Chapter 22: Protect the Township
Any experienced knight noticed that the number of monsters appearing in those days was higher than ever before.
Knights of ancient times would track monster movement by where the dragons migrated. Monsters always ran away from larger threats. Unfortunately, since dragons were a thing of the past and hadn't been seen for nearly a century, all they knew to do was cull the monsters.
As long as they kept culling them, they could guarantee fewer accidents. With fewer accidents, the people could continue to trust that the knights would protect them.
That's why, each time there was another monster sighting so close to a township, especially the ones so far from the mountains, people began to question what the knights were doing. What steps was the Duke taking to ensure the borders were protected?
Were there enough men willing to be knights anymore?
What many didn't see was Duke Arlin sending knights out in pairs across the entire duchy. Tenetium was never unprotected. However, it was suggested that he might need to try a different approach to manage the monster issue. Something was changing that the older knights couldn't quite put their finger on.
Sure enough, the apprentices and knights visiting the blacksmith ran to the outskirts of town. They went towards where people were running away from with their weapons ready.
Without a doubt, there were goblins disturbing farmlands on the outskirts of the township.
The wiry-haired monsters with their faintly green skin and drooling mouths ran through the fields clumsily, taking advantage of the harvest season that was merely a few short weeks away. However, for the people of the township, they needed every bit of food they could get. A town ill prepared for a harsh Chemoian winter was a town that would be wiped off the face of the map.