Chapter 36

As the cherry blossoms danced in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

---

When Ichirou and the others followed Isaac, they arrived in front of a tent.

The size of the tent was about six tatami mats, and its shape was rectangular.

There was a pole in the center of the tent, and the ceiling was triangular, so it didn't seem like water would accumulate even if it rained.

There were several other tents around this one, all of similar size.

Moreover, many tents were still in the process of being set up, indicating that this particular tent had been prioritized.

"This is the tent."

Isaac said this, opened the entrance of the tent made of thick cloth, and went inside.

Ichirou and the others followed Isaac into the tent.

"Wow... amazing..."

At the sight that greeted them as soon as they entered the tent, Valeria let out a sigh of admiration.

Indeed, there was a wooden makeshift bed covered with fine animal fur set up at one end, and a long table and bench were placed in the center.

Additionally, a lantern with a lit candle was hanging from the central pole of the ceiling.

The tent was illuminated by the warm light of the candle, bright enough to do a bit of work without any trouble.

For the common people in this world, camping usually meant sleeping outdoors, and except for the rest huts where Ichirou and the others had stayed before, it was quite rare to have such a comfortable environment for rest.

"Then, I will bring your meal immediately. After the meal, I will prepare bedding for the two of you, so please use it."

Isaac bowed to Ichirou and left the tent.

Ichirou watched Isaac's back as he left, then put down the Boston bag he was carrying and sighed.

"Wow, this tent is really comfortable. If they're carrying this many tents, the wagons must be full."

"You're right. But being inside here, we won't have to worry about the cold at night."

As Ichirou and the others talked for a few minutes, a voice came from outside the tent:

"I have brought your meal."

The voice seemed a bit tense.

When Ichirou replied, "Please come in," two young soldiers entered the tent, moved the long table and bench slightly to the side, and brought in a new long table and bench from outside.

The two soldiers set up the new table and chairs facing the existing ones, then bowed deeply to Ichirou and left.

As the two soldiers left, three other soldiers entered, each carrying a wooden tray with food.

The soldiers who brought the food quickly placed the trays on the table, then bowed deeply to Ichirou and left.

After confirming that the soldiers had left, Ichirou looked at the food that had been brought in and said with excitement:

"Is this what they call a combat ration?"

He then took out a digital camera from the Boston bag, turned it on, and took a photo as a keepsake.

After checking the photo, Ichirou turned off the camera and put it back at the bottom of the bag.

"Still, the food in the noble army seems quite luxurious. It doesn't seem like they're in the middle of a food shortage at all."

As Ichirou said this while putting away the camera, the village chief and Valeria nodded deeply.

Indeed, on the three trays placed on the table, there were two fist-sized loaves of bread, dried meat, boiled potatoes, and a bowl of oatmeal.

Additionally, on the tray that seemed to be for Ichirou, there was a small apple-like fruit and a copper cup filled with fruit wine.

Despite the complaints about a lack of food, the reality was that where there was food, there was plenty.

"But, to prepare so much for us as well... I'm a bit surprised."

Isaac or Haber must have thought of it and had the food prepared for the two of them.

It seemed more like an effort to make a good impression on Ichirou rather than to be considerate of the village chief and Valeria.

In any case, there was no point in just looking at the prepared food.

The three of them sat in front of the trays, said "Itadakimasu" (Let's eat), and started eating.

"It's been a while since I had bread."

As Ichirou said this, he tried to tear a piece of bread by grabbing the edge and pulling.

However, no matter how hard he tried, the bread wouldn't tear.

How hard is this, he thought, and looked at Valeria and the village chief, who were tearing the bread and eating it normally.

"Hmm?"

Thinking that maybe his method of tearing was wrong, Ichirou tried again, this time using both hands to grip and pull.

When he put all his strength into it, the bread finally tore with a nasty sound.

"Hey, isn't this bread unusually hard?"

As Ichirou looked at the half-torn bread and the others who were eating it happily, Valeria and the village chief tilted their heads in confusion.

"Huh? Is it? Mine wasn't that hard."

"Mine isn't particularly hard either."

As the two said this in a puzzled manner, Ichirou muttered, "Maybe it's not that hard if I actually eat it," and took a bite of the torn bread.

"..."

It was hard.

The white part inside was still okay, but the crust was so hard that he wondered if it was really bread.

Reluctantly, Ichirou soaked the torn bread in the oatmeal to soften it, and it became edible.

"By the way, I remember reading an article about the black bread in Soviet rations being so hard it didn't make sense. Maybe this is the same."

With a somewhat reflective and oddly satisfied expression, Ichirou bit into the bread.

Valeria, comparing her bread with Ichirou's, easily tore the rock-hard bread with her fingertips and ate it without any trouble.

---

While Ichirou and the others were having dinner in the tent, Isaac and Haber were discussing the next day's march plan in a tent a short distance away from Ichirou's tent.

Inside the tent where the two were, a lantern with a lit candle was hanging from the central pole, faintly illuminating the interior.

"At this marching speed, we'll arrive in Isteria just before sunset the day after tomorrow..."

Isaac grumbled as he wrote the day's march record on a few sheets of parchment on the table.

According to the plan made before leaving Isteria, the one-way march was supposed to take two days, but it was actually taking three days.

The reason was that the time required for camp setup was abnormally long, so they had to end the march much earlier to avoid the sunset.

Most of the noble-born subordinates usually had all their daily chores done by servants or slaves.

Therefore, when they had to set up tents and prepare meals themselves during this march training, their efficiency was terrible because they were not used to it.

A few very poor lower-class noble-born soldiers were exceptions, performing daily chores and cooking with practiced hands.

They had been doing these chores regularly before joining the military, so while the outdoor march training was challenging, they performed excellently during regular training in Isteria, which was quite ironic.

"I would like to return to Isteria by tomorrow, but... If we march through the night, we can arrive in Isteria by tomorrow morning..."

Haber sighed and shrugged, thinking it was impossible.

While it might be fine for them, they couldn't ask Ichirou, who was with them, to do such a thing.

Haber thought that if they had brought servants, it would have been easier, but he swallowed this thought without saying it.

"More importantly, what happens after we arrive in Isteria. We need to arrange for Lord Gracchus to meet Lord Nelson as soon as possible."

"Yes. As soon as we return to Isteria, I will go to Lord Nelson and request a meeting. If I explain the reason and recommend an immediate meeting, I don't think Lord Gracchus will have to wait too long..."

Isaac wanted Lord Nelson to meet Ichirou as soon as possible, even if it meant interrupting other official duties.

However, only Isaac and Haber were certain that Ichirou was Lord Gracchus, and Lord Nelson was not yet aware of this fact.

Isaac was worried that if the meeting was delayed, it might upset Ichirou.

As if anticipating Isaac's concerns, Haber made his proposal.

"Yes, but if the arrangement with Lord Nelson doesn't go well, Lord Gracchus will have to wait in the waiting room of the Isteria mansion. Therefore, I think it would be better to take Lord Gracchus to our house and entertain him until Lord Nelson is ready..."

"Take Lord Gracchus to your house before taking him to Lord Nelson's mansion?"

Isaac frowned at Haber's suggestion.

Even if they weren't sure if Lord Nelson could meet them immediately, treating Lord Gracchus, who was far above a state guest, in such a manner seemed inappropriate.

"Yes. Ideally, we should take Lord Gracchus to Lord Nelson immediately, but we will arrive in Isteria the day after tomorrow. If we rush to arrange a meeting, it will be a burden on both Lord Nelson and Lord Gracchus... Of course, this is under the premise that we consult with Lord Gracchus and get Lord Nelson's approval."

"Ah, I see. Since the meeting won't be short, it might be better to wait until the next day rather than forcing a midnight meeting. But if that's the case, wouldn't it be better to take him to my house, the Sylan mansion, instead of yours?"

Isaac's reason for saying this was a matter of family status.

As the captain of the unit, Isaac was slightly higher in rank than Haber, as evident from their positions.

Logically, it was clear which house would be better to entertain Ichirou.

"Ah, yes, that's true... But, Captain, you will be busy with reports and scheduling meetings after we return to Isteria. On the other hand, I will be free until the next day, so I can take Lord Gracchus to my house immediately upon arrival and give direct instructions to the staff. It would be more convenient to take him to my house."

Haber, who had started to suggest taking Ichirou to his house, quickly countered with a slightly flustered tone.

Isaac understood, "That's true," as only he and Haber, along with Valeria and the village chief, knew that Ichirou was Lord Gracchus.

Even if they were to entertain him at home, they needed to keep a close eye on him to prevent any problems.

"Indeed, you have a point. If I were to cancel all my plans and take Lord Gracchus to my house, I wouldn't be able to explain the reason to others..."

At this point, the fact that Ichirou was Lord Gracchus was top secret.

The soldiers in the unit were told that Ichirou was a noble from another country who had fled, and his true identity as Lord Gracchus was kept secret.

While this worked within the unit, once they returned to Isteria and until Ichirou met Lord Nelson, either Isaac or Haber needed to stay with Ichirou.

If they let their guard down, someone with more authority than Isaac might notice and ask, "Who is this person?"

Ideally, Isaac should stay with Ichirou, but he couldn't cancel his existing plans.

If Isaac could directly tell Lord Nelson, "This is Lord Gracchus, please hide him until the meeting time," it would be easier, but that was not possible.

"Alright, then let's talk to Lord Gracchus about this tomorrow."

Haber let out a sigh of relief and replied, "Understood."

---

Two nights after Ichirou's first experience with camping in the military, Ichirou was walking down a major street near the center of Isteria with Haber.

On both sides of the street were large stone mansions that looked like grand estates, most of which were single-story, though a few had a second floor.

The scene was a stark contrast to the crowded, multi-story buildings seen on the outskirts of the city, presenting a more relaxed and spacious view.

Ichirou and the other soldiers had parted ways with Isaac and the others as soon as they arrived in Isteria, and now the only soldier with him was Haber.

Behind Ichirou and Haber were Valeria and the village chief, who had also come along.

The day before, when Haber asked Ichirou to spend the night at his house, he had also invited Valeria and the village chief to come along, which they had accepted with surprise and gratitude.

"This is my house."

After passing a few large mansions, Haber stopped in front of a grand stone mansion with a spacious garden.

The building was single-story, but there was a long, two-story stone annex at one end of the property.

A man stood in front of the gate and bowed deeply to Haber, saying, "Welcome back," before pushing open the wooden gate.

As the gate opened, a copper bell tied to the side of the gate jingled.

Haber entered the property through the open gate, followed by Ichirou and the others.

As they walked, the man who had opened the gate quickly overtook them and stood in front of the large, double-leaf wooden door of the mansion.

Once he confirmed that Haber was close enough to the door, he slowly opened it with both hands.