Chapter 97.3 - The Second Year at the Academy - Ranch Defense Battle (3)
When I suddenly looked, even the security chief had an expressionless face.
He works mainly on handling drunkards and mediating fights for the safety of Selene.
Speaking of Dekrama, they're representative weak monsters alongside goblins and Nudlok, but still, humans are much weaker.
It seemed intimidating when I heard there were over twenty.
In contrast, Serade remained calm.
If Ted and Jema hadn't become adventurers, they would still have been exposed to the crisis of hunger and slavery. N
ails came from a single-parent poor family, and Elliot, although wealthy, had the strength to wield a sword again even after being nearly killed. Above all, they repeatedly engaged in real battles by sneaking into the forest during breaks from guarding Lora.
They're different from the ordinary guards in determination, spirit, and experience.
"Even if we confront them without a plan, we'll miss most of them."
Suddenly, when Sekies brought this up, everyone's gaze focused on him.
"Our role is not just to protect livestock or repel Dekrama. It's to eliminate them— or at least deal them a heavy blow. Any opinions are welcome. Speak without hesitation."
Prompted by this, everyone exchanged glances, but their thoughts didn't immediately come together.
They began expressing their opinions individually.
"If there are over twenty, extermination will be difficult."
"First repel them, then deal with them individually."
Amber and Varner were discussing.
On the other hand, the strategy proposed by Serade was pitfalls, something sticky, and a scorched-earth tactic.
All of them involved Ted and Jema.
Scorched-earth was out of the question, but targeting them is not a bad idea.
The key is to reverse the offense and defense.
The problem lies in the means if there are any.
While hesitating whether to speak up, Ambel turned to Vero.
"Don't you have any ideas?"
"I do have one, but—"
Hesitating in his words, Vero glanced briefly at the chief.
It seems they share the same thought.
"Speak up. We can't judge if you don't tell us."
Prompted by Seques, Vero nodded.
"Let's evacuate the livestock to the town. Leave a few behind."
"That's— you're not suggesting using livestock as bait!?"
Surprisingly, it was the chief who reacted immediately.
Standing up, he vehemently continued with a stern face.
"Several have already been killed! Why are you all hired for, anyway!"
However, Vero ignored that and continued.
"The livestock shed is made of brick. If we lock them inside, they can't escape. Block the front entrance or leave the back entrance as is, but seal the windows. Ignore the Dekrama that entered and surrounded them, exterminate them. There might be some oversight, but we can reduce their numbers significantly."
Everyone had expressions that said there was no other option.
The chief wasn't particularly fond of livestock.
It was a statement as the person in charge of the ranch entrusted by the town.
If anything, the shepherds taking care of them would be in a more difficult position.
Of course, I also agree with Vero.
Dekrama has succeeded in two attacks already.
Even if they are wary of the guards, they'll attack once their numbers gather.
Moreover, their intelligence is not much different from monkeys, so even a simple strategy should work.
However, it's unacceptable to be half-hearted.
If they learn and become stronger, it would be troublesome.
In this operation, we must deliver a significant blow.
"I agree."
When I showed my approval, the chief reflexively tried to argue but hurriedly closed his mouth.
Did he remember his status?
Addressing the chief, I spoke.
"The decoy of livestock is important. If adventurers become decoys, the attack might got halted if they sense something abnormal. Even if the chief wants to avoid sacrificing livestock, increasing adventurers to protect them would incur additional expenses aside from the requested reward. We would need to negotiate with the town's administration, and even if permission is granted, recruiting people is another issue. There's no time for that. Moreover, the more people, the more likely Dekrama will notice."
Although I didn't say it while present, reinforcing the guards is a particularly bad move.
Dekrama will definitely notice.
Sekies persuaded the chief by saying, "Submit the circumstances in writing. If there's no further attack, we'll reconsider reinforcements.".
He managed to get his approval somehow.
Furthermore, the chief explained the plan to the shepherds.
That was helpful.
Cows or sheep will be slaughtered someday. Like, for meat.
But this time, it will be a gruesome slaughter.
Very gruesome.
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