Volume 6, Chapter 6 – The Crisis Approaching Calvara

The next morning, we headed to the manor’s dining hall for breakfast, where Eustache-san was waiting to greet us.

“Good morning. Saint-sama, Christina-dono, Mieshiro Shizuku-dono, Lumia-dono. I trust you rested well?”

“Yes. Thanks to you, I slept very soundly.”

“I am glad to hear it. As Calvara is currently in a state of emergency, I could only prepare this much, but please, help yourselves.”

“Thank you. In that case, I’ll gladly accept your offer. Let’s eat.”

He said “this much,” but from my perspective, it was a luxurious breakfast that looked like something you’d find in a hotel.

First, the rich aroma of butter from freshly baked rolls immediately hit me and stimulated my appetite.

Then there was a plate with fried eggs, ham, salami, tomatoes, and yellow and orange cheeses, as well as a fruit and vegetable salad, yogurt, and even apricot jam.

For drinks, fresh orange juice and tea were provided.

Reаⅾ on КаtRеadіոɡCafе

Lu-chan knows how to read the room, so she wasn’t making a scene like she does when it’s just the two of us, but she looked blissfully happy as she ate.

“Please feel free to listen while you eat. As I mentioned, Calvara is currently under high alert because signs of a Monster Stampede have been spotted in the western forest. The House of Capotrias would like to ensure the Saint-sama is escorted safely to the Royal Capital, but unfortunately, we have almost no forces to spare here in Calvara. We have requested reinforcements from the provincial capital, Samarca, so would you be willing to wait for their arrival before departing?”

Hmm? I didn’t exactly ask to be escorted.

“Thank you for your concern. Is this Monster Stampede of a scale where carriages cannot pass through?”

“Yes. Judging by the reports from our Scouts, it is assumed to be a mixed Monster Stampede consisting of roughly 500 Goblins, 100 Orcs, and 200 Forest Wolves.”

Huh? That’s quite different from what I expected.

“I see. Since different kinds of monsters are working together, does that mean the Demon Race is involved?”

Chris-san chimed in from the side.

“There is no evidence of that at the moment, but since it is a mixed group, it is a possibility.”

Rеαԁ oո KatRеαdіnɡСafе

“Chris-san, what do you mean by the Demon Race being involved?”

“Yes. Normally, monsters do not act in coordination with other species of monsters. Therefore, if Goblins and Orcs are cooperating, there is a possibility that they are being commanded by something other than a monster, such as someone from the Demon Race. Of course, they may cooperate if they find humans to attack, so one cannot say for certain.”

“Even if the monsters are fighting among themselves?”

“Yes. It is said that if humans happen to pass by while a pack of Goblins and Orcs are fighting over territory, they will stop their infighting and attack the humans instead.”

“Wow, humans really are hated by monsters, aren’t they?”

When I said that, Chris-san nodded with a somewhat complicated expression.

“Ah, but if that’s the case, why don’t we just thin out the monsters in the forest? If there are fewer than a thousand, it shouldn’t turn into something like Chi Tien.”

“I agree, Fiene-sama. With that number, there are likely almost no Higher Species; in fact, I believe we should thin them out now.”

“Saint-sama! Would you truly do that!?”

Reaⅾ оո KаtRеαdiոɡСafe

Eustache-san jumped at our conversation.

“Let’s see, well…”

I glanced at Shizuku-san and Lu-chan.

“I have no objections. However, I assume we shall receive a reward, yes?”

With that, our treasurer looked at Eustache-san.

“Of course. I shall prepare a sufficient amount.”

“In that case, I have no further objections.”

“I don’t care about that! I just want to go to the Royal Capital quickly and meet Onee-sama’s friends and the person called Shishou!”

Oh, Lu-chan is actually opposing this for once.

Rеαⅾ оn КatRеaԁingCafe

Perhaps it’s because she almost died at Chi Tien, but she doesn’t seem to want to get involved in this.

Or maybe it’s because of that scummy Gate Captain?

“Lumia-dono, if you could resolve the problem in the forest, the House of Capotrias will take full responsibility for escorting you to the Royal Capital. Furthermore, I shall prepare the finest delicacies you desire at every stop along the way.”

“I’ll do it! Onee-sama! Let’s beat up the bad monsters ruining the forest!”

Lu-chan told me this with an expression full of motivation.

Mmm, faced with the resourceful Eustache-san, Lu-chan was won over in an instant.

“Then, Saint-sama, we humbly entrust this to you.”

And so, we decided to thin out the monsters in order to deal with the signs of a Monster Stampede in the western forest of Calvara.