After two days, Hanna had become completely accustomed to Mint, and was now able to gallop with the limiter released.

Speaking of Jin, because it would be too hard to make one Golem for each house, he created 5 communal Horse Golems. At that time, there wasnt enough materials from mining, but thanks to Jins exclusive Horse Golem Koma, he finished it all in a day needless to say.

Jin, this horse is great

Its good that we dont have to feed them

Wow, more than that, their strength is really powerful. Also rather than a normal horse, there are 5 of these

In any case, the reputation of the Horse Golems was good. By the way, their names are EinZweiDreiQuatreCinq. 1, 2 and 3 in German. And 4 and 5 in French.

Jins naming sense seemed to be particular about 3 characters lets not say anymore about it.

Rock and the others came back. In a week of mountain hunting, they literally brought back a mountain of game. Of course, Gen was carrying it.

Welcome back, Dear.

Welcome back Tou-chan

You guys, welcome back. Did you get hurt?

Ou, Im back. Mario, did you grow a little taller?

Youre a fool Dear, he wouldnt change in just a week

For the first time in a week, the families happily welcomed them back. And they then left the luggage, immediately going to the hot springs to wash away sweat and dirt.

That night they had a large feast of meat. People gathered to Rocks house and he told them his stories. Of course Jin was also invited.

Jeez, we sure caught a lot. After going down to the bottom of the valley and waiting, a herd of mountain deer came. It was pretty simple to shoot them. The difficult part was skinning the leather and removing the organs

Didnt any dangerous beasts come out?

Aa. Only once, a forest bear had come, but it went back after filling itself from eating some mackerel

Although grilled meat with a bit of salt was a simple thing, the meat was still exceptional after one week had passed.

If theres this much dried meat, its plenty enough to last one winter

Wouldnt smoking it be good too?

When Jin suggested that,

Smoking? What is that?

he was asked back.

Smoking is where you burn wood chips, and then use the smoke from it to dry the meat

Hou, is that also a method from Jins hometown?

You could say that

Isnt it fine? We have plenty of meat, so lets try that smoking

So they immediately tried it out the next day. Using the Kueri Tree they cut down from the forest of trees. He had heard that when Spring comes, this tree turns into a white flower blooming tree, Is this tree like a sakura tree? Jin had thought and decided to test it with this tree.

The result.

It turned out well.

Originally the method of smoking wasnt to difficult in itself. Because the concept was just burning wood for smoke rather than a flame, then using the heat and smoke to dry the meat.

Having rubbed the smoked meat in salt, they ate the meat right there.

This is delicious. It makes me want to drink some alcohol

You drank plenty yesterday, so no you dont!

Such an argument was exchanged and most of the meat was smoked.

In the crowd, Rock was only one with a glum look. Having noticed it, Jin approached Rock and called out to him.

Rock-san, what are you brooding about?

Jin huh? I had a bad feeling for how much mountain deer we caught, I was thinking about that

So, did you think of anything?

Aa. I thought of several things

Thereupon Jin gave him some advice.

At these times, if you let someone hear it, then therell be more ideas to settle it

I see. Then, can I have you listen?

Whats wrong?

There Yang who went together mountain hunting came over, Rock began speaking to the two.

I was thinking about the reason for why those guys were on the verge of moving, first, a problem with food

Thats true, if theres nothing left to eat then theyll move to search for some

Yang nodded.

Second, when theyre being pursued by an enemy. That would be a pack of Rock Wolf

Certainly, they would run away from their natural enemy

Jin also agreed with the reason.

Third. For a herd of mountain deer, in the case the herd grows too big, a young deer would make another herd, and they would separate to live

However, from all of this times game, there was no young deer

Yang presented a problem with this idea.

Aa, thats right. That may happen sometimes by chance, however the most likely one would probably be being pursued by an enemy

Is the possibility for food low?

Jin asked Rock who nodded,

Aa. From the feeling of what we saw, snow hasnt appeared in the remote mountains where the mountain deer are yet, and the greenery has yet to change from the usual. I wouldnt think its a shortage of food

Which would mean

It would mean that something, some beast were pursuing them.

Then, Rock leaned forward,

We can somehow manage mountain deer, but a Rock Wolf is troublesome. Theyre nocturnal and their attacks in packs are difficult

Jin,

Have any Rock Wolves attacked the village before?

tried to ask. And Rock shook his head,

No, I havent heard of it since I was born. However, it happened once in my grandfathers time

I see

Folding his arms, Jin pondered. Rock,

Therefore, because I cant decide what to do, I was thinking about talking to everyone to come up with something

Aniki, then shouldnt we send out a scout to see?

Yang said.

Scouting huh? That would be right. This time we will need to go much farther back and see. Yang, you say some good things once a year

Chie, that doesnt sound like a compliment

Well then, we should tell the village chief about this

Jin said, and Rock nodded,

Well lets do that

That night, a discussion was held at the village chiefs home, they were deciding who to send from the village for reconnaissance. For preparing a countermeasure of the dangers, Jin placed his opinion in.

Of course, the plan included the Horse Golems Jin made.

It was decided both Rock and Yang would use the Horse Golem for scouting. Departure was in 2 days. In that time, the two would get used to maneuvering the Horse Golem.

And the next day, the two practised.

O-Owaaa!

Using the accelerator too much, the Horse Golem reared up and shook him off.

Gyaaa

He was thrown forward after suddenly stopping from a gallop.

But though they were covered in wounds, they were both able to master maneuvering a Horse Golem in a day.

Well then, Ill be going

Dear, a-a-absolutely dont act recklessly!

Tou-chan, be careful

The atmosphere was more tense than the last mountain hunt, the two Scouts rode the Horse Golems Ein and Zwei, and headed off to the mountain.