159 Episode 52: Signs of Anomalies (2/2)

Listen to me, Navre was getting Gakkun confirmation about Big Ape.

Today, Monica was dealing with Big Ape, but now realizes that the situation is a little strange given the original Big Ape ecology.

”And in the first place. Weren't we talking about more rare species on the east side lately?

”But all I saw today was Big Ape, right? I was hoping I could investigate...”

”It is also possible that the development has progressed and the residence has been moved further...”

”So do you think there's going to be such an extreme absence of animals and demons? Charne, maybe you're late looking for traces too?

”Yes.... so a little creepy”

Charne was helping livelihoods in the realm with hunting. That means I'm willing to be a hunter. Says she couldn't find a trace like that. Plus, the mountain looks creepy.

As Navre says, it is also possible that more demons have recently moved their dwellings to the back of the mountain with people's hands around it. It can also be assumed that a bunch of Big Apes were coming down so that they would be chased the other way around.

But that's too unlikely. It would seem more natural to consider that there are fewer animals and demons themselves in the first place, given the combined circumstances we have heard from Charne.

The number of demons is extremely decreasing, what does that mean? One possibility floats behind my brain.

”... it's possible that demons with demon stones are eating up.”

”What!?”

Monica shook her voice in amazement when she heard me whine. Its face turns blue and its body begins to tremble into small pieces.

Nervous colors also appeared on Gakun, Navr and Charne's expressions. I don't think so. But I can't say enough about it.

The number of demons is extremely decreasing because demons with demon stones were born. If the demon was preying on the demon from one end, the number naturally decreases.

”If that's the case, it's going to be a little rough.”

”But if you mean you're eating rough, don't you have to think about Stampede's worries?

”I don't know. Originally, it is conceivable that the discovery of human hands has moved the demonic habitat deeper, and that we simply do not perceive it. Besides, more importantly, if it's” Fenrill ”or something, it's gonna be a lot of trouble.

The demonic stone of the werewolf species, ”Fenrill,” which had the demonic stone on which Charne's Keravnos originated. Its invasion speed and annoyance is a fingerprint among demons.

If it was Fenrill, I want to slap him within the moment. I'd like to explore a little bit, even if I'm not. Anyway, I no longer have the option to leave you like this and go home.

”Navre, take Monica down the mountain. Then report to the Knights and Adventurers Guild. Tell people who have been in the woods lately to ask for more information and to be prepared in case. Navre is the best negotiator of that kind. In some cases, I'll have Monica and I go around defending Filwach.”

”... what will His Royal Highness Sister Wang do?

”I'll take Gakun and Charne to explore the back of the woods some more. I wish there was nothing...”

”Then you'd better leave it to the local knights and adventurers...”

Navre tells me, frowning uncomfortably. If you do prioritize your safety, I'd rather not go and investigate myself. That's right, of course.

”If you really had a demon stone, it would be ours if we crusaded, wouldn't it? It's okay, 'cause I'm not gonna push it!

”... ha, someone named you!

Navre frowned abominably, and breathed out a deep sigh. I punch him in the forehead a few times and then raise my face.

”Okay. But promise me you'll never just be unscrupulous.”

”Of course, I know.”

That's how I replied while I smiled bitterly at Navre for not saying I was convinced. Then gazing at Gakun and Charne, the two of them nodded at me with a tight look.

(Well... I really hope nothing is happening)

- It smells like blood.

A very intense scent of blood spreads on one side. There was so much blood that it scattered the scent. Such traces of blood were smudging the surrounding area, like dragging it around unconstitutionally.

The sound of eating meat sounds. Bite, chew, and drink. And then he gets his teeth up again and eats them off.

The shadow, devouring like a hungry beast, made his blood-running eyes crawl just around. And that shadow roars low. In the midst of a tragic dining scene, as I say, still not enough to eat.

If anyone had seen that look, they would have lost too much of their hips in surprise. - The figure was very similar to, but decidedly different from, people.

There are bull-like horns stretched out ambitiously on the head, the body succeeds and is far larger than a normal person.

Such shadows shudder as if they could indulge in something while squatting small.

”- - - - Huh!!”

And I could yell. The tone would have made various impressions on the listener.

There will be those who say that they are mad. No, someone will say you seem to be enjoying your grief. Or some would say that there is no such sanity left at the earliest.

But no one here hears voices. I just raise my voice to squeeze it out of the bottom of my belly, and its shadows are roaring.

- In the deep woods, those who still hear the cry do not appear.