I Left the State-Sanctioned Party, and Eventually Became a Hero in the Frontier ~ A Tale of a "Scoundrel" Starting Over as a Hero ~

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Saran’s request was for detailed intel on ten marked points on the map, followed by reconnaissance of three uncharted areas that even we hadn’t set foot in yet.

Rolo tried to stop me, saying it was too dangerous. But the strategist calmly declared, “Yulg can handle it. It’s actually a fairly conservative request,” so I went along with it.

After all, that insufferable strategist isn’t the type to assign tasks to people who can’t do them. If Saran says I can do it, then I can. He’s a smug, bespectacled bastard—but I trust him.

“This point’s good. I’m starting to get a grasp of the monster distribution too.”

From atop a tree, I peered out through the gaps in the branches. According to Saran, very few people can do this sort of thing. He once said it’s a kind of situational awareness unique to someone who grew up running wild in the woods like me. In other words, I was the perfect person for scouting this unexplored region.

“Alright, let’s move…”

All that remained was reconnaissance of the uncharted zones. I had to stay especially sharp now.

Scarr was terrifying, yes but that wasn’t the only threat lurking in the unexplored region. The deeper you go, the harder it becomes to make it back. There are monsters, sure, but there’s also something that distorts your senses.

Still… I’ve delved deep into dungeons before. I can do this. Saran surely chose me with that in mind.

I darted through the trees like a monkey. Today I was in my scouting gear light and nimble. I couldn’t do much about my body weight, but trees are sturdier than most people think. They don’t snap just from me stepping or swinging on them.

“The first point should be around here… Wait, what the hell?”

Deep in the uncharted region, just as Saran marked. I wondered what the point of checking this place was but apparently it wasn’t a shot in the dark.

“Borgor settlement or, wait, no… it’s a nest. They have High Borgors and even Elder Borgors.”

Borgors are hairy, monkey-like monsters roughly child-sized. They’re found pretty much anywhere and often targeted in beginner adventurer requests. However, they’re smart—they use simple tools and weapons, and can be pretty cunning.

Especially when forming nests in a group like this.They become a real threat. This many of them… even in my usual heavy gear, I’d hesitate to charge in.

“…I’d say ‘as expected of Saran,’ but this isn’t even funny to joke around.”

I muttered to myself as I quietly backed away. Better to check the other two points while I’m at it. I have no idea what kind of plan Saran is crafting what picture he’s seeing but the intel I bring back will help him flesh it out more precisely.

“Time for point two…!”

I steeled myself and sped off through the forest.

♦

“I see. Good work, Yulg.”
“And? What’re you seeing, Saran?”

I returned just before sundown and handed in my report. Saran offered a token thank-you, eyes glued to the map. Without responding to my question, he ran a pale, unhealthy-looking finger over the map and sighed quietly.

All the former Silhusta members were gathered, along with the village chief, who watched Saran with bated breath.

“I’ll get straight to the point: we need time.”
“How much?”
“Ideally six months. If we’re lucky, three. At minimum, one month.”

Saran looked up from the map and met my eyes with a cold, steady gaze.

He might seem inhuman at times, but unlike most nobles, he wasn’t trying to run away. He was actually thinking seriously about a solution. That gave him some humanity.

“Let’s hear the plan, then.”

I plopped into a chair. Saran gave the faintest smirk. That gesture always meant something annoying was coming.

“Before that, I want to ask the village chief, Rolo, and Yulg something; Are you willing to abandon this village?”
“…What exactly do you mean by that?”

The chief asked nervously. Even I couldn’t quite tell where he was going with this, so I glanced at Rolo.

“Exactly what I said. To be blunt, at this rate Marhas will be destroyed easily, and soon. Based on Yulg’s report, the fact that there’s any human settlement here at all is already a miracle.”

Saran pointed to the map.

“We have three monster species that count as ‘village-destroyers.’ Two serious environmental conditions. And on top of that, Scarr, who could potentially trigger a massive Stampede. If we’re unlucky, this village could vanish from the map tonight.”

I bristled at his tone, but if Saran was speaking with this much certainty, then that’s how bad it really was. Hell, I saw it with my own eyes. I had no grounds to object. Still, it was hard to accept being told we were doomed just like that.

“And that’s what you’re here to stop!”
“Yes. I intend to fix this. But to do that, this idyllic little village needs to change.”
“…Huh?”
“I asked Fimia earlier—this village has five installed Barrier Keystones, yes?”

At Saran’s words, Fimia nodded silently.

“That’s not something you’d expect in a place like this. And even when the Barriers broke down, the people still lived here in relative safety. That means the forest’s monsters were being deterred by something.”
“Can you get to the point?”
“Yulg, quit pretending to be dumb. You know what I’m trying to say.”

I understood. But whether the villagers could accept it was another matter. Still… what I’d vaguely suspected Saran could actually make it happen.

“Sorry, I don’t get it. Saran, how do we save the village?”
“We make this place into a frontier town.”

Rolon, and the chief, gasped at the answer to his question. Saran continued, unfazed.

“Abundant forest resources. Dense monster population. And a dungeon-like structure Yulg discovered. Plus, Hirte the Dairy City is nearby, so food supply isn’t an issue. With those facts in hand, I’ll submit a proposal to the Royal Council to re-develop this place into an exploration hub for the uncharted region.”

He spoke as if the matter was settled. The chief still looked stunned. Rolo voiced the obvious concern:

“Can… something like that really happen?”
“Of course. I’m a member of House Zolark and the strategist of the State-Sanctioned party Silhasta, remember?”

Saran raised the corners of his mouth in a smug, fearless grin.

“Listen carefully. This is how you use power. Now, the only question is—will the people of Marhas accept it?”