The day after being taken to the forest by Anastasia, the convoy resumed its
activities as planned.
I, who was somewhat sleep-deprived thanks to the lecherous elf, sluggishly
accompanied them all the way to the fort.
On the way, we had the misfortune to encounter a herd of about a hundred
goblins, but the escort unit was able to fight them off as they were now used
to it.
Even though we had to protect the wagons of the convoy, we made it
through without any damage to people or property.
This was probably due to our harsh training and actual battles on a regular
basis.
After kicking out the goblin horde, we headed straight for the fort.
Although we arrived a little late, we were able to see the fort safely.
"So that's our destination this time? Isn't it quite big?"
The fort that spread out in front of us was surrounded by high walls and
looked like a prison.
Inside were several brick buildings, and soldiers were hurriedly moving
about.
Watchtowers were set up at the four corners of the outer wall in preparation
for an enemy attack.
The transport commander steps forward and calls for the gate to be opened.
"It's me. I've brought supplies again! Open up the gates!"
Apparently, she has been here many times for deliveries, as with just her
voice, the gate slowly opened. If you a re ab le to r e ad t his mes sa ge, yo u
ar e rea din g fro m an unaut ho rized ag g regate s ite. Re ad at my Wor dP
ress at s tab bing w ith a syr in ge. ho me. blo g to su pp or t me and my tr
ansl atio ns.
As expected of a military base, the gate is thick.
Even an ogre attack would probably not make a dent in it.
"It's very big, just like what you expect of a military base."
Besides me, Lucy is also saying so, looking at the facility with interest.
"Commander Finlay, let's leave the tour for later. There are still formalities
to be completed."
"Y-you're right. We still have duties to fulfill."
She was a little embarrassed but quickly got on with her task.
We assembled the troops who had been escorting the transport unit up to
this point.
Then, after putting them back into their original three units, which had been
divided into smaller groups, we checked the number of people via the roll
call.
Apparently, everyone is here.
I let the unit take a break as it is and followed Lucy, who was heading to
Allison in the Transport Unit.
In one of the warehouses lined up around the fort, we saw some personnel
of the Transport Unit and the soldiers of the fort unloading their cargo.
The unloaded goods were then carried into a large warehouse, pilling it
together with the dwindling contents.
"Miss Allison, how are the supplies?"
Lucy asked, and Allison turned and smiled.
"Thanks to you, everything has gone well. We are able to bring in all of
them intact."
Certainly, when we were attacked by goblins on the way, I realized that it
would have been dangerous if it were only just the Transport Unit, as they
have few numbers.
Plus with the task of protecting the convoy, they're basically fighting in
handicap.
"It's been a long time since we've been able to deliver supplies unharmed.
Thank you very much."
"I see. We're glad we were able to complete our mission as well."
As Lucy and Allison are talking, a soldier comes in from the back, probably
a Unit Commander, because his armor is more impressive than the other
soldiers.
When he approached, he raised his hand and spoke to them.
"Yo, Miss Allison. As always, thank you for all your hard work."
"It's nothing much, as we are just doing our jobs. But I'm glad that the
supplies are more intact this time."
"You couldn't have said it better. If it weren't for your supplies, we would
have starved. But I heard you were attacked by a horde of goblins along the
way?"
"Yes, but honestly, we wouldn't be in one piece if not for them."
This time, the two people turn and face Lucy.
"Nice to meet you, ma'am. I'm Legit, the commander of the fort's
garrison."
"I am Lucy Finlay, and I am in charge of the escort team."
When Lucy introduced herself, Legit, the garrison commander, narrowed
his eyes.
"Are you the Viscount Finlay we have been hearing so much about? Your
valor has spread far and wide to this fortress."
"W-well, yes, but this is kind of embarrassing, so…"
I certainly didn't think her fame had spread this far, either.
But it's a good trend.
If Lucy's fame rises, it will be easier to spread the word about her activities.
And if her prestige grows, she may have more allies when the time comes.
"However, it's a pity that an aristocrat is escorting a convoy…"
"I heard the number of supplies this time was too large for an ordinary
escort unit to handle."
"I see. It is indeed a large quantity."
Here I felt a sense of discomfort.
The garrison commander's complexion did not look good despite the fact
that a large number of supplies had been replenished.
I decided to boldly ask him a question.
"You look a little down in the dumps, Mr. Legit. Is there something that's
making you uneasy?"
He looked more and more troubled and put his hand on his head.
"No, I'm sorry to embarrass my fellow countrymen, but the morale of the
soldiers has been dropping lately."
"I suppose a certain amount of low morale is inevitable in this frontier
fort…"
The one who says so and follows up is Lucy.
It is difficult to maintain morale in commanding a large number of soldiers.
It will not be easy to get rid of the gloom in this fortress, which is far from
its home base in Krasland and has no villages or towns around it to
entertain the troops.
"There are luxury items in the supplies we brought this time, so why not use
them?"
It was Allison, the transport captain, who suggested that.
I quickly looked at the list before we left, and there must have been some
alcohol and cigarettes among them. This ch apt er trans lat ion is ma de p
oss ble by st abb in g w ith a s yri nge tra nslat ions. Che ck on ly up-to- d at
e tra n slat ions on my Wo rd pr e ss si te.
The command headquarters must have added these luxury items to the list
because they understood the environment of this fort.
But still, Legit shook his head.
"We couldn't. In the first place, it's impossible to get our commander's
permission because he banned them."
The commander he is speaking of is the overall commander of this port and
the garrison.
"That's why even though we have them, it's not like we can use them."
We looked at each other at his confusing words.
I had no idea that 'this' was happening.
"But why did the commander ban these goods?"
I felt the same curiosity in Lucy's question.
A man who has risen to the rank of commander, even in an isolated fort like
this, should know that low morale is detrimental to unit operations.
"The commander says you can't put a drunk soldier on duty…"
"The soldiers know that. They should be fine with a little drinking in their
free time."
Plus, there are no bars in this fort, so it's a natural thing to do.
If even that is suppressed, the soldiers will be frustrated.
"I don't know what to do either. Some people are already dissatisfied."
His words make me look around.
I noticed that some of the soldiers in the fortress who were unloading the
goods were also showing signs of discontentment.
The eyes that look at the supplies being carried are glaring, and you can feel
the uneasiness as if it's a bomb that you don't know when will explode.
"It seems that the matter is urgent, doesn't it?"
"You're right, Mr. Adjutant. If one starts a riot, we will all be punished
together. And even I am no exception."
The garrison commander seems to be very anxious.
However, if we manage to solve the problem, I think he will feel a great
debt of gratitude to us.
After all, it is reassuring to have a commander who can be relied on in
times of need.
"Lady Finlay, why don't we meet with their commander? Maybe we can
talk some sense to them and find a solution."
When I suggested this, she nodded.
"I, too, am concerned about the instability of this fortress, which is the
keystone of the western defenses."
Hearing her words, the garrison commander's color improved somewhat.
"Really? Thank goodness. The commander might be open to discussing it
this time if it's the same nobleman."
Thus, Lucy and I met with the fort's commander-in-chief.
In accordance with the basic etiquette, we informed the commander of our
meeting first, so they would have time to prepare on their end.
Either way, even though we have successfully delivered the supplies, it
seems that our problems aren't being solved yet.