Chapter 27

In the morning, Captain Roodtink ordered me to go and welcome the new squad member.

It turned out to be a medic.

I felt a deep sense of relief, thinking that they had finally arrived.

I narrowed my eyes, recalling the days gone by, and the painful memories came flooding back like a slideshow.

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--- Exactly three and a half months ago, Captain Roodtink had a big fight with Medic Manon.

Ilgis Manon was the first medic of the 15th Expeditionary Unit. I was puzzled as to why such an excellent medic was in our unit, but the reason soon became clear.

Manon was a man in his late thirties, with a condescending and rude attitude, and he looked down on us greatly. Just thinking about it made me shudder.

Telling us when to go to bed during the expedition, or alternating between bread and dried meat, seemed trivial.

It was annoying when he told us to chew our food more than fifty times for health reasons, or not to eat the fruits we found locally, and to comment on every action we took.

I think Captain Roodtink was very patient with him, showing respect to a medic with higher qualifications.

However, one day he snapped.

On the fourth day of the expedition, after a tiring morning of monster hunting, he forgot to shave and was told that his face was dirty and unsuitable for a captain.

Captain Roodtink, holding a new razor given by Medic Manon, went into a rage.

This incident was the reason he stopped shaving. His face became scary and made him look older, but no one could say anything.

After that, a big argument ensued, and Medic Manon was transferred to the Second Unit.

I was overjoyed, but an unexpected situation arose. Captain Roodtink ordered me to take on the role of a medic.

It seemed that Captain Roodtink had a big fight with the personnel department, and they said that a replacement for Medic Manon would not be assigned for a while.

Apparently, the cause of the fight with the personnel department was Medic Manon, who had been spreading rumors. It was a terrible thing to do.

But, Captain Roodtink, who fights immaturely, is also to blame.

Originally, he was not well-liked by the people around him.

Born into a noble family, he was suddenly promoted to captain, which caused a lot of resentment in the knight's squad, where seniority was valued. Captain Roodtink was well aware of this and tried to be careful in his behavior, but the long-standing frustration must have exploded due to one word from Medic Manon.

Putting that aside,

I was told to attend a lecture for medics and passed the exam with flying colors, although my score was barely passing. I ended up getting the qualification of a third medic.

After that, my days were a whirlwind.

When we had an expedition, I had to prepare not only my own luggage but also medical supplies and rations, which was overwhelming. When I rushed to the food storage to get rations, it was empty.

There had been some just a few days ago, so why?

When I asked Captain Roodtink, it turned out that a few days ago, Medic Manon had come to collect his personal belongings and had disposed of the contents of the food storage.

Medic Manon had been preparing homemade rations. He baked healthy bread (very sour) and made low-salt dried meat (very hard) on his own.

I was told to go to the logistics department to get rations, so I ran there.

The logistics department is about a five-minute run from the Second Unit's barracks.

The logistics department manages the weapons, uniforms, and rations consumed by the knight's squad.

When I presented the expedition assignment and asked for a few days' worth of rations, I was turned down.

The Second Expeditionary Unit had a budget for rations, so they could not provide them in kind.

I was puzzled as to why this was the case, but then I remembered.

Medic Manon had said that making rations on your own was cheaper, more nutritious, and tastier.

I didn't know that homemade rations had such a secret. I wish he hadn't disposed of the bread and dried meat in the food storage.

When I reported this, I was told to buy bread and dried meat in town. Captain Roodtink gave me the money.

That expedition was the worst.

The bread I bought in town quickly went moldy, and the dried meat tasted strange.

It turned out that ordinary bread and dried meat (half-cooked for snacks) were not made for preservation and were not suitable for carrying for a few days.

Captain Roodtink hunted and ate meat on the spot to stave off hunger. It was terribly unappetizing.

After we returned, the captain negotiated with the logistics department to provide rations in kind.

However, the answer was no. They said that since the budget had already been allocated, sudden changes could not be made.

So, I was ordered to make preserved food. How did it come to this?

I did some research on preserved food at the library and tried to make it myself.

I sliced the bread thinly and dried it, and I cooked and dried the dried meat. It was unbelievably unappetizing, and at first, I rolled around.

However, people get used to unappetizing food.

I have to be grateful to Deputy Captain Berry and Gar, who didn't complain.

Captain Roodtink said, "It's unappetizing, it's unappetizing," but he ate it. I was so grateful that I almost cried.

That's how I spent my busy days as a medic.

And finally, finally, a new medic was assigned to our unit.

◇◇◇

I thought I would refuse a first-class medic with a high sense of self-esteem.

According to rumors, Medic Manon had been transferred to the Second Unit because he had been disliked by the captain of his previous unit for being arrogant. I wondered if he was doing well in his new unit. I didn't think so.

Our unit is said to be the place where the farthest expeditionary units are sent.

Deputy Captain Berry, who is capable, was sent to the harsh and difficult expeditionary unit because she was a woman and her promotion was not recognized.

Gar is quiet and has been disliked by the captain, so he was assigned to the Second Unit.

I was in the Royal Guard, but I was transferred to the Second Unit when it was discovered that I was born in the lower city.

The Royal Guard also values family background. I wasn't hiding it, but I was surprised when I was suddenly told.

It's a ridiculous rule.

However, I personally prefer the Second Expeditionary Unit, which is more free than the Royal Guard, which is strict in terms of discipline.

Captain Roodtink is rude, but he is capable and I respect him.

Deputy Captain Berry is like a big sister and reliable.

Gar is gruff but kind.

It was just that Medic Manon had made the atmosphere bad. The rest of the people got along well.

The Second Expeditionary Unit, led by Captain Roodtink, has been around for about a year and a half.

So far, only the medics haven't gotten along.

Medics are often intellectuals and say, "We don't get along with you," and Deputy Captain Berry has given up.

Please, let the new medic be a good person.

I prayed as I headed to the personnel department.

When I said at the reception that I had come to welcome the new medic assigned to the Second Unit, I was led to a different room.

My heart was pounding as I walked to the room, and I was very nervous.

The new medic would determine how our expedition would go.

I repeatedly wished in my heart that the new medic would not be a stubborn person.

I knocked on the door and entered.

In the bleak room with only a bench and a table, the new medic was sitting alone.

When I saw her, I couldn't help but exclaim, "Eh!?"

I thought it must be a mistake.

Because there was a girl who looked about fifteen or sixteen.

She looked up at me with a puzzled expression.

When I stood there in shock at the entrance, the personnel department introduced her.

She was the new medic, Mel Lisris.

She was an excellent student and had topped the exam among third medics. I wondered why such an excellent person was assigned to the Second Unit, and I felt uneasy.

However, I was relieved to hear the next words.

She, Medic Lisris, was also excellent in practical treatment. However, she was the worst in physical strength among new medics in terms of self-defense and carrying loads.

At least, she hadn't been assigned because of any problems like temper tantrums, so I was relieved.

I introduced myself awkwardly and led her to the Second Unit's barracks.

I was still nervous as I walked down the corridor. In the all-male knight's squad, I had no experience talking to a teenage girl. I had no idea what to talk about.

Somehow, Medic Lisris was small, with surprisingly pale skin and big, round eyes. She was a cute girl. I wondered why she had joined the knight's squad at marriageable age. That's when I realized she was an elf.

Maybe she could use healing magic. When I asked her casually, she replied in a low voice, "No." It seems not all elves can use magic. I felt bad for asking.

After that, we returned to the Second Unit's barracks without her saying a word.

Captain Roodtink, Deputy Captain Berry, and Gar were surprised to see Medic Lisris.

It was understandable.

Women who become knights are usually from knight families or have a good physique, not ordinary girls like Medic Lisris.

I couldn't ask her the reason. She must have her reasons. I want to ask her when we get to know each other better.

I thought she was just shy of strangers. When she found out I was a year younger, she started talking to me like an older sister.

It was a heartwarming sight.

I was worried if she could handle the expedition, but she kept up with the tough travel.

Furthermore, she made delicious meals on site.

She treated us without complaint, and I was impressed by her knowledge of herbs.

Medic Lisris was a wonderful medic.

Captain Roodtink didn't know how to deal with Medic Lisris, who looked like an ordinary girl. I hope he doesn't treat her roughly.

Deputy Captain Berry started to laugh more. Maybe she didn't have anyone to let her guard down with before, as she was the only woman in the Second Unit. It's a good change.

Gar's fur has improved. He seems to be grooming himself with the ointment given by Medic Lisris.

In this way, the Second Unit has undergone a significant change.

I hope she continues to do her best.

I truly hope so.