Over dinner, I explain to the Hulting family about Mazel’s life in King’s Landing. I’m the one who is listening to the family’s story from my point of view, but they still seem interested in it. I guess it’s like listening to a story about studying abroad.
“… So, Mazel’s winning rate in mock battles at the school is higher than anyone else’s. So far, he has won forty-six fights, forty-five victories and one draw, including against teachers. So far, she has won forty-five games against forty-six opponents, including teachers, and has one draw.”
“Is that a draw, Mr. Werner?”
“No, I can’t beat Mazel.
Now, with Mazel using a tree branch or something as a weapon, I’m sure I’d lose in a handicap match where I have a true spear.
“Really? Then what kind of person…?”
“No, that’s not what I’m saying.”
It is an anecdote that has become legendary in our generation. It was a day when we had just entered the school, and we had a mock battle to test our skills in the outdoor training area. Mazel’s opponent was the third son of a certain noble family. Well, he was not so weak, and Mazel would have won the match.
Both players were in position, swords at the ready, and the teacher acting as the referee said, “Begin! the teacher, the referee, said, “Begin!” At that moment, bird droppings fell on the third boy’s head with a clatter. Then there was a moment of silence.
We classmates who were watching the game laughed hysterically, and the opponent stiffened and did not move. Mazel’s face looked as if she was in a deep trouble. I have never seen Mazel’s face like that before or since.
The teacher looked like he was laughing, and the game ended with a draw. He told his opponent to go wash his head. Mazel laughed and accepted the judge’s decision, so the match was counted as a draw. Considering Mazel’s current ability, this is the only draw he ever had in his school days.
“We just laughed at the time.”
When I concluded the story, the Hultings, who had been gawking at me, started laughing. Yes, it was good to laugh. They left their native village like that. It’s natural to be tense.
Neurath came up to him and threw the remaining slice of meat into his mouth and then turned to face him.
Mr. Werner, everyone’s finished eating.
“Yeah, how about a horse?”
“I hope you had a good enough rest.”
“Okay.”
I tell the Hultings to get ready to leave and gather all the knights instead. Now that I’ve had some rest, my head finally starts to spin.
“We’ll select two people. This one has a cart, so it will take time. I want you to go back to the Zehrfeldt family army first and report back to me on what’s going on.”
Okay. How about Villy and Filat?
“Yeah, I’ll leave it to you two.”
Well, they’re all worthy knights of the House of Zehrfeld, so they could be anyone, but I’ll accept the recommendation of my predecessors here. But I have more important things to ask of you.
“After I give you an update, tell Max what I want him to do. Tell him to tell the general and his father in King’s Landing what happened in the village of Aarea.”
The village head might file a lawsuit against him with lies that suit him. We need to tell King’s Landing that Aarea Village is corrupt. Once my father is informed, he will do the rest.
As a human psychology, most of us judge the information that comes later by comparing it with the information we already have. If one side gives the impression that the other side is outrageous, the later side’s argument will inevitably seem to be an excuse. This is the reason why the side that sued has the advantage in a trial. When dealing with such people who think that their own convenience takes precedence over everything else, you have to make time your friend, or the people of King’s Landing will have a preconceived notion that we are wrong.
When I explained this to them, they nodded their heads in admiration, and Willi and the other two said that if that was the case, they would report to the Zehrfeldt team and then go directly to King’s Landing themselves. I could not hesitate here.
“Then you two will be allowed to use the magic items for the journey to Weinzierl. After reporting to the general, tell him to take the item that looks like a shoe in my office storage box to ‘Weinzierl, the capital’.”
“Ha, ha.”
“At the same time, I forbid you to tell anyone about its effects. As for the use of the magical tools, I’ll write you a letter of permission now.
Villy and the others looked at me as if they didn’t know what I was talking about, but that’s OK. I have hardly explained the flying shoe skywalk yet, and I don’t want to spread it to too many people because there aren’t enough of them. I would also like to find out why it has not spread.
Since there was no paper, I used a brush made from a piece of wood, and I tore a piece of cloth and wrote a brief description of the permission on it. If you bite your fingertips and put your thumbprint in blood, this is still a temporary official document.
In medieval Europe, there were ring seals and such, but for some reason there are none in this world. Perhaps it would be profitable to sell ring seals.
“We are going straight to Valeritz. Ask Max to organize a convoy to escort the Hulting family to King’s Landing, and arrange for them to meet us on the way.”
Yes, sir.
I really want to send them from here to the capital, but they need a family escort, and there is the problem of food. Adventurers and knights can hunt demons and cook for a few days on the way to the capital, but it’s too hard for ordinary people. But that would be too hard for a commoner.
A few people could survive on edible wild plants, but it is too dangerous now. A guard is a must.
On the other hand, it is unlikely that the Royal Army is still in the vicinity of Valeritz. It is reasonable to assume that they are heading toward Finoi. We don’t know the exact location of the army, and it would be faster if they meet up somewhere.
I wish I had brought my flying boots, but I didn’t expect any trouble in the village of Aarea. I wonder if they can be used to move to the ruins of Valeritz in such a state.
I don’t have it in the first place, so I don’t even have to think about it.
“The rest of you will join me in escorting the Hulting family to the convoy. From there, they will head for King’s Landing.”
I understand.
I’m sorry about that. It’s not like we’ve been dragged from place to place.
But now I’ve used up all the flying shoes I had, even the spare ones. I need to replenish them somehow. I’ll ask Mazel to share them with me when I get them.
Early in the morning of the third day after hunting demons, explaining the situation, listening to the story of Mazel’s childhood, and camping for two nights……………
“Mr. Werner.”
“Yeah, that was quicker than I thought.”
I was a bit defensive for a moment as a group of people approached us with even horse-drawn wagons prepared, but the one leading the group on horseback was the knight who was the leader of the second group at the time of the Suidobashi patrol mission. It seems that all the members are from the first and second groups.
Thank goodness we all know each other and there is no room for bandits and other imposters in disguise.
Mr. Werner, thank you for waiting.
“I’m sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused you. But we’ll get to that later. You will take the Hulting family to my father in King’s Landing.”
Yes, sir.
That’s a good answer. I’m counting on you.
How’s the war going?
“Ha! The Royal Army has attacked the rear of the demon army that is attacking the Great Temple of Finoi, and the battle lines have been stalemated for several days.
“Finoy is…”
“So far, it’s alive and well.”
A big sigh of relief inside. It looks like Feri did a good job. And I’m being silly, but I didn’t check something important, so I’m going to ask you.
“Speaking of which, who is the general in the end?”
“His Excellency the Duke of Gründing.”
Ugh. The current queen’s family head. He’s a big shot. I can’t help but look away. I hope it’s just a sermon.
Well, that would make him Laura’s grandfather on her mother’s side. I’m getting a little personal. I mean, Laura’s grandfather wasn’t in the game either. Well, it doesn’t matter.
“What else?”
I regret to hear it. Not to mention the 1st and 2nd Knights, the Marquis of Norpoth, the Marquis of Schramm, and the sorcerers’ corps. How many counts and viscounts are bringing a total of 17 families and their children? I mean, will they be able to keep up with the supply?
This is not only a bad way to lose, it is also a bad way to be in the long run.
“In addition, General Seifert has just arrived with a supply convoy.
“Uh, okay.”
I know the supply corps eats things meals too… Well, they are probably thinking about that. But isn’t the number of men in the supply convoy, including the non-combatants who carry the cargo, well over 3,000?
Such a large army never moved in the game. I mean, in the game, there is only a heroic party. I don’t know how to react to the story, which has changed so much. On the other hand, if Mazel and the others were outside of Finoi, the nobles would have made some kind of request on their own, so it might have been good that they were already inside Finoi as a siege party.
I’m going to have to appear in front of all those bigwigs anyway. My stomach hurts. It’s my fault for leaving the military without permission.
“Okay. I’m going to Finoy now. Take care of the family.
“Ha ha.”
I go to the Hultings’ house to say hello and tell them that I am leaving and returning to military duty. I have explained the situation to them and they understand.
“Please be careful, Mr. Werner.”
“Oh, thank you.”
Lily looks concerned and I smile.
What do you mean? It’s been a long time since I’ve been worried about something like this, hasn’t it?
I’ve realized that my workplace is probably even more black than I imagined, and that I’d be happier if I didn’t notice.
