章 47: The Scout
[Daniel POV]
The ramparts were in horrible shape. From the outside of the town, they looked extremely formidable and domineering. However, from this side, there was not a single thing that could fit that description.
There were no trebuchets, no ballistae, absolutely no equipment whatsoever on the wall. Not only that, there were also no soldiers. What would happen if there is an attack?
"Don't worry, there are soldiers that patrol the wall. However, they are so few and far between that you can't see them unless you actively look for them." (Cairne)
"Isn't that a bad thing? Security should be increased now that there's an incoming beast wave, right?" (Daniel)
"But we didn't want the general populace to panic. If there is a sudden increase in military presence, then they'll be tense, and things will stop working the way they should." (Cairne)
"Then how will you tell if the wave is coming?" (Daniel)
"We have scouts outside of the city observing the situation. When it takes a bad turn, they'll return and report it." (Cairne)
But still, that takes time. What if they only manage to catch wind of it when the beast wave has already begun moving? Human scouts can't outrun beasts.
I'll have to send out some of my Centaur troops then. Surprisingly, the undead can actually communicate with each other, even if they can't directly communicate with me. For example, Arthur and Gilgamesh can talk to me, but they can also talk to the other skeletons.
Then, they'll be able to tell me what they said. This is exactly the chain of command I needed.
Enough about that. I need to observe the ramparts to see which weapons should go where.
From the experience of my past life, the best places to put ballistae are in areas that have a wide-angle view of the battlefield below. In most cases, that would be the corners of the wall.
However, there is no indication as to which side the beasts will come, so the corners would be useless. Then that leaves only the sides.
The spacing between them should be around 20 metres apart, since that will cover everything within the turning radius of each ballistae.
I can't really make ballistae myself, since most of it is actually wood. However, I can advise them on the positions.
The only real thing I can do to this wall is maybe repair it a bit. I can fix the parapets that are falling apart, as well as fill the holes in the standing area to make sure soldiers don't trip over.
The blacksmiths and I can also provide equipment for these soldiers.
Overall, the amount of work needed is extreme, and the amount of time is too little.
The main reason is because there aren't enough craftsmen in the town. There's no way travelling merchants can bring weapons into the town to sell, and the carpenters and blacksmiths are down in the dumps.
Well, I'll still try my best but there's no way for me to guarantee that I'll be able to save this town entirely.
Surprisingly, this time there's no quest from Ed about beating back the beast wave or something.
Maybe the main system thinks I should do it without the need for rewards, or maybe because it thinks I'm not capable of completing it.
Either way, the only two options are to run away or to fight the beasts. If these are the only two options, then I'd rather choose to fight. Running away is cowardly, and more importantly, it will force me to live like a fugitive.
Running away from a compulsory quest will gain you an arrest warrant after all.
But first, I need to guarantee the safety of Catherine and Arin first.
Right now, they're confirming the situation of the beast wave with Cairne. It's not like I'm jealous or anything, but I don't want them too close to him. Nope, definitely not jealous.
"So basically, what you're saying is that the only thing you know of is the existence of the beast wave? And you have no specifics? Not even the size?" (Arin)
"W-Well, the scouts don't dare to get too close in case they get discovered. Who knows if they'll act prematurely if they find themselves spied upon." (Cairne)
Huh, good point. That's a bit hypocritical though, considering how Catherine, Arin and I have been spied upon by him. The only difference is that we didn't find out about it.
"Then how are we going to prepare? Sending us out there without any information whatsoever is the same as making us sign our death warrants." (Arin)
Ooh, Arin is getting fierce. She really doesn't care about his status as Guildmaster, huh?
"Th-That's not the case. The only thing adventurer's will be doing is defending the town, not attacking the beasts." (Cairne)
"That's just sophistry, nya! How are we supposed to defend the town without attacking them, nya?!" (Catherine)
Even Catherine's joined in. I should probably step in here, but somehow the look on Cairne's distressed face makes me feel a sense of comradery. As if I'm not the only person whose been yelled at by these two women.
I still don't want him anywhere near them though.
---
[3rd Person POV]
The scout ran for his life. Whizzing past trees, shrubbery and rocks, he finally stopped for a brief rest.
His appearance was extremely messy. There was blood everywhere; on his hands, his hair, even his face.
If he wasn't running like a headless chicken just now, then a passer-by would see him as a bloodthirsty demon.
The scout had initially been in a team of four. They were tasked with keeping an eye on the beasts within the forest towards the north of Hull.
There had also been another three similar teams, sent to the east, south and western sides.
Unfortunately, the northern side was the dangerous side. The team had unknowingly stepped into the territory of the beast wave itself, and they were caught woefully unprepared.
Without so much as a squeak, the first member of their team died.
Seconds later, the second and third members died.
Faced with this sight, the remaining scout wisely chose to flee for his life, even throwing away all his equipment.
But he did not care. What he had to do now, was get back to Hull and notify Earl Prudor about what happened.
And quickly. Very quickly. After all, the beast wave is imminent.
Very soon, the scout stopped his rest and his figure resumed its weaving through the forest.
クリエイターの想い 
SSBGoditz
SSBGoditz It's getting harder and harder to write. I think I've burned out after those mass releases.
The next chapter will finally have some combat.
Thanks for reading!
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