Shota's Isekai NTR Adventure Chapter 1964: Different biomes (2)

None of the flora here piqued our interest, as there was simply nothing to be gained from harvesting them.

In our eyes, the materials obtainable from these plants were merely common items.

This indifference stemmed from my position as the sovereign of a nation that had risen to become one of the human race's four great empires. My companions were the royal guards tasked with my protection, meaning the resources provided for their Cultivation and training were of an extraordinary caliber.

The wealth and supplies we could access far surpassed anything found in this spot.

Consequently, the sight of these plants failed to entice us in the slightest.

Furthermore, we were well aware that causing any sort of disturbance would undoubtedly draw unwanted attention.

It was not a wise move to be discovered in a location such as this.

Thus, we chose to push forward.

However, we didn't depart immediately; I permitted Klein and the royal guards to scout the vicinity for additional signs. I had no objections to them searching for more tracks, as it provided an opportunity to better understand this environment.

It wasn't long before they identified a fresh trail for us to pursue.

This particular group had passed nearby but had ventured further into the heart of Death Valley.

As we followed these markings, the landscape began to transform. The surrounding greenery gradually withered away, replaced by an expanse of yellow sand.

This matched the descriptions given to me by other mercenaries.

The area shifted from a place teeming with life to one utterly dominated by death.

The region appeared devoid of essentials like water or vegetation that could support living beings. Yet, upon closer inspection, one could still detect faint remnants of life.

It is, after all, nearly impossible to completely eradicate life from any corner of the world.

Life is persistent and always finds a path to endure; such is the adaptability of living creatures in this realm.

Nevertheless, it was clear that surviving here required an immense struggle.

Initially, there seemed to be nothing of value that would justify anyone visiting this wasteland.

That perception changed once Klein and the others made a discovery.

This was unlike the oasis where they had gathered mana-infused vegetation.

Only the most cunning or ferocious beasts could survive in this terrain. This implied that such creatures possessed unique traits or materials that others lacked.

This made them significantly more precious than the standard fauna found elsewhere.

The true profit in this region lay in the capture and sale of these rare beasts.

If capturing them alive proved impossible, hunters would instead slay them to harvest their valuable parts for trade.

The presence of traps scattered throughout the area made this objective quite evident.

These devices were indiscriminate, designed to lethally strike both man and beast alike should they stumble into them.

Their lethality was enhanced by their ruthless placement, hidden deep beneath the shifting sands.

Without the expert tracking skills possessed by Klein and the royal guards, these subterranean traps would have remained undetected.

It seemed these mercenaries were indifferent to who they harmed, so long as their profits were secured...

"Leave them be. This is simply the way of things in a place like this."

When Klein and the others inquired if we should dismantle the traps, I decided against interfering.

Destroying them would only result in making unnecessary enemies.

Since the duration of our stay was uncertain, provoking local factions was not a strategic move. Staying low-profile while we investigated was the better path.

If we chose to deal with them, there would be plenty of time to do so later.

Despite my orders, I could sense the disdain Klein and the guards felt toward those mercenaries.

I shared their sentiment, especially after seeing the various bones littering the bottom of the pits.

These traps were crudely made and intended to kill anything that fell inside. This was proven by the human remains resting at the bottom.

Whatever belongings those victims once had had been looted by the trap setters, leaving only skeletons behind.

It was obvious we were dealing with wicked individuals.

Mercenaries often blurred the line into banditry if the coin was sufficient.

Regardless, now was not the moment for a confrontation.

As we moved on, I instructed Klein, "Record what you have observed; we will handle it in due time. We have a solid lead on their identity, so arresting them later will be a simple matter."

Klein gave a slow, understanding nod, though his expression suggested he still wished to take immediate action.

I remained silent, though I didn't mind the idea of letting him lead the charge when the time came.

The town bordering Death Valley was under the jurisdiction of a minor kingdom within the racial alliance.

By revealing our true status, it would be easy to compel them to take action against these mercenaries.

Participating in a mission to eradicate them would also be straightforward for us.

However, it likely wouldn't be entirely simple.

Mercenaries only act with such blatant cruelty when they possess some form of protection.

More often than not, this indicated that a noble was pulling the strings from the shadows.