"Leader, what are you thinking?" Victor asked. It was quite a surprise to Hespar as the one asking the question was known to be the quietest in class. Being asked a question like this also shows that he was interested to know Hespar's opinion.
"Nothing much... But if I really have to find something to talk about... It would be what's next after this?" Hespar tossed some dried branches into the bonfire that's keeping them warm. Crackles can be heard, along with some sparkling flames as it follows up after Hespar's reply.
"After this examination, or after today?" Victor continued with the question.
"Let's say after today for now. How confident are you that something like yesterday would happen to us again?" Hespar asked. His reply seems to be hiding some fact that only he could see. Perhaps, even if the others did notice what he had in mind, they might simply push the thought aside.
After all, they were groomed at a young age to think positively.
Although positive thinking might be good, it could lead to weaker awareness of everything. It could also lead to discipline matters, as it was considered a strenuous thought.
"Honestly thinking... I'm not sure. While it was good to have something like that yesterday, I don't wish to see that happen in each convoy we've met. My thought might be selfish, but I don't hope to see people dying before reaching our camp." said Victor. A lingering self-blame can still be seen on his face due to yesterday's matter.
He understands that it wasn't his fault that the people died in the wilderness. Still, he cannot shake the feeling of responsibility on "what if..."
'Would that change if I was stronger?'
'Would the kid survive if I was a little faster?'
'Would they reach us earlier if I made myself patrol further?'
These thoughts keep coming into his mind, making him almost unable to rest properly. This cost Victor today's mental condition, which isn't on par with yesterday's morning.
"I'm the same. I doubt that there will be people hoping that the monsters will attack every convoy taking this route. I would rather see those convoys that stop here only seek rest and food and not help." Hespar added his piece of thought to Victor's answer.
His answer made Victor grab another dried firewood to toss into the flame. At this moment, not saying anything might be the best answer for them.
"Still... I think there's something to be done. If you think of it, why would the merchant groups hire guards to accompany them on their way or family trying their luck to cross the border? Also... Why would the academy give out such a mission?"
"I think it wasn't for fun or just to test how good we are. Instead, the academy is testing us." Hespar's sentences suddenly make more sense than before. The way he's finding some clue in between even caught Victor's attention.
"Perhaps... The academy had known about this long ago. Maybe we're chosen to try tackling this problem because of our unique position..." more wild assumptions came into Hespar's mind the further he thought about it.
"Victor, get everyone one over! I have something to tell everyone!" Hespar's order sounded somewhat ridiculous since everyone had just returned to their station for less than an hour.
Luckily, everyone was into Hespar's whim as they gathered in less than five minutes after getting informed to group up.
"Everyone, I think what I'm going to say might sound ridiculous, but I hope you'll let me finish before casting your vote. And before I proceed, I would like Ashley to enlighten me a little."
"Do all the merchants and travelers hire guards to protect their carriage while traveling through the wilderness?" Hespar didn't give them any time to respond to his request. Instead of waiting for everyone to process his words, he began by questioning Ashley.
"Of course. Whether the journey is short or long, the risk of getting attacked by the monsters is real. As long as people could afford it, even the smallest carriage would hire around two guards."
"In fact, you can hardly see travelers like the second convoy, who travel without guards," Ashley concludes her answer to Hespar's question.
"Then... Why don't either country create something like an outpost in between? Doesn't the safety of people is significant to them?" Hespar continued.
"Leader... You might have not known, but who would willingly establish an outpost? The cost would definitely spell trouble to the one building it while annoying another by positioning more soldiers nearer the border."
"Let's set the cost aside. Who would control the outpost when it was done? And what kind of fee shall they demand as a road and sustaining fee? Would Fennis Empire be happy with the arrangement, or vice versa?" Ashley replied.
Her tone when replying to Hespar was also ruder than before. Ashley would possibly leave the group due to the ignorance shown by the group leader if she could decide.
"What if the people handle it themselves? Since there are multiple convoys to be expected in a single day, I'm sure most of them would like to have a gathering space to rest. The smaller groups can also benefit from the guards brought together." Hespar said.
"Ah... I know this. It's like the woodcutter's cabin concept. After building up the cabin together, everyone can use it." Rory interrupted. He's no stranger to this mentality. Even the hunters in the village had a shared hunter's hut with some spare equipment like traps, pebbles, and skinning tools.
"Still, who would even do that? This is wilderness, not some forest infested by small animals." Ashley said.
"That's the question the academy gave us. This is our actual task, not merely protecting the passing convoys." Hespar responded. His answer somehow makes sense to them, but the reality is still too harsh.
Making a suggestion is easy, but completing it was the most complicated part. Unlike building a cabin or hut with simple materials, establishing an outpost costs timbers, manpower, and protection.
Also, there are only two nights to go before their examination ends.
"If I give this a thought... I think it's possible." Victor interrupted. He was the first to buy Hespar's idea since it fits the sense of the contribution he's searching for.
"Me too. Construction material might be hard to get, but these won't be a problem to the son of a woodcutter," said Rory. He was the second person to support Hespar's suggestion. Furthermore, as someone that went forward to save the carriage yesterday, Rory had a fragment of the same dilemma as Victor does.
"Well, I'll be responsible for feeding them. I don't believe the people would mind helping us a little after getting fed. Also, I don't think everyone here wanted to eat wolf stew for all our meals, correct?" Paul chuckled.
"Hmm... I can provide some medical help, so I'm sure they'll need me either way. I have no objection about this." Selene nodded. Her gaze stays still at Hespar for a while, making everyone question what she still had to say.
"We're fine either way. Foraging, going out to scout and hunting. Just let us know what to do." Terry, Alex, and Sean said. They might have limited skills, but the trio was the most flexible bunch out of everyone here.
Only Ashley is yet to state her opinion regarding Hespar's decision. But with seven positive votes, it wouldn't matter even if she disagrees.
"All of you... Don't you know we're at the highway connecting two countries? As long we have the intention to make something for everyone's benefit, I doubt the merchants would be stingy with the building materials." she added after a sigh.
Although Ashley sounded uninterested, her remarks suggest she agrees with Hespar's decision.
"In that case... Let us start earlier than later! Terry, Alex, and Sean will delegate the work between informing the passerby, scouting, and helping Paul with food preparation." said Hespar.
"Roger that, leader!" the four with their names called responded.
"Victor, I'll rely on you and Rory to do as much as possible on the defense part. Please support Rory and see what he needs to start making some rampart for our defenses tonight." Hespar continued.
"Noted." the two nodded and started to talk by themselves about what to do next.
"Ashley and Selene shall be on standby until I find a convoy agreeing to rest in our camp." Hespar's attention then came to the two girls.
"We disagree. Are you looking down at us now, leader? In speaking with the merchants, I have more experience than you. The two of us should be approaching passing convoys instead and bringing them over to rest while sharing some resources." Ashley interrupted with a somewhat naughty tone.
"Yes." Selene nodded. Hespar can only agree to the two, unsure where she gets the confidence to agree to Ashley's word. The two soon left after hearing the noise made by a convoy not far from the camp.
"I guess... I have to look for something to do?"
...
...
...
About a quarter kilometer from where Hespar and others talked excitedly.
An Aura User was seen lazily resting on one of the taller branches of the tree.
After listening to what Hespar had just said with his group members, he chuckled. Additionally, he seemed to be wearing the attire that belonged to the teacher from the academy.
"This brat... Now even I am having some interest in him." the Aura User whispered in a tone only he could hear and flicked something further into the forest.
Then, something heavy fell. Lying on the floor is a dead Forest Orc Champion, an opponent that Hespar and his group could hardly go against right now.