Helping with Adventurer Party Management - Chapter 312

The baron’s next request is to draw a living man-eating giant ogre.

“A man-eating giant ogre, you say…” I hesitate in responding.

Standing nearly three meters tall, the ogre possesses physical strength far surpassing that of a human, capable of swinging weapons like clubs with ease. One ogre alone is more than a match for a swarm of goblins, and they are troublesome in that they sometimes travel alone, or other times in small groups.

Among adventurers, it’s said that if a party can hunt a man-eating giant, they’re considered to have entered the ranks of elite adventurers. I know my own abilities well, and during my five years as an adventurer, I have never taken down a man-eating giant. However, the party of former companions who foolishly accepted a request to fight one was wiped out. That’s how dangerous these creatures are.

For the Sword Fangs Legion, hunting a man-eating giant isn’t considered a difficult task. Once a nest is found, the creature can be lured in, struck with a volley of crossbow bolts, and then crushed by spearmen, finishing it off. It’s the kind of task they’ve succeeded in many times before.

However, the baron wants to capture one alive.

Just like the goblins and magic wolves from the previous expedition, he intends to observe the creature’s behavior while it’s still alive and then, after killing it quietly, dissect it.

Could such a thing even be possible?

Even if they fall into a trap, with their height and strength, the ogre would likely be able to climb out. With the immense power to crush logs in its grip, restraining it with chains would be difficult, if not impossible. And how exactly would we even neutralize it?

As I turn my gaze to Jilboa, he responds without missing a beat.

“We would need to discuss this with the equipment developers, but if we have some preparation time, it’s certainly possible.” He doesn’t give an immediate answer but nods firmly.

“Really? It’s possible? Then when can we do it? Next week? Next month?” the baron asks, raising both fists in excitement, almost leaping with joy.

“First, please wait three months,” Jilboa says, gently halting the Baron’s enthusiasm.

“Why three months? Why does it take so long?” The Baron raises his voice, frustrated that his precious opportunity might be delayed.

Jilboa remains polite, but explains without flinching.

“First, we need to figure out how to capture the man-eating giant alive. We’ll likely need to develop a special poison, special arrowheads, and new traps. I’ll need two months just for that. After that, we’ll need to test everything on an actual man-eating ogre to measure its effectiveness and make improvements if necessary. That will take another month. But it’s necessary,” Jilboa replies calmly. “Otherwise, people will get hurt.”

“Isn’t getting hurt just part of an adventurer’s job?” The Baron can’t let it go.

Jilboa doesn’t waver. “If it’s necessary. My members are my hands and feet, but so is my body. I can’t let them get hurt unnecessarily. And if someone does get injured because we weren’t properly prepared, it won’t just be a member of the group—it could be others.”

Hearing this, the Baron seems to realize the wisdom in Jilboa’s words and stops pressing the matter further.