Royal Road of the Extra Scribe

53

Erina’s carriage was easily twice as big as the one I had ridden in.

Luckily, there was enough space to spread out the bouquet of flowers, but Erina started probing into it.

“Such pretty flowers. Who did you receive all these flowers from?”

“I received them from acquaintances.”

I replied briefly, reading a book.

“When you say acquaintances?”

“There are several people. There’s the little kid from next door whom we used to chat with. Also, the lady from the bookstore we often visit. And there’s the one who occasionally sends letters.”

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“Letters, huh? That’s quite sincere. Who’s the sender?”

“He’s just a little kid, not even 7 years old yet. But speaking of letters… Do you tend to read things like letters meticulously?”

Pointing out the part where she ignored the advice not to act as if she knew in a place with people, Erina pursed her lips.

“I do read meticulously, but I tend not to dwell on unreasonable things.”

“Unreasonable things?”

“You can’t pretend not to know someone you clearly do, right?”

“Hmm….”

Deciding to draw a clear line publicly if that was the case.

“I don’t wish to be friendly with the Salion faction people. Please refrain from talking to me without hesitation from now on.”

“Oh…!”

Perhaps misunderstanding her anger due to the incident where the Salion faction imitated Wade and stole research, she couldn’t say anything and looked upset.

Bainings, who was next to her, was perplexed by her attitude, but he knew that getting involved in the conversation would only make things more noisy.

The air grew heavy. Dorothy made an effort to smile and spoke.

“Alright, alright. We don’t need to frown over the affairs of adults, do we.”

Dorothy took the lead in setting the mood.

I tried to ignore them and spend time reading a book, but conversations started blooming in unexpected places.

Dorothy, after seeing the cover of my book, couldn’t hide her interest and joined in.

“Al, didn’t you say you were a military student? Why are you reading an agriculture textbook?”

“I’ve developed an interest in it recently.”

I had been contemplating about the direction of my future after experiencing various events recently.

The reasons for the fall of the Epsilon Empire, the secret of my birth, the stories of Gaspar and Beiolaf, and more. I had learned many facts, but there were still many things I didn’t know.

One thing was certain: I would eventually be involved in running the country. Even now, I was indirectly managing a territory.

Therefore, I needed to have knowledge about food production. Especially considering the downfall of the Epsilon Empire due to population growth.

To keep up with that population growth, the primary sector needed to be strong above all.

Hence, over the past year, I had been studying a lot about agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, and other food-related subjects.

“Interested in agriculture? Wow, that’s great.”

“Great?”

“Yes, it’s like finding a comrade. I’m also studying about agriculture.”

Dorothy originally had an interest in gardening and agriculture.

However, since her family belonged to a traditional military household, she ended up attending military school against her will.

“My father specifically told me to consider incorporating agriculture into war. So, I agreed.”

“If it’s agriculture in war, isn’t that a bit out of place… Do you think that’s possible?”

“Well, I’m still a beginner. But I have some ideas on how to increase the efficiency of farming.”

“Efficiency, you say? That sounds intriguing. Can you share?”

Dorothy wasn’t just casually interested in agriculture. She had broader and deeper knowledge than me, who had studied for only a year.

I listened intently to her words, getting absorbed in the conversation.

Erina, who had become a bystander, was petulantly playing with her fan, making a light tapping sound.

“Adjusting the rotation of cultivated crops to increase the yield, is that it?”

“That’s right. It’s very basic. The agriculture supervised by nobles is too rigid and inefficient. They insist on cultivating one crop regardless of weather or region, or force themselves to grow the crops they like. By reducing such inefficiencies, you can increase the yield. Soil management will also become easier.”

“Changing crops according to the season and region is common sense. The problem lies in the nobles who lack common sense.”

“Is that so? Al, you’re quite articulate. Oh, if only my fiancée could communicate like you do. She never listens to me, only talks about frivolous parties and bothers others with idle gossip, giving me a headache.”

“You have a fiancée?”

“Yeah, she’s two years older than me, the second daughter of Lord Reinhardt. But we don’t get along. How about you? Judging by your appearance, you must be receiving a lot of marriage proposals.”

“My appearance? What do you mean?”

“Exactly that. Even the flower bouquets there reflect it.”

“Hmm… I did receive some proposals. They were unrealistic, though.”

“Unrealistic? Ah, perhaps someone experienced in matchmaking arranged them. That could be the case.”

“Well, recently, I’ve been exchanging letters with someone. It’s not serious, but the person is unexpectedly amusing, so exchanging letters has become enjoyable.”

Upon hearing this, Erina chuckled.

“Al, you’re quite the jester. As far as I know, there’s no such person you’re describing.”

“Not joking?”

“…So, is it true that you’re exchanging letters with someone?”

“Is there a reason why I shouldn’t?”

Thump, thud! Thump, thud! The sound of busy fans.

“Who’s that?”

“Isn’t it impolite to pry that far?”

“….”

The air grew heavy again.

Bannings wondered why the atmosphere had soured, not understanding a word of English.

* * *

As we entered Alpensard, we split into two groups at the entrance of the academy.

The students studying academics and culture headed straight to their classrooms, while us cadets, including me, had to make our way to the training grounds specially designated in the center of the academy.

“Place your belongings in front of you!”

At the command of the supervising officer, each of our attendants began moving the luggage. For me, it didn’t take long since I only had one bag, but the issue was the bouquet.

“I should transfer it to a vase before it wilts.”

As we piled our belongings in front of us, the educational officers made their appearance.

“Wow!”

The students exclaimed as they caught sight of him.

“It’s General Ironheart!”

“The military’s general is here in person…”

Caliper’s 5th General, Ironheart Lambert.

He appeared at the training grounds with dozens of officers under his command.

Ironheart narrowed his eyes as if estimating the number of students.

“About 300… Much more than I thought.”

Muttering to himself, he gestured to his adjutant to begin.

The adjutant cleared his throat and bellowed orders.

“Form up! Align yourselves in rows of ten!”

However, aligning in rows of ten with our luggage piled up was impossible. A stern command followed.

“Feeling like you’re on a holiday outing! You are now officers of a respectable military! Do you think you can survive in the army with such mindset? And what’s with that pile of luggage! Do you think you’d do this on the battlefield? If you expect someone to pick up after you, you’re mistaken!”

The other officers who had been anxiously waiting for the end of that speech rushed towards the students to start inspecting their luggage.

The officers frantically unpacked and rummaged through the cadets’ belongings, handing out face masks. They pulled out attire for parties, chessboards brought to pass the time, novels, and so on. It was as if they were throwing them away like trash to humiliate them.

“Wait! This is mine…!”

“Wait? Are you trying to start a riot, punk!”

“Ugh…!”

With many proud nobles among the cadets, chaos ensued.

“I knew this would happen. Foolish kids.”

Those of us who diligently followed the cadet course like myself managed well, but those who switched to cadets from mid or high academies were facing disgrace.

As the importance of the military grew due to the war, many were pressured by their parents to switch. Hence, they brought their luggage unknowingly.

“Well, if I had brought what Eoga prepared for me, I would have faced the same fate.”

Soon, an officer approached me.

“Name?”

“Alse Iline. Rank: Junior Officer.”

“If you’re a junior officer, you must have gone through the cadet program since childhood.”

“Yes.”

He furrowed his brows as he looked at my luggage.

“What’s this? This flower.”

“It was a gift from acquaintances as a congratulations.”

“Did you come here to receive an award!”

“I didn’t think it would be a problem. If it is, I will correct it.”

“What kind of answer is that! This kind of thing…!”

He seemed about to trample the bouquet when suddenly,

“Attention──!!”

The atmosphere became so quiet that even a pin drop could be heard.

“Yes, Sir! General!”

The officer who was about to hand me a mask turned pale and rushed to General Ironheart, who was shouting.

Ironheart brought his face so close that their foreheads touched and began reprimanding him harshly.

After a while, the officer returned to me with a sour expression.

“Sorry. I think I misunderstood. If it’s a gift of congratulations from acquaintances, it’s fine. They support your entry into the military. Our army always appreciates such support. Still, you can’t keep carrying these flowers around, so let me take them.”

“Are you going to throw them away?”

“No, I’ll put them in the storeroom. You can come and check later.”

“Thank you.”

A complete change in attitude, as if flipping a hand over.

Perhaps General Ironheart knew my identity… Maybe the Helian Duke had something to do with it.

The cadet training officially began.

We were given two sets of military uniforms to live on. It was quite uncomfortable since we couldn’t even take off the uniform to sleep.

I was somewhat okay. Having military experience in modern times and, above all, being able to do my laundry by hand made it easier for me.

On the other hand, most noble kids couldn’t do their laundry themselves. Some only rinsed their clothes in water like Eonia’s horses, while others didn’t do laundry at all, often passing it on to weaker members of their families or commoners.

I was one of those with weak power in that family, but seeing how I got along with Dorothy, I hesitated to touch her.

That’s how it went for a week.

The dormitory was filled with a musty smell, thanks to those who did laundry carelessly.

“I can’t take it anymore!”

I surrendered.

It wasn’t because of the smell. It was simply because the food was disgustingly bad.

In this training camp, an insane curriculum was being carried out, replacing all three meals a day with combat rations for a week.

Even the combat rations famous for being tasteless in the modern military were even worse in this world.

I did eat combat rations back when I was out in the field as Wade, but even then, as the highest-ranking officer, my meals were somewhat decent.

On the other hand, what was being provided now was the standard rations for regular soldiers, and those were only given out when supplies were low.

Bread so hard it hurt your teeth and a soup that seemed to have rotten eggs in it.

To me, who was used to the exquisite dishes Eo made, this was torture.

It seemed like the others were feeling the same way, as whispers of dissatisfaction were circulating. The officers either pretended not to notice or didn’t bother to address it.

“You brought this upon yourself.”

Leaving Yumir and Eo behind at Rainfall, thinking nothing would happen, was a mistake.

I intended to ask Veril, who commuted from Rainfall, to do it for me, but I was a step too late; Veril had already left.

“There’s no choice but to endure two more days.”

With a shrug, I walked through the academy garden, and somewhere, the scent of delicious food wafted in the air.

“It’s the smell of tea and cookies!”

As if drawn by it, when I approached, I recognized the familiar faces.

Fake Wade Casper. And Erina and her father Gilbert Salion were enjoying teatime.