第１７８２堀：新大陸の魔物たち (Part1)
Chapter 1782: Monsters of the New Continent
Side: Wazfi
“““Hmm...”””
Leading the group, I, Hivia, Comet-san, and Agil-san all tilted our heads in unison.
As for why we were so troubled...
“It’s not really something to tilt your heads over, is it? It’s only been two days without a monster encounter.”
Nairua, the only one among us not particularly deep in thought, stated this calmly.
Indeed, the subject of our confusion was the northward migration of monsters currently occurring on the New Continent.
Ever since Tori and the fort construction survey team set out, there had been a decent number of monsters around the southern town, but since then, they had vanished completely.
“...I know you’re right, Nairua, but...”
Even as I acknowledged her logic, I couldn't shake a lingering sense of unease, and my voice trailed off. Hivia, seemingly sharing my sentiment, spoke up.
“Still, doesn’t it seem strange that we can’t find a single monster, even with drones and familiars providing visual coverage for over ten kilometers in every direction?”
That’s exactly it.
If it were just Tori’s unit failing to encounter them, that would be one thing. But the fact that we couldn’t spot a single monster from the air via drones or familiars felt off.
“But according to Tori-san’s reports, the number of monsters approaching the southern town has been decreasing for the past few days. Considering the period since they started moving north, it wouldn't be strange for them to run out of steam, would it? After all, there had been a high concentration of them for several months.”
“Well, Nairua is right about that. Monsters might spawn infinitely, but they don’t exist in infinite numbers. It wasn’t exactly an organized movement, so it wouldn't be strange for them to burn out somewhere...”
Comet-san agreed with Nairua’s point, yet she still tilted her head.
Exactly. Something just feels wrong.
“I feel the same sense of discomfort, but since we don’t know the cause, it’s hard to say anything for sure. We shouldn’t let our guard down, but it is a fact that there are no monsters as far as the eye can see. Why don’t we just examine what we already have? We might find something there.”
When Agil-san said that, everyone nodded.
It was true; there was no point in debating the environment when we weren't even on-site. Since the base location hadn't even been decided yet, there was nothing to investigate.
If there was anything we could do...
“It’s the monsters that Tori-san and the others subjugated, right?”
“Exactly. The physical specimens have been sent here. Some were even captured alive.”
Yes, we had the monsters from that wilderness as clear subjects for study.
What had been sent to our laboratory were corpses, but that was fine. Even if they sent us live monsters, we wouldn't have a place to manage them.
“As for the live captures, that was Aslin’s department, right?”
“That’s right. Along with Milly, they were sent to the monster laboratory run jointly with the Adventurer’s Guild.”
“Honestly, I think it would have been better if we were with them, too.”
“Hivia, that’s impossible. The tools used at this laboratory and the one shared with the Adventurer’s Guild are completely different.”
As Nairua said, the laboratory we Weed members use is distinct from the monster laboratory shared with the Adventurer’s Guild. It wasn’t a matter of quality, but of focus.
Our facility is dedicated to matters concerning mana depletion, while the joint one is strictly for monsters.
Therefore, live specimens have to be entrusted to the joint lab because we lack the proper cages. In exchange, our facility is fully equipped for mana-related research.
“Well, I suppose that’s true. Then, let’s do what we can only do in our own lab.”
With that, I turned toward the dissection room attached to our lab, where the monster corpses were prepared behind glass. Zargis-san was currently readying various tools.
『Ahem. While your various theories are all well and good, wouldn’t it be better to help with the preparations?』
“““Eh?”””
We all tilted our heads at the voice coming from the dissection room.
『I am cooperating with this investigation as well. After all, it involves the mana depletion phenomenon and monster research, does it not? I have experience in monster modification—the Pillbug-modified ones, for instance—so I believe I have more knowledge in that area than any of you.』
“““...”””
Well, he wasn’t wrong. Zargis-san is a demon who, under Queen Liliana, had a track record of manipulating and modifying monsters. In fact, those very monsters were currently working in the fields here at Weed.
『*Sigh*... I suppose this is why Yuki entrusted me with the role of director, as well as the leader for this operation.』
“““Ngh...”””
We couldn't argue with Zargis’s comment, which practically dripped with exasperation. It was a fact that we had been chatting away without helping with the preparations. Just as I was thinking this, Agil-san laughed.
“Ahaha. No need to intimidate the newcomers so much, Zargis. Anyone would want to exchange theories about the New Continent with someone, right? Especially the members here.”
“Yeah, yeah! I basically leave everything to Hifie anyway!”
『Comet-dono, you are as consistent as ever. I sympathize with Hifie-dono’s hardships. And while I understand Agil-dono’s opinion, I would prefer it if you would at least finish the preparations first. There, preparations are complete. Everyone, please come in.』
I see. That was a warning to get our act together. As proof, everything was ready, leaving us no room to help.
As we entered, Zargis-san handed us the documents.
“I prefer paper documents. While data is certainly easier to manage and doesn't consume resources, this is just a matter of personal taste.”
I could certainly understand that. Having worked with paper for so long, switching to purely digital exchanges felt... off. It was hard to get used to.
“Now, setting that aside, the first document here lists the monsters that Tori-dono and the others encountered.”
The list contained many familiar names. However, the variety wasn't that extensive; it fit on a single sheet of paper. Not that I would have been happy if there were a massive variety, mind you.
“There are more familiar names than I expected.”
Perhaps sharing my opinion, Agil-san voiced his thoughts.
“Indeed. While there are some that appear to be endemic to the New Continent, most are simply creatures we already know that have adapted to that environment. If I had to point out anything rare... perhaps the scorpion and cactus-type monsters.”
Saying this, he projected images onto the monitor.