Vol. 1 - Ch. 12 - In the Heat Wave

"Are you a reinforcement for the First Order?""Yes. You're fighting on the El Verde River , right? We're going there too."

Two years after joining the order, I finally had my first opportunity to go into battle.

Even so, it seems that the group's leaders are very enthusiastic because it is their first actual battle in a long time, and almost all of the Fifth Order's military forces are said to be mobilized.

Currently, the First Order and the demonic tribe are glaring at each other across the El Verde River at the eastern edge of the kingdom.

The demon tribe side is trying to push back the First Order, the most elite in the kingdom, using the river as a defensive line, and the kingdom side wants to break through the river and suppress the fertile basin. The Fifth Order is on its way to reinforce the operation.

"When do we leave?",Emily asked.

<"In three days.">

"That's short notice. It's a bit of a rush, but it's a good thing they're going to reinforce us."

<"I've heard that the First Order already has the upper hand. But this is a strategically important operation, so they want to make it a rock solid with reinforcements.">

"To make it a rock solid, huh?"

<"It is said that reinforcements are needed to give them a chance to win the war.">

"El Verde has been in a stalemate for about a month, but you think a good tide is coming?"

<"Yes. Yes, I think we have a good chance.">

"Conversely, if they miss this opportunity, they may find themselves in a stalemate again."

<"The kingdom must do everything in its power to take advantage of the situation.">

"Rolf, let's do our best!"

<"Yes, I will. By the way, who's planning the march?">

"The Commander in Chief is in charge of the logistics department."

<"This operation is hard, not only the fighting, but also the marching. If you take the shortest route through the Belisus Plains in the middle of summer, the troops will be too exhausted. It will be necessary to march into the cool Schwell Great Forest. It would be easier to secure water there.">

"I see. I'll tell them to think about it."

From then until their departure, the entire Fifth Order was in a flurry of activity. Everyone was elated, but they also seemed to be on edge.

Although there was a break in training before the departure, I practiced morning and evening alone as usual and tried to maintain a normal mindset. The night before departure, I finished swinging my sword and looked up at the eastern sky. I wondered if there was anything I could do without magic power.

Would I be able to find a role on the battlefield?

I have to find out. I was thinking about the sky in the distant land where the First Knights are now fighting.

..............

"Rolf, I'm sorry."

On the day of departure, Emily apologized at the outset.

She was probably thinking either that I should stay at home as I had received no blessings, or that my marching plan had not gone as we had talked about.

If it was the former, I would be the only one in trouble, but if it was the latter....

"The march route was to cut through the Belisus Plains. I insisted on the route through the Schwell Forest."

<"I see. Did you say it was my idea?">

"Yes..." Emily rubs the fingers of her hands together in front of her chest apologetically.

"I shouldn't have said that."

"Oh, yeah. If we go through the Belisus Plains, we can get there in seven days, but if we take the Schwell Forest route, it will take about nine days, and we can't go all the way around because speed is of the essence in the reinforcement plan." For some reason, Emily starts to explain to me.

I don't think that's necessary.

<"That's right. I think you're right about the importance of speed. The First Order is waiting for us.">

"Yes. We'll be leaving soon. Are you ready?"

<"Yes, I'm ready.">

The Fifth Order began its march to the El Verde River at the eastern end of the kingdom. But I was in no mood to be elated. The Owl and Crane Troopers were all marching with their commander. I pulled Emily's horse and walked in silence. We had been walking for about five hours since we left in the morning.

Emily, on horseback, calls out to me, "Rolf, are you all right?"

<"Yes. I'm fine.">

Looking around, everyone was less talkative in the blistering sun. Besides the squires, there were others who did not have horses, depending on the type of soldier, but all of them were breathing hard with grim faces.

"I hear you've offered a route through the Great Schwell Forest," he said. 

"Would you have preferred to take a leisurely ride through the cool forest? No blessing."

<"Yes, Mr. Yeld.">

"Even though I was asked to go to reinforcements, it was a cool detour."

<"I thought it would be pointless to arrive at the battlefield in a hurry if the troops were exhausted and useless.">

After a small pause, Yeld raised his voice on horseback.

"Hey, look, no blessing! No matter how tired you are, walking in a haphazard manner with your horse in tow, it will have no effect on the strength of the troops! Can't you even understand that?"

"Well, for a big guy, you're pretty soft. Don't tell me you get tired just because it's hot." Raquel said.

<"I'm sorry. I beg your pardon, Mr. Yeld, Raquel-sama.">

After lunch, we continued on our way as the sun continued to rise. The Fifth Order's footsteps gradually became heavier and heavier as the shimmering sun rose.

As two or three hours passed, I could see that the speed of the march was gradually slowing down. Even those on horseback were speaking less and less.

Thirst was pressing down on everyone, but unlike the Great Schwell Forest, there were no streams here, and water couldn't be procured locally. Therefore, they had no choice but to drink water in accordance with their consumption plan, but already there was a shortage.

The sun was shining, and it was taking away everyone's physical strength without mercy. From all around, breathing labored and raspy, some people's eyes were losing focus.

"Hey, no blessings."

<"Yes.">

"You want to take a break?"

<"No, I'm fine.">

"As expected, the apostates seem to be good at lying. Well, I'm sorry to hear that. No more breaks yet."

"That's right. There is no rest in the middle of the plain where there is nothing to block the sunlight. And we can't pitch a tent every time we want to take a break."

<"I understand.">

"Hmm."

"But it won't be all right. You are sweating a lot. I know you want to look good, but if you want to be a knight, don't tell lies."

<"No, it's all right, Sheila-sama. This level of sweating is not a problem. But we must be careful about the lack of salt.">

"Salt?"

<"The miners and the like would take salt in the summer, but the nobles here didn't seem to know anything about that.">

"Rolf, is that why you told me to lick the salt off my lunch?" Emily asked.

<"Yes.">

"That's stupid. What's the use of licking salt if you're thirsty?"

We continued eastward, talking like that. The temperature was still high in the evening. The ranks were in disarray, and those on horseback had stopped talking with their eyes down on their horses' backs. Nevertheless, the Fifth Order of Knights managed to reach the intended point of the first day's march.

But they were crawling along.

The executives gathered around the leader, discussing the plans for the encampment.

"Well then, please follow the plan as planned. Emily, the watch will be in accordance with the personnel plan. Please confirm with each unit leader."

"Yes, Commander."

<"Miss Emily, may I speak?">

"What? Uh, yeah, sure, Rolf."

Everyone was a little uncomfortable about the fact that a squire, who was only there for Emily's service and without any blessings, could speak up, but I couldn't care less about that. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ ɴøᴠel Fɪre.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

<"We should have dinner without setting up our tents, and after a short rest, we should set out again and march at night.">

"You mean we should make up the distance while the sun is still out?"

<"Yes, sir. That is correct, Commander.">

"No blessing. We are not trained to march at night. We can't just do it on the spur of the moment." Yeld lowered his voice and said in a terrible tone.

<'' Mr. Yeld, night marches in the summer are a common occurrence in military history, and it is not an insane operation. It would be less dangerous.">

"Just because it's less dangerous doesn't mean it's not dangerous!"

<"We are consuming 20% more water than planned  and we are using it at a much lower rate. At this rate, many members will be dehydrated before we arrive.">

"Shut up! Don't talk to me like you know what you're doing!"

This is not good. Yeld is emotionally rejecting everything I say. I guess he's remembering that morning when he made fun of my dedication that we should take the route of the Great Schwell Forest. He is turning his shame into anger at me. But if we don't do something, this march could really be a dead end.

"If we had chosen the march route that Rolf had advised us to take, we would not be in this situation. We should use Rolf's strategy here." Emily says, adding fuel to the fire.

"Damn...!"

I'm glad you have faith in me, but Yeld is on the verge of exploding at the mention of the march route. It was not a good idea to advise him directly, to the Commander instead of admonishing him. Just as I was thinking that, another reinforcement shows up.

"Calm down, Yeldo. You're right, it's risky, but we'll be fine. To be honest, it's hard; to run out of water. Let's just enjoy the stars and enjoy the cool of the evening march."

"Yeld, I agree with Emily and Raquel."

Raquel and Sheila seemed to have some reason left in them. They seem to be in the mood to babysit a child, but I wonder if they are used to dealing with Yeld because they have known him for a long time.

Sheila's line, "I agree with Emily and Raquel," was not aimed at me but may have come out naturally, but it was effective.  Emily's smile seemed to have been a good push.

Yeld nodded his head after a sigh.

"I guess so."

The Owl and Crane unit, which is positioned at the top of each unit, has unified its will. We can go now. The commander looks around at the unit leaders and asks, "Any objections?"

No one raises a voice.

"We will start again tonight. When you have finished your dinner, order your men to take a rest and rejoin me. That is all."

Many of the men, including the commander, looked bitter, but it seemed that they could not turn their backs. Thus, the decision was made to march at night.

The pinch still persisted, but Emily was smiling in a strange way.