READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 158
Hunter Follower.
It’s a term that refers to beings who follow the Hunters in each Domain out of respect, awe, or other reasons.
For instance, there was a Hunter Follower between the Candles we encountered on the way back to Rondan after rescuing the Knight Commander with Paura. – We later figured that out through investigation.
They possess an excellent sense of smell, much like the Hunters, but they don’t possess the same combat ability as Hunters.
So, why are the Knight Commander and the Deputy Director taking this so seriously?
What do you think is the reason a Hunter can hunt alone?
It’s the aforementioned keen sense of smell.
A very quick brain that operates based on their sense of smell.
And physical abilities that transcend human capabilities, enabling them to put their judgments into action.
Hunters possess all of these on their own, but Hunter Followers do not.
If they had abilities similar to those of a Hunter, they would be Hunters themselves, not followers.
What would happen if they teamed up with bandits?
Generally, bandits lack common sense, rely on numbers, and are mostly just mindlessly strong.
That means they would practically have a collective intelligence.
Such bandits would be far more threatening than one could imagine.
The few I took down alongside the Knight Commander were manageable, but what if that number doubled, or multiplied by tens?
“…I’ve fully recognized the danger. But how will we know where they are? If we wander outside and lose our way…”
“That’s why bringing you along might eliminate potential problems. You can communicate with the Outsiders, after all.”
So, even if we got lost, we could rely on the Divine Race to return to Rondan.
Just like Zumiya summoned the Dragon to help us back to Rondan.
“It’s not the roads that concern me; the lack of information about their location hasn’t been resolved.”
The range of the bandits’ activities was inherently vast.
After the Ice Princess froze everything, it widened several times over.
Moreover, they are basically folks living a rough life.
Therefore, figuring out where the bandit groups cooperating with the Hunter Followers are among so many bandits would be no easy task.
As long as we don’t know that, wandering around trying to smack them down might take a lifetime and still not catch them all.
“Well, since I’ve heard of such sightings in this area, we should at least check it out. If nothing’s there, it’s not a big loss.”
“Isn’t that a bit irresponsible…?”
“Well, managing those Candle folks is the Duke’s duty. They’ve requested our support to look into it, so we don’t necessarily have to take responsibility for it.”
Ah, so it was a request from the Duke.
Since the area is too vast, I guess they want us to assist with the search.
“Well, if that’s the case, maybe it wouldn’t hurt to circle around here a bit.”
“Yeah, there’s no need to search with too much zeal. Plus, if it goes south, we can just take them out by force.”
The Knight Commander said that and unnecessarily rolled up her sleeves.
…Somehow, I felt a bit scared that she might actually take down everyone.
But getting this resolved is important.
Due to the danger I mentioned earlier, if we delay even for a moment, we could face trouble while stopping the Ice Princess.
Hmm.
But why does it feel like there was some method I intended to use for situations like this?
Hmm.
Suddenly, the theory about the Alternative族 that the Saint mentioned came to mind, and I recalled names of beings that could influence the Earth, snapping my fingers.
“Commander! What happens if we wipe them out?”
“Hmm. Well, I suppose we haven’t discussed that yet. However, I’ve heard that other Domains weren’t particularly keen on it, so we might come out looking a bit better than them.”
“That’s enough for me.”
“Hmm?”
“I’ve thought of a method.”
At my words, the Deputy Director and the Knight Commander exchanged puzzled looks.
Yeah.
Isn’t there the perfect person for this kind of situation?
Watcher, Bell.
The one who listens to my words better than any trusted dog, such a good child.
“Woof! It’s been a while since our walk!”
“Are you really that happy?”
“Yep!”
In a place a bit away from Rondan, where the effect of the Hearth was slightly diminished, snow was lightly falling.
There, Bell was frolicking around like an excited dog.
Watching that scene quietly, the Deputy Director pointed at Bell with a confused expression.
“Is it really okay to let that thing out like that?”
“Yes, it’s fine. It’s a good child.”
“A, a child?”
The Deputy Director blinked in disbelief at my words and looked at Bell.
Knowing that Bell might look strangely distorted due to the power of the Ice Princess, I now understood their reaction.
Ah, Oko.
You’ve created that privilege for me.
Thanks to the life you gave me, I could come this far.
“Bell, there’s something you need to do before we go for a walk.”
“Woof?”
“You know the Hunter.”
“The human who shot me with a gun!”
Hmm.
That’s true.
When I was in the Underground Prison, the Hunter had indeed fired a double-barreled shotgun at Bell.
Recently, didn’t I say something bad about the Hunter?
Is it just my perception that I feel that they hope I view the Hunter negatively?
“Hmm. Can you find a human with a sense of smell almost as good as that Hunter’s?”
“Woof, too many of them.”
Oh.
Was it true that as a Watcher, Bell could see all humans like a CCTV camera?
Bell frowned as if getting a headache, so I decided to give a bit more context.
“Just focus on the slow-moving ones among them.”
“Slow human?”
“Yup, that’s right.”
As if she found a similar person, Bell asked for confirmation.
I replied, and she started wagging her tail and jumped a few times from her spot.
“Quite a lot! And they’re with strange ones!”
Gotcha.
These guys.
“Yup, that’s it! Wow, Bell, you’re amazing?!”
“I’m amazing, woof!”
Bell said that, and I felt like she wanted praise, so I patted her head.
Then she happily draped her arm around my shoulder and began licking my face.
Hmm.
This is something I could never get used to no matter how many times it happens.
Still, I decided to let Bell do what she wanted, grateful for her cooperation.
“Is, is it really okay? No matter how well you handle the Outsiders…”
“Haha, yes. It’s really okay, so don’t worry.”
“Hmm.”
I wondered what I looked like to those people right now.
I kind of wanted to see Bell from their perspective.
Though with Oko in my body, that’s almost impossible.
“Oh, and I found them.”
“Oh, is that so?”
The Knight Commander replied with an amused smile, almost as if finding it entertaining.
There was a strong sense of novelty seeing a Divine Race helping humans.
“It seems we can leave at once.”
“Hmm, okay.”
The Knight Commander nodded at my words and turned around towards the mobilized branch troops we had prepared in advance.
Among them was Muyun, whom I hadn’t seen for a while.
But she had a somewhat pouty expression. I wondered why.
Hmm.
Did the God of War say something unnecessary?
Considering Muyun’s personality, she might very well feel uncomfortable with me.
Once the Knight Commander verified all the troops, she flashed a confident smile.
“We’ve explained the operation beforehand, so you all understand well, right?”
““Yes!””
“Alright, then let’s commence the Second Candle Clearout Operation from now on.”
The Knight Commander declared in a firm voice, but the knights exchanged dubious glances, looking a bit uncertain.
I wondered why, but I soon realized their collective gaze was fixated on Bell.
One knight seemed to have lost strength in his legs and slumped down, wearing a dazed expression.
Ah.
No way.
Apta, you didn’t let Bell give off her presence, did you?
“Oh.”
Ah, she’s really set like this.
It’s driving me crazy.
With a throbbing headache, I turned my gaze to the Knight Commander to ask her what we should do, but for some reason, she was wearing a slight sneer while looking at the fallen knights.
“Are they really going to collapse this easily when they will have to fight even tougher ones than this in the future?”
Surely, it was the Commander talking.
Tears mixed with fear in the knights’ eyes, but they got up with firm resolve.
Watching them, the Knight Commander happily laughed and said,
“And you don’t have to worry too much. This one doesn’t bite. And there’s no need to worry that she might leap at you. After all, we have a skilled dog trainer here.”
The Knight Commander pointed at me as she said that.
Hmm.
I wondered why she was smiling like that; it seemed she was fully in the mood to tease me.
A skilled dog trainer, huh.
The moment she mentioned that, I couldn’t help but picture that famous trainer who’s known for making deals while training dogs, that actual puppy of a trainer.
Was it because of the Knight Commander’s words?
The knight who looked the most junior in the order approached me cautiously and wrapped both hands around mine, looking up at me with tears and snot running down his face.
“T-Tanton-senpai! I sincerely ask you to handle that Outsider gently…”
Hmm.
I wonder if it would be fun to play a prank on the knights, collaborating with Bell later. Would that be considered trashy?