GILF Hunter

The mercenaries of the expedition, who had been scattered, hurriedly gathered together.

Ariel held a meeting immediately after confirming that all the leaders had assembled.

For now, finding the cause of the Behemoth’s abnormal behavior was the priority. Only then could they devise a countermeasure.

Of course, they couldn’t afford the luxury of sitting down comfortably to talk, so Ariel and the leaders conversed while walking behind the Behemoth’s trail.

’Was there a lack of food?’

’The quantity is the same as last year. We had plenty of surplus, too.’

’...Maybe its taste in food changed while it was sleeping?’

’...Let’s try not to say things that make no sense.’

Each of them shared their guesses while chasing after the Behemoth, but no plausible opinions emerged from such sudden brainstorming.

While everyone was exchanging views, Ian, who was standing at the very back listening to the conversation, spoke up.

’It is likely because of the Labyrinth.’

’The Labyrinth?’

’The energy has grown stronger recently since the seal on the Labyrinth was released. The Behemoth must have felt that from here.’

’The Labyrinth, huh...’

Everyone fell into thought for a moment upon hearing that opinion.

In Labyrinth city, there was a saying that if you blamed the Labyrinth when a problem occurred, you’d be right half the time.

It was used as a joke, but in truth, it wasn’t exactly wrong. The Labyrinth caused that many strange occurrences.

If one were to look for a reason why the Behemoth was moving precisely toward Labyrinth city, there really was no other fitting reason besides the Labyrinth.

The more they pondered, the more they felt that reason was correct.

And, in fact, that reason was the answer.

The Behemoth subjugation Ian knew was originally like this.

The basic progression structure of this Behemoth event was that the creature, which had been quiet until now, would sense the energy of the unsealed Labyrinth and approach the city.

The leaders in the meeting discussed this with quite interested faces after hearing Ian’s words.

’Approaching the Labyrinth... If we just leave it alone, will the Behemoth eat the Labyrinth?’

’Hmm... No matter how I think about it, I don’t think that would end well. It would eat Labyrinth city as a side dish.’

’We’d be lucky if the things inside the Labyrinth didn’t just come pouring out.’

The mercenaries, who had been slightly tempted by the idea, dropped it on their own before Ian could even discourage them. It didn’t seem like a very good idea.

’Then is there a solution? We can’t exactly move the Labyrinth.’

’If we gather more mana stones, wouldn’t it turn its direction toward them?’

’That’s just a temporary fix. It’ll head back to the Labyrinth once it finishes eating.’

Before they knew it, Ian’s opinion had been accepted as the established theory, and everyone began to think of new countermeasures based on it.

’What if we block its path to buy time until it falls back to sleep?’

’With what?’

’With trenches, or barricades...’

’Sigh...’

Ariel, who had been listening, let out a small sigh. Even after finding the reason, there were no satisfactory opinions.

Finally, Ian suggested a new solution.

’Let’s subjugate it.’

’...’

All eyes gathered on Ian.

It was the first thing everyone had thought of, but no one had dared to say it aloud because it seemed unrealistic.

’In what way? If it were that simple, we would have done it long ago.’

’We have a member on our side who can deal a blow to the Behemoth. It will be possible with the help of Ms. Freya and the others.’

Ariel fell into thought for a while after hearing Ian’s words.

In fact, the reason they hadn’t attempted to subjugate the Behemoth until now wasn’t because it was impossible, but rather due to the cost.

It was much cheaper to just buy time and put it back to sleep.

But since the situation had turned out like this, the Behemoth would eventually have to be put on the subjugation list sooner or later anyway.

Even if they managed to put it to sleep this time, it would continue to approach the Labyrinth every time it woke up.

Ariel turned to Ian and asked.

’There will only be one chance due to the timing. Can you do it?’

’We can.’

’...Fine. Since your side has Lady Airi... hyat, no... Miss Airi. With her skill, it should be possible somehow.’

In the end, because there was no other alternative, Ian’s opinion was accepted.

Ariel called over one member and sent a messenger toward Labyrinth city.

’Go ahead and inform the Guild. We are changing the plan to a subjugation operation.’

There was no time to leisurely wait for the Guild’s reply. Having sent that unilateral notice, Ariel quickly gathered the members and began preparing for the subjugation.

＊　＊　＊

Ian relayed the hastily established operation plan to everyone.

Since there was no large map, everyone had to gather in a circle around Ian and peer into a small map.

Spreading the map, Ian drew three paths from their current location to the Labyrinth. Three routes the Behemoth could use to reach the city.

Since the Behemoth was so massive, the paths it could pass through were somewhat limited.

It wouldn’t purposefully choose difficult terrain or long detours. Considering that, the Behemoth’s route could be predicted to some extent.

’The Behemoth is currently heading in this direction. We must guide it over here.’

Checking the map, Ariel could guess what Ian was aiming for.

’Toward the bottom of the canyon?’

’Yes. We will stop its movement there, then climb on top of it to attack.’

Changing its path... seemed doable.

Even now, the Behemoth would stop briefly while moving to dig up mountains or the ground, spending a long time eating something. It seemed to be digging up things like mines or mineral zones.

The expedition was able to use those gaps to get ahead of the Behemoth, secure a position, and gain time for this meeting.

The Behemoth’s final destination might be the Labyrinth, but it didn’t seem to completely ignore the food right in front of its eyes.

So, if they combined all the mana stones they brought and used them as bait, they could manage a simple redirection at a fork in the road.

...And regarding the part about climbing on top of it, let’s assume that’s possible for now.

When considering all of that, there was one major problem with Ian’s opinion.

’How are you going to stop its movement? A mass that size.’

Even if they piled up trees and rocks to make barricades, they would all crumble with a single kick from the Behemoth’s foot.

In Ariel’s mind, no matter how much time they tried to buy, there would be no way to block it for more than 30 seconds.

Ian nudged Mika, who was standing beside him, forward with a face that said not to worry.

’Our mage, Mika, can do that.’

’?’

Mika, who had followed along without a second thought because Ian asked her to join the meeting, turned to Ian with a bewildered expression.

’Eh? Me?’

Ian nodded his head.

＊　＊　＊

Great vibrations echoed incessantly as if an earthquake had occurred.

It wasn’t an actual earthquake, but the vibrations that echoed every time the Behemoth moved its steps. The Behemoth, with its mountain-sized body, spread massive noise and vibrations with every single step it took.

Thanks to that, wild animals and monsters in the vicinity had all fled, so there was no need to be wary of the surroundings at all, which made things easier.

’It’s almost here!’

A mercenary who had been out on scout duty returned and delivered the news to Mika. It was news that the Behemoth was approaching.

The place where Mika was waiting was in front of the canyon exit.

She had taken a position at that location where the Behemoth was expected to pass, along with other mages, and had been waiting for the Behemoth’s arrival.

Before long, a signal sent from the main force arrived.

’The signal is here. 5 minutes before arrival.’

’...’

Sigh. Why did it come to this.

While Mika let out a sigh, the other mages nearby busily began their preparations.

The large magic circle they stood upon began to resonate.

Mika could soon feel a substantial amount of mana being connected to her. It was a ritual where mages shared their mana.

It was an auxiliary method frequently used when casting Grand Magic that required an enormous amount of mana consumption.

’Preparations are complete. Miss Mika.’

’Ye-yes!’

Mika replied with a nervous face after hearing the words of the Rank A mercenary mage who was in charge of support from behind.

Since Mika was the one who had to lead this spell, she, who had been appointed leader of the mage team, suddenly found herself commanding numerous senior mages as her support. It was a complete bed of thorns.

’Coming!’

Someone’s shouting was heard.

Even without being told, the massive figure of the Behemoth appearing with tremendous vibrations was clearly visible to Mika’s eyes.

The Leader told me not to worry about what comes after and to make it with maximum output...

Thinking so, Mika raised her staff high.

The opportunity would only come once, when the Behemoth passed through the canyon. If they failed this time, there would be no next chance.

Following Ian’s words, Mika drew out all her mana without thinking about the consequences.

In truth, she had never used a Barrier with this much output before, so it was a mystery even to Mika just how strong a barrier would be created.

’Great Wall!’

A maximum output barrier was deployed at the canyon exit.

-Kaboooom...

A short while later, a massive impact spread throughout the entire canyon.

It was the impact of the Behemoth, passing through the canyon, colliding with the barrier.

The Behemoth, having crashed into the invisible transparent wall, tried to ignore it and move forward, but even with the Behemoth’s strength, it couldn’t immediately break down the wall.

The canyon was narrow for the Behemoth. It was a place where it was difficult to even turn its body around, so the Behemoth became trapped right in the canyon gap.

’It really stopped!’

’Mount up!’

Using the gap where the Behemoth’s movement had halted, the mercenaries who had been waiting atop the canyon jumped down and mounted the Behemoth.