Chapter 80

In the midst of cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

The finely chopped dried bergenia, dried vegetables, and dried mushroom soup, seasoned with a spicy kick, was incredibly delicious. The knights were dipping flat monigaru yam bread into the soup, so I did the same, crumbling the hard-baked bread into the hot soup.

(Indeed. This way, the soup cools down just right and can be eaten quickly.)

The bread itself had a salty flavor, which enhanced the taste of the soup. The softened bread was easier to eat, and before I knew it, I had finished it all. Thanks to the spices, my body began to warm up.

"Hmm... It was really delicious."

After drinking the last drop, I let out a sigh of happiness. Reina, who had been watching everyone eat, blushed and smiled at my words. The other cooks also seemed relieved.

"Hey, Reina, the kitchen head. Is this dried bergenia meat also good to eat as it is?"

Muran, who had finished her soup like me, noticed the leather bag filled with dried bergenia meat next to Reina.

"You can eat it, but it's quite salty."

Reina took a small piece of dried meat and handed it to Muran. After examining it closely, Muran tore it apart and put it in her mouth. After chewing for a while, she smiled at Reina.

"Yeah, it's quite salty. But I think it's perfect for replenishing salt after walking a lot or fighting against magic beasts and sweating."

I had thought the same when we were in Loyarmoud and Zanas. Muran not only has no resistance to eating magic beasts but actively enjoys it. I know how to prepare magic beasts, but Muran is different. Considering the incident in Skrimwood and the fact that she has suffered from residual magic power, her willingness to try new foods is truly admirable.

"That's not fair, Muran."

"I, I agree! Muran Captain is so unfair. Reina, I want to eat it too!"

Zef and Lillian, who had been watching, quickly asked Reina for some dried meat. Zef bit into it right away, while Lillian started nibbling on it while drinking herbal tea. Knights, who rely on their bodies, tend to prefer foods that provide strength, especially meat. Zef, in particular, showed a clear preference for meat, even though he had overcome his dislike of vegetables.

"By the way, Miss Melfiela. I heard that the dried skatzbit meat that Assistant Chaos is eating was made by you."

When Muran asked me, I tilted my head. I only made dried skatzbit meat for Aristide during the autumn festival. This means Muran, like Yanish, might have received some from Chaos.

"Yes, I made it. Marshall Raid is a cold region, so salty foods are preferred."

"Assistant Chaos is a miser, so I only got a little. I wish I could eat more. Can this bergenia dried meat be seasoned the same way?"

Muran started grilling the remaining dried meat, and the aroma of grilled meat spread around.

"Yes, it's possible if you have berries from the belbel tree. However, bird meat and beast meat have different qualities, so I think jetsbit meat would work better to recreate that taste."

"Jetsbit is common around here, but the belbel tree... Is it a magic tree?"

I nodded at Muran. Yes, the belbel tree is a magic tree commonly found near water in northern regions like Marshall Raid. Unlike ordinary trees, it can move to seek water. Its roots are for movement, and it absorbs water through long, thin leaves. However, it only moves about ten furlongs over a month, causing no harm. In fact, its small yellow fruits are valued as a moth repellent for clothing, and when dried and powdered, they become a flavorful and stimulating spice.

"It's a four-day round trip to Marshall Raid... and it's winter there. Hmm..."

Muran, who had started to ponder, chewed on the grilled dried meat. "This is delicious in its own way, so I'll endure for now," she said. But if she liked it so much, I should look into whether it can be recreated with Galbreath's magic beasts. As I was thinking this, it seemed to be time for those who go to bed early. Everyone started cleaning up, and I joined the cooks to help with the dishes.

"Miss, we can take care of this. You should go to bed."

Reina, who seemed flustered, tried to stop me, but I am also a member of the rear support team. I can do little, but I don't want to be treated specially.

"Pampering me won't help me grow. Please guide me strictly."

"That's impossible... Captain Blanche, please say something."

Reina turned to Captain Blanche for help, but Captain Blanche was on my side.

"Miss has decided to live with His Excellency and us. Therefore, unless she does something outrageous, I will not oppose her."

"But, a noble lady like Miss doing the dishes after we've eaten..."

"Reina, understand. His Excellency does everything from laundry to meal preparation. It's the same. Accept and give up."

"Ugh... Miss is the same as His Excellency."

Reina, who had deflated and made a strange sound, was left alone. I washed the dishes I had collected and put them in the bucket. Since I was used to washing dishes, I didn't seem to be in the way. I felt grateful for being able to do things for myself.

"Besides, Assistant Chaos called Miss and His Excellency 'rui tomo.'"

"Eh? Lillian, what's 'rui tomo'?"

"Reina, don't you know? 'Rui tomo' means they are very compatible and indispensable to each other and are good friends!"

"Really? But that's a wonderful thing!"

Hearing Lillian's explanation, I involuntarily gasped and choked. I can understand being compatible, but being indispensable to each other is a bit different, isn't it?

Protesting, Lillian smiled at me. Reina, who seemed to believe it completely, and Lillian, who seemed to be saying it without fully understanding, made me wonder if I should correct them.

(Should I correct it?)

However, Captain Blanche was just smiling, and if I were to be grilled by the two young girls, I would be in trouble (I don't even know why Chaos called them 'rui tomo').

"His Excellency smiles very kindly when he's with Miss."

"Yep, I understand!"

To get away from the two, who were veering off in a different direction, I quickly left with the washed dishes and a towel.

If I could become indispensable to Aristide, it would be an honor, but it would require a lot of effort. I am still far from being able to stand beside Aristide with pride. I have a lot to learn and have not yet achieved anything that would make me worthy of standing beside him. But,

(I want to become true friends...)

With Aristide, I can be very natural. More importantly, talking to him is very enjoyable. I want to know more about Aristide and for him to know more about me. I never thought about such things a month ago, but my desires are growing. I don't know if it's good or bad, but I want to cherish my days in Galbreath.

◇

The next morning, before the sun had risen, we packed up our tents and set off for the Yglosh Salt Lake. Breakfast was a dried bread made from a mixture of vegetables, grains, and fruits called amusset. The knights, who were used to it, ate the amusset with herbal tea. I followed their example, but without water, it was hard to eat and not very tasty. It was light, small, and high in nutrients, making it suitable for expedition rations.

"Alright, is everything loaded?"

The rear support team leader checked each cart. The sthingl, earth dragons, and glacial dragons all seemed to be in good condition after their rest.

To ward off the morning chill, we wore fur-lined coats and rode the sthingl, which Captain Blanche controlled. After three hours, as the eastern sky began to brighten and the night turned to day, we encountered a black magic beast with prominent horns.

(It looks like a cow... but its body is slender. A hump on its back? But it looks more like a horse, yet those horns...)

In a battle, I would be more of a hindrance than a help. I thought about escaping to a place where I wouldn't be a bother, but the knights showed no signs of alarm as the magic beast approached in a herd of about ten. The knights in the air didn't descend, and Captain Blanche sighed deeply.

"Is that magic beast harmless?"

Curious about the unfamiliar magic beast, I asked Captain Blanche.

"That's a garrotrock. The hump on its back is one of our knights, so it's harmless."

As the garrotrock, which had legs twice as thick as a horse and a curved horn, approached, I could see that the hump was indeed a black-clad knight. The hump looked like a hump because the knight was wearing a fluffy black coat.

The fluffy hump... no, the knight, moved and peeked out from under the coat.

"Hey, Miss! You're late, so I came to meet you."

The face that peeked out was none other than Yanish, the commander of Azaro Fort.

"Commander Yanish, wasn't the arrival of the Azaro Fort unit scheduled for this evening?"

"Ah... was it?"

When the rear support team leader pointed this out, Yanish scratched his cheek and looked confused.

"You're too early. We are proceeding strictly on schedule. The main force, including His Excellency, won't arrive until midday."

"Don't be so picky. I was looking forward to this day and got carried away. Miss, my preparations are complete. Let's finish quickly and enjoy some delicious crabs!"

Yanish's beaming smile made Captain Blanche sigh even deeper.

"Just when I thought we had safely reached the shores of the Yglosh Salt Lake, to be greeted by this in the morning... Miss, not all Galbreath knights are like this. You might only see the more energetic, hungry, and free-spirited ones, but..."

"You're energetic and free-spirited too, Blanche."

"Shut up!"

Despite Captain Blanche's lament, Yanish's enthusiastic laughter echoed across the shores of the Yglosh Salt Lake.

Thanks to everyone, the book version was published by K LNove Books on April 2nd. I sincerely appreciate your support.

The comic version is serialized on the Palcy app every Monday, and on pixiv Comic every Wednesday.