The subjugation of the Crazy Apes was complete, and they had secured the location that would serve as their base.
Once the fires had died down, they went to investigate where the Crazy Apes' nest had been and found multiple human skeletons there — ones that clearly didn't belong to apes.
"Adventurers who were caught and devoured by the apes, I'd imagine... What a horrible sight."
The human bones were scattered about like garbage, blackened with soot, with no trace of flesh or skin remaining. They hadn't been burned in the fire — they'd been licked clean down to the bone, left as nothing but bare white skeletons.
"Humans don't even have that much meat on them... They really are indiscriminate in what they kill."
Seeing the countless human bones, whatever last shred of sympathy Rest had felt toward the Crazy Apes — creatures that had carried out one-sided massacres — evaporated entirely. In the end, wiping them all out had been the right call.
If they had only done a half-hearted job, the Crazy Apes that escaped would have gone on attacking and devouring people somewhere else.
He knew it had been a cruel thing to do, but... it had been necessary after all.
"These bones... there's nothing here that would let us identify who they were or what status they held. We won't be able to determine whose they are. Perhaps we should build a temple here eventually and erect a memorial stone."
"Yes... I think that would help bring them peace."
Primula, who had been standing beside him with a somber expression, nodded at Rest's words.
He scanned the surroundings with presence detection, but there were no remaining Crazy Apes to be found. They had managed to exterminate every last one.
"Rest, I checked out the surroundings, and... this really does seem like an ideal spot to build a base."
"There's plenty of space. There's a water source nearby, and the soil is rich. If we set up here, we could build a proper town."
Viola and Yuri, who had been scouting the area, rejoined the group.
Were it not for the existence of monsters like the Crazy Apes, this land would have been perfectly suited for building a town.
The land was spacious enough. It was conveniently located, not far from the Marquisate of Rosemary, and if they developed the roads, they could establish a steady flow of people and goods.
"We'll set up a barrier to ward off monsters, develop the land and the roads... Oh, right. Before any of that, we'll need to have the land surveyed first. We'll need a town design too — weren't the specialists going to be arranged on your end?"
"Of course. House Rosemary will provide the finest architects."
Viola puffed out her chest and declared with unshaking confidence.
"There's nothing here at all... but that's exactly why we can build our ideal base from scratch. That's the biggest advantage, isn't it?"
"Yeah, I think so too. Sometimes having nothing to work with can actually be an advantage."
Rest agreed with Viola's words.
If a settlement had already been built here, they would have had to design the town around the existing homes and farmland.
But having nothing meant they were free to build the ideal town however they pleased.
"So what kind of town should we build? For starters... how about placing the lord's manor up on that relatively high ground?"
"We could build the temple here, and put the market on that side... no, actually, if we consider the irrigation channels, the commercial district would probably be better on that side."
"We'll need a training ground for the soldiers too. Wouldn't it be better to keep it close to the lord's estate?"
Viola, Primula, and Yuri each chimed in with their opinions.
This would be the town they would all be living in. He would try to incorporate as much of their input as possible.
"Rest, do you have any ideas of your own?"
"Well, actually... there is one thing I've been thinking about."
"Oh, really? Would you share it with us?"
"Sure... I'm not sure if it's feasible, but here's the idea..."
Rest told the three of them about the town plan he had been turning over in his mind.
In the charred remains of the monster's nest, still reeking of soot and smoke, the four of them spoke of their vision for the future as though blowing away the darkness around them.