Chapter 344: Carnivorous Flowers
Chapter 344
Carnivorous flowers
“Thank you for your hospitality, loyal chief. Please, rise.”
“I apologize that the situation doesn’t allow us to host you with a proper feast.”
“That’s only natural. I am both a mage and a soldier. Before removing danger, I have no intention of indulging in pleasure through banquets.”
“Truly admirable.”
The chief was moved. Despite growing up in the human world, he retained the benevolent heart of the First Era royal house.
“I sent two to ask for rescue. Are they safe?”
“I regret to inform you, chief.”
Eugene didn’t want to deliver the sad news through his wife’s mouth. At his gesture, two bodies wrapped in clean cloth were brought on a cart.
Surrounding them were the sorcerers. This was the highest level of honor that could be shown to the fallen in a field setting.
“Maegorn was the best rider in the village, and Kasey was a friend from a neighboring village who came to help. They shouldn’t have died like this…”
“As the chief said, they were honorable men. Maegorn, gravely wounded, bound himself to his horse with vine ropes and rode. Kasey stayed behind to send him and fought death to the end.”
Eugene didn’t want those who had acted honorably before death to be forgotten. The two-hundred-year-old chief, looking between the bodies on the cart and Eugene, bowed his head.
“Once again, I thank my benefactor. Today’s meeting with the princess is more reassuring than anything I had imagined. Every elf in this land is in your debt.”
“Not at all. I owe a great deal to your princess as well.”
The foundation upon which Eugene had begun to truly grasp the world’s power was the countship of Britannia’s south.
That process had been smooth and untroubled thanks to Valda. Through their marriage, he had acquired the succession rights of the First Era royal house.
If he had seized the south by force alone without Valda? New Continent development or involvement in Roman’s civil war would have been difficult. Every time Eugene was absent, annoying behind-the-scenes machinations would have occurred.
Likewise, even after successfully claiming kingship following the Midgard expedition, whispers of “half-king” would have trailed him.
“So, wise chief. There is nothing to worry about. From the days of adventuring when I was just a body, my wife and I were friends, and we remain equal partners now.”
Private affection and public interest – both were deeply intertwined with each other, and it couldn’t be better.
*
In the forest, the sun set early. The sun had already vanished from the sky, sending only a red twilight through the trees. Even that would soon be cut off.
“Those monsters outside were the most threatening enemies in the area. With the king’s hammer, it is now safe. Please make yourself at home here.”
The chief produced a large map from his robes and presented it to Eugene. The surrounding villages, paths, water sources, and danger zones were detailed.
“Food is scarce, but we can provide ample water and horse feed.”
“I’ll accept it gladly.”
Eugene looked at Valda.
“Our first visit is to a capable loyalist’s village. This must also be the blessing of the ancestors?”
“Hehehe.”
Valda smiled with her hands clasped in a triangular shape at her chest. It was the posture of a girl so proud of her parents and family that she didn’t know what to do.
“Disposing of the corpses outside is a problem. If left alone, the smell will attract all sorts of vermin.”
Eugene looked at Homi, standing guard atop the palisade.
-Just in case, I’ll keep watch here tonight. My nose doesn’t miss anything.
She volunteered to sleep on the palisade without any rotation.
“The dangerous ones have all been taken down. The rest our militia can handle. You can let that druid warrior go.”
“Druid?”
“Weren’t they a druid? They had too similar a vibe to friends from the neighboring village…”
“If we must define the identity, they’re closer to a druid than a knight or mage.”
Homi could transform into an aquatic beastkin, had consumed the heart of the forest inheriting its memories, and could command animals.
“Is that neighboring village where druids live?”
“They call it Camp Whiskey.”
“What a unique name.”
“It’s the only village in this forest that makes whiskey.”
The original members had come from a region where enjoying whiskey was the norm. They had chosen the druid life and left the human world, but couldn’t give up whiskey.
“With ‘Camp’ in the name, it sounds like a fairly dangerous village.”
“Yes. That area is called the Dark Forest and is full of dangerous monsters. The druids built an outpost to protect the forest villages, and it grew into the village it is today.”
“Good friends. We should make it our next destination?”
In this harsh world, groups united by altruism were rare. Eugene was a realist himself but always held respect for idealists.
“If the king and princess visit, they will be pleased too.”
King and princess – the words felt strangely amusing, but he let it pass. There were more important things right now.
“Lord Alzhar. Come here.”
“Yes! Your Majesty!”
Alzhar approached with the sorcerers. He had been appointed as the third court mage after Valda and Marbas, in recognition of his defense against the Nosferatu.
-He is ambitious and excessively flattering, the type to cloud a ruler’s ears. It would be better not to keep him too close.
Valter, Gaius’s diplomat, had advised when leaving Roman.
-Any other flaws?
-He’s been caught taking bribes three times.
-Three times? And Gaius turned a blind eye to all of it?
-…His abilities are exceptional.
This was an era where civilization, including farming and warfare, absolutely depended on land. A summoner who specialized in earth and also had political acumen and leadership was welcomed wherever they went.
Moreover, from a ruler’s perspective, a moderately corrupt servant had its own advantages. When the time came to dispose of them or issue difficult orders, their weaknesses could be leveraged.
“Your Majesty. Are you concerned about the orc corpses outside the village?”
“I knew you’d notice. Do you have a plan prepared?”
Alzhar had already discussed with the sorcerers and prepared the necessary catalysts and rituals. All that remained was Eugene’s approval.
“There’s a better method than burning or simply burying the corpses. Do you remember Ricardo’s Watcher Plants?”
The freckled young sorcerer bowed. He was the one who had summoned the mouthed plant that gobbled demons during Roman’s civil war.
“If Ricardo and I combine our powers, we can use earth and vines to bury the corpses underground.”
This was possible because the corpses were concentrated in a relatively narrow battlefield.
“How long will it take?”
“Two days should suffice. Originally it takes longer, but the other sorcerers will share the burden with Ricardo and me. That way, we can significantly increase the speed.”
Though both wielded the arcane, mages excelled at processing and manipulating power in the present world.
Summoners, on the other hand, wielded power based on exchange with other dimensions. As experience accumulated, they could even arrange short-term contracts to transfer the price borne by other summoners.
In ancient times, this method was used for large-scale magic to end droughts and summon rain. In a way, it replaced the role of priests, and these aspects contributed to the summoner’s position today.
Alzhar took a few potatoes from a lower-ranking summoner and showed them to Eugene.
“I plan to hang the orc corpses like potatoes beneath the Watcher Plant roots. That way, they’ll provide nutrients until Your Majesty completes his great work. They’ll function as long-term sentinels, protecting the village.”
‘What on earth is this guy?’
Eugene was purely impressed. There was a reason the fastidious Gaius had overlooked bribes and kept him as a confidant.
“Shall we begin immediately?”
“Won’t the Watcher Plants attack the village residents? I don’t want to be cursed after helping.”
“They can distinguish friend from foe. Despite their appearance, they’re as smart as dogs. I’ll also give the guard captain an artifact to activate or deactivate the Watcher Plants.”
“Perfect. Nothing to add or subtract.”
“It’s thanks to Your Majesty’s generous support of quality materials.”
Alzhar’s words weren’t empty. The supplies were one thing, but the Moving Castle itself was an excellent place for processing catalysts and artifacts.
All the sorcerers burned with desire to see the results of their recent work in action.
“Grow!”
Protected by the guards, Alzhar and Ricardo cast their spells.
Vines that grew rapidly from all directions coiled around the orc corpses’ ankles or legs like snakes.
Tremble tremble tremble.
Shake shake.
The orc upper bodies, stuck in the ground and propped up at an angle, swayed back and forth. Slowly, slowly, they were dragged underground.
“Sorcerers! We’re safe, right?”
The guards watched the vines moving around like hundreds of snakes and trembled. Standing on tiptoe, they flinched and dodged.
“Uwah!”
One guard screamed. A vine had wrapped around his ankle.
“Calm down. Those vines only touch the dead.”
As Alzhar said, the vine, realizing it had touched the wrong person, immediately released the ankle and moved elsewhere.
Shhhhh!
Once sufficient food was gathered, the first flower bloomed among the vines coiled atop.
A massive snout large enough to swallow a wild boar whole appeared. It was exactly the image of a carnivorous flower. Hook-shaped teeth for anchoring prey lined the edges of the closed petals.
Shhhk!
Shhhk!
Giant flowers bloomed one after another on both sides of the road.
Ssssss-.
Hssss-. Hsssss-.
Making snake-like sounds despite being plants, they turned their heads back and forth. They had inhaled the rich scent of death from the battlefield.
For animals, death was life’s end; for plants, death was the starting point of life. They seemed pleased with this nest brimming with orc vitality.
“Well done. Everyone, return now. Ricardo, hand over the artifact to the guard captain and report to me.”
“Understood. Lord Alzhar.”
*
Night fell, and the chief hosted a meal in a wooden building beside the stream.
“It’s modest, but made with care.”
Like Valda’s residence in the Emerald Forest, trees were woven together to form a dwelling.
“It reminds me of when we first met.”
“King, this is elf territory.”
The young couple recalled past memories as they lifted their spoons.
“May this humble chief ask just one thing? Please consider it tolerance toward one who waited a lifetime for the princess’s visit.”
“Of course. My god always whispers of tolerance.”
“I’m curious about when the king first fell for the princess.”
It wasn’t an easy question to ask. And no one present objected. Even the knights, and Valda herself, had been curious about this. Everyone stopped their spoons and listened.
“It was when I visited the Boundary Knight household in Roman.”
“…”
Hind, Henri, and Baran reacted immediately.
“That night, during a lunar eclipse, I was having a nightmare. She entered my dream and saved me. She didn’t shake me awake from outside.”
Eugene adapted the darkness of the Moving Castle he had walked through in the dream and his spiritual synchronization with Valda into a narrative.
“The chains of the throne she was driving away, the body heat and sensation reaching my back, her footsteps wavering as if swimming toward reality. And the warmth. I still remember all of it vividly.”
Everyone listening felt as if they had witnessed a bard’s performance.
“Truly a fairy-tale-like, dreamlike story.”
“So the castle was already yearning for His Majesty before being conquered.”
They were especially interested in the Moving Castle’s appearance before Eugene became its master. Few knew of the castle in its dungeon-like state at the time.
As midnight approached, various cries came from outside the village. Wolves, and even more powerful nocturnal monsters, roamed the forest.
They had clear direction. Whether near or far, they headed toward the battlefield at the village entrance.
In the wild, the distinction between predator and scavenger was meaningless. Those who gave up opportunities to feed on corpses for free had long been weeded out.
“The scavengers have arrived. Some dangerous ones seem to be mixed in.”
At Eugene’s words, the chief looked bitter.
“I apologize. This forest wasn’t always this noisy.”
“It’s not your fault. With the Great Forest’s order collapsed, it can’t be helped…”
Snap-!
Crack-!
Sounds of something pouncing. Muffled animal screams were faintly heard. Then came crunching sounds, as if something was chewing or bones were breaking.
“In the morning, I’ll have to praise the summoners once more. Thanks to them, I can sleep peacefully.”
Field mages and summoners were indeed talents as important as knights, perhaps more.
Gulp!
“Graaah-.”
Gobble!
“Kuek-.”
The villagers’ meal was over, but the sentries’ feast, who wouldn’t sleep, was just beginning.
*
The next morning.
Eugene got out of bed the moment he woke.
“Mmm.”
With half-closed eyes, he skillfully dodged his wife’s reaching arm and put on his shoes.
“I’ll be right back.”
He kissed his wife’s cheek – who had embraced empty air and her eyes flew open – and headed for the village’s outer wall.
“Your Majesty! Did you cough?”
“Good morning.”
The knights or seasoned soldiers he met along the way were the same.
“Did you come to watch too?”
“I was dying of curiosity about what was happening outside.”
“As men, can you endure it?”
Everyone had slept soundly thanks to the Watcher Plants’ quieting effect.
Gobble!
Munch munch munch.
But those who had camped near the outer wall were intrigued by the strange sounds they heard intermittently.
Flutter flutter!
As always, Homi arrived first. Her tail, wagging excitedly, watched from atop the palisade.
“That’s it!”
“There were many uninvited guests last night!”
Those who climbed up one by one also gasped at the sight before the village. Over twenty flowers lurked at key points in front of the village.
Each had succeeded in its hunt overnight, with the inside of their closed lips(?) swollen large.
“Isn’t that a warg?”
“Looks like it.”
In Eugene’s memory, familiar legs dangled in the air. A Watcher Plant that had swallowed a warg up to its calves swayed left and right as if keeping rhythm. The warg, already dead, didn’t stir.
“That one over there is still alive!”
“An orc?”
“Look at its skin color. Not an orc – a gnoll.”
Tawny-brown legs thrashed violently, but the Watcher Plant’s lips opened only slightly.
As a fixed-type summoned creature that had sacrificed mobility, its mass and strength were several grades above other summons of comparable size. Only something around medium monster level could offer even minimal resistance.
The gnoll quickly lost consciousness from the paralyzing venom on the flower’s teeth and the oxygen deprivation.
“Look over there.”
At Homi’s pointing, Eugene and the knights’ gazes converged. A Watcher Plant had just finished digesting.
Bluuuurrrgh!
The mass swallowed by the 4-8 meter tall flower swelled the stem as it descended. It was like a standing anaconda swallowing a wild boar whole.
“Rather than expelling the digested remains, it sends them directly underground through the stem. Remarkable. A refined sentinel that considers the aesthetics of its master’s front yard?”
“I’m honored, Your Majesty.”
Ricardo, praised for his skill, bowed deeply.
“I never imagined I could create such a masterpiece. My late master would be proud.”
The finest catalysts, the capable sorcerers’ coordination, and the seeds provided by the elves. Having achieved the greatest summoning of his life, Ricardo wore an expression of deep emotion.
“You still can’t let go, can you?”
Several monsters hovered at a safe distance from the village entrance, watching.
“Should we intercept?”
“Well, we need some to spread the word that setting foot here carelessly means the end.”
Multiple monster species had come but weren’t fighting each other. This meant word had spread that a massive food source had appeared in Mushroom Village’s front yard.
“The beasts’ network is denser than you’d think. If we don’t take some action, they’ll keep pestering the village for a long time.”
“But leaving monsters constantly circling nearby is also…”
Eugene and the knights’ concern was solved by a Watcher Plant. Its ritual had been so massive that some were imperfectly formed.
Wriggle!
Indigestion? The flower that had swallowed a monster convulsed several times, then seemed to give up and spat it out.
Bluuuurggh!
A hobgoblin covered in pale gray digestive fluid crashed to the ground.
“Kueeeeeeeek!”
The scream it let out was so desperate that even knights who had been through countless wars heard it for the first time.
“Ugh! Uuaaah! Uuuaah!”
The hobgoblin wailed as it looked at its partially digested body.
“Kuaaaah~ suuuah…”
Its once-thick red hair, like a lion’s mane, had completely melted, revealing a smooth scalp and skull.
Hair that had grown all over its body had also vanished as if waxed. The ten fingers it spread out were melted in places, looking like sausages on bone sticks.
“Uuuaah~ uuh! Uuuh!”
With that bizarre last will, the hobgoblin fell to the ground and stopped. The monsters who saw it fled without exception. They had no desire to die like that while angling for a free lunch.
“That’s absolutely incredible!”
‘Don’t any of these guys have taste?’
Was it because cruelty was routine in this era? Or because the targets were monsters? Not a single person was retching.
“Sentinels like that guarding us – we couldn’t feel more secure.”
“You couldn’t see this even in Roman’s Colosseum!”
The knights and mercenaries’ reactions were at their peak. In an era lacking entertainment, this was amusement even a king would find hard to enjoy. They had material to gossip about for the rest of their lives.
*
The villages circling the forest’s outer edge – the Rhine Alliance – were in solidarity with each other and open to exchange with outside forces.
“We should tour the villages belonging to the Alliance first.”
“Good judgment. We need supply lines and information. With the capital not helping, many must be in difficulty.”
Valda nodded. On both practical and dutiful counts, it was better than heading straight for Elenost.
“The druids of Camp Whiskey are strong. Many of the village’s members carry the power of beasts or wield nature’s grace, so even Ostir doesn’t treat them carelessly.”
As the chief said, they were a group that had to be brought to their side.
“If they’re that strong, they might not need my help.”
“No. I hear they’re in such dire straits that even sending one person like Kasey was difficult. Since they established their base, it’s never been this bad.”
Though it was unfortunate for the good people, this was the situation Eugene had hoped for. There was no better way to win the hearts of locals in a strange land than fighting together.
Thus, Eugene’s army marched toward Camp Whiskey.
“Are these things safe?”
“The summoners said they were safe.”
They said courage came to anyone atop a city wall. The spectators who had been bravely critiquing suddenly became cautious when they had to pass between the Watcher Plants.
“Move your heads…”
The toothed flowers turned their heads to follow passersby, and everyone hunched their shoulders.
“They have no eyes. How do they know?”
“I-isn’t it because of the vibrations?”
Soldiers marching on tiptoe appeared everywhere.
“Get down, children.”
Only after Ricardo chanted a spell to deactivate the Watcher Plants did the commotion subside.
“Ostir in the capital is currently leading an army to exterminate the monsters.”
Valda leaned close and whispered.
“He must be getting desperate too.”
“This is a crisis situation. If he doesn’t produce results exceeding what we’re doing, his authority as a leader will continue to erode.”
The more Eugene and Valda saved the villages, the more Ostir had to demonstrate something. Remaining holed up in the capital as before was no longer possible.
For Eugene, it was a convenient situation to build supply lines and support bases while looking ahead to his next move.