Chapter 46: Journey to the Rocha Region
Having taken over the duties of the Marshal from me, I finally set out for the Rocha region.
Accompanying me were Princess Parvela and Familis, and there was actually one more person joining us.
It was the new recruit, Hones.
"I'm surprised that Senpai is a prince! And not only that, he's becoming a lord of a land even larger than the Nonette Kingdom!"
"It was bad luck—or rather, it turned out well. Don't praise me too much; it's not just my ability."
"No, Senpai! Ordinary people can't achieve such a successful rise in status! I truly respect you!"
Since it was revealed that I was a prince of the Nonette royal family, Hones has been looking at me with starry eyes, as if she were admiring an idol.
Since I don't think highly of myself, it's a bit uncomfortable when she looks at me so sincerely.
As I smiled wryly, I felt a hint of animosity.
Turning my gaze in the direction of the sudden presence, I saw Princess Parvela riding on the horse Nerothea with Familis, staring at me intently. It might be my imagination, but her eyes seemed to be assessing me.
"Um, is something the matter, Princess Parvela?"
"No. I was just thinking that you seem to get along well."
In a slightly prickly tone, I looked puzzled, and Hones proudly puffed up her chest.
"Senpai and I have gone through several missions and two battles together. We're comrades-in-arms, so it's only natural we get along!"
With confidence in her voice, Hones seemed to worsen Parvela's mood even more.
"Milimos-kun. I hadn't heard that Hones-san would be accompanying us."
"Even I was informed on the day of departure. Just like how Parvela has Familis, King Cholex decided I should have a companion. But with the military in the midst of rebuilding, they couldn't spare experienced soldiers. So, Hones, who was rated the most exceptional among the new recruits, was chosen."
I quickly explained the situation, and it seemed to improve Parvela's mood slightly.
"It's true that a new lord shouldn't be without at least one attendant... but I don't think it should be a woman."
I couldn't quite catch the latter part of her muttered words, but I decided not to press the matter, fearing her mood might worsen again.
"As we head to the Rocha region from now on, this journey is planned to be leisurely. Since it's still winter, we won't cross the mountains. The Rocha Army will use the newly opened tunnels."
After explaining our plans to everyone, Familis had a question.
"Is it really alright to take it easy? You've become a new lord, wouldn't it be better to arrive as soon as possible?"
"I'm not so sure about that. Once they hear that I, as an enemy, am coming, they'll likely band together. If we rush in, we might end up walking right into a trap."
"However, even if we travel slowly, won't we still fall into their trap eventually?"
"It's not that simple. Giving the enemy time to think allows them to get restless, and each person starts weaving their own plots. Over time, conflicts and alliances may arise within their ranks, and some might even try to gain our favor."
I explained my strategy, borrowing from the tactics of siege warfare that encourage divisions among the enemy while surrounding them without making a direct move.
As I spoke, Familis seemed to develop a slight headache.
"I understand that Prince Milimos is considering various things. So, when do you plan to arrive at the center of the Rocha region?"
"Maybe around early spring. Even without me, they should be able to maintain the status quo during the winter. And since I won't be there, they won't be able to make any major moves."
During that time, they can indulge in internal conflicts and alliances to their heart's content.
Plus, I myself am exhausted from two wars and the Marshal's duties. I want to take a leisurely journey and refresh myself.
"Now then, let's set off leisurely."
As I led the way, walking ahead, Familis let out a sigh of disappointment, Parvela smiled back at me, and Hones energetically replied, "Yes!"
Passing through the tunnel that leads east from the Nonette Kingdom and entering the Rocha region. We stayed overnight in a nearby mining village.
Since there was no inn, we stayed at the village chief's house. But as soon as alcohol entered the picture, the village chief began to complain.
"We lost to Nonette in battle, and now the Imperial Trading Company is pressuring us for more ore. What's going to happen to this village?"
"Imperial Trading Company? You mean Susharta Company?"
When I mentioned the name of the company where Don Sabile works, the village chief, who had a flushed face from alcohol, nodded vigorously.
"That company is a good one, you know. They pay well for iron ore and offer good products. But their products are so appealing that the money just disappears."
In essence, they pay wages with iron ore and immediately recoup the cost with Imperial goods.
"Are the stories about the mine workers not becoming wealthy despite the high demand for iron ore due to excessive shopping?"
"It can't be helped. Mining is incredibly tough work. Can't survive without good booze and food. And the booze and snacks from that trading company are incredibly delicious. So, we don't end up with much money. This booze is from the Empire too."
The village chief poured a bottle of alcohol into a cup, drank it all in one go, and while munching on smoked meat, he slumped over the table and fell asleep.
At that moment, the village chief's wife, who had been watching the scene, offered a gracious smile and said, "Oh dear, this man. It's been a while since we had visitors from outside, and with three beauties present, he drank too much."
Leaving the guests behind to doze off was impolite, but no one scolded him thanks to his wife's intervention. Even the normally annoyed Familis seemed pleased to be complimented as a beauty and took it lightly.
I don't intend to blame the failure of the alcohol.
"Please let him sleep in a room. Since we're borrowing the room, we'll wash the used dishes ourselves."
"If that's the case, please do. There's plenty of ashes, so feel free to use them."
As the wife headed towards the back of the house with the village chief, I collected the empty plates and cups on the table and headed to the sink. Picking up a handful of ash from a pot beside the sink, Parvera Princess looked curiously.
"What do you do with ash?"
"You apply a little bit to the used dishes, let it absorb the dirt, then brush it off, wet it, and wipe it clean with a squeezed cloth."
Water is scarce in this region, so it's a common method. If it were a desert area, it would be sand instead of ash.
There's a river flowing near this mine, and there's plenty of water, but the residents likely realized it contained toxins, which is probably why they stopped washing dishes in its water. Princess Parvera seemed interested in this idea and reached out to help, so I gently stopped her.
"Your clothes might get dirty, and handling ash might cause rough skin, so let me handle it."
It was a considerate remark, but Princess Parvera plunged her arm into the pot of ash.
"You can wash clothes that get dirty, and as a princess of a knightly nation, I'm used to handling swords and training, so rough skin doesn't bother me. Besides, I'm good at washing dishes too."
Seemingly having learned from my method, she quickly spread ash on the plates and efficiently wiped them off with a cloth. The end result was as clean as new.
"Just as you said, you're skilled."
"Hehe, I've been praised."
The two of us worked together to wash the dishes.
As we finished washing the last one and exchanged smiles, we heard a faint sound from behind.
Turning around, Familis was grinding her teeth, and Hones was clinging to her waist.
"What are you doing?"
"Familis-san was trying to come between you, so I stopped her!"
"Familis?"
In response to Princess Parvera's cold voice, Familis tried to explain.
"But Princess! Having unmarried men and women work together is improper!"
"You're exaggerating. We're just washing dishes."
"That's right, Familis-san! Soldiers sometimes cook together regardless of gender!"
"Hones! Let go! Princess Parvera is not a soldier!"
Familis was trying to free herself from Hones's grip. Using holy magic, she could easily release herself, but she refrained, either out of concern for Hones's arm or for another reason.
As I was lost in such thoughts, Parvera Princess's voice turned cold.
"Familis. A knight should maintain a respectful attitude. Milimos and I were simply cleaning the dishes. We weren't holding hands and gazing into each other's eyes. It's pathetic to make a fuss about it."
"But, Princess!"
"Familis?"
Familis's voice grew even colder, and she hung her head.
"Yes. I apologize."
"From now on, make sure not to cause a similar commotion, alright?"
"Yes, I promise. However—"
"However, what? Is it inconvenient for Familis if Princess Parvera and Milimos get along?"
"No. It's nothing."
Familis, who had been swayed by Princess Parvera's words, bowed respectfully, but I could feel no trace of hostility or defiance directed towards me.
In essence, she probably thinks she's being scolded because of me.
I doubt she'll listen to anything I say, so I decided to let the matter go unnoticed and diffuse the situation.