Day 4,558

We had our first casualties this morning.

It was not even due to an attack, but because of ignorance, and our own lack of information about this dangerous territory.

A scouting party had been sent to act as our vanguard on our way to another valley. General Adren did not want to remain complacent, something we Slayers agree. It's been three days now, and the only monsters we've seen were the Vrakadi. Something is bound to test our strength sooner or later.

The scout party consisted of ten members divided into two groups, and they set out early in the morning. It was supposed to be an easy mission, and we never doubted their return.

By late afternoon, not one of them had reported. Our force grew wary, but we forged onward, assuming they were simply late.

By the time the sun had almost set, we found their cold bodies near a river. Preliminary investigation revealed traces of poison in their bloodstream, but there were no wounds to suggest an attack, and the ground was a barren soil. However, we found half-eaten strange fishes in the small camp, and we deduced that they were the culprits. The party must have gotten hungry at some point, and decided to fish in the river.

We alerted the whole camp this dinner and forbade them from hunting for any food unless necessary. We still don’t know about the creatures living here, and it is best to be safe.

After all, it’s only been three days since we left Arlonia. It would be a terrible shame if we all die just because we could not resist food that this land offers in plenty.