Chapter 9

The previous quick extermination of the horned lizard was recognized, and our Second Expeditionary Unit received an award.

The expeditionary units numbered around seventeen, and in the presence of all the members, the captain received a certificate and a bag of gold.

The captain, for today, appeared in a neat outfit. He had shaved his beard.

And the captain's actual age was revealed. He was only twenty years old.

I had thought he might be young because his actions were somewhat childish, but it turned out to be exactly as I suspected.

He had transformed from a bandit into a fine knight.

However, I wondered why he could become a captain at such a young age. He was indeed strong and had some leadership qualities, but I felt that alone was not enough to become a captain.

In fact, the other captains were all around forty years old. In our village, as well, positions were generally determined by seniority.

This question was answered by Vice Captain Berry.

The captain's family was one of the great nobles of this country. It seems that to join the knight's order, he had to be given an appropriate position.

That bandit captain was the son of a great noble! I was so surprised that I almost jumped.

Well, indeed, he occasionally showed gentlemanly manners.

The captain seemed to have various worries.

He must have faced jealousy and envy. It seemed quite pitiful.

However, today, his abilities were recognized and he received an award. I hope this will boost his confidence.

Such a fortunate Second Expeditionary Unit welcomed a new companion.

"Hello, Mel. It's been a while."

"Eh!?"

Suddenly, a man I didn't know greeted me.

He had his golden hair tied up and wore the knight's uniform with elegance. He had clear blue eyes and a radiant smile. I suddenly realized who he was.

"Oh, 'The Noble Prince of the Fierce Battle Axe'!!"

"I wish you would call me by a cuter nickname."

However, dressed as a knight, he looked like a proper gentleman. He was indeed very handsome, as befitting a prince.

In the cafeteria, he only looked like a beautiful lady. Truly, it was a mystery.

"What happened in the cafeteria?"

"Recently, I've been proposed to a lot, and it's become bothersome. It would be nice if it were women, but they're all men, so it's impossible."

"Oh... I see."

"Thus, I decided to return to my knight duties until things cool down."

If he had been so close, the other party might have misunderstood and thought he was interested. It was a case of self-inflicted consequences, or something like that.

However, when he was called a new companion, I tilted my head in confusion.

I thought he had said he would take an entrance exam.

"Yes, of course, I will."

Apparently, he was being invited to various units and would join the one he liked after a trial period. There were several units that wanted Zara.

"The captain wasn't enthusiastic, but the vice captain insisted, so I came here first."

"Is that so."

Conveniently, today we were to travel for an hour on horseback to a plain to exterminate monsters.

We had a fun and exciting expedition task.

"So, I'm looking forward to your meal, Mel."

Zara winked, and I couldn't help but let out a "Ugh!" It felt like a heavy responsibility.

The bell for the start of the day rang, and I hurried to the captain's office.

The members lined up, and the captain called Zara to the front to introduce him.

"Zara Art, on a trial basis. It's not yet decided if he will join our unit."

"Everyone, please be nice to me."

Vice Captain Berry clapped, Ulgas smiled wryly, and Gar had no reaction.

Everyone had different reactions. I forced a smile and clapped lightly.

After the morning meeting, we prepared for the expedition.

I checked the first aid supplies and packed the food from the storage into my backpack.

I hung the pot on the saddle. This time, I could mount the horse by stepping on the stirrup.

Everyone gathered, and we headed for the plain, our destination.

On the way, we let the horses rest at a lake.

We made a fire, boiled water, and had tea time. Dipping biscuits into tea with plenty of sugar was a blissful moment.

Zara was washing his face.

When I offered him a towel, he took it with a smile.

"Thank you, Mel."

"You're welcome."

He folded it neatly and returned it to me. I couldn't help but think he had high feminine skills.

Apparently, Zara, the youngest of five sisters, had been greatly influenced by his older sisters.

"Since I was young, I loved cute things and frilly clothes, but my parents never said anything. As long as I didn't skip my lessons, I could do anything."

It seems he grew up freely in a liberal household.

"As a result, I ended up like this."

"But I envy you."

In our village, there was a way of life that one should follow. If you deviated from it, you would be branded as a bad person.

"Mel, you must have had a tough time too."

"Yes. But since I joined this unit, I've been free and happy... I'm glad I had the courage to come to the capital."

"Indeed."

Zara patted my head.

Even if I were dressed as a woman, it would be fine, but being patted on the head by a man in a man's outfit made me blush.

I averted my gaze.

Suddenly, Zara rummaged through his bag.

"Here, Mel. This is for you."

"What is it?"

"Forest walnuts. I carried them as emergency food."

"The wrapping paper is cute."

"Yes, I thought it would lift my spirits, so I wrapped them in cute paper."

"That's important."

"Indeed, Mel. I'm glad you understand."

I unwrapped the floral paper. Out came roasted forest walnuts. I ate them without hesitation.

"How are they?"

"They're delicious."

Be careful not to overeat, but forest walnuts are good for you.

They have nourishing and strengthening effects, nerve-calming effects, anti-aging properties, and skin-beautifying effects. As emergency food, they are an excellent choice.

Zara also took one and put it in his mouth.

"Oh, they're a bit astringent."

"Really?"

The forest walnuts from our village were more astringent, so I didn't mind, but it seemed Zara did.

"Then, shall we coat them in candy?"

"Can you do that?"

"Yes, it's easy."

If the forest walnuts were too bitter to eat, we used to coat the roasted nuts in candy.

I took out a small pot, added water and sugar, and heated it. When the sugar melted and turned amber, I added the forest walnuts. I finished by drizzling honey over them.

I placed the completed forest walnut candy on a leaf the size of my palm.

After letting it dry for a while, it would become crispy.

I washed the pot and dried it.

It should be cool by now.

"Shall we try it?"

"Yes."

The surface was crispy caramel, and the inside was crunchy roasted forest walnuts. It had a fragrant and refined taste. The honey and sugar from the capital, and Zara's forest walnuts, were a triumph of the ingredients.

"How is it?"

"Delicious, really. Mel, you're a genius!"

"I'm glad."

After that, we talked about sweets.

There was apparently a popular caramel pie shop in the city, filled with nuts.

"Wow, that sounds delicious."

"Right? Next time, let's go together."

"Is that okay?"

"Yes. It's a cute place, and it's hard for a man to go alone."

"I see."

I felt that cross-dressing would be fine, but I didn't say it. I really wanted to go.

"That's good. You seem to have cheered up."

"Eh?"

I must have looked dejected, so he gave me the sweets.

It seems I was thinking about my village and feeling sentimental. I must have worried him.

"Thank you. I appreciated your thoughtfulness."

"It's fine. The people here are rough, and I was worried about the delicate Mel."

I couldn't say, "That's not true!"

"I'm sorry, everyone..."

After a short break, we resumed our journey and quickly reached the plain.

"Anyway, that's the situation. We'll head to the extermination immediately. The wild rabbit health soldiers—"

"Captain, that's not the correct term. They are not wild rabbits but Liss Liss health soldiers."

Zara firmly corrected the captain. I almost cried, he was such a good person.

The captain looked uncomfortable and mumbled an apology. Then, for the first time, he called them Liss Liss health soldiers.

I was glad he understood. I met Zara's eyes for a moment and nodded in gratitude.

And I was left behind.

This time, we were to explore a wide plain on horseback.

Gar lent me a spare spear again. How kind. I gratefully borrowed it.

After seeing everyone off, I mounted my horse and set out to find ingredients.

I had to prepare a meal that would impress Zara, so I felt a great sense of responsibility.

On the plain, the local ingredients were not as abundant as in the forest.

I wanted to use the ingredients I brought as the main dish, but I wanted to make a delicious expedition meal.

If I found good ingredients, I could make a delicious meal.

As I walked along the river with my horse, I discovered something.

I wondered if I could catch some clams or fish, and as I peered in, I had an unexpected encounter.

A loud "Boon, Boon" sound, like that of a triangular cow, echoed.

"Oh, that's it!"

A frog larger than my palm! Commonly known as a mountain frog!

It has a distinctive call similar to a triangular cow and is edible.

It's a rare source of protein when exploring the forest and coming across water.

The taste is similar to chicken and is quite delicious.

It might sound surprising to hear "frog," but if you don't say anything, no one will know. The meat is almost like chicken!

I slowly approached the mountain frog on the river rock and extended my hand.

They are fast runners, so I only had one chance.

I timed it and caught it with my hand.

"Yeees!!"

"Boon!!"

I successfully captured it.

I raised my fist in victory.

It was slimy and unpleasant, but I had to process it. I quickly killed it, slit its back with a knife, removed the organs, and washed them. I also drained the blood.

First one.

To feed all the members, I needed to catch enough for everyone.

I could still hear the calls of mountain frogs around me. If I worked hard, I might catch six.

I put the captured mountain frogs in a leather bag and hung it on the horse's saddle.

I held my spear ready and resumed the hunt.