Chapter 349: Dryad Village (3)

Eugene was curious about the taste of roasted spider but ultimately didn’t put it in his mouth. His actions could now reflect upon the kingdom’s reputation.

While some monsters were used as medicinal ingredients, spider meat—and spider meat that monsters had been about to eat—wasn’t exactly appetizing.

Instead, the war dogs had a feast.

“Good?”

The dog in front of Eugene devoured the spider leg without even answering. Though an exoskeleton creature, it wasn’t hard-shelled like a crab, so it could be eaten whole.

Perhaps because it was roasted, the outer shell sounded like a batter coating, and the flesh dripping between bites looked incredibly tender. The dog snapped up every last scrap as if not wasting a single morsel.

“May I… try some?”

Homi’s nose twitched repeatedly. Despite its fearsome appearance, since the original creature was an arthropod, it might taste like crab or lobster. The aroma alone wafted with a buttery scent.

“No. You’re not in a position to ignore public opinion either.”

“I’m just a squire.”

“The king’s squire. And you’ll be holding a couple more titles before long.”

By then, the dog had finished one entire leg and looked up with longing eyes.

Whine.

Its tail wagged furiously, and its gaze shifted between the companions feasting in the distance and Eugene.

“You’ve trained it well.”

Having eaten everything Eugene gave in front of him, the dog wouldn’t move until additional permission was granted.

“Go on. Eat your fill.”

Woof!

Eugene patted its rear, and it dashed off to bury its face in the bugbear carcass. The one Blackout had split in half. They pressed their faces side by side into the cross-section that looked like defective pork belly, tails wagging.

In a world where premium dog food didn’t exist, war dogs, like most carnivores, craved meat—especially fat with its high energy density.

“These guys are going absolutely crazy over it.”

“Are they eating or bathing? You’d better behave when I wash you later.”

The dog handlers spoke to the dogs half-buried inside the bugbear’s remains. The dogs they cherished like their own children were feasting gloriously, and despite their complaints, their faces were full of smiles.

*

Because the bugbear pack had firmly controlled the area, the advance to the Dryad Village was smooth.

“Raise them higher. There’s movement in that thicket ahead.”

“Yes!”

The scouts at the front mounted bugbear heads on poles, creating excellent totems. Every monster they encountered along the march route fled in terror.

However, once night fell, creatures emboldened by darkness appeared. Dozens of pairs of glowing eyes approached Eugene’s army camped in a wide clearing.

“Lights out!”

The Lantzheim mid-ranking officers issued the bedtime call after evening roll call. The soldiers responded with a bedtime signal far quieter than usual.

“Sleeping well is also professionalism.”

“A contract isn’t subject to negotiation.”

“Think of the juniors back home.”

Soldiers lay down, reciting unit-specific battle cries passed down for over a hundred years.

Awoooo—!

Oooooo—!

Awooooooo—!

The wolves’ collective howling soon jolted them awake again.

“What the hell is their problem since yesterday?!”

The Lantzheim soldiers glared beyond the camp’s perimeter. Dozens of yellow-glowing eyes in the darkness between trees stared back.

Sleep disruption had been ongoing since dawn yesterday. If the sounds came from far away, they’d have treated it as ASMR and slept through it.

Awooooo—!

But when they were howling right next to the camp with clear malice, it was extremely disruptive.

“Let us sleep! Just let us sleep!”

“Are the wolves all collectively losing their minds?”

Wolves were cautious creatures. They wouldn’t rashly attack even those of similar rank, so with this size army stationed, they should have fled far away.

But they had approached as close as possible to the camp and were openly provoking them. The reason was simple.

“Damn it. They’re wargs.”

“Two of them?”

“There’s another one over there!”

Three related wargs were commanding the wolves.

“But they can’t even attack—why are they doing this?”

“Trying to make us come in after them. The night forest is their territory.”

“Cunning bastards.”

It was a tactic to goad the army’s leader into sending subordinates.

Heeheehee—!

“Whoa! Calm down!”

Or to frighten the horses into bolting.

“Are they drifters from outside the Great Forest?”

Understanding human sleep patterns and chain of command, maintaining safe distance while provoting—it was quite sophisticated behavior for wargs, even if it seemed trivial.

Awooooo—!

“Son of a bitch.”

The Lantzheim warriors who had endured the grueling forest march and were looking forward to deep sleep now glared with wide-open eyes.

“Fine. Let’s consider today’s sleep already enjoyed. As you wish, I’ll shove iron pieces into your carcasses.”

“If we don’t thrash those bastards, they’ll pull the same stunt tomorrow night and on the way back too.”

They grabbed crossbows and assembled one by one. Having experienced the same treatment that Skal’s army subjected them to in Midgard, everyone’s blood pressure rose.

“Is His Majesty sleeping? Or should I request interception permission?”

“Sir Oliver, there’s no need to bother the king with this. We can handle it ourselves.”

The knights also armed themselves with their squires’ help.

“Anyone know where Sir Hind is?”

“Beats me.”

Several Lantzheim centurions circled the camp searching for an officer to give the interception order. Even past bedtime, many personnel wandered about.

“Bunk! Seen Sir Baran?”

“Friends—anyone seen an officer?”

Eugene’s army maintained tight command structure down to the finest detail. Without an officer’s permission, even centurions couldn’t act freely.

The recently joined Britannia knights found this alien sight intriguing. They were accustomed to knights charging on their own and mercenary companies doing their own thing.

However, none of them actually needed to move outside the camp.

Awoooo… kakh!

The howling that had been wailing suddenly cut off. As if someone had grabbed its throat and torn it.

Grrrr—!

Immediately, the wargs’ characteristic phlegm-choked roar echoed through the darkness.

Grrrr… yelp!

The wargs’ powerful threat was also torn apart mid-sound.

“What was that?”

“What on earth is happening?”

Something was happening in the dark forest. Bushes shook violently, visible even from a distance.

Sounds of something being beaten or torn. Branches snapping. And something harder—probably warg bones—breaking.

Minutes later, from the forest where battle noises had ceased, a pair of silver-gleaming eyes appeared.

“Kraaaaaahhhhhh!!!”

A roar incomparably fierce yet with a sharp edge. It shook the surrounding forest.

The intermittent animal cries that had been heard before completely ceased. As if terrified that the fearsome predator’s presence might draw it to them.

At the sudden development, crossbowmen tensed, aiming at the forest, while knights and squires drew their swords.

“Oh!”

“As expected!”

When a beautiful young lady emerged from the darkness, they lowered their weapons.

“Hmmm~.”

Homi, arms spread wide, took a deep breath of night air and strolled back as if returning from a walk. Blood droplets clung to her downward-pointing fingers, dripping one by one.

Having fully satisfied her hunting urge, her legs were so energized they practically bounced her to her navel.

In the quiet night, a melody carrying the mystique of a roar echoed. Homi’s voice was beautiful and lovely, yet frequently flashed with wild feline ferocity.

A talent for adding spicy flavor to song? This was something even skilled bards couldn’t replicate—they didn’t understand the thrill of combat and the pleasure of the hunt.

“Homi? Are you hurt? You scared us running off without a word.”

Homi’s humming stopped at the sight of Eugene, lightly dressed, coming to meet her. She was about to run toward him gleefully, then became aware of her blood-bathed state.

Right there, she planted all fours on the ground like a cat, rear end raised high.

Fwoosh!

Under the moonlight, countless blood droplets showered the grass. After the vigorous shake, Homi’s body looked like latte art done with pomegranate.

“I’ve prepared a stream for washing. Thanks to you, everyone can sleep soundly tonight.”

“Thank you.”

“I should be the one thanking you.”

Homi crossed the camp toward the stream. Soldiers and knights who had been about to rush into the forest moments ago placed their hands over their hearts in salute.

Eugene had many outstanding warriors under his command, but Homi was special among them. Beyond her fighting skill, her very presence boosted morale in a way different from Eugene’s own.

“Homi.”

“Yes?”

As she turned, her silver tail swayed. Eugene asked impulsively, watching that silhouette.

“Ever thought about singing? During marches or camp nights, sometimes…”

“What brought this on all of a sudden?”

Homi tilted her head with a smile.

“I don’t know—it just feels like it would suit you. We can arrange a stage or musicians easily.”

Powerful nobles enjoyed banquets during wars and traveled with bands or circus troupes, even holding performances.

The former was typical noble extravagance, but the latter was praised as a virtue among soldiers and mercenaries. It boosted morale effectively.

Eugene hadn’t been thinking about that when he spoke.

“Just an idea. Forget it.”

As if realizing he’d spoken out of turn, Eugene waved his hand dismissively.

*

Through many twists and turns, Eugene’s army reached the outskirts of the Dryad Village.

“So this was the secret to their independent existence in this harsh forest. I understand why Ostir and his ancestors were left helpless.”

Everywhere Eugene looked, sharp thorns filled his vision. Not merely a lot of thorn bushes—thorn vines ranging from small awls to thick as a grown man’s torso intertwined and blocked the path. Their height rivaled castle walls.

“I’ve heard of something just like this. What’s it called… Sleeping Beauty!”

“Wasn’t it Sleeping Beauty?”

“That’s the same thing. Remember the scene where the evil witch cast a spell and covered the kingdom in thorns?”

“The bean tree legend too—it was all a real story. Grandma wasn’t making it up after all.”

The Lantzheim soldiers and Britannia mercenaries who had grown close marveled and gazed. Since popular fairy tales varied by region, they compared their versions while chatting.

“Your Majesty, the thorns are too tight—there’s no way to force through.”

“They respond to external intrusion by moving slightly. If you try to crawl through, you’ll be squeezed and crushed midway.”

The scouts who had investigated looked nauseated.

Naturally, everyone’s gaze converged on one person. The only person in the world who could open this sealed wall of thorns. Toward the sole princess.

Valda walked lightly and stopped before the thorn wall.

“Ladies of the forest. The last descendant of the royal house has arrived here. One who is both your friend and daughter has finally come this far…”

The moment Valda’s hand touched the nearest branch, there was an immediate response.

Buzzzzzz.

With a sound like hundreds of trees toppling, the thorn wall split open left and right.

But the path was barely wide enough for two horses abreast. They clearly didn’t wish to admit the entire army.

Naturally, Valda had no intention of going in alone. She looked at Valda and extended her white hand, as if urging him to take it quickly.

“Sir Hind. I leave command to you going forward.”

“We won’t build palisades or fortifications. Noise and damage could provoke the dryads’ sensibilities. However, I request discretionary authority over Lady Homi and the summoners. They should guard the perimeter.”

“Absolutely.”

Eugene handed the king’s burden to Hind, scabbard and all.

“Do whatever needs to be done.”

Taking care of matters on his own without needing an explanation was precisely why Eugene trusted Hind.

“Stay here and protect everyone.”

For safety, Eugene left Might in the camp as well and borrowed Homi’s desert warhorse to ride.

It wasn’t solely to leave stronger forces behind. Creatures of demonic blood might be disliked by the dryads, guardians of nature.

“The path itself seems to remain open. If needed, a messenger could run in from outside.”

“Don’t worry too much. This is a place where dryad influence has been rooted for ages. Even outside the thorn wall, evil things would find it hard to approach.”

Riding side by side through the passage, Eugene and Valda held hands the entire time.

“These two horses coordinate well.”

Homi’s Sandy and Valda’s Elion maintained close distance, adjusted so the couple above could link arms comfortably.

Walking side by side in this manner was surprisingly difficult, but their stride and spacing were remarkably stable.

“It’s been over six years since we were together.”

Valda stroked Elion’s neck.

Apart from special cases like Might, the warhorses ridden by Hind, Rex, Jackal, and others had long since retired and been replaced. The more they saw battle, the shorter their active service.

But Sandy and Elion, with proper care, could serve their masters for another ten years.

Swoosh!

In that instant, something passed between the thorn bushes. Reflexively, Valda’s hand covered Eugene’s wrist on the Last Autumn’s scabbard.

“It means us no harm.”

“I know, but my body moved on its own.”

A long, sinuous form glided between the thorn bushes like a snake. It resembled a titanoboa in size, but its body was composed not of flesh but plant matter.

“Is it a magical creature? It doesn’t feel like artificial magic. But it’s hard to call it a living creature either…”

“The Great Forest has preserved countless secrets since ancient times. This is one of the most mysterious places within it—anything could exist here.”

The great tree-trunk snake swam freely between thorn bushes and moved elsewhere, as if monitoring for potential intruders.

“An ironclad defense. If something like that attacked while we were struggling through the interior, we’d be done for.”

“See? It means us no harm.”

As always, Eugene soothed the frightened horses and quickened their pace. The thorn bushes ended.

The Dryad Village visible beyond was incomparable to any settlement Eugene had passed through in the Great Forest. In scale and uniqueness.

“It feels so nostalgic.”

Valda surveyed the village with a happy expression.

Valda’s estate in Emerald Forest was visible everywhere. Dwellings grown naturally from clusters of trees—residences crafted by nature itself.

Her nostalgic memories were manifested just as they were over there. On a grander scale.

Village residents, busy with their work, turned one by one toward the strangers.

“They had a reason for erecting such a strict thorn wall to protect the village. It wasn’t just about avoiding outside interference.”

Dryads were only part of this village’s composition. Far greater diversity breathed here.

“Who’s come visiting now?”

“Wait! They passed through the thorns?!”

“What? What? How did they get into our village?”

“The plum wine is all gone. Boo…”

“I wish it would rain. My leaves are all dried up.”

“I searched so long for flowers to match these antlers!”

Voices of every pitch and tone flooded in chaotically.

Palm-sized fairies.

A four-armed, purple-skinned spider maiden.

A deer-person proudly displaying curled mountain goat horns.

A rabbit beastman proudly showing off long, broad ears.

Gnome elders in various hats, standing fifty centimeters tall.

Ancient races that had vanished from the real world were all gathered here.

This was not only the Dryad Village but also a sanctuary and protected zone. A place to shield the last remaining children of nature from extinction.

“We have waited long. Our friend and daughter.”

From among the nervous residents, the most magnificent dryad walked forward.

Her benevolent smile revealed wisdom and magnanimity granted by time, and her tall frame offered enough warmth to embrace and comfort any wounded soul.

“Oh…”

Valda’s eyes trembled. The face so similar to Grace, whom she had longed to see even in dreams.

All the royal greetings she had prepared so carefully vanished in a flash.