Chapter 34

After a two-day preparation period, the Grindler extermination squad set out from the city of Tria.

At the head of the column marched the regiment, followed by the temporarily hired mercenaries.

The Duke of Tria has committed two companies to this operation, which is about one-third of the total standing army of the Tria domain, indicating how seriously the Duke views the current situation.

In fact, it was the general in charge of the Tria domain army who advised for a swift response and allocated this much military force for the extermination. Duke Frederick of Tria is by no means an incompetent ruler, but he is somewhat lacking in military matters. Therefore, when such a situation arose, the response was left entirely to the general.

The general appointed one of the company commanders as the commander of the squad, forming each platoon with four spearmen, two heavy infantry, and three archers, and placed a veteran soldier as the platoon leader. The extermination squad consists of thirty-eight platoons from the domain army and nine platoons of mercenaries, totaling forty-seven platoons.

Two company commanders and eight platoon leaders from the domain army are participating in this extermination squad. One of these platoon leaders, Decken, was given the authority to command five platoons. As he rode his horse, leading the vanguard, a voice spoke to him from the side.

"Platoon Leader Decken, it is an honor to be able to serve alongside you."

The voice came from the horse riding alongside Decken.

"Platoon Leader Druis, this is the first time we will be fighting together, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is reassuring to have Platoon Leader Decken, known for having the best sword in Tria, with us."

In the Tria domain army, the right to ride a horse is granted to those of platoon leader rank and above. Since Druis is also a platoon leader, he is riding his horse in the vanguard.

At the head of the column, the commander, the deputy commander, and six other platoon leaders, including Decken and Druis, were on horseback. Normally, Decken and Druis would be on equal footing. However, Druis, who was promoted from platoon leader just two months ago and is the youngest among the platoon leaders, approaches Decken and the other platoon leaders with a humble attitude.

"With this many soldiers, a single monster will be no match for us."

Decken and the domain army have little information about the Grindler. The appearance of Grindlers, which originally inhabit the distant Canobis Mountains, in the grasslands around Tria is itself an anomaly.

Even mercenaries who travel through dangerous territories rarely venture into the Canobis Mountains voluntarily. Consequently, it is rare to find someone who has actually engaged in combat with a Grindler.

The Tria domain army has documents that mention the existence of Grindlers, but they contain little more than the fact that they are powerful monsters.

"Yes, indeed. With this force, a Grindler is hardly a worthy opponent. Some of the mercenaries are complaining that we should not be sparing our soldiers, but it is truly absurd. Even for a single monster, this is more than enough force."

Due to the uncertainty about the Grindler's strength, the general has allocated what could be considered an excessive force for the extermination.

This is not necessarily a mistake in terms of military strategy. However, Decken cannot help but feel a sense of dissatisfaction, almost like a complaint, that such caution is unnecessary. He also thinks that it would be more beneficial to use that money to improve the equipment of the domain army.

"Indeed. To complain about the domain army's formation when they are being paid just for following is beyond the bounds of propriety. They are merely wielding their swords for a paltry sum."

"Originally, I do not expect much from mercenaries. It is enough that they serve as search personnel."

Decken personally finds it hard to accept the idea of paying such a large sum as participation fees to such people.

However, from the perspective of domain governance, there is a different way of thinking.

Starving mercenaries are troublesome. Since they are inherently stronger than ordinary people, once they lose control, they can quickly turn into bandits, mountain bandits, or violent elements in the underworld. To prevent such situations, it is ultimately beneficial to maintain public order by giving mercenaries appropriate work and support.

Such people should be driven out of the city as soon as possible. Although he does not say it out loud, Decken has always thought this way.

Decken recalled the female mercenary he faced about ten days ago. She was a barbaric mercenary who knew nothing of etiquette or honor. While her azure hair was beautiful and her sky-colored eyes striking, her numerous acts of disrespect towards the lord and the domain army were intolerable.

He had approached the duel with high spirits, intending to teach her a lesson, but he was defeated. He was humiliated in front of the general and the lord. The duel was originally to restore the honor of the company commander who had been defeated by the woman, but in the end, Decken himself received even greater dishonor.

The name of Decken, known as one of the best swordsmen in the domain army, fell rapidly after his defeat by the female mercenary. While no one openly mocked him, he could only imagine what was being said behind his back. Being assigned to this extermination mission was likely a subtle way of being told to restore his reputation through his spear work. He must achieve some merit in the Grindler extermination at all costs.

"We don't need the strength of mercenaries."

Muttering this to no one in particular, Decken gripped the reins of his horse.

2017/05/29 Typo correction: たかか一体の → たかが一体の

2019/07/30 Typo correction: 破れた → 敗れた

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