The Giant Buffalo hunt had come to an end.
Between Rest and the other soldiers, they had brought down a total of fifteen beasts. With each animal weighing roughly three thousand kilograms and assuming a third of that was edible, they had secured fifteen tons of meat.
"I feel like we might have overdone it a bit..."
"Oh, I don't know," Isis-san replied. "When you're trying to feed over a thousand people, I doubt this will even be enough."
"Well, you have a point there," Rest agreed with a nod.
Even at a generous three hundred grams per steak, fifteen tons would only provide about fifty meals for a thousand soldiers. It was a stark reminder that an army was, quite literally, a money-eating machine.
Still, downsizing the military would play right into the hands of hostile nations. The people who run a country must have a truly difficult time.
"Well done. That was an impressive showing."
Bareia Catreia, the commander of the Advance Force, approached them once the buffalo had been dealt with.
"I thought five would have been plenty, but I never expected you to bag this many. It looks like we won't have to worry about provisions for the time being."
"Ugh..."
Bareia slapped Rest’s shoulder with staggering force.
"You're truly worthy of the man my sister chose... I’ve had to reconsider you, Count Clover."
"T-Thank you..."
"Keep up this level of effort. If I see any shortcomings, I'll be sure to point them out as they arise."
Bareia released his grip and ordered the soldiers to begin butchering the carcasses. Rest’s shoulder throbbed. He didn’t need to look to know that handprints were already forming on the skin beneath his clothes.
"Is it just me, or does it feel like Captain Catreia is hoping you'll fail?"
"What a coincidence... I was thinking the exact same thing."
Rest found himself in profound agreement with Isis’s murmur. If Rest committed a blunder, it would provide Bareia with the leverage he needed to oppose the marriage to his sister, Yuri. While it was unlikely the Captain wanted the entire campaign to fail, he seemed like he would be absolutely delighted if Rest personally tripped up.
"You can't afford to give him an opening. You have my support, so do your best."
"Don't just cheer me on, please help me out..."
"There's no way someone like me could interfere in the marriage of a Marquis House, now is there? I have high expectations for you too, you know."
Isis-san placed a hand on Rest’s shoulder. Unlike Bareia’s heavy-handed grip, her touch was warm. As the pain receded, Rest realized she had cast healing magic on him.
"Now then, let's have a taste of that Giant Buffalo. I'll grill a steak for you myself."
Since it would take a while to fully process the meat, Rest and the others decided to use the time to eat and rest.
"Lyubase, would you like to join us?"
"............No. I'll eat over here."
Isis-san invited the nearby Lyubase, but he scurried off the moment he stole a glance at her. With no other choice, Rest took a block of meat provided by the soldiers and moved with Isis-san to a spot where they wouldn't be in the way.
"Yes, the fat content looks perfect. This will be delicious with just a bit of salt and pepper."
"You know how to cook, Isis-san?"
"As a requirement for any noble lady, I know a little. I'm particularly good with meat dishes."
Isis-san conjured a fire with magic and set a pan over the heat. Once the sliced meat hit the surface, it began to sizzle. She flipped it with practiced hands once it was seared, seasoning it perfectly with salt and pepper.
"Ooh..."
An exclamation of awe escaped Rest's lips. The savory aroma was intoxicating. His throat tightened as he watched the meat sizzle in the pan.
"I've had Giant Buffalo a few times before, but for some reason, this looks much better than usual."
"That's because it's fresh. It’s a world apart from preserved meat. Is medium-rare alright for the sear?"
"I-I'll leave it to you..."
Rest’s stomach growled in loud protest. The surrounding soldiers were all watching them, the sound of men swallowing their saliva echoing from every direction.
"Damn, that looks incredible..."
"To hell with this, I want to eat already!"
"Let’s finish up! I'm starving!"
Spurred on by the sight, the soldiers doubled their efforts, eager to finish their work and get a taste for themselves. Ironically, Isis-san’s cooking had actually improved the unit's productivity.
"There. All finished. Dig in."
Isis-san presented the steak to Rest. It was a simple slab of meat on a plate. No sides, no fancy sauces—just salt and pepper. And yet, the glistening, fatty cut looked like solid gold to him.
"T-Thank you for the food!"
Driven by a strange sense of urgency, Rest shoved a piece into his mouth. As he bit down, the fibers of the meat snapped with a satisfying texture.
Delicious.
The juicy, thick steak was beyond incredible. The wild, robust flavor seemed to embody the very life force of the massive beast they had just hunted.
"I'm glad you're enjoying it. Do you think I'd make a good wife?"
"Absolutely! Without a doubt!"
"I’m happy to hear that... truly."
Rest became entirely engrossed in the meal, even going back for a second helping. Isis-san watched him with a meaningful gaze, but Rest remained oblivious, focusing every bit of his attention on the feast before him.