Twilight Alchemist 182

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182. Pioneering Is A Battle Of Earth, Water, Stone, And Monsters, Isn’t It?

When I arrived at the swamp pioneer village, I was knocked over by a big chest.

Here I am.

"......"

Wait, what!?

Why is Eva giving me such a cold glare from above!?

More importantly, get Shururu off me and help me up!

"Jealous! So jealous!"

"Forget that, help me! Please, Shururu, get off me!"

"Aww, but it’s been so long..."

Shururu pouted while sitting on my stomach.

No one came to help me. Has God abandoned us!?

As I looked up at the sky in despair, someone’s shadow appeared next to me.

"Shururu. You’re being rude. Get down. And watch your language."

A sigh-laden voice full of exasperation drew my gaze. Standing there was a particularly strong-looking Lizardman, hand on his forehead.

"Jurara!"

My savior has arrived!

"Good to see you again, Craft-dono."

Jurara, a reptilian humanoid covered in impressive scales and bulging muscles, pushed Shururu off and helped me up.

While Shururu looked mostly human, Jurara’s appearance was almost entirely lizard. Though I don’t say it aloud because it irritates him.

In any case, Jurara—a Lizardman warrior and Shururu’s older brother—rescued me.

He’s amazing! I’d let him sweep me off my feet! Or not!

Finishing my mental comedy routine, I turned to Jurara with a smile.

"It’s been a while. How have you been?"

"Great. Physically, I’m in top shape."

As we shared a firm handshake between men, Shururu barged in.

"Hey! Craft-sama! It’s been ages for me too!"

"Language!"

"Yikes!"

Once again scolded by Jurara, Shururu hopped back a step. Under her brother’s glare, she finally calmed down.

"Now, tell me the details. I’ve heard a bit from Kyle."

"Understood."

Jurara’s explanation aligned with what Kyle had already told me. I mentally pieced things together from the start.

First, the Lizardman tribe decided to migrate to Golden Dawn.

Being a species fond of swamps, they began building a village in the wetlands, both to settle there permanently and to repay Kyle’s kindness.

This vast swampy region had originally been a Hydra’s paradise until Kyle decided to turn it into a massive rice cultivation area.

We overcame countless challenges, defeated the swamp’s ruler, and claimed the land.

With the ruler gone, the area became somewhat safer. Or so we thought.

But pioneering the wetlands proved far more difficult than expected.

The sheer size of the land was the first challenge—comparable to a small province.

Had it been grassland or forest, things would’ve been easier. But the wetlands’ terrain complicated matters.

That said, it was precisely because it was a wetland that it could be developed into rice paddies.

I paused, recalling Leafan’s words.

"Come to think of it, Leafan once said pioneering is a battle of earth, water, stone, and monsters."

Eva picked up on my muttering.

"That’s an apt metaphor. Problems always stemmed from one of those."

"Right. At least one of them has been involved every time."

"We’ve solved every issue so far. We’ll manage this one too."

I glanced at Eva. It seemed to be her way of encouraging me.

Noticing this, I smirked, but Eva averted her gaze with a cold expression.

…She doesn’t actually hate me, right?

Refocusing, I resumed my thoughts.

Many wish to migrate to Golden Dawn, but most prefer jobs in Leafan Town or Golden Dawn itself.

Few are eager to settle in a remote swamp village far from the main road.

Thus, gathering pioneers for the wetlands was another challenge.

The Lizardman village and the human pioneer village were separate.

To protect the human settlement, Lizardman warriors and adventurers were dispatched.

This improved safety, gradually increasing the number of settlers.

But as monsters reappeared in the wetlands, they called for reinforcements—leading to the current situation.

"I see."

There were no discrepancies between Jurara’s explanation and Kyle’s report. Trusting the Lizardmen doesn’t mean skipping verification—it’s precisely because we trust them that we verify.

In Golden Dawn—or rather the Elixir territory—racial discrimination against demi-humans had largely disappeared.

Still, some lingering prejudice existed, particularly among new migrants.

If not resolved, the delays in the wetland pioneering could become fuel for such people’s criticisms. That’s why Kyle sent us here.

…Though, most who live in Golden Dawn for six months abandon such thoughts.

Understanding this, the Lizardmen dedicated themselves wholeheartedly to the endeavor. Yet, the remaining issues were immense.

"So, how frequent are the monster attacks—"

As I asked, a dust cloud caught my eye.

"Damn it! Again!?"

Jurara turned, spear at the ready.

Naturally, we assumed combat stances as well.

"[Far Sight]!"

Eva and I simultaneously cast the spell.

From the forest into the open wetlands emerged a group of monsters.

The dust cloud was caused by a massive creature snapping a large tree.

Jurara clicked his tongue.

"Armored Bears again!"

Hearing that, I widened my eyes and enhanced my [Far Sight], confirming the monsters’ appearance.

"What!? I thought they were nearly extinct in the kingdom!"

What appeared were enormous bears clad in armor.

But these weren’t ordinary wild bears.

From their foreheads jutted sword-like horns, and their claws were grotesquely oversized, resembling blades.

According to adventurer guild tales, these creatures were deadlier than Cyclops or Chimeras. Encountering even one spelled doom—let alone a group.

"Doesn’t sound like this is their first appearance."

"Indeed. It’s not just Armored Bears. Orcs, Goblins, Ogres, Cyclopes, Hydras, Chimeras—it’s a monster showcase. And I…failed to safeguard the wetlands."

Despite their incredible strength and chugging raw stamina potions to handle work, combat, and training, the Lizardmen were outmatched.

"You haven’t failed at all! If anything, you’ve done an amazing job protecting two villages with just a few Lizardmen!"

"Even so…"

As Jurara’s expression twisted in frustration, Raidock patted his shoulder.

"Leave the rest to us. For now, let’s clear these guys out."

The Armored Bear horde numbered about twenty.

If they were ordinary bears, they might flee at the sight of humans. But as monsters, they followed the universal rule: attack humans on sight.

Noticing us, they charged, spraying water everywhere.