By Zephyria 
Kobold, Goblin, Orc, Orc, Goblin, Orc, Kobold, Orc.
It was just as they said. Even as we killed and killed them, new ones appeared the moment we turned our backs. Where on earth were they crawling out from with such tenacity? Even the mice scurrying around a house wouldn’t be this persistent. We hunted across the plains like cats chasing mice.
Thus, June passed, and one night in mid-July.
At dinner, Hugh Benson opened his mouth as if making a declaration.
“Supplies are all gone. Marianne and Elvin, you two go to the Duchy.”
“Huh? Me?”
“Yeah. You and I are the only ones here who can haggle for things. As the squad leader, I can’t leave. Elvin will guide you and protect you, so take him along.”
“Ah, yes!”
Indeed. The bundles of supplies we had carried with us at the start of our expedition had become noticeably lighter.
Our journey had begun in early May, so it had been a full three months. The flora of the Yuil Mountains had more inedible than edible things. We had subsisted on the same stew every day, using up what we had brought. It was more palatable than the grain paste, so I had no major complaints, and the other children didn’t complain about the food either.
I ate what was in front of me obediently, thinking that the right people had been assigned at the right time.
Benjamin was the same, and Ruben merely nodded once without any particular objection. Watching them, Hugh Benson raised his right hand to shoulder height and asked,
“Anyone have any objections?”
“…”
“Anyone want to go home?”
“…”
“Anyone miss their mom?”
“…”
“Seriously, why are these brats so quiet? Are you listening or not?”
“Ah. We are listening.”
“Then why aren’t you answering?”
“…You, Senior, know best and have decided on the right course of action… Why bother?”
Hugh Benson tore at his hair as if having a seizure. It was a familiar sight, so I wasn’t surprised.
Seeing him, Marianne burst into laughter, pounding Benjamin’s arm beside her.
Though her fists had become quite strong from extensive training, Marianne’s grip strength was, after all, limited. Benjamin pondered for a moment, then finished his spoonful of food, placed his bowl on the floor, and pretended to be in pain. It was so amusing that I laughed along.
In the early days of the expedition, Hugh Benson had disliked even the wind blowing his bangs. Now, he would casually run his hands through his hair, tousle it, or shake his head. The eye visible beyond was a clean, clear green. It was intact, without a scar, unlike his other eye.
I didn’t know if the potions or creams I bought him later had worked, or if it had been fine all along. I just thought it was fortunate inwardly.
“…Am I leading juniors, or am I dragging around three bulls?… Well, it’s still better than crying to go home. Listen up, since you’re listening.”
“Yes.”
Hugh Benson drew rough lines on the ground.
He was a terrible artist, but we were all accustomed to reading temporary maps indicated only by simple symbols. We watched without a word. Hugh Benson beckoned Marianne closer with his hand and sat her beside him.
“This is our current location. From here to the north gate of the Withrow Duchy is a 14-day round trip. If you stay there long, everyone here will have to fight while starving. I’ll give you two days of leeway, but it would be best to do your shopping and errands within a day and return immediately. Got it?”
“Yes. What should I buy?”
“What we always eat. Jerky, potato powder, some spices, and a few vegetable juices.”
“Ugh. Still, don’t you want to eat something delicious on the first day of resupply?”
“Do you want to attract monsters by smelling up the place and have a meat party? Eat your delicious food in the Duchy. Elvin will guide you, and Elvin will tell you when to rest.”
“Yes.”
Next, he called me and the other children closer. Everyone was finishing their meals, so they casually put down their empty bowls and gathered around Hugh Benson.
“While you’re gone, we won’t just be playing around. We’ll be moving in a loose circle from here to here, like we did last month. But at a slower pace. My estimate is that by the time the supply team arrives, we’ll be here. Remember the shelter with the three trees that were there before?”
“Yes.”
“We’ll meet there. If we can’t meet there that day, we’ll wait near the black rock here until the day after tomorrow. Then, two days later, we’ll wait west of the red rock formation here. We’ll wait three times like this, and if we can’t regroup, we’ll declare the operation a failure and all return.”
“Yes!”
“Yes.”
“Honestly, you… listen damn well.”
But the deep satisfaction visible on his slightly displeased face made me laugh it off without much thought. As everyone was clearing their plates, Hugh Benson sighed and spoke again.
“The supply team leaves tomorrow. Anything you want to say?”
“…Huh? What?”
“You need to send a survival report to your families, right? We didn’t bring paper or pens, so tell me verbally, and Marianne can write a letter for you and mail it. She’ll contact them too.”
“Ah. Right. Everyone must be curious. I’m curious too. What should I tell them?”
Marianne turned to us with sparkling eyes, urging us to speak quickly.
When we first set out, Marianne had a short purple bob, about a finger’s width below her ears. Now, quite some time later, it had grown to almost touch her shoulders. Whenever Marianne smiled brightly and tilted her head, her hair, catching the campfire light, gleamed with a red hue that was more vibrant than its natural color.
“You only speak when told. Your Highness first.”
“…Hmm. Just tell them I’m doing well, safely and happily… Please write a letter to Lucilla. If I were to contact my mother or father separately, I’d have to write a more formal letter.”
“Mmm… I wasn’t planning on writing to Emperor, either… Alright, next. Michael.”
After Rubel answered obediently, I also thought of something to say.
“Please write to my parents that I am alive and well, and that I have met good seniors and my realm has advanced, so they can look forward to it. Also, tell them my family is doing well and healthy.”
“Greetings and bragging about your skills. Good. Benjamin?”
Benjamin surprisingly pondered for a long time. Only after Marianne urged him a couple more times did he open his mouth.
“…To Marquis Claudian, to the butler. Just tell him I’m still alive.”
“Huh? What about your family?”
“Ah, well. If I choose just one person, they’ll get sulky. But asking to send letters to everyone is a bit much.”
“…Wow… I’ll combine it into one and send it well.”
“Yes. Please do.”
Next, Hugh Benson looked directly at Elvin and spoke.
“Tell Duke Widrow that the monsters have increased by about 20% compared to last year.”
None of us had heard this before.
We had consistently followed the paths he showed us, killing the monsters we were told to kill, and then killing them again, burning their traces. During this time, Hugh Benson had repeatedly taught us how to effectively attack specific monsters based on their behavior. However, he had never added comparisons to last year.
As our gazes converged, Hugh Benson clicked his tongue and explained.
“…Small and medium-sized monsters are mostly not threatening. But their numbers increasing and the Mana Concentration rising is surely a precursor to something. Other squads besides mine will say the same, but I’m adding my vote. I saw it too.”
“…”
“However, your standard is this year. You can’t fully gauge last year just by hearing about it. Make this year’s Yuil Mountains your benchmark. Report accordingly in the future. I didn’t tell you to do that for nothing.”
“Yes.”
As I replied politely, Hugh Benson twisted the corner of his mouth and smiled.
“You answer well, you answer well.”
Once again, his expression was one of great enjoyment.
❖ ❖ ❖
After Marianne left for supplies, the heat became even more oppressive.
Occasionally, we spotted a few bluish venomous insects, baked dry by the sun. Hugh Benson, who was usually unfazed by ordinary bugs, yelped in surprise and yelled at us not to go near them. So, we did as he said. Nothing unusual happened.
The power of the temperature-regulating Artifact couldn’t block the scorching sun overhead. With the protective cool breeze Marianne usually conjured gone, the soles of our shoes would stick to the ground at midday, making it impossible to move. On days like those, we often rested in the shade.
Today was one of those days.
When we rested under the shade of strangely jutting rock formations on the plain, we each sat down and spent our time leisurely. Except for Hugh Benson, the other three were not very talkative, and Hugh himself had become quiet lately, saying it was tiring to talk alone.
I spent most of this time sitting next to Rubel.
If the child wanted to hold my hand, I’d let him play with it; if he wanted to lean on my shoulder and nap, I’d let him. The other members of the party didn’t pry, and I didn’t want to be harsh to a child who had followed me to such a harsh place.
Lately, Ruben had started to nip.
If it got too quiet and boring, he would try to bite my hand, just like a puppy that had just grown its first teeth. When Marianne was around, he wouldn’t do it because of her stern gaze, but now, with only Benjamin and Hugh, who didn’t seem to care, he easily put his mouth on my hand.
Every time I saw him do this, I was often reminded of the behavior of Danbi and his lover when we went to see the Countess Daisy’s play. I wondered if I looked as sly as they did back then. I felt a sense of apprehension, but I couldn’t push him away immediately. I just let him play with it.
Each time, Rubel’s breath tickled a part of my chest. Sometimes, when the tip of the child’s tongue touched the back of my hand, I would tense my lower abdomen and gently pull my hand away. Then Rubel wouldn’t do it again.
I felt strange and embarrassed by my own passive acceptance of this behavior. But since there were such customs in this world, it was only right to learn and adapt. I was making many excuses for my own sly heart.
Startled by a distinct scent, I flinched and looked up.