Chapter 585

The Curious Monster
I decided to ask the Kiblinki Saltas if they had any idea what this mysterious monster might be.
Specifically, whether it could be a stray of their own kind.

The answer I got back was that the chances of that were extremely low.

(If it were one of our kin, it would never cause damage that could be described as ‘ravaging.’ At most, it might take a few seeds. Did that happen?)

“No, I haven’t heard any reports of that. Naturally, the villagers would check their seed storage while searching for signs of intrusion. If seeds had been taken, they would have noticed.”

(Then it’s settled. That was not one of our kin. Still… its behavior is most unnatural for a wild creature.)

“Unnatural? In what way?”

(Even if it were driven off once, it would try again the moment it found a chance to raid the fields. Unless the damage in that first incident was severe enough to scare it off, which doesn’t sound like the case here. Was it?)

“No, I haven’t heard anything like that either. Forgive me—I haven’t received a detailed report.”

(It can’t be helped. To the ones in charge, it was probably a trifling matter. But to vanish without leaving a single trace? That is troubling indeed.)

“You think so too, then?”

(Contractor. Once this so-called presentation of yours is over, let us dispatch a few of our number to investigate. From our perspective, we may uncover something others cannot.)

So the Kiblinki Saltas themselves would investigate.
Lady Conniette nodded in agreement, so it seems we can leave this matter to them.
It’d be great if they come back with some good news.

“By the way, Lady Lily. Only a few Kiblinki Saltas will be sent for the investigation?”

“Mm? Are you worried, Lady Conniette?”

“It feels reckless to send just a handful when we don’t even know how many of the enemy there are…”

(Do not fret. This will be more of a preliminary survey. What we intend is merely to confirm whether this monster has truly left Galette territory, and to learn why it appeared there in the first place.)

“In other words, you’ll avoid fighting if possible?”

(If it tries to flee, or if a small group can be subdued easily, then combat may occur. But that would only be the exception.)

As expected, the Kiblinki Saltas would take a cautious approach.
The creature was unknown—no telling how strong it might be.
Please… all of you, make it back safely!

What do you think about this chapter?