Ch.8Minotaur Extermination Squad (1)

A lavish reception room. Two men were conversing there.

“What? A Minotaur variant?”

As if advertising that he was the master of this place, the man sitting in the ornate chair had a thick belly and build that would be difficult to embrace with one arm.

His fat fingers were adorned with rings, and the clothes he wore seemed to have magical assistance, as they adequately covered his enormous frame.

Sitting before him was a man with an unkempt beard.

“Yes. Two weeks ago, a Gold Class party from our Adventurer Guild went to the Demon Forest to subjugate a Minotaur. However, when they didn’t return after a week, we requested a search mission from a Titanite Class adventurer known as ‘Achilles Paramount Leonhardt,’ who bears the title of Water God…”

At that moment, Count Cayenne, the lord and count of this territory, interrupted.

“What did you say his name was? Achilles… what?”

“Achilles Paramount Leonhardt, sir.”

The Count placed his hand on his head as if getting a headache. If that was a person’s name, he wondered what kind of parents would give such a name, and if the person had named himself, it gave him a headache to think that someone with such intelligence was a Titanite Class.

“Is that really a name? Perhaps Achilles is the surname, Paramount is the middle name, and Leonhardt is the first name? Please tell me that’s the case. Otherwise, my head will hurt too much.”

The Adventurer Guild Master made a troubled expression at those words. Seeing the Count’s pained expression, he thought that this idiot must indeed have issues, and decided to tell the truth.

“I… I’m very sorry to say this, but that is indeed his name. When he came to our Adventurer Guild two years ago and said ‘Achilles Paramount Leonhardt,’ we thought he was a nobleman and asked him three times to confirm, but he insisted that was his name.”

Count Cayenne pressed his hand harder against his head upon hearing this. He had heard that adventurers and mercenaries were uneducated and stupid, but this seemed excessive.

Someone of Titanite Class would be skilled enough to receive respect in the territory, so they should have some intelligence.

The fact that he proudly announced such a name at the guild meant he took pride in it.

If it were the Count, he would have changed his name immediately, but the fact that this person hadn’t changed it either showed deep filial piety or indicated he was a moron who thought it sounded cool.

The Count considered establishing an academy in his territory, but what mattered now wasn’t that idiot’s name but the Minotaur variant that had been discovered.

Erasing the idiot’s name from his mind for the moment, the Count changed the subject.

“Let’s set aside that idiot’s name. Is it true that this suspected Minotaur variant annihilated a party of five Gold Class adventurers and killed even the Titanite Class who went to investigate?”

“Yes. That idi— Achilles Para—”

“Just call him an idiot. Why should a commoner’s name be so long?”

“Yes. While that idiot may have been mentally strange, his skills as a Titanite Class were genuine. His achievements were also respectable. Such an idiot wouldn’t spend a week in the Demon Forest, which normally takes only a day to traverse, and even if he were alive, he would have fled, meaning there must be something in that forest capable of overwhelming a Titanite Class.”

The Count fell into deep thought at these words. If the variant only inhabited the Demon Forest, it wouldn’t be a problem, but if it left the forest to occupy the roads or invade the territory, it was obvious that a catastrophe would occur. The Count made his decision.

“I will organize a subjugation team first. You investigate the variant. I will cover the investigation costs, so proceed as quickly as possible and find out its habitat, appearance, size, whether it has weapons, or anything else. First, we need to confirm its existence.”

“Yes. We already sent an investigation team on the day we confirmed the variant’s existence. They’re quick on their feet, so they should return tomorrow or the day after.”

“Very good. Then I must meet with the prominent figures of our territory, so you may leave now.”

The Guild Master bowed and left, and the Count also left the reception room for the meeting.

* * * * *

“Have you heard?”

“About what?”

“Well, they say a variant Minotaur has been discovered.”

“A Minotaur variant? Can they even catch it?”

“That’s why they sent that water-brained idiot for investigation, you know? And I heard he died.”

“No way, I heard that guy might be weird in the head, but his skills were extraordinary! He was always picking fights at the guild when he had nothing to do. Good riddance! *Hack, spit!*”

At the Adventurer Guild, talk of the Minotaur was in full swing. With news that a subjugation team would soon be formed, rumors had spread to everyone who needed to know, and those with sufficient skills had likely applied, as they were recruiting Gold Class adventurers and above.

“Ah, seriously—!!!! Sir!!! How many times do I have to tell you not to spit here, and you do it again!!!”

“Oops! Sorry, Miss Mera!”

“Sorry doesn’t cut it! Does my job end because you’re sorry?! How many times do I have to tell you that I’m the one who has to clean up when you spit!!!”

As the employee raged, the bald man finally handed her a silver coin, which quieted her down. She winked and walked away, swaying her hips, making him chuckle.

“Anyway, do you know who joined the subjugation team for that Minotaur variant?”

The person sitting across from him thought for a moment before speaking.

“Hmm… from what I know, the Titanite adventurers are Sword Demon, Spearman, and Destroyer King. I’m not sure about the Gold Class since they applied as parties, but if Destroyer King is participating, White Out will probably join too.”

“White Out? That stupid party with three mages—”

*SMACK!!* *THUD!*

“Which bastard hit my head…”

The adventurer who had been hit looked up at who had struck him and froze.

“I think I misheard. Would you mind repeating what you said?”

“Oh no, I didn’t say anything. I just said they’re an amazing party.”

The adventurer couldn’t say anything despite being hit, because the person standing before him was the Leader of White Out and a Titanite Class, Destroyer King.

“You should be careful with your words, little one. Especially in places with many people.”

Leaving the man nodding frantically, Destroyer King left.

“Whew, that was close. Who knew Destroyer King would be at the guild?”

“Be careful. Have you forgotten how you almost got your arm cut off last time for running your mouth thoughtlessly?”

“I got it, I got it.”

As the adventurers continued chatting, a robed man in the guild disappeared into the crowd.

* * * * *

A group was walking through the forest. In this forest where no light penetrated, the person at the front seemed to be the guide, leading the group forward.

About twenty people traversed the dark forest. They all appeared to be combat specialists, each carrying their weapons as they followed the guide’s directions.

After walking for some time, the guide announced they had reached their destination, and everyone began checking their weapons.

“This is as far as I go. Beyond here is the variant’s territory, so be careful.”

“Ha—. We have three Titanite Class, twelve Gold Class adventurers, and even knights from the Count’s household. Don’t worry, just make sure you return safely.”

“I wish you success.”

With those words, the guide departed, and the remaining members gathered for a meeting.

“So, how are we going to catch this Minotaur? Just overwhelm it with force?”

“That water-brained idiot presumably tried to overwhelm it with force and got killed. Are you suggesting we do the same? Don’t talk nonsense. What’s humanity’s strength? Having brains, isn’t it?”

“‘Brains’ is a term used for beasts, you ignorant fellow.”

“I think it’s appropriate to call you ‘brains’ though.”

“You bastard!”

As Sword Demon and Destroyer King, who were trying to conduct the meeting, began to fight, the Old Knight intervened.

“That’s enough. First, how about luring it out and bombarding it with magic? I heard the magic party White Out is here. You should be able to damage the Minotaur with magic, right?”

Destroyer King nodded at those words. After seeing his gesture, the Old Knight turned to Sword Demon and Spearman.

“You two should be able to lure the Minotaur without getting caught, right? As frontline Titanite Classes, I believe you can do it…”

“Hmph! If I get caught by such a creature, my Titanite Class must have been bought with money. I’ll lure it perfectly, so don’t worry.”

Spearman also nodded in agreement.

“Good. Then the knights and remaining frontline adventurers will finish off the creature after it’s been damaged by magic. That’s the general plan, and since you all probably won’t cooperate well anyway, handle the rest with improvisation. Now, let’s go.”

The twenty-person Minotaur subjugation team moved into the Minotaur’s territory.

And in the place they had left, a suspicious figure in a robe followed behind the subjugation team.