47. When Plans Move Up Unexpectedly, It Can Be Quite A Rush, Isn't It?
A few days after the Cocatrices were spotted in a group,
they had been living in the western forest. So, while access to the western forest got restricted for a while, we were mass-producing petrification prevention and cure potions while discussing countermeasures with Kyle and the others.
Considering the nature of monsters, adventurers like me and others had estimated that we had a few weeks grace period.
So, sweating in front of the alchemical furnace and increasing the production of petrification prevention potions that weren't suitable for mass production, I found myself asking the cat beastman who barged in again.
"What did you say?"
The Adventurer's Guild staff, Mike, repeated the same line twice.
"Meow! I'm telling you, a group of Cocatrices is rushing towards this town!"
Without replying to Miki, I dashed out of the house.
The first place I headed to was the watchtower. This tower was built with extreme height in mind, allowing a view across the Great River. Of course, it was also built for times like these.
"Ah! Craft-san!"
"I'm going up!"
"Yes!"
An adventurer I already knew was guarding the entrance to the tower, but I flashed my face and leaped inside. Running up the endless spiral staircase, I reached the top where a strong gust of wind hit me.
Apparently, such high places always had strong winds blowing.
"Hey! Where are the Cocatrices!?"
"They're over there!"
I glared in the direction pointed out by the guard.
"Use [Far Sight]!"
I immediately activated the [Far Sight] magic to check the outer edges of the forest.
"...Seriously?"
"I wish it were a joke."
"..."
I couldn't even respond properly.
Although the distance was still quite far, there was no doubt that the group of Cocatrices was rampaging towards the town.
Monster rampages were extremely rare occurrences. They were considered a type of disaster.
And what happened to towns caught up in monster rampages?
You could understand by looking at what used to be a thriving settlement. It would be completely razed to the ground, swallowing everything in its path—people, goods, everything.
"Has Kyle been informed!?"
"Of course, messengers have already been dispatched! But besides that, I thought it was necessary to inform Craft!"
I didn't expect to be trusted to this extent by an adventurer whose face I knew but whose name I didn't.
For Kyle's sake and the town's sake, I wouldn't hesitate to use any means necessary.
"What about the defense preparations!?"
"Since Kyle-sama was still in the preparation stage for gathering private soldiers, the only ones we can call regular troops are Alphard-san and Persia-san."
I knew that.
Finally granted permission by Orthros Veil Road, the Border Viscount, and Kyle's father, we started preparations to recruit soldiers. That involved building barracks, purchasing weapons and armor, and of course, making necessary arrangements.
"How many contracted adventurers do we have for defense!?"
"It's about three to four parties on average, so probably around twenty people."
"Twenty..."
While more than enough to maintain the town's security, it was woefully inadequate to reverse the current situation.
"Don't worry, Craft. Every one of us adventurers has pledged to protect this town if need be."
"What?"
Taken aback by the unexpectedly resolute words, I couldn't help but tear my gaze away from the group of Cocatrices and stare at the adventurer in disbelief.
Adventurers typically prioritized their own lives above all else, followed by money.
Of course, trust and credibility were important, but they weren't mercenaries. Generally, their lives weren't bargaining chips.
Because they constantly faced the danger of death, they were sensitive to such matters.
"It just means we adventurers are grateful enough to this village. No, it's already a town. And we'd like to stay with Kyle-sama and all of you as long as possible."
"That's heartening to hear, but we still don't know if it pays the bills, right? Of course, we should discuss this with Kyle—"
"Don't say that to everyone. We're not just acting as adventurers right now. It's because we want to protect a friend as an individual. Who needs a reason to help a friend?"
"Right... You're right. There's no need for a reason to help a friend."
"That's the spirit. Now, how do we get through this situation?"
"Can we mobilize two hundred to three hundred adventurers?"
"Yeah. But don't expect military-style coordination from them. They're more like a bunch of solo players."
"I understand."
I used to be an adventurer, so I understand that quite well.
Even though we can achieve coordination among members of the same party, adventurers tend to act less efficiently once it involves coordination among multiple parties.
I understand why adventurers dislike joint requests from multiple parties.
The last dragon-slaying battle was different.
All participating adventurers had undergone nearly a month of rigorous training under the premise that they would definitely die without coordination. It's not easy to replicate such unity.
"If only the city walls were completed..."
"They were almost done."
A guard adventurer looked down at the city walls with regret.
I mentally mapped out the Cocatrices' route and the current state of the city walls as I spoke.
"I'll head down and return to the Adventurer's Guild. Let me know if there are any changes in the Cocatrices' movements."
"Understood."
I descended the long spiral staircase as if rolling down with all my might. I bumped my shoulder against the stone wall several times on the way down, but who cared!
"Craft-oniisama!"
"Kyle!? You came here?"
"Yes!"
Jumping into the Adventurer's Guild, Mike led me to a large room where this town's key members, including Kyle, had already gathered.
"Where's Alphard?"
"I've instructed Alphard to guide the townspeople to either the church or sturdy buildings for shelter."
"Good decision, Kyle. What kind of sturdy buildings?"
"We've designated several buildings made of alchemical-hardened stone near the center of town."
"I see. Those are practically like walls in themselves."
Kyle, usually laid-back, was now giving clear instructions. He was capable when he put his mind to it.
The church also used a lot of alchemical-hardened stone, so it should be safe. It's quite spacious, so it should be able to accommodate a significant number of people temporarily.
"...The problem lies in the incomplete sections of the city walls."
"Yeah."
From what I could see from above, there were three untouched areas. In other words, there were three gaps in the walls.
"Synos Guild Master, how many adventurers can we deploy?"
"Almost everyone has responded 'yes' to the emergency request. However, some adventurers are currently out of town, and we have no means to contact them."
"What about Raidok?"
"Unfortunately, he's not in town."
"Damn."
In a world where individuals could decimate groups, the absence of a powerhouse like Raidok was akin to losing a battalion or even more.
But fortunately, the adventurers in this town were all skilled.
"Synos-san, send about two hundred most capable adventurers to the western gap. Distribute the rest to the north and south."
"Two hundred in one place? That leaves a significantly reduced number for the others, doesn't it?"
"I saw from the tower that the Cocatrices are rampaging straight towards us. They'll likely charge straight here and won't hesitate to attack humans once they spot them, especially targeting the adventurers clustered to the west."
The Guild Master swallowed hard.
"Leafan, sorry to ask, but can you transport the stock of petrification prevention potions currently available to the west side? Also, distribute as many healing and cure potions as possible to all three locations."
"Got it!"
Leafan rushed out immediately.
Although the Guild Master briefly relaxed, he quickly composed himself.
"S-So, are we sacrificing the forces in the north and south?"
"No. Kyle, send Alphard and Persia to the north and south. They can handle it even in smaller numbers."
"Understood. Niisama."
Kyle responded immediately, knowing his personal guard would be leaving.
He's quite something.
"I see, making the west the center, the north the right, and the south the left. The central squad will be commanded by the Adventurer's Guild. Alphard and Persia will command the left and right squads."
"Exactly. Sorry, but I'll leave the selection of the central team to you."
"Understood."
There's no point in asking for what Raidoc could handle if he's not here.
Begging for something nonexistent won't help.
"But how should the left and right squads deal with petrification?"
"We have a small stock of petrification cure potions. We've only just started making them, so the quantity is limited. Distribute these to the left and right squads."
"It's only a temporary solution."
"Yeah. The left and right squads will defend while also dealing with petrification."
"That's reckless."
"During that time, I'll make Petrification Prevention potions."
"Make them!? Now!?"
"Yeah. I have all the ingredients ready."
It's a race against time now!
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