Chapter 24
Who would've thought Roa, of all people, would end up with Lapiria-sama...
With a few drinks in him and some of his tension gone, Derek was casually chatting with Roa and Lapiria-sama.
"I still can't quite believe it myself."
Even while saying that, Roa would occasionally exchange a few words with Lapiria-sama, and the sight of them together was genuinely sweet.
Derek had only ever seen War Princess Lapiria striding through the royal palace with a dignified expression, so he was deeply impressed to realize she could make a face like this, too.
"I mean, Lapiria-sama is ridiculously cute. I'm starting to resent Roa."
"I was surprised Roa was the first to get married, though. I figured Derek would beat him to it."
Yold said this while stuffing his mouth with food. It was true that, as much as I hated to admit it, I was reasonably popular. Mostly in taverns, though.
"I thought so too."
When Roa agreed with Yold, Lapiria-sama asked, "Don't you have anyone nice, Derek?"
"Well..."
I gave a noncommittal answer as I knocked back my wine. I don't know... I still felt I could wait.
I glanced sideways at the others, thinking I might steer the conversation in a different direction.
As for the Weapons Division, Hornet was as absorbed in eating and drinking as Yold. Judiano was speaking in a low voice with Lenny about something. It wasn't a secret conversation; Judiano's voice was simply tiny by nature, so this was nothing unusual.
And then there was Drew. He seemed more interested in the tableware than the food, and had started combining several pieces of cutlery as if they were building blocks.
...The Weapons Division is way too full of characters.
"S-speaking of which, Roa, haven't you been making new things with Drew and the others lately?"
I gave up trying to bring anyone else into the conversation and changed the subject.
"Yeah, sort of. Right now, I'm focusing on improving farm equipment. ...We shouldn't need weapons for a while."
"Farm equipment, huh... I see. So peace has finally come. When you spend all your time in the capital like we do, the war never really feels real, but hearing you say that somehow makes it sink in."
"Yeah. Peace has come."
Roa—and Lapiria-sama and Wickhart-sama as well—all wore heartfelt smiles. Those who had been on the front lines must have felt it far more deeply than we did.
"Then is that thing Drew's working on some kind of new farm equipment?"
I pointed at the cutlery as it continued to take on an increasingly complex shape. Roa gave a wry smile and said, "Who knows?" I was starting to wonder what Drew was doing myself.
"...Is it okay to talk to him when he's like that?"
"Probably. When he's doing something pointless, he doesn't respond even if you talk to him."
Roa's really used to this. Well, might as well try talking to him.
"Hey, Drew, what are you making there?"
Drew stopped what he was doing, turning only his face toward me.
"...This... What do you think it is?"
"You don't know?!"
It was the sort of answer that made me blurt out a retort.
"At first, I thought it might be useful for improving farm equipment, but... What do you think this is?"
"...What do you mean, what do I think it is...? Is it something like using forks in place of a hoe?"
"Ah, I see. That might be it."
What kind of conversation was this?
Still, that conversation was what led me to start talking with Drew from time to time.
For example, when Drew was muttering to himself while facing a wall, I might say something like, "What are you doing? There's a bird building a nest on top of your head, so watch out."
A few days later, my superior summoned me.
"Huh? A business trip? To the former Lifrea territory?"
"Yes. The Weapons Division asked whether you and Yold could provide assistance."
Apparently, they'd found a place where something called burning water could be extracted. I didn't know the details, but it seemed to be something the enemy had used at Femas to inflict heavy damage on us.
After hearing that, Drew said, "I want to go see it right away! I'll go even if I have to go alone!" He actually dashed out of the royal capital, only to collapse a short distance away. He had no stamina whatsoever.
By now, Drew was recognized as a valuable asset to the country—valuable enough that his wishes couldn't simply be ignored. So an emergency research team for the burning water was to be formed.
"Wouldn't staff from the Weapons Division do?"
"No. Apparently, the king just ordered mass production of the farm equipment Drew invented the other day, so they're extremely busy. Hornet and Judiano can't leave the royal capital right now."
"...Then why us?"
"You two are close to Drew, right? You're recognized as valuable assets because you can get him to listen—a rare feat with Drew, who never listens to anyone."
"...Seriously?"
"Yes. Of course, the Tenth Knight Order will help with security. Lenny will handle the negotiations, so ask him for the details."
And so Yold and I set out on what, for us, was an utterly unexpected grand expedition.