Understanding
Translator: Cinder Translations
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"Boring. Are we just going to stay here all day doing nothing?"
Private Hesse West tossed another piece of firewood into the flames, his tone tinged with complaint.
He accepted a full bowl of porridge, stirring it vigorously with his spoon.
"What's the rush? Isn't it nice to just wait? Or are you so eager to fight the orcs?"
The squad leader chuckled at his subordinate's impatience.
Hesse explained, "What I mean is, the sooner we finish the fighting, the sooner we can go home. Sleeping in tents every night is nowhere near as comfortable as a proper barracks."
The squad leader's expression turned serious as he warned, "Finish quickly? You must be underestimating the orcs. They're not like those peasants fresh off the fields. Underestimating them will cost you. Command is likely taking its time to ensure everything is prepared."
"They're not as terrifying as people say!" Hesse's eyebrows shot up in defiance. "A single bullet can take care of them…"
As he recalled the battle a few days ago, a mix of fear and adrenaline surged through him.
Especially when those towering, savage warriors wielding swords charged straight at him, their grotesque faces inches away. The fear was undeniable, yet oddly, it came with a strange thrill—a rush he couldn't explain.
"Attention! Salute!"
The squad leader suddenly barked, springing to his feet.
Hesse scrambled to stand along with the others.
That's when they noticed a tall blonde woman walking toward them, flanked by an entourage.
They wore elegant, well-fitted outfits adorned with intricate embroidery reminiscent of noble crests from the southern regions.
The soldiers of the Northwest Bay were unaccustomed to such finery. For generations, scarcity had dictated simpler, more practical attire, even among the nobility. It had become a tradition, unchanged even as prosperity grew.
"Your Highness! My lords!"
The squad leader saluted sternly, leading the rest in paying respects to Princess Catherine and her group.
So this was the princess? The fiancée of Lord Grayman?
Hesse raised his hand and saluted the princess respectfully.
"Relax, soldiers!"
Catherine smiled warmly, her demeanor both regal and approachable. Her wavy, golden hair gleamed in the sunlight like a halo, while her sapphire eyes sparkled with an almost otherworldly charm.
"Lord Grayman is a lucky man," Hesse thought, brimming with envy.
Then he shivered. A chilling gaze drew his attention to a black-haired female knight standing next to the princess.
"She's so intense," Hesse thought, feeling as though he were being reprimanded.
He was referring to Ophina, who had become more vigilant and distrustful after the betrayal by the Bradley family.
"Are you eating?" Catherine asked.
"Yes, Your Highness," the squad leader replied.
Catherine curiously examined their meal.
Each soldier had a portion of fresh salad, flavored with vinegar and spices to whet the appetite, paired with large flatbreads or hearty loaves of bread, and complemented by generous servings of dried meat. A thick porridge made from flour, vegetables, and bits of meat ensured the meal wasn't dry or bland.
It wasn't luxurious, but it was nourishing and well-prepared.
What surprised the nobles even more was a small jar of what appeared to be… salt?
Pure white salt, as pristine as snow!
"You eat this?" Catherine inquired.
"Well… it's the front lines, so we make do," the squad leader replied sheepishly.
The entourage from Crystal Glare couldn't hide their astonishment.
They had learned to identify military ranks from the stripes on the soldiers' uniforms and knew these men were the lowest-ranked infantry.
Yet, even common soldiers enjoyed plentiful rations with meat, vegetables, and condiments—a stark contrast to the kingdom's other armies. In most places, soldiers would be lucky to gnaw on black bread and drink weak beer. Only victories or loot ever brought a chance for a decent meal.
Through their time in the Northwest, people like Klein and Ophina had shed their misconceptions of the region as barren. They knew Alden was wealthy, but not THIS wealthy.
While others marveled at the soldiers' food, Catherine noticed something else.
"What's this?"
She bent down to pick up a small book.
"Oh, that's mine!" Hesse quickly responded.
"It's a field guide, Your Highness," the squad leader explained. "Or, more specifically, a handbook for the Blackstone region."
"It includes information on local geography, customs, plants—like which are edible and which are poisonous—and even local slang and taboos."
Catherine turned to Hesse. "You can read?"
Hesse nodded honestly. "Yes, Your Highness."
"So, you teach these things to your comrades?" Catherine asked, impressed that such an educated person was serving as a common soldier.
"No," Hesse replied, shaking his head. "They read it themselves."
"They… read it themselves?" Catherine and her entourage were astonished.
"Your Highness, we each have a copy," the squad leader added, pulling out his own booklet.
"You all know how to read?" Klein couldn't help but ask.
"Yes," the squad leader confirmed. "It's a mandatory requirement in the army."
Unbelievable!
Catherine could only marvel inwardly.
"May I take a look?"
"Of course, Your Highness. There's nothing secret in it," the squad leader said, handing over the guide.
Catherine skimmed through it quickly before returning it to Hesse.
She addressed the soldiers with a serious tone, "Please, never let these guides fall into enemy hands. Destroy them if you must."
Though the handbook contained no military secrets, it provided valuable insights that could greatly aid anyone who possessed it.
"Your Highness!"
A servant suddenly rushed over, panting heavily.
"I've finally found you!"
Catherine's heart skipped a beat. Was something wrong? Were the orcs attacking?
"What is it? Speak!" she demanded, her tone sharp.
The servant quickly replied, "Earl Grayman has arrived!"
TLN: My Boy is HEREEEEE!!!
(End of the Chapter)
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