Chapter 87 Incidents And Responses
Yumia's Flower.
For the Divine Beast Euphemia, it serves as a guide connecting the various clans' villages and is also a barrier protecting the village itself from monsters.
Of course, since it's just a flower, it could be damaged by various factors like rain or wild beasts.
However, according to Doctor Seius's grandson, Mr. Dai, it seems likely that the damage was due to human destructive acts.
"The path leading to the Red Tiger clan's village seems to have been almost completely ruined overnight. They say the flowers planted around the village were also damaged, so it's gone beyond just a prank."
"...The exact location of the flowers... should only be known by the beastmen. If someone has damaged them..."
"It might be the same beastmen... Perhaps the Golden Fox clan is pulling the strings again."
"...!!"
Thea clings to my shoulder and starts trembling.
I hold her hand tightly to reassure her, and she immediately wraps herself around me.
"Anyway, that's why I'm heading to the Red Tiger village for rescue just in case. If there are any updates, my grandfather should be notified, so you guys should avoid going outside too much until then."
"I understand. Thank you for your advice."
Monica bowed to Mr. Dai and handed over the promised medicine, and then we hurried back to the hospital.
Considering the situation, unlike when we came, I was being carried by Lisa in a rush, but during that time, Thea kept gripping the hem of my clothes.
"Thea...let's get some rest"
"...hmm..."
We arrived at the hospital without any incident and were told by Doctor Seius to stay quietly in the hospital room for the day.
I cover the shivering Thea with a blanket and encourage her to lie down and rest, but she seems to prefer to hug me instead of lying down.
She held on tightly and wouldn't let go.
"Don't worry. Mr. Dai has been on the way, and Mr. Lygar is with the Red Tiger clan. Even if something happens, we'll be able to manage it."
"...but... even in the Blue Wolf clan, there was a papa, and he couldn't do anything."
"Is it Thea's papa?"
"Yeah... he was a papa I was proud of."
The Blue Wolf clan was originally the ace of the beastman warrior unit alongside the Red Tiger clan.
Among them, Thea's father was said to be a powerful warrior who could match Mr. Lygar as the strongest warrior of the Blue Wolf clan.
"...but, because of the poisoned dumplings that I made him eat, he couldn't fight at all and ended up getting captured..."
"...that's not Thea's fault."
"Yeah, I know."
Thea, who was trembling while recalling that moment, noticed that she had stopped trembling.
With eyes filled with a strong determination, not guilt.
"I've been encouraged a lot by Yumie and scolded a lot by Monica... I already know that just saying I'm at fault won't change anything."
So, Thea clenched her fist.
"The Golden Fox clan might use all kinds of tricks. Mr. Lygar is strong, and he knows that... I'm sure they'll try something underhanded again. I want to stop that... Yumie, Monica... lend me your strength."
Even so, Thea probably hasn't fully recovered from her painful memories of the past.
Her clenched fist was trembling slightly.
That's why she feels it even more.
I wonder how much courage it must have taken to not just be afraid, but to stand up for your comrades who are about to be tormented again.
"Of course. Anything we can do will be greatly appreciated. Euphemia is a very important place to me."
I'm grateful to them for treating my injuries, which were said to never heal... and over the past month, I've come into contact with many beastmen, and I've gotten to know a lot of them.
If those beastmen are going to be harmed by some unknown "someone", I don't want to make the excuse that I'm still not strong enough to run.
I will protect this country to the best of my ability.
"I will cooperate as well. That said, since the two of you are still far from being in perfect condition, dangerous actions are off-limits."
"I understand, thank you for worrying about me, Ms. Monica."
If I were in perfect health, I would want to head directly to the Red Tiger clan and assist them, but right now, I would just be a burden if I went.
Let's look for things we can do, aside from directly rushing in.
"Alright. Then, first let's clarify the situation and consider the enemy. Ms. Thea, if we assume that this incident was caused by someone from the Golden Fox clan, what kind of clan are they?"
"The Golden Fox clan... like the Emerald Cat clan, they don't have such high combat power, but they possess abilities. They can completely turn invisible and have the power to hide in various places."
That's why, when the Blue Wolf clan was kidnapped, it seems no one could catch the Golden Fox clan.
"They're smart and good at business... I've heard that the flower roads connecting the villages and the port town were originally built by the ancestors of the Golden Fox."
"So they were quite deeply involved in the core of this country..."
"Yeah... that's why I... never thought something like this would happen..."
"If that's the case, we should assume that the beastmen's responses have been largely grasped."
Lisa casually handed over the paper she had prepared, and Monica quickly wrote down the information.
The Golden Fox clan excels at hiding their appearance, making it difficult to find them.
They are clever and well-informed about this country.
If the Golden Fox clan were responsible for this incident, what would their purpose be?
"If I think about it logically, the aim would be to separate and isolate the villages. Without the flower signposts, it would be difficult to travel between them properly."
"But... even without flowers, there are many beastmen who can travel, you know? Especially the strong people and the councilors..."
"The fact that only those types of people can come and go is important, you see. If some village were to be attacked right now, it would be difficult to evacuate non-combatants. Even if someone were kidnapped amidst the chaos of the evacuation, it would be hard to distinguish it from a mere disaster."
At Monica's words, Thea suddenly realizes.
Answering Thea, who questioned in disbelief, Monica voiced the "enemy's" intent.
"Just like with the Blue Wolf clan, they're likely trying to kidnap and sell some clan members... I believe that might be their goal."
The sound of Thea gritting her teeth was heard.
What Monica spoke was merely a prediction.
In fact, it could be described as a "worst-case scenario" layered upon predictions.
However, just thinking "that might be the case" seems to ignite an unbearable anger within Thea.
"If that is the case, how can we avoid it...?"
"Well... for a safe measure, perhaps securing a new evacuation route that the Golden Fox clan doesn't know about, would be best."
If the path created by the Golden Fox clan is dangerous, then creating a new path would be the solution.
Indeed, that could be a good countermeasure.
The problem is whether we can prepare enough flowers to make a new path, especially when Yumia's flowers are already being ravaged.
"How long does it take for Yumia's flowers to grow?"
"From seed, at the earliest, it takes about 3 weeks..."
"Hmm..."
I guess it's going to take a while.
It seems a little late now.
Other than that, is there any good move....
"Monica, Lady Yumie, how are you?"
"Father! What happened?"
While I was worrying, Monica's father, Duke Cas, showed up in my hospital room.
He, too, must have been aware of the problem, as he sighs with relief at seeing his daughter healthy and well.
"I have to go to the Red Tiger village to check on you two, so I came over here on the way."
"No, please wait. The Red Tiger clan's village and the Emerald Cat clan's village are quite far apart, you know? You didn't come here alone, did you?"
"No need to worry; I've equipped Monica and the knight captain with a magic transmission device... With magic, I can get through the forest without a beastman's guidance."
"Wait a minute, Father!? Where did you put something like that!? You never told me!!"
"Ah!"
What the heck, it was clear as day on Duke's face.
Seeing that, Monica puffed up her cheeks.
"Honestly, what does Father think of his daughter!? You're always so overprotective, really..."
"Ms. Monica!! That's it!!"
"That? ...Ms. Yumie, what's wrong?"
As Monica gets heated, I raise my voice.
That's right, there's no need for the escape route to always be marked with flowers.
"Let's create a new escape route with a magic tool. If it's a path that can't be seen without magic, the beastmen of the Golden Fox clan will definitely not find out!"
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