第１１０４堀：大森林の大きさ (Part1)
Chapter 1104: The Scale of the Great Forest
Side: Comet
"...So, this is the location where we confirmed the Orcs three years ago. Their ecology hasn't changed from what it was seven years ago."
"Hmm, I see. It really does feel like they're migrating within the Great Forest. It’s likely a matter of food and water."
Listening to Wazfi’s explanation, I mutter this while observing the movement patterns of the Orcs, whose habitats have shifted up to the present day. Changing the base of one's settlement is no simple task. It carries the constant threat of death. In this Great Forest, a vast variety of monsters dwell, and they all treat one another as prey. In the end, Orcs are little more than fodder for the other monsters in this woods.
"Hm? But if that’s the case, why bother moving the settlement at all? Orcs are monsters, too. If they have a supply of magical energy, they can recover and survive, right? Would they really go out of their way to risk their lives just for food and water?"
"Magical energy? What do you mean by that? As Comet-san mentioned earlier, I had assumed they were moving to solve the unavoidable problems of food and water..."
"I should correct your misunderstanding, Wazfi. Originally, monsters can survive as long as they have magical energy. If that weren't the case, creatures like Dragons or Wyverns would die if they didn't continuously consume amounts of food proportional to their massive bodies. Look, you have Amanda’s Wyvern, don't you?"
"Ah, now that you mention it, that’s certainly true. A creature of that size would require a significant amount of food to survive. Yet, there’s no sign of that. I see, so you two are saying there’s another way for them to live? And that way is magical energy?"
Hmm, not bad. Her mind works quickly. She accepted the idea that magical energy serves as sustenance for life quite easily, based only on our current conversation. Usually, people would deny it, claiming such a thing is impossible because they don't understand the connection between magical energy and monsters, but she accepted it.
"That's right. Honestly, I'm surprised you believed it so easily. I was half-skeptical at first myself."
"Well, I didn't fully accept it, but since you two are proceeding with that as a premise, there's no point in denying it just because I can't wrap my head around it yet."
"True enough. Well, we'll show you the proof another day. Before that, about this report..."
That's right. Right now, we're talking about the talent Wazfi displays, which can be gleaned from this report. Since Yuki brought her, I figured she’d be useful to some extent, but this is surprising. The report itself shows she’s been investigating things quite thoroughly...
"It matches the Orc ecology we’re familiar with. Doesn't it, Agil?"
"Yeah, no doubt about it. If it matches this closely, there's no denying she’s done proper research. And looking at the dates, she investigated this seven years ago. My, that alone is enough to show how excellent Wazfi is."
Agil also answers my question, confirming there’s no mistake and acknowledging Wazfi’s competence.
"Why, thank you. So, does this mean I’ve been accepted?"
"Yeah, more than enough. In fact, the fact that you have ten years' worth of this is amazing. Doesn't this help us understand monster ecology even better?"
"If she can do this much, she’s perfect for us. All that’s left is for her to cooperate with our research."
We exchange glances, nodding at each other, agreeing that she’ll be no problem. Yuki brought her along with that intention from the start, after all.
"So, this research—or investigation—is about the Great Forest, right?"
"Yeah, that’s it. Since both of them have given their approval, shall we disclose our information as well?"
"Whoa, 'disclosing information'—you mean about the Great Forest, right? Since you have a map this precise, I assume you’ve already finished investigating the deep interior to some extent!"
Oh, her excitement is peaking. I can clearly feel that thrill of someone who senses a new discovery on the horizon. I can relate to that feeling well.
"First, let’s start by explaining the range we’ve been investigating."
With that, Yuki produces a map that covers an even wider area than the Great Forest—a map scaled down to show the locations of various countries—to explain it to Wazfi.
"Haa... what is this? I was surprised by the map of the Great Forest earlier, but I can't even fathom how a map that precisely depicts such a vast area could possibly exist."
Wazfi looks shocked again. Well, the maps Yuki provides are indeed absurdly wide-ranging and accurate. In a normal country, even a map of one's own territory is a top-tier state secret, yet he casually displays a map that precisely details the territories of other nations. Still, from the perspective of Yuki and Taizo-san, this is something that should naturally exist. My, the common sense of that other world is truly terrifying.
Setting that aside, Yuki continues his explanation.
"First, a basic confirmation. The Lancer Magic Academy where we are now is here, almost in the center of this continent, slightly to the north. The various countries cross the mountain ranges surrounding the Great Forest to come to this academy. You know this, right?"
"Yes, I know that. And the Lancer Magic Academy was originally built by reclaiming the northern part of the Great Forest, while the southern side of the forest remains untouched."
That’s right. As Wazfi explained, this Lancer Magic Academy was once part of the Great Forest. However, I reclaimed it and drove the monsters away from this area. After all, I was a Dungeon Master. Handling monsters was easy.
"Looking at this map, the range of the Great Forest doesn't seem like much, but you know well that isn't the case, don't you, Wazfi?"
"No, this is the first time I've grasped the accurate topography of the Great Forest. This alone is an incredible feat. And what do you mean 'doesn't seem like much'? The remaining southern Great Forest looks like it's more than ten times the size of the city that’s developed around the Lancer Magic Academy!"
"Well, compared to a city, sure, but in terms of the territories of the major powers, it’s at most the size of a single region."
"That’s still quite something, though. So, the area I’ve been investigating until now is..."
"Ah, right here."
Yuki points to a spot just south of the Lancer Magic Academy, so easily and mercilessly. It’s well over ten kilometers away, but compared to the entire Great Forest, it’s less than one-hundredth of the total area. Haha, even I only just realized the scale of the Great Forest now—the forest itself is over 150 kilometers in every direction. That’s quite a size. In the If Continent, where magical energy is on the verge of depletion, the fact that such a mysterious forest exists, surrounded by mountain ranges, makes it impossible not to investigate it when studying the magical depletion phenomenon.
As I was lost in these thoughts, Wazfi, who had been staring at the map with a serious gaze, began to let out a dry, broken laugh at Yuki’s indication.
"...Haha. The only place I knew was here. ...Just here."
She likely investigated more than just that area over the past ten years, but now that she knows the true scale of the Great Forest, she’s realized that the area she was able to explore was like a drop in the bucket. My, realizing the reality of one's own powerlessness is truly painful. Well, that said, Wazfi’s work was about investigating monster ecology, and the size of the Great Forest or how much of it she’s traversed doesn't necessarily matter. Should I tell her that?
"...Well, whatever. So, since you have a map this detailed, does that mean you’ve found various things about the monsters, too?"
Oh, she pulled herself together. Is she resilient against this kind of mental strain?