Chapter 48

Xavier Gazier, leading the Gazier Frontier Lord's army of a hundred men, had halted their march in the middle of the "Salt Road" under the scorching sun.

About an hour had passed since they had resumed marching after the midday break.

If one were to describe the scene before Xavier and his men, it could be summed up in just one word: "gloomy."

Overturned cargo carriages blocked the road, and the dead bodies of the "Dull Dragons" that had been harnessed to them, still connected by leather straps, lay lifeless.

Scattered around were broken salt burlap bags, and numerous human corpses were strewn around the cargo carriages.

This was the end result of the salt merchants' fate.

It had been quite some time since they were attacked. The bodies had rotted to a pulp, emitting a strong stench.

It was unclear whether the missing parts of the bodies had been eaten by carnivorous dragons or had simply rotted away. To the untrained eye, it was impossible to tell.

The black spots wriggling on the brown, melted flesh were clusters of flesh flies, and the white spots floating here and there were groups of eggs laid by the flesh flies.

If one listened carefully, amidst the sound of the wind, one could hear the countless flapping of wings, making one's ears itch.

"Ugh...!"

"Ugh..."

"Don't vomit! If you waste your strength here, you won't be able to fight later!"

"Go ahead and throw up what you just ate. I'll punch you so hard your eyes will pop out!"

In the rear, the new recruits, struggling with nausea, were being harshly scolded and encouraged by the veterans.

Even though they were new recruits, they were born in the frontier, where they lived alongside the wonders of nature. While most of them had seen human corpses before, seeing dragon corpses was a rare occurrence.

Thus, the cause of their nausea was likely the smell.

The stench of decay, which arose as the flesh rotted and melted, was so intense that it seemed to give the air a color. It was no wonder that young soldiers, unaccustomed to it, felt the urge to vomit.

In fact, if Xavier himself had not suppressed the urge with a combination of "responsibility" and "vanity," he would have long since succumbed to the impulse rising from his stomach.

On the back of a "Runner Dragon," where the young commander was engaged in an inner battle, it was a seasoned knight who reminded him of his duties.

"Lord Xavier, please give us your orders."

The middle-aged knight, skillfully maneuvering his "Runner Dragon" closer to Xavier, spoke in a small but strong voice, reprimanding the young commander.

With the knight's straightforward words, Xavier, as if regaining his senses, cleared his throat and issued orders.

"Um, yes. The inspection team, move forward and inspect the bodies. Analyze the situation and report back. The rest, take up positions to guard the perimeter!"

"Understood!"

"Did you hear that? The first squadron will guard the east side of the road, the second squadron will guard the west. The third and fourth squadrons will guard the rear and the supply unit!"

"Clear the road, the inspection team is moving forward."

Upon receiving Xavier's slightly faltering orders, the troops immediately sprang into action.

As the men of the inspection team approached the bodies at a quick pace, the clusters of flesh flies that had been clinging to the bodies like mud took off all at once. The scene was as if the area had been enveloped in a black fog, dark and murky.

The term "inspection team" might sound like a group of highly educated individuals, but in reality, they were nothing more than "experienced hunters."

However, no one had more knowledge in this field than experienced hunters who had accumulated years of experience.

From the tooth marks and droppings left behind, they could deduce the species of the attacker and estimate the number of attackers based on the condition of the victims. They could even estimate the approximate time since death based on the state of decomposition of the bodies.

This was not academic knowledge passed down through generations but a collection of practical knowledge gained through experience. However, this did not diminish its reliability.

Before long, the hunters of the inspection team approached Xavier.

If this were the lord's mansion or the capital, there would be appropriate etiquette, but on the front lines, most rudeness was tolerated.

The middle-aged man with a scruffy brown beard, representing the hunters, spoke up.

"I report that the salt merchants were attacked by a 'Dragon Swarm.'"

At the words of the middle-aged hunter, Xavier's cheek twitched.

'Dragon Swarm'

There was no one present who did not know this name. It was that popular a species of carnivorous dragon in the western part of the southern continent.

While there were a few exceptions, in general, most herbivorous dragons like the "Dull Dragon" and "Runner Dragon" were quadrupeds, while most carnivorous dragons were bipeds. The "Dragon Swarm" was no exception.

An adult "Dragon Swarm" would stand about a head or two taller than a human.

Standing upright on two powerful legs that acted like strong springs, it maintained balance with its long tail, and it caught its prey with sharp claws on its short front legs and jagged teeth.

If one were to compare it to an Earth creature, its silhouette would most closely resemble a "kangaroo."

Although classified as a small species among carnivorous dragons, the "Dragon Swarm" was not without threat to humans.

As the name suggests, these dragons always moved in groups.

In fact, in frontier villages, attacks by "Dragon Swarms" on livestock such as "Dull Dragons" and "Meat Dragons" were a frequent problem, and the "Dragon Swarm" was considered the most likely to prey on villagers who entered the forest.

However, Xavier, who knew the biology and habits of the "Dragon Swarm" to some extent, tilted his head in doubt at the hunters' report.

"A 'Dragon Swarm'? Are you sure?"

In response to the commander's question, the bearded hunter nodded confidently.

"Yes, I'm certain. The human bodies were too decomposed to confirm, but the skin of the Dull Dragons doesn't rot easily. We found tooth marks and claw marks. It was definitely a 'Dragon Swarm' that carried out this attack."

Given the clear statement of the expert hunters, it was unlikely to be wrong.

However, Xavier's doubts were not resolved.

"I see. If you're that certain, then it must be so. But I don't understand. Were the salt merchants defeated by a mere 'Dragon Swarm'? I've heard that their guards were well-trained and numerous."

Xavier's gaze fell on the scattered bodies of the salt merchants.

The bodies, which had been significantly eaten and decomposed, made it impossible to distinguish which were the salt merchants and which were their guards. However, the remnants of short spears and single bows scattered around suggested that there had been a sufficient number of combatants.

Xavier himself had experience in hunting "Dragon Swarms" as part of his "practical training." Based on that experience, it was hard to imagine that a group of "Dragon Swarms" could not be repelled by such a force.

However, the bearded hunter shook his head sternly.

"Lord Xavier, the size of a 'Dragon Swarm' depends on the quality of the leader. Most leaders can only form groups of less than ten, but some older and more developed leaders can form groups of twenty or thirty.

A leader that commands a large group is not just big and strong. It can feed that many subordinates, so it is usually exceptionally intelligent and cunning in its hunting methods."

"So, the 'Dragon Swarm' that attacked these salt merchants..."

Understanding the situation from the hunter's explanation, Xavier's expression hardened.

"Yes, it was likely a large group of 'Dragon Swarms' led by a powerful leader. Even with the guards the salt merchants had, if a well-organized group of twenty or thirty 'Dragon Swarms' attacked, it's entirely possible they would be overwhelmed.

As you can see, the trees on both sides of the road are densely packed. If they were ambushed, it would not be surprising for them to be defeated without a chance to fight back."

"Twenty or thirty, huh."

Xavier, listening to the bearded hunter's explanation, furrowed his brow in a troubled expression.

However, the hunter, with a grim expression, shook his head again.

"No, Lord Xavier. At least twenty or thirty. In fact, I estimate that this group had more than 'fifty' members."

"Fifty! Do you have any evidence?"

Surprised by the number far exceeding his expectations, Xavier asked.

Looking closely, the other hunters, except for the bearded one who had spoken, also had surprised expressions. This was likely the opinion of the bearded hunter alone.

The bearded hunter, as if waiting for Xavier's question, began to explain his theory.

"Even from here, you can see the dead bodies of the 'Dull Dragons' that pulled the salt merchants' carriages. Some of them have been eaten on their backs.

That part is tough and unpalatable. If there were enough prey, most carnivorous dragons would not eat that part.

There were a considerable number of humans and a total of eight Dull Dragons here. Yet, the backs of the Dull Dragons were eaten. This suggests..."

"A large number of 'Dragon Swarms' that were not satisfied even after eating the soft parts of the humans and Dull Dragons?"

"Yes, that's what I think."

"More than fifty?"

"That's just a rough estimate. Considering the number of salt merchants, carriage drivers, porters, and guards, plus the soft and relatively tasty parts of the eight 'Dull Dragons' that were eaten, it's not unreasonable to think that there were that many."

"Hmm..."

Xavier, biting his lower lip, pondered the persuasive words of the bearded hunter, though they were rough.

Fifty "Dragon Swarms."

If this estimate were true, it would be a formidable enemy even for the hundred men under Xavier's command.

He did not think they would be defeated, but young soldiers were precious to the Kingdom of Carp after the great war.

The margin for acceptable casualties was narrow.

This matter, which the Gazier Frontier Lord had decided to handle with his own troops to give his son a chance to prove himself, might force an unpleasant choice if the situation worsened.

That is, to prioritize the achievement and sacrifice valuable soldiers, or to prioritize the lives of the soldiers and abandon the achievement, requesting reinforcements from the royal army.

(Difficult, indeed.)

Xavier, who wanted to prioritize the lives of his soldiers over his own achievements, was aware that such an emotional decision was not allowed in his position.

Inheriting the position of Frontier Lord in the near future, gaining "fame" for Xavier meant directly protecting the interests of the Gazier Frontier Lord's territory in the Kingdom of Carp.

Honor or the lives of soldiers.

Of course, the best outcome would be for Xavier to gain honor without losing any soldiers, but if the bearded hunter's estimate of "fifty 'Dragon Swarms'" were correct, the possibility of achieving that without casualties was very low.

Realizing that his thoughts were getting stuck in a loop, Xavier decided to focus on resolving the immediate situation.

"Understood. First, we need to dispose of the bodies and the carriages. We can't continue marching like this."

Xavier, still mounted, skillfully turned his "Runner Dragon" and declared loudly to his subordinates waiting behind.

Following Xavier's order, it was Knight Josep who immediately added detailed instructions.

"Did you hear that? The axemen, clear a space in the forest for a cremation.

Those who can use 'Drying' and 'Wind Blade' will make