The subjugation of the Crazy Apes was over, and I had successfully secured the site for our new base.
Once the fires had died down, I inspected the location of the former nest. Among the debris, I discovered several sets of human bones, clearly distinct from those of the monkeys.
"They must be the remains of adventurers caught and eaten by the apes... How gruesome."
The bones had been tossed aside like garbage; though blackened with soot, they were devoid of any lingering flesh or skin. The fire hadn't done this—the monsters had picked them clean until nothing remained but bleached skeletons.
"Humans don't even have much meat on them... These creatures truly were indiscriminate."
Staring at the heap of human remains, any lingering trace of sympathy I felt for the Crazy Apes evaporated. We had massacred them, yes, but it was undoubtedly the right choice. Had I been half-hearted in the extermination, the stragglers would have simply fled to another region to prey on more people. It felt cruel, but it had been a necessity.
"There's no way to identify them; their belongings are gone. Eventually, I’ll build a temple on this spot and erect a memorial."
"I think that’s a wonderful idea," Primula said, her face clouded with sorrow as she nodded in agreement. "I’m sure their souls will find peace."
I swept the area with [Life Search] one last time. There were no signs of life; we had wiped them out to the last monkey.
"Rest, I’ve finished checking the perimeter," Viola called out as she and Yuri rejoined us. "Just as we thought, this location is perfect for a base."
"The site is vast," Yuri added. "There's a reliable water source nearby, and the soil is rich. We could easily establish a major town here."
The land was nearly perfect. It was spacious, strategically located near the Marquis Rosemary Territory, and with a proper road network, it could become a hub for trade and travel.
"We’ll need to erect anti-monster barriers and grade the roads... but first, we need a proper survey. We’ll need architects and urban planners. Can the Marquis Rosemary House provide them?"
"Of course," Viola declared, puffing out her chest with pride. "The Marquis Rosemary House will provide you with the finest architects in the kingdom."
She looked out over the scorched earth with a confident smile.
"There is absolutely nothing here right now—but that is our greatest advantage. We have a blank slate to build our ideal base from the ground up."
"I agree," I said. "Sometimes, having nothing is the greatest benefit of all."
If a village had already existed here, we would have been forced to design around existing homes and fields. Instead, we were free to realize our ideal vision for a town without compromise.
"So, what kind of town should we create?" Primula asked, her eyes brightening with interest. "I think the Lord’s Mansion should sit on that high ground over there."
"If the temple is here, the market should be opposite it... though, considering the layout for the canal, the residential district might be better suited for that side," Viola mused.
"Don't forget the training grounds for the soldiers," Yuri chimed in. "It’s best to keep them close to the mansion for oversight, don't you think?"
Viola, Primula, and Yuri all began voicing their suggestions. Since this was a town where they would likely spend much of their time, I wanted to incorporate as many of their ideas as possible.
"Rest, do you have any specific requests?" Viola asked.
"Actually, I’ve been giving it some thought."
"Oh? Tell us."
"Well, I don't know if it's feasible, but..."
I began to explain the concept for the town that I had been developing. Standing amidst the charred remains of the nest, surrounded by the lingering scent of soot and smoke, the four of us spoke of our hopes for the future. Our excitement for what was to come seemed to chase away the somber shadow of the massacre we had just left behind.