After completing the transport mission at 8 PM, Dan and I fell into a deep sleep in the fishing village inn, indulging in rest until the following morning.
The inn wasn't particularly sophisticated, having only hard, wooden beds. But for us — with me not being the type to fixate on such things, and Dan who had a commoner upbringing — it was barely passable.
We slept in our two-person room until around 6 AM, waking up to the morning light streaming through the window.
After getting ready, I stepped out of our room to find Glover-san and Cass-san enjoying coffee in the cozy dining area.
"Good morning. Did you sleep well?"
I nodded and replied, "You both are up early." Cass-san broke into a smile.
"We just woke up too. I honestly didn't think you would sail from Jello to here without taking a break. We couldn't just take it easy when both of you were pouring every fiber of your being for the cause. Though, well, maybe it's just that we lost touch with our youthful passion, I guess. Frankly, I was all but ready to give up when we had to stop because of the storm, but that turnaround was fantastic. And true to your word, we got here in six days. The 'Pruning' time you’ve earned us is far heavier than 1000 pieces of gold, am I right, Glover-san?"
Glover-san took a slow sip of his coffee before speaking.
"It's beyond compare to any amount of gold, if anything. Watching the tactic you both developed had been marvelous, but... your tenacity to bring us here within 6 days is awe-inspiring. I’ll make sure His Majesty learns the extent of your determination...... You may not think so right now, but this transportation mission you've completed will undoubtedly be the turning point of this era on various fronts. It is my duty to report your achievement as factually as possible in the records.”
Flustered by Glover-san's words, I shook my head and raised my hands immediately.
“This achievement was not done by just the two of us. We only made it this far due to the flawless support of the logistics— everything from the route selection, dealing with the monsters, resupplying at the ports, the coordination of the mages and cargo, and the arranging of the accommodations were all perfect. It didn’t feel like an emergency mission at all. Whatever we’ve achieved was built upon the immeasurable hard work and determination of countless people.
Without all of you, it would have been impossible to give our 100%. If you really do want to record it down, then please make sure to give the ‘entire crew’ who made all this possible their due credit too. Yes, including the valiant people who are currently dealing with the eggs while we slept."
I had keenly experienced how much of a nightmare it was to manage logistics in my previous world when the company I was employed at held an event.
The two might not be exactly comparable, but logistics, originally meaning supply lines, encompassed tasks that multiplied in complexity the more one strived for perfection.
It was even worse in this world without mobile phones or email features. I wouldn't even want to imagine just how much pressure they had to endure with the sudden urgent mission to achieve this level of perfection.
As I imagined their hard work and grimaced while speaking, Glover-san and Cass-san exchanged a stunned look.
Dan had a wry smile on his face.
"But weren't you singing a different tune before, Allen? You said you were lying low and concealing the information until the right moment 'to make a headline'! Ahh, by the way, I’m not really complaining about it.
It's a grand discovery. You've pioneered a new horizon and even became the savior of the Kingdom. It should be your moment to shine, leaving your achievement in history. You don't have to downplay your part that much."
Cass-san urged me so, but I sharply shook my head.
"B-Beginning!?...... No, where exactly does that beginning start for you?"
“From the very start, of course. It was when I realized the existence of the dynamic force— basically when we were being chased by the Orcas. I had been anticipating this moment."
I cheerfully said so while giving him a thumbs up. At that, Dan slumped his shoulders yet again.
Well, his astonishment was understandable. For me, as soon as I realized I could use Wind Magic to amplify the generation of dynamic force, I knew the discovery would take the world by storm. I was glad actually to see a new possibility for my Wind Magic, but I was also acutely aware of how much of an absolute pain it was going to be in the corner of my mind. So I thought that I might as well push this potato face to the front... I mean, he was the one more immersed in such stuff, after all.
Meanwhile, Dan had been skeptical of being able to recreate the phenomenon, and to what extent he could do so.
It was merely a difference in our planning all along.
"Anyway, I only suggested creating the Sail Club because it sounded fun, though I definitely had no deeper interest beyond that. It was you who finalized it on your own, earnestly tackling any challenge that came your way and pioneering a new realm in sailing, ultimately even becoming the savior of the Kingdom.
I believed that you could achieve it. No more, no less, O' Hero!"
I patted Dan's shoulder one more time while he was still in a daze, and turned to Glover-san.
"If you want to learn how to sail with Wind Magic, then Dan's indeed the way to go, Glover-san. After all, I’m only good at Wind Magic, while anything else is a mere pastime to me. I definitely don't have the skill to teach anyone, plus my schedule’s already packed.
Even in our club, Dan was the one handling everything from the foundational research on the complex relationships between sail area, ship shape, wind angles, and the resulting dynamic force, to managing the design of the Sail Club's practice ships. He’s truly the world's leading expert in this field!”
As I summarized this, Glover-san looked at Dan with a sympathetic expression.
"...I’m not completely aware of the inside details, but...... you must have it hard, huh, Daniel-kun? Alright, if everything’s settled, then—"
Pausing on his words, Glover-san stood up from his seat and glanced at Cass-san. Cass-san swiftly brought out a brand-new Mantle of the Second Legion from the box placed near his seat.
“The countryside may be lacking as a backdrop for such an occasion, but as they say, never delay good things. So—
Decree!
I hereby appoint Royal Academy Class 1-A student Daniel Serdos as a provisional member of the Knight Order. Henceforth, you will serve under the command of the Second Legion Commander Glover Von Ocean to the extent that it doesn't interfere with your studies.
From Olina Zatsinger, the Supreme Commander of Yuglia's Knight Order.Read by Caster Burou.”
Dan momentarily closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then raised his head with his right hand over his chest.
“It is an honor!”
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