Chapter 242: Preparation for Departure

Chapter 242: Preparation for Departure

After parting ways with Crane, I headed towards where the children were staying. It was the spot where I had stopped when fleeing the burning refugee camp, where I had created a simple yet as sturdy as possible house using my sand spiritual arts. The children were living there.

As I emerged from the refugee camp and saw the sand house, I noticed the children were having a meal with Chris. It was food we had bought inside the royal capital. Although we had prioritized quantity over quality, the children were happily stuffing their faces and were far from complaining.

They said they used to steal food or scavenge for nearly rotten leftovers. Their food situation must have been far worse than that of the Atonement Soldiers or the Special Operations unit.

Ah, Antares. Are you done talking?

Noticing my approach, Chris waved at me while munching on bread. All the children except Mia had finished eating and were eating at a much slower pace. It seemed Chris was eating about the same amount as the children, though she should have had breakfast at the mansion too. Wasnt that a bit too much?

Although I was slightly taken aback, I didnt show it on my face and nodded as I walked towards the children. Before I could reply to Chris, Chirik addressed me.

Welcome, teacher. Im counting on your continued support today as well.

Ah, leave it to me. But before that, theres something I want to talk to you about. Please call Magna and Nana.

I can hear you. You know.

I continued teaching Chirik. He hadnt yet overcome the death of his comrades, but it seemed that he could forget about it while focusing on his spiritual arts training. I wondered whether I should be happy about his increased enthusiasm or sad about the reason behind it.

However, there was something important I needed to convey before training, not just to Chirik but also to Magna and Nana, who were the leaders of the group.

Apparently, they heard my voice because they approached without Chirik having to call them. Both were holding wooden swords in their hands, and sweat beaded on their foreheads.

After finishing their meal quickly, it seemed they had been practicing swordsmanship using the wooden swords. Just as Chirik was deeply involved in his spiritual arts training, Magna and Nana were immersed in their swordsmanship. Probably for the same reasons as Chirik.

Especially as the older ones and as the leader and deputy leader, they lamented their weakness in not being able to protect their comrades. They were eager to gain strength as quickly as possible to protect the surviving members.

Perhaps inspired by them, all the surviving children except Mia practiced with dedication. Overwhelmed by a sense of loss and helplessness, they all shared a desire for strength.

Since Chris had taken on the role of instructing them in swordsmanship, their training had become quite formal. They could focus solely on training, as we would bring them food and other necessities.

And then there was Mia, another key figure who wasnt participating in the swordsmanship training. Sitting silently beside Chris, she was diligently eating bread while intently carving a piece of wood that seemed like scrap. She was shaping it into a wooden swordthats not something even I could do. However, she wasnt just making a simple wooden sword. She was crafting multiple pieces of wood into complex shapes.

If you asked whether she was creating something meaningless, the answer would be no. When these pieces were assembled, they formed a small doll. The precision with which the pieces fit together without any gaps was a proof of the skill of the Tana race, to which she belonged.

She explained that these completed dolls were being buried at the graves of the children who had passed away. In the Tana races tradition, dolls are buried as offerings to prevent the souls of the deceased from feeling lonely and turning into restless spirits. Nnêw n0vel chapters are published at novelhall.com

Ideally, these dolls would be buried with the body, but they had none prepared in advance. So now, she was hurriedly making them and burying them for her comrades.

According to what I secretly heard from Apao, they became stiff with fear because they sensed the same imposing aura from me that they did from Tigar. Their lack of aggression was a relief for us.

It seemed that a clear hierarchy had now been established with Apao at the top. Apao had become the boss of the horses, but he seemed to prefer spending his time away from the herd, mostly with Weiss.

Weiss didnt seem to mind this arrangement, and Chris even said they had a good relationship I wonder what would happen if a demon horse like Apao mated with a normal horse. If Orvo was here, he would definitely have been eager to observe that.

Hey there. Were you here?

Mr. Robert.

As I was checking the stable to make sure I hadnt left anything behind, Robert came by. Having lived a life where I was constantly hearing complaints during report meetings, I had become familiar enough with Robert to address him with just a basic honorific. Our role in unraveling the behind-the-scenes of the evening party scandal, where we both played a part in some way, had also brought us closer.

Robert, looking around the now empty stable which still strongly smelled of horses, seemed melancholic. His beloved horse was the only one not removed.

Horses leaving always makes me sad. You see, the territory of my Rowell family is a region where good horses are produced. Thats why we use a horse in our crest.

Is that so?

Yes, especially the good horses were either presented to the royal family or given as gifts to other noble houses with close ties. This stable was used to temporarily house horses meant for gifting. But ever since the war started, weve been ordered to send all the horses to the front lines, leaving only one here.

War is never a good thing. Robert concluded tiredly. The incident at the party wouldnt have happened if it werent for the war. War brings a lot of negative effects, not just on the battlefield.

Originally, the work you did for me was so significant that I should have provided the horses for you. I feel bad that your compensation is only in monetary form.

No, thats more than enough, Mr. Robert. In fact, it feels like weve received too much.

Haha! Then, think of the extra as hush money. For the sake of the kingdoms honor.

If thats the case, I wont hold back.

Hey, big brother! Its time to leave!

As I was exchanging these words with Robert, Leos voice came from outside the stable. It seemed that the time for parting was drawing near. Then, Robert smoothly extended his right hand for a handshake.

Thank you for everything. We may never meet again, but I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Take care of yourself too, Mr. Robert.

We exchanged a firm handshake. After that, I climbed onto the coachmans seat of the wagon without looking back. After Lieselotte finished saying her goodbyes to her great-aunt and came out of the mansion, we set off from the royal capital.