By noon I had taken down thirty on my own.
「Not bad」
I earned today’s quota and even came out ahead. At this pace we would clear plenty in the afternoon as well.
「…To think you hunted this many in such a short time…」
The older man, Lloyd-san, the head who oversaw several settlements, seemed shocked after hearing from the people who helped.
「Is there any place where we can dig a deep pit? It looks hard for everyone to keep digging」
They were burying a few together but even digging one meter took thirty minutes. Once we started exterminating in earnest after noon they would not be able to keep up.
「Then let’s dig a pit where we keep the livestock」
Since he suggested it we decided to bury them there.
「Do you have anything to carry them with?」
「We have pushcarts we use during harvest」
The settlement apparently owned a few carts similar to wheelbarrows.
「Also, could you gather any women who are free? Since we’re asking for help I want to offer ingredients for a meal as thanks. Could I ask the women to cook?」
「That would help us but wouldn’t that cut into your earnings?」
「If we killed goblins and left them there we would be flooded with complaints from the nearby residents. If we can avoid that the cost of ingredients is cheap」
Community backlash was terrifying. Even more so in a place where laws were vague. Problems that could be avoided should be avoided.
「…You’re an odd one…」
「From my point of view there are too many people who can’t even think that far and it wears me out」
Not that I was impressive enough to talk big but doing nothing was out of the question. If someone ended up hated then it was their own doing. They could regret it when they stood on the chopping block.
We borrowed the settlement square and brought out a stockpot and ingredients from the Sefuti Home. Of course, they were surprised but if we explained it as magic they would accept it which helped a lot.
「Cut the vegetables and add this block at the end to adjust the flavor」
This time I made the stew without milk and added sausage.
While the women were cooking it, I prepared lunch for Ladarion and Miriel, and Kainzel-san and I ate with the people of the settlement. Sharing a meal from the same pot is the best way to build unity.
「Sorry for making you join us」
It would not be convincing if it were only me, so I asked Kainzel-san to join as well.
「I do not mind. Being able to eat something warm is enough to make me happy」
I was grateful for how understanding he was.
Since cooking took time, we decided to start the afternoon work around one thirty.
I drew a map of the area on the ground and assigned each of us a place to cover.
「Let us meet here again at three」
After saying that, we began the afternoon.
I was a little worried about Ladarion, but she only stayed quiet and spoke when needed. Her radio was set to speaker instead of an earpiece, so if she contacted us often enough the others would notice.
「Please look after Ladarion」
I made sure to say this to the people accompanying him.
「All right. Understood」
An elderly man answered on behalf of the group. It seemed the chief had placed people thoughtfully. I appreciated the consideration.
I looked toward the chief, gave a bow, and left the settlement.
「Do not stand in front of me. The weapons we use are stronger than bows」
I had explained it earlier, but it was important enough to repeat. It would be no joke if someone got hit.
「A-ah. Understood」
Everyone nodded, so I aimed at a goblin hiding nearby and pulled the trigger.
Maybe because it had been a while since I used the P90, my aim was off. I could not take it down with a single shot.
Even so, I regained my rhythm as I continued, and by three o’clock I had eliminated thirty-four of them.
If I could make a living like this, my life would be set. I pushed that dream aside, told the other two to regroup, and returned to the settlement.
「You all are incredible. To hunt this many in such a short time…」
「We are happy to hear that, but I am amazed you managed to harvest anything with this many around」
「Before autumn we chased them off morning and night. Because of that, many people collapsed during the fall season」
Lack of sleep on top of the heavy work of harvesting. Farming in this world was a life-or-death struggle.
After taking a short break, I had Ladarion carry the empty magazines to the Sefuti Home and bring back the ones filled with rounds. It really was nice having someone who could reload for us.
「Let us head north of the settlement until five, then tomorrow we can move on to a settlement farther away」
We had eliminated most of the goblins within three hundred meters of this settlement. The ones that escaped had already moved elsewhere. More would gather eventually, but we would never take down over a hundred in a day like we did today. It would be more efficient to change locations.
「You are going somewhere else?」
Lloyd-san, the chief, stepped in after hearing us.
「Lloyd-san, have you ever wondered why there are so many goblins here?」
「Uh, no, I have not…」
To them it was normal. They only saw goblins as pests that ruined the fields.
「Goblins have to eat to survive. So, what do you think they eat before the wheat ripens?」
「…………」
He looked like he had never even considered it.
「They probably eat insects, mice, and other small animals. Have you had any problems with insect damage or mice up until now?」
「…No, none…」
「Goblins are hated, but the truth is they have been preventing those problems. If they suddenly disappear, you do not need to think hard to understand what will happen, right?」
「…………」
He understood, even if accepting it was another story.
「All we can do is reduce their numbers. After that it depends on the margrave’s policies. Still, think of it this way. If the work that used to be ten is now reduced to two, that is good news for everyone, right?」
Cutting work by eighty percent was revolutionary. If they still could not accept it, they would have to handle it themselves.
「Well, at the very least things will be easier for all of you this year, so it is fine. All right, let us hunt as many goblins as we can until five」
Just a little over an hour left. Time to earn more.
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