Chapter 53

In the west of the royal capital Prossia, at the border with the Enchanted Forest, Dianea was hunting monsters.

"Phew, let's call it a day with today's extermination here."

"Good work, Lady Dianea."

Dianea, who was in the rear guard, entrusted the vanguard to the captain of the knights and incinerated the monsters with fire. With this strategy, they had finished exterminating the monsters that had appeared between the Enchanted Forest and the royal capital.

It was part of the usual security maintenance.

"Captain of the Knights, I appreciate you coming with me, but is it okay to leave the knights unattended?"

"It's fine, I've already given them instructions. Rather, it's more dangerous to leave you alone, my lady."

"Well, that's true. The basic rule of monster hunting is to do it in a group. It's difficult to deal with unexpected dangers when you're alone..."

These were the basics of combat that the captain of the knights had taught her long ago.

"Especially now, with the dungeon being active. We need to be careful."

"Yeah. So far, there hasn't been a large-scale monster outbreak..."

As usual, just hunting the naturally occurring monsters was enough.

According to Anne, a large-scale outbreak was supposed to happen in a few days, maybe just two or three, but it had already been more than three days. It was taking longer than expected, which was fortunate for Dianea.

"Thanks to this, we've had time to deploy defensive personnel."

"...It was lucky that a group of skilled adventurers was in the royal capital."

The top adventurer group 'Shining Head,' known for their 90% success rate in quests in the armed city, was in the royal capital's tavern.

It was really helpful that they were helping with the city's security.

"These monsters around here are quite strong. Ordinary adventurers would find it difficult to handle two at once."

"Yeah, the Fabniel with their sharp tusks and the Big Slime that can swallow you whole if you let your guard down are also spawning in the Enchanted Forest."

Many of these monsters were so difficult that adventurers needed to form groups to exterminate them.

"Add the dungeon monsters to the mix, and it's no laughing matter. I hope we can strengthen our defenses in time."

"There are a lot of problems to deal with. We've invited other adventurers, but the more people we invite, the more supplies we need. We also haven't secured enough rations in case the barrier prevents entry and exit."

"We'll have to solve these problems eventually..."

There were indeed a lot of problems. But there was no point in just complaining about them.

"Let's move on to the next task. I'll go and ask the werewolves about the situation in the Enchanted Forest. Captain of the Knights, please check the city's defensive deployment."

"...I'm really sorry. It should be a messenger's job, not yours, my lady."

"Don't worry about it. I'm one of the few who can use teleportation."

If she acted quickly, it was easier to do it alone.

"It would be different if I could bring the people from the research city, but there's no point in worrying about it now. ...I'm off."

"Yes, have a good trip!"

●

The meeting with the werewolves was over in a few minutes.

They were also hunting the monsters that had entered their village, but...

"The monster spawn rate in the Enchanted Forest hasn't changed, huh?"

It hadn't increased or decreased, but they were slightly more aggressive.

It was unclear if this was related to the connection with the dungeon.

"Anyway, next, I'll go see that person."

Dianea was heading to Daiti's place. She teleported to near his house and then walked the rest of the way.

The problem with powerful magic spots was that you couldn't teleport directly to them. If she suddenly appeared and startled him, she might get attacked.

So, she was walking there, but...

"It's so noisy...?"

She heard a strange sound. It was the sound of a group running, "thud, thud, thud."

...Could it be?

Dianea's steps quickened involuntarily. She didn't think it was possible, but...

"Monsters are spawning here...!?"

With a bad feeling, Dianea ran.

When she reached Daiti's house, she saw...

"...Huh?"

Several golems were smashing and pinning down a group of dozens of Fabniels with wooden projectiles.

"Ooooh...!!"

A giant boar charged at a huge golem with a loud noise, but it was thrown back as if nothing had happened and fell over. Then, wooden projectiles from the golem's arm finished it off, rendering it immobile.

Soon, the entire group of monsters was wiped out.

"---Yeah, I knew."

●

"Hey, what brings you here today?"

While taking a nap and casually dealing with the group of monsters, I noticed Dianea in the yard.

After finishing the cleanup and waking up, I greeted her like this, but...

"Yeah, well... I came to feel reassured."

Dianea was looking at me with an incredibly relieved expression.

"?"

"Yeah, that's right. ...Given this situation, there was no need to worry. No, it's strange for someone like me to worry, I guess."

What is this princess witch talking about?

"No, it's my problem. Don't worry about it. But, what do you plan to do with this many Fabniels?"

"Well, what can I do? We'll eat some, share with the werewolves, or let them go."

The meat of these boars is quite chewy and delicious. It's great for sukiyaki, juicy and all. So, I usually process a few and store them in the fridge. But more than that, I can't handle.

So, I give them to the werewolves.

Basically, they're alive, so if I can't handle them, I can let them go. That's what I said, and...

"R-Right. But, if you don't mind, could you supply them to my city? We need more food with the increase in population. Of course, I'll pay you."

For some reason, Dianea was begging me with a desperate look.

"Huh? It's fine with me..."

I've never had this many before, so I was at a loss on how to handle them. If they can process them, I don't mind giving them away.

"Ah, thank you...! This solves one of our problems... You're the city's savior!"

"?"

I was really moved.

I don't understand, but if she's happy, that's fine.

So, Dianea spent about an hour teleporting the Fabniels.