The advance guard was divided into several groups and marched toward the border fortress.
Some went by horse, some on foot, and some by carriage… Their means of transportation varied, but their destination was the same.
A thousand people. It was a small force for an army, but the sight of so many people lined up and moving together was surreal and somehow uncanny.
"…As I thought, there's a unique tension in the air. I don't think I'll ever get used to this feeling."
Rest let out a heavy sigh as he worked the reins.
Thanks to his many experiences, he had gotten used to riding. Equestrianism was a noble's refined skill. He had learned it in academy classes, and had also been taught by people from House Rosemary, like Diebl.
(Still, riding for a long time makes my butt sore… Good thing I have healing magic.)
His butt hurt from riding, so he healed it with magic.
What an extravagant way to use magic. It was impossible without having infinite mana like Rest did.
"At this pace, it'll take more than three days… It'd be a lot faster if I just flew there with magic."
"It's not that simple, is it? Do you plan on leaving the supplies behind?"
"You are… Senior Carbelt!"
The person who had spoken to the grumbling Rest was a senior from the academy. It was Isis Carbelt, the former chairwoman of the student council enforcement division.
Isis was wearing a riding outfit and was mounted on a white horse.
"I told you, just Isis is fine, Rest."
"Ah… right, sorry. Isis."
"You don't need to call me 'Miss' either… It's an honor to be able to go to war in the same unit as you."
"Same here… Still, what with Lubeth and the others, there are a lot of familiar faces."
"Well, I suppose. Not all that different from the group that took part in Marquis Eiger's subjugation."
Isis brought her horse alongside Rest's.
She rose and fell in the saddle to absorb the shock of the gait, handling the reins with a practiced ease well beyond Rest's.
"Every nobility has its warrior faction and its political one," she said. "It's only natural for those of us who pride ourselves on our strength to be sent to the front. That's exactly why we were granted our domains and titles."
The relationship between the royal family and the nobility… the entire feudal system is built on a bond of 'favor' and 'service.' The sovereign grants his vassal nobles domains and honors, and in turn, the nobles work for the royal family to repay that debt of gratitude.
If the balance between favor and service tips too far, the nobles grow discontent, and when that discontent festers, it eventually leads to secession and rebellion.
"Incidentally… in cases like this current repulsion of the foreign tribes, His Majesty finds himself in quite a bind. Do you know why?"
"Why…? Is it because we're the side being invaded? If we lose, villages and people will be harmed."
"That's not wrong, but it's not quite the answer I was looking for. The reason is… there's nothing to gain even if we win."
"Nothing to gain…?"
"Right. It's a world of difference from the times you took down Sabnock, or Prince Rodele, or Marquis Eiger."
Isis explained patiently.
"By defeating Sabnock, our kingdom gained a vast expanse of undeveloped plains. By slaying Marquis Eiger, we were able to confiscate his lands and wealth, along with those of the nobles under his command. All His Majesty had to do was distribute those spoils as rewards to his loyal retainers who had distinguished themselves. He was able to reward our efforts without spending a single coin from his own coffers."
"Ah, I see… This time, we only drove back the foreign tribes who invaded. Since there's nothing to gain, there's nothing to offer as a reward, is there?"
"Well, it's not that he *can't* prepare rewards. But it'll certainly cause him a headache—and a loss of funds."
"Count Clover! Baron Carbelt! Might I have a word?"
Just as their small talk was winding down, a soldier called out to them.
It was a soldier under the command of Captain Vareiya Cattleya.
"I'm told there's a herd of Giant Buffalo to the east of the main road! Commander Cattleya sends word that she'd like you to hunt them if you can, to supplement our provisions!"
"Tell her we understand."
"Same here."
Isis acknowledged the messenger's words, and Rest followed suit.
Giant Buffalo are, as their name suggests, very large water buffalo monsters.
An ordinary cow yields about 300 kg of meat, but a Giant Buffalo can yield five times that.
The importance of provisions in war holds true even in another world. If we can secure meat here, we'll have quite a surplus of food.
"I was getting bored. Since we're here, how about a competition to see who can hunt more?"
"I don't mind. It'll be a good change of pace."
Rest and Isis turned their horses and headed toward the plains beside the highway.
------------------ I have posted a new novel.
Dungeons: Hard Work Is the Only Way to Win ～My classmates lost their cheats, but that has nothing to do with me, the hard worker～ No cheats. A story of conquering dungeons with only the power of hard work.
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