Chapter 26: Winter Day
A true winter arrived in the country of Nonette.
Being a mountainous country, when the sky became cloudy, light snowflakes would fall, and on sunny days, the sunlight reflected off the snow, creating a dazzling scene.
Although it accumulated, the amount of snow was only ankle-deep at most, so it wasn't enough to be burdened with shoveling, which was the only relief.
During the winter, a particular type of plant called "snow beans" was cultivated in the fields of Nonette.
These snow beans had pure white pearls as their beans, and their leaves and stems, which grew through the snow, were blackish-green, a plant that didn't exist in the previous era. I think the reason they had a dark color was to absorb as much sunlight as possible and stay warm. They were called "rescue beans" in the old days because they bore beans around the end of winter, so even if the stored food ran out, you could eat your fill again if you endured a little longer. They were bitter and not very tasty, so I didn't particularly like them.
Because these beans were a valuable source of food in winter, animals that didn't hibernate or failed to store food for hibernation would come to the fields to prey on them around the beginning of winter.
"It's the duty of a soldier to exterminate those wild animals and turn them into meat... Guah!"
Beside the bean field, I hid in a mat covered with snow and shot an approaching wild dog with my bow and arrow.
"Kyaiii~..."
Confirming that it let out a small cry and fell, I stepped out of the mat and approached the dog with the arrow lodged in it.
The arrow had pierced the small head of the dog from the side. It must have died instantly without even feeling the pain.
Judging from its emaciated body, it was probably an individual that had been driven out of its pack and was having trouble finding food.
"I'll make sure to make full use of the hide and meat."
Mumbling those words as a memorial, I pulled out the arrow and collected it. Then, I grabbed the dog's legs with both hands and carried it to the house beyond the field.
After placing the corpse in front of the house and opening the door to go inside, I saw Centis drinking a steaming beverage.
Upon seeing that sight, I squinted my eyes with a hint of reproach.
"You're pushing the troublesome work onto your subordinates and enjoying a warm place while elegantly drinking your beverage. Truly befitting of the leader of the new recruits."
"Don't say strange things, Mimo. Protecting this field is primarily the task of the new recruits. And I'm not a newcomer."
"If that's the case, then why am I being sent out to exterminate wild animals? I distinctly remember it being your fault, Centis 'Commander-sama.'"
"That's an unfair accusation. I didn't intend to bring Mimo along in the first place."
"Well, that's true. When I proposed, 'I have doubts about the qualifications of the new recruits in the role of Sentis trainers,' the high-ranking military officials were taken aback and had a hard time responding. So, I looked into the reason behind their hesitation, and it turned out that almost all of them owed a gambling debt to Sentis. And among those who could evaluate Sentis, there were only two people without any debts: me and Alextem."
"Alextem's old man is busy with personnel assignments, after all. Looks like it's fallen into Mimobo's lap."
As Alextem casually said that despite understanding the situation, I felt a headache coming on.
"While the evaluators are fulfilling their duties among the new recruits, why is the person in question lounging by the fireplace? What's the meaning of that?"
"Well, it's not like we'll be troubled if there's no one to handle the new recruits. Besides, I don't mind being demoted to a regular soldier."
"Seriously, why is someone like this serving as a trainer?"
"Well, there's only simple work that newcomers can do. The role of a trainer naturally becomes an easy task. And you also get compensation for it. So, becoming a trainer is the only option."
"So, they used their gambling debts as leverage to get recommendations from various places."
"Everyone readily granted permission when they exchanged a few debts. It was surprisingly easy."
As Alextem said it nonchalantly, I found myself troubled.
It's the fault of the high-ranking officials who were bought off by Alextem, but labeling it as corruption would be an extreme judgment. It seems that it's common to willingly recommend someone if they are given a task that doesn't differ much no matter who does it, and the debts disappear. Even Alextem, my superior, holds the same opinion based on years of military service.
I wonder if this is really alright, but apparently, after the newcomers are assigned to their posts, they undergo strict training tailored to the specific location, which completes them as soldiers.
So, the purpose of the new recruits' training is to build a minimum level of physical fitness as soldiers and provide them with a certain degree of versatility during the training period.
"Anyway, at least act like a trainer. Otherwise, we might really have to relieve you of your duty."
"Alright, alright. I'll keep an eye on it from my window. But hey, deal with that stray dog, Mimobo. It's affecting the taste of the meat."
"I know. I don't want today's meal to be ruined."
Having finished complaining about Sentis, I moved on to dissecting the stray dog.
If I were to say I eat dogs in my past life, people would give me strange looks, but in the country of Nonette, it's a common ingredient to eat. Well, it's more like we want to make use of the pests we've managed to defeat rather than just throwing them away as waste.
Now, I've been trained as a soldier since I was ten years old, and I've had plenty of experience dissecting wild animals, so dissecting a single beast is a piece of cake. It's even better when it's winter and the snow is piled up. Snow can quickly chill the meat, and rubbing it can wash away any excess clumps of blood.
I remove the entrails, skin the fur, cut off the head, and divide the various parts into sections.
Afterward, I hang them at the eaves, and naturally, frozen meat is ready.
As I finish the task and clean the knife I used for dissection with a cloth, Hones returns. In her arms, she carries a large white rabbit.
When Hones sees me, she smiles proudly.
"Senpai, look! I did it!"
"It's a good-sized rabbit. It would be a shame if the dissection failed."
I thought I was genuinely impressed, but the latter half of my statement seemed like a slip of the tongue as Hones puffs up her cheeks.
"Hmph. Please watch. I'll demonstrate the proper dissection!"
Hones takes out the bronze knife provided to her and begins dissecting the rabbit.
She must have received proper training because although her movements are a bit uncertain, she proceeds according to the procedure. It's amusing to see how she carefully inserts the blade bit by bit when she cuts open the belly to remove the entrails without damaging them.
Taking a bit more time, the rabbit is stripped of its fur, and its head is removed. In its finished state, its forearms are slender, its thigh meat is well-developed, and its body is large and round. It somewhat resembles the round poultry seen during the Christmas season.
I had heard in a casual conversation in a past life that during the Edo period, when the consumption of meat was prohibited, they insisted that rabbit meat was actually bird meat. Seeing the appearance of the meat, I can understand why they would say that.
Hones presents the rabbit to me, proudly puffing out her chest.
When I relayed to Hones what an older soldier once told me, she widened her eyes in surprise.
"This is the first time I've been given instructions like that."
"...What kind of guidance does Sentis provide?"
"Um, he just tells me to watch and learn. Even if I don't understand, he tells me to imitate him."
There are soldiers who prefer the approach of "learn by doing" as well, but...
Hmm. With Sentis, I can't help but feel that he avoids explaining things in words because it's troublesome.
As I started doubting Sentis' qualities as an instructor, there was a commotion coming from the field.
"What?! Why is there a wild boar here? Shouldn't it be hibernating?"
"Don't come over here, deal with it by yourself!"
"Idiot! Do you think you can take on a wild boar alone? Look, it's still lively even after getting shot with an arrow!"
It seems that a wild boar that failed to hibernate was now chasing after them because they shot arrows at it half-heartedly.
Knowing that our new comrades were being attacked, Hones grabbed her bow and rushed out.
"Hanes, Kani! I'll be there soon, so make sure you run away properly!"
"Hurry up! I'm going to die, I'm going to die!"
"If you're getting hit with arrows, just fall down!"
As they fought noisily, I observed the three new recruits. I judged that if things continued like this, the field would be damaged.
Drawing a sword made by the Empire, I decided to charge at the wild boar, aiming for it. Meanwhile, I thought about how the names of the two recruits were Gat and Kaine, which seemed out of place in this situation.