By Zephyria 
This year’s Extermination Corps is largely divided into two: the Yuil Mountains Extermination Corps and the Dunmel Canyon and Northern Widdrow Duchy Extermination Corps.
The Yuil Mountains Extermination Corps aimed to drive all monsters from the end of Dunmel Canyon to the ridges of the Yuil Mountains into the depths of the Yuil Mountains.
Five companies of the Special Imperial Knights, who originally handled the Yuil Mountains extermination, and numerous knights who originally protected the Widdrow Duke Family, decided to act in unison. Many knights of outstanding skill were scheduled to march northeast in perfect formation.
To prevent any major issues should monsters cross the mountains and flee into the Duchy of Grimesbane, the Yuil Mountains Extermination Corps’ goal was to drive and capture the monsters like casting a net, maintaining intervals between each company.
Therefore, the Dunmel Canyon extermination, considered relatively easier as mutated monsters were less likely to appear, seemed to be where we six, along with approximately two hundred Mercenary Groups, would be active.
“Two hundred is just a number; each Mercenary Group has at least four to eight members, and some up to twenty. It’s a large-scale event with nearly fifteen hundred mercenaries pouring in, all vying for monster byproducts and the bounty offered by the Duke.”
“…Are there enough monsters for them all to catch?”
“There are always plenty of monsters. It just means our share will be smaller if they work hard.”
That was true. Hugh then continued his explanation.
“Still, mercenaries proceed while collecting all byproducts, so their progress is slower than the knights’. Let’s hurry and go up first if possible. After all, it would be embarrassing to be outdone by those mercenaries.”
“Mmm.”
As I nodded, Hugh Benson cleared a few plates to make space and unfolded what he had brought. As expected, it was a map.
“And we will go this way.”
“Near the border of the Kingdom of Owen?”
“Yes.”
“Why is that?”
The path he traced with his fingertip was three times longer than going straight from the Widdrow Duchy to Dunmel Canyon. When I asked with confusion, Hugh Benson picked up a meat skewer and asked,
“Do you remember why we are participating in this extermination?”
“Correct! To improve our skills!”
Marianne answered in a cheerful tone, cutting him off. Hugh Benson wiped his greasy hands on the map and drew a line. Centered on the Widdrow Duchy, a slanted arc was drawn with dark oil from a third of the Owen border to the edge of Dunmel Canyon.
“Uh, I wasn’t asking you… but yes. The goal of this extermination is to embody aura into our bodies by facing as many monsters as possible in areas with Mana Concentration above 40 mp. However, the 40 mp Mana Concentration zones are…”
Tap, tap. His fingers tapping above the line were as nimble as ever. Hugh Benson looked directly at me again and asked,
“They are up here. And what appears when Mana Concentration is high?”
“Correct! Expensive and large Medium-sized Monsters!”
“Ah, I told you I wasn’t asking you.”
Marianne playfully answered again, cutting him off. Hugh Benson took the napkin in front of me, wiped his hands, and expressed his annoyance. I just chuckled and nodded. Now I understood.
“The mercenaries will also mostly gather above this line, won’t they?”
“Yes, because that’s where the money is. But we have to escort a precious individual here. It’s always troublesome to get involved with people of uncertain identity.”
Rubel, the precious individual, coughed as he received Hugh Benson’s gaze while carefully separating the meat from the Quail Roast on his side plate. Why bother a child who was eating well? I quickly got him some water and fussed over him for a moment.
Indeed. Those who wield swords are always dangerous. I had heard several times that mercenaries had their own rules, but they were still people with swords. If they were less skilled, I might be able to handle them, but their sheer numbers made it impossible to guarantee anything.
Humans can harm humans at any time. I knew that very well. It was right to be cautious in advance. I nodded without asking further questions.
Hugh Benson twisted one corner of his mouth into a sneer.
“In the border regions of the Kingdom of Owen, people of uncertain identity tend not to go near.”
“Why is that?”
“The Owen border guards are known for doing their jobs well. Since many people try to smuggle themselves in to avoid paying taxes and hoard goods, it’s a convenient side effect. We, however, have confirmed identities.”
“Hmm.”
Hugh Benson raised his wrist and showed the bracelet engraved with the Shierun Academy crest.
Everyone present had the same type of Artifact. This bracelet was a mark of the Sierran Empire’s Special Knights and a seal for graduates of Shierun Academy. It was proof of having received adequate wealth and education, and it was impossible to forge. It was perfect for identity verification.
Fully convinced by the explanation, I nodded again.
“If anything happens, we’ll have to flee towards Owen or the direction of the mercenaries.”
“Can the mercenaries hold off a horde of Mutated Monsters?”
“It won’t be a terrible situation like before. The Wizards say that even if Mutated Monsters don’t attack each other, those with significantly different body sizes can’t fight together. If a Minotaur and a Troll were to travel together, the Troll would be trampled to death.”
“…Ah.”
“It’s unlikely they’ll appear in the middle of the plains instead of descending from the mountains, but… anyway, that’s how it is. Does everyone understand?”
“Yes. I understand.”
“Yes.”
Hugh Benson pointed at the map with his hand, explaining the direction we would take, where we would stay, and what we needed to look out for. After explaining for a long time about our camping spots and the local ecology, he let out a big sigh at the end of his words.
“…Actually, Elvin and I usually traveled from the plains towards the Yuil Mountains. That place we went ‘Spinning Around’ last year. So, while I know that route well… we’ve never been to these places ourselves and have only heard about them.”
“…Yes? Yes.”
“Since we don’t know what might happen, rest thoroughly during the remaining time and take good care of your bodies and minds. Got it?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
“Yes.”
“Yes, Boss!”
Unlike the others who responded politely, Marianne playfully teased him again, making Hugh Benson laugh.
It had been a long time since the six of us had gathered. I continued eating while watching Marianne and Hugh Benson chat and joke back and forth.
Since Hugh Benson had repeatedly advised me to take good care of myself, I suggested we go Artifact shopping before we left.
After looking at me for a moment, he let out a “Huh” and nodded.
“Alright. I’ll get permission from the Duke tomorrow. One o’clock in the afternoon.”
“Yes.”
“…Honestly, you pushover.”
He reached out towards my head. I couldn’t mistake the kindness in that gesture. I let him run his shallow fingers through my hair.
However, as soon as Hugh Benson’s hand fell, Ruben immediately ran his fingers through my hair like a comb, which was amusing and ticklish. Every time his fingers brushed my head, I felt a shiver down my spine, and I stopped him before I could even count to ten.
Ruben seemed a little sulky for a moment, but then he ate what I offered him with gusto and acted adorably.
❖ ❖ ❖
January 20th.
The day the extermination was scheduled to begin was bustling from dawn.
Mercenaries heading out for the extermination, their lovers and friends cheering them on, and merchants trying to make a profit by selling them last-minute goods were blocking the already crowded paths of the Widdrow Duke’s Castle.
It was fortunate that the knights had left the castle two days prior, so those who came to see them off weren’t adding to the congestion. Standing within arm’s reach of strangers was uncomfortable in both the Central Plains and Sierren. Everyone frowned and pushed forward.
To avoid any potential threats, Elvin, Benjamin, and I stood in a protective formation around the group, with Ruben, Marianne, and Hugh Benson in the center. The crowd was so dense that people’s hands brushed against my waist several times, causing me to frown.
“With so many people, we wouldn’t even notice a pickpocket or two.”
“Ha. Here? From way over there to way over there, they’re all Aura Users.”
“…Hmm.”
Indeed, it seemed like only capable individuals were gathered, so even pickpockets would likely keep to themselves on a day like this. I conceded and closed my mouth. Marianne, peering over the shoulders of the group to watch the people, bounced a few times and asked Hugh Benson,
“Speaking of which, I’ve heard of pickpockets being caught in the capital occasionally, but I haven’t seen any in the Widdrow Duchy.”
“Ah, this place has the best public order among the five Duchies. Mercenaries tend to resort to fists before words, so those who might steal are cautious… Plus, there are so many monster byproducts here that there’s no shortage of odd jobs even for the little ones.”
I had once heard a long explanation about welfare policies from my neighbor, Logan Serbel. He had said that rampant crime was due to a lack of sufficient means to make a living. I suddenly became curious and asked,
“What about the Duchy of Valentia?”
“Well, there… their welfare is good, but I’ve heard they have quite a few thugs. Since they do a lot of farming, they tend to get into mischief out of boredom. There’s nothing to do except be a knight, farmer, or merchant. Oh, and fishermen, maybe.”
“…Really?”
“Well, the punishments are rather lenient even if they get caught.”
I wanted to offer some excuse for the prosperous territory I had seen, but I remained silent, knowing nothing.
Instead, I asked about something else.
“Do the punishments differ among the Duchies?”
“Well, except for Kiadris, they’re all pretty similar. A few things are added or removed depending on the personality of the Duke at the time, but they rarely deviate from the basic laws of the Sierran Empire.”
“How is Kiadris different?”
“They cut off the problematic parts.”
Cut off?
I paused for a moment, puzzled, then resumed walking as someone grumbled from far behind.
“Which parts?”
“If you steal, they cut off your hand. If you commit fraud, they cut off your lips. If you rape, they sever that.”
“…Hmm.”
I too had severed many arms in the Central Plains. Did not Confucius say, “Repaying Evil with Evil”? It is only right to repay resentment with resentment, so it seemed the Duke Family of Kiadris was also adhering to its own rules.
However, Rubel sighed once and shook his head slightly.
“The problem arises when someone is punished after being deemed a criminal, only to be found innocent later.”
“…Yes? That’s…”
“Strict punishment requires thorough investigation, but the Duke Family of Kiadris has many people similar in temperament to the Duke. They immediately punish after seeing one or two pieces of evidence. Sometimes they even fabricate evidence.”
“…”
“Of course, the victim might feel satisfied, but when people die because their body parts were mutilated and then left untreated, even without Healing Artifacts, it leads to many deaths. In essence, they are executing all criminals.”
“…Hmm.”
“Kiadris borders all three kingdoms, so they need to manage public order more strictly. The handling of criminals is left to the regulations of each territory, and since execution is legal in the Sierran Empire, no one cares if criminals die.”
“…Yes.”
“However, it’s becoming a problem because it’s often revealed later that the deceased suspect wasn’t the perpetrator. Usually, those branded as criminals are commoners. The Imperial Family can’t intervene now, but… I believe there’s a need for a way to help them.”
The reason Rubel was telling me this directly was clear.
Yes, should we act recklessly just because it’s the easier path? If we are to hold someone accountable, we must investigate and question them clearly.
…But on the other hand, I realized that I shouldn’t leave rough work to Rubel. If an evil person were to rise and try to harm him, I resolved inwardly that I would sever arms and necks to bring them to justice.