Chapter 31

As the morning arrived, Rio began tracking the surviving monkeys alongside the knight squadron led by Rasmor.

The knight squadron led by Rasmor consisted of fifteen members. Since horses could not enter the mountains, all of them were on foot. Five groups of three were formed, each accompanied by a guide from the village who was familiar with the mountains, such as Bald, Kari, and Remini's father.

The investigation team, entering the mountains from behind the village, soon discovered traces of the monkeys.

"They must have been in quite a panic," Bald remarked.

"Given their large size, it makes the tracking easier," Kari added.

Not only were there footprints, but also broken branches and fragments of wooden plates that the monkeys used as armor scattered along the way. Even without Rio and the others, the knights could have easily tracked them.

However, the monkeys, despite their rudimentary tactics, were cautious. Rasmor, who did not have knowledge of the terrain, did not let his guard down.

"Rio, is there a high place ahead from which we can overlook the village? A large tree would also do."

Asked by Rasmor, Rio thought for a moment before answering.

"I can't say for sure if it overlooks the village, but there is a large tree. Last year, a few trees were washed away by a river breach, improving visibility."

"A breach, huh. Indeed, there was a report. A child was swept away."

"That was me."

"…You survived well."

Rio chuckled, thinking the same.

The tracking proceeded smoothly, and they arrived at the site of the breached river. With the arrival of spring, several weeds had grown in the muddy areas where the water had drained poorly.

Rasmor stopped Bald, who was about to proceed.

"Wait. The footing is bad. The monkeys have learned to use projectiles in the battle in the village. It would be dangerous to receive stones from the opposite bank."

Rasmor could not let Bald and the others, who lacked proper armor, go ahead. He sent a few knights to secure the opposite bank.

The cautious movements were not only due to the monkeys but also because of the unknown group of people they were wary of. They crossed the riverbed and climbed over the back mountain.

The tracking was still easy due to the abundance of traces, but Kari reported something to one of the knights with a troubled look. The knight ran to Rasmor to report.

"Report. According to the one-armed man, the monkeys' panic has lasted too long. The route they chose shows a foresight that only someone who knows the mountains well could have."

"Hmm. Indeed, considering the intelligence of the monkeys last night, it is strange that they continue to flee even when we are not pursuing them. Perhaps they have joined forces with a boss who is directing them. If so, this could be a strategy to lure us somewhere. Rio, are there any narrow places or valleys ahead that would be suitable for an ambush?"

"There are valleys in the mountains, but they are not very deep and are gentle. If we continue straight, the area with the most potential for an ambush would be the Fraug grove."

"Fraug? What is that?"

Perhaps because it was a plant unrelated to the nobility, Rasmor, intrigued, asked for details, which his middle-aged adjutant provided.

"A poisonous plant that grows in this area. Its fruit is red and emits a sweet fragrance, but touching it can cause swelling if it is not ripe."

"Ah. In that case, an ambush in the Fraug grove is indeed possible. Are the monkeys immune to the poison?"

"There are signs that the monkeys have eaten the Fraug fruit."

"I see. But do the monkeys know that the Fraug poison affects humans?"

"Probably not. However, since it is generally toxic to the animals in this area, it is a reasonable assumption."

"Hmm, I understand. Still, Rio, your answers are quite solid. For a child from a border village, who taught you?"

Rasmor, now interested in Rio, was reprimanded by his adjutant.

"Sir, we are in the middle of an operation."

"Ah, right. We'll talk about it when we return to the village."

Rio secretly sighed, thinking he would have to talk to this stomach-churning person even after returning to the village.

The tracking continued smoothly, and the investigation team arrived at the Fraug grove. They searched the surrounding area.

"The monkeys seem to have fled."

"They must have realized that the ambush was seen through. I wanted to crush them here."

There were several bird bones and feathers left behind, likely from the monkeys or wild birds that had been waiting in ambush since last night. Upon examining the Fraug grove, there were signs that the fruit had been picked. It seemed the monkeys' strategy was to throw the Fraug fruit directly rather than lure them into the grove.

Rasmor, looking at the Fraug grove, folded his arms.

"Then why was the ambush seen through?"

"They were probably being monitored from somewhere. It makes sense that they immediately retreated when they saw our scouts in front of the grove."

"Rio, do you have any idea where they might have been monitored from?"

Nodding at the adjutant's assessment, Rasmor asked Rio, who pointed east. There was a large rock jutting out from a cliff in the distance, from which the grove and its surroundings could be seen.

"Too far. If the monkeys gave the retreat order from there, they must have very good eyesight. How far should we pursue them?"

"The intelligence of the monkeys is troublesome. We should strike them now while we have the chance."

Rasmor nodded ambiguously at the adjutant's advice. They had already crossed the back mountain and entered the border mountains. With twenty people and no supplies, pursuing them aimlessly was dangerous.

After a moment of contemplation, Rasmor made a decision.

"We will retreat. We will return to the village and wait for Oggan's arrival. Collect the dead birds the monkeys ate. We might be able to determine their base from the habitat."

Following Rasmor's decision, the knights quickly collected the dead birds. On the way back, they did not need to search for traces, so their speed increased. Rio and the others, who were familiar with the mountains, and the well-trained knights did not show any signs of fatigue.

The knights, being elite, maintained their vigilance even during the retreat. As they approached the riverbed, Rasmor spoke to Rio.

"The river's flow has changed due to the breach, hasn't it? Has it affected the farming?"

"We use a different river, so there is no impact. There is also a reservoir built by the previous village chief, so we haven't experienced drought since I was born."

A cold sweat ran down Rio's back as he corrected his pronoun, but Rasmor laughed it off.

"You're relaxing because we stopped tracking? We're still in the mountains. Don't let your guard down."

Rasmor playfully elbowed Rio's shoulder. His casual demeanor was likely to help Rio, who was tense and tired.

Rasmor, who would be the next lord and was already in charge of the cavalry, seemed to be a capable person.

They crossed the river after sending scouts ahead to ensure safety, just as they did on the way there. This was now the familiar back mountain.

Rio, looking up at the sky to confirm the sun's position, realized that they would likely reach the village while the sun was still high. He then noticed a familiar high-pitched sound coming from a distance. The sound, like that of an insect flying by his ear, was the same one he heard just before the ambush last night.

Reacting instinctively, he looked in the direction of the sound. It was a miracle that he noticed it. In the eastern direction, above the trees, a monkey was seen in the backlight of the sun, about to throw something.

"---!"

He grabbed Rasmor's arm, who was standing next to him. Using Rasmor as a support, Rio raised his sheathed sword. A mud ball with a sweet smell hit the sheath and shattered.

Understanding that it was a mud ball mixed with Fraug fruit from the smell, Rio protected Rasmor by placing him behind him and drew his sword.

"Monkeys!"

"An ambush in this place. Form a circle and protect the villagers inside!"

Following Rasmor's orders, the knights quickly formed a circle in the forest. They divided into groups of one person clearing the surrounding branches and two protecting them, ensuring they had space to swing their swords.

Rio was taken aback by their excellent coordination and response. He had expected the knights to excel in group combat, but their seamless movements exceeded his expectations.

Several red mud balls containing Fraug fruit were thrown from the east. The knights were knocking them down with the flat sides of their swords.

"Be careful. Some of the mud balls contain stones."

Just as one of the knights warned, a group of monkeys charged from the west, roaring like a battle cry.

The high-pitched sound he heard earlier was likely a signal to the monkeys on the west side.

Rasmor narrowed his eyes and drew his sword.

"There are many of them…"