behind.

"Monkey impression."

"Why not just hold them back with your sword..."

"I don't want to, it'll get dirty."

"How much of a clean freak are you?"

I was only ordered to hold them back. So I only held them back.

I could have taken them down, but if I don't have to, I won't.

"But this is a busy task every year."

"There's no choice. Especially this year, everyone is in a panic because there's not enough wood."

"Freezing to death due to a lack of firewood is a real concern."

"How about it... I don't want it to happen, but it will probably come from the slums... It happens every year."

While shaving the dirty nose of a goblin, Alex says.

Man, they are really dirty. Snot is dripping. I'm glad I didn't have to fight.

"..."

"...Alex, calm down."

Holding the dripping nose of a goblin, Alex takes a step closer to me.

"Since you held them back, how about a part of the goblin? Here, take this."

"It's fine, really."

"Come on, don't be shy, here, here."

"Stop it, don't come closer! Stop it!"

The silly game between grown men ended with a reprimand from the deputy leader of the Shield of the Earth, who was nearby.

Thank you, deputy leader.