Monsters also have something called recognition.

For example, if you mention Bellarios to ordinary people, a hundred out of a hundred would respond that they’ve never heard of it.

But when you talk about ogres, orcs, trolls, goblins, minotaurs,

immediately, they form an image in their mind.

So, what’s the difference between those two?

“Folklore.”

In my view, it’s about whether or not there’s a story.

Just like Earthlings grow up hearing fairy tales like The Little Mermaid or The Nutcracker, the locals here grow up listening to such stories too.

The cunning goblin.

The ignorant orc.

The labyrinth’s minotaur.

The forest tyrant ogre.

Monsters that have stories often come with such prefixes, and that applies even to first-grade monsters.

“…Have you all heard? We might have to fight monsters like Kashan and Leviathan.”

“You mean the prophesied wolf and the sea god?”

Prophecy Wolf Kashan.

Sea God Leviathan.

Sometimes, they’re even called just by their prefixes, so at first, you might not know what they mean, only to look it up later and understand what they refer to.

Anyway, that’s not the important part.

“…If we truly meet and defeat them, it would indeed be a legendary feat.”

“I’m a bit worried. Is it even possible for us alone to handle such beasts…?”

Everyone already knew they’d be hunting first-grade monsters.

Even within the expedition team, public opinion was split.

“Haha, you worry too much. Honestly, meeting them is so rare they’re treated like legends, but essentially, aren’t they just monsters? With our current strength, we can definitely handle it.”

“Hmm, I hope you’re right…”

Some were optimistic, others uneasy.

As if to confirm the mood, Jerome glanced around, then the mage waiting beside him quickly activated voice-command magic again.

“So you say we can’t catch anything but Kashan… Baron, could you elaborate?”

“There’s nothing more to say. Just take it as it is. So you decide whether to follow the mage’s words or the explorer’s.”

At my words, the old mage beside me chuckled heartily. Ah, though his mouth smiled, his eyes did not.

“I understand the Baron values experience, but we are people who have spent decades digging through records and gaining knowledge.”

“And?”

“I cannot accept that we have only one option. In the case of the most recently slain first-grade monster, only forty people participated in the battle. And…”

The old mage shrugged his shoulders, glanced at the expedition troops gathered around, and only then did I realize where their confidence came from.

“You think that because forty people did it, you can too.”

“Exactly. The kingdom has carefully selected two hundred of the best talents, so there’s no way we can’t succeed.”

“First, let me check this. The forty you mentioned–are you talking about the Boat Clan disbanded decades ago due to dimensional collapse?”

The old mage looked slightly surprised at my question.

“…You know about that?”

Of course, I didn’t rely solely on in-game knowledge and studied a lot.

“As far as I know, each of them was the kingdom’s top explorer. And they prepared for over half a year. For just one battle, they spent hundreds of millions of stones to buy all the necessary items.”

“We in our expedition also have plenty of supplies–”

“Sir Vesillus, please do not interrupt the Baron.”

Jerome quietly silenced the old mage who was about to retort, which allowed me to continue more comfortably.

“You say supplies are enough? Impossible. Until just an hour ago, we never even imagined facing a first-grade monster. Or do you think potions and scrolls can take down such a beast?”

The old mage sneered in reply.

“According to the Baron’s logic, Kashan wouldn’t be any different, right? Both sides are equally unprepared.”

Yeah, I expected that reply.

Without giving him a chance, I spoke again.

“Kashan is the first-grade monster with the lowest durability.”

“But Kashan is also highly aggressive.”

“That’s why it’s possible to catch it.”

“…On what grounds do you say that?”

He asked for evidence, so I pointed at myself with my thumb.

“Because I’m here.”

“…?”

“I can suppress the creature as much as possible.”

“Huh…!”

The old mage was momentarily speechless at my confident statement, so I quickly provided other rational reasons.

“Besides, Kashan has no widely known strategies. That means it’s a creature you can catch without such preparations. Although there will be some casualties, with Kashan, we can surely win.”

“What do you think about that, Sir Vesillus?”

“…If interpreted that way, any monster can be caught, and at the same time, none can.”

His words only denied mine without any convincing reasoning.

But Jerome said nothing further about it.

“I see.”

Jerome nodded thoughtfully, lost in thought, while the old mage whispered like a schemer.

“Commander Saintred, how about asking everyone and deciding? Whether to summon Leviathan as I suggest or to follow the Baron’s plan.”

Simply put, he wanted to hold a vote.

I couldn’t stand that.

It was obvious whether people would believe the barbarian or the old mage.

‘Not a bad trick.’

I had to stop that vote at all costs.

Just as I was about to open my mouth,

“Impossible.”

Jerome’s solemn voice echoed.

“Impossible? Why?”

“Are you passing responsibility to your subordinates because you can’t even choose between two options? Sir Vesillus, such a commander will never gain genuine trust from anyone.”

“…I’m not passing responsibility; I’m only asking for opinions–”

“Same difference. A commander is one who decides and takes responsibility for that decision.”

Jerome dismissed the old mage’s words and firmly ended the matter.

“Fine, it’s decided.”

“Decided?”

“We will summon Kashan, the Prophesied Wolf.”

In the atmosphere where no one dared speak, Jerome continued.

“This is a decision I made entirely by myself, and I will take full responsibility for any consequences from this judgment.”

“…”

“So prepare accordingly.”

Other leaders could only say one thing in response to his charisma.

“Nia Lapdonia…!”

Huh, the kingdom really has many talents.

After the meeting ended,

while I was sharing the results with our Squad 4 members, Jerome came to find me.

“Baron, can we talk for a moment?”

“Of course.”

Without needing to go somewhere secluded, everyone made way discreetly at the commander’s appearance, and the mage even cast voice-command magic.

“Ha ha, I didn’t intend to disturb you this much.”

“They say a heavy head is a good head.”

“…Is there such a saying?”

“No, I made it up.”

“…”

“So, what is it?”

Jerome quickly got to the point after I asked.

“Sir Vesillus told me not to worry too much because he’ll manage things.”

“Manage…?”

“There was friction between you and the mage tower, right? Maybe that’s why some deliberately refuse to acknowledge your words and act stubborn.”

“…Did he know about Kashan?”

“Not much more than everyone else. Actually, I just heard about the Boat Clan earlier too. I’m not an explorer.”

“…Then how did you know the mage deliberately refused to accept it?”

“He might lack exploration experience, but he’s not ignorant of people. Besides, Sir Vesillus is easy to read.”

That was unexpected.

Breaking down stone gates and such, I thought he was a simpleton who only did the tough work and left headaches to the deputy commander.

‘Guess not.’

Those types are the hardest.

They naturally distinguish when to use strength and when to use their head.

In a way, he’s similar to me…

“Anyway, don’t hate him too much. Until we leave this place, whether we like it or not, we’re comrades.”

“Don’t worry. I wasn’t paying attention anyway.”

“Haha, is that so?”

“By the way… you’re having a tough time too.”

“Well, I don’t think of it as hardship…”

“Guess you were born a soldier.”

“Ha ha, Baron, how about joining the army? I think you’d adapt well.”

Ugh, what a terrible idea.

‘Still, it’s unexpected. I didn’t think we’d get along so well.’

Maybe we could be friends from now on–

“By the way, Baron.”

“…Yeah?”

“May I ask a favor?”

“A favor?”

“The more I see you, the more you remind me of someone from my memories. So, though it probably can’t be, …”

Jerome ominously set the stage, then handed me an object he had between his arm and waist.

“Here, try this on.”

It was a helmet that covered the entire face.

“…I’m, I’m hungry, so I’ll go first!”

–Friendship? No chance.

I’ll just avoid this guy as much as possible from now on.

The first-grade beast type, the Prophesied Wolf Kashan.

Though it was decided to summon him, we hadn’t started the raid right away.

First-grade monsters are not easy opponents.

We need to be in perfect condition, with full HP and MP…

“All troops, listen up! Sir Vesillus will now explain the characteristics of the monster we’ll face!”

Before planning strategy, understanding the patterns is essential.

We can’t just pick and choose like when summoning third- or second-grade monsters, or we won’t be prepared for variables.

“Ahem, greetings, everyone. As you know, I’m Gahwyn Vesillus, the chief mage of the First Expeditionary Force. I’ll now explain the traits of the Prophesied Wolf, Kashan. First, the origin of his name is…”

The old mage’s explanation, filled with theory and knowledge, was boring beyond words, but since our lives were on the line, everyone listened attentively.

Ah, everyone except one person.

Rrrrgrrrr! Rrrrrrrrgrr!

I looked at Ainar, who was snoring deeply, and saw veins popping on the old mage’s forehead, but since I seemed bothered, he passed it over silently.

‘Later, I’ll have to explain things in barbarian style just for him.’

Anyway, after the theory lesson, the leadership meeting was held again.

Positioning, what supplies to use, how to cycle damage during the raid, and so on.

We discussed for hours with no unexpected advice to give because there really wasn’t anything to fix.

“Saintred, have you ever fought a monster like this before?”

“Hmm… if you find anything lacking, tell me. I’m all ears.”

Uh… that wasn’t a challenge.

I told Jerome I was just surprised because there was nothing to find fault with, and he smiled happily, humbly replying.

“Good thing I took labyrinth ~Novelight~ tactics in my youth.”

“Labyrinth tactics? Do knights learn that when they become knights?”

“Generally, no. It was just that my father was a bit unusual.”

“…I see.”

After the initial meeting, we all put our heads together and ran combat simulations, continuously thinking about potential variables.

‘Being with many people like this feels like playing a tabletop RPG.’

Maybe because I’m used to playing Dungeon and Stone alone?

I find this kind of conversation somewhat enjoyable.

“Well, that’s enough for today. Tomorrow we’ll mobilize everyone for a mock battle, so get some rest early.”

With the planning done, the next day we all gathered before the stone gate, familiarizing ourselves with the routes and doing battle rehearsals.

“Hey, you there! Your position’s wrong! You belong here, not there!”

“Ah, sorry…!”

“What’s your name?”

“Kelt Avison–”

“Wrong! Your name is a disgrace to humans!!!”

“…?”

“Do you think saying sorry is enough for military law? Are you stupid? Look! Even the barbarian Ainard knows his place!”

Though I doubted how helpful the mock battle would be in real combat, I tried to be as strict as possible.

You never know.

This might save someone’s life.

“…The Baron is truly a scary man.”

“I couldn’t help but recall my days as a squire.”

“Don’t be too upset, everyone. Don’t you know the Baron? He only says those things because he wants the best for us all!”

“Well… I’m sure his heart is breaking even while he acts that way.”

Probably because I’d built good rapport beforehand, no one really rebelled.

“That’s it. There’ll be no missions until noon tomorrow, so rest well and strengthen your minds!”

After the mock battle, we set up camp earlier than usual and went to sleep.

And then at noon the next day–

“All troops, to your positions!”

“To your positions!”

“Place the book on the altar!”

Everyone stood in their places, staring at the stone gate.

Drdrdrdrdrdrdrdr-!

The stone gate opened, flashing a blue light through the gap.

And slowly from the darkness–

Kuuung–!

A four-legged beast emitting a sinister aura appeared.

[Character has been exposed to [Ominous Prophecy].]

[Luck value is fixed at -200.]

Now, let’s begin.