SML Ch 45

Chapter 45

The vicinity of the lakeshore resembled something close to a fishing village. Nets and fish traps, presumably used by the Anuras, were drying beneath the sunlight, while crude wooden racks erected here and there were strung with gutted fish hanging in bunches.

The Anuras, presumed to be the inhabitants of this “village,” bore skin colors far more vibrant and vivid than those of ordinary frogs. Their bodies were a bright, glossy yellow scattered with splotches of pink, red, and purple in polka-dot-like patterns. From afar, the colors alone made them seem like flowers blooming prematurely along the lakeshore.

Yet such vivid coloration was evidence of their toxicity. Although Anuras were much smaller and weaker than typical monsters, the danger lay in the venom secreted from their bile.

Should their deadly venom enter the bloodstream, the victim’s body would stiffen in paralysis, followed by cardiac arrest and respiratory failure—death arriving swiftly thereafter. Of course, that potent venom was only secreted when the Anuras deliberately attacked; the toxin naturally exuded from their skin during normal activity merely caused a mild tingling upon contact…

Just how do they intend to handle those creatures?

Volant and the villagers led Reynald and the princes forward without batting an eye. Once the Anuras became aware of the unfamiliar humans approaching, they stared fixedly in this direction, their enormous eyes unblinking. With hundreds of frog-like gazes converging upon them, even under the midday sun, a chill ran down one’s spine and a shiver coursed through the body.

“It’s fine, Lord Reynald. For now, let’s fish by the lakeshore.”

“For now…?”

“They need some time to understand the situation. After that, we’ll take the boat out to the middle of the lake.”

Indeed, on one side of the shore sat a strangely large and well-crafted fishing boat. It was practically impossible for a single person to operate alone, requiring several strong men to row vigorously in unison to propel it forward. Considering their aim was to reliably catch monsters of three meters or more, such a vessel was necessary—far preferable to a flimsy raft or small sailboat.

“That boat seems far too large for the Anuras to handle. Their bodies are small; they’d scarcely be able to row it properly… Is it yours?”

“So those frog monsters are called Anuras? Hm, well, the boat isn’t ours, strictly speaking—but we’re the only ones who use it. As far as I know, it technically belongs to someone else.”

“It belongs to someone else? And yet you intend to take it out?”

“There’s never been an issue with it before, so I think it’s fine. We’ve used it countless times for fishing, and not once in decades has anyone come forward to claim it—or to stop us.”

“Then who maintains it?”

“The frogs seem to fuss over it when they’re bored. Usually they use it as a storage shed for random junk, and even now there’s quite a lot piled on it… but it probably won’t be a big problem.”

With that, Volant picked up a fishing rod and headed toward a spot slightly removed from where the Anuras were gathered, at a lakeshore littered with large stones. Choosing one such stone as his makeshift seat, Volant retrieved the bait box prepared earlier at the castle.

“So we’re going to fish for ordinary fish here?”

“Yes. Lyndon, you put the bait on too.”

“I’m no good at fishing.”

“Just put the bait on the hook and give the rod to me or Alex. I just… really hate touching worms.”

“So you’re dumping the unpleasant task on me, huh…”

Lyndon grumbled but dutifully threaded bait onto the hooks, after which Volant and Alex cast their lines into the lake. The bait arced far through the air before splashing into the water.

The frogs’ eyes silently followed the motion of the fishing rods. The princes and their knights kept sneaking glances toward the Anuras, unsettled by their stares.

Normally, Anuras are nocturnal monsters. Their lack of aggression right now must be because of that…

In daylight, the sun’s rays quickly dry out their moisture-rich skin, leaving them lethargic. At most, they busy themselves with mending nets or drying fish as they were doing now; when that is done, they likely retreat to shaded or shallow watery spots to rest.

Still, that didn’t mean they were entirely inactive during the day. The instinct to guard their territory existed in every living creature; as monsters, they certainly harbored some measure of hostility toward humans…

“Hey, got a bite.”

No sooner had Lyndon, who was watching the water’s surface intently, spoken than Alex yanked on his fishing rod. After a brief struggle, he landed a palm-sized fish. Drawing a pocketknife, he swiftly ended the fish’s life, severed its head, then split the body in two…

“Hm?”

He set one half beside him and tossed the other toward the Anuras. One of them cocked its head curiously and approached.

“What are you doing! Are you trying to lure them toward us…!”

“Hold for now, Sir Hantran.”

One of the escort knights shouted in alarm, but Reynald stopped him. The Anura merely picked up the discarded fish and carried it off, making no move to attack.

By the time Lyndon baited the hook again, Volant’s line trembled with another catch. He landed a small fish and, like Alex, split it and tossed half to the Anuras. One of them came forth, retrieved the offering, and returned to its spot.

I see… I think I understand what they’re aiming for. Since the Anuras possess a certain degree of intellect, this might actually work…

Roughly thirty minutes later, the Anuras exchanged glances among themselves and suddenly gathered around the fishing boat. They cleared the haphazard junk piled upon it, tidied the vessel, then looked back at the humans with expectant eyes.

Though anticipated, the fact that it truly worked was impressive. Reynald rose to his feet, quietly impressed.

“Did you attempt to strike a bargain with them? Judging by your manner, this isn’t your first time doing so.”

“Exactly. The deal is simple: we keep half the fish, they take the other half. In return, they don’t interfere or drive us away.”

“Hooh.”

“They’re small and weak, so they can’t catch big fish no matter how hard they try. But we can—so they pin their hopes on us.”

Strange as it seemed, the arrangement was, in hindsight, rather straightforward. Alex and Volant immediately boarded the boat and spread waterproof tarps—brought from the castle—across its floor, perhaps worried the frogs’ toxins had contaminated it during their earlier cleanup.

“Ten people aboard the boat, the rest wait here. We’ll rotate every two fish we catch.”

“Ten aboard at once?”

“Four to row, three to handle the rods, and three to kill and butcher the catch. The last task is crucial—if we don’t split and hand over half quickly, the frogs will think we’ve broken our deal and get angry.”

The division of labor seemed oddly well thought out. Since every role demanded significant strength, they had clearly devised this system to prevent anyone from exhausting themselves prematurely.

Reynald nodded and followed the youths onto the boat. Arun and Serna exchanged curious glances before Arun boarded and Serna remained on shore. Lyndon and the escort knights waved from the bank as the royal guards seized the oars and began to row.

The fishing boat glided smoothly across the tranquil lake. Crossing the clear, expansive waters felt almost like a leisurely outing, and in this refreshing mood, Reynald addressed Arun.

“Do you suffer from seasickness, Prince Arun?”

“This is my first time aboard such a vessel, but I seem to be fine. I intend to take on the role of reeling the line. What about you, Sir Reynald?”

“I shall handle dispatching the monsters. Even if they are fish, failing to kill them swiftly when they thrash could prove dangerous… Still, I admit I am surprised—I thought you would prefer to take the killing role yourself, Your Highness.”

“Since I do not yet know precisely what sort of monsters we’re facing, I prefer to observe for now. Besides, that youth Volant remarked I might be good at reeling the line.”

It sounded more like an offhand comment than sincere praise, yet Arun seemed to have taken it at face value. Still, reeling fish was no poor task, and more importantly, he appeared genuinely eager; Reynald decided not to press the matter further.

Arun, however, gazed into the water with a strangely serious expression.

“Moreover, reeling the line gives me more opportunities to observe the depths of the lake.”

“Observe?”

“I wish to see what lies beneath. Do you not share this curiosity, Sir Reynald?”

“Hmm…? I am intrigued, since this is my first visit here as well. But I shall defer the chance to Your Highness—for now.”

“Understood, Sir Reynald.”

Arun nodded solemnly, as though reading further meaning into Reynald’s words. Reynald briefly wondered about this, then dismissed the thought; few people took others’ words as literally as this prince. Perhaps he simply wanted to enjoy the lake’s sights.

Well, it’s true—Prince Arun has lived diligently and busily all his life; opportunities to boat across such a vast lake must be rare for him.

Reynald himself had never had such leisurely outings either. For now, he would let the prince indulge his curiosity, and once it was sated, perhaps he himself could take a turn reeling the line. Thinking this rather serenely, Reynald surveyed the expanse of the lake.

It was truly a beautiful and vast sight. Astonishing, in fact, that he had never known of this place’s existence until now.