99. When You Understand Someone, It’s Nice, Isn’t It?

That night, we took turns patrolling the carriage where Kyle and Myrna were sleeping, but nothing happened.

As morning came, the camp began to bustle with activity.

Leafan and Marilyn were preparing meals for the soldiers.

The menu included porridge, which could be made in large quantities.

Rice is the next most common grain after wheat. It is especially suited for large group meals like this, making it a staple for the military.

Of course, adventurers often rely on it too.

Carrying bread for this many people would be a hassle. Rice doesn’t spoil as easily compared to bread.

If we can cultivate this vast marshland, we should be able to harvest an enormous amount of rice.

Though we are prioritizing Zaid’s rescue, I remember that securing this marshland was our original goal.

We also want to quickly build a new village for the Lizardmen.

The Kingdom of Maugalia has a relatively abundant food supply, but it’s not lavish.

Thanks to the ongoing mass production of craft wheat at Golden Dawn (tears), a considerable amount of wheat is circulating, but it’s still a bit short of feeding the entire kingdom’s population.

However, if we succeed in cultivating this area, the kingdom’s food situation will greatly improve, people’s lives will get better, the economy will develop, and humanity will gain some breathing room.

If that happens, it will be a big step toward humanity’s dream of expanding our living space.

That’s why eliminating the monsters in this marshland is a top priority.

The soldiers understand this well. Their morale is extremely high.

As I watched the soldiers happily eating breakfast, Kyle emerged from the carriage.

“Good morning, Craft-niisama.”

“Oh, good morning.”

Myrna, who was clinging to Kyle, greeted me in a barely audible voice.

“…Morning.”

“Oh, good morning. Did you sleep well?”

“…Yeah.”

Myrna nodded slightly.

I see. I thought it would be hard to sleep in this environment, but she seemed fine.

Wait a minute. Myrna has been participating in this pioneering from the beginning. Even the carriage journey to the old Golden Dawn must have been a tremendous hardship for a noble child.

But now that I think about it, Myrna has never complained significantly.

Maybe, despite her appearance and demeanor, she has a surprisingly strong… no, a stubborn personality.

As I pondered this, I realized I was staring at Myrna. She blushed a little and looked away.

I was being rude to a lady.

“Nii-sama I’m going to patrol the camp, so please take care of Myrna while I’m gone.”

“Sure, leave it to me.”

“Myrna, behave yourself and wait with Craft-niisama while having breakfast, okay?”

“…Yeah.”

Myrna nodded slightly at Kyle’s gentle admonition.

“Aren’t you going to eat?”

“I already did.”

Kyle smiled warmly and left with Alphard, Van, Leafan, and Jabir-sensei.

Left to guard Myrna were me, the three Casper sisters, and Jitaro.

I had the early shift last night, so I decided to have a slightly late breakfast.

With Myrna.

Most of the soldiers had finished breakfast, so Maina and I moved to a corner to eat without getting in the way of cleanup.

I was eating a mountain of porridge, but Myrna only ate about half a bowl.

I always wonder how she can function on such a small amount.

“Is it good?”

“Yeah.”

“If the cultivation of this marshland goes well, everyone in the country will be able to eat this rice to their heart’s content.”

“…Yeah.”

As usual, Myrna nodded slightly but seemed to want to say something.

“What is it?”

After thinking for a moment, Myrna murmured softly.

“…I’ll do my best.”

As soon as she said it, Myrna stood up and started walking with her empty dishes.

The soldiers were surprised.

One of the soldiers was in charge of taking care of Maina.

He hurriedly tried to take her dishes, but I stopped him.

“Craft-dono?”

“I know it’s your job, but can you let Myrna do it this time?”

“But…”

“I’ll explain to Kyle.”

“…Understood.”

Myrna slowly walked over to the soldiers washing dishes, surprising them as well.

After handing over the dishes, she returned to me with a satisfied look.

She puffed up slightly, looking proud as she gazed up at me.

I patted her head vigorously.

That’s right.

Myrna is also a member of this pioneering team.

Myrna, who tries her best at what she can, is indeed Kyle’s twin sister, I thought with renewed admiration.

“…Oops, it’s time to connect with Raidoc. Myrna, wait here for a bit.”

“Yeah.”

I seated Myrna and activated the communication magic device.

Just then, it happened.

A loud explosion echoed from the dense mangrove forest at the center of the marshland.

◆

I am Zaid Gandarl Veil Road.

Why must I, of all people, be fleeing through the mud!

At first, entering the marshland was fine. There were only grasses, so visibility was good, and we could deal with approaching Hydras early. But as we started seeing plants with intertwined roots and branches, our Hydra extermination speed slowed.

Absolutely! Even though I’ve given everyone the precious stamina potions, they’re still inadequate!

“You lot! Our advance is slowing! At this rate, we’ll never exterminate the monsters!”

When I rebuked them, the captain of the soldiers suddenly bowed his head.

“Zaid-sama! I have a suggestion! Let’s retreat for now!”

“…What?”

I thought it was a joke, but the captain’s expression was serious, if not desperate.

“We’ve already used more than half of the healing potions from Lord Jabeel! But the monsters are not decreasing; they’re increasing as we advance! At this rate, we could be wiped out! Please, I beg you, order a retreat!”

It seems the captain is serious.

I thought they were weak even without fatigue, but then I had a flash of insight about why their morale was low.

There’s a saying about commanders leading from the front.

It’s actually foolish, but considering morale, it makes some sense.

If I lead the charge with my sword, morale will soar.

I was about to draw my famed sword but hesitated.

If I’m going to wield my sword, it needs to be more dramatic.

Alright.

“No. We move forward! Deeper into the marsh!”

“Deeper into the marsh!? Even Golden Dawn adventurers avoid that area!”

The captain screamed, but what was he saying?

“That’s exactly why we’re going! Or do you mean to say you’re inferior to adventurers under Kyle’s command!?”

“Ugh… that’s…”

“It’s meaningful because we’re doing what Kyle couldn’t! Move forward!”

The captain closed his eyes and then slowly opened them.

“Understood. Everyone, advance!”

Thus, we headed towards the center of the marsh.

As the captain predicted, the Hydra’s appearances increased significantly.

Additionally, fog began to set in, worsening visibility.

Eventually, we encountered a particularly powerful group of Hydras, putting the soldiers in a tight spot.

(Good. Just as planned.)

I dramatically stepped in front of the struggling soldiers, flipping my cape.

“Zaid-sama!? You mustn’t go ahead!”

The captain screamed, but I ignored him and drew the famed sword given to me by my father.

“Do not falter! My elite soldiers! Stand firm! Grip your swords! Ready your spears! For I am here!”

The magical glow beautifully traced my perfect sword strokes.

“O-Oh!”

“Zaid-sama!”

I struck the Hydra, but as expected, it wasn’t felled in one blow.

I followed up with a second and third strike.

Hmph. The sword instructor said my style wouldn’t work on monsters, but it does.

Or maybe I just have talent!

The captain was muttering to himself, but I couldn’t hear him over the battle noise.

(I must resolve myself. If Zaid-sama refuses to retreat, I must protect him at all costs! If he were to die, what would happen to my family! If I were to desert, my entire family might be executed! At the very least, I must die honorably to protect them!)

As I enjoyed swinging my sword, the captain kept getting knocked away.

He’d been getting in my way earlier, so it’s no problem.

The captain continued to mutter to himself.

(Damn! Zaid-sama’s partial strength is troublesome! He’s stronger than me, so he keeps pushing ahead alone! But he’s not strong enough to defeat Hydras solo! I must protect him at all costs!)

Each time the captain was thrown, he healed himself with a potion and reappeared in my sight.

I was about to complain, but we finished off the Hydra group first.

The soldiers stared at me in amazement.

Ah, I see.

That’s the look of respect.

“How about that! With me wielding a sword, there’s nothing to fear!”

Silence.

Everyone just stood there with their mouths agape.

What is it?

Are they too moved to speak?

Then the captain stepped forward.

His expression showed resolve.

“Listen! What are we!? We are soldiers sworn to serve Zaid-sama!”

The captain’s declaration caused tension among the soldiers.

“We are the proud soldiers of Zaid-sama! What is our honor!? To protect Zaid-sama! To become Zaid-sama’s sword!”

Well, he’s saying good things.

“From now on, we will engage in an honorable battle with Zaid-sama! Ready yourselves, men!”

All the soldiers’ faces changed to ones of determination.

“Let’s go! For the sake of returning alive!”

Hmph. They should’ve been this motivated from the start.

So, leading the now high-morale soldiers, I stepped into the center of the marsh…

And that was a mistake.