"Here, have some." I passed the food that I was going to eat to Sutow.
"Bu-Ah…" Sutow, not too used to pain like I was, struggled to speak at a fluent pace. "But you didn't eat yet, did you?" He went on to say. To his words, I replied, "No, I haven't eaten yet. But I'm going to split the ration into two anyway since we are suffering from the same injury and because there isn't any more food for us. Since you took a hit for me, I figured you'd get to have a bite first." I said next.
"No. You eat." Sutow rejected my gratitude. From his expression, I realized he felt he didn't deserve it and that it was only right for him to offer himself to me. Right after he added, "It's better for you to heal back to peak condition first. You're our leader. We can't afford you dying."
'Quite the heavy words.' I thought to myself, still uncomfortable from getting overpraised as a leader. Like usual though, I didn't show how uncomfortable I was from feeling unnecessarily praised.
"Just eat it. This bag of food should be enough to bring both of us back to our peak condition. It is but a small injury after all." I tried to convince Sutow, and when I was done with my words, I immediately brought my hand closer to his mouth so there'd be no way he could reject me again.
Unless he was really persistent of course. Fortunately, he wasn't. I wouldn't have bothered with him any longer if he was since there were enemies nearby that would not allow me to relax.
Sutow simply nodded. He gratefully accepted the food with his hands, and quickly ate it all after I had passed half the share. I ate my share after him, emptying the whole bag as my injuries recovered more and more.
As I had guessed, the amount of food was more than enough to heal wounds made from flames. In fact, I was surprised to see that there wasn't a scar left after Sutow had healed.
'So not only does the ability recover, but it does it all too well! Is it like some template? Does the healing ability know how the body is supposed to be and look like at its best? Does our self-image and memories have something to do with it?' I immediately started pondering, after seeing how Sutow's back had become all smooth again after healing.
I quickly snapped out of my thoughts, remembering that I didn't have the freedom to daydream at this time, and shouted. "Everyone follow me!" I commanded before walking my way towards where I last saw the magician that can create fire bolts.
While taking fast steps, I conveyed the important clues and information that I was aware of to the subordinates of mine. "That explosion just now must be because that giant is fighting a person I saw capable of using explosion magic," I told them. I then conveyed my opinion and perspective next.
"Those people fighting is a good thing for us. While those two fight each other, there is a third enemy that we can solely focus on without worrying about the other two. Winning should be possible. To start with, we have great numbers. As for our two other enemies, because they're fighting each other, we'll be fighting two or one in the end, in a situation where they're for sure to be wounded and weak."
"Are you ready to fight with me? We do not have more ration left, so one or more of us might die. I've got all of us a weapon to make do though, so we should be able to manage. Are you all prepared?"
"To be honest, I'm not. I don't know what to feel about।.. hurting others." The one behind these words was Brolee.
"Me too, leader." The kid who came after Sutow seemed to have the same thoughts as Brolee.
Hearing the opinions of these two, I didn't feel surprised or disappointed. I was quite okay with the two being uncomfortable with having to fight, as I was well aware that not everyone is meant to be combatants. It could be forced upon someone, however, as fighting for one's existence is the law of nature.
But, with a twenty-first-century mindset, I knew better that survival of the fittest only applies to those who travel alone. For humans that have the intelligence to move in packs and groups, not everyone has to be a combatant. Not everyone has to be under the rule of survival of the fittest. With no survival instinct or credibility, they can act as tools or an extension of someone that has the instinct, credibility, leadership, and governance, so they could become credible themselves, in their own way.
They can be the important puzzle piece, as they can be the master of any other roles rather than stressing about something that they just don't have enough talent to master and be credible for.
Because I was aware of this fact, I didn't mind if the two would step out and not fight alongside me. 'But I do need more people if I want a higher chance of survival though. Also, it's not like I'm built to be a leader... The situation in this world just forced me to!' Although I didn't mind if the two would step out, I quickly began to doubt if I should allow it. After all, the situation wasn't very peaceful right now
.
'Ugh… It's not like… What's the point in letting them take a role in something that they're better at if we're all going to die anyway?! Better to let them be meat shields for now!' Was the thought that made me hesitate and doubt.
In the end, I could only sigh inside my head because I could only make this tough choice. "Ok-"
"I only said what I said, because I might not be able to fight to your expectations, leader. I might even become a burden, because of how much I might hesitate or how slow I might be." Brolee went on to say.
Note that it hadn't even been five seconds since he last said his previous words, meaning that he didn't say these words out of fear of my disappointment or whatever. I was well aware of this and was glad that he thought like that.
'Phew… I guess that's one worry gone.' Was what I thought after hearing the words of Brolee, relieved.
"Oh, don't worry about that." I went on to say to Brolee. "Even if you might be insufficient or weak, it doesn't matter because just having an extra number will be great for me. No matter your role, as long as you can be of any assistance in combat in times like these."
Like a good leader who was very satisfied by his subordinate's actions, I spoke my words kindly and with an air that showed how unconcerned I was. The reason why I specifically said these words, in a carefree tone too, was to motivate Brolee since he was feeling quite lacking and to motivate that one kid and the others too.
An unmotivated soldier is better than no soldier after all because even using them as meat shields would be deemed difficult!