By Zephyria 
Healing magic was said to have near-omnipotent efficacy.
But its limitations were clear. If too much time passed after an injury, it couldn’t be treated, and greater healing artifacts were needed to mend severe wounds.
Consider Maelo Sanson; during his service in the Yuil Mountains, the healing artifacts were insufficient, leaving his arm’s wound twisted and untreated.
When was he injured, how did he survive, and how did he stand here today as such a confident martial artist?
Duke Felice Withrow, I heard he was the same age as Uncle. To perform dual-sword techniques with that arm, what kind of artifact would be necessary for such a feat? It was utterly unbelievable.
Even in the Central Plains, where survival was only possible if the wound didn’t fester, many martial artists found ways to cling to life. They were strong enough to survive. I was curious about the trajectory of the sword Duke Withrow would wield.
Duke Withrow wore a Voice Amplification Artifact on his chest, but even without it, his voice was so booming it could fill the hall. Because of this, his words sometimes overlapped, sounding like two people speaking.
“I offer thanks and praise to the thirteen new heroes who have just arrived from the capital. The rough-looking fellows sitting at your tables are about to become your mentors, so get a good look at their faces.”
Laughter and jeers erupted from various places. I looked again at Elvin and Hugh’s faces.
“How many tables are there now?”
“Nine!”
“That’s right. The new friends are very good at counting.”
Another wave of laughter swept through the hall. Duke Withrow nodded and pointed his fingertips at several tables.
“Each table forms one squad. One squad of newcomers, and two squads composed of us veterans. These three squads will form one platoon. And all of you here, combined, will be designated as the Fourth Company.”
His fingertips gestured, and he waved at Ikyun from another table he had indicated, even whistling. He offered a simple nod of greeting to everyone whose eyes met his.
The other children were also busy looking at the tables next to them to familiarize themselves with faces.
“As you can tell by the names, the First, Second, and Third Companies, along with the Fifth Company, are currently in the Yuil Mountains. The five companies will ascend the Yuil Mountains in rotation, with each deployment lasting two months. They will then perform missions for a minimum of three months to a maximum of twelve months before returning here, to Duke Withrow’s estate. Unless it’s a severe injury that cannot be resolved by healing artifacts, or a fatality, no early descent is permitted.”
His ability to blend jest and authority in a single voice was admirable.
As I stared at Duke Withrow as if entranced, Rubel took my hand from beneath the table. I suppressed a smile, finding the child who was scared by something so trivial endearing, and squeezed his fingertips tightly.
Duke Withrow concluded his speech in a firm voice.
“And our Fourth Company’s ascent date is May 1st. Until then, you will receive guidance from your senior mentors to become accustomed to high Mana Concentration, and you will also receive information on which areas you will be operating in by squad.”
“Yes, Master!”
One of the children from the adjacent squad responded with a booming voice, just as they had learned at the Academy, addressing Maelo Sanson.
Duke Withrow chuckled and glanced over in that direction.
“I am not ‘Master.’ Call me Duke. You will be coming and going from Duke Withrow’s estate often. If you are disrespectful, I will give you an opportunity for special mental re-education, so behave yourselves appropriately, with common sense. Understood?”
“Yes!”
I too responded with an appropriate voice, “Yes,” and nodded. Duke Withrow opened his mouth in a smile and descended from the not-so-high platform.
“Alright, I’ve said all I needed to say. I’ll be leaving now, so get acquainted with your seniors and have something to eat. We will hold another gathering like this once more before your ascent, so get used to the food of the Withrow Duchy in the meantime. That’s all.”
“Please proceed!”
“We’ll see you next time!”
This time, the so-called seniors waved enthusiastically, seeing Duke Withrow off. The Duke also waved back with a smile, unconcerned, and left the room.
I thought it was more akin to the methods of mercenaries than knights, but I figured there must be a reason for this custom, so I kept my mouth shut.
After sitting there for a moment, I inserted my spoon into the stew, which had cooled to just the right temperature. Almost simultaneously, Hugh Benson sat down, leaning so close to the table he was practically attached to it, and asked me,
“So, how far did that strict Wilton Roberts get you?”
I briefly relayed Professor Roberts’ regards and informed him about what I had learned.
Hugh Benson, in a softer tone but still with his usual prickliness, then gave the other children about three minutes to introduce themselves. We quickly exchanged names and listened to his lecture, which wasn’t quite a lecture.
Contrary to his first impression, Hugh Benson was a very seasoned guide.
He spoke very quickly but used clear and precise words. Although he occasionally mixed in vulgar language, there was no better way to cram a large amount of information into one’s head in a short period.
From Duke Withrow’s estate to the harshest of harsh terrains, Dunmel Canyon, was a ten-day journey on foot. The explanation was that because such a canyon, where mana fluctuated wildly, was so close, its influence extended into the relatively low-lying areas of the duchy.
The members of Platoon 2, Squad 3 of Company 4 consisted of myself, the children, Hugh, and Elvin – a total of six. Under the guidance of our seniors, our task for the first year would be to sweep through the plains south of Dunmel Canyon and eliminate all small monsters.
We were also told that since the general habitats and distribution of monsters were already mapped out, they would only take us to hunt low-risk monsters.
Our goal was to move at a two-day interval from the other squads of Platoon 2, heading in the same direction, and annihilate monsters down to their roots, ensuring no threat could approach the duchy.
“No matter how many we slaughter, monsters regenerate naturally. It’s as if they crawl up from the canyon… Last year or the year before, the number of Kobold Shamans and Goblin Shamans significantly increased, making things even more annoying. So, make sure you each pack your healing artifacts before you go.”
“Mmm.”
“Well, you guys have a lot of money, right? Bring the expensive ones, if you can. They’re your lifeline.”
“Do I need to buy the Source of the Waterproof Forest as well?”
“Huh? That’s provided… We don’t take that. It’s only used in the high altitudes of the Yuil Mountains. If it blocks the canyon path, it could actually cause problems by obscuring your vision.”
“…Hmm.”
Since arriving in this land, I had never refrained from asking questions.
Hugh Benson answered my barrage of questions with precise language without hesitation. However, at the same time, he rarely gave the other children a chance to speak. I couldn’t just stand by and watch him discriminate against them.
I didn’t think it was something to dwell on. I asked directly.
“Is there a reason you’re wary of newcomers?”
“Enthusiastic newcomers are fine. But, these arrogant bastards…”
Hugh Benson, about to say something, touched his left eye, which was hidden by his bangs, suspiciously. The way his smile twisted made it seem like an immense secret was hidden.
I held my breath, waiting for his next words, but instead of complaining, Hugh Benson summarized and stated definitively.
“Last year, there were some brats who couldn’t last a month and whined about wanting to go home, and they all came from rather good bloodlines. I hope you lot are better than them.”
“…Why did you soften when you heard Wilton Roberts’ name?”
“Because that gentleman isn’t the type to treat people differently based on their titles. There’s no need to dislike someone who comes with proper mental conditioning. Anything else you’re curious about?”
These two seemed to be commoners.
I looked again at Elvin Brooks’ torn ear and Hugh Benson’s partially hidden face. I resolved to pack more healing artifacts and nodded.
Fortunately, Rubel also did not take their disrespectful attitude as a personal offense. Like how he usually treated seniors at the Academy, he simply endured it.
“I understand.”
“Right, I’ve said my piece, so let’s eat. We have Mana Adaptation Training starting tomorrow… We’re currently enjoying a taste of the outside world after half a year. Let’s sleep in, and meet around… four in the afternoon? How does that sound?”
“Yes.”
Spending the morning with my children would be enough. I readily nodded.
❖ ❖ ❖
After enjoying the banquet to our satisfaction, we returned to our assigned rooms.
Marianne gathered the children who were about to head to their own rooms and pulled them all into her own. As she sat them down and began to vent her frustration before even warming the tea, I found myself smiling, thinking she had held back quite a bit.
“No, no, no! What was that rudeness?”
“…Mmm.”
He had indeed been rude. I didn’t want to upset Marianne by defending a stranger, so I remained silent. Marianne looked back at us and, with a pained expression, clutched her head.
“Seriously, there were only two seniors. One was like these dense ones, just saying ‘Um, yes, um!’ and nothing else!”
“…Ah.”
“And the other one’s manners were completely out the window! I mean, are all nobles the same? I grew up quite rough myself, why are you like this!”
“…Hmm.”
“With dark circles down to his knees, like he’s on some kind of drug!”
“Mmm.”
“Aaaargh! Say something!”
Benjamin offered no reply, and I, not knowing how to comfort the child, remained silent.
Rubel smiled wryly and placed a warm cup of tea in front of Marianne. The tea leaves she had brought from the capital, just in case, exuded a sweet honey aroma.
“Just looking at your faces, it seems you were quite badly hurt, so I couldn’t find the words to say anything.”
“It’s not like we’re those people! Is this like getting slapped in Biban and taking it out on Yulan?”
“Let’s prove from now on that we are not like that.”
“…Wow, Rubel, have you achieved enlightenment? Or are you just saying that because Michael is here…”
Marianne narrowed her eyes and glared at Rubel, then sighed, “Ehh,” and cupped the teacup tightly in both hands. Duke Withrow’s estate was generally colder than the capital, so it was natural to seek warmth from the teacup like this.
“…It’s fine. Regardless of what happened, they are people we will be living with from now on, and they didn’t seem like truly bad people to me either. But it’s annoying. How can I get along with them? They are people I will be sharing hardships with from now on.”
Benjamin, who had been silent, glanced at me.
“I think I know how.”
“Hmm?”
Just as Benjamin was about to add an explanation, there was a knock on the door. Since it was an unfamiliar place, I couldn’t ignore it and opened the door immediately. A servant stood outside, bowed politely, and looked directly at me.
“Young Master Michael Ernhardt, Duke Withrow wishes to see you.”