311 - Tasteless Enough to Make You Cry
In a conference room at the Rufens Royal Castle, I was receiving a report from Rianne.
General Broa, Baldoa, and Adele-san, who had come from the Beim region, were also present and listening to the report.
"Since General Baldoa had already been pushing for reconstruction in Rufens, things are progressing more smoothly than planned. We are certainly twenty percent ahead of schedule," Rianne reported.
That twenty percent increase referred to food supplies. To move a large army—no, for people to move at all—food is necessary. That was why we had rushed the rebuilding of villages, reconstruction, and further development. Since Rufens already had a plan in place, progress had been favorable.
However, the fact that things were this smooth was likely due to Rianne's ability. She had a broad perspective, and I had left the procurement and transport of supplies entirely to her.
General Broa looked at the report, appearing impressed.
"To have come this far. To be honest, since things were so chaotic, I wouldn't have been surprised if we were twenty percent behind. Well, it was fortunate that Lariel-dono, as the leader, is knowledgeable about land reclamation and such. I suppose that is what one expects from a landed noble?"
I had been thought to lack field experience, but it seemed General Broa had revised that evaluation.
However, from within the jewel, the Third Generation's voice spoke.
『Well, I've taught you various things up until now, so it's easy because I'm here. Despite how I look, I've actually done field work and land development myself.』
The Third Generation had been the head of the house when the territory was expanding, and thus possessed knowledge and experience in development. I had received his advice and had even visited the sites to implement his suggestions.
I looked at General Broa.
"How are things on your end, General?"
"Things are smooth here. I already have my subordinates, and since there are many who have earned merit or have actual combat experience, all that's left is to maintain training and high morale. Well, currently, most of them are performing farm work to secure food supplies."
I had divided them into three large groups, having them alternate between farm work and training.
However, the situation regarding the Beim region was ambiguous. Everyone's gaze shifted to Adele-san. Adele-san looked down.
"The Beim region is not doing very well. We'll be lucky if we reach eighty percent of the goal."
Baldoa looked at Adele-san.
"Eighty percent? I believe a considerable amount of manpower was allocated there?"
He probably wasn't blaming her, but to Adele-san, it likely felt like she was being blamed.
"I have been providing warnings and guidance, but the sense of individualism is simply too strong."
It seemed they were prioritizing themselves, leading to clashing opinions and subsequent delays. If they had cooperated more, they should have stayed on schedule, but apparently, even when reinforcements were sent, they argued over where to deploy them.
Baldoa looked slightly exasperated.
"Adele-dono, I do not wish to say this, but I would like you to be a bit more firm."
From Baldoa's perspective, it was the responsibility of Adele, the leader. However, the situation in Beim was slightly different. Just as I was about to open my mouth to support Adele-san, Rianne spoke first.
"Beim had a unique method of governance. It seems they used to decide various things through meetings, so that habit likely persists even when Adele-san gives orders."
Baldoa seemed unable to fully understand.
"If it is a matter of meetings, we also—"
Rianne smiled.
"It is a bit different from us. Because there is no absolute monarch, it feels as though they spend a great deal of time coordinating each person's claims. Even for me, it would be difficult; I believe reaching eighty percent is only possible because it is Adele-san."
Rianne looked at me, and I nodded. Adele-san also looked relieved.
"Baldoa, Beim is special. Under such circumstances, Adele-san is doing well."
Baldoa looked at Adele-san.
"My apologies. It seems I did not understand the land of Beim."
Adele-san shook her head.
"It is a fact that the goal was not achieved."
Then, Rianne picked up the report and, perhaps calculating in her head, spoke regarding the food supplies.
"Regarding the food we currently possess, we've reached various limits in procurement. Everyone is simply demanding more. Based on these calculations... it will indeed be difficult to fight a long-term war."
To maintain a large army, that much food is necessary.
And currently, we did not have the stamina to engage in a long-term war.
I looked at Rianne.
"How long can we fight?"
"If things go well as they are, we can somehow manage for three months. However, that is the limit. To be blunt, if the match isn't decided within two months, the future will be difficult. If we exceed three months, we will only have enough food left to return."
Adele-san placed the report on the table.
"...In Banseime, manpower is being gathered at this time, so there is a shortage of workers. A food crisis is inevitable. I also wonder how much food remains in Central."
Then, the Third Generation spoke to me in a serious voice.
『Lariel, choose your march route carefully. If you're careless, you'll end up passing through many villages suffering from food shortages. If that happens... if you abandon those villages, people will say Lariel discarded the people. Avoid such villages as much as possible during your march.』
When I gripped the jewel with my fingertips and tried to roll it, the Third Generation spoke in a strong tone.
『This isn't a game. Do you intend to lose to Celes for a foolish reason, like giving away food until you have none? If Lariel loses, tens of millions of people will die over the coming decades.』
After a short pause, I gripped the jewel tightly. Then, in the meeting,
"...For the march route, we will choose a route that minimizes food consumption rather than the shortest distance. We must also consider the worst-case scenario where there is no food in Central."
Adele-san tilted her head.
"Eh? Um... if you don't choose the shortest route, the food will—"
As Adele-san spoke, General Broa nodded with a serious expression.
"I see, so we are to avoid villages suffering from food shortages. We'll have to investigate, but... it is a grim prospect."
General Broa seemed to understand. Rianne looked the same.
"The best route considering distance and food consumption, then. Indeed, if we abandon villages suffering from famine, it will affect Lariel's reputation. It will also affect the morale of the soldiers. To think they are fighting to save the continent, yet cannot even save the people right in front of them."
Baldoa rubbed his eyes.
"...Even if I understand the logic, seeing it before my eyes would still be—"
Adele-san tried to say something, but Rianne silenced her with a glance.
I addressed everyone.
"I'll have Rau... I'll have Rauno investigate. We need to obtain information on the march routes. I don't think they've changed much in the last few months."
And so, the meeting ended.
――After the meeting.
Adele was walking beside Rianne. Slightly behind Rianne, Valkyrie No. 34 was attending them.
As she walked, Adele spoke.
"For the sake of Lariel-san's reputation, rather than intentionally avoiding the shortest route, we should aim for Central while sharing our food."
Rianne dismissed Adele's opinion without changing her walking pace.
"Depending on the investigation, that may be an option. However, in the East, where there is an absence of lords, a change in leadership, the chaos of losing a war, and the loss of many men, a food crisis is inevitable no matter how you look at it."
Places where roads are well-maintained usually have many towns and villages. Conversely, roads are maintained because there are many towns and villages. It is the same for cities.
Therefore, if we intend to use the highways, we will inevitably pass through many towns and villages.
"That is why, if we don't help—"
Rianne spoke flatly.
"Do you wish to help the weak before us and increase the factors that could lead to defeat in a battle we must win? If you want us to take the shortest route, the proper way is to suggest it after creating a situation where that is possible. Anyone can say pretty words."
Rianne had supported Adele during the meeting, but now she would not listen to her opinion. Adele spoke.
"We have soldiers from the East among our allies. If we abandon them carelessly, resentment will remain."
"I did not say we wouldn't help. We will help as much as our food allows. The priority is winning. I am not picking and choosing my means. I am simply saying that this is the only means to win."
Adele grit her teeth.
"...If you are frustrated, then provide a solution. You are not in a position where being incompetent is permitted. Also, if you resent Lariel, you are barking up the wrong tree."
"I know."
Saying so, Adele walked quickly ahead of Rianne.
No. 34 looked at Adele.
"Honestly, you're like a villain, Rianne-san."
Rianne let out a sigh.
"I didn't choose to be this way. If we can help, we help. I simply don't help when it's impossible. One must not mistake the order of priorities. Besides, without a solution or an alternative, it is nothing more than idle chatter."
To Rianne, who claimed it was nothing more than a bad joke, No. 34 asked.
"Then, if there is a solution?"
"I will consider it and then decide whether to adopt it. Although, food production is already being pushed to its limit. I'm considering sending additional supplies, but the current reality is that even that wouldn't be enough. Well, let's see what Adele-san does."
"So you won't act yourself?"
Rianne looked back at No. 34.
"...Do you think I have time for that?"
No. 34 shook her head, her black hair swaying.
"You don't. Rianne-san, you've been cutting into your sleep to work. I'll do my best to support you. Also, soon, the Chick-sama will—"
Rianne silently increased her walking speed. No. 34 did not miss the fact that her cheeks had turned slightly red――.
"There's a chance. Perhaps the day I can hold Chick-sama in my arms is near."
――By the time the meeting ended and she returned to Beim, Adele had dark circles under her eyes.
After thinking about it, she felt that she had no choice but to give up as Rianne said, and with slumped shoulders, she visited the former East Branch guild, which was becoming the center of Beim.
There, her subordinates were working busily as usual.
Then, she smelled something coming from the guild garden. It didn't feel like meal preparations, but rather like some kind of experiment.
There, Maxim, who supported her, was facing a Valkyrie.
Upon receiving something from the Valkyrie, Maxim ate it with a disgusted face. Then, with a grim expression, he spoke.
"...It's slightly better, but it's tasteless. Too tasteless."
The Valkyrie responded to Maxim's honest impression.
"I did some basic processing, though. Despite looking delicious."
"Ever since I was recommended to eat this by a senior knight when I went into the mountains for training, it's been a trauma for me. It doesn't even look delicious."
There were potatoes prepared. What the Valkyrie had found was something like a potato that grew everywhere. By "something like a potato," it meant a hardy species that could grow in the wild, but the cultivation method was different. It was like a mutant species.
However, it tasted terrible. Many people had bad memories of searching for and eating them when they had nothing else to eat in the mountains.
Some even said they would rather starve than eat this. Though, if they were truly starving, they would probably eat it.
(You can't eat it unless you're starving, right? There are plenty of them around, but they're in the way, so they need to be disposed of... You can't eat it unless you're starving?)
Adele ran over and snatched the potato Maxim was holding.
"M-My Lady! You mustn't! Something so tasteless! Moreover, i-indirectly—"
"Just give it to me! Chomp!"
Biting into the potato, Adele was slightly moved by the indescribable tastelessness that spread through her mouth.
"...Tasteless. But, it's edible."
Seeing Adele shedding tears, Maxim began to panic.
"I-I'll prepare something to cleanse your palate immediately! Hey, isn't there something!?"
When Maxim spoke to the nearby Valkyrie, the Valkyrie remained expressionless but looked reluctant.
"I just have to bring it, right? Honestly, I went to the trouble of making it, yet it's 'tasteless, tasteless'... Aren't you exciting?"
Maxim said to the Valkyrie.
"Are you people really missing a few screws in your heads? Why don't you have Professor Damian fix you?"
The Valkyrie took a provocative stance toward Maxim. It seemed she intended it as a fighting pose.
"How rude! This is normal for us."
"That makes it even worse! ...Wait, Adele-sama!"
Adele was eating the tasteless potato while crying. Then, she became certain.
"It's okay. I can somehow eat this. So, teach me the cooking method. With this, we can march via the shortest route!"
Maxim could not understand what Adele was talking about. However, the Valkyrie seemed to understand. She pinched the edge of her skirt and bowed elegantly.
"I would be happy to be of use. Since I'm at it, the dishes made during the teaching process will be processed by Maxim-san――meaning he will eat them."
Maxim turned back to Adele.
"I-If my Lady is the one making them, then I, Maxim――will finish every bite, no matter how tasteless!"
The Valkyrie shook her head with a sigh.
"There is no need for Adele-san to make them. I will make them, and Maxim-san will eat them. That is all."
Maxim's face turned pale. However, Adele continued to eat the potato while crying. She felt moved by that potato, which would normally not be seen as food. But it was incredibly tasteless.
"Tasteless. It's so tasteless."
To those around her, it must have looked like a truly eerie sight.
And so, despite having just returned, Adele hurried back to the Rufens Royal Castle――.