Helping with Adventurer Party Management - Chapter 303

While we analyze the scene, we receive a report from the team searching for the goblin nest—they’ve found it. As expected from a first-class adventurer clan, they work quickly.

“We were once ambushed by a giant man-eating ogre in the forest. Since then, we’ve been trained to search and remain vigilant,” Jilboa, the commander, explains.

“The nest is surrounded, so there’s no worry about the goblins escaping. We can either bring the Baron here or take him with us. We’ll act as guards and guarantee the Baron’s safety either way. What do you want to do, Baron?” Jilboa asks, though I already know what the Baron will say.

“Of course, we’re going! I want to observe the nest as well!” the Baron declares.

Well, that’s to be expected.

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It’s not entirely clear how monsters like goblins come into existence. Some say they form from the corruption of the land, while others believe they reproduce, much like animals. There are even more outlandish theories, such as the notion that they are summoned by evil gods who oppose the world’s deities.

One common belief about monsters is the idea that eating their flesh can turn a person into a monster. If you can eat them, you’re an animal, but if you can’t, you become a monster.

As we walk toward the nest, the Baron and I discuss the theories about how monsters are born, which are widely known in this world.

“But in fact, there are records of people eating monster flesh,” the Baron remarks.

“Is that so?” I ask, surprised.

“Yes. In villages struck by famine or cities besieged and isolated by swarms of monsters, in extreme situations, some people eat monster flesh because they consider it better than starving to death. It’s not unheard of,” the Baron explains.

“I see. That seems plausible,” I respond.

Food scarcity is a serious issue in this world. Due to the failure to completely eradicate monsters, it’s difficult to open up large-scale farmlands. Additionally, the distribution network connecting regions is poor, and there’s no efficient division of labor for economical and effective production.

In such circumstances, the balance of supply and demand for food is often disrupted by monster attacks. When starving, choosing to eat what’s in front of you rather than adhering to taboos is a natural human response.

Why do people avoid eating monster meat? While I’m curious about this, I’ve never tested it myself, so I’m very interested in any records on the matter.

“So, what happened? What does the record say?” I ask.

“The villages and cities that ate monster flesh eventually destroyed themselves through internal strife. It’s unclear whether this was due to the effects of the monster meat or the result of internal strife caused by hunger,” the Baron replies.

“I see…” I mutter.

Whether there’s a chemical substance in monster meat that causes such effects or if there’s something magical or cursed at play in this world, I can’t analyze it myself. After all, I’m not about to conduct human experiments.

Lost in thought, I’m about to suggest, “We could have an animal eat monster flesh…” but I quickly hear the Baron mutter something similar and hastily stop myself from continuing.