Chapter 81

Yugurosh Salt Lake was as vast as the sea.

"Wow, it's amazing, Princess! I can't even see the other shore!"

Lillian exclaimed in delight. I, too, was struck by the beauty of the scenery before me, and my mouth nearly dropped open. The shore was covered with small, round, whitish stones, and the water had a pale color, a mix of white and blue. However, as the water deepened, it gradually turned a darker shade of blue. The sunlight reflected off the lake surface, creating a shimmering, almost magical effect.

"This is a salt lake, huh? It's so salty, even though it's near the mountains. It's quite mysterious."

"This salt lake mixes with the melting snow from the mountains in spring, making the water similar in salinity to the sea. That's why various fish live here, making it a very rich fishing ground."

Captain Blanche pointed to several fishing boats floating in the distance. Just beyond a hill from here was the Yugurosh Fort, where a thriving town had developed due to the fishing industry. However, the rich fishing grounds had been ravaged by the over-proliferation of the Yugurosh centipede crabs, leading to this large-scale extermination operation. The centipede crabs molt and grow three to four times a year, and they can grow to over ten furlongs in just ten years.

On a part of the shore, preparations were steadily progressing. Wooden stakes were driven into the ground a short distance from the shore, and torches and simple magic lamps were set up everywhere. Since the centipede crabs are nocturnal, they use the light to guide them. The preparations were being carried out by Fort Commander Gilir and his subordinate knights. Their knight uniforms, unlike the all-black uniforms of the Midleagues knights, had yellow lines on the back.

"Move the stakes in the eighth row a bit to the west. About seven furlongs... a bit more, there, that's it."

Muran was giving instructions using a resonant stone. The wooden stakes, placed without gaps, were divided into those that would guide the centipede crabs' path and those that would stop them.

"Zeph, how's it going over there?"

『It's going well overall. But the spawning grounds from last year are spread over a wide area, so it might be better to reinforce the eastern side a bit more.』

"Got it. I'll check it out after the western side is done."

The resonant stone was very convenient. As Muran communicated with Zeph, he marked the positions of the stakes on a diagram with the carpenters. Captain Blanche, who was with me, explained various things.

"Centipede crabs lay their eggs on moonless nights at the end of autumn. Since there are predators in the water that target the eggs, they all come ashore at once."

"Come to think of it, tonight is a moonless night, isn't it? That's why the operation is scheduled for tonight."

"Yes, that's right. After the sun sets and a few hours have passed, the smaller centipede crabs that can't lay eggs yet come ashore to be preyed upon. Centipede crabs are also monsters, but they are a delicacy for land-dwelling monsters. The stakes driven towards the western end are to deliberately let the centipede crabs escape and make it easier for the monsters to prey on them."

I see, if the females carrying eggs or the spawning grounds are attacked, they won't be able to produce offspring. So, the others take advantage of the gap when some are deliberately eaten to lay their eggs safely.

The centipede crabs that were stopped were targeted only for the larger ones. Probably, the main event will start around midnight. This time, the plan is to deal with centipede crabs over seven furlongs. Even though they are monsters, they are necessary for the salt lake's ecosystem, so it's a matter of coexistence and mutual prosperity.

By the way, I had heard that in Galbreath, they mainly exterminate monsters that have overpopulated or caused harm to humans. Some monsters are highly beneficial, and the ecosystem of the Elsenei Great Forest is maintained by a delicate balance.

"Look, Princess, look at that steel wire net! It's used to immobilize the large crabs."

Lillian pointed excitedly at something. There, Fort Commander Gilir and about ten knights were spreading out a heavy, cloth-like material. It occasionally glowed with a rainbow hue, and I recognized it.

"Oh, I see! I saw it at Gareo's forge. This special net was made for today, wasn't it?"

"Once centipede crabs grow over five furlongs, their jaws and pincers become incredibly tough. Ordinary steel wire would be torn apart. Since it was known from previous surveys that there were a considerable number of centipede crabs over twenty furlongs, Gareo said he consulted with a mage to weave in steel wire reinforced with magic."

Several specially made steel wire nets from the Lusse Forge were prepared, but due to their weight, they couldn't be thrown by hand. That's where the flying monsters came in. The Grissheld Dragons have excellent night vision and are very strong (after all, they transported the Royal Moods to the Martial Raid with just two of them). It seemed that Aristide was heading this way on a Grissheld Dragon for that reason.

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

After receiving an explanation from Captain Blanche, I decided to fulfill my assigned role.

"Princess, I'll take Lillian to join the others. Sabrina will be her guard."

"That's reassuring. But if anything happens, we have the barrier stone and talismans, so don't worry."

I pressed the barrier stone around my neck, which Aristide had made for me. The amber-colored barrier stone emitted a warm magical energy.

Lillian, in addition to being my guard, was participating in various activities for her first extermination expedition. Captain Blanche and Lillian saluted crisply. Their white knight uniforms shone in the sunlight, and they looked very brave and reliable. On the other hand, I thought,

(White shows dirt easily, so I need an apron.)

Aristide had said it was fine if it got dirty, but I felt hesitant. So, I borrowed a brown apron (or something like an overcoat that you can put on over your head and only expose your hands) to avoid getting dirty.

After about two hours, our rear support team had set up tents in a position where we could overlook the salt lake, and preparations were almost complete. There were medical tents, weapon storage tents, and tents for the mages' equipment. Meetings were being held everywhere, and everyone was quietly performing their roles.

I was preparing lunch as part of the cooking team when a large black group appeared in the northern sky. Their coordinated movements clearly indicated they were heading this way.

"Reina, is that—"

"Yes, it's the riders' team with the lords. Princess, it's fine here, so please go and welcome them."

Kitchen supervisor Reina said this, but I was in the middle of finely chopping root vegetables, and there were still plenty left.

"Are the others going to welcome them too?"

"We prioritize our tasks, so only the team leaders will go to report on the progress. But Princess, you—"

Reina glanced between the approaching dragons and me, perhaps out of concern. The lead dragon was undoubtedly Aristide's. However,

"There's nothing special to report, so I'll do it during lunch."

"Ah!"

"Look, Aristide has a lot of work to do, and he's in charge of the overall command."

I knew that hovering around would just get in the way, so I declined Reina's concern. I transferred the chopped root vegetables to a large basket and started on another batch.

"Don't worry. Right now, serving a delicious lunch is the priority. Ah, Muran! Can you deliver a message for me?"

I called out to Muran, who was looking around for something.

"Here you are, Melfiela. The lords will arrive soon, so I've come to fetch you."

To my surprise, even Muran was doing this. I shook my head and showed her the root vegetables and a small knife.

"I can't leave my work right now. So, please tell Aristide that I'm 'working hard to serve a delicious lunch.'"

Unfortunately, I don't have a message bee, so this was the only way to relay the message. However, Muran made a slightly awkward face when she heard this.

"Ah... Melfiela, you're not going to welcome them?"

"My role is to prioritize my tasks, as Aristide instructed. He said it would be a waste of effort to gather just to welcome him."

"Well, that's true, but—"

"I'm also a warrior of Galbreath! Hehe, the process of achieving a common goal with everyone is fun. I want to talk to Aristide a lot after the successful extermination."

Muran, who had been watching me, said, "I'll tell the lord that," and ran off. Everyone is being too considerate of me.

"Reina, we need to put in extra effort. This is the first time I'm serving Bergnion soup to Aristide."

"Yes, yes! I hope everyone likes it."

Reina, who had suddenly become anxious, but I think her worries are unnecessary. The people who tried the soup last night gave it good reviews, and no one seemed to mind that it was made with Bergnion meat. Whether it's due to their tolerance or lack of fussiness, most people in Galbreath seem to think that as long as it's delicious, it's fine (they are also very curious).

As I was thinking this, the dragons landed at the knights' tent. They were carrying wooden boxes with weapons and magical beasts for the riding animals, and the area became lively. I couldn't hear the conversations from the rear support tent where I was, but I could feel the atmosphere tightening, as if the operation was about to begin.

(Since the main event is at night, the knights said they would take a nap first, and I need to start preparing for the night.)

I have an important role besides making regular meals.

'To make the Yugurosh centipede crabs edible'

This was a special mission given to me by Aristide. I have the magical tools for this, and I need to test if I can extract magic from a smaller centipede crab. It would be wonderful to share the taste that reminds me of my mother with everyone. Of course, the knights' safety is the primary concern, but I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by the excitement of my first extermination expedition.

◇◇◇

"Ah... Unfortunately, my lord. Melfiela is not here."

Muran, who had been standing aimlessly in the tent, approached me after the team leaders had finished their reports. I wondered why she was still there, but it made sense.

"Is there a problem?"

I wondered if someone like Ducas was bothering her or if Melfiela was feeling intimidated. I beckoned Muran over and gestured for her to sit, but she declined and looked determined.

"Allow me to deliver a message from Melfiela! First, she said, 'I'm working hard to serve a delicious lunch.' She had a very cute smile! And, 'I want to talk to Aristide a lot after the successful extermination.' She had a dazzling smile for that too!"

Chaos, who was listening behind me, let out a strange sound. I, too, felt a bit deflated at Muran's imitation of Melfiela's voice.

"Stop making that strange sound. Melfi said that, right?"

"Yes. She said the process of achieving a common goal with everyone is fun. She spent the evening in the camp with everyone, and she's doing her job well. She was working alongside Reina and the other cooks."

"Is that so... Then I shouldn't get in the way. My fiancée is quite reliable."

Despite her tendency to overthink things, I can't stop Melfiela from trying to fit in with Galbreath. Chaos, who seemed to be suppressing laughter, coughed and asked Muran,

"Is Melfiela with the rear support team?"

"Yes. She was wearing a brown overcoat and chopping root vegetables. She seemed concerned about her white knight uniform getting dirty."

"Well, white does show dirt easily. Perhaps we should prepare a special knight uniform for Melfiela."

"But I think the whiteness suits her... Ah, no, my lord. I didn't mean it that way, please don't use your magic eye."

Muran, who had turned away, called out, "I'll return to my post!" and rushed out of the tent. Even though she had delivered the message, I felt a bit uneasy after