Chapter 34

Oggan led the way to an empty lot at the edge of the village. The place reeked after the autopsy, but Oggan stepped into the lot without any concern and called out to the supervising knight.

"Let's go over what we already know."

As he listened to the knight's explanation, Oggan put on gloves and reached out to the dead monkey without hesitation. Since he wasn't told to leave, Rio stood awkwardly and listened to the knight's talk. He judged that leaving on his own would cause problems, but honestly, the smell was so bad that he didn't want to stay long.

"Omnivorous. Well-developed muscles, and hands as dexterous as a human's. From the contents of the stomach, it seems they eat their prey raw without cooking, indicating a lack of intelligence. They are almost immune to poisons, including the fruit of the Flaug tree. It's a strange story, isn't it?"

Oggan said this as he looked over the dead monkey.

"It's not a fiendish beast."

"Really?"

"Is it!?"

Rio couldn't help but interject and quickly closed his mouth, bowing to Oggan and the others.

Oggan stroked his chin and laughed.

"Boy, let me give you a lesson. Come here."

Called over, Rio approached Oggan.

Oggan pointed to the dead monkey.

"Do you know how to distinguish between animals, fiendish beasts, and fiendish spirits?"

"Animals can't use magic, humans and other animals that can use magic are magical creatures, animals that have transformed are fiendish beasts or divine beasts, and those that suddenly appear out of nowhere are fiendish spirits or divine spirits."

"Good. Now, the reason this is not a fiendish beast—look around. Even with individual differences, there are no special parts, right?"

As Oggan said, the dead monkeys varied in size and gender, but their shapes didn't change much.

Oggan cut open the monkey's abdomen and turned to Rio.

"Fiendish beasts usually develop new parts on their bodies. If there are no differences in their internal organs or muscles, these are likely one species—either animals or magical creatures. It's possible that one or two fiendish beasts are mixed in, but not all of them."

"Um, you mean there's too little change in their bodies to be a group of fiendish beasts?"

"Exactly. During the battle, did these monkeys use magic? Did anything strange happen?"

"No. If I have to say, there was always a high-pitched sound before the ambush."

"High-pitched sound? A call?"

Oggan, intrigued by Rio's testimony, sent a confirming glance to the knight.

However, the knight shook his head.

"I didn't hear it. My colleagues didn't report it either. Rio, you were the first to react during the ambush in the mountains. Was that the reason?"

"Yes. In the village, just before the ambush from the back, there was a high-pitched sound like insects flying by my ear. A girl named Shiraha heard the same sound, and probably the hunter's daughter, Remi, who was there too."

"…Hmm. I heard they had a tactical understanding. Were they communicating with that sound?"

Oggan muttered and cut a slit in the monkey's throat to examine the vocal cords.

"Seems close to humans…"

After examining the monkey's mouth with a serious expression, Oggan turned to Rio.

"I want to talk to the girls, Shiraha and Remi. Can you guide me? I know it might be embarrassing for someone your age to talk to girls."

"It's fine. This way."

If he could leave this smelly place, Rio immediately led Oggan away.

Remi was at home, efficiently making arrows to replenish the stock. For some reason, Shiraha was helping her.

"Which one is the girl?"

"The one making arrows is Remi."

"Hmm. …And the other girl?"

"That's Shiraha. She's—my houseguest, or like a sister."

Oggan carefully observed Shiraha.

Shiraha, who had just brought materials for the arrows, noticed Rio and ran over.

"…Are you here to help, Rio?"

"No, to guide."

Remi put down the newly made arrow and stood up. It seemed she only then noticed Oggan, who was standing in Rio's shadow. She quickly dragged Shiraha over and made her bow to Oggan.

"S-Sorry. This girl doesn't know Mr. Oggan."

"Hmm. I'm not a noble or anything. There's no need to be so formal. Stand up. I came here because I have some questions about the monkeys."

Oggan, who was listening to Remi about the high-pitched sound, seemed to shift his interest to Shiraha. Still, he listened to Remi's story and thanked her briefly.

"Thank you. It seems to be a sound that only children can hear. I'd like to talk to the children who were defending the main road, but…"

Oggan, who had been holding back, finally turned to Shiraha.

"Can you use body-strengthening magic?"

"…I can—can, because I learned from Rio."

"Show me."

Prompted by Oggan, who narrowed his eyes to scrutinize, Shiraha activated the body-strengthening magic. Oggan, who had been watching her intently, exhaled deeply in admiration.

"Your magic flow is excellent. Your magic power is far beyond that of an ordinary person. It's unbelievable. It's as if your body is made of magic."

Oggan, in awe, looked at Rio.

"You said she's a houseguest. Are her parents alive?"

"No, she had no relatives, so we took her in. We don't know her background, and she doesn't remember it either."

In response to Rio, Oggan looked at Shiraha excitedly.

"I want her as my disciple!"

"I don't want to be separated from Rio."

Shiraha immediately refused, and Oggan looked at Rio.

"Can I stay as a houseguest too?"

"…C-Can I ask my parents first?"