blueteamnovel Chapter 99
Chapter 99
99. When You Understand Someone, It’s Nice, Isn’t It?
That night, we took turns patrolling the carriage where Kyle and Myrna were sleeping, but nothing happened.
As morning came, the camp began to bustle with activity.
Leafan and Marilyn were preparing meals for the soldiers.
The menu included porridge, which could be made in large quantities.
Rice is the next most common grain after wheat. It is especially suited for large group meals like this, making it a staple for the military.
Of course, adventurers often rely on it too.
Carrying bread for this many people would be a hassle. Rice doesn’t spoil as easily compared to bread.
If we can cultivate this vast marshland, we should be able to harvest an enormous amount of rice.
Though we are prioritizing Zaid’s rescue, I remember that securing this marshland was our original goal.
We also want to quickly build a new village for the Lizardmen.
The Kingdom of Maugalia has a relatively abundant food supply, but it’s not lavish.
Thanks to the ongoing mass production of craft wheat at Golden Dawn (tears), a considerable amount of wheat is circulating, but it’s still a bit short of feeding the entire kingdom’s population.
However, if we succeed in cultivating this area, the kingdom’s food situation will greatly improve, people’s lives will get better, the economy will develop, and humanity will gain some breathing room.
If that happens, it will be a big step toward humanity’s dream of expanding our living space.
That’s why eliminating the monsters in this marshland is a top priority.
The soldiers understand this well. Their morale is extremely high.
As I watched the soldiers happily eating breakfast, Kyle emerged from the carriage.
“Good morning, Craft-niisama.”
“Oh, good morning.”
Myrna, who was clinging to Kyle, greeted me in a barely audible voice.
“...Morning.”
“Oh, good morning. Did you sleep well?”
“...Yeah.”
Myrna nodded slightly.
I see. I thought it would be hard to sleep in this environment, but she seemed fine.
Wait a minute. Myrna has been participating in this pioneering from the beginning. Even the carriage journey to the old Golden Dawn must have been a tremendous hardship for a noble child.
But now that I think about it, Myrna has never complained significantly.
Maybe, despite her appearance and demeanor, she has a surprisingly strong... no, a stubborn personality.
As I pondered this, I realized I was staring at Myrna. She blushed a little and looked away.
I was being rude to a lady.
“Nii-sama I’m going to patrol the camp, so please take care of Myrna while I’m gone.”
“Sure, leave it to me.”
“Myrna, behave yourself and wait with Craft-niisama while having breakfast, okay?”
“...Yeah.”
Myrna nodded slightly at Kyle’s gentle admonition.
“Aren’t you going to eat?”
“I already did.”
Kyle smiled warmly and left with Alphard, Van, Leafan, and Jabir-sensei.
Left to guard Myrna were me, the three Casper sisters, and Jitaro.
I had the early shift last night, so I decided to have a slightly late breakfast.
With Myrna.
Most of the soldiers had finished breakfast, so Maina and I moved to a corner to eat without getting in the way of cleanup.
I was eating a mountain of porridge, but Myrna only ate about half a bowl.
I always wonder how she can function on such a small amount.
“Is it good?”
“Yeah.”
“If the cultivation of this marshland goes well, everyone in the country will be able to eat this rice to their heart’s content.”
“Ugh... that’s...”
“It’s meaningful because we’re doing what Kyle couldn’t! Move forward!”
The captain closed his eyes and then slowly opened them.
“Understood. Everyone, advance!”
Thus, we headed towards the center of the marsh.
As the captain predicted, the Hydra’s appearances increased significantly.
Additionally, fog began to set in, worsening visibility.
Eventually, we encountered a particularly powerful group of Hydras, putting the soldiers in a tight spot.
(Good. Just as planned.)
I dramatically stepped in front of the struggling soldiers, flipping my cape.
“Zaid-sama!? You mustn’t go ahead!”
The captain screamed, but I ignored him and drew the famed sword given to me by my father.
“Do not falter! My elite soldiers! Stand firm! Grip your swords! Ready your spears! For I am here!”
The magical glow beautifully traced my perfect sword strokes.
“O-Oh!”
“Zaid-sama!”
I struck the Hydra, but as expected, it wasn’t felled in one blow.
I followed up with a second and third strike.
Hmph. The sword instructor said my style wouldn’t work on monsters, but it does.
Or maybe I just have talent!
The captain was muttering to himself, but I couldn’t hear him over the battle noise.
(I must resolve myself. If Zaid-sama refuses to retreat, I must protect him at all costs! If he were to die, what would happen to my family! If I were to desert, my entire family might be executed! At the very least, I must die honorably to protect them!)
As I enjoyed swinging my sword, the captain kept getting knocked away.
He’d been getting in my way earlier, so it’s no problem.
The captain continued to mutter to himself.
(Damn! Zaid-sama’s partial strength is troublesome! He’s stronger than me, so he keeps pushing ahead alone! But he’s not strong enough to defeat Hydras solo! I must protect him at all costs!)
Each time the captain was thrown, he healed himself with a potion and reappeared in my sight.
I was about to complain, but we finished off the Hydra group first.
The soldiers stared at me in amazement.
Ah, I see.
That’s the look of respect.
“How about that! With me wielding a sword, there’s nothing to fear!”
Silence.
Everyone just stood there with their mouths agape.
What is it?
Are they too moved to speak?
Then the captain stepped forward.
His expression showed resolve.
“Listen! What are we!? We are soldiers sworn to serve Zaid-sama!”
The captain’s declaration caused tension among the soldiers.
“We are the proud soldiers of Zaid-sama! What is our honor!? To protect Zaid-sama! To become Zaid-sama’s sword!”
Well, he’s saying good things.
“From now on, we will engage in an honorable battle with Zaid-sama! Ready yourselves, men!”
All the soldiers’ faces changed to ones of determination.
“Let’s go! For the sake of returning alive!”
Hmph. They should’ve been this motivated from the start.
So, leading the now high-morale soldiers, I stepped into the center of the marsh...
And that was a mistake.