Chapter 6: I Reincarnated as a Villainess…and Ended Up Stranded (5)

Across the ocean, one of the Empire’s largest colonies lay in the Far West.

Situated at the far western edge of imperial territory and spanning land even vaster than the Empire’s heartland, it earned that name.

Of course, this was only how it was referred to from the imperial homeland.

Those who lived and toiled in the colonies simply called themselves pioneers and the land beneath their feet, the frontier.

In the mid-northern region of the Far West—the frontier—lay the Abel Forest, where the Empire’s largest airship had crashed after taking the safer northern route.

The village in the area was still new, and only the outskirts of the forest had been explored.

Even though the settlers had seen and heard the crash with their own eyes and ears, fear of monsters kept them from investigating.

“Guildmaster, it’s been weeks since the airship crashed in Abel Forest. Are you just going to leave those huge wrecks untouched?”

“I understand your concerns. But that massive ship fell into the deepest part of Abel Forest. It’s too dangerous to explore it prematurely.”

“You say the same thing every time. Not a single word different.”

The village was surrounded by monsters.

Abel Forest, abundant in mana and minor spirits, was nearby.

Just as fairies and wild spirits make their nests in mana-rich environments, monsters thrived in this ideal habitat.

“…Fine. I’ll be honest with you.”

Where there is demand, there is always supply.

It was only a matter of time before an adventurer’s guild was built in a fledgling village where settlers desired safety.

Under the Emperor’s blessing, the imperial heartland had long since eradicated all monsters.

But the frontier was still teeming with monster habitats like Abel Forest.

In this place, adventurers from various provinces who’d lost their jobs in the homeland, as well as some hardy Northerners still battling monsters, had migrated to continue their livelihoods.

“So those pompous nobles crashed. What does that have to do with us?”

“Watch your mouth. What if someone hears you?”

“This is my office. No one’s listening in.”

As with any colony, no matter how benevolent the rule, the relationship between rulers and the ruled is rarely good.

The Far West was home to many who had effectively fled the Empire.

It was safe to say no one had any love for the nobles.

An airship wasn’t something commoners could ride.

There was only one ship in the world capable of crossing the ocean: the Rosegarden family’s airship.

Under the Emperor’s decree, they governed this vast Far West from the highest seat of power.

How the pioneers felt about them was easy to guess.

“Still, shouldn’t we report it? We don’t know what kind of trouble we might get into later.”

“…I’ve already filed a report.”

“Ha! Even the great Guildmaster fears the Lions, huh?”

The “Lions” were the nickname for the Rosegarden family, named after their crest featuring a lion and rose.

The Guildmaster, who had just been grinding his teeth at the uniformed officials earlier, had clearly sent the report out of fear of repercussions.

The elderly mage chuckled, understanding it was the wise thing to do as the leader of a group.

“I can’t risk everyone’s safety because of personal feelings.”

“Right. Of course.”

The mage puffed on his pipe filled with mana herbs, a specialty of the frontier.

“That’s why, Guildmaster, we must send an expedition to Abel Forest immediately. To protect this village.”

“Why are you so obsessed with the airship wreckage?”

“Because I must be.”

The mage’s gaze sharpened. Removing his pipe, he spoke gravely.

“Haven’t the Lycan Wolves’ attacks decreased recently? Don’t you wonder why?”

“Isn’t it proof that our efforts to protect the village are working?”

“I hate to say it, Guildmaster, but that’s a huge misunderstanding.”

The blue smoke from his pipe settled heavily in the air.

“The number of those cunning beasts hasn’t changed. In fact, we should be worried about an increase.”

“What are you getting at?”

“Why would those beasts abandon our juicy livestock and retreat deeper into the forest?”

“…”

“There’s only one answer. They found something tastier and more tempting than human livestock.”

The mage’s point was simple.

Since the airship crashed, the wolves’ attacks had declined because they were drawn to the wreckage and its byproducts.

The Guildmaster couldn’t wrap his head around it.

No matter how smart these beasts were compared to other monsters, what could they possibly gain from scavenging the wreckage?

At best, it would contain preserved rations for long journeys—nothing that would appeal to beasts who preferred fresh, bloody meat.

“What, are they hunting for jerky now?”

“Jerky? They wouldn’t go for tasteless human feed with no scent of blood.”

“Then what are you suggesting?”

“They’re after the corpses and the mana stones used in the airship.”

“…!”

The Guildmaster shot up in shock.

Monsters consume mana stones from other monsters to grow in size and power.

That’s why they gather in mana-rich areas.

Small monsters are drawn in, then larger ones arrive to eat them.

Mana stones give monsters strength.

“One of them might even evolve into a spirit. At best, a mid-tier one.”

“Is now really the time for idle speculation!?”

In short, the airship was a treasure trove of mana stones.

The recent magical revolution had created a disaster.

And unlike dungeons, Abel Forest’s environment made it easier for spiritification to occur.

If a wild spirit was born among the Lycan Wolves, it could be catastrophic.

“Gather an elite search party. Immediately!”

Thus, a group of adventurers near Abel Forest was hastily assembled…

“…A spirit?”

Lin, stranded in Abel Forest, now faced the leader of the Lycan Wolves—a spiritified one.

I was happily returning with jerky and Kiriel when we were ambushed by a mangy dog trying to steal our food.

I gave him a good beating.

But it seems he called in reinforcements for revenge.

They lured us to their den, where now, standing before me, was a fully spiritified alpha.

There are two main types of spirits: the contracted kind and wild spirits.

Thanks to the existence of spirit summoners, people often confuse the two, but most spirits are no different from monsters.

In mana-rich environments, a monster can evolve into a spirit—this is called spiritification.

Usually, only intelligent monsters become spirits.

And now, such a rare case was standing right in front of me.

“Small, young human. You killed one of our kin.”

“I-It talks!?”

“Unforgivable.”

The alpha barked out the reason for my execution and ordered its minions to attack.

Wolves surrounded me and charged.

They’d clearly identified me as the weaker one, not Kiriel.

KWAANG!

“Yelp!”

“Whine… whimper…”

But my Kiriel is no pushover.

She spun her magic-infused arms and unleashed a storm that whipped around us.

It was more defensive than offensive, so some wolves survived and got back up.

“So, you’re a spirit summoner.”

The alpha, who had been smugly watching from a rock, looked utterly terrified now.

Judging by the puddle between its legs, it had peed itself.

Pathetic… I could turn these mutts into stew if I wanted, but I suppose I’ll be merciful.

“…Heh, you’re a clever pup. That’s right, I’m a spirit summoner. Just like mangy street dogs cower before the dog catcher, spirits can’t defy summoners.”

“You speak nonsense.”

“But I’m generous. Serve me, and I might spare you from becoming soup.”

“I don’t follow orders from someone weaker than me.”

“Food is hard to come by in this forest, right? I live near a lake. Fresh fish every day.”

“I don’t want smelly fish.”

“…How about herbal tea?”

“No.”

“I can brush you every day. Feels amazing!”

“…”

…Huh?

What was with that long pause?

“No.”

“Wait, you paused! You want to be brushed, don’t you!?”

“Persistent human.”

My offer was soundly rejected.

The alpha ignored me and fell into thought.

Awoooo—!

Suddenly, it howled.

The wolves attacked again, three at a time from different directions.

“…!”

Kiriel was about to spin up another storm but stopped to hurl two wolves away.

The last was quickly shredded as well.

Yet the assault didn’t stop.

Wolves came at us in rotating waves like some cult.

These mutts… are they not afraid of death?

They moved like machines.

With only two arms, Kiriel couldn’t keep up as the attacks converged.

“Grrr!”

“Eek!”

A wolf came at me from behind.

I reached for my flintlock, but it was too late.

KWAANG!

“Yelp!”

Kiriel slammed the beast down just in time.

But the shockwave sent me flying.

“…!”

Below me, a mob of monsters waited with open mouths.

If I fall… I’m dead!

“Please…!”

I poured mana into my pendant.

I stopped midair, floating.

“It worked…!”

Though upside-down, I succeeded! Compared to how long it took to prepare flight spells before, this was huge progress!

“Take that, you stupid mutts! Bet you can’t fly!”

Dangling from the sky, I taunted them.

The howls echoed.

But then… one of them started climbing a tree.

…Wait.

You can climb!?

“Eek!”

BANG!

I shot the climber.

It dropped.

But another started climbing from behind the tree, avoiding my line of fire.

“Kiriel!”

Kiriel flew in like a blade and sliced the trees clean through.

All of them.

“Whew…”

I relaxed too soon.

My focus wavered and my floating spell shook.

Concentrate… If I fall, I’m wolf chow before Kiriel can save me!

“Ugh… Why is flying myself so much harder than levitating stuff…”

Then I saw the fallen trees.

…Wait!

That could work!

I summoned a tree close and hopped on, then canceled my levitation.

The gravity returned, but so did my clarity.

“Kiriel cut down all the trees. Now they really can’t climb, right?”

Looking down, the wolves were now truly helpless.

And Kiriel could now fight without worrying about me.

“Kiriel!”

I looked to her with hope.

But her expression was different.

Instead of her usual confident grin, she seemed serious.

As if telling me to hold on tight.

“So you can fly. But it’s pointless. I’ll knock you down—”

Then, a storm roared.

Not an attack.

Not defense.

Just movement.

Kiriel zipped across the sky to the alpha’s perch.

Even the spiritified alpha looked shocked.

Before it could react, Kiriel gathered dense mana into her arms.

The young lady’s enemy. Pay with your life.

“Eep!”

The storm exploded.

A massive final blow, all mana unleashed.

Even I, far from the blast, was nearly blown off.

…

…

Thud…

The spirit hit dead-on, headless, collapsed.

The forest fell silent.

The wolves, seeing their leader’s corpse, did not move.

Why?

Why no revenge?

Because for pack monsters, the moment the alpha dies, they stop all action and await the next leader.

A hardwired instinct.

Awoooo—.

One wolf howled.

Awoooo—. Awoooo—. Awoooo—.

The others joined in.

A new alpha had been born.

“Um… Kiriel? Could you maybe… get rid of these guys? I can’t get down…”

Seriously… It’s not some noble lady, but the doll who’s in charge now.