“There is one more report, My Lord.”
“Alright, let’s hear it first.”
Jin was already looking as though he was about to start crafting the magic tool for the Dig spell, but Laojun continued before he could begin.
“Understood. Regarding the synthesis of magi-crystals...”
“Sorry, Laojun. Save that for when everyone is gathered.”
“Understood.”
Stearena, Saki, and Reinhard. Jin felt that new knowledge should be shared with everyone at once.
First, he set to work on the Dig magic tool.
It wasn't a particularly difficult process. It only required writing the magi-formula into an earth-attribute magi-crystal.
The work itself took less than five minutes.
“My Lord, thank you very much.”
“With this, you should be able to produce the same magic tool yourself, Laojun. I’m counting on you.”
“Yes, please leave it to me.”
Laojun dispatched Laozi to receive the Dig magic tool from Jin’s hand.
“...My Lord, a report has just come in from Deneb 4, the Quinta unit in Toka Village.”
He had more news to deliver.
“Hm? What happened?”
“Yes. It seems the nine soldiers stationed in Toka Village are being recalled to the royal capital.”
The reason soldiers had been stationed in a remote area like Toka Village in the first place was because of Inado Mine. Since criminals were used as labor, ten soldiers had been permanently stationed there as a precaution.
However, since Inado Mine was now practically abandoned and scheduled to be transferred to Jin on August 1st, it seemed the kingdom had decided to withdraw the garrison.
“Only one soldier will remain for the protection of the lord. Lishia-san reportedly appointed a young soldier named Fred.”
Jin remembered that name. When he had visited Toka Village on business, Fred was the recruit who was being bullied by the senior soldiers.
“I see. I wonder if she saw some potential in him.”
Jin imagined that even if his aptitude as a soldier was low, he might have a talent for clerical work or something similar.
“Since the schedules happened to align, Gloria-san will be leading the nine soldiers back to the royal capital. That is all.”
As the vice-captain of the Female Ritter Order, she had likely been entrusted with leading the regular soldiers.
However, Jin was a little concerned—it was nine male soldiers with Gloria as the only woman.
“...Can we assign Deneb 4 to escort them?”
“In that case, Toka Village will be left without oversight.”
“Send one of the roamers. Since Toka Village will be an important location from now on, we could even station the Secret Mobile Unit there.”
“Understood. I will make the arrangements.”
＊ ＊ ＊
“Don’t dawdle! Pick up the pace!”
Meanwhile, Gloria was making her way toward Rakuno Village.
Since they had left Toka Village late, she judged they wouldn't reach Doppa before nightfall, so she had decided they would stay in Rakuno for the night.
(Tch, acting like that just because she’s a woman...)
(High and mighty... Who cares if she's a ritter? Damn noble.)
(She’s the only one riding a horse while we’re stuck on foot.)
The nine soldiers muttered their grievances as they walked sluggishly.
“Ah—it’s so hot.”
The midsummer sun beat down from overhead, scorching their skin. It was only natural for them to complain. However...
“Stop grumbling! You can’t whine like that on the battlefield!”
Gloria scolded them for their idle chatter.
(Damn her, she’s really full of herself.)
The soldiers’ resentment continued to pile up.
(Their discipline is low... far too low...)
Gloria, for her part, was observing the men.
(They’re better than the girls in the Female Ritter Order, but they fall short compared to true elites...)
The majority of the Female Ritter Order members were daughters of nobles just looking for a prestigious title, but one or two out of ten had high aptitude and motivation. Compared to those women, the soldiers following her were truly mere rabble.
Furthermore, Gloria had heard from Jin the other day about the bullying of the new recruit, so she intended to use this journey to break them in a bit.
“One more hour until Rakuno! Double time!”
“Pant, pant...”
“Whew, whew...”
“...Damned noble... just you wait!”
Upon arriving at Rakuno and hearing they would be camping out instead of staying in lodgings, the soldiers were filled with fury, whispering their complaints in the shadows. The campsite was on the outskirts of Rakuno Village.
Precisely then, Deneb 4 caught up with Gloria’s group.
(“Dissatisfaction among the soldiers seems to be mounting.”)
Deneb 4 communicated with Laojun via the internal manacam so as not to be heard by those around her.
(『Keep a close eye on them. Gloria-san is someone who is more than an acquaintance but less than a friend to My Lord. We don’t know how that relationship might change in the future.』)
And, Laojun added.
(『Besides, I would like to eventually analyze the Microscopic Magic Eye of her father, Boulton-san.』)
Laojun regretted that he hadn't performed a secret analysis when they had secured the man during the recent Gigant Peeder incident.
However, contrary to Jin and Laojun’s worries, the night passed without incident.
“Everyone, wake up!”
The next day, July 24th, Gloria woke everyone up at 4:00 AM. Of course, it was still pitch black.
“Get your gear ready! Everyone, prepare your own meals!”
She intended to have them finish off the portable rations that had been supplied in abundance during their stationing.
If they returned to the royal capital, the food would likely be discarded anyway. In an environment with plenty of fresh ingredients, it was only natural that old rations would be ignored.
“Yawn... I’m so sleepy.”
“Tch, damned noble. I bet she’s eating something delicious.”
That was a misunderstanding. Gloria was eating the exact same thing, but the soldiers had no way of knowing that.
“All right, prepare to depart!”
At 4:30 AM, as the eastern mountains finally began to grow light, Gloria gave the order to move out.
“Depart!”
The soldiers, having finished their preparations, left Rakuno. At the very rear of the line, a sinister conversation was taking place.
(If I remember correctly, there’s a rocky wasteland about five hours from here.)
(If we all jump her there...)
(Let’s wait for her to get off her horse.)
(Heh... I can't wait.)
Unaware that such a plot was being hatched, Gloria led the way on horseback.
Four hours after leaving Rakuno, they entered a mountain path. From here, the final mountain road would take about two hours, after which the terrain would be mostly flat.
The spot where Earl Walter had caused a landslide previously was right at the midpoint.
The group proceeded slowly up the gentle incline. The soldiers were breathing heavily.
“Keep at it! We’re almost at the pass!”
However, Gloria’s encouragement fell on deaf ears.
(Tch, easy for her to say while she's sitting on a horse.)
(Just you wait...)
Finally, they reached the top of the pass. From here, the road led downhill.
“All right, halt! We will take a short break here. Everyone, hydrate.”
Gloria dismounted to let her horse rest.
The spot at the pass was a small, wide clearing intended for travelers to rest.
As Gloria wiped the sweat from her neck, a dangerous light flickered in the soldiers’ eyes.
Gloria in danger!?