Chapter 349 - Episode 341: Spoils of War and Triumphant Return
"Your Excellency, how is your left arm feeling?"
"...A strange numbness still remains."
Noein, who had been sitting and watching the subjugation force handle the aftermath of the battlefield, answered Yuri's inquiry with a subtle expression while moving his left arm.
"As I thought, it was probably bad that the supply source was suddenly cut off while I was exercising a massive amount of mana. The mana must have detonated... well, it should heal in a few days."
"An injury unique to a master mage, indeed."
"Ahaha, if you put it nicely, I suppose so."
For example, when interrupting the activation of powerful magic just before it fires. Or, when forcibly condensing and launching mana while ignoring efficiency for magic that normally requires a long concentration time. It is known among mages that excess mana circulating through the body can cause numbness. It is, so to speak, a phenomenon like muscle pain caused by mana.
Noein had been pouring vast amounts of mana into a golem that was several times larger than normal in terms of mass and volume to operate it. If he lost the supply source for an entire left arm during that operation and the mana dissipated from his body, it was only natural that a strong numbness would remain in one arm.
"To be able to engage in such a fierce battle with a wyvern using a golem of that size, and for it to end with only mana fatigue... as expected of the great Grand Duke Arqvist. I feel miserable for having lost consciousness halfway through."
The one speaking was Lane, who had just regained consciousness and was watching the battlefield's aftermath alongside Noein.
"No, it's only natural since you exercised that much fire magic all at once... rather, in terms of skill as a mage, I believe Lane-dono is absolutely superior to me. I have never seen such a technique."
"Fufu, I am proud to hear you say so."
Normally, one would fire a single arrow of flame after concentration, but she fired them in rapid succession, eventually mixing in flame bullets. It was a divine feat possible only for a veteran mage who had been active on the front lines for decades.
"...Your Excellency, the check for casualties is complete."
Pence approached them. Due to their role in guarding the lord's house, he and the Guard possessed a certain level of specialized knowledge and skill in first aid. He was currently utilizing that to serve as a relief worker.
"Good work. How was it?"
"Five seriously injured, two of whom have fractures. That is all."
"Subjugating a wyvern with no deaths. That's miraculous."
He had expected this from the situation at the end of the battle, but hearing it again from Pence's mouth brought a smile of relief to Noein's face.
"In exchange, the loss of golems was staggering. Out of sixteen, including spares, six are completely destroyed and four require partial repairs. Your Excellency's giant golem also has several cracks in the torso, not just the destruction of the left arm. A considerable number of parts will likely need to be remade."
"Ahaha, I'll be forcing Daphne into some intense work for a while... but golems can be remade. I'm truly glad there were no casualties."
The roles of the decoy and the close-range attacker, where casualties are most likely to occur, were primarily handled by golems, and furthermore, while it took time, the Angel's Honey ultimately worked effectively. It was a strategic victory for Noein and his group.
"""Ooh!"""
At that moment, cheers erupted from the direction of the wyvern's corpse. When Noein and the others looked over, soldiers and puppet mages were gathering at the spot where the wyvern's flank had been ripped open.
"...It seems the magic stone has been found."
"Looks like it. Let's go see."
Noein stood up and was supported by Matilda when he stumbled slightly. Due to the effect of continuing complex operations while pouring massive amounts of mana into the giant golem, a light dizziness still remained.
"Good work, everyone."
"Your Excellency!"
"Please, come forward! Look!"
"It's a magic stone of incredible size!"
As Noein approached, the soldiers and puppet mages spoke up one after another while clearing a path.
Next to the wyvern's belly, soldiers and golems were stained with blood and flesh from the butchering work, and in the center, Radley was holding a giant magic stone. A soldier capable of using a bit of water magic poured water on the stone, lightly washing the surface.
"Your Excellency, please accept this."
Radley knelt on one knee and offered the magic stone to Noein. Noein nodded and accepted the magic stone, which was larger than his own head.
"This is... amazing. As expected of a wyvern's magic stone."
The more powerful the monster, the more mana its magic stone contained, and the more beautifully it glowed purple. Conversely, those of low-rank monsters like goblins or gluttony rabbits were close to black in color and poor in quality.
The wyvern's magic stone that Noein received was almost true purple and even seemed to emit a radiance.
"I wonder how many years this could power our heating, lighting, and water-boiling magic tools."
"Your Excellency, you mustn't."
"I'm joking, Yuri. I couldn't possibly use it; it would be too wasteful."
A small laugh broke out at the pointless exchange between master and servant.
"When it's an item of this caliber, its value is immeasurable. Let's make this a family heirloom of the Grand Duke Arqvist house... Pence."
"Yes. I will transport it so that not a single scratch is added."
Pence, who received the magic stone from Noein, wrapped it thickly in cotton, then wrapped that in cloth, and placed it in a box lined with straw. Anticipating that the magic stone would be the most important spoil of war after victory, the transport preparations were perfect.
"...Even so, it's a powerful smell."
"I had heard reports, but it was unexpected that it would start rotting this quickly. With this, other monsters likely won't approach for a while."
To Noein, who suddenly grimaced, Yuri responded without changing his expression, though he agreed.
"The meat seems fine for now, but the internal organs have already begun to rot. Even the scales now crack just by being hit with the butt of a spear."
The reason Radley and the others engaged in the butchering work looked unfazed was likely because their noses had already grown accustomed to the smell.
It was said that a wyvern's sturdy scales, powerful physique, and long lifespan were maintained by mana. As evidence of this, historical documents noted that after a wyvern's death, the corpse, having lost the support of mana, would begin to rot rapidly. This was all knowledge Clara had told Noein and the others.
Those legends appeared to be true, as a terrible stench of decay wafted from inside the wyvern. Because the corpse was so large, the smell and the range it spread were intense.
Because of this smell, the beastman soldiers of the subjugation force, who belonged to races with keen noses, were assigned to clean up the expedition tools and supplies hidden in the forest rather than the wyvern's aftermath. Noein thought that was the correct decision. If dog-folk or the like approached the corpse carelessly, they might faint from the stench.
"At this rate, the only spoil of war really is the magic stone... it's a bit tasteless if that's the only evidence of the subjugation."
"Then, shall we take back just the head?"
"True... if we display the bones in the mansion's hall, it'll be a good story to surprise guests."
Since a wyvern's scales and hide rot quickly, they cannot be used as materials for processing. The internal organs were as they saw now, and at this rate, the meat would also rot soon, making it unusable for food. Due to these characteristics, the only things obtained from subjugating a wyvern were the magic stone and honor.
However, it was said that even for such a wyvern, the bones remained until the end, just like normal creatures. In fact, it was said that parts of a subjugated wyvern's bones were kept in the treasury of the Kingdom of Lordberg.
If they had the skull, which clearly conveyed the terror of a wyvern, it would become a symbol further enhancing the prestige of the Grand Duke Arqvist house that hunted it.
Following Noein's decision, the butchering of the wyvern's head began. Using several golems, the head—which was large enough that it could have swallowed the petite Noein whole—was severed from the torso.
Knowing that it would emit a rotting smell throughout the journey back if left as is, the work of peeling the scales, discarding the brain, and washing it with lake water would now be carried out.
"That's... everything. Once the head's butchering is finished, let's head back first thing tomorrow morning. I'm tired."
Since evening was already approaching at this point, they camped at a distance from the wyvern's corpse after the rough butchering of the head was finished.
The following day, Noein and the others set out on the road back to the capital city of Noeina.
.....
Having achieved the subjugation of a wyvern with no deaths and returning while carrying that ridiculously huge head, Noein's subjugation force was first welcomed with joy and surprise by the residents of Kilde.
After being praised for a while by several hundred residents, they made a triumphant return to the capital city of Noeina. Here too, they were welcomed by the loud cheers of the subjects.
"A-that's a wyvern..."
"I can't believe the size."
"Even just the head is that big. How huge was the body..."
The subjects who witnessed the return of the subjugation force first cheered, then fell silent upon seeing the wyvern's head at the rear of the procession. It was only natural.
Passing through the various reactions of the people, the majority of the subjugation force headed to the National Army Headquarters for the time being. The aftermath until dismissal was left to Yuri.
Then, Noein, Matilda, the Guard including Pence, and the horse-drawn carriage carrying the wyvern's head passed through the gates of the Grand Duke's mansion.
Since word had already been sent ahead, family, vassals, and servants were waiting in front of the mansion. They too wore expressions of surprise upon seeing the wyvern's head.
Philia, who was only about six months old, burst into tears the moment she saw the wyvern's head and buried her face in the chest of her mother, Clara, who was holding her.
Seeing this, Noein looked at Matilda and laughed softly. The wyvern's head, with its rotting scales and exposed mouth lined with sharp fangs, was certainly eerie and terrifying just by its appearance. It was natural for a baby to cry seeing it up close.
"Father, welcome home!"
On the other hand, Eleos showed no sign of being frightened by the wyvern's head; he first ran to Noein and gave his greeting of welcome.
Even while greeting, his eyes, filled with curiosity, were already drawn toward the wyvern. One might say he was truly a boy.
"I'm home, Eleos. Thank you for welcoming me."
"Yes! Is that a wyvern! Can I look at it up close!"
"Of course you can. Here."
Saying so, Noein picked up Eleos and showed him the wyvern's head from right beside.
"Wow, amazing... but it's veeeery smelly."
Eleos stared at the wyvern as if leaning in, then pinched his nose and grimaced.
"Ahaha, that's true. It'll stay smelly like this, so we'll scrape away the scales, hide, and meat to make it bone. Then we'll display it in the mansion."
"I see, the guests who come to the mansion will be surprised when they see the big bone. They'll think Father is amazing for hunting this."
"That's exactly it. You understand well... well then, let's look at it more slowly after the processing of the wyvern's head is finished."
Giving a wry smile at his perceptive son and setting him down, Noein then walked toward Clara.
"Dear, Matilda-san, welcome home. I am glad you are safe."
"I'm home, Clara."
"I have returned, Clara-sama."
Clara, who welcomed Noein and Matilda with a gentle smile, spoke to Philia, whom she was holding.
"Now Philia, how long are you going to cry? Your father and Matilda-san have come home."
Philia raised her face while whimpering slightly, and since what was in front of her was her father's face rather than the wyvern's head, her expression brightened instantly.
"Daddy."
"I'm home, Philia. Come here."
Noein received his beloved daughter, who reached out with both hands, from Clara and held her. Philia clung tightly to Noein, but perhaps she saw the wyvern's head again over his shoulder, for she cried "Pyahhh!" and buried her face in Noein's chest this time.
"Ahaha, it is scary, isn't it? Seeing such a large and ghastly severed head."
Noein laughed at her honest reaction while soothing Philia.
Around Noein and the others, the vassals and servants began to move busily.
The Guard soldiers carried the wyvern's head to an empty lot in the corner of the mansion for the time being, and the servants moved to clean up the expedition supplies. Pence was discussing something with the Chief of Internal Affairs, Anna. They were likely consulting on future moves accompanying the wyvern's subjugation.
"Dear, congratulations on the wyvern subjugation. It is a feat that will remain in history."
"Thank you. Things will surely become hectic from now on."
It had been decades since a wyvern was subjugated in this area. The rumor would spread instantly, and along with it, various visitors with various purposes would likely appear. Noein would be chased by dealing with them for a while.
"But that is for a bit later. Please rest comfortably today."
"You're right... I'm very tired."
Noein gave a wry smile and entered the mansion, holding Philia, with Matilda by his side, alongside Clara who was leading Eleos by the hand.
[Author's Note]
In 2021, many people read this work, a book adaptation was decided, and it became a good year of learning and progress.
Thank you very much for the year.
In the spring of next year, 2022, the release of the book version is finally planned. I humbly ask for your continued support of this work.
I wish you all a happy new year.