We'd traveled around one day to the west of Nambonan, and we were getting farther away from Nyuneri. The terrain around this area was rugged due to the mountain ranges.

This place, which could be described as a mountainous region, a valley, or even a place along a mountain, was the foremost defense base against the Empire. There was a river tributary to a larger one flowing, and it was considered the boundary line between Quordentz's territory and the territory of the nobles from the Jinkaen Empire. In short, that was the boundary between the Levious Kingdom and the Jinkaen Empire.

「So that's the Empire's defense base?」

As I looked at the distant opposite shore, army facilities were set up around the area, but there were several areas concealed by the wall so I couldn't grasp the number of soldiers inside. According to my grandfather, there weren't enough soldiers for them to launch an invasion, but there was enough to defend against our attack.

On the riverbank of Quordentz's territory, soldier and slaves were quietly doing public works. Glancing at the surroundings, unique stones that could repel magic were neatly arrayed in the area which looked like a material storehouse. Those were the stones we collected when we demolished the walls in Nambonan, and they were brought all the way here. What my father desired the most in Nambonan City was actually this stone that could repel magic—Magic Severing Stone. Even in Nyuneri City, the darkish eerie stone with an oppressive aura was the stone used in the walls which divided the castle town and the urban area. Although called stone, it was practically a material similar to clay, and they wouldn't easily break when struck.

Manufacturing these Magic Severing Stone takes a lot of time, so it was difficult to make up the number. It wasn't something we could immediately prepare. When my father discovered that they were used in the walls of Nambonan City, he apparently thought of putting them into use in the foremost defense base. Still, Nambonan City's business power was astonishing for being able to prepare this much stone. The fact that they spent them to build the walls without sparing shows how much they really feared the nobles.

「It hasn't been long since the construction began, but it looks like thing are progressing well.」

「Well, the soldiers probably want to finish this kind of work as quickly as possible, too.」

When grandfather said those words while looking at the officer-class soldiers, each one of them vehemently nodded their head. I thought public works were boring, but that wasn't the case here. Apparently, they couldn't wait to restart the war with Empire's nobles.

「Nambonan was Young Master's first campaign, so its no wonder that Young Master doesn't know. Normally, the captured city would be in a more terrible state. For us ordinary soldiers, that's where we would reap our rewards.」

Simply put, plundering was allowed to some extent. Since we intended to maintain the structure in Nambonan, grandfather strictly prohibited the soldiers from the plundering acts.

I see. Then it was mostly like a dull war for the ordinary soldiers.

「We weren't able to do anything in the war at Nambonan, so its only natural. We've practically won with just Young Master and the General's magic. And, we only hunted the remnants.」

Another officer-looking soldier said as to rebuke the soldier who grumbled.

Grandfather seemed to agree, so I quietly agreed.

「Do your best. The next war is nearing.」

Life was tough for the Empire's nobles, too.

After we finished observing the border and the defense base, I went on my way back to Nambonan. Grandfather would serve as the chief overseer in the construction, so we separated at the base.

I returned to Nambonan in a day, and once again immediately departed for Nyuneri after preparing the supplies such as foods.

「Where did Young Master go when we returned to Nambonan earlier?」

「Ah, I thought of buying Nambonan's specialty product as a souvenir, but they weren't selling anything good.」

「A souvenir, is it? 」

It would make you want to buy a souvenir when you go sightseeing. I would've bought it instantly if there was a dragon on sword keychain, a wooden figure of a bear, or a wooden board with a 'Friendship, Effort, and Victory' written on it. Unfortunately, there was none. Well, Fanny would probably just feel confused if I gave her such thing. But since I went to Nambonan, I wanted to at least return with some kind of local specialty.

「I heard that there might be something good in a village on the way back. It shouldn't take long, can we drop by there? 」

I passed this area's map which I received from Rumon to my adjutant and asked him if we could drop by the village. The village wasn't that far off our route, so I think it should be fine.

「There's not much danger around this area, so I think there shouldn't be any problem.」

And so, we'd slightly changed our course.

I plucked the leaves carefully, so as to not break the branch. Even the leaves which hadn't been dried yet would leave its fragrance on the fingers if I pluck this much. I love this fragrance.

「Sokola, let's take a short break?」

Turning around, Rafen was there. I involuntarily broke into a smile.

「Okay!」

I placed the basket with the leaves on the base of a tree and rushed on Rafen's side. Shyly, he slightly turned his face away and extended his hand to me. He seemed to be telling me to hold hands. I felt happy and held his hand. His hand, which had matured into a grown-up man's hand, was reliable and gentle, and I loved it so much.

「Hey, Rafen. Since the weather is good, let's drink tea outside. What do you say?」

「Sounds good. I like the tea you make.」

「Really?」

「Yes, really.」

I felt slightly nervous upon hearing his words. I wanted to make a delicious tea.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.