Chapter 27
After wiping out the dragon nest we had targeted, I returned to the fortress.
The main thing to reflect on today was that, as Ray had pointed out, I had gone a little too far forward.
I have no hesitation about taking risks, but if I advance too far onto the front lines, the soldiers follow my lead, leaving our defenses somewhat vulnerable. That is useful when attacking, but we need to be careful when defending. As a commander, I need to pay attention to my position and the distance I keep from the enemy.
Then there is my voice. When I move to the rear, my voice no longer carries. I need to learn to project it more strongly so that I can give clear orders even from the back. I have heard that a powerful voice reassures soldiers, so I should practice projecting mine.
There were other things I needed to try and gain experience with while I had the chance, such as changing formations and adjusting the spacing for attack and defense.
I returned to the fortress while thinking over tomorrow's plans and tentative tactics to try next.
When I returned to the fortress, I saw several wagons that had not been there when we left.
They were probably supplies sent by Seryure-san of the Yarmark Trading Company. Prospectors for the mine's development and construction contractors to build the port should have come with them as well.
As I was about to inspect the delivered supplies, a petite woman in a nun's habit came running toward me.
"Romelia-sama, it has been a long time."
The woman greeted me. I recognized her.
"You're the novice who was with Priest Noute, aren't you?"
She was the novice who had attended to us at Karesa Monastery.
"Yes. My name is Mia. Thank you for your help back then. Afterward, Priest Noute put me through special training, and he has finally recognized me as a full-fledged healer."
Priest Noute had promised to send me one healer for the time being. I never expected the novice from that time to come. I was a little concerned, but if Priest Noute had recognized her, she must have honed her skills considerably since then.
"I see. Then please treat the wounded."
"Yes. I have already treated those who remained at the fortress."
There had been about three injured soldiers at the fortress, waiting for a healer. One of them had been seriously wounded and should barely have been able to walk. I had not expected their treatment to be complete already.
"I apologize. I thought I should wait for Romelia-sama to return, but I could not bear to watch people suffer, so I treated them without waiting for permission."
"No, that is fine, but are they completely healed already?"
This was a matter of life and death, so there was no need to wait for permission before treating someone. Still, I was a little surprised that someone who had only recently been a novice could do so much.
"The wounds have closed, but because they healed so quickly and the soldiers lost too much blood, I have told them to rest today. They should be able to get up tomorrow, but I recommend that they remain at rest for at least two more days before they are fully recovered."
Her answer was confident and precise. I would check on them later, but if a specialist said so, it was probably correct.
"I understand. I will thank you on behalf of the soldiers. But you have certainly improved."
When I spoke to her the last time, I had done so without much thought. I never expected her to improve so dramatically.
"Oh, no..."
Mia-san lowered her head shyly.
However, I was in a bit of a difficult position. I had never expected a woman to come here. This was an all-male outpost, and it was no place for a young woman.
I did not want to think that the soldiers would mistreat her, but there was no guarantee they would keep their hands to themselves. I should give the soldiers a stern warning. Until then, I would keep her close.
"I see. There are no seriously wounded soldiers at the moment, so I would like you to begin treating them in earnest tomorrow. However, I will introduce you to the unit commander, so please stay with me until then."
"Yes. It is an honor to accompany you."
Mia-san followed me like a secretary.
Having a woman's help would be useful in many ways, and she should share my bedroom as well. In that case, I might as well appoint her my secretary. The soldiers might be less likely to make a move on her that way.
"Oh, that's right, Romelia-sama. I was not the only one who came here. Some others have arrived as well."
"Ah, the prospectors and construction contractors?"
Our purpose in exterminating the monsters here was to mine the gold. I had asked Seryure-san to select several prospectors for a preliminary survey of the mine. We also planned to conduct a field survey of the inlet deep in the valley.
"They came too, but two additional people joined them as well. Apparently, both of them are acquaintances of yours, Romelia-sama."
"Acquaintances? Who might they be?"
No one came to mind. I had almost no acquaintances in Kashu, and none of my friends from high society would want anything to do with me.
As I wondered who it could be, I heard a familiar voice behind me.
"It seems you've been working hard, young lady."
When I turned around, I saw a woman and a man standing there.
The woman was the very model of a flawless, perfectly composed lady. Her back was ramrod straight, her clothes had not a hint of looseness at the sleeves or neckline, and even her hairstyle was meticulously set. Her eyes were slightly upturned, but her lips wore a gentle smile.
The man, on the other hand, could be described in one word: slovenly. His hair was overgrown and unkempt, and he had a scruffy beard. Several buttons on his shirt were undone, and his face sagged, perhaps from lack of sleep. He was even scratching his head vigorously, as though he had not bathed in who knew how long.
Seeing the two people in such stark contrast, I let out a delighted cry.
"Quinz-sensei? Verri-sensei too?"
"So you do know them?"
Mia-san asked. I hurried over to Quinz-sensei, took her hand, and introduced her to Mia.
"She's my mentor."
"I was the young lady's tutor and taught her."
It was customary for nobles to hire tutors for their children's education. These two had been the teachers hired for me.
Of all my tutors, I liked these two best.
"It's been a long time, sensei. But what brings you here?"
"I heard from Cairo-san that you were working hard, and I couldn't sit still, so I rushed here."
I pictured the face of my old nurse, who was waiting at Calrus Fortress.
Come to think of it, I had sent a letter recently. I had wondered who it was addressed to, but it had been these two.
I couldn't help thinking, Good grief, that old nurse... Yet, just as she had said, I needed to learn to rely on others. I was grateful that these two had come to help me.
"You must need extra hands for all sorts of things, don't you? I worked as a clerk at a government office, so I can help with accounting and paperwork."
Quinz-sensei offered.
"I didn't want to come, but she forced me to."
Verri-sensei scratched his head and grumbled. Quinz-sensei's slender hand shot out like lightning, seized his right ear, and twisted it upward.
"Have you forgotten that the young lady took you in when you had no work and were about to end up on the streets? If you don't repay that debt now, when will you?"
She twisted his ear with a fearsome expression. Verri-sensei had no choice but to give in.
The two of them had studied under the same teacher when they were young. Their personalities were polar opposites, but they had known each other for a long time, and Quinz-sensei had all sorts of leverage over him. Verri-sensei was apparently no match for her.
Quinz-sensei released his ear, turned around, and gave a small cough.
"Ahem. In any case, we have come to help. Use us however you see fit—work us to the bone. This man in particular tends to slack off, but the more pressure you put on him, the harder he works, so make full use of him."
"That's harsh."
"Yes, I know."
"Hey, Romelia!"
Of course, she was joking.
Although her words were harsh, Quinz-sensei recognized Verri-sensei's abilities and had once called him a genius. I, too, respected the teacher who seemed unmotivated but possessed such broad knowledge and keen insight.
Truly remarkable people had come to help me.