The coachman of the military carriage carrying my comrades and me swung his whip with great strength. The horses stepped forward under the sunlight partly covered by clouds.
The wind began to make the military carriage’s cloth flap.
“Still, there’s an overwhelmingly large amount of supplies! What are all these things for?”
Add, while flapping the cloth, asked brightly, apparently in a good mood due to the incoming wind.
“…”
Lir seated beside him gave a cool glance in response, seemingly unentertained by Add’s casual nature. Given her personality, it might take quite a while—perhaps even forever—before she and Add become friends.
Honestly, I don’t have the intention to get much closer to that guy either. His overly cheerful face alone gives me a strong sense of discomfort and alienation.
…Does he even know where we’re headed?
If he did, he wouldn’t be able to wear such a bright expression.
“…Private Add, we’re heading to the battlefield. Maybe it’s better if you keep quiet for a bit?”
When Add, Rex, Lir, and even Alter, all showed signs of discomfort, Rex decided to address Add.
“Ah! Sorry, sir. It’s my first deployment as a soldier, so I wasn’t really aware… I’ll keep it in check!”
Hah, even his apology sounds so bright and confident.
So annoying.
“…Well, aside from Private Add being a bit too noisy, I must admit I’m also a little curious. I noticed that the supplies this time seem two to three times more than usual.”
When Rex managed to calm Add, he gently asked me. The experienced soldier himself seemed unfamiliar with such a massive amount of supplies moving at once.
Twenty-one supply carriages loaded with supplies are speeding along a well-paved road, escorted by soldiers.
Typically, supply caravans consist of five to six carriages, making the current number rather unusual.
“How long has the battle in Valleland been going on?”
“Almost two months.”
“Then the soldiers’ morale must be atrocious.”
Two months.
The two days I spent risking my life in the dungeon were already an extremely painful and arduous experience. How must the soldiers feel who have endured on a battlefield of a much higher intensity for ten times the duration?
“Word is that there are quite a few deserters. Everyone must be at their limit by now.”
Valleland is the fiercest battlefield in the continental war between humans and marauders. The soldiers there likely endure the daily agony of their bodies and bones being worn away, covered in blood.
Yet, these soldiers have been clinging to life in such a hell for two months.
It’s still too early to hand out awards, but in my opinion, these brave souls who have gritted their teeth this long certainly deserve at least some form of recompense.
“We’ve also brought a large supply of tobacco, alcohol, coffee, and other such items. We aim to distribute them to the soldiers enduring hardships in Valleland to boost their morale.”
“Do the military supply alcohol as well? I absolutely love alcohol!”
Add couldn’t resist interrupting my conversation with Rex.
Seriously, what a turn-off, this character.
“…Of course, alcohol isn’t part of the supply. These are items I personally purchased.”
Though I didn’t elaborate, every single item of alcohol and tobacco inside the carriage is of the highest quality.
“Do tobacco and coffee fall under the same category?”
“…Yeah, that’s right.”
“Does that mean when you become a general, you can earn enough to buy such an extravagant amount of alcohol and tobacco? That’s a little surprising.”
Well, naturally. As a general, I earn a high monthly salary of around 30 gold, making me a reasonably high earner. However, even that salary was not enough to fill so many carriages with only the best alcohol and tobacco.
So, I asked my steward to utilize the income derived from the lands I own.
As someone who owns vast tracts of land in the capital of the allied nations — one of the most valuable areas on the continent — there’s no problem I can’t solve with money.
If the salary is insufficient, then surely the income from the land will do just fine.
*
The supply caravans, which started traveling at dawn, didn’t stop even when the sun was high in the sky and continued well into the afternoon until finally entering the Achilipthus Forest.
Welcoming us on a newly constructed path were dwarf guards, bringing a familiar grassy scent with them.
The dwarves didn’t address me by name or title but referred to me with the absurd nickname ‘Master of the Spirits.’
…Whatever rumour is spreading among the dwarves is something I can neither guess nor suppress.
I burst into a wry laugh as I lightly greeted the familiar faces after so long, drawing a look of admiration from Add who was watching from the side.
How is it that in this forest, from the spirits to mortal beings, there’s not even one normal person?
“General, I heard you are leaving for Valleland today. May the gods grant you safe travels.”
Rex, with a determined expression, gave me a salute as I passed through their checkpoint.
“…Mighty unpleasant, huh.”
Trian, standing next to him, cursed under his breath.
“At least you came to see me off. Actually, it’s probably because you’re worried, right? You seem softer than I thought, Trian.”
Losing temper here is something amateurs do.
I forced my lips into a smile and retorted as I took in his icy glare. Even though my molars ached, I concentrated and managed to maintain a decent smile.
“Given how many familiar faces have been departing recently, I thought I’d see them off one last time.”
This good-for-nothing elf, take a look at his rude remarks!
“Haha… Perhaps…”
I wanted to throw a punch at this elf’s head right when stepping off the carriage, but realizing that this discourteous elf wouldn’t stand still to receive my slow punch, I had no choice but to remain seated and suppress my anger.
“…Once you return alive, maybe I’ll let you hit me once.”
Trian smirked at the skeletal fingers and faint tendons on the back of my hand, uttering those words as though they were a joke.
“…You’d better keep that promise.”
Rude bastard. For his sake, I absolutely will return alive to give him a beating.
After witnessing the exchange between me and Trian, Lir let out a soft sigh and told the coachman to move out. She probably noticed that my teeth were clenched tight—an observation likely courtesy of her elven instincts.
“…If you return alive, I’ll let you land one punch on me.”
Trian chuckled at the thin possibility in my words.
“…You better not break your promise.”
The two of us left behind the light greetings of Rex and Trian and exited the Achilipthus Forest.
Dark clouds began to gather gloomily beyond the horizon. The horses’ steps gradually slowed even as the coachman whipped them on. No matter how hard he tried, the animals wouldn’t move faster.
Suddenly, a sour smell brushed across my nose. Up ahead, a wagon carrying something substantial approached, driven by a grim-faced coachman.
“…”
Our coachman silently tipped his hat to his fellow coachman, but the one heading toward us didn’t even acknowledge him. As the heavily cloaked wagon drew closer, the sour smell grew stronger.
The face of the coachman driving the wagon in the opposite direction passed by like the wind, his weathered face shadowed heavily by the light.
The wheels creaked. Somewhere, a groaning noise could be heard. Between the cloths covering the wagon, an arm — unmistakably a human one — peeked out.
That’s when I finally identified the sour smell I’d sensed since before.
It was the smell of a corpse wagon.
“…”
Most of the passengers in the carriage seemed to know what this smell was. Even Add, who had been chatty earlier, now merely swallowed thick saliva, overwhelmed by the scent.
The clouds darkened further. The wind felt sticky like a thick liquid. An indescribable, uncomfortable sensation crawled over my skin. It felt like my flesh was either burning or swelling.
Amidst the sticky air, the supply wagon finally arrived at Valleland.
“…We’ve arrived.”
The coachman said this in a trembling voice, possibly overwhelmed by the sight ahead of us.
Rex led the way off the carriage, his large frame stepping out first, and the dark sky welcomed us through the fluttering cloths.
The large sword-wielding Add followed next, also obviously on edge.
Alter was the first mage to stand. Unlike his usual bare-handed approach, he now held a tall staff appropriate for his height.
Lir and I stepped out almost simultaneously. Though it would be a lie to say we weren’t scared, I strode outside pretending to be calm.
“…We pledge allegiance.”
A weak voice greeted us. The officer welcoming us appeared to have been sleepless for days, with deep dark circles under his eyes.
From behind him, faint groans and screams were heard.
“…We swear allegiance…”
The greeting was cut short by a loud explosion from somewhere far away. Everyone on site turned to look in the direction of the explosion, except the officer.
“Those were just magic mines going off. You don’t need to worry about it.”
“A… Understood.”
…The mines exploded but no need to be concerned?
Apparently, the logic of the battlefield has deteriorated to a level where comparing it to medieval norms would be an insult.
“Still, there is an overwhelming amount of baggage here. You don’t seem to be carrying regular amounts of food or weapons…”
“…Ah, we’ve brought alcohol, tobacco, and various luxury items. All of top quality.”
I explained to the officer with a slightly fearful tone, considering his dark expression.
Uncle, you look terrifying.
“…Alcohol and tobacco, you say? Are those considered regular supplies?”
His dark expression slightly loosened, and he questioned me, clearly doubting my words.
“…I spent my own money. I figured the soldiers’ morale must be dreadful.”
That’s how I responded, asking one of the carriage drivers to fetch a bottle of wine and hand it to the officer. He took the bottle, raising it to his eyes, tears forming above his dark circles as he whispered in awe.
“Eleven-year-old…!”
Our severe-looking officer brought the bottle to his lips and murmured in awe.
“Thank you!”
Soon, he displayed a bright smile as he repeatedly bowed to me.
…His dark circles were still there, but the smile made him look much better.
No matter how elite, fighting against the Grand Marshal, they remain human after all.
