Chapter 216

216 . Transportation Corps 2

“…wh-what are…” (Merchant A)

One of the merchants finally came back to his senses .

However…

“I want to know how the transport corps is doing, what kind of work the people in the transport corps are doing, what kind of suffering, and what kind of life you live in, and think about what needs to be improved . That’s why I pushed my father to let me accompany the convoy this time, knowing that everyone here might consider me as a burden . It would be pointless if you’re giving me special treatments! Moreover, as an attempt to shorten the journey by one day, we were leaving before the dawn this morning . You wouldn’t say you wasted time just to prepare course meals for us, right?” (Beatrice-chan)

“Ah…, uh…” (Merchant A)

The merchant turned pale .

Yeah, Beatrice-chan is like this .

Usually, she behaves like [a little selfish, spoiled noble’s daughter], but she’s the child of that Count-sama and Iris-sama, mind you! She grew up surrounded by those two, the gentle and intelligent Theodore-sama, and the one who gets carried away quickly, but charming at the critical moment… tte, scratch that!! Forget what I said earlier!!

…anyway, it’s natural if she’s a bit different from any other noble’s daughter since she grew up surrounded by Alexis-sama and the others .

“Well then, as for me, um… you there!! I would like to ask you to eat here on my behalf . Leave your plate and cup as they are” (Mitsuha)

Uhhh… an austere uncle, around 34 to 35 years old, walked over here with a reluctant expression . I’m actually okay with the course meal, but there’s no way I can afford to do that in this situation . Too bad…

“For now on, don’t waste time or do anything extra for me . I will eat the same things and live the same way as everyone else during this journey . Well then…” (Beatrice-chan)

After saying that, Beatrice-chan walks to the lunch that the man left behind and sat down there . Of course, she doesn’t wear flashy dresses during a long trip in a horse-drawn carriage because it’s easy to move and practical, so there’s no problem if she sits on the ground .

I also collected the uncle’s lunch and went to Beatrice-chan’s spot, where the other escorts are sitting nearby with dumbfounded faces .

“Well then, everyone, let’s eat!!” (Beatrice-chan)

And after Beatrice-chan said that, everyone finally started eating…

You might’ve realized that the first time the merchant called us, he said, [Beatrice-sama, this way, please!] .

That’s right .

Beatrice-chan is more important than me in this transport corps .

It doesn’t matter even if I’m a Viscount or the [Himemiko-sama of Thunder], in the end, I’m just the lord of a neighboring territory to theirs .

Beatrice-chan, on the other hand, is the daughter of Count Bozes, the lord of the territory they live in, which is also the organizer of the transport corps and the wholesaler of the cargos it carries . And of course, I will report all the details to Count-sama after this trip is over .

And then we can tell whether they’re trustworthy and honest merchants or wicked merchants .

…well, it doesn’t matter how I feel about this, it’s unavoidable if they put a lower-ranking noble who won’t bring even a single copper coin of benefit for them like me in a far lower priority .

No, of course, I’m not entirely disregarded . I’m, more or less, the [Hero of salvation, the Himemiko-sama of Thunder] after all .

But maybe they think that I’m used to traveling in a carriage, like during the big expedition to conclude the treaties, for example, so it can’t be helped if they desperately try to take care of the fluffy and weak-looking Beatrice-chan instead . …I also want to be taken care of, though .

And just like that, the two merchants sitting in their seats with disappointed faces, along with the two escorts, reluctantly began to eat .

Well, maybe they were looking forward to having a good time chatting with the cute Beatrice-chan while trying to make themselves a name, but now they’re having lunch with the escorts instead, so of course, they would be disappointed . Well, don’t mind!!

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And Beatrice-chan started conversations with the escorts and asked various questions . Well, since she can talk with me all the time in the carriage, it’s not weird if she ignores me and listens to various stories from the people in the transport corps instead .

Surely Beatrice-chan might’ve wanted to take part in this trip for her own enjoyment, but it’s not her only reason . She precisely knows what she needs to do because it’s related to the [important work] that Beatrice-chan has been assigned .

And, while putting the face of a little girl who doesn’t know anything, she skillfully asks simple such as [What are the hardest and troublesome things you have to face during trips?], [Is there something that you think needs to be improved?], [Regarding the number of escorts and personnel selection, how much do you think is appropriate?] . …she’s shrewder than I expected…

“I see, even though it seems safe, there’s still the [unlikely event], so I guess I can’t reduce too much or cheaply hire the inexperienced ones instead…” (Beatrice-chan)

We continued the journey after the lunch break, and Beatrice-chan is thinking and saying such a thing in the carriage .

“Well, it’s fairly common to lose more money because you cut little expenses . Especially, if it involves the irreparable [human life], the safety factor should be kept high” (Mitsuha)

“Hmmm, I see…” (Beatrice-chan)

Beatrice-chan is deeply pondering about my reply . To think that she’s this dependable…

I knew she is a dependable kid, but I didn’t think it was this far because until now, she only talked about things like gossips, games, or foods that have nothing to do with work .

How was it when I was 14? During my second or third year of middle school?

…It’s my complete defeat!!

“Now that reminds me…” (Beatrice-chan)

“Hm? What?” (Mitsuha)

It seems that she has something to talk about .

“You’re going to arrange my debutante ball next year, right?” (Beatrice-chan)

Gikuri!! (Startled SFX)

“If I remember correctly, you will prepare the Flame flower that blooms in the sky, the sparkly float parade, stores and stalls, and much more…” (Beatrice-chan)

Gyaaaa!!! She hasn’t forgotten about that matter at all!! Far from that, why does she remember everything so accurately!!

I thought that she would forget it anyway, so I carelessly said that as a stopgap measure…

This is bad . I have to do something within one year!!

[Sergeant Thunder, this is Home One, over!] (?)

Oh, we have a radio call .

Yeah, of course, I’ll leave the territory for nearly ten days, so I’ve prepared all sorts of emergency measures .

A long-distance radio and a battery pack are situated inside the special carriage, and a solar panel is installed on the roof . The antenna is a mobile broadband antenna . The progress of science is amazing …

If the battery runs out, I will sneak up and replace it with a spare at my home in Japan .

It is, more or less, prepared for an emergency, so it’s not something that should be used unless there’s an emergency . And Colette-chan called in with a calm voice, so I think it’s not an emergency .

Maybe it’s just some sort of check-up call .

“Yes, this is Sergeant Thunder” (Mitsuha)

I picked up the hand-held microphone that was hooked on the side and answered…

[Mitsuha, callsigns or whatever is troublesome!! Just say “Mitsuha, this is Colette” is fine, isn’t it!?] (Colette-chan)

No, it’s a stylistic beauty that should never be ceased .

“No . Well, I guess it’s okay except when calling in…” (Mitsuha)

Let’s make a compromise on that point .

“So, what’s the matter?” (Mitsuha)

[I’m just checking in . I’m just wondering what’s going on…] (Colette-chan)

As expected . But you can’t say [just checking in] yourself…

Well, when she called me [Mitsuha], I knew she’s in close-friend mode instead of work mode .

Maybe she’s a little lonely since I’m traveling with Beatrice-chan, leaving her alone .

This is a job and I’m acting as a proper member of the transport corps, but me riding together with Beatrice-chan in the special carriage probably reminded her of the trip with the Big Lorry . Recently, I’m always taking her along when I have something to do on the new continent, but I guess she can’t help it…

“Yeah, over here is…” (Mitsuha)

Gashii! (SFX)

“Wh-what?” (Mitsuha)

Suddenly Beatrice-chan, with a scary face, grabbed my shoulder . What on earth!!

“…what is that?” (Beatrice-chan)

Eh?

“There’s Colette’s voice coming from that! What is that!” (Beatrice-chan)

Ah…

“I haven’t told you?” (Mitsuha)

“…you haven’t told me…” (Beatrice-chan)

Gogogogogogogogogogo … (SFX)

Lightning strikes!

Even though I’m the [Himemiko of thunder]…