An emergency meeting is currently held in the southern part of Galdina Forest, the capital of the Kingdom of Dinant, in the pavilion of the royal castle.

“What happened to the beast people case?”

That is, the king who has spoken so.

His name is Artur Ruikov Dinant.

“Huh, there is no noticeable movement. However, it seems that the people of the church are still sniffing around, and the sale of beast people within the territory is being restrained.”

“Oh …”

“Also, I have requested a part of the Knights and mercenaries to follow the movements on the disappeared beast people case, but there has been no achievements.”

“… Did you say that more than 1,500 people have disappeared completely?”

“I asked the generals and lords who were responsible for the borders security to check again… But, there was no such large-scale border crossing…”

“Where did they go? If 1500 people disappear together, that could only mean…. death. Ugh! Disgusting!”

“We sent personnel to check the lords actions and big commerce companies, but even the lords, couldn’t figure it out. This time, some people gathered in the north of Nidea on an unprecedented scale, and there was a sudden riot in the territory, so it would take time to calm them down… “

“… So, those are the numbers… We’re not supposed to be silent with the inhabitants, but the church…”

“Well…”

“So, no one knows anything about the disappearance of these beast-humans after all?”

In line with the king’s question, Exhaustion shows up in the faces of everyone. Suddenly, a knight whispered to the king.

“My Majesty, I fear, I must have something to say about this matter.”

“Law Lagerkvist, tell me”

“Oh… Because of the low probability and danger implicit in the operation, the Galdina Forest, has not been investigated.”

“Hmm….”

“It seems that there is only that area that has been ignored in the reports from our country land, national borders, and foreign countries.”

The room turned awkward at the remarks made by Lagerkvist. (TL: Ohh please stop talking!!..)

The Galdina Forest, where even if sent 1000 or 2000 troops, you can’t get through. There is no doubt that the knights would only be a prey for beasts or monsters at this time.

They all had thought it. But after thinking, they came to the conclusion that it was an impossible feat.

“Sir Lagerkvist, that’s a terrible proposition. Not only our country, but many other countries and influential people have tried to explore that forest. The results are well known to you. ”

When one person said so, similar words came from the others.

“Of course, we know. But those results came by the fact that we put a lot of emphasis on exploring and had ruined the habitat of monsters. If we just passed through the forest, without perturbing the monsters and taking care of not to damage their habitat, we should be able to pass through the forest safely. “

Silence came to the room after those words.

“… Mr Lagerkvist, what does that mean?”

It was the king himself who broke that silence.

“I fear … that these beast-people were helped by someone and hid or went through the Galdina forest.” 

“I’m not sure who the helper could be, but we need to recover those beast-people. Every country now knows the high demand for beast-people. I heard that their market price is higher now, how can we suffer such a loss… It’s best to take a risk and cross that forest? ”

While many of the lords were in sync with the king’s remarks, some of them, including Lagerkvist, were silent with a thoughtful expression.

“This may just be a baseless idea … but, if for example … the empire devised a way to cross that forest and if it were possible to make a round trip… Couldn’t that have happened? “

The thought of it was powerful enough to freeze the air of the room on the spot.

(TL: You did it now…)

“Or is it an influential person who is aiming to monopolize resources? Or is it an ex investigator who explored the forest before? Are they doing it whimsically? At least, if they’ve been in that forest before or went through, it’s likely that they’re more optimistic about it than us? “

“………………”

The room is quiet and wrapped in a strange sense of tension. There was no calm, but only a heavy atmosphere.

“… Mr Lagerkvist “

“What?”

“Your opinions are certainly hard to ignore. But what could have happened  doesn’t mean that our army can move right away. You must know it very well as you are in the military? “

“Yes.”

“Therefore, I order you to leave our troops. Sir Lagerkvist, you will immediately organize a unit for the survey of the Great Forest of Galdina, and report the scale of the exploration, necessary materials, and duration of the travel. If you can’t bring back proof of that what you said is true, your words may be taken as a rebellion to the throne.”

(TL: Had it coming…)

“Huh!”

“Sir Lagerkvist, I hope that you will be able to plan for the future development of the Great Galdina, after your survey.” (TL: Most probably, that king wants to occupy the forest…)

“We will do our best to keep up with your highness expectation.”

“Well, then this is the end of this meeting.”

Sometime later…

Over 3,000 selected corps and 500 vehicles, to transport their supplies to the great Galdina forest, departed from the capital.

I don’t know if it will be the first interaction between the residents of the kingdom of Galdina and humans, but if they meet, it most probably will become bloody.

** Coffee for faster releases!! ** In urgent need of coffee !!