Chapter 61

About six hours after the unit left the village of Gricia and began moving toward Isteria, the unit stopped marching and began preparations for camping. The sky was already dyed with the colors of sunset, and it would be enveloped in darkness in about two hours.

Marie, who had been in the carriage with Ichiryou, got off after asking for permission and ran off somewhere to help with the camp preparations.

"Lord Kazura, you have worked hard for a long time."

As Ichiryou stretched after getting out of the carriage, Haber, who had just finished tying Rata to a makeshift tether nearby, approached. Despite having been on Rata for most of the time, except for a few breaks, Haber showed no signs of fatigue. In fact, he looked even more energetic than usual, with a brighter expression.

"Haber, you have worked hard too. I was in the carriage, so it was comfortable, but you were riding the whole time, weren't you tired?"

"No, this is much easier compared to the training we used to do in the unit. My buttocks are a bit sore, though."

"Is that so? You really are different from the average person... Speaking of the unit, didn't you lead a unit composed only of nobles with Isaac?"

Previously, when Haber and Isaac came to Gricia Village, he was leading a unit of 100 nobles. Recently, he has been with Ichiryou, but is it okay to leave the unit he used to lead?

"Yes, I was the deputy of the 1st Officer Training Unit."

"Oh, so they were officer candidates. You've been helping me a lot lately, but is it okay not to show up at the unit?"

"That's fine. It was just about time for the basic physical training to end, so I had the training unit start a bit earlier and now they are training with another unit. They are probably going through hell right now."

"Really? That tough?"

When Ichiryou asked, Haber's face slightly twisted, perhaps recalling his own training.

"It's not just tough. I have combat experience from the war that lasted a few months four years ago, but compared to that, the training is worse. If you break the rules, even if you're a noble, you get beaten up, and when your training is low, you only get fed like livestock."

"Wow, that's intense... I don't want to get beaten, and being fed like livestock every day is tough..."

"Also, for the past year, they have been commuting to the military from their homes or rented accommodations, but from the second year, they are forced to live in military barracks. For those who have relied on servants for everything, it must be quite a struggle."

It seems that the training for officer candidates in Isteria is divided into several stages. The first year is for building physical strength, and the second year is the main event.

Ichiryou thought that nobles would lead a more relaxed life, but in this world, at least in the Istele territory, that's not the case. Even Isaac and Haber, who seem to be high-ranking nobles, go to the military early in the morning and work until late at night. Considering this, it's natural that the other nobles under them would also be put through their paces.

"Living in the barracks means they can't bring their servants, right?"

"Basically, bringing servants is prohibited. However, the unit commander can decide, and during long-distance training that takes them away from the city for days, they can bring servants, but the costs are on them."

"Wow... For nobles who were pampered, it must be really tough. They might quit because they can't take it."

"Yes, a few quit every year. However, if you quit for any reason other than injury, it's considered a dishonorable discharge, which tarnishes the family's reputation. So, unless they are really determined, they can't quit. Even if they do, they will be treated as outcasts."

"Wow, that's scary..."

If they can't quit even if they want to, it could lead to suicides in such a harsh environment. On the other hand, those who survive such an environment must be quite tough.

"Is joining the military mandatory?"

"No, all officers are volunteers. However, in most noble families, it's common to have a few sons join the military, so they are often forced to join even if they don't want to. Some join out of admiration for the military or the status, but most regret it after realizing the harsh reality."

"So, it's almost mandatory. Were you forced by your parents, Haber?"

"No, I volunteered to join the military after asking my father. Isaac did too."

"Wow, that's impressive. Why did you volunteer?"

When Ichiryou asked, Haber smiled slightly, looking a bit embarrassed.

"...Because there is something I want to protect."

"Hmm? (I didn't know Haber could smile like that.)"

Ichiryou had been with Haber for a few days, but he had never seen such an expression. Haber always seemed a bit distant, as if he was always on guard, and Ichiryou had never seen him show much emotion. He always showed a professional smile and tried to keep Ichiryou entertained by talking to him.

Ichiryou was curious about what Haber meant by "something I want to protect," but he didn't want to pry too much, so he just nodded.

"Is that so."

"If you are interested in the military training, I can show you the barracks and training grounds later. There's not much to see besides the Royal Guard and the Officer Training Unit."

"(Wow, really? I definitely want to see it... but what should I do...?)"

Haber's offer intrigued Ichiryou greatly. However, if he showed too much interest in the military, Zirconia might be overjoyed and start consulting Ichiryou about military matters.

Ichiryou had no intention of providing military support to Isteria at the moment. The reason was that he still knew very little about the country's internal affairs, diplomatic situation, military size, and overall character.

Without knowing the country's actual situation, it would be too risky to provide military support based solely on Nelson's opinions. Moreover, the priority now was food and infrastructure, and there was no room to deal with military matters. Taking on too many things at once could lead to poor judgment and irreversible consequences.

Everything should be done step by step. Ichiryou planned to gather information thoroughly before making any decisions about support.

"Hmm... What should I do..."

Still, he wanted to see it. Thinking about what the military in this world was like and how the soldiers lived, his curiosity couldn't be contained.

If he could freely tour and take photos with his digital camera, and even interview soldiers and civilians with a handheld camera, it would be great. He was also curious about what Zirconia's tent looked like and how she spent her daily life. He even wanted to ask Zirconia and Isaac, who looked great in armor, to pose for a commemorative photo.

Seeing that Ichiryou was leaning towards accepting, Haber, perhaps thinking it would be rude to push for an immediate answer, said:

"If you want to see it, just let me know. I'll show you around wherever you want."

"Thank you. I might ask you when I have some free time."

"Yes, please do."

Ichiryou was grateful for the offer. He didn't want to seem too eager, and Haber's consideration was very helpful. Haber was the kind of person who could anticipate needs and was very considerate in many ways.

"By the way, I have a question about your meals, Lord Kazura."

Just as Ichiryou was appreciating Haber's consideration, Haber changed the topic. This seemed to be the main issue.

"I was thinking of having Marie prepare your meals for the next few days. Is that okay?"

"Meals...?"

Thinking about meals, Ichiryou remembered that he hadn't discussed his future meals with Zirconia.

Until now, Ichiryou had been eating with the Nelson family at the Nelson residence, but he couldn't get the nutrition or fullness he needed from their food. So, he had been secretly eating canned food after meals.

Continuing this six-meal-a-day routine would be very troublesome, so he was considering suggesting that his meals not be prepared. This would mean eating alone, but it couldn't be helped. If he continued to eat the meals prepared for the Nelsons, his stomach would be full, and he would have to force himself to eat the food he brought from Japan, which would be like a punishment.

"Yes. However, when I tasted the canned food you had the other day, I realized that the food you usually eat in the Land of the Gods is quite different from ours. I've thought about it, but I don't think we can easily reproduce that taste."

Just as Ichiryou was about to decline the meal offer, Haber interrupted and started talking. The canned food he mentioned was the minestrone Ichiryou had given to the Nelsons as a sample. Since minestrone is a dish made by cooking a lot of vegetables in a tomato base, it would be very difficult to reproduce the taste if this world lacked tomatoes.

"So, I was thinking of using the canned food and other food you brought, and combining it with the ingredients we prepare to make the meals. It might not be perfect at first, but I will do my best to provide meals that you will find satisfactory."

"Are you saying you'll use the food I brought as a base and add other ingredients to recreate it?"

"Yes. And if you can give me feedback on the dishes, I will adjust them accordingly."

Haber's offer impressed Ichiryou again. Haber had remembered the taste of the dish he had tasted once and had been trying to recreate the canned food's taste. He might have planned to try for a longer time, but seeing the large amount of food Ichiryou brought, he decided to make the offer.

Ichiryou's opinion of Haber rose again.

In reality, all of this was a misunderstanding on Ichiryou's part, but he had already formed a positive impression of Haber as a very considerate and capable man. Most of what Haber did was interpreted in a favorable light.

"Hmm... In that case, I might ask you. However, you must promise not to let anyone else eat the food I brought. Even though I brought a lot, there is a limit."

"Of course. I will not let anyone else eat it, so please rest assured."

"Good, absolutely. If you break our agreement, it will be a big problem."

"Y-Yes!"

If the food was diverted, it would be a big problem, so Ichiryou emphasized his warning with a serious expression and tone. By not specifying what would happen if the agreement was broken, the threat would be more effective. As the god Graciel, Ichiryou's threat should be particularly effective on Haber.

After seeing Haber's expression tense up, Ichiryou returned to his normal expression and tone.

"Then, I'll ask you."

When Ichiryou conditionally agreed and returned to his normal expression and tone, Haber visibly relaxed.

"Then, I'll have Marie start with tonight's dinner. We are on the march, so the variety of ingredients is limited, but I'll do my best."

"Don't overdo it. Just cut some vegetables and cook them together or stir-fry them."

"Understood. Please tell me which ingredients I can use."

"Hmm, let me think... What should I use..."

Ichiryou was relieved that he could continue eating with the Nelsons. Eating with others was more enjoyable and delicious than eating alone. Moreover, he wouldn't have to disappoint the Nelsons by refusing their meals.

If the meals were prepared as Haber suggested, the food from Japan would be supplemented with local ingredients, similar to what Ichiryou had eaten in Gricia. Eating a bit more would provide the necessary nutrition and fullness. Ichiryou felt that the situation had turned out well.

Next to Ichiryou, Haber was relieved that he had successfully negotiated with Ichiryou.

In fact, Haber had not taken Zirconia's words at face value.

According to Zirconia, Ichiryou was satisfied with the food prepared at Haber's residence but not with the food at the Nelson residence. However, Haber had doubts from the beginning.

The cook at the Nelson residence should be of the highest caliber. The maids at the Rousseau residence, where Haber lived, were also very skilled, but it was unlikely that they were better than the cook at the Nelson residence. Therefore, Ichiryou's reaction at the Rousseau residence might have been an act to consider Haber and Barretta.

If Zirconia's account was true, assigning someone from his household to prepare Ichiryou's meals would not only be meaningless but could also lead to dissatisfaction. On the other hand, if he honestly told Zirconia this, he would lose the opportunity to place Marie under the protection of Nelson and Ichiryou. So, Haber thought of the idea of using the food Ichiryou brought, which would not lead to dissatisfaction.

Haber knew from the inspection of the river a few days ago that Ichiryou was not the type to refuse a sincere request. Based on this, he took a chance and made the proposal, which worked out well.

"(Now, Marie can be freed from that life... My father will have no choice but to agree if Zirconia speaks directly. The rest depends on whether Marie can win Lord Kazura's favor.)"

Relieved that his plan had worked, Haber squinted his eyes as he watched Marie, who was helping with the camp preparations among the guards from a distance.