Chapter 101 (1/2)

<noscript>

</iframe>

</noscript>

Line of Defense Crumbling Down

The Un el Portan joint subjugation team composed of adventurers from three different countries had already withdrawn from their initial base of operations. As of the moment, they set up their headquarters in Forestia's Borderzard, the closest town to the forest.

「We already lost twenty percent of our men and forty percent are wounded.」

In one room of the town's Adventurers Guild — which was being used as temporary headquarters — the chief, who was once a rank B adventurer, groaned. Borderzard's guildmaster and the staff working with the chief all wore the same gloomy expression.

The situation was gradually turning grave.

The first one to quickly dispatch its army was the Quinbland Empire. Their forces had dwindled from the war with Ponsonia, but they still had the troops of the Margrave stationed at the border near Un el Portan who were starting to get deployed in a nearby town. They were able to respond quickly partly because the chief himself was from the Empire.

「Any news from Ponsonia?」

「They haven't contacted us yet.」

「What about Forestia's army?」

「They're moving slow. Actually it feels like they're not moving at all. Maybe the report from the guild hasn't reached the government yet.」a staff said.

The chief glared at Borderzard's guildmaster, but the latter held his ground.

「You said to just send the same number of people like every other year, and so we did. Now after scrambling to take refuge here, you want us to send more?」the guildmaster said.

「You better watch your mouth!」the chief exclaimed.

「Is that how you talk to the one who saved your life?」

「Why, you…」

「Please stop!」

A staff intervened. Ultimately, the Adventurers Guild wasn't a monolithic organization. Borderzard's guildmaster was worried that the subjugation team's escape towards the town would draw the monsters here.

The higher-ups in Forestia had their eyes on the fast-approaching Foundation Anniversary where the leaders of the seven nations would convene in one place. Security was tight. Kirihal and Ludancia, in particular, always bickered every year.

The government wasn't really interested in monster hunts that adventurers go to just to line their pockets. In fact, the staff who informed them of the current situation was told that the Adventurers Guild should solve the problem themselves.

If Borderzard turned into a sea of flames, the government would surely forget about the upcoming event, but the guildmaster wouldn't wish for that to happen.

「We're calling for adventurers all over Forestia! We've even prepared food for emergencies! Please don't blame us for your failure on the front lines.」

「b.a.s.t.a.r.d! That's the last straw!!」

Ink splattered as the inkwell that the chief threw hit the guildmaster on the head.

「H-How dare you! I will not tolerate such behavior. You're not getting any food until you prostrate and apologize!」

「Bulls.h.i.+t! The Adventurers Guild is a supranational organization and we're in the middle of a case right now! What can a worthless guildmaster like you do?!」

「Please just stop this!」

The meeting was put on hold until the staff could calm the two down.

「While they're busy squabbling, the monsters are getting closer… 」one of the staff muttered in disappointment.

Borderzard was located near the great forest of Un el Portan, close enough for the naked eye to see the edge of the forest. Mud walls, fences, and a dry moat surrounded the town.

The place looked like a fortress in the middle of a battlefield, yet it was actually quite big. It covered an area of one square kilometer, with a population of four thousand. There were small farms inside and most people lived in housing complexes.

Despite this, people continued to live here for two reasons: the bounties of the forest, and its proximity to Quinbland and Ponsonia.

「Is it true there are too many monsters this time?」

「Who knows? Maybe they're just exaggerating so they won't be held responsible for their failure.」

「But I heard rank C adventurers from Forestia were severely wounded.」

Adventurers were charged with patrolling. The top of the surrounding wall was wide enough for four people to walk abreast. Only a few soldiers were stationed in Borderzard so as not to provoke the neighboring countries. There were plenty of adventurers around, however — most, if not all of them, had their eyes set on the great forest.

「Man, I wish I was high-ranked. I'd be rich by now.」

「Big words. You're only rank F, you moron.」

「But from what I heard, Ponsonia didn't impose any restrictions with regards to rank, and Quinbland required adventurers to be at least rank F.」

「Really? Maybe that's why the subjugation team failed? It's probably composed of weaklings.」

The men talked as they walked on top of the wall.

「Hmm?」

「What's wrong?」

「Look at the forest. Do you see something?」

A wide plain spread out in the direction the man was pointing. Beyond it lay a green line — the edge of the forest. And clouds of dust were rising to the air.

Then out of nowhere, they heard the roar of a beast.

「They're coming…」one man muttered hoa.r.s.ely.

「Monsters are coming!」

「Send word right away!」

「Wh-Where to?」

「To the guild! Where else?! Hurry up, you idiot!」

「Okay!」

The most dangerous day in the history of Borderzard was about to begin.

「No! Nooo! Why?!」