Chapter 92

I am eleven years old and have been assigned to my first battle.

Even so, after leaving the capital, we only travel by carriage, and it's quite peaceful.

We move from town to town, and I have nothing to do.

I do have a set of alchemy tools made by Little Bear, but I don't have time to use them.

Still, as we progress to the countryside, changes occur.

The distance between towns grows wider, and they become fewer.

When that happens, camping becomes necessary.

"Hmm, so it's like this."

I am led to today's campsite and look up at the tent where I will sleep, smiling wryly.

"It won't do. The inside is half-finished, and we can't restore it to its proper form."

Herkov entered the tent first to check it out and then came out to report.

No, this isn't really a tent but a pavilion.

It's spacious enough to walk around inside, with pillars and a high ceiling.

"What was this pavilion supposed to be? It looks like the shape is right, doesn't it?"

"We just set up the foundation pillars, strung ropes, and covered it with the outermost pavilion. It's not fixed, so it will be blown away by strong winds, and rain will come in."

Ikt, who came out after Herkov, pointed out the problems.

Incidentally, there are supposed to be special boards or cloths for the floor, but only a thin, waterproof layer was laid down.

The floor is supposed to be completed by layering mosquito nets and carpets, but there are none.

The pavilion itself is supposed to have a triple-layer structure, but it's just a single outer layer, making it useless.

"Whose mistake is this? The advance party is supposed to check the safety of the campsite and select the location for the facilities, and the facility battalion is supposed to set them up, right?"

I recall what I learned and ask.

"The person in charge of the facility battalion and the advance party that selected the setup location here at the edge of the camp are both at fault. And the headquarters, which oversees them, failed to verify properly."

Wearrel's green tail is shaking in frustration.

"It's already dusk, so if we make them redo it, it will get dark and become dangerous. We'll increase the night watch of the guards and, for now, rest here."

After all, we are far from the facility battalion.

It will take time just to bring the necessary tools.

The camp beds are set up only minimally, so it's still better than nothing.

However, it's not much different from the outside for Ikt, who has to guard inside.

"Hey, Ikt, take turns resting in the carriage with me."

"If that's the case, I should. I was in the carriage during the day, so let Herkov rest."

My attendants are considerate.

"Don't worry about me. Prince Asha, what about reporting this to General Wageris?"

"Of course, I'll request improvements. It will be smoother if they take action rather than us dealing with it ourselves."

There are nobles in the military.

Some are from the Lukaieos Duke's faction, and it's impossible to exclude them.

That's why I anticipated the possibility of such harassment.

I don't think General Wageris, who usually avoids trouble, initiated this.

Such harassment would be more trouble for him, probably.

So, I called the people under me, showed them the situation, explained it, and sent them to request improvements.

The person in charge is a military officer appointed by my father.

"Leave it to me!"

He seems overly enthusiastic, which is a bit worrying.

But now, with dusk approaching, I need to prepare for sleep.

After all, not only my tent but also the tents of the people accompanying me were poorly set up.

I need to at least get carpets or something for those without beds.

"Again today?"

The next day after the poorly set up camp was quiet, and we stayed in a town without camping.

And today, it was the second time camping, but despite the request for improvements, it was the same as before.

"I have pleaded with all sincerity! Please, just once more! Just once more, I beg you!"

The overzealous military officer went to request improvements again.

"I doubt your ability. If this is ignored again, dismissal is not out of the question?"

"Yeah, Nomariola, calm down. You might cause problems on the way and create friction. Plus, you're tired. Rest and don't worry about me."

"Master, what kind words. I can work tirelessly with just your encouragement."

He says it with a melting smile.

Yeah, but today I need to be a bit strict, so I told him to rest first.

"So, I'll go check the situation. Sefira, Sefiroth."

"Ah, Your Highness!?"

I disappear using optical camouflage.

Herkov reaches out, but I dodge and feint, and he misses.

Ikt also tries to block the entrance, but I accelerate with Sefira's magic and quickly leave.

"Herkov, go meet the military officer."

Wearrel, realizing he can't track me, instructs Herkov as a second-best option.

I feel bad for my attendants, but this is a good opportunity to assess General Wageris.

I follow the military officer using Sefira's guidance, hiding with optical camouflage and avoiding people.

"His Highness is extremely angry! Do you think a noble prince can be promised a good night's sleep in such conditions!?"

I hear the military officer's exaggerated plea.

"I have already informed you that this is not a grand palace. We still need to coordinate for tomorrow's march. There is no time to waste, so please leave."

General Wageris dismisses him, and his direct subordinate glares, making the military officer walk away dejectedly.

But when he leaves the general's tent, he looks satisfied, so this officer is no good.

Yeah, it was a mistake to rely on him.

"Damn! How can I put up with a naive brat's whims!"

"I inquired, and the facility battalion reported no issues. How delicate can he be?"

The adjutant, who appears to be human, reports to General Wageris.

"Yeah, then tell them to keep it as it is. Dealing with him is a waste of time, damn it."

I hear this and follow the military officer.

(You should immediately enter and show the current situation)

(Maybe Sefira should stop pushing such direct solutions)

It's true that it would be the quickest solution.

If I go alone, someone will have to see me off, and I can show the current situation to the general's direct subordinates.

However, if I do that, my attendants, who are responsible for me, will be blamed.

Since I left on my own, I want to avoid that.

(This time, it's a gain to know that General Wageris has issues with his judgment. According to the military records Sefira searched, he has no major issues, right?)

(No instances of reprimand. However, there are reports of minor judgment errors, but they have not significantly impacted the military and have not resulted in significant negative evaluations.)

This time is the same.

Even if I am ignored here, the military operation is proceeding smoothly.

Moreover, I am not a combat asset, and unless I die due to a shoddy tent, it won't be considered General Wageris's fault.

But it will be too late if that happens.

(For now, let it be. This one issue is too weak. In the military, it's about trust. A general with a track record versus a prince without one. Which would the army prefer?)

(General Wageris has no brilliant solution for the current unrest. After suppressing the unrest, the only plan is to hold talks under the empire's authority.)

That's the old way that took seven years.

Sefira knows that won't solve the problem.

And the people assigned by my father are enthusiastic but lack execution.

The capable ones are already secured by other factions, so I shouldn't expect much from the practical side.

I just need them not to interfere when I want to act and to align their steps.

These two points alone make it better than the palace.

(To get them to accept my methods, it would be a bonus if they give us a reason to be strong.)

(The physical burden on the still-growing master cannot be ignored.)

Sefira, who is still sensitive, seems to be unexpectedly worried.

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Next: March and the General 3