There was nothing particularly noteworthy, and the logging of the Torrent Forest concluded safely.
The monsters that appeared were mostly T-rank and I-rank, with only occasional high-grade B-rank monsters, and not a single G-rank monster showed up.
It was a good experience for Aria, who had only recently evolved to High Class, and for Reina and Seras, who had only recently registered as Hunters. However, for Carol and Camellia, who even as High Class hunters had gained valuable experience, it was probably less impactful.
It goes without saying for us.
“But that doesn’t mean you’re letting your guard down, right?”
“Absolutely!”
That’s why Prim and Ludia started slacking off partway through, but when Mako turned her terrifying smile on them, they were filled with genuine fear. I thought she could kill someone with just a glare, but when she said it wasn’t impossible with demon eye magic, it made me even more frightened.
“To finish the work in two days, not three…”
Upon safely returning to the Beast King Castle, we were greeted by Emperor Glisina, who looked weary. She had clearly witnessed the Torrent Forest vanishing from the castle and confirmed the sight of countless trees falling. She even saw the moment the forest disappeared. The development project had been announced throughout Alegria, not just Glacian, but witnessing such an unexpected sight caused some in Glacian to panic, believing it to be an omen of something terrible. That was never our intention.
“So, what were the results?”
Emperor Glisina’s question prompted me to check the statistical report again.
T-rank monsters
Slime: 229
Caterpillar: 385
Leaf Leach: 187
Fly Hopper: 367
Leaf Bug: 234
I-rank monsters
Stone Slime: 49
Cotton Caterpillar: 167
Horn Rabbit: 482
Forest Wolf: 356
Forest Boar: 561
Forest Leach: 161
Fire Hopper: 137
Bright Bug: 230
Goblin: 427
C-rank monsters
Earth Slime: 38
Wool Caterpillar: 24
Spiral Rabbit: 32
Yellow Wolf: 81
Yellow Boar: 102
Starless Hopper: 56
Shadow Bug: 116
Forest Bee: 320
Forest Fungus: 265
Hob Goblin: 158
B-rank monsters
Redcap Goblin: 21
Paralyze Moth: 47
Battle Hopper: 59
Earth Rock: 39
Forest Bee Queen: 7
Iron Beetle: 33
Panic Fungus: 28
Treant: 863
S-rank monsters
Woodcut Moth: 14
Earthfoot Hopper: 8
Grand Rock: 8
Bloody Treant: 19
That’s about it. While treants were the most numerous in terms of individual monsters, even including the felled treant trees, they only accounted for about ten percent of the total.
Treant trees and treant monsters are essentially the same material for lumber. However, since monsters are treated as living beings, simply logging the trees doesn’t count towards the subjugation list. Even in the commonly found Torrent Forest, not all trees turn into monsters. It’s said that this is the largest number brought in from a single extermination.
“The numbers are high, but they aren’t particularly problematic for their Monster Rank.”
“The high number of Hob Goblins and Redcap Goblins is concerning, but given the vast area we hunted, it’s difficult to make a judgment…”
We also thought the number of goblins was high, but we only destroyed eight villages, and there weren’t more than a hundred goblins in any of them, so the total isn’t excessively high. In fact, we confirmed no abnormal species, so it’s safe to assume none have appeared near Glacian. However, since we didn’t explore the entire western part of the Torrent Forest, it might be wise to investigate that area further.
“Considering the number of treants hunted, the number of Bloody Treants is also quite low. They are rare, but a considerable number should have been brought in.”
“I’ve heard that the availability of alloy has made even S-rank monsters easier for High Hunters to hunt. However, some say Bloody Treants are more common from spring to summer. Isn’t it difficult for them to gather magic power this late in the season, as winter approaches?”
“Come to think of it, you might be right.”
As the name suggests, a high-grade species is one rank above the usual species. However, some monsters don’t have high-grade species, and instead, a rare species emerges above the usual one. Treants are one such monster, lacking a high-grade species. The rare species, Bloody Treant, is unusually few in number compared to the treants hunted. There’s a theory that rare species are born every few days, so they aren’t that rare, but it’s also thought that their appearance rates vary by monster. In fact, it’s said that several Bloody Treants can be brought in per day during spring and summer.
Perhaps because treants are plant-type monsters, they are mostly inactive in winter, except in warmer regions. Being monsters, they don’t stop moving entirely, but even in the Torrent Forest, their encounter rate drops significantly. Therefore, Bloody Treants are most commonly brought in during spring and summer, and it’s rare to even see them during this time of year as winter approaches.
“In any case, you hunted these monsters, so it’s not for us to say anything. We’d like to use the felled treant trees as building materials, so if you could sell as many as possible to the Trader’s Guild, it would be greatly appreciated.”
It seems we can keep all the hunted monsters, including the treants. Since most of them are unusable as materials, we’ll probably sell the majority. Goblins, in particular, are demi-humans, so only magic stones can be extracted from them.
“Given the sheer number, and since we hunted quite a few treant monsters, we intend to sell all the felled treant trees.”
Including the Bloody Treants, we hunted nearly 900. The number is excessive even then. While treants become slightly smaller when they turn into monsters, there are still individual differences, and their trunk diameter can reach three meters. With 900 of them, it’s actually too many to use completely. Therefore, we plan to sell half of the treant monsters to the Hunter’s Guild or offer them to the Royal Family.
“I see, thank you.”
“No, the sooner the facilities are completed, the fewer problems there will be.”
Normally, lumber must be dried to remove moisture before it can be used. While Tree Magic can shorten this process to a few days, it normally takes months. Treant wood is the same; it’s unusable unless dried, and this applies even to cherry trees and sacred trees. However, perhaps because treant monsters are actually monsters, they can be used as lumber immediately, which is truly a mystery of their ecology.
“I thank you again. Then, although it’s a day earlier than scheduled, we will begin the work tomorrow. Limone, please contact the Head Blister Master immediately.”
“Understood.”
With this, the preliminary preparations for development are complete. First, the Head Blister Master and the Grand Lancer Master will use ritual magic to expand the barrier, after which crafters will prepare the planned site. Once land preparation is finished, foundation work will commence, and then the buildings will be constructed using processed wood and Alegria concrete. This time, we have obtained a large amount of treant wood, so we will exclusively use treant wood for lumber. The proportion of Alegria concrete is a secret of the Royal Family, but it’s also used in the bridge city of Libertà region, so its durability is well-known. This is especially important for the Coliseum, which will also be used for combat training. The fact that rebar is used is also a significant point.
This facility, spanning an area equivalent to five Tokyo Domes, is a massive undertaking that would take years in Earth. It is undoubtedly a grand project in Helios Orb as well, but the construction period will not be that long. The primary reason is the existence of magic, but the high skill of the crafters is also a major factor. Even intricate parts can be crafted using Craft Magic, depending on the crafter’s skill, eliminating the need for precision machinery to produce them. Not having to work in sterile environments or vacuum chambers feels like a cheat. Incidentally, the planned completion date is six months from now.
“Speaking of the MARS facility, it is scheduled to be built in the Celestial Empire and the Three Kingdoms as well. This means our country cannot decide on the facility’s name, but has it already been decided?”
“Yes, well.”
Since we are establishing MARS, I tried to stick with Roman mythology for the facility’s name, naturally. Of course, I couldn’t do it alone, so Mako and Sayuri also helped me.
“The official name is Monsters Illusion Nature & Engage Reproduction Village Area, abbreviated as MINERVA.”
It’s just a collection of words, but for me, a former high school student, and Sayuri, who has been in Helios Orb for over 80 years, this was the limit. The meaning is a settlement for research and combat training that reproduces monster illusions. I’m truly grateful that Mako taught me the word “Engage,” meaning “to fight,” otherwise I would have settled for “Edge,” meaning “blade.” However, Minerva is the goddess of poetry, medicine, wisdom, commerce, weaving, crafts, and magic. She is also considered the same as the Greek goddess Athena, a warrior goddess, making it a perfect name for a facility dedicated to research and combat training.
“I see, a goddess from your world. Indeed, if she governs wisdom, crafts, magic, and even battle, it is an unparalleled name.”
“Thank you.”
Emperor Reinhardt and Rika also said similar things. Minerva is a Roman goddess and is identified with the Greek goddess Athena. Athena, upon learning the origin, blushed a little.
“Then, the MARS facility will officially commence construction as MINERVA. The estimated completion is six months, though some delays may occur. However, once completed, you, as developers, will be invited to the celebration.”
“I’m looking forward to its completion.”
We’ll have to come again to install MARS, but our work is temporarily finished. Emperor Glisina said the completion ceremony will be quite lavish, and I, along with Flam, Ludia, and Mako, will be invited as developers. We’ll have everyone from Wing Crest participate then. Ah, but Memoria General Academy will have already started, so it might be difficult for the students? No, His Highness David will likely participate, and royalties from each country will be invited, so they might be able to attend under the guise of guards. The candidate for Crown Prince of Count Enlo Istlias will also be invited, but I hope they will behave themselves in front of such esteemed figures, and that no major issues will arise. That’s not something for me to worry about.
More importantly, we need to incorporate all possible improvements into the MARS that will be installed in MINERVA. Especially since the barrier will be larger than that of Memoria General Academy, we must be very selective with the magic stones. With my duties also to attend to, I’ll likely be busy again once I return.
