Chapter 173 - Third Story: Nakanohara Jaegers Inauguration Ceremony
I woke up and stretched.
The spring mountain scenery visible from the fortress window was a soft green that was easy on the eyes. I could see white cherry blossoms blooming here and there. If there were young trees, they would probably grow, so it might be good to take a few back and plant them in the fields of the Flatlands.
Since Lyudmila is going to make a flowerbed with oak trees planted for when Mel comes, I'll try consulting her next time.
Since I promised to make breakfast, I went to the kitchen and found several bandits already preparing.
"Good morning. You're early."
"Yo, Honorary Captain. Good morning. We're counting on you today."
They were grilling fish, so I immediately started helping.
I skewered them and rubbed salt into them, but there were quite a lot.
"How many people are participating today?"
"Reinforcements from Higashinohara are coming to guard the northern fortress, so over a hundred will be participating."
That means there's quite a lot of breakfast, then.
When I asked for the menu, it was bread, cheese, fish, and vegetable soup. Since the vegetable soup would be made in a large pot, it should be fine as long as I grill enough fish for everyone.
Actually, I stayed overnight to participate in the Jaeger unit's review ceremony, but I don't know what I'm supposed to do.
I asked several people, but they only told me I'd understand if I watched.
"When does the ceremony start?"
I tried asking a bandit who was rubbing salt into the fish.
"The ceremony? Ah, the ceremony. By the time we finish breakfast, the guests will probably start arriving. Once everyone is gathered, it'll begin."
I only got a rather unreliable answer.
"Ah, these are done, so put them on a plate and take them to the table."
"Ah, yes."
I felt like I was being brushed off, but I couldn't let the grilled fish turn into charcoal.
When I took them to the table as told, Prince Roberts and Princess Gladys were there.
"Yo, Jeanne, it's been a while."
They were eating breakfast together with their attendants.
"Jeanne. I'm glad to see you're doing well. Is the marble dyeing selling? Please give my regards to Mary."
Princess Gladys also spoke to me with a skewer of grilled fish in one hand.
All six of them were wearing the [Green Marble] with the crest.
"It's been a long time. I'm glad to see you're all doing well. Thanks to you, the sales of marble dyeing are excellent."
Thanks to them coming all the way to Nakanohara, the reputation is quite good. Since the production volume is small, it's still rare to see it in town, but it's gradually increasing.
Even so, I was surprised to see guests of honor gnawing on grilled river fish together with bandits.
"We are the ones who are surprised. To think the Honorary Captain is rubbing salt into fish."
"I promised to help with breakfast preparation in exchange for staying here."
"What. You went out of your way to stay?"
"I thought I shouldn't be late."
I had stayed over after parting with everyone on the way back from the fields in the Flatlands.
"By the way, it's my first time at a review ceremony, but what do we do?"
"What, you haven't heard? Then look forward to it."
All six of them were smirking.
I have a bad feeling about this.
In times like this, I'm usually made to do something.
"I-I just have to sit and watch, right?"
I tried a light probe, but...
"Hey! Honorary Captain! The fish are done, so carry them!"
A voice called out at a timing that could only be described as intentional interference.
"Honorary Captain, it seems the fish are done. Hurry along."
I was shooed away.
I managed to finish breakfast for everyone and had breakfast together with the bandits who had prepared it.
The vegetable soup was wonderful.
It seemed they made a salted soup by simmering pigeon carcasses with carrots and onions, then added sautéed onions and large carrots to simmer. The ingredients were their own.
It was apparently taught by Angelica-san, and the rich flavor was perfectly mixed with the sweetness of the vegetables, and the texture of the finely chopped dried herbs and hard-sautéed bread crumbs floating in it was also good; it was truly delicious.
Since the broth can be made in large quantities and stored in the icehouse after being frozen, I'll definitely add it to the menu of the Class of 175 Shop next time. It might be good to send Fiona to Angelica-san's cooking class.
"Once you've finished eating, please change. Everyone is looking forward to seeing the Honorary Captain in her fine attire with her [Knight's Staff]."
It's a bit embarrassing, but it's an official event.
"Yes. I've prepared it, so I'll go get ready."
"I'll give you this, so look through it."
On the parchment I was handed, 'Nakanohara Jaeger Unit Inauguration Ceremony' was written in large letters at the very top, and the schedule was written below it.
The contents were: Captain's Instruction, Honorary Captain's Greeting, Guests' Greetings, Each Squad's Performance, and General Review.
By 'performance,' do they mean competing in swords or bows?
More than that, it's the greeting.
I've never done a greeting for a ceremony.
"Um, when you say greeting, what kind of things do everyone usually say?"
When I asked, the answer came back, "Don't worry."
"The motto for Jaeger greetings is 'short and concise.' If you talk for too long, everyone will fall asleep. Just say your name, thank them for inviting you, and finally say something like 'I pray for the continued success of the Jaeger unit.'"
I see. That's easy enough. I heard something good.
Since that's a bit too short, I'll lightly praise their daily activities.
Even in the actual event, I finished my greeting simply before the lined-up Jaeger unit without any trouble and returned to my prepared seat after receiving applause.
After me was Prince Roberts, so I decided to watch the proceedings together with Princess Gladys, who was beside me.
Prince Roberts began his greeting.
Just like me, he stated his name and thanked them for the invitation.
"Everyone. Today, I am certain that I will be able to see the results of your daily training."
He must mean the performances. The exercises they do in Nakanohara, while they don't have individual competitions, the mock battles are said to be so intense that people get injured.
Since this autumn, the scout groups centered around the self-defense force's martial faction and hunters have also been participating. They are seriously trying to win, so it's quite heated.
"Then, I look forward to your best efforts."
After he concluded and returned to the guest seats, drinks were served. Prince Roberts had beer, while Princess Gladys and I had wine.
Before I knew it, the captain, Lewis-san, had disappeared.
I was wondering if the captain himself would perform, when the Jaegers lined up in front all turned their backs to us and sat down cross-legged.
"Is it alright for us to be here?"
"It's fine. Let's enjoy the appreciation."
Appreciation? Do princesses use different words?
While I was wondering, a large wooden frame was brought out, and a cloth was hanging from it. It seemed to be a temporary curtain.
What on earth is about to begin?
When the curtain rose, Lewis-san was standing there.
"Now then, honored guests. And you bandits sitting in front. Today, everyone will show the results of their daily practice. There are ninety participants this time. Those who are excellent will be granted one day of leave, and the winner will additionally be awarded three barrels of beer."
There was a roar of applause.
"And furthermore, among the excellent ones, those who wish for it will receive training with the Nakanohara Bento Service. It is, of course, official duty."
"Uohhh!" The bandits let out a war cry.
Is it really that pleasing?
I've heard they participate using their precious leave days.
They seem to have a good reputation because they help with preparation and cleanup quite diligently. Since they also act as playmates for the children, they seem to be popular at the orphanage too.
"Everyone, do your best. Now, the first squad!"
Six people came out from the side of the curtain. They gave a respectful knight's salute.
"Now, Prince Roberts. Please."
One of the bandits brought a box with a hole in it.
When Prince Roberts casually thrust his hand in, he pulled out two wooden tags that seemed to have been inside.
"Number one, Serf. Number two, Artisan."
Are the occupations written on the tags? He seemed to read them out in a loud voice.
"What's that? It's a hit, isn't it? It's just as it is."
When the bandit sitting in front of me heckled, laughter broke out.
The box came before Princess Gladys.
"Number three, Free Farmer. Number four, Knight."
Next, the box came before me.
"Take two wooden tags from inside the box and read them out. Jeanne, you are in charge of numbers five and six."
Princess Gladys told me, but I had no idea what it was about. For now, I did as I was told.
"Number five, Peddler. Number six, Stray Priest."
When I returned the wooden tags, Lewis-san stepped forward.
"Now, you've heard your roles. You will perform immediately. Now then, the guests will choose the one who was best among the six actors and score them out of five points. To ensure fairness, please write it on the slate I am about to give you and show it all at once. Please refrain from consulting each other."
A slate and chalk were handed out.
In the meantime, the six participating in the performance were each changing into the clothes of their assigned occupations.
"Then, begin the performance!"
With Lewis-san's signal, a short play where they became their roles began.
"What is this?"
Before my eyes, a negotiation play was being performed by an artisan who started business talks to get a request to sharpen a spear from a knight who was acting arrogantly, and a free farmer accompanied by a serf who wanted to have farm tools fixed first.
Eventually, the knight started shouting at and poking the farmers.
The two farmers were groveling on the ground, apologizing.
The stray priest was trying to somehow soothe the angry soldier, while the artisan and the peddler were just flustered.
Is the Jaeger unit's inauguration ceremony a recital for short plays?
Moreover, there seems to be no scenario or anything.
"The original mission of the Nakanohara Jaeger unit isn't monster extermination. They infiltrate enemy countries to gather information, guide surprise attacks by allies, and in some cases, attack fortresses themselves. For that purpose, there are times when they disguise themselves as various occupations so as not to be realized as soldiers. This is a recital of the techniques to hide their identity for those times."
Prince Roberts told me.
The Nakanohara Jaeger unit, which is closest to Engrio, seems to be regularly slipping into the forest area of southern Nakanohara and into Engrio territory to conduct reconnaissance together with scouts.
"I was also surprised when I first saw it. However, I was impressed when I heard that they take on missions that scouts cannot do."
A hidden army. Is this what Paul-san was talking about...
"They're performing seriously, aren't they? If they don't fully become the role, they'll be seen through in the actual mission. If they're found, they'll just be killed. They're putting their lives on the line."
Their usual bandit-like behavior itself was a disguise.
"Though, normally they would become something like a hunter or a peddler. It's not something that can be managed by disguising as a knight or a stray priest."
It's just as Prince Roberts says.
A priest can chant various prayers, and I've heard a knight can smoothly explain their own lineage. Even a 'make-believe' knight like me has a [Knight's Staff]. If I were to encounter a real one, I'd probably be seen through immediately.
In fact, the Jaeger disguised as a knight seems to be acting a bit too arrogantly.
"No, there are many people who are truly that insufferable. If I found them, I would scold them, though."
They're in Medioland too. Stephens-san was special, then.
"If an emergency occurs, they will be risking their lives. They're doing it seriously. Watch well and score them seriously. If you think they seem like the real thing, five points. If they're slightly lacking, four points. If they're so-so, three points. Poor acting is two points or less."
During the war period, compared to the non-return rate of other units which was about twenty percent, the Jaeger unit's was said to have exceeded sixty percent.
Half of the surviving soldiers were transferred to other units as captains or commander-class as the most elite veterans. And it was said that young people newly selected from each unit had been newly assigned.
Lewis-san had requested to remain, and after being assigned to another unit for two years, he was promoted to captain, Prince Roberts said.
The two people watching the performance with serious expressions only broke into smiles at the time of the scoring result announcement.
The performance recital for all participants finished in the morning, and it was time for lunch.
Today's bento was specially handmade by Angelica-san with the Jaeger unit's budget.
The one who brought it was Angelica-san herself, and she was welcomed with the loudest cheers of the day.
As she began distributing the bento with a smile while wearing an apron, the bandits' expressions were completely relaxed.
"She's quite popular."
Come to think of it, Prince Roberts might not know.
"She's the person who pulled down the Headmistress, who had reigned at number one in the town's popularity poll, and maintained number one until she got married. Even now, she's at number three."
"The Nakanohara Madonna thing, was it? Jeanne was at the cursed eighth place, wasn't she?"
He said it while chuckling.
"You know about that!"
When did such a thing spread?
"The Eastern Plains Corps regularly conducts personnel rotations with the Eastern Plains Jaegers. Since the Eastern Plains Jaegers also frequently conduct rotation with this unit, the topics of Nakanohara are completely transparent. Do not underestimate our information gathering capabilities."
"Isn't the direction you're putting effort in a bit strange?"
"It's because you're being noticed. In a sense, it's an honor."
The two of them were laughing.
I definitely think that's wrong.
Before lunch, words of appreciation were given by Prince Roberts, and beer was sent to the winners and others.
"As you all know, the first king was a hunter. Therefore, our country's tactics began with the scouting techniques of hunters. Those techniques have been refined daily, and as a result, the current Sertoria exists. Jaeger unit members. From now on, including your role as Paratroop Jaegers, your duties will surely increase in importance. I think there will be many times when you are isolated in enemy territory. In fact, many predecessors have not yet returned. We of the royal family also intend to follow in the footsteps of our predecessors on the battlefield eventually. Together, we must protect what our predecessors protected. Please lend your strength to protect this country and its people. I pray for your continued best efforts."
The sight of Prince Roberts speaking slowly and calmly overlapped with the sight of Henry-sama during the goblin escape operation.
I haven't heard the afternoon schedule, but Angelica-san also joined the guest seats.
A decorated former soldier of the kingdom army, and the one who controls the stomachs of the Jaegers. It makes sense.
She finished her greeting simply and came next to me.
Even in an official event with royalty participating, she's still in her apron.
She's thorough.
"I heard you're going to be a judge."
"Yes, it seems so."
I briefly explained the procedure.
"I heard the afternoon is entertainment."
"Entertainment?"
I wondered what it was, and a one-man show competition began.
Everyone was heckling while laughing with a beer in one hand.
I had thought they were quite good when I saw them once before, but they had apparently been practicing for this day.
After everyone finished their performances, beer was given to the excellent ones as prizes.
I thought it was over, but they said there was a group performance. The last one was apparently a play.
The actors, who had finished changing before we could choose, came out. Two knights, one mage, and a priestess.
The priest, as if to exaggerate that she was a woman, wore a long-haired wig and had two large stuffings in her chest. However, of all things, she had a bearded face.
"Now then, we shall present the story of a certain dragon slaying in a cave."
A long-necked creature covered in scales with bat wings attached to its back came out, likely intended to be a dragon.
I have a bad feeling about this.
Men wearing bags with pig faces drawn on them came out from the side and were struck down one after another by the knights and the mage. The only one left at the end was the dragon.
However, the mage's magic didn't work, and the knights also fell to the ground after taking a blow from the dragon's swinging long neck.
The only one left at the end was the priest who had been hiding behind her companions until then.
Surely not, I thought...
"Evil dragon! Receive the holy magic of Jeanne, one of the Nakanohara Madonnas!"
Hey! Where did you get that from! Don't use my name, you bearded, busty person! You get zero points, zero points!
As I stood up, chanted in a loud voice, and illuminated them with all my might, both the dragon and the fake priest collapsed while letting out death cries.
The audience was in an uproar.
Once the curtain fell and rose again, Lewis-san was standing there.
The figure of the defeated evil was gone. It must have been put away somewhere.
"Thus the evil dragon was destroyed, and Jeanne became a knight of Medioland."
He raised his chin while looking at me with a smirk.
I saw archers preparing at the edge of the stage.
Is it the usual routine? Damn it.
With four [Firefly]s floating above my head, I illuminated the Jaeger unit who were all looking at me and smirking as I turned around.
In the play's scoring result announcement, I, who had made a surprise participation, obtained fifteen points and won.
Since I couldn't very well accept the three barrels of beer as a prize, we all toasted with them.
The one who led the toast was the fake priest whose stuffing had shifted so that she had three chest bulges, but since she apologized properly, I let it go.