Chapter 32
"...In other words, you're saying that because humans attacked the snow wolves, the snow wolves came to retaliate? Is that what you mean?"
Amid the tense atmosphere created by the twins' utterly freewheeling remarks, the twins continued to twirl and dance on horseback.
"I can't think of any other possibility."
"The fact that they didn't take the food is proof."
Even Sazaby had to admit it was somewhat shaky logic. As the queen had said, the wolves might simply have been driven off by the villagers, and there was still every possibility that they had been after food.
When Sazaby frankly said as much, the twins giggled.
"Sazaby, you're so refined."
"Food isn't only in the food storehouse, you know."
"The crops..." Sazaby began, then realized something. "Refined"? I see!
"People are meat, too..."
"That's right."
"They could have carried off a few pieces of meat in their mouths, or gorged themselves right here."
I see. To wolves, the villagers were food, too. Then they really had not been targeting food?
Distracted by the twins' words, Sazaby finally noticed that the queen and the rest of the Tsanadefor delegation had fallen strangely silent.
Everyone was staring sternly at the twins, but no one said a word.
"What is the matter?" If their anger at the twins' recklessness had left them speechless, what should be done?
However, when Sazaby questioned her, the queen remained silent.
"This is no time to take it easy."
"If we don't find the cause, it will happen again."
"...I may know what caused it."
The queen finally spoke.
"Queen Sapia, may I ask you something?"
Nizuhock, who had been watching the situation, finally stepped in.
"The snow wolves' beautiful white fur is secretly traded at a high price. But hunting snow wolves requires special permission. Permission from the reigning monarch, that is. And I have granted no such permission."
"In other words, poaching?"
"...Several generations before my time, people blinded by greed entered the mountains to hunt snow wolf pelts. They were found torn limb from limb, but if I recall correctly, there was a story that a pack of snow wolves attacked a human settlement around that time. Is that not so, Juveruno?"
"Yes. It is a very old story. I had shamefully forgotten it myself—or rather, because of the food shortage, I simply assumed that the snow wolves had been unable to endure their hunger."
"Do not be ashamed. I made the same mistake... But surely... No..."
The queen shook her head twice, then raised her brows with fierce resolve.
"Everyone! We are returning at once! It seems we need to properly investigate the situation! Some of you will remain in the village for a while and prepare for another attack!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The queen narrowed her eyes as she watched her subordinates swiftly begin making arrangements, then turned her gaze back toward the twins and Sazaby.
"...I am sorry to impose on you, but I would like you to accompany us as well. Especially you two."
"What?"
"What is it?"
"You may be as rude as you please. Say everything that comes to mind."
The queen's sharp gaze as she delivered those words was almost beastlike.
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A map of Tsanadefor had been spread across a room in the royal palace.
Reports of snow wolf sightings and their dates were being recorded there one after another.
"Looking at it this way... it almost seems as though the snow wolves were fleeing from something..."
At Juveruno's words, everyone present agreed one after another, saying, "Indeed." Even to Sazaby, it was clear that the sightings had gradually been moving south.
"And early yesterday, they were spotted near the border with Rudek..."
Juveruno marked a new circle on the map.
"Did they head north again from the border?"
As the queen suggested, if the snow wolves they had seen were the same pack, they had fled southwest, turned north, and attacked the village along the way.
"Then did they continue farther north, or did they head east?"
"North."
"Yes, north."
The twins stated it with certainty.
"Why do you think so?"
"They probably fled to make preparations."
"Maybe they moved their pups somewhere safe?"
"So they turned back after moving their pups somewhere safe?"
"That's right. Once they were ready, they attacked the village, too."
"It was just a stop along the way—a reprisal and a warning."
"Then... are there poachers where the snow wolves are headed?"
"Probably."
"Their movements show no hesitation."
At that point, Sazaby asked a question that had suddenly come to mind.
"Even though Tsanadefor has many mountains, it isn't a small country. How can they find their way without hesitation...?"
"How should we know?"
"But they probably know."
Hearing the twins' words, the queen made her decision.
"Very well. Yuizest, Mayzest, I will place soldiers under your command. Track the snow wolves as you see fit. Can you do it?"
"We can."
"Who are you asking?"
"Very well. I am counting on you. Langet and Kiries, assist the twins. And Juveruno, quickly find out whether there are merchants who might buy the pelts from the poachers, or anyone connected to them. Be a little forceful if necessary."
"Understood. At once."
"As for the rest of you, gather information and arrange for every town and village to remain vigilant. Is that clear!"
At the queen's command, everyone sprang into action.