Author: Yume Neiji

A wheat field spreads from the fortress towards the south. The farm village, which was seriously damaged by the monsters, seems to be located further down the road through the fields.

Since the road was maintained to some extent, we used a carriage to travel around. Presha-san’s subordinate became the coachman, while the two captains are on their horses.

From the carriage’s window, I can see Dite-san who’s advancing alongside the carriage. As we approach our destination, she started explaining things without me asking anything.

 “The rural areas around here are self-governed by the powerful families who ruled the area. They were initially hostile to our kingdom, but after the Isle Rose fortress was built, they did not resist as much.”

“I guess when they look at the fortress, they feel that it’s not easy to challenge…”

 “There is also a point to that, but it’s more likely due to the threat of Zirconia army approaching beyond the waterway. A militia of farmers couldn’t resist a trained knight. Knowing that, they came under the patronage of the Kingdom’s army.”

It’s true that the knights continuously repel the Zirconia army feared by the powerful families. However, if food production is declining in this rural area, it is possible that the poverty-stricken powerful families would consider changing sides. –That’s what I think.

“When Astina-sama became the fortress’ commander, the people’s sentiments towards the Knights have improved. It’s probably because we’re not only protecting against Zirconia, but also protecting the territories from monsters and bandits. The food produced here is shipped to all Western territories. If the monsters that ruin the farmland are left alone…, their sentiments will gradually get worse.”

“That’s why I want to somehow do something about it… No, not somehow… if it’s not done, the entire knights will be exhausted. Poor grain and vegetable production also affects livestock. If it’s difficult to eat a lot of meat, I hope we can at least eat beans.”

“The bean field has also been damaged. It was producing fine before but now…”

Dite-san gaze ahead as if she noticed something.

“Wh-what’s that… previously… it shouldn’t have been this bad…”

“Everyone, look! The color of the land over there has changed…!”

 The ground is gray colored… It is completely different from the original color of the soil.

Looking outside the window, I’m lost for words at the sight before me. There is a border in front of the wheat field, and the land on the other side is gray.

Perhaps the horse also felt the abnormality, as our progress slowed down. Then, from a private house ahead, a person came out riding a horse. He is probably managing the fields around here.

“Oh, are you members of the Knights? I’m glad you came, but this land is now useless. Before the harvest, everything dies.”

“Such… why is this happening? Wasn’t there just a monster?”

The man gets confused at Presha-san’s question. He pointed the gray land spreading behind –then to the forest beyond it.

“At first, only monsters appeared. It was weak to flames, and there was a temporary treatment if it was burned out… The Knights also cooperated with us several times. However, A few months ago, the land around that forest became gray and the crops stopped growing properly.”

“Oh… if we defeat the monster, will things return back to its original state? If the crops won’t grow back, it doesn’t make sense to defeat the monster…”

Raquel-san must have received some report and would have understood to some extent. This is unexplained land pollution –No, this is “erosion”.

I got off the carriage and listened to the voices of the plants around. It’s not as clear as the voice of the elder. The crops around here have not turned gray but they have been weakened.

…The wind… comes from the forest… What is this sensation…

“…Glass-sensei?”

“Glass-sama, is there something wrong?”

―A gray forest can be seen from afar. As I watched it, I feel like I was watching something different from the actual scenery right in front of me.

In the middle of the forest where the sun shines, something basking in the light looked at me – a young lady. The young lady’s lips moved. However, I can’t hear her voice – obviously, since it’s an illusion.

It was the scenery I saw when I contracted with my spirit. But it quickly fades to gray.

“Are you… there? I… am I seeing the illusion of that place?…”

“Se-sensei! Get a hold of yourself! Illusion? What are you talking about?”

“Ah, I-I’m sorry. I’m just worried about that forest. Is there something in that forest?”

When I asked a farmer, he also shook his head.

“It seems that there is a place somewhere in that forest that enshrined some kind of god in the generation of our ancestors. No one dared to approach it… Since I was born, I never went inside. There are even rumors that you will be cursed if you go…”

“Curse… is it? If you say that, don’t you think it would be more horrible if the land has withered?”

Everyone can imagine that the cause of the monsters was in that forest. The phenomenon in which this land turns gray spreads from that forest.

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After breakfast, Raquel-san gathered the leaders of each unit and had a morning meeting on the first floor of the fortress, I also went to see the situation.

“The 1st Attack Team will be patrolling around the fortress today. The 2nd team will be trained under my guidance. The 3rd team will be on standby today. Don’t allow anyone who wants to go out of the fortress, unless it’s an important requirement. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a day off. I’ll give an appropriate rating to anyone who has done a good job looking for what they can do.”

「「「I  understand, Knight Captain!! 」」」

It seems that in this knighthood, putting hands on the chest and looking up to the sky is a way of expressing respect for a superior person.

Raquel-san continues to send orders to the other units. There are three attackers and two archers. Presha-san is the captain of the 3rd Corps, so it seems that she is on standby today.

After all 15 captains dispersed, we went back to Raquel-san’s office without speaking to each other.

“Knight-Captain Raquel. Glass Weed reporting.”

Raquel-san slowly turned around –looking at the long slits of her eyes, I still feel nervous.

“There is no need to use military words when coming here.”

“But… because I’m a military doctor not just an ordinary doctor, I also want to fulfil my mission with the feeling that I am also a soldier.”

“I received reports from Dite and Katie. You worked well in last night’s enemy attack… You’ve just arrived, so familiarize yourself here first. I have no instructions at this time.”

Yesterday, she asked me report to her and wait for her instructions, but now she says there’s nothing –I’m not angry at her though. It may be because she heard about last night and cares for me.

“It takes time to be able to interrogate the prisoners… As far as I know, it seems that your magic can make the enemy speak completely, rather than interrogating. That girl Arlaune, did she have that power?”

“Yes… I didn’t expect it to be used that way either. I’ll continue to use Arlaune’s power when it’s needed.”

“I wouldn’t blame you for that, rather, thank you for your contribution. Not unless you abuse the hypnotic magic.”

“Knight Captain Raquel, does Glass-sama look like he would do that?”

It can’t be helped that I would be doubted like that, but as Lendl-san says, I will never do that.

“You are right…. When you treated the ranch owner, you were just enthusiastic and straightforward. That was probably why last night, Katie and Dite had a good impression when they talked about you. That mannish Presha seems to have a respect not far from admiring you too.”

“So, why do you still doubt Glass-sama…?”

“That’s… because he did too much. Grasping the human heart at such a speed, is impossible even for soldiers educated as a commander candidate. Objectively speaking, it’s abnormal.”

Certainly, until now, I was able to make good use of my spirit magic, everything came in mesh.

But I didn’t survive alone. It was because of the power of the Knights, and because Lendl-san was also there.

“I’m here for the Knights… No. I used to come here as a court magician to serve Astina-denka. My contracted spirit is something that even the Magic Academy can’t admit. But I wanted to use it for people. I thought I could do it if I became a doctor.”

Raquel-san listened silently to my speech. If I avert my eyes, she won’t believe me –there’s nothing to hide, so I won’t look away.

Raquel-san then took a deep breath. Then she moved her line of sight behind me.

“Presha, what are you doing here? The third corps was supposed to be on standby.”

“Eh… Ra-Raquel-ane. The way I speak maybe wrong but, it’s unusual for Raquel-ane to doubt Glass-sensei. If everyone worked hard, you would appreciate us properly and you always look at us fairly…”

Apparently Presha-san was worried about us –she keeps complaining to Raquel-san while blushing when she glance at me.

“I trust Glass-sensei, not just because I want him to continue to help me. With Sensei here, the Knights will be better…”

“…Hmmm…maybe”

“……Eh?”

Raquel-san affirms Presha-san’s words and I thought I misheard it, before I confirm it to her, I had something to suggest.

 “Knight Captain Raquel, if you don’t have any specific instructions today, can I suggest one for myself?”

“Glass-sensei, what do you want to do?”

“This fortress is now in a serious food shortage. It’s easy to see by looking at the contents of meals for dinner and breakfast. If the diet becomes chronically monotonous, various problems will occur.”

“I did receive requests from a nearby farmer to exterminate monsters…  However, those demons cannot be easily eradicated. And once they appear, the field becomes useless. It’s too strong that it can’t be beaten easily.”

Zirconia is not the only enemy. There’s one more tremendous threat –a powerful monster that devours the field which afflicts the Knights.

―However, I may be able to take measures against the fields becoming useless. Field crops are also plants, and there is a close relationship between plants and soil.

“Knight Captain Raquel, Please I ask of you, let me visit the fields attacked by the monsters.”

“That cannot be allowed. I won’t negligently risk the new military doctor…”

“Then I’ll go with Sensei! I’m on standby, so I’m not really prohibited from moving to solve problems in the territory.”

“What are you saying, you also have your subordinates. For their captain to go alone…”

“Well then, I’ll accompany them too. Only Captains and above can look after Presha… I was on the defensive last night, so I was also given a standby order.”

Dite-san also voiced that she will accompany me –it’s certainly reassuring if the two captains are coming together. To tell the truth, there’s also that pleasant feeling.

Dite-san faced towards me, and then she made a cute wink.

“Knight Captain Raquel, it’s quite painful to me that you and Astina-denka are eating the same meal as the junior soldiers, without any dietary restrictions on other executives. Don’t think that I did not notice it. Please don’t take such kind consideration.”

“W-Wha… is that true? When the fruits came out, I shared it with everyone in the squad… Raquel-ane, you even told me that food is the source of our body, but you don’t care for yourself!”

 “… The supply of food from the center is delayed, but it will eventually be resolved. Until then, I will be doing that so we can save food in the fortress.”

Then, for a heavy cavalry like Raquel-san, her body cannot be maintained. It’s not just about nutrition, she has burdened her body and her care isn’t enough.

“There is only a small stockpile of medicines too, in that case, we must solve the problem of food shortages… I swear I won’t mischievously take a risk. Please let me go and investigate.”

I bowed my head. Lendl-san imitated next to me.

“…I understand…, although it’s difficult to solve, leaving it alone would affect the significance of the Knight’s existence. We can be knights only by protecting people.”

“Raquel-ane…”

“As expected of a Knight Captain… In the end, you still listen to me right? That’s what I like about you.”

Raquel-san closed her eyes and sighs at Dite-san’s words. That action seemed to be also directed at me.

“Go back by sunset. If you judged that it’s dangerous, don’t touch the monster. Promise me that.”

「「「Yes! 」」」

We answered uniformly. Presha-san and Dite-san looked at each other and start laughing.

In this investigation, I would like to get a clue for us to solve the food shortages. Food is a problem that is directly related to the morale of the Knights as well as our nutritional status.

―In any case, we have to recover food productivity in our territory.

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After returning to the base with Dite-san’s unit, I performed an operation to remove the prisoner’s arrow.

The drug solution is delivered inside the wound, sterilized, and sutured. The arrow hit the foot, the nerves and thick blood vessels were swollen, and although he was seriously injured, it was not life-threatening.

I had been training in surgery, but this was the first time I had a full-scale surgery. After finishing the suture and covering the wound, I blanked out for a while but I finally managed to come to myself when Katie-san called out.

“Thank you for the hard work, Glass-sensei. It was a wonderful operation… I’ve never seen such a beautiful suture.”

The thread I use is made of vegetable fiber. Therefore, with respect to the suturing, the thread can be accurately controlled, and the suturing can be performed as desired.

“I’m glad it was successful. You need to observe him carefully for a while. If he feels any pain, please call me right away.”

The soldier has fainted because of blood loss, but his consciousness will return soon. However, it is necessary to monitor him so that he does not result in trying to escape.

“Katie-san too, thank you for being my assistant.”

“No, No… I could only watch you operate. I couldn’t even tell the names or the use of the tools Glass-sensei had used for the operation… it’s embarrassing.”

The medics were taught to know the names of the surgical tools used by the doctors as it is a primary knowledge for first aid. It would be troublesome otherwise.

But Katie-san remembers quickly, and if the other medics look at the procedures for surgery and remember it, the medical technology of the Knights will be entirely raised.

“Now I’ll be back in my room and have a rest. I’m counting on you again tomorrow.”

“Yes, me too. Good night, Glass-sensei.”

A long day is about to end –no, has the day change already?

It’s not unusual for me to lose consciousness because I used magic in quick succession. I have to somehow get to the residence safely…

◆◇◆

I don’t remember much after returning to my room. I was welcomed by Lendl-san, somehow I managed to change my clothes, rolled on my bed, and when I woke up, the sky seen through the window was white.

The people having breakfast are also large in number, so you must go to the dining room punctually. After washing my face and changing clothes, me and Lendl-san had a bread and leafy vegetable soup. You can also choose oatmeal, but I’d rather have a warm one.

“Hey, yesterday… it was amazing…”

“To have a man come here… our army also has a policy…”

“Why not?  If you look at Sensei, he looks kind…”

I’ve been overtly rumoured –not only to the sanitary wing but also to other units. Maybe it was because I acted with Dite-san’s archers yesterday.

“………”

“Le-Lendl-san. I beg you, please don’t report this to my stepsister.”

“No, no… It’s not some kind of complaint. It was also a fresh surprise for me to see that Glass-sama could be so favored by women.”

“That way of saying is a little… Besides, I don’t think they hold affection for me.”

 “……Is that so?”

“Ye-yeah?”

What’s with this awkward interaction? From Lendl-san’s point of view, he thinks that I am favored by someone and I’m not even aware of it?

“Katie-sama said, Glass-sama acquired the approval of the medical team overnight. Being able to do that means that others can do that as well.”

“I see… I hope so.”

The biggest challenge for me right now is to get the trust of Raquel-san. I hope her trust builds up as I follow her instructions. She hated magic itself so I feel like I cannot change her thoughts.

“I just do what I can do, one at a time. I’m counting on you today too, Lendl-san.”

“I’m looking forward to working with you too, Glass-sama.”

After the short talk, we concentrate on eating. But I felt like my every single move is seen by the other soldiers – it was the care mothers have for the young. Only, the degree of attention was like those of the theater actors in this capital.

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The enemy couldn’t reach the moat surrounding the city wall as they were wiped out by the arrows in the riverside’s meadow.

I had never seen the power of a longbow, but metal arrows pierced the enemy’s armor, causing fatal wounds. The number of enemy soldiers killed was over fifty –we could see what the Zirconian army was trying to do by looking at the thing they were trying to carry.

“Cannon… This also caused a lot of damage last time. In small groups, they carry this in the darkness, perhaps they were trying to destroy the walls before we notice them.”

In preparation for an ambush, Dite-san has ordered her subordinates to carefully scout around.

When I was able to confirm that it was safe, I asked her to let me off the horse, I then look around for survivors in the soldiers lying around.

No survivors can be found. Leaving the dead in the open affects not only the enemy but also the morale of the army– Up to this point, I wonder what happened after the enemy army was repelled.

At that moment, when I casually look at the dead soldiers in front of me, I felt some malaise.

“…he’s alive… Dite-san there is a survivor. It seems like he can’t move after he’s struck by the arrow.”

“Then I will take the soldier back to the fortress. I hope I can hear about their purpose this time.”

If I pull the arrow here, blood loss will be too great. At present, I have to apply blood-thinning medicine and have to operate after returning.

“What are you doing? He does not need treatment or something…”

“If we leave him as is, there is a risk of dying before we could bring him back to the base. If you want a prisoner, I have to take the minimum steps.”

“Well… that’s right. It’s exactly as what Sensei says. I’m sorry, please continue.”

Dite-san looks a little pale.

When I think about it, it was the same before we came here. I was told to ride in front of Dite-san, and up close, her hand holding the reins seemed to tremble a little.

“I might get scolded when I say something like this but… Presha-san also said that it would be better not to kill enemy soldiers if it was not necessary.”

“I wouldn’t say such thing in front of a military doctor. That means that she is still young.”

“N-No, it doesn’t mean that you’ll get used to it when you get older. It’s just… it more human-like.”

“To protect the country, such sentiments should be discarded. Otherwise, you will eventually lose yourself.”

She thinks that none other than her can do it – that’s why from the start, Dite-san keeps convincing herself.

Before the enemy approaches, they blocked the progress by shooting them. In that way, the enemy’s troops were struck by the arrows and wiped out. Deep inside, it should have worn her out, so it’s impossible to say that she feels nothing.

As we were riding the horse together, I knew what she needed. It was a flower that alleviates the symptoms of sleeplessness: “Night Flower”.

It is said that if you put the flower in your bedroom, you will fall asleep so deeply that you will even forget about what happened. I didn’t use it myself, but I was happy to recommend it to my stepsister.

Those who are put on the battlefield often suffer from insomnia especially if they’ve experienced many night time enemy attacks just like this fortress.

When Dite-san got off the horse, she approaches the enemy soldier and picks up the sword that had fallen. The carved seal on the handle was a scraped off.

“As expected……It was a weapon made on our country. So it was true that weapons were being sent to the enemy army…”

“Dite-san, did you hear what Presha-san has reported… from Astina-denka?”

“I’m sure you gave us consideration, and taken care for us not to lose our morale. But, our intuitions are not that dull. Astina-sama came from the capital too…. No. She is estranged from some members of the royal family, otherwise, the one who won the merit on the Eastern Front wouldn’t be sent to the dangerous west right after.”

Originally, Astina-denka was fighting in the east. At the eastern border, the war situation has been stable for several years and the once stolen territory has been recovered. The princess no longer needs to stand in the battlefield then.

―But thru a decree, she was sent to a dangerous battlefield once again.

When I looked at Her Highness, I felt that I was separated from humans because her spirituality was clearly different from other people. Her talent was never given solely for battle. Properly speaking, her pureness and divinity, gathers people’s belief and it gives them peace, if it isn’t a natural gift to guide, what else could it be?

I just met her but I’m amazed to see myself being this worshipful. I think Astina-denka is truly an existence to be revered –as everyone in this fortress, including Captain Raquel, does.

“Some people call Astina-sama a “Saint”. That is because, she herself didn’t voice out any resentment against her own circumstances and she won’t point her sword to the main culprit. No other term fits her than – Saint.

And at the same time, as the “Sword Princess”, she’s willing to wield her sword to kill her enemies. That is why we want to be a weapon to defeat the enemy in her stead. Yes, that’s what we all swore.”

I remember the appearance of Raquel-san, who runs at the command of Astina-denka. What made her so fierce might have come from that vow.

“I’m curious, Sensei didn’t feel like a student, I even thought you were still a young boy… But you were so calm that I even spoke too much.”

“Actually, I’m curious too that’s why… From here, I will also do what I can. Can you wait a little over there?”

“What are you going to do?”

“If we leave the enemy soldiers’ dead body alone, it can cause an epidemic. I can prevent that from happening. If you have something to collect, please pick it up now.”

“We can use each weapon as evidence. I’ll leave everything else as a gravestone for the dead soldiers.”

Dite-san’s subordinates collect some undamaged arms. The captive soldier was then carried on the horse. It took time to carry the cannon, but they managed to carry it into the fortress.

While Dite-san watches over from a little distance, I work on the spirit of the grass that filled the riverbank. Naturally, the Earth spirits would be better at it –returning those who lost their lives to the earth.

But plants also contribute to obscuring the traces of battle.

“Green grass that covers the earth, answer my call and cover the desolate land… [Plant Grow!]”

That spell promotes grass growth over a wide area. This may seem like a temporary hiding, but it relieves the effect on the land by growing a new plant that absorbs phosphorus and salt in the soil.

What we can see after were the weapons that became the enemy’s grave marker. Now, only the swords and spears stood still on the ground.

“I knew Glass-sensei came from the Magic Academy, but I’ve never heard of such magic… Ah…!”

“Uu… S-Sorry. I thought I would be fine.”

I used magic too many times today. If I did such large task lastly, I expected this to happen –I too, should have learned more about my power.

I was caught by Dite-san when I was about to fall down. Somehow, I managed to keep myself conscious and stand on my own feet and leave her.

“Are you sure you’re not forcing yourself? It’s not the time to be worrying about us.”

“Really, being this miserable… I’m truly sorry, I apologize for the inconvenience.”

When I apologized, Dite-san looked at me with a face that chides me–her eyes were narrowed as if she was troubled on what to do.

“Don’t mention the trouble… this is where I should thank you. If we’ll be doing the burial from now on, I’m sure it will be another sleepless night… Ah…”

“As expected, you seem like you can’t sleep well. I know a good medicine… I sometimes use it when I can’t sleep, so the effect is guaranteed.”

“Ahem… Men should silently overlook when women have a slip of mouth… I want to say that but it’s truly hard to hide the dark circles, so I’ll rely on you.”

Dite-san is shy to say so. Her smile was so pretty as the little flowers of the “Night Flower” –I would be laughed even more if I said that with a straight face.

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