SWNOVELXO Ch. 17.8
The terrible news arrived on the morning of the fourth day since Safi had begun the rubble relocation operation. The young man who came rushing into the work site said this while out of breath:
"The orchard was attacked."
The young man was in charge of food procurement, taking three or four days to visit nearby farming villages. He spoke in fragments about how a group of monsters had attacked while he was sleeping at the last farmhouse he visited. He was severely agitated, and his explanation was difficult for half-drowsy Safi to understand.
The people of the rubble town were even more violently flustered. The attacked orchard was in the closest location among the scattered farms and could be called their lifeline. The returned young man was empty-handed, with even the next few days' food supply in jeopardy.
"Well, calm down."
The foreman who said this and approached the young man couldn't stop his own hands from trembling. It wasn't just fear of supplies running out—the possibility of this town being suddenly attacked had also increased.
"What kind of people were the attackers?"
"They must be the same ones who destroyed the town. Gray, big monsters."
Non-human beings. Intelligent, cunning, and cruel. And their reasons for threatening human life were unclear. To Safi, they seemed like savage monsters that rampaged without clear purpose. The winged insect user who had targeted the covered wagon seemed to want food, but their true aim was unknown.
"There weren't dozens of them, but they weren't opponents we could handle."
The group of monsters had stolen fruit and temporarily retreated, but they hadn't taken everything. He declared they would surely attack again. The pressing problem was ensuring the safety of the farmhouse left behind—a family of four including children. If attacked, they would be helpless.
"Let's go help them."
Someone among the laborers shouted. These were monsters that had competed with large military units. Even if unarmed men fought with bare fists, they would be crushed in an instant. There was no way to form a subjugation force. However, it was possible to form a rescue team and save the family by finding an opening.
Safi pondered how to conduct herself here.
She didn't begrudge participating in the rescue team. It was natural to volunteer as a guard. But would that be enough... Among them, she was the only one with combat power sufficient to face the monsters. Perhaps she should consider dealing with the situation while keeping the elimination of the savage group in view.
"I'll take the lead and first rescue the family. I'll get there faster than a wagon."
The foreman nodded slightly at Safi's declaration. Flying through the air by kicking with floating magic. From past experience, it was faster than horses. Compared to a wagon with several people aboard, it was probably more than twice the speed. Even if swamps and forests spread along the way, they wouldn't be obstacles for one who crossed the sky.
The merchant immediately began preparing the wagon, and young laborers armed themselves. Though their weapons were only large machetes used for felling trees. They were in the middle of reconstruction work clearing rubble. Even though they hadn't anticipated confronting monsters, it was too unreliable. Machetes, hammers, and saws—fragile enough that they wouldn't stand a chance even against bears.
"There's also this."
A warrior appeared wielding a fine sword he had hidden somewhere. Safi was surprised and asked about its origin, then regretted it. It was a post-war anecdote that left disappointing feelings.
After the fighting ended with the town destroyed, the first to arrive were apparently bandits. They would sift through piles of rubble, scavenging for valuables. Looting in war zones was profitable with no worry of being caught. Rather than professional bandit groups specializing in this, petty thieves apparently came on expeditions from various places.
Though she didn't want to hear more unpleasant stories, the man gripping the sword continued further.
"It stinks terribly. A nasty, nasty smell."
Battlefields shortly after armed conflicts ended were places no one wanted to approach. The stench of decay was severe, clinging to the nose and not leaving for days. The death smell was unbearable and could sometimes drive people mad. The delay in reconstruction work was not unrelated to such grim realities of fierce battlefields... the man spoke as if it were his own experience.
Safi asked about the sword's origin once more, but was skillfully evaded.
❁❁❁ From the Author 🧙♀️ ❁❁❁
Remnants. There's no time to hesitate.
This time is short, but it's for the convenience of scene transitions. Next begins with the scene of Safi flying toward the orchard.
(End of Chapter)