Chapter 51 - Big Frog Extermination and Report Preparation
Author's Note: Frogs and a large snake will appear. Please be cautious if you're not comfortable with these.
The big frog extermination this time had exceeded expectations.
Rather than jumping through the swamp, they were more like flying big frogs, an estimated 550 of them. About 10% more than last year.
Every year, they were supposed to be about the size of a medium-sized dog, but this year, perhaps due to the heat or the quality of the food, they had grown plumper and larger than last year.
If these frogs were to move towards the villages and fields surrounding the capital, it would cause tremendous damage. It was decided to launch an Immediate full-force extermination.
The key to this operation was the mages skilled in fire magic.
In the forest and within the capital, fire magic couldn't be used freely due to the risk of spreading flames.
But in the wide swamp, the mages had no hesitation in unleashing their fire magic.
Naturally, the big frogs tried to escape with all their might. Those that weren’t burned by the flames became shadows of deep green, leaping into the air, and climbing onto land.
The Monster Subjugation Force struck down the frogs that reached the shore, then threw them into a large pit. Once a sufficient number had accumulated, the fire magic mages stationed nearby set them ablaze, while the earth mages covered them with soil to prevent disease.
With croaking screams resembling shrieks, large numbers of deep green and bright green frogs soared through the blue sky. Amidst them, fireballs and fire spears flew, while swords and spears danced in chaotic motion.
Occasionally, a giant frog would fall onto a knight or mage on the land, and the sound of a person, crushed like a squashed frog, could be heard.
In a scene that could make ladies faint, once the numbers were reduced to some extent, they began gathering the charred big frogs, now covered in mud.
By the end, numerous large mounds had formed next to the swamp.
By the time the final mound was buried, the sun had dipped low, and everyone was too exhausted to utter a single joke.
Even knowing the situation, they couldn't help but notice a somewhat pleasant aroma, likely because everyone had been forced to work through the day without lunch.
Dragging their exhaustion with them, they finally reached the campsite, where everyone was at last able to quench their thirst with wine.
The group sat around the campfire and began preparing a modest evening meal.
"Next year, we should come to exterminate them earlier..."
"Exactly. Not only have their numbers increased compared to last year, but they’ve also grown larger... yet the survey team’s report claimed they were the same as last year."
"I’d rather wipe them out early in the spring, if possible."
"Then we'll get complaints about too many insects in the swamp..."
The vice captain, Grizelda, who looked a little pale, let out a deep sigh.
Honestly, he just wanted to take off his foul-smelling armor, which still reeked of frogs, as soon as possible.
Just as he was about to take a bite of black bread and dried meat in front of the campfire, the sound of a gong rang out loudly. A few seconds later, a lookout shouted, "Monster incoming!"
Everyone immediately grabbed their weapons and stood up.
From the forest ahead, the sound of branches snapping heralded the arrival of an unwelcome guest.
The Forest Serpent.
Its towering massive body was a deep green, with only its underside a lighter shade.
When it lifted its head, it was as tall as the trees in the forest.
Perhaps it had been drawn to the swamp by the smell, or maybe it had followed the voices of the team.
It appeared pleased with the abundance of prey and flicked its dark green tongue in the air, watching them.
"Really, it should’ve just gone to the swamp yesterday and eaten as many big frogs as it wanted!"
"It's late to show up. It could’ve at least reduced some of our work..."
"It’s too late now! We’ve already struggled to gather and bury the frogs!"
Though it was unfortunate for the forest serpent, half of the squad members were already drinking, their stomachs empty and their throats parched.
The forest serpents are rarely encountered, and they are feared because few survived encounters with them.
However, to the people here, it was just an inconvenience that had shown up just when they were finally about to have a meal.
Faced with prey that showed no fear, the forest serpent reacted by slamming its tail against the ground in a display of intimidation.
The team skillfully avoided it, but the ground struck by the tail kicked up dirt, which landed not only on the campfire but also on the black bread and dried meat they had already taken out.
"Hey, I’ll go toast it a bit."
"I'll chop it into bits."
"Hey, are forest serpents edible?"
"I don’t think it’s poisonous, so should we give it a try?"
Some had cold smiles, some hid their anger, some seemed intrigued, and some spoke expressionlessly.
In any case, they were all ready to fight.
As the mages and team members slowly closed in, it seemed the forest serpent sensed the danger to its life.
As it stopped its intimidation and turned around, it unexpectedly locked eyes with a man who had been standing there, his face expressionless.
"Why did you come to the camp... I really hate frogs, but I hate snakes even more... Water Spear!"
Grizelda launched a spear with all his might, piercing the forest serpent's body deeply and pinning it to the ground.
The battle had begun: an overwhelming majority against a single creature, with the outcome already clear.
"What happened?"
"It seems a forest serpent showed up."
"I see, no problem then."
After the gong sounded, they stepped out of the tent but quickly returned after seeing the team members beating the forest serpent senseless from a distance.
"Volf, wait, is that your second sheet already?"
"Yeah, I need to make sure it’s all in order..."
A young man sat, placing paper on a wooden board across his lap, scribbling on it.
Next to him, Randolph was munching on dried meat while writing.
"Volfred, give me a second sheet too."
The captain called from across, and Volf handed one over.
"Sorry, I don’t have much paper. I only brought ten sheets, so with seven people writing..."
"Dorino, go get all the spare parchment from the record keeper."
"Got it. I’ll be right back."
Currently, seven people, all who used the five-toed socks and using drying insoles, were gathered in the tent.
Each person, occasionally groaning or examining their removed shoes and feet, was diligently writing their reports.
Originally, Volf had planned to ask about their experiences, but he quickly realized it wasn’t going to work.
"The drying function of both items is incredible! Doesn’t cause sweating, doesn’t stick, no itching."
"My foot fungal infection hasn’t been bothering me like it usually does. It allowed me to think only about the big frogs."
"It was so smooth, no sweat to worry about, and great for foot preventing fungal infection!"
"The five-toed socks are amazing! Even when crossing the swamp and stepping toward monsters, they didn’t slip."
"I wish there were longer ones, preferably up to the knee."
"They should start mass-producing these."
Six of them started speaking at once, each making different points, and Volf struggled to keep up with his writing speed.
The situation had evolved into everyone writing their own reports, which led to the current situation.
"What are you writing, Volf?"
"The first sheet is about how great the comfort is. The second sheet is about the things I hope for. I’d like a bit more strength in the heel and for the area around the big toe to be reinforced since they tend to tear when I use body enhancement."
"If you add strengthening magic, you won’t be able to add drying magic, will you?"
"Yeah, that’s why I’m thinking of either having them use two threads or having them weave it with a stronger thread."
While having a conversation with Randolph, Volf didn’t stop writing.
Across from them, the captain and a senior knight were drinking wine while looking at the papers.
"It was a bit tight for me, so we’ll need different sizes that are suited to the team members..."
"I tried taking off the socks, and even without them, the drying insoles worked really well. The socks are a matter of personal preference, so it might be better to issue them separately by request, rather than as a set."
"True. Now, the question is how many we’ll need for the team..."
Although the discussion had shifted away from comfort and fit, no one pointed it out.
"Right... For the desired quantities, it would be like this, and for the purchasing order, we could do it this way... As for the price and delivery terms, why don’t we negotiate those with the manufacturer?"
The oldest team member wrote swiftly on the parchment, using the formal format for official documents.
The title read, "Introduction Plan for Five-Toed Socks and Drying Insoles in the Monster Subjugation Force," and the captain simply nodded in agreement.
"Volf, you said your friend made these, right? A merchant?"
"A magical toolmaker. Also a company head."
"Impressive. Good for them, this is going to be a big transaction."
"Yeah, I’m grateful to them, so I’d be happy if I could repay them, even a little."
Volf’s mind briefly wandered to the image of a woman with red hair and green eyes.
If the five-toed socks and drying insoles became a major deal and profits increased, she would likely be pleased.
But that’s not what would make her the happiest.
They had been freed from the sweat-soaked, painful shoes, their footing in battle was made safer, and they felt comfortable wearing them—they were made more comfortable by her magical tools, and they smiled because of them.
Dahlia would probably be the happiest about that.
That’s why he wanted to inform her about it carefully.
"Hey, Volf, that’s the fifth page, right? Isn't it going to be hard for them to read all of that...?"
The concerned voice of his friend didn’t reach Volf’s ears.
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