Chapter 100

As summer draws to a close,

the busy harvest season of autumn will soon arrive. And... this year, it seems, war is in the air.

The war season is generally set, with the major one being after the autumn harvest.

In Halperia, they harvest wheat, and in Sangreale, they harvest sunflowers before the fighting begins. Both are staple crops in their respective countries.

You might think, "What do you mean, harvesting sunflowers?" I didn't have a clear image of it at first either, but in the Holy Kingdom of Sangreale, they take the cultivation of sunflowers very seriously.

While sunflowers in my previous life were also bred for edible seeds, the sunflowers grown in the Holy Kingdom of Sangreale are incredibly large and grow well even on slopes. In fact, if you look at the sunflowers growing in various places in the Holy Kingdom of Sangreale, you can see that they are quite large. So, they must yield a considerable amount of seeds.

They are also edible and can be used to extract oil, making them a very important crop there.

If wheat is an important crop in Halperia, then sunflowers in Sangreale hold the same significance and cannot be ignored.

They cannot start a war before the harvest. Manpower is precious. So, they wait for these harvests before engaging in battle.

Well, it's mostly for the convenience of the Holy Kingdom of Sangreale.

If the sunflower harvest season were earlier, the relationship between the two countries might have been even more tense.

"Even though it's still summer, they're already buying Dira meat."

"Yes. Both Charged Dira and Crazy Boar are available for purchase."

While looking for suitable quests at the guild, I can see that the value of items that could be used for military supplies is rising.

Although gunpowder is not widespread in this world, the air is thick with the scent of gunsmoke... especially since they are seeking meat from Charged Dira, which isn't even particularly tasty this time of year. It's quite something.

"Recently, many people have been promoted, so Miss Millene must be busy, right?"

"Yes... the paperwork is piling up. Here, look at the recognition plates for those who are about to be transferred."

Millene showed me the recognition plates stored under the counter.

Wow. There are so many brand new bronze plates.

"With so many new recruits, the escort during the harvest season will be secure. Although Miss Millene will still be busy..."

"Hehehe. Mr. Mungrel, where are you planning to go this year? If you have plans to join another party, I recommend deciding now."

"I'll keep that in mind. I'll decide at the last minute and go with the group I want to join."

By then, people will likely sense the impending war.

It will also become clear where the battles will take place.

...Well, I think it will probably be the Twais Plain again this year.

"Alright, I'm off on my mission."

"Be careful."

Now, I should go hunt some creatures for preserved food.

If I thin out the monsters now, there will be fewer attacks on travelers during the busy war period.

Preparations for war have already begun.

I started my harassment and guerrilla warfare against the Sangreale army in the Strohube area about twenty years ago.

In the early days, I was young and would go on a rampage all four seasons, not just in summer. However, after the reinforcements and re-invasions, the army decided to retreat, and the eastern invasions have calmed down significantly. My attachment to my hometown has also mellowed, and now I visit graves and harass the enemy as a side activity. It's hard to maintain anger, love, and sadness for decades. I still remember once a year, though.

However, Strohube was the easiest place for Sangreale to invade.

The mountainous and hilly terrain is very troublesome for Halperia's cavalry, while it is advantageous for Sangreale's Sunset Goats. That's why Sangreale hasn't given up on invading from that direction... but the full-scale advance is hesitant due to my presence. They might have given up on the eastern invasion and will fight in the Twais Plain again this year. The last war, seven years ago, was also fought there.

So, they will likely gather people and supplies in the Baronies of Vaison and Bradley and engage in battle.

The invasion from Sangreale will be slow in Vaison due to the nearby Ryumkel Lake, which is teeming with monsters, but Bradley is right next to the Twais Plain. They will likely come from there.

Sangreale probably doesn't want to fight in the plains, where Halperia excels, but that's why Halperia was able to break away from Sangreale. It would be good if we can minimize casualties this year.

"Hey, Mungrel!"

"What's up?"

While draining the blood from a Crazy Boar in the Baroah Forest, I heard a voice from a distance.

It's a familiar face. Is that Fried from "The Shield of the Earth"? It's hard to tell with everyone wearing similar helmets.

"I heard the sound of a fight, so I came to check. The boar was making noise, but I didn't hear any coordinated human voices, so I thought something bad might be happening. I'm glad it was just Mungrel."

"Ah, I see. Sorry for the confusion. I'm strong enough to handle it alone."

"Hahaha. It's good that it's peaceful... but yesterday, a newly promoted bronze rookie was gored by a boar during a reckless hunt."

"Wow... from your party?"

"No way, we wouldn't let our people do something that reckless. They were a group of independents. It's a shame."

I usually hunt Crazy Boars for snacks, but they are not easy opponents. If you throw them at the advancing Sangreale army, they can easily kill two or three people. It's a dangerous monster for newbies with poor equipment.

They would need a spear or at least a longsword to handle them.

"Is 'The Shield of the Earth' also hunting?"

"Yeah... we can't say it loudly in the city, but it's war preparation. The price of food is rising, so we want to hunt as much as possible now."

"Even pigs and cows are limited... if we don't gather food in the forest, the soldiers' meals will be meager."

"We can fight with porridge, but it affects morale... meat is important on the front lines."

Fried stroked the fur of the hanging boar meat.

"Is Mungrel still at Bronze 3?"

"Yeah. I'll support the logistics. Whether it's called 'participating' is questionable, though."

"No, logistics is a respectable branch. Some roughnecks might call you a coward... but having Mungrel in the rear allows us to fight without worry."

"Stop it, that's creepy."

"Ouch!"

"Well, leave the rear to me. I'll ensure the supplies reach the front, and I'll take down anything that gets in the way."

"The Shield of the Earth" has many war veterans who understand the importance of logistics.

It's difficult with other guild members who don't share the same understanding. There's a difference in awareness. But it's true that I don't want to be on the front lines.

"First, there's the harvest... I don't like it, though..."

"Why not? The harvest festival is fun and lively."

"It's just... I don't like the food served in the village..."

"You're a strange one, Mungrel."

I have to walk slowly for the escort, eat a lot, and the festival atmosphere doesn't suit me... it feels like visiting distant relatives in the countryside, which I don't particularly enjoy.

I also need to choose where to escort during the harvest season. Where should I go this year...?