Rat Tide

A Rat Tide is a phenomenon where many, many rat-kin emerge to forage.

Therefore, when talking about a Rat Tide, we must first introduce the rat-kin race.

Firstly, rat-kin belong to the Chaos races, but even among the various Chaos races, which are overrun by demons and monsters, rat-kin are the most despicable, greedy, and insane group.

For the forces of Order, they usually classify rat-kin as a type of Beastmen, which clearly shows a lack of understanding of rat-kin.

Rat-kin have their own social structure, their own language, and their own civilization; they are an independent race.

However, for the Demon Race, rat-kin are a disaster.

These magical beasts, with their extremely strong reproductive capabilities and incredibly fast metabolisms, are perpetually tormented by hunger; they live underground and are constantly thinking about plundering everything on the surface.

However, before they can extend their claws to the surface, they must first survive the mouths of their brothers and sisters born alongside them.

Eating others, or being eaten by others, is the first lesson all rat-kin must learn at birth.

Failure means immediate restart.

Each female rat-kin can give birth to about twenty rat-kin pups per litter, and the fastest can produce a litter in just three months.

Coupled with the rat-kin's physiological structure, which makes them extremely prone to hunger, after a period of time, the number of rat-kin will increase to the point where there isn't enough food.

Whenever this happens, the rat-kin warlords who control large numbers of rat-kin will release the excess rats onto the surface, allowing them to plunder at will.

It doesn't hurt to lose them anyway, and every little bit they snatch is a gain.

Dead rats can also serve as food for other rats, making it a profitable venture.

And this phenomenon of rat-kin swarming out in large numbers is called a Rat Tide.

Rat Tides never pick targets; they will use everything edible they see as food, so even for the Demon Race and various magical beasts, it is a devastating disaster.

This must be the reason why Fatty Tiger and the Kobold tribe he led had no choice but to flee all the way to the Cloudy Mountain Range and enter the lifeless Black Earth in search of food.

However, things are now starting to grow in the Black Earth too.

The only way to get through a Rat Tide is to eliminate enough rats.

Rat-kin are a very timid race; once they realize they can also die, the courage bolstered by their massive numbers will immediately dissipate, and the entire force will collapse into disarray.

Therefore, whether it's the Demon Race or the Human Race, the way to deal with a Rat Tide is to hold fast in the cities and Towns.

As for those magical beasts and Beastmen who cannot establish cities, they either have to be strong enough to repel all the rats and eat their fill, or they can only run.

But the question Caelan was thinking was...

“Will there be a Rat Tide here too?” he asked Gregg.

Caelan had not seen any related records in the Previous Demon King's notes, and he didn't know if Rat Tides simply didn't affect this area, or if any that came were repelled by the Previous Demon King.

Gregg's slightly youthful face showed a serious expression: “There have been a few times in history, and the scale was not large... But according to news from traveling merchants, it seems this time will be much more severe than before.”

“Oh.”

Caelan nodded, saying nothing more.

In such a remote Town, it was probably impossible to get any specific information.

Normally, rat-kin would usually attack large Towns with larger populations; once the walls are breached, the inside is like an open can of food, free for the taking.

In a small place like this, where the nearest Town is two days away, there generally wouldn't be many rats coming.

But judging by the Town's state of high alert, it wouldn't be easy either.

Moreover, if the Rat Tide were to spread here, then the Demon King's City might also be affected.

During a Rat Tide, rats move in the tens of millions; even a small tributary would be something that the mere dozens of Kobolds in the castle couldn't handle.

For Caelan, the best solution would probably be to close the castle gates and wait for the Rat Tide to end.

The only problem is, he's afraid those rats might be stubborn and insist on entering if they see a castle here.

“I still need to find a way to make some preparations...”

The “preparations” Caelan was thinking of involved strengthening the castle's defenses as much as possible during this period.

Due to the Rat Tide, a large number of magical beasts have been driven into the Cloudy Mountain Range; if these magical beasts could all be recorded in the compendium, there would be a greater chance of success against the rats.

However, these magical beasts are here to seek refuge, so finding them won't be easy... And it wouldn't be worth the effort if he only caught a few Kobolds or similar creatures.

As Caelan was troubled, his gaze fell upon the bulletin board in the village.

...

Meanwhile, in a certain forest.

It was nighttime.

Melodious music echoed through the camp, and by the burning firelight, a young man with golden hair and a small mustache was strumming a stringed instrument, singing a poem in a warbling voice.

Beside him sat three other people dressed as Adventurers.

“...Stop singing, Violet!”

The burly man among them, with a large axe beside him, finally couldn't stand it anymore and shouted loudly.

“If you keep singing, you’ll attract the rats!”

The golden-haired man immediately stopped, raised an eyebrow, and said cheerfully: “Oh, Micah, do you not like this ‘Ode to Heroes’? I can change it for you...”

“That’s not the point!”

The man called “Micah” glared at Violet and shouted: “You can’t just stand in the back and sing during every battle!”

“But I am a Bard, Micah.” Violet maintained a relaxed expression, smiling as he said, “And I can help you with spells!”

Another person couldn't help but interrupt him: “But your spells are useless!”

“How can that be? I can...”

“And you still take an equal share of our money!”

“If you think I take too much, I can take less...”

“This isn’t about money!”

Violet looked surprised, and just as he was about to say something, the last remaining person spoke.

“Alright, Micah, Stan, stop talking. There’s still tomorrow’s business; get some rest early.”

He stood up and walked towards the tent.

Hearing someone speak up for him, Violet followed with a joyful expression: “Indeed, Scott, you are truly my best friend!”

“Hmm, stop talking, sleep.”

Scott merely nodded expressionlessly and slipped into the tent. Violet also returned to his bed and slept soundly.

The next day.

Violet woke from his sleep and looked around blankly at the empty surroundings.

The campfire was out, and all his personal belongings had disappeared.

“...Where are they?”