Diary of Guarding Monster Girls

Moreover, he kept claiming that he had merely done a small favor, and it wasn’t really out of goodwill to save them.

So, is this what they call being tsundere?

"Your personality is also one of the most... uh, how should I say it?"

"Ahem, hold on a moment."

Seeing the conversation veer off course, Herbert proactively reminded, "Miser, you still haven’t said why you came here in such a hurry. What was it you wanted to tell me?"

"Oh, right! Let’s talk business."

As the subject turned serious, Miser tossed aside her small doubts, her expression becoming somewhat stern, speaking gravely: "Do you know what I’ve discovered?"

"What?"

"I’ve found changes occurring in the mountains! Not just a few, but quite a lot of changes!"

During this period, Miser had been instructing Ghost Wolves to scatter her spores in various places, constantly expanding the map in her possession.

Meanwhile, she hadn’t given up using these eyes to observe and record the surrounding transformations.

In such a manner equivalent to simultaneously watching thousands of monitors, Miser did notice certain incongruities.

Aside from discovering a running big tree, she also detected many minute changes that ordinary people wouldn’t notice.

"The magic power concentration across the Mist Mountain Range has changed, rising slightly by three-tenths of a percent and still increasing."

"That Heroic Spirit Legion ceased training and began assembling formations, but strangely, they were not forming towards the perimeter but instead preparing deeper inside, uncertain of their intentions."

"The leaf drop rate of trees increased by five percent; a large quantity of vegetation died in a brief span, appearing as if the life was drawn out from them."

"Including that flesh mechanical body you previously asked me to pay attention to, it too showed abnormal movements, its actions turning sluggish, appearing as if it might halt anytime."

...

Miser reported for quite some time to Herbert, telling him all the details she had noticed, whilst Herbert listened intently.

Except for a small portion of truly irrelevant details, most of them, after analysis, pointed towards one possibility.

"...[Silence] is indeed real."

Belinda’s assertion is likely correct; a terrifying entity has indeed awakened in the deepest parts of the Mist Mountain Range.

As it awakened, the entire Mist Mountain Range seemed to have woken up alongside it.

It absorbed the mountain’s power, leading to vegetation dying, yet at the same time brought a more suitable magic environment.

If not for Belinda’s prompts, Herbert might have seen these phenomena as normal changes, but now, the true meaning behind them was clear.

"Is it a blessing or a curse?"

Herbert pondered for a moment, then decided not to dwell on it, shaking his head secretly: "Whatever, let action dictate."

"If it really intends to do anything, there might be no way to resist, perhaps even too late to react."

"However, hopefully, it hasn’t yet reached the worst-case scenario... if the sky falls, there’s still a tall person to bear it."

After all, as per Belinda’s description, the Mist Monastery falls within the Mist Mountain Range’s domain and is also bound to fall into "Silence."

For the Monastery to be silenced, it depends on whether Deng allows it.

Invincible Deng is the ultimate safeguard; with him around, everything becomes worry-free.

Even if there really is a problem, it falls on him to shoulder it.

After acknowledging this fact, Herbert felt the weight on his shoulders suddenly lifted, allowing him to relax and enjoy adventuring again.

Herbert thought for a moment, opting for Miser to maintain status quo, focusing on particular targets, and refraining from doing anything else.

Especially refraining from actions outside observation, or actively intervening.

"Oh, alright."

Although Miser was unaware of why Herbert was being so cautious, since the boss had spoken, she, being just an employee, found no reason to add trouble for herself.

No exploration spirit? Then no exploration spirit; at least, monitoring remains possible.

As a downtrodden worker, Miser found it quite satisfying to make the best out of a bad situation.

But for such monitoring, watching everywhere is a hobby; this is different, warranting more effort.

After finishing these discussions, Herbert inquired with Miser regarding soil improvement issues, after all, he employed her to handle this task.

Let’s say it’s surprising how Miser, relying on subjective motivation became the monitoring grandmaster and gatekeeper.

And regarding this aspect, the Mushroom Merchant didn’t disappoint Herbert.

Miser used Mushroom People’s secret technique to improve several spore magic potions, successfully formulating a complete method to make the Mist Mountain Range’s soil suitable for sowing.

"The only drawback is manual irrigation requirement, and the first batch of crops best being observed full-time,"

Though she is a legendary Mushroom Person, it doesn’t mean she can operate without sleep all year, unable to manage real-time monitoring around the clock.

Moreover, if Miser put all her energy solely into farming, how could she laze around, how could she secretly observe?

Herbert indeed guessed her little thoughts, without feeling it problematic, considering her exertions shouldn’t waste on such tasks.

Being a monitor is good enough.

He pondered briefly and arranged: "This is simple; have Heroic Spirits and Beast Ear Clan members divided into day and night shifts, trying to plant on the matured soil."

Heroic Spirits can monitor around the clock without rest, yet daytime they have basic constructions to attend; sending them all off farming would be a waste.

Additionally, Heroic Spirits also have emotions; they can’t bear repetitive mechanical labor all day.

Thus, focusing on infrastructure by day and looking after the vegetable patches at night, that’s the proper way to utilize Heroic Spirits.

Meanwhile, Beastmen lamented idle existence, restless doing nothing; these arrangements offer opportunities for comfort.

Letting them busy farming by day not only gives labor chances but also fosters genuine belonging to Elda.

Making them truly feel they belong here.

"About the details of this task, you’d better discuss with Sofia and Kathy; the seeds given prior should suffice."

"No issues, these seeds will do for now; we’ll weigh other options once reviewing the results."

Considering Elda’s current population isn’t large, plus additional seafood supplements, external sales remain unnecessary, Herbert didn’t plan a vast plantation, focusing merely on small patches enough for current population self-sufficiency.

Regarding when these crops will mature, whether it comes in time... be assured, here is a world where magic exists.

Herbert deemed his relation with Natural Pantheon appeared rather amicable, perceiving luring some Druids who could accelerate ripening as task laborers shouldn’t pose difficulty.

After bidding farewell to the monitoring grandmaster hell-bent on relaxing, Herbert didn’t linger longer in Elda, instead returning to the Monastery.

Upon returning, without time for investigation, he sensed an unusual atmosphere in the Monastery.

Appearing more solemn than usual.

"Could it be the Monastery detected changes too?"

Herbert’s heart tightened, his expression turning serious.

If the Monastery started guarding, it indicated the situation might be worse than imagined.

Just as Herbert sought acquaintances for inquiry, his ears suddenly perked up, catching nearby nuns in low conversation.

He secretly listened briefly, his expression turning gradually intriguing.

"...Hmm? Uh, hiss!"

Confused, he tilted his head, then incredulously scratched it, finally gasping in shock.

Herbert looked up blankly towards the sky, murmuring:

"Can anyone explain..."

"What do you mean the Chief Judge and Knight Commander secretly dueled, injuring each other badly?"

Huh?

.

.

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