Chapter 126

After the first day of training ended.

I was assigned a room by the drill instructor and went inside. The room was structured for twenty new recruits to share, and while it wasn't spacious, it wasn't cramped either. There were wooden platforms on both sides and a path in the middle… was it just my imagination that it felt like the barracks from my military service?

The spot I was assigned was at the very back of the room, next to the window. A spot like this was usually taken by the senior-most soldier, but only Max would know why I was assigned it.

Thump—.

"Ugh... I feel like I'm gonna die, damn it."

The recruit assigned next to me didn't even bother to dust off the dirt and sand from his clothes and shoes before flopping down on the wooden platform. I, at least, had dusted myself off before coming in.

'Seeing them all just lie down with their shoes on, I guess that's the norm.'

Well, it was probably unreasonable to expect them to adhere to the cleanliness or hygiene standards of a modern person like me.

The recruit who had been lying next to me, groaning, turned his head sharply to look at me and asked.

"You, you said your name was 'Nar,' right?"

"Huh? Ah, yeah."

I hadn't expected him to talk to me, so I answered a bit awkwardly.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Remond. You run damn well. Aren't you tired?"

"I am tired, but—."

"Tired my ass. You were the first to finish running the training ground, and you weren't even out of breath. Did you prepare to be an adventurer or something before enlisting? Seeing those scars on your arm, it looks like you've lived a pretty tough life too."

Flop—.

Remond, who had been lying down, sat up and continued.

"How old are you? You look younger than me."

"Thirteen."

I answered truthfully without much thought. But.

—...Thirteen?

—That's too young.

—Can a thirteen-year-old enlist? Wasn't there an age limit?

—I think there was... or maybe not?

—He must have enlisted because there isn't.

—Wow, but he's only thirteen and his stamina is that good?

—I was confident in my stamina too....

I thought everyone was doing their own thing, but it seemed they were all listening to my conversation with Remond.

"Thirteen?! And you ran the training ground in full gear like that?"

"Everyone did it, so what."

"What do you mean everyone did it! Most of them walked!"

Remond was right. Most of the other recruits couldn't even run a few laps before getting exhausted and walking.

'And they got yelled at a lot by the drill instructors for it.'

But I didn't think of myself as amazing. It was because the 'Health Necklace' the king had given me was the reason I could run well from start to finish.

The amazing thing about this necklace was that it restored my stamina as soon as I got tired.

I didn't know if it built up my stamina in real-time, but at least I didn't get tired from just running in armor.

"You told Commander Jereuth earlier. That you became a soldier because you wanted to protect this kingdom."

"Yeah."

"Is that true?"

"What do you mean, is it true?"

"You know what I mean, why ask back?"

Remond laughed as if it was fine and patted my shoulder.

"Didn't you enlist because you can easily feed your family if you become a soldier? Most of us are probably like that."

“……”

"You said your father passed away. So wasn't it to take care of your mother, or your younger siblings, or maybe an older sister? An older brother?"

Listening to Remond, I surveyed the atmosphere. Judging by the mood, it seemed everyone had the same reason Remond mentioned.

'It was in the Future Diary before. The kingdom army's morale was high, but when it became almost certain that they would lose the war, many soldiers deserted to protect their families.'

But that content changed a little when I decided to enlist as a new recruit. The defeat in the war against the monster army remained the same, but it changed to many soldiers staying until the end and fighting with me.

After briefly recalling the Future Diary, I spoke.

"I don't have a family."

***

I don't have a family.

At Nar's nonchalant way of saying such a serious thing, the atmosphere among the new recruits instantly grew heavy.

—'If he doesn't have a family... did they all die in the war with the demons?'

—'He said his father died protecting the kingdom.'

—'Did the rest of his family die because of the nobles and thugs?'

—'Damn... the kid grew up well without parents, though.'

Remond, thinking similarly to the other new recruits, cleared his throat, blaming himself for bringing up a needless topic.

Ahem—.

"S-sorry. I didn't know... I didn't know your whole family was dead. So you became a soldier to make a living?"

"No, I told you. I became a soldier to protect this kingdom. That's all."

"...Why do you want to protect the kingdom?"

"Because I want to protect it."

It was a simple and clear answer. Remond had nothing to say to that.

It wasn't something that could be refuted either.

It's easy to become a soldier to help family, lovers, or friends. That was the reason everyone had enlisted.

It's even easier to enlist to support oneself. In the Plank Kingdom right now, there was no safer way to make a living than joining the army.

Not only that. Right now, being a 'soldier' was the most popular profession among women.

With Leonardo's good governance, the perception of the kingdom army had improved, and in turn, the popularity of soldiers had also risen.

It wasn't for nothing that 'a kingdom soldier is the number one husband material' was the recent praise.

As such, it was only natural for young men to volunteer for enlistment. Who would refuse a profession where you could receive a good salary stably and be popular with women?

'Of course, it's tough being deployed for construction and farming here and there while training... but it's still much better than other jobs you can do outside.'

After thinking, Remond smiled awkwardly and said.

"I-I see. That's amazing. It makes me feel ashamed of my own trivial reason for enlisting."

"What's there to be ashamed of for enlisting to feed your family. That's cool."

“……”

"It's just that what I want to protect and what you want to protect are different. And in the end, if I protect the kingdom, your family will be protected too, so it's the same thing."

This guy named 'Nar' was different.

I thought he was just a ridiculously handsome and physically fit guy.

'This bastard... he's a cool guy. What he says is a bit old-fashioned, but it's cool.'

Come to think of it, this guy had several strange points.

His face was too fair for a commoner, the way he organized his things was too neat, and his way of speaking had a sense of dignity.

In any case, Remond liked Nar. Except for the fact that his face was too handsome.

As such a heartwarming atmosphere continued.

A drill instructor roughly opened the door, came in, and said.

"We need one person for warehouse cleaning duty, step out!"

To be called again so soon after entering the barracks.

At the drill instructor's words, the new recruits silently exchanged glances.

No one volunteered. And for good reason, everyone was too tired. They had enough energy to chat, but they didn't want to move their bodies.

"This damn.... I said someone step out, didn't you hear—!"

As the drill instructor was speaking with a scowl.

"I will go!"

Nar, the guy who was cool and likable in every way except for being handsome, volunteered.

The other new recruits were grateful for him taking the initiative, but at the same time, they felt sorry that someone younger than them was stepping up.

The drill instructor recognized 'Nar' and nodded his head.

"'Nar,' was it? Good. You're the first one to volunteer. Good, follow me."

"Yes!"

As the drill instructor took Nar and went outside, the new recruits, whose tension had eased again, lay down on their platforms. They were all so tired that they closed their eyes and rested.

However, in their minds, the new recruits were all recalling Nar's words and actions from a moment ago.

—'Protecting the kingdom is protecting one's family.... He's right.'

—'Was it Crown Prince Leonardo? Life really got better after he purged the nobles and got rid of all the thugs.'

—'So a soldier is someone who protects such a kingdom.'

—'Damn... if you're going to be handsome, why be a cool person too. If you're handsome, you should at least be a jerk, but I like him. I'm definitely going to do better than that guy in training. Even if it's just out of spite.'

Whether Leonardo intended it or not, 'Nar' was unknowingly influencing the soldiers.

***

Warehouse cleaning duty.

After that task, nothing special happened to me. I had dinner, did roll call, and received a general explanation of the new recruit training schedule from the drill instructors in the barracks.

First, the new recruit training was basically 4 weeks. But those who couldn't keep up with the training would be held back and receive an additional 4 weeks of training.

If they were held back again, it was a forced discharge.

During the first week of training, we received physical training and drill training. This was also when our individual weapons were decided, but it seemed that new recruits could basically only use spears, even if a weapon was decided.

In the second week, we began training in earnest on how to handle weapons. We also learned how to fight as an 'army.' We would receive tactical training from the knights who had been deployed in numerous battles, including the war with the demons.

Of course, while receiving tactical training, we continued with basic physical training. It was a really packed schedule.

'Well... I shouldn't think it's packed. This new recruit training plan was something I made with Jereuth when I first took power and rebuilt the kingdom's army.'

Then, in the third week, while continuing with basic training, we were deployed for 'actual combat.'

Even if it was called 'actual combat,' we weren't going to the battlefield. It meant working on farms or construction sites.

But the reason it was called 'actual combat' was, as the drill instructor explained, 「"His Highness Leonardo has decreed that helping with the farming and construction for the kingdom's development is the main role of the kingdom's army. This is not simple farming and construction. It is combat farming, and combat construction! Do it with the mindset of going to the battlefield!!"」

'Still, he said that not all new recruits were deployed for farming and construction. He said that trainees with good training scores would be immediately deployed on 'missions'.'

A 'mission' was being deployed for patrols inside and outside the royal capital. During those patrols, we might arrest criminals, and if we encountered monsters, a battle could break out. Naturally.

'And in the final 4th week... he said we would do a mock battle.'

The drill instructor didn't explain the mock battle in detail. He just said something like a threat, 「"In the mock battle, you will roll around and fight a lot. It's fortunate if you win, but if you lose, hellish training awaits, so fight with all your might."」

Of course, I knew what a mock battle was. It must be what I had seen a few times from the terrace before, where the soldiers fought on the training ground under the command of the knights.

'It looked fun from a distance... but it'll probably be incredibly tough when I have to do it myself.'

Anyway.

The current time was four in the morning. The other soldiers in the barracks were all so exhausted from the first day's strenuous training and mental education that they were sleeping soundly enough not to wake up even if someone carried them away.

—Snore...!

—Phewwoooo—!

—Stop, stooop... stop making me run, you bastard...! How old are you... take off your rank insignia... C-Commander Jereuth...? S-sorry... I didn't mean to... snore...!

There were quite a few guys who were talking in their sleep. Especially Remond, who was next to me, was sleep-talking a lot.

Listening to his sleep-talking, he might be having a go at the drill instructor in his dream.

Pfft—.

After watching Remond, I lay down again and tried to sleep.

'This hard wooden platform... it's more uncomfortable than the bed I usually sleep in, but somehow my mind is at ease.'

Just as I closed my eyes again.

Creek—.

I heard the sound of someone opening the door. My eyes naturally opened, and my gaze turned towards the door.

In the moonlight coming in from the window, I could see the face of the person who had opened the door and entered. It was the junior knight, Max.

Seeing me with my eyes open, Max was a little surprised, but he didn't say anything and just gestured with his hand.

Flick, flick—.

A gesture to come outside. But his expression was not good at all. It was a very tense expression.

For now, I followed Max outside. Without any explanation, Max took me to the top floor of the barracks, to his office.

Creek-.

I entered Max's office.

And what I saw was—.

"Commander?"

"Ah, you've come, Your Highness."

As I entered, Jereuth stood up straight and greeted me. His expression was even more serious than Max's.

"Is something wrong?"

"Yes, well.... Max, you may leave."

"Yes, understood!"

Max, perhaps feeling burdened by being with the two giants of the kingdom, closed the door and left immediately without a moment's hesitation.

As he left, Jereuth spoke to me.

"I apologize for having you come at such a late hour. There is an urgent matter."

"It's alright. So what is it?"

The Future Diary had said that there would be no particular problems for the next few years.

"Yes. Well... in fact, we found traces of an Anakros on the Ness Plains."

"Anakros?"

"Yes. It is the giant snake monster you defeated when you went to the Wasteland of Ruin, Your Highness."

I wasn't the one who defeated it....

'Ah. Come to think of it, I didn't tell Jereuth. The deal I made with the Anakros.'

"Were there any other monsters besides the Anakros?"

"We could not find any other traces."

In that case.

"Then it's fine."

"...Pardon?"

As I answered too calmly, Jereuth asked back blankly. It was understandable. I had spoken calmly even after hearing that the dangerous monster had appeared on the Ness Plains, near the royal capital.

"I didn't have the chance to tell you, Commander, but I made a deal with the Anakros I met when I went to the Wasteland of Ruin."

"A deal... you say? I remember that you did not speak to the Anakros at all at that time."

"Yes. We did not speak with words, but in our minds. I don't know how I did it either, but I was able to converse with the Anakros through my mind."

"Conversation through the mind... ah."

Jereuth made a sound as if he understood something.

"As expected, Your Highness also possesses the same ability as your mother."

"My mother, you mean Queen Victoria?"

"Yes. Your Highness's mother, Queen Victoria, had the ability to communicate with some monsters through her mind. It is one of the abilities of the Elder Elves."

So that's what it was.

I thought I was special.

"Your Highness. What kind of deal did you make with the Anakros at that time?"

"It was a deal that if we sealed the Minotaur, the Anakros would side with us and fight alongside us against the monster army."

"...?!"

Jereuth's eyes widened. It was obvious even in this dark room. He seemed truly surprised.

"D-do you mean you made the Anakros an ally? That, that Anakros we met at that time?"

"That's right. An Anakros named 'Risilbak,' who is the elder of the Anakros."

"Then... did you also know that the Anakros would come to the Ness Plains this time?"

"No, I did not know that. The reason the Anakros came to the vicinity of the royal capital was probably... to tell me that they would keep their promise. The reason the Anakros came is not certain, but since they are my ally, you do not need to worry."

At my words, Jereuth's expression brightened in an instant.

The dark expression from a moment ago was gone, and he only expressed his infinite respect for me.

"To make that Anakros an ally...! You are truly amazing, Your Highness! It will be a great help if a war with the monster army breaks out!"

Jereuth spoke as if 'with the Anakros's help, we can defeat the monster army.'

But I knew. That the Anakros alone were not enough.

'Even after making the deal with Risilbak, the Future Diary still said we would lose the war against the monster army. The biggest problem was the Gargoyles.'

Since it came to mind, I decided to ask Jereuth about the Gargoyles.

"Commander. Do you happen to know of a monster called a 'Gargoyle'?"

"Of course. It is an aerial monster that is very difficult to deal with, as its hide is thick and its claws are like steel. Some of them let out a scream-like sound, and those with weak minds can faint just from that sound. There were a few in the Minotaur's dungeon before, but fortunately, they were inside the cave at that time, so we were able to deal with them easily. Barut's help was also great."

To be able to make people faint with a scream.

That was information that hadn't been in the Future Diary.

'...As expected, it was a serious monster that shouldn't be overlooked.'

"Commander. If a large number of those Gargoyles were included in the monster army, would there be a way to deal with them?"

"Dealing with a large number of Gargoyles...."

Jereuth contemplated. It was a rare sight.

Jereuth, who always had an immediate answer for anything related to battle or the army.

'That must mean the Gargoyles are that formidable.'

After waiting for a moment, Jereuth answered.

"During the war with the demons, we fought against flying demons and Gargoyles. At that time, the human allied forces used various tactics, but the most effective one was to deploy a large number of archers and mages to cover the sky with arrows and magic."

"Were you able to kill them with that?"

"No. Those arrows and magic were not meant to hit the Gargoyles, but to restrict their movements and prevent them from approaching our allies. Of course, a few Gargoyles were killed by arrows and magic, but most of them missed."

Deploying a large number of archers and mages to cover the sky with arrows and magic....

'It's similar to the method of forming a barrage with anti-aircraft guns or machine guns to shoot down fighter jets in World War I and II. Not aimed fire, but covering a certain area with bullets, a tactic like that.'

"But if you shoot arrows into the sky, won't the allies on the ground get hit too? They would have been fighting below."

"It was not a battlefield where we could afford to worry about such minor damage. It was a war for the survival of humanity."

...I see.

"Then... is that possible for our kingdom army as well? Covering the sky with mages and archers?"

Not shooting down the Gargoyles, but keeping them in check.

I didn't know if that alone would change the outcome of the war. But it was clear that just restricting the Gargoyles from running rampant would be a great help in the war, so I asked Jereuth with hope.

But.

"It is impossible."

“……”

"I do not know how many 'a large number of Gargoyles' you are thinking of, Your Highness, but to completely block the movement of a single Gargoyle, you need more than ten mages and 200 to 300 archers. You also need at least twice that number of soldiers to cover those mages and archers."

“……”

"Even if we intensively train the existing kingdom army and new recruits as archers, the numbers will be severely lacking."

In fact, I had a vague idea.

That archers wouldn't be able to stop the Gargoyles.

Because, if they could be stopped that easily, my 'future self' would have stopped them without despairing.

But I found it hard to hide my disappointment.

It was because I had a glimmer of hope.

'Damn it.... What do I do? If Jereuth says there's no answer, is there really no answer?'

Is there an outcome that can't be changed no matter how much I struggle?

As my thoughts turned to despair.

Jereuth cautiously added one more word.

"However... there is one more method that is possible only for you, Your Highness."

"A method possible only for me?"

Hope.

"W-what is it?"

At my urgent voice, Jereuth answered immediately.

"The Gryphons."

“……?”

"If Your Highness, who made the Anakros an ally, can do it, you will be able to make those monsters, the kings of the sky, your allies as well."

Gryphons?