Chapter 79

“An army marches on its stomach.” This is a fundamental principle of warfare handed down since ancient times.

Because it was winter in Isberg Village, there was very little food that could be sold to the knight order. In short, the knight order’s food reserves were in a precarious state. That said, for the perpetually cash-strapped Royal Foreign Hazardous Species Countermeasures Knights, a lack of funds and a lack of food are like old friends, so there was no particular reason to panic.

——Yes, under normal circumstances, this would have been a situation I didn’t need to panic about.

But this time, it was different.

Why? Because a single constraint was currently tormenting the knight order.

So, what is that constraint?

Before I explain that, I want you to remember another fundamental principle handed down in the knight order since ancient times.

…You don’t know it? No, you should.

Because you have already heard it countless times.

If you still can’t think of it, I’ll dare to say it once more.

“The things that torment us are always Orcs…!!”

“Well, I can’t deny that. Still, even if it’s winter, just packing it in snow is tough…”

Looking at the place where I—drooping with fatigue—and Senior Rock, who was unusually not holding a bottle of alcohol, were staring, sat the container holding the super-large Orc recovered from Isberg, packed in snow. That frozen-solid Orc was still in there, but currently, this container had become a massive problem.

“No, this is a huge failure on Nonoka’s part. I should have predicted that it wouldn’t fit in the purification yard’s warehouse before I headed to the scene…”

“Oh, Nonoka-san, thanks for your hard work. How is it? The contents, the snow?”

“It hasn’t melted yet. But honestly, I don’t know how many more days it will hold… I want to bring that corpse back to the Royal Capital in as pristine a condition as possible.”

Nonoka-san said this, looking troubled. In a way, I had heard certain circumstances surrounding that Orc, so I understood her feelings, but thinking about it now, it was only natural that this problem would surface.

Yes, the problem was that at our current pace toward the Royal Capital, the frozen Orc we had gone to such lengths to secure would thaw out along the way.

The storage vault for dissection Orcs—excluding those meant for disassembly at the purification yard facilities—only had a payload capacity of about six bodies. This was simply due to the fact that there was no payload capacity to preserve any more corpses than that, and because the number of Orcs Nonoka usually wanted to bring back to dissect was around three.

This storage vault was like a refrigerator equipped with simple refrigeration and anti-decay functions through magic; it was a very convenient warehouse that allowed us to store corpses with peace of mind even on long-term deployments.

However, putting a five-meter-class Orc corpse into a storage vault already packed with four other corpses was quite a difficult task, and furthermore, forcing a rock-hard frozen Orc into it ran the risk of breaking it. So, in a hurry, we worked Rai, our mechanic and technician, like a horse to create the container attached to the back of the purification yard. We tried to devise various shock-absorption and insulation effects on a whim, such as creating layers of straw and sawdust inside, but when we stopped the vehicle in town a few days later for resupply, as expected, the snow had become damp.

“And so, Nonoka will be rushing ahead to the Royal Capital, just like for the Imperial Matches the other day! As soon as the food is loaded, I’ll take a minimal team and head straight to the Magic Research Institute! Varna-kun and the others, please return slowly while resting!”

“I see, so that means we, the knight order members who have no business there, will be the ones returning at our leisure this time.”

“The Commander’s orders are that we can play for about three days.”

“I see. Since the Commander said to stay, it’s definitely a trap.”

“I think so too♪ Let’s go warn the newbies later~!”

Because that’s the kind of Commander he is. The mission this time was hard, to say the least, and while we had the grand excuse that we didn’t need to hurry because it was winter, if that were the case, he wouldn’t have specified the number of days, and taking a vacation after returning to the Royal Capital should have been fine. In other words, by us playing in this town for three days, that bearded geezer will obtain something and let out a hearty laugh. Without putting in any effort himself. I wish divine retribution would strike him.

“Nonoka, your level of understanding regarding the two Commanders is terrifying in many ways…”

“Well, I feel like Varna-kun has a higher level of understanding than his age suggests, but since you’ll be Vice Commander starting next fiscal year, that much is to be expected, right?”

“Come to think of it, I had forgotten that conversation!?”

What will happen to me starting next fiscal year? Vice Commander Rony’s career path is also strangely mysterious, and the adults around me are all heartless people who irresponsibly push work onto me. As Nonoka-san rubbed my back, smiling bitterly and saying, “You can rely on me if you’re in trouble♪,” her small hand felt strangely reliable, and I was about to cry.

While being rocked in the motive carriage on the way back, Nonoka was deep in thought in the passenger seat next to Rai, who was driving.

Judging by that behavior from the knight order, it seemed Varna was being well-behaved and keeping the secret about the Orc to himself. She didn’t particularly doubt him; rather, she was reaffirmed that her judgment in trusting him wasn’t wrong. A friend in need is a friend indeed. Though, it’s slightly questionable whether she should call their relationship “friends.” If anything, for Nonoka, Varna was closer to a student or disciple.

If only she had a disciple like that, her investigations on the continent would have been more efficient, she thought. Was it a misfortune or good fortune that it was in this kingdom that she met Varna, who possessed almost all the conditions she looked for in someone to investigate with? If she had to choose, it would still be good fortune, after all.

As she was thinking about such rambling matters, Rai, who was driving, called out to her.

“But Varna-san is also a bit of a klutz, isn’t he? It sounds like he couldn’t finish it off by himself because his sword wasn’t sharp enough.”

“Are you talking about the Orc subjugation this time? Hmm, but Varna-kun’s sword isn’t particularly worse than those of the people around him… I think the opponent was just a bad match?”

“Is that so? Hmm, for my part, I’d like it if Varna-san got a new sword and powered up soon. It’s a staple in hero-type stories, right!”

Rai, speaking as happily as if it were about himself, admired Varna as a “man who jumped out of a storybook” and always supported him. Indeed, Varna’s combat ability is off the charts. If he were an adventurer on the continent, he would reach the level of being called first-class in a matter of months.

But at the same time, Varna cherishes the state of “now.” His position within the knight order, his role, his human relationships, and his current equipment. Although she sometimes feels extraordinary enthusiasm in his mindset as a knight, Varna cherishes “now” even while complaining about various things. She had a good impression of that part of Varna, too.

“Ah, if only there were a Demon King on this island, it would be the start of Varna-san’s great adventure.”

“No, no, I don’t think a Demon King would appear. There was a disturbance by a self-proclaimed Demon King about five years ago, but in the end, an adventurer suppressed it. Who in the world was the hero, anyway?”

“Continent talk,” which is relatively unimportant to everyone in the kingdom, unfolded. By the way, the Demon King’s disturbance was a relatively large-scale incident, but it ended without much damage before they knew it, so there aren’t many people who know the details.

For what it’s worth, it seems the adventurer who captured the Demon King was given the title of “Hero,” but since the hero’s outfit prepared as proof of the hero was so uncool it could be mistaken for a humiliation play, the person appointed as the hero apparently left the guild and ran away.

“I’ve seen a real-deal hero’s outfit before… I think it would be better to be imprisoned than to return in triumph wearing that.”

“Is it at that level!? On the contrary, how did they manage to make something that embarrassing… Wait? Rai-kun, something is coming from the opposite direction.”

“You’re right. And it’s kind of big… Is it a carriage for nobles?”

The road the car is currently driving on is a large, paved road leading from the Royal Capital, but something resembling a carriage with luxurious decorations was approaching from the opposite side. With noble colors based on pure white, the flag flying bore the kingdom’s crest: a lion surrounded by stars. Both its size and design were clearly not those of a merchant.

As it approached, Nonoka realized. That vehicle was not pulled by horses. On the contrary, she could even hear a driving sound similar to this motive carriage. Rai’s eyes widened in astonishment as he realized the identity of the vehicle approaching them.

“That’s… the official mass-produced Type 1 motive carriage! I heard the roll-out wasn’t until next year because the vibration-damping function was still lackluster, but is it already running!?”

“Official mass-produced type?”

“It’s a new model made based on the know-how of the prototype motive carriages used by the ‘Pig-Hunt Knights’! Although this one is superior in size and horsepower, that one is characterized by being focused on ride comfort, being nimble, and having unnecessarily stylish decorations!”

“In other words, a hobby motive carriage for rich brats?”

“To put it bluntly, that’s what it feels like… But who is using it?”

It was a little surprising that even Rai, the mechanic, didn’t know, but since it was a rare chance, Nonoka stared intently at the hobby motive carriage. It wasn’t as elaborate as a carriage for nobles, but since it was scattered with patterns and gold ornaments that nobles seemed to like, it certainly wasn’t cheap-looking. It looks comfortable to ride, but it probably has a lot of unnecessary air resistance, she thought, with a scholar’s brain.

And then—at the moment they passed each other, having kept enough distance between the vehicles, something caught their eyes, and this time, both of them were surprised at the same time.

“That crest drawn on the side just now… isn’t that the crest of the Holy Shield Knights?”

“I-it certainly looked like that to me… I thought the Holy Shield Knights were basically always in the Royal Capital unless they were investigating or tracking criminals? I mean, where are they heading? The only place that car can go on this road without getting covered in dust is the town where Varna-san and the others are, isn’t it…”

“Ah… is that so?”

In an instant, the “Commander Rony’s message to rest in town for about three days” and the “destination of the Holy Shield Knights who had suddenly started moving” clicked together in both of their heads.

The town reached by the Royal Foreign Hazardous Species Countermeasures Knights was called Calypso.

It was located relatively close to the Royal Capital, and while it didn’t rival the capital in scale, it was one of the few significant urban centers in the country. Being near the capital, security was good, and it was quite a livable place, free from the annoying privileged classes often found in major cities.

However, in one of the taverns in Calypso, a vulgar voice was ringing out, marring that sense of livability.

“Hahahaha!! More booze!! Bring me the next round of booze already, dammit!!”

“H-hey, customer! You’ve been drinking nothing but the most expensive stuff, but are you really going to be able to pay for all of this!?”

“Ah, don’t worry about it! I’m a knight, aren’t I? I’ll fork over the cash without a second thought!”

The tavern keeper’s anxiety grew with the face of the red-faced man laughing raucously, but the man, acting as if it were none of his concern, kicked his feet up onto the tavern table and leaned back into the sofa. Next to him was a woman he had coincidentally met at the shop, though it would be more accurate to say she was being forced to stay there by having her shoulder grabbed, rather than just being there.

She managed to keep a polite smile plastered on her face while holding her glass, but she was clearly devoid of energy, and she winced occasionally at the touch of the man’s fingers on her shoulder. However, the woman lacked the courage to simply shake him off. It wasn’t merely that she had a weak personality; the cause lay with the man.

“But you’re cute, you know! Do you live in this town? Do you have a boyfriend?”

“N-no, I don’t…”

“Whoa! I’m single, too~! Is this a coincidence? Or a whim of the Goddess of Fate? …Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“I-I don’t understand…”

The man’s face leaned in close to hers. The woman tried her best not to let her smile crumble, but the hand holding her glass was trembling slightly. It was no wonder. While the man’s mouth was smiling, his eyes were filled with an uncanny light, like a beast searching for prey.

“You really don’t understand?”

“U-um…”

“Say ‘yes.’ I’ve already heard your address and your name. Even if you run away now, a devoted man like me will just chase after you, you know…?”

“……!! Y-yes!!”

“Alright!! That’s it! I like girls who are honest, so I’ll be sure to love you gently!”

“Th-thank you very much… ah, hahaha…”

The surrounding eyes were filled with pity for the woman forced to sit next to him, and irritation at the man acting like a common thug. But the moment those gazes collided with the man’s, he suddenly stood up, stomping the foot he had rested on the table. With the impact, the drinks on the table rattled and fell to the floor, several glasses shattering and going to waste.

“Hey, you! What was that look just now? Is that a provocation against me, huh?”

“T-that’s ridiculous! I didn’t do anything…!”

“It’s a big deal to lie to a knight, you know? And I’m not just any knight… do you want to become the rust on my sword?”

“Ah… ah…!!”

The man claiming to be a knight slowly drew the sword from his scabbard. The tip of the exquisite, beautiful blade—clearly not something a mere grunt of a knight would possess—traced the neck of the man who had been pushed into this dispute. The victim’s expression turned pale with the fear of death—and a large, dark stain appeared on the crotch of his trousers.

Seeing this, the man claiming to be a knight easily sheathed his sword, tapped the man on the shoulder with a face filled with genuinely twisted superiority, and whispered, “I’m just joking.”

“For a kind-hearted soul like me, doing something as cruel as striking you down for disrespect is just… after all, I am the man who has become the model and the idol of all knights—the Sword Emperor Varna-samaaaaaa!!”

In the end—the man who called himself Varna forced the entire bill onto the man who had wet himself, grabbed the reluctant woman’s hand somewhat forcibly, and left the tavern. The man, in a supremely good mood, chuckled—thinking that this was the most enjoyable day of his entire life.

…Needless to say, this was all a complete misunderstanding. And in more ways than one.