Chapter 387. Meeting (1)
Sophia-san leads us, and we arrive at the royal castle.
Thanks to her arrangements, we’re escorted inside and shown to a reception room.
While being served tea and snacks, we wait for a while.
Eventually, a servant comes to fetch us, and we’re guided to the conference room.
The heavy doors of the conference room are opened by the servant.
Inside, the spacious room holds a dozen or so people who appear to be dignitaries.
Among them is Sophia-san as well.
As we step into the room, one person addresses us.
It’s the person seated at the head of the U-shaped table.
“So, you’re the adventurers who, with just three of you, repelled the Snow Dragon and saved my daughter Sophia and the knights. I had heard of young heroes, but you are truly young.”
The man, appearing to be in his late middle age, wears an impressive crown.
This must be Sophia-san’s father and the king who rules over this region.
We’re invited to sit, so the three of us take seats side by side.
Griff, who had prearranged permission to enter, settles into Yuzuki’s arms.
The king speaks again.
“Young heroes, I extend my gratitude once more. For saving my daughter’s life, as both a king and a father, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Another expression of gratitude.
We happened to be there and defeated the dragon because it was convenient for us, and yet we received sufficient compensation and this level of hospitality.
It feels excessive and a bit embarrassing.
But they didn’t summon us to this meeting just to express gratitude.
As I think this, the king says, “I leave the rest to you,” delegating the conversation to Sophia-san.
“I apologize for summoning you to a meeting like this. There is something I would like to ask of you.”
After saying this, she briefly lowers her eyes in sorrow, then looks up at us to continue.
“Last night, there was a report that the city of Turam, located north of this royal capital, was destroyed by a single monster. The name of that monster is Fenrir—a legendary beast said to have once served as the right hand of the Ice Queen, tormenting even the greatest heroes.”
Fenrir, huh?
Lately, legendary beasts seem to be popping up everywhere.
But more importantly...
An entire city destroyed?
From Sophia-san’s attitude earlier, I had a vague sense that it might be something like this.
But hearing it as confirmed information still comes as a shock.
The destruction of a city means, needless to say, that the everyday lives of its residents were utterly shattered.
Though I’ve encountered similar tragedies before, it’s something one can never get used to.
“What happened to the city’s residents? I’d like to think they weren’t completely wiped out.”
“...According to the messenger, it was nearly total annihilation.”
Sophia-san glances briefly at one of the meeting participants before answering.
The person she looks at is a young man with the bearing of a warrior.
Perhaps he’s the messenger who came from the northern city of Turam.
The man seeks permission to speak, which the king grants with a nod.
Wearing a pained expression, he recounts the events.
“In hindsight, we must admit that our initial response—the city guard’s defense—was flawed. We never should have confronted that creature... that monster.”
He begins to describe the situation from last night.
It was just after dinnertime when it happened.
Everyone in the city believed it to be an ordinary evening.
Then, a massive tremor shook the ground.
A giant wolf-like monster with snowy fur suddenly appeared within the city.
Apparently, it had come from the north and leaped over the city walls—nearly ten meters tall—with ease.
This giant monster, Fenrir, used its overwhelming fangs and claws to destroy buildings and slaughter people one after another.
Faced with senseless destruction and killing, the city’s residents were consumed by fear and chaos.
The city guards, along with adventurers and mercenaries present in the city, desperately fought to protect the citizens.
However, even with the assistance of a mercenary group—a dozen members strong and coincidentally in Turam at the time—they couldn’t muster a force of even twenty people. Against such a beast, it was hopeless.
The guards’ collective attack inflicted only minor damage before Fenrir’s counterattack struck down several seasoned warriors in a single blow.
By the time they realized it was impossible to repel the creature, it was too late.
Still, the guards shifted focus, attempting to evacuate as many citizens as possible.
The messenger himself had been tasked by the captain of the Turam guard to bring news of Fenrir’s attack to the royal capital.
Haunted by the thought of abandoning the townsfolk and his comrades, he rode desperately to the capital.
This is the gist of his account.
The heavy atmosphere in the conference room grows even more oppressive.
Sophia-san is the next to speak.
The red-haired princess looks at us and makes her plea.
“One of the things I wish to ask of you is to lend us your strength to defeat Fenrir. Naturally, we will provide compensation befitting your abilities.”
It’s a reasonable request.
After our display of skill against the Snow Dragon, it’s only natural that they’d seek our help.
A legendary beast like Fenrir, capable of destroying an entire city...
Its name also appears in our mission log:
Defeat 1 Fenrir (Reward: 300,000 EXP).
Given that defeating Yamata no Orochi yielded 250,000 EXP, Fenrir’s strength can only be imagined.
It’s not a request to accept lightly.
But neither is it a situation we can simply ignore.
I respond to Sophia-san with a clarifying question.
“You want us to lend our strength. But you’re not asking us to take down Fenrir on our own, right?”
“Of course not. We will mobilize all available knights and adventurers in the capital to join the effort. Considering the need to maintain a minimum defensive force here, we estimate a total of around one hundred combatants. Naturally, I will also participate and lead the forces.”
Her answer aligns with what I’d hoped to hear.
With that level of support, there’s a chance for success.
Similar to the Yamata no Orochi battle, we could organize and deploy a healing unit.
While a casualty-free victory isn’t guaranteed, it wouldn’t be a reckless fight either.
Yuzuki raises her hand and asks Sophia-san a question.
“Do we know where Fenrir is now? The attack on Turam was just last night, right? Has there been any sign of it since?”
Sophia-san shakes her head.
“We’ve sent scouts to Turam, and we’re waiting for their report. But regardless, we must prepare. There’s even a possibility that Fenrir is heading for this capital as we speak.”
“Well, that’s true.”
Monster behavior is unpredictable.
In this world, monsters generally have territories, and they rarely attack humans unless their territory is encroached upon.
However, there are exceptions—monsters that attack human settlements indiscriminately.
These monsters must be dealt with immediately to prevent further harm.
There’s no way to predict Fenrir’s next move after destroying Turam.
But one thing is certain: letting a monster like that roam unchecked is not an option.
I glance at Kazane and Yuzuki.
They both nod seriously.
Turning back to Sophia-san, I give my reply.
“Understood. We’ll consider your request. However, we’d like more detailed information on Fenrir. Do you have any data on its stats?”
Sophia-san looks at the messenger.
The man nods, stands, and moves to the blackboard in the room.
He begins to write something with chalk.