Chapter 15

Yesterday, I had resolved to work hard, but today's mission is a snow mountain search.

Moreover, it was supposed to be my day off.

I lay on my bed, feeling drained from the moment I woke up, and found it hard to get up.

I had no motivation, no energy, no enthusiasm.

I was lacking everything. But time wouldn’t wait for me.

When I slowly got up, I noticed the brooch I had been given yesterday.

The wrapping paper was so beautiful that I hadn’t opened it.

I decided to open it carefully when I got back and look at it. I would look forward to that and face today’s work with that in mind.

When I went to the cafeteria, the usual auntie greeted me.

I received two freshly baked flatbreads, an omelet, and some soup, and sat down.

First, I said a prayer before eating.

—I am grateful for the delicious meal I am about to eat.

I decided to start with the bread. I pulled the pot of butter towards me and spread it generously.

Thinking that I could store up a lot of nutrients today, I even layered the butter.

The butter was melting on the hot bread. The pale yellow color changed to amber as it heated, which was irresistible. I could have stared at it forever, but the clock showed that the morning meeting was approaching. I bit into the bread hurriedly, savoring the rich flavor of the butter.

I cut into the omelet with my knife. Cheese oozed out.

I hadn’t been told about this. Cheese in an omelet was a big deal. It was bound to be delicious.

I cut it into bite-sized pieces. When I stabbed it with my fork, the cheese stretched.

I cut the cheese with my knife and then ate it.

The deliciousness... it was indescribable.

I thought the person who came up with the idea of putting cheese in an omelet was a genius.

Just as I was thinking about that, the bell signaling thirty minutes before the start of work rang. There was no time to savor the meal.

I hurriedly ate and rushed out of the dormitory.

I barely made it to the morning meeting on time.

It was my eighth day on duty, so everyone’s eyes were half-dead.

Zara was as usual, though. I wondered how she managed her health.

Oh well.

It seems the missing noble boy still hasn’t been found.

“Well, it’s probably going to turn into a body search from today.”

The captain’s joke-like comment made us unable to laugh.

I was already fed up. Knowing it was supposed to be my day off made me even more depressed.

We were going to the snow mountain by carriage, which was a bit of a relief.

After the morning meeting, we would move immediately. Everyone took their bags and went outside.

A six-person carriage was prepared, but it was a bit cramped because most of us were large.

Especially Gar, who was particularly large, looked uncomfortable, trying to make himself smaller.

I took a seat at the end. Next to me was Zara. In front of me was Deputy Captain Berry, who looked radiant.

When the captain gave the signal, the carriage started moving.

As I gazed at the changing scenery, I felt a gaze from the front.

Deputy Captain Berry was looking at me. When our eyes met, she smiled gently.

“Risris, have you gotten used to life in the capital?”

“Yes, thanks to everyone’s help.”

Everyone is kind, and I think I’m living a more luxurious life than when I lived in the village.

The sisters in the dormitory are kind, and the aunties in the cafeteria are very considerate. I have no complaints.

“Do you have any goals or dreams for the future?”

“Well, I’m trying to save up for my sisters’ wedding funds.”

As soon as I said that, everyone’s attention turned to me.

Everyone’s eyes widened as they looked at me, and Urgas asked a question.

“Hey, isn’t Risris single?”

“Yes, but why?”

“Why are you saving for your sisters’ wedding funds?”

“To send them off with a smile, of course.”

“What about you, Risris?”

“My engagement was broken off.”

The carriage fell silent.

The captain nudged Urgas with his elbow, whispering, “If you’re going to ask, ask all the way.”

I could hear their whispers.

“So, why was your engagement broken off?”

“I was lacking everything.”

“Lacking everything?”

“No property, no magic, no beauty.”

“Wow...”

When I mentioned the good wife and wise mother conditions of the Fole Elf, everyone was surprised.

“Risris, giving up on marriage is a waste.”

“But once you get used to the convenient life in the capital, you can’t go back to living in the Fole Elf forest.”

“Then why not look for a partner in the capital?”

“Someone like me? No way.”

“Oh, there’s someone right here.”

After Zara said something, the carriage jolted.

A scream from the driver came from outside.

The carriage stopped, and the captain shouted.

—“It’s a monster!”

I swallowed my scream.

Encountering a monster on the way to a mission is bad luck. Terrible.

The captain pulled out a greatsword from under his seat and rushed out. Gar followed.

“I don’t have my weapon, it’s in the back.”

Zara sighed and went out.

“Risris, stay in the carriage until Urgas gives the signal.”

“O-Okay.”

After warning me, Deputy Captain Berry got out of the carriage.

Finally, Urgas, looking worried, rushed out.

Left alone, I could hear the high-pitched cries of the monster from outside.

I peeked out the front window.

The knights were facing a giant two-headed snake.

The driver was a knight, but seeing that would make anyone scream.

Speaking of which, the driver was lying on the side, unconscious. He seemed to be injured, but there was no bleeding.

I was ordered to wait until the signal, so I stayed put.

I’m sorry, sir.

The battle didn’t seem to be going badly.

Zara bravely attacked with her battle axe, and the captain deflected the attacks from the long tail.

Deputy Captain Berry and Gar took advantage of the opening to attack the heart.

From a distance, Urgas shot arrows. The arrows, released like the wind, hit the giant snake’s eyes.

Soon, the giant snake fell.

The ground shook.

There was no time to sigh in relief. I prepared the first aid kit to be ready to treat any injuries.

Urgas was the first to return to the carriage.

“Risris, it seems to be safe now.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“No, I didn’t do much.”

That’s not true. I saw you shoot the arrows at the vital points.

He’s a very humble young man. I should learn from him.

“Probably no one is injured.”

“That’s good.”

“There might be some minor injuries.”

“Understood.”

The driver was just unconscious.

Hearing that, I finally felt truly relieved.

There’s a limit to what I can treat.

Some units have a doctor, but there aren’t many.

So, every time there’s a battle, I pray that no one gets seriously injured.

I was told to stay inside, so I waited.

After a while, everyone returned.

A young man who had taken over as the driver got in. He seemed to have woken up.

As a precaution, they had switched drivers. The captain would take the reins for a while.

The young man sat uncomfortably next to me.

As the carriage jolted, I treated his injuries.

He had been attacked by the giant snake when he tried to stop the carriage and prepare to fight.

He hadn’t been wearing his helmet to ensure a clear view, so his face was covered in cuts. His leather gloves were torn, and blood seeped through the gaps.

I wiped the wounds with a wet cloth, cleaned them, and applied medicine.

I also sewed up the torn gloves when I had a moment.

“Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome.”

He thanked me profusely. It didn’t bother me.

I felt a sense of accomplishment, as if I had fully performed my duties as a medic.