kscans

Chapter 82 - The Lingerie is Only Good for Round Two

Tonight, everyone was to rest in their own rooms. Tomorrow, they all had to face the task of washing and grinding the shells of the crab-like monsters they had eaten today.

Mireille was making all the alchemical items for everyone by herself, but alchemy requires channeling magic, so her own mana supply was inevitably insufficient. Therefore, everyone needed to share the tasks that didn't require Mireille's direct involvement, so she could get at least a little rest.

Incidentally, tomorrow's menu was apparently a rice porridge made with the crab-like monster meat, and a salad of potatoes and grilled salt-cured monster fish.

It seemed the four members who had been here from the beginning had been taught various recipes by Ariel, or rather, they had been forced to make them. According to the four of them, she would bring a recipe book and say.

"I want to eat something like this with these ingredients."

And then she would make them cook something that resembled it.

...Wait a minute. I remember the recipe book in the wooden box. Was the purpose of the recipes in that box not for a mother’s cooking for Mireille, but for combat rations to be made by the squad members?

It was true that the line between the former captain's common sense and her out-of-the-ordinary nature was hard to distinguish. After spending a long time with her, one could understand Darius’s wavering feelings and his current regret.

—

Spotting Kyle returning to his room, Leonhard mustered his courage and called out to him.

"Captain, going for a rematch at the tower? Good luck with the lingerie this time."

Kyle grinned.

"You’re just saying that because you’re absolutely sure it won’t happen."

Leonhard had called out to him, but he was still hesitating over what to say.

"Mireille and I are going to make a mana control tool, and after it’s done, she’s apparently going to try and make a medicine that might help your childhood friend, even a little. But it’s not something to get your hopes up about, and the ingredients seem really difficult to find, so it might not work out."

Kyle’s eyes widened.

"No, after everything I did..."

"Well, the recipe was found, but she needs to see the patient’s symptoms, and the ingredients are tough. So Mireille probably won’t say anything until it’s actually done. But it seems she wants to hold onto some hope. As for me... I’m not holding a grudge anymore. Don’t give up. On her. Your job isn’t done until you get back safely and hand over the medicine if it’s made, right?"

It came out all clumsy. Essentially, he wanted to say "I forgive you," but he couldn’t say it for fear of sounding condescending.

"Captain, if we make it back safely, and there’s a medicine that can ease her suffering even a little... at that time."

Kyle spoke, his eyes welling with tears.

"Yeah."

Leonhard was about to smile. Until he heard the next words.

"I will present you with the second set of lingerie."

"Huh??? No, no, I don’t need—"

I don’t need anything like that, Mireille is cute enough as she is! He was about to say, and Leonhard panicked at what he had almost blurted out.

"The last one was the lace version, but the next one..."

"No, I’m saying, more importantly than that—"

In his panic, Leonhard whispered discreetly into Kyle’s ear.

"When we get back, teach me things. How to court Mireille, places to go on dates, how to create the right atmosphere."

Kyle looked surprised.

"I’ve never had that kind of experience, due to various circumstances. I don’t know if I should be forward, or take it slow, and I’ve never even thought about creating an atmosphere. So, I want you to teach me."

Leonhard’s face turned bright red.

"I didn’t realize you were that inexperienced.... Understood. I’ll be your consultant this time, and I’ll make sure Julius doesn’t find out."

Kyle let out a small laugh.

"Yeah, so let’s both make it back safely."

Leonhard smiled.