Quartermaster Training (3)
I rarely say things like this, but the way the platoon leader was looking at me felt downright insolent.
"Why are you staring like that?"
"...No reason. Just thought you eat well."
That wasn't the look at all. It was definitely a "what the hell is this girl" kind of glare.
Did I eat too messily? I glanced around discreetly. The supply corps guys were eating their meat pies with their hands just like me. The other diners in the restaurant were doing the same. Hell, the platoon leader himself was holding his with his hands and chowing down.
So it wasn't the eating style. Maybe I got sauce on my face? I wiped my mouth with my hand—nope, nothing there.
Hmm... whatever. Let it slide. No point stressing over a guy who won't even speak plainly. It's just a loss for me.
Anyway, the satisfying lunch came to an end. After a short break, we headed to check the 1st Battalion's dedicated field on the outskirts of Tiabel Town.
The field was on the village edge. Newly cleared, it had solid fencing around it and looked well-maintained.
Just like at the stables, someone was there to greet us—a man who looked about sixty, but his clothes didn't scream farmer.
"Hello, village head."
"Heh, hello it is."
What? Why was the village head out here himself? Shouldn't the farm manager handle this?
Whether I was flustered or not, the supply knight and village head started chatting.
"You planted something already?"
"Carrots first. That's what you do around this time."
"Harvest in two or three months, then."
"That's right."
The supply soldiers joined in beside them, discussing what to plant after carrots and swapping farming tips.
I watched quietly, then stepped back a bit. I knew zilch about farming, so no point inserting myself.
The platoon leader caught on and sidled up beside me. Makes sense—he's nobility too; no way he knows farming.
Still, I didn't tune out completely. As an imperial heir... sigh, as a successor, it wasn't bad to listen in. I might not farm myself, but I should grasp the basics of how it works.
I pulled out my notebook and jotted down sowing and harvest times by crop.
Focused on writing, I suddenly noticed the conversation stop. Looking up, the Tiabel Town village head was staring at me.
"Red hair, golden eyes... could this be...?"
"Ah, yes. That's right."
A hint of my identity sparked their exchange. The village head approached and slowly bowed.
"Whoa, why the sudden formality?"
"I've met Her Highness the Princess; of course I must greet you."
"No need. I'm here as a knight, not the princess."
Despite my protests, his bow deepened.
"Then allow me to greet you as the daughter of my benefactor, not as imperial blood."
"Pardon?"
"I was once saved by His Majesty the Emperor."
What the...? Father's past popping up out of nowhere left me clueless how to respond. The platoon leader and supply crew looked equally stunned. The Emperor, suddenly? Too touchy for them to jump in.
I straightened the village head's back and asked calmly.
"Would you tell me the story?"
"Gladly."
It was about forty years ago, when the Rosenhardt Empire was still the Rosenhardt Kingdom. The Irons pine Mountains were rear guard now, but back then, they were a frontline zone. Neighboring kingdom—now extinct—fought over the high-grade mana stones from there.
The village head had just enlisted in the Silver Eagle Corps as a knight. Father, then crown prince, was doing his mandatory service there per tradition. In the ongoing border skirmishes, the village head got surrounded, and Father arrived with reinforcements, saving his life.
"I was wounded then, couldn't even thank His Majesty properly. By the time I recovered and returned, he'd gone back to the capital for heir training."
The village head gently took my hand. Understanding his feelings, I let him.
"After all these years, Her Highness stands before me. I wanted to give those long-overdue thanks, even through his daughter."
"Has Father never returned here after going to the capital?"
"He has, of course. But as royalty, not knight, so I couldn't approach."
Now it clicked—something I could actually resolve.
I gently freed my hand.
"There's a way to convey thanks without meeting face-to-face."
"Yes?"
"Write Father a letter. I'll deliver it."
"Y-You would?"
"Yes. This I promise as princess, not knight."
"Thank you... truly...! I'd thought of writing, but..."
"I know."
Even posted, it wouldn't reach Father's desk. Imperial office papers don't allow personal mail.
I patted the teary village head's shoulder gently. As princess, a brief comfort wouldn't breach etiquette.
"Address the letter to Apprentice Knight Arselia Rosenhardt, 3rd Company, 3rd Platoon, 3rd Squad Leader of the Silver Eagle Corps 1st Battalion. I'll ensure it reaches Father."
"I will. Thank you..."
Leaving that chance encounter behind, we parted from the village head. Watching him wave goodbye, a thought struck me.
"He stayed near the unit even after discharge."
In my past life, army vets said they'd never piss in that direction again.
"Weird?"
"Well... you mentioned he was wounded in battle here. Staying must bring back bad memories."
"He was hurt, but they won. And the tie to His Majesty might outweigh it positively."
"Could be."
"Empire forces are volunteers anyway. Pride in your unit isn't odd."
Modern sensibilities still baffled me. Maybe because the Korean military was such shit.
"Actually, quite a few 1st Battalion vets live in Tiabel Town."
Overhearing us? The supply knight chimed in.
"The whole village?"
"Yes. The stable master we met, and the restaurant owner from lunch—both ex-unit."
"Really?"
"They were enlisted, failed knight exams. Discharged without promotion, but proud of their time here."
Pride, huh. Could I feel that? I didn't volunteer...
Hmm... not sure yet. Time will tell.
***
Next, our second task: uniforms. At the tailor, we got unexpected news.
"We're short on wool right now, so it'll take time."
"What happened?"
"Monsters hit the sheep ranch two days ago. Sheep losses..."
"What? Why not report to the unit?"
"Took time to handle... but we knew knights were coming today."
"Understood. I'll file a formal monster subjugation request. Details on the beasts?"
The supply knight noted damages and monster specs as the tailor spoke.
I watched, then asked the platoon leader.
"Monsters common here?"
"Not frequent. But when they show, the unit handles it."
In a way, this was civilian support. Protecting mines meant clearing prowling monsters anyway—same as corps duties.
That wrapped the tailor's. Time to grab horses from the stable and head back.
"Aim to return before sunset."
"Got it."
The supply knight led. We matched pace behind.
How long we rode, sunset neared. Base in sight, the day's duties faded with the light.