第１９２掘：道中の格差
**Chapter 192: Disparity on the Road**
**Side: Olive**
Riel, Tori, and Kaya are sitting right in front of us, chatting away while they eat.
“...Slurp. And so, at that time...”
“Ah, I remember that. Slurp. But in the end...”
“Nom, nom... Huh, that’s the first time I’ve heard that story.”
We have currently rendezvoused with the 1,000 soldiers we had left behind. Under Marly’s command, we are on our way to provide reinforcements for the invasion of the Holy Kingdom of Enaria, and we are currently taking a meal break on the road.
We managed to avoid a face-to-face meeting with the King, for which I am grateful, but...
“...Mist. Why is it that such a wonderful aroma is drifting over from their side during mealtime?”
“...Sister, it must be because of the difference in our fundamental capabilities. I wouldn’t expect such food to be made just by boiling water in an expeditionary force like this.”
Right now, all we have in our hands is dried meat and a thin soup barely made with hot water. We didn't receive any supplies due to our previous failures, but since Yuki and his group returned the captured supplies to us, I am grateful that we didn't have to invest our own private funds into logistics, but...
“Yuki, this ramen flavor is a first for me, isn't it?”
“Hmm? Ah, that’s miso flavor. You’ve had it before, haven't you?”
“Ah, now that you mention it, that’s the taste. Still, it’s delicious. There are so many flavors that I never get tired of it.”
“Jessica-san, I have soy sauce flavor. Would you like to try a taste?”
“Yes, thank you very much.”
Having them flaunt such a wonderful aroma and eat so appetizingly right in front of us is agonizing. It is even worse when everyone under the mercenary’s command is eating the same thing. Our own subordinates are desperately trying to endure their bland meals.
“Yuki, may I have a moment?”
“Slurp... What is it?”
“Where did you procure that food? With such a wonderful aroma drifting about, I feel sorry for our subordinates who are enduring this with only dried meat and preserved rations.”
“Ah... I suppose you’re right. But, you know...”
“Why are you hesitating? At this rate, morale will drop during the invasion, and that will be a problem.”
“What do you intend to do about the funding? It is true that we could supply it from our end. However, for 1,000 people... even if we could get a discount for bulk purchasing, it is still food for 1,000 people for several months.”
“Jessica is right about that. We are mercenaries, after all, not a supply corps meant to provide food for you. Where do you intend to get the money from?”
“...Th-that is...”
As I struggled to answer, Mist replied for me.
“I understand Yuki’s point, but this will cause problems with our coordination. Shouldn't we try to minimize the inequality as much as possible? Regarding the payment, could we strike a deal to pay you after the war? It’s not like we can just return to our territory to fetch money right now.”
“That’s reasonable, but... what do you think?”
Yuki consulted with Jessica beside him. I had seen her standing next to him on the battlefield before, but I never imagined she had become his aide. Marly, meanwhile, was eating her—ramen?—normally, thanks to Jessica.
“Let’s see...”
Even Jessica seemed to find it difficult, hesitating, but Marly, who was eating ramen, chimed in.
“That’s fine. This ramen is delicious, and I want it for my army, too. I’ll pay properly; I have military funds. I’ll pay in cash. That goes for the Melt sisters’ army as well.”
“Marly-sama...”
“Don't worry about it, Mist. It’s for the sake of us all. Both of us have been on the receiving end of Yuki’s harsh lessons, and our superiors are aware of it. If we don’t make this invasion a success, the King will surely punish us. ...This is no time for us to be tripping each other up.”
“Thank you.”
“I am truly grateful.”
I had no choice but to bow my head. As a noble, and as a person, I could not afford to lose my manners.
“*Sigh*, that’s why...”
“Is there a problem?”
“Wind Princess, I don’t mind selling the supplies. But do you understand that our combat strength will be reduced by the effort of transporting them?”
“““Ah.”””
Indeed, my own unit alone is 1,000 strong. The invasion force Marly leads is around 20,000 in total. If Yuki and his group had to carry enough supplies to cover all of that, they would be unable to move.
“Hey, how did you even manage to get by with your former superior?”
“...Well, on the battlefield, they move with such pinpoint, god-like precision.”
“So you leave the rest to your subordinates? In a way, that’s a proper commander.”
“Both of you, be quiet. ...So, if there’s a way to provide supplies without reducing our combat strength, do it.”
“...You really do have good luck with things like this, don't you?”
Hmm? What did that mean? It sounded as if there were a way to obtain a large amount of supplies without sacrificing combat strength...
“Is there a method?”
Mist seemed to be thinking the same thing and asked Yuki.
“There is. Well, it only works because we are here, so it can’t be used by others. Make sure the army personnel know this is a one-time thing. It would be a problem if they complained about the quality of food and supplies dropping after they part ways with us.”
“Understood. I will explain that clearly.”
“I see... we have to think about what happens after we part ways with Yuki and his group, too.”
Mist nodded solemnly. We have Yuki and his group as our trump card, but since they are so convenient, we must also consider what happens once that advantage is lost.
“The more you win, the more natural it is to be moved to a harsh, honorable battlefield of fierce fighting, right?”
“...That’s true.”
“...Yes.”
“...That is correct.”
“In that case, our forces will be scattered more and more. Aside from us, it’s unlikely that three Magic Sword Users would ever gather like this again, right?”
Indeed, this is a place for restoring our honor, and if we demonstrate our strength as Magic Sword Users here, we will likely be sent to separate battlefields just like before.
“Well, I’ve given my warning about the issues. Since we have the supplies for now, I’ll share them with Olive’s soldiers.”
Yuki said this and summoned one of the goblins to give instructions.
“Alright, you two, go ahead.”
Then, Ria, having prepared it before we knew it, offered us freshly made ramen.
“We appreciate the sentiment, but we cannot eat before our subordinates...”
“If you two don't eat, your subordinates won't be able to eat either, right?”
“But...”
“It will get cold if you wait, so please.”
“Sister, let’s accept their kindness. The subordinates are watching us, and unless we take the lead, no one will be able to eat.”
“Understood. We will accept it gratefully.”
And then, the day after we ate that ramen.
“Ugh, ugh...”
“M-my stomach... the noodles are expanding inside me...”
We were collapsed on the ground. However, it wasn't because we were poisoned...
“So, what about the others?”
“More than half of them have collapsed.”
“...Why did you eat until you collapsed?”
“Well, since the Princess handed them out as supply rations, the discretion was up to the Princess.”
“I’m sorry. It was more delicious than I expected, and I felt awkward eating so much by myself. Since it was coming out of my own funds, I told them yesterday that they could eat as much as they wanted.”
Yes, pathetically enough, we overate. But what else could we do? Anyone would be the same if there was ramen with such a rich variety of spices and so many different flavors.
“*Sigh*, now that you mention it, Jessica was collapsed too.”
“...Please don't mention it. It’s embarrassing, but it couldn't be helped. It was even more delicious than this.”
“What did you say!? Jessica, that meal was at Yuki’s place, wasn't it!!”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Damn it!! Jessica, that’s unfair!!”
“I’m not sure how to put this, but Yuki can make that delicious food, so if the Princess wishes, I’m sure he would be willing to show off his skills.”
“Really!?”
What did you say!? It’s even more delicious than ramen!?
“...For now, let’s wait until we start the march. I won’t have us delayed for a day for such a stupid reason.”
...I am terribly sorry.
“So, why is the Princess, who ate the same amount, perfectly fine?”
“Because I move around a lot!!”
“““That’s not a reason!”””
Everyone, including myself, retorted in unison. Ah, it hurts...
*It isn't written in detail, but it goes from cup ramen to bag ramen. Listen, don't ask me which instant ramen is the best!! Also, since it’s instant, you can eat it if there’s a convenience store, and most people have a stock at home, so it’s safe, right!!*