(This chapter contains descriptions of hunting animals.)
The Klein Kingdom investigation team, including Gloria, arrived at Zeo Village three days later, on January 5th.
The Golias units had shouldered all the heavy equipment, allowing the team to make excellent progress.
Though it was still early, they decided to make camp for the day to let the horses rest.
The team members divided the tasks, with some pitching tents and others preparing food.
"Captain, starting tomorrow, we finally enter unknown territory."
"Indeed. Gloria, how are your subordinates faring?"
"Sir, they are all doing well!"
The commander, Bernardo, asked after the state of the female knights, but as expected of those chosen by Gloria herself, they were holding up without any issues.
"Good. And what of Fritz-dono of the Shouro Empire?"
"Sir, he has been very considerate of us."
Fritz Randol, a major of the Shouro Empire’s Expeditionary Force, had been mindful of the fact that this was the first long-distance march for the four female knights, including Gloria.
"I see. Without him and those golems, we couldn't have hoped for such an easy march."
Even warhorses slowed down when forced to carry loads other than their riders. However, by having the giant Golias golems carry everything except personal belongings—such as food, water, and emergency supplies—they had been able to shorten their travel time significantly.
"Gloria-dono, is there anything you find yourself lacking?"
That evening, Fritz made an appearance where Gloria and the other female knights were preparing dinner. He held a small bag in his hand.
"Ah, Fritz-dono. I am used to this, so it is nothing, but my subordinates still seem a bit bewildered."
Gloria had been checking the march logs with her adjutant, but she stopped and turned around to reply.
"I see. I'm used to this kind of camping, but female knights probably haven't had much experience with it."
He then held out the bag to the adjutant.
"Fritz-dono, what is this?" the adjutant asked as she took the bag.
"It's a tea that has recently started being drunk in my homeland. Unlike the Kuhe or Te-e you're used to, it won't keep you awake if you drink it at night. Give it a try."
"O-Oh, thank you very much."
The adjutant thanked him on Gloria's behalf, and Fritz gave a wave of his hand before returning to his own tent.
"Hmph, Fritz-dono is quite attentive. He seems like a good man."
"Y-Yes, he does."
The adjutant shook the bag to listen to the sound, then peered inside.
"Ah, it has a lovely aroma."
It was what was known as hojicha. Because it was low in caffeine, it was unlikely to interfere with sleep even if drunk before bed.
"Shall we try some tonight?"
"Let's do that."
Meanwhile, Captain Bernardo was holding a meeting with their guide, Roland.
"So, there is definitely a settlement two days' journey east of here?"
"Yes. The people there are likely descendants of refugees from the Celuroa Kingdom, but they make their living by gathering honey."
"Hmm, honey, is it?"
Being a lover of sweets, Bernardo inwardly licked his lips at the mention of honey.
"Yes. Additionally, at this time of year, I believe citran-type fruits can still be harvested."
"I see. That might help alleviate our food shortage somewhat. And the path is clear?"
"Yes. It's only a footpath, but you shouldn't lose your way."
Though he said it was a two-day journey, that was based on traveling by foot or wagon. Since they were on horseback this time, it was possible to shorten it to one day.
"Very well. Let's rest early today and make an early start tomorrow."
Bernardo started to hurry out of the tent to inform the entire team, but he suddenly stopped and gave a wry smile.
"This won't do. I need to be a bit more composed."
Bernardo realized that he was getting a little excited at the thought of finally stepping into the lands of the Former Leonard Kingdom.
The next morning, the group woke up before dawn, finished a quick breakfast, and departed toward the east. It was around 6:00 AM.
The distance to the settlement called Ugon was roughly eighty kilometers. At a trot—a pace of a little over thirteen kilometers per hour—the journey was calculated to take about six hours.
However, they needed to let the horses rest along the way, as well as the humans, so they scheduled eight hours for the trip.
"Roland-dono, are you alright?"
"Yes, somehow."
The knights were concerned for Roland, who was the only one there not in the military. Roland, however, had experienced many forced marches during his days as a traveling merchant, so he was managing to keep up.
In the morning sun, the group advanced across a landscape dyed in red ochre. The five giant golems leading the way cast long shadows.
After advancing for about two hours, the sun had fully risen and it had grown warm.
"All right, break time!"
Captain Bernardo gave the order.
The group dismounted and drank water. The horses began to graze on the grass growing nearby.
"Hmm. Just as Roland-dono said, I can see now that with this path, we'll hardly need any fodder for the horses."
The entire area was covered in a type of grass similar to pasture grass.
The plants, which resembled clover, bore nectar-filled flowers, making them an excellent source for honeybees.
"Gloria-dono, are your subordinates doing well? We are moving faster than usual."
Fritz, who had been walking alongside the lead Golias, came over.
"Ah, Fritz-dono. Yes, they seem to be fine so far."
"That's good. Unlike a walk, a horse's trot is quite jarring. You'll get terribly exhausted if you aren't used to it. It should be a bit easier if they occasionally stand up in the stirrups and use their knees to absorb the shock."
"I thank you for the advice."
And so, the group continued their advance.
The third break came around noon, which also served as lunch.
One of Gloria's subordinates began to say she had no appetite, perhaps due to fatigue.
Fritz made an appearance there.
"...Ah, just as I thought. You should have her drink this."
Saying so, he handed a canteen to Gloria.
"What is this?"
"It's apulul juice—well, more like pureed apulul. Even if she has no appetite, she should be able to get this down."
"...I am grateful."
Gloria thanked him and took the canteen, then handed it to the female knight who seemed to have lost her appetite due to exhaustion and motion sickness.
"I'm sorry, Vice-captain... I truly have no appetite."
"I know, but you won't last if you don't eat anything. Just try a sip."
"Yes..."
The female knight took a sip of the pureed apulul, and her eyes lit up.
"...It's delicious..."
"Good. If you feel that way, you can drink the whole thing."
"Thank you very much..."
The female knight ended up drinking all of the pureed apulul in the canteen.
"Good. Then you should be able to manage the second half of the day."
"Yes. I am sorry for worrying you."
"Fritz-dono is quite dependable."
"Yes, truly."
When Gloria murmured this as if to herself, the adjutant beside her agreed.
After a slightly longer break, the group once again headed east.
A river about fifty meters wide blocked their path. This was the Erme River.
Originating north of Kaina Village, it flowed south of the village, served as the border between the Former Leonard Kingdom and the Klein Kingdom, and emptied into Lake Cedrolia south of the capital, Alban.
From there, it changed its name to the Torres River, merged with the Azul River south of Esaia, the capital of the Celuroa Kingdom, became the Naudaria River, and eventually flowed into the sea. It was one of the greatest rivers on the Lauren Continent.
"How shall we cross?"
Captain Bernardo asked Roland. Roland confirmed the surrounding terrain before answering.
"Yes. A little further upstream from here, there is a ford. At this time of year, we can cross it even on foot."
"I see. I'm glad we brought you along."
The group moved about two hundred meters upstream.
The river was about twice as wide there, but the water was shallow as a result, reaching only about fifty centimeters at its deepest point.
"Alright, I'll have the Golias units go first. We should be able to confirm the depth by watching them."
Fritz said this and entered the river with the Golias units while remaining on his horse.
The water was certainly shallow. It barely reached the ankles of the massive golems.
"Excellent! Follow Fritz-dono!"
In this way, the group set foot into the territory of the Former Leonard Kingdom.
Suddenly, about ten animals appeared before them.
They were herbivores about one meter in length with long, curled wool.
"Ah, those are sheepa! If possible, please hunt a few of them!"
Roland shouted loudly.
The herbivores, known as sheepa, bore a striking resemblance to sheep.
"Leave it to me."
Fritz, who was in the lead, headed toward the herd while still on horseback. Drawing his longsword, he decapitated four of them in an instant. The rest fled in a panic.
"Will this be enough?"
Fritz returned, wiping the blood from his blade.
"Yes, that is plenty! Captain Bernardo, can we bleed them and take them with us? If we bring those sheepa, there is no doubt we will be welcomed at the Ugon settlement."
Bernardo was not so foolish as to ignore such practical advice.
"Understood."
He ordered his subordinates to perform the bleeding. They washed the blood-stained fleece in the river water to clean it. The Golias units carried the additional cargo.
They had lost about thirty minutes, but it was a small price to pay if it meant negotiations would go smoothly.
The group once again began their journey toward the east.