The Extra Wants To Live

The post-war settlement did not take long. In the first place, the battle ended quickly and there were almost no losses. Repairing the wooden fence was also unnecessary.

However, it was difficult to dispose of the piled up corpses of gnolls.

"Burn it. Don't even leave a trace."

By Carl's firm command, even the precious oil was used to completely burn it down.

The soldiers celebrated their victory and went to bed in peace, except for the wake-up call.

However, Carl, Catherine, Corbin, and even Milton could not fall asleep until midnight.

"Are you saying the intestines were completely empty? But they are that healthy?"

"That's right."

Catherine and Corbin were aware that the situation was unpleasant, but they were not as surprised as Milton.

The imperial physician Milton knew full well that this was impossible.

"…Something… It's possible that They're consuming something that won't leave traces in thire intestines. Something so great that it can supply enough power for action to a liquid."

Milton used his knowledge to consider this.

"They may be eating something that exerts a transcendent power like mana. This is a serious issue that cannot be ignored, not only in Hilfin Territory but also in the Empire."

If they have something valuable like that, they have to control the surroundings and gather everything they can.

Milton hinted to Carl that he should bring in more support from the imperial family.

But Carl shook his head resolutely.

"That can't be possible. There is no further support from the imperial family. And, there is no support from other fiefdoms or nobles."

"… … ."

The air becomes heavy at Carl's firm words.

Corbin seems shocked as he cannot understand this situation, but for Carl, it is an unavoidable decision.

If there is such a valuable item, of course Carl must secretly keep it all to himself. If this is made known to everyone, not only the unidentified item but also the silver will be taken away.

And one more thing.

'I don't think it's such a good story.'

Carl felt anxiety and a faint sense of fear as the gnoll's intestines were empty.

It originated from the memories of Lucas Voss, who had been exposed to numerous stories such as novels, movies, and comics.

'Something unknown is happening in the forest.'

A play that continues to increase as if it were infinite.

The existence of silver that no one knew about.

The intellect of a gnoll who, although crude, acquired metallurgy in a short period of time.

Irrational obsession with corpses.

And the guts of a gnoll that are so healthy and cleanly empty that they can tear a person to death with their bare hands.

The secret to it all is definitely not some kind of panacea.

Is this really what Azgoth intended?

* * *

Last night's unscathed victory was quite an encouraging result.

The battle was over so quickly and there was no hard fighting, so all the soldiers were full of energy.

It would be a shame to just throw away this leisure.

"I don't know if this will work."

"It's what Lord Carl ordered, so there must be a reason for everything."

Following Carl's plan, or more specifically Catherine's plan, they are building a small fortress close to the south of Ax Sound Village.

Even the imperial soldiers were deployed to build the fortress, and since most of the people in the village of Ax Sound were skilled woodcutters and carpenters, they were able to build the wooden fence faster than expected.

In addition, they even used their spare time to dig up the ground around the wooden fence.

This is because last night the gnolls piled up the corpses and tried to climb the wooden fence.

"We must pay particular attention to where attacks are concentrated."

Catherine followed Carl around and told him many things.

"Since there is a relatively small fortress to the south, the gnolls attacking from the west will naturally stretch out from north to south. Also, since the gnolls do not have enough intelligence to form a line, they will force their way in and keep pushing in, so we will be able to easily kill the gnolls who are pushed in between the two barriers."

Carl also saw a gnoll stuck between the carriages during the first day's battle, unable to move. That way, all they have to do is push it into a narrow space and stab it with a spear to kill it.

"If the bodies pile up like that, a wall will eventually form connecting the two wooden fences. With the play extending from north to south, there is now a wall blocking the road, so there will be more space in the rear, to the east. Depending on the situation, we may be able to open the eastern gate and charge the cavalry."

Carl couldn't help but be impressed by Catherine's explanation.

No matter how hard he thinks, he will never be able to come up with an efficient strategy at once and foresee the outcome like Catherine did.

"What do you think of Sir Corbin?"

After looking around and encouraging the soldiers, Carl entered the building for a break and asked Catherine a small question.

"I don't know what you mean."

Instead of answering straight away, Catherine carefully asked about Carl's intentions.

"Do you think he will be helpful in the future?"

"His martial arts, command, tactics, strategy, and personality are all such that he cannot even be called a knight. I don't think it will help."

Catherine evaluated Corbin coolly and resolutely.

A knight born as a commoner in a rural fiefdom is at the level of being used as a throwaway word.

That's it. Corbin has no value.

"… Is that so."

Carol felt regret.

But deep down, he thought it would be so.

It's not like he's comparing him to Catherine, there's something he can see just by looking at her.

'It would be even stranger to have talented people like Catherine and Bilford in a place like this.'

Carl thought about the talents that Adrian acquired in the original work, but it was difficult to contact them right away, and it was unlikely that they would follow Carl, who had no value.

"How long do you think it will take for Bilford to become powerful as a knight?"

Catherine immediately answers Carl's question.

"Bilford has already developed sufficient skills in martial arts. It's just that because he's young, his body hasn't finished growing, so his strength and stamina are reduced. He is still lacking in other tactics and strategies. It will take him at least two more years to reach his full potential as a knight."

"…."

Two years is too late.

As Carl rubs his forehead in confusion, Catherine looks at him in an uncharacteristic way.

Catherine tried to say something to Carl for a moment, but after a long hesitation, she finally closed her mouth.

Catherine's family, the Mold family, may have fallen, but it has a history and tradition built up as a knightly family. It will be a great help to Carl now.

However, Catherine was still not sure if she could bet her family's fate on Carl.

"Lord Carl, a messenger has returned from Hilfin Castle."