Power Reconnaissance (4)
Five days had already passed since we left the castle.
At first, I worried whether this group could pull it off properly, but things were going more smoothly than expected as time went on.
“The rookies are finally starting to shape up.
Now that we're this far in, there's no turning back easy.”
That was why Kerry changed the march route again.
We were supposed to reach Gaedo by now and chase off some of the locals, but now we'd push all the way to the end.
“We'll hitch a ride back on the last day once everything's wrapped up.
If we're lucky, we might snag a passing carriage for the triumphant return.”
In exchange, today's route was rougher than yesterday's.
“Puhahaha… Gotta climb again? If you've got strength left, mister, give me a boost.”
“Hey, Rada. Go help Suu out.”
“Yessir, I'll…”
“No thanks! For stuff like this, it should be someone who can play dad, not you! Don't just baby Lirisa!”
“Hey, rookie girl. Let me help.
Kirgil here's already carrying one.”
“Argh! Forget it! I'd rather go alone!”
“What? You've got energy to complain, huh? Cut the crap.”
“This isn't crap! Ugh, whatever!”
As the march got tougher, Suu's grumbling ramped up in frequency and intensity.
She was like a kitten who couldn't control her own emotions.
If she lost grip on her claws too, that'd be trouble.
Whenever we crested a mountain or hill, I'd tell Rada, Suu, and Lirisa to rest while Kerry and I scanned the surroundings.
“I see a giant with rock-colored skin.”
“That's a troll.”
“Should we take it out too?”
“Whoa, listen to you.
Talking about troll-hunting like it's no big deal.”
“Haha, obviously a joke.”
“Hmm, a joke?
You? I could totally see you doing it.”
Honestly, I hadn't tried, but I figured I could manage.
I had the magic sword from Agnes and the spear from Reshi.
That troll in the distance didn't strike me as stronger than Katona.
But to pull it off, I'd have to reveal my abilities.
Better avoid needless fights.
“We just observe wild trolls like that one.
It's far from Gaedo, so no threat to travelers.
We'll keep an eye on it, just in case. There's talk of the Demon King's army breeding trolls with the scent of death.”
We watched the troll for hours, and its behavior was just like any carnivorous wild beast.
Mostly napping.
Watching it curl up like an armadillo for a snooze made it look like a breathing boulder.
Growing bored of staring, I scouted around.
Spotted some dilapidated watchtowers nearby.
“Abandoned outposts.
With monsters wandering free like that, no way to maintain them.
You wanna tangle with a troll just to secure one?
And killing it doesn't end it—others come to mark territory in shifts.
Can't fight them all, so they gave up.”
No real threat or odd signs from the troll.
Still, no camping near a man-eater, so we hustled to the next area before sunset.
Night fell, and we lit a campfire.
Usually everyone sprawled out asleep by now, but tonight they all stared blankly with wide eyes.
They'd napped plenty while Kerry and I watched the troll.
“Kyaa~ The rookies even know how to suck up the sweet life now.
From here on, me and Kirgil are off-duty.
You lot handle night watch.”
Kerry seemed pleased she could finally delegate to the three. She crashed for real.
I was about to unroll my bedroll when Rada, on first watch, fidgeted and eyed me.
“Um, Kirgil… could you teach me how to use a weapon…?”
“Rada! Master's going to sleep now!”
Lirisa was plopped in front of me, book in hand.
Reminded me of Agnes—scary and nostalgic.
If I were beat, I'd ignore it, but I'd napped while Kerry watched.
After sergeant days in the army, you pick up the skill of dozing anywhere, anytime.
Had Rada try swinging a sword.
Quick verdict.
“Rada, no swords for you.”
“What!? That bad?”
Fantasy makes it seem anyone—from dogs to cats to raccoons—can swing a blade easy, but swords are actually the hardest weapon to master.
Rada flailing her lucky-find sword was like a unlicensed teen grabbing a sports car wheel.
Time to downgrade her to tractor or scooter level.
“You said you used an axe for chopping wood, right?
Hold the sword backward.
Smash the enemy like chopping a log—with the handguard pommel.”
Ferio had taught me various sword techniques once, including ways to use different parts of the blade.
This girl was so rigid, she wouldn't half-ass anything—drilled every detail.
Hell, I'd even taken sword-whacks like clubbing from her.
Rada followed instructions well.
Not practicing swordplay on watch—instead, she wrapped the blade in bandages to swing it like an axe.
Next, Lirisa hugging her book with sparkling eyes.
Nothing to teach her; questions for her.
“Lirisa, how do I send a letter?”
“Where to? I'll help! We can ask my dad!”
Figured she'd be bummed it wasn't ancient language lessons.
But she lit up at helping me.
Super eager to explain and assist.
Glad she's happy even without ancient tongue talk.
Lirisa's just too cute.
Merchants pass through her home—Piterio Merchant Company.
Hand the letter to one heading your way.
Then I remembered: Erba the merchant visited Agnes Village regularly.
Oh, simpler than I thought.
“What, mister got a secret wife stashed back home?”
Suu slid in while sorting war spoils alone.
“Wife? Nah, just checking in on old hometown friends. Folks who worry about me.”
Agnes Village felt like home now, naturally.
“So who? A girl?”
Suu leaned in with a teasing smirk.
“Girls and guys both.”
More words for the ladies, but not lying!
And Lirisa, don't give me those anxious puppy eyes.
“Kirgil, you sending a letter to that lady?”
Kerry chimed in—thought she was asleep.
“...Ahem. Maybe.”
“Huh? You know her too, Kerry? Who is she?”
“Unlike you rookies, she's scary, beautiful, and strict. But they say she melts around Kirgil.”
“Melts? For real? A woman? She's a woman, right???”
Rada even paused her work, eavesdropping quietly.
Why's everyone so nosy about my love life??
And melts!? Where'd that come from!!
“Quiet. Anything more's classified. Civilians prying get their heads chopped.”
Classified sealed it—she knew about me and Ferio.
Agnes Village gossip spread wide among soldiers.
Makes sense.
But embarrassing.
Damn, entering Prosek Castle flashing my Hero crest might draw stares.
‘That's the guy...?’‘No way??’‘Poor girl...’‘Captain's tastes...’
Argh, shit. Sounds too real—scary now.
This is an introvert's worst nightmare!
“Hahaha! Seeing Kirgil squirm, I might win that bet after all.”
How many bets on me!?
Gotta tell Liard to tighten discipline.
...Nah.
That guy's too action-oriented—probably bet himself.
Infuriating.
Hate the grilling—better sleep fast.
Woke at dawn to horse-watch Suu and early-riser Lirisa up.
“No incidents overnight…? Oh, there is.”
“Nah, nothing big. Lirisa's dress got torn on the trail, so I patched it.”
Her black dress was fraying daily from branches and rocks.
Just regular outing clothes, not magic robes.
Ankle-length hem now knee-high miniskirt.
Scraps wrapped her legs as gaiters.
Way more adventurer-y now.
And cuter than yesterday.
“I make my siblings' clothes—this is basic.”
“M-m-mister… Master? How's it look?”
Impossible not to praise.
Kerry woke hollering too.
“Ahem. Yeah, super cute, right?”
Lirisa changed, but Suu strutted prouder, beaming.
Expected a new look from Suu—total surprise.
Brat to me, but good big sis to them.
Like the eldest doting on siblings.
Ah…
That explains it.
I checked Suu's Status Window again.
Who knew unwanted info could pop up like this.