Chương 99: Chapter 97 The Expedition to the Iron Cave

"You did very well, Berners!" Karath praised the hobgoblin while staring at the expanded map with a broad smile. In truth, the map they had created over the years was severely lacking outside the region surrounding the old Bloodclaw settlement. They had been too busy uniting tribes and relocating the population to spend time mapping the forest in detail. Even after moving to Root, their scouts had only examined the immediate surroundings. Almost everything more than a day's journey away remained blank.

Berners had now filled those empty spaces, even if only approximately. His estimates would be less accurate than measurements taken directly in the field, but compared with having no information at all, the improvement was enormous.

"Thanksh, Grand Chief!" Berners looked as delighted as if Karath had rewarded him with a mountain of treasure.

"Using the map Berners has completed, we must send an expedition to locate the cave containing that stone, which Karath calls iron."

"Do you intend to lead that expedition yourself as well?"

"Naturally. Does anyone else here possess the knowledge the ancestors taught Karath about this material?" The advisers fell silent after hearing the determination in his voice. They seemed to realise that convincing him to remain behind would be impossible.

"Then you must take as many warriors as possible to protect you!"

"That would be unwise. The cave is nearly three days away. A small group will travel through the forest more safely than a large one."

"Who do you intend to take, Grand Chief?"

"Chief Parker and Kaden. Krog and Dagon as well. Berners will accompany us as our guide." The other advisers examined those Karath had selected. Grild, Moldin, Orga Bearclaw, and Walter of the Hellsong Tribe eventually nodded in reluctant agreement. Parker, Kaden, Krog, and Dagon were among the strongest warriors currently living in Root. With Krog and Dagon accompanying them, there was also a reasonable chance of restraining Parker and Kaden whenever the pair lost control.

Karath had chosen the group with exactly that consideration in mind. There was an old saying from his former world about striking while the iron was hot. Karath departed Root with the exploration party immediately. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. At this point, even he could no longer tell whether he was following that proverb or simply becoming more impatient after living as an orc.

"As you already know, our purpose is reconnaissance, not hunting. There is no reason to seek monsters and fight them unnecessarily." Karath spoke while leading the group into the forest. His eyes rested particularly heavily upon Kaden and Parker.

"Grand Chief! The Owlbear territory I mentioned lies ahead! It would be better to go around it!" Berners immediately proved himself the most valuable member of the expedition.

"Hmph! Does Berners believe the Grand Chief fears mere Owlbearsh?"

"Grand Chief! Brother Kaden and Parker will quickly destroy them and clear the path!"

"Kaden. Chief Parker. Karath already explained that this is an exploration mission. Unless monsters completely block an essential route, we will avoid them. Is that understood?"

"Understood, Grand Chief."

"Understood, Grand Chief." Both warriors answered with obvious disappointment. Berners continued guiding them regardless.

"If we travel a little farther in thish direction, there ish a small hollow beneath an uprooted tree. Bushesh and nearby treesh conceal it well, making it a good place to hide. My clan often used it!"

"Berners, your guidance has made travelling through this forest remarkably comfortable," Krog said.

"Indeed. Imagining how much trouble we would have faced without you is terrifying," Dagon added. Unlike the sullen Parker and Kaden, Krog and Dagon recognised how valuable Berners' knowledge truly was.

"Thank you, Berners. Because of you, we have found a safe place to sleep tonight." Karath agreed wholeheartedly. The monster-infested forest became even more dangerous after sunset. More precisely, nocturnal monsters were especially troublesome for orcs who preferred remaining active during daylight. Berners could identify the territories of dangerous creatures before they entered them and guide the party toward hidden places suitable for camping. He was the finest guide Karath could have requested.

"Heh! Leave everything to me! I will guide you along the most comfortable route!" Encouraged by their praise, Berners led the party confidently again on the second day.

"I-I am shorry! It definitely wash not like thish when I passed through several daysh ago..." Unfortunately, this was still the Grimwood Mountains, a terrible land crowded with countless monsters. Whenever one powerful creature changed its territory, the movement triggered a chain reaction that displaced every weaker monster nearby. The terrain itself remained relatively stable, although an enormous monster could alter even that. Monster territories, however, could change completely within only a few days.

Berners had lived in the mountains for decades and surely understood that fact. Even so, he looked devastated, believing he had disappointed the others.

"Finally, it is our turn!"

"Krahahaha! Parker thought his body would rot from inactivity!" Kaden and Parker treated the unexpected monster as an opportunity and charged forward with delighted laughter.

"There is nothing to worry about, Berners," Krog said.

"We avoided monsters only because fighting them would waste time. A creature of that level is no true threat."

"Dagon admits that his own body was beginning to itch as well." Krog and Dagon offered their reassurances before moving to support the two warriors already rushing into battle. Karath watched from behind as the four confronted a tiger-like monster far larger than a Giant Wolf. He intended to intervene if the fight appeared dangerous, but their movements made it clear his help was unnecessary. Instead, Karath continued observing their surroundings while monitoring the battle. The four could handle the tiger monster.

If another creature approached during the fight, Karath would intercept it.

"It seems you are no tiger at all, but merely an oversized cat!"

"You are terribly slow, little kitty!" Krog and Dagon drew the monster's attention with swift movements and threatening attacks.

"Your side is exposed!"

"Kaden will shatter your leg with one blow!" Whenever an opening appeared, Kaden and Parker struck with the overwhelming strength that made them the most powerful warriors in Root.

"W-were orcsh alwaysh thish strong?" Berners cried out in astonishment as the four played with the enormous creature.

"Are they not dependable?"

"Th-they are!"

"Then continue guiding us without fear. Even if monsters appear, they will not pose a serious problem."

"Understood, Grand Chief!" Berners nodded energetically. By the time he finished answering, Krog, Dagon, Kaden, and Parker had already brought the monster down.