[WN] Shut-In : Chapter 154

Chapter 154

Ice

Translator : PolterGlast

「Pardon the intrusion.」

「Amazing... So this is your family home, Masaru-sama.」

I had brought Lirica, who had been training almost non-stop, and Priola, who said she had finished a round of chores, back to my Home. Since I had previously just guided them straight up the stairs to the training room, this was naturally their first time relaxing in the living room like this.

「How should I put it... It's an architectural style completely different from anything we demons or humans have.」

「Is this what they call wooden architecture...? I have heard of it, but this is my first time actually seeing it.」

They both looked tired, so I prepared some sweets and snacks first. Peach juice with plenty of pulp, and... potato chips should be fine. I have alcohol too, but that can wait until after we finish our serious talk.

「Just so you know, these are drinks and snacks from another world. They aren't anything that grand, though.」

「...(Gulp). Snacks from the world where the Heroes lived... Priola, could it be that we are the first demons to ever eat this...?」

「That is highly likely... To think that we ourselves would be able to taste legendary other-worldly cuisine...」

Both were just return gifts from hometown tax donations, so they weren't exactly high-class luxury goods, but maybe my way of introducing them was bad because their excitement had shot through the roof.

I wonder if these can live up to their expectations... I thought, as I timidly poured and handed them the peach juice. Upon drinking it, Lirica and Priola's eyes flew wide open.

「Wh-What is this deliciousness... Could this be the legendary Elixir...?」

「It is sweet, rich, and yet feels like it melts... Both the mouthfeel and the aftertaste are completely unburdensome. A juice that is merely sweet could never be like this... I admit total defeat.」

Lirica making wild guesses and Priola making a declaration of defeat for some reason. I didn't really get it, but it seemed to be a huge hit, so I was relieved for the time being.

When I asked, "Want a refill?", they thrust their cups out with zero hesitation, so the whole bottle was emptied in the blink of an eye. True, I've never had anything this sweet and perfectly balanced in Aristella either. I'm glad they liked it.

Well then, next up are the potato chips, but...

「And Masaru-sama, what exactly is this...?」

「It has a bizarre shape... Is it some kind of magic tool...?」

「These are called potato chips. You open it like this and eat the potato... the tuber inside.」

Timidly, as if touching a fragile glass ornament, Lirica picked up a potato chip and put it in her mouth. Her face instantly lit up.

「D-Delicious! What is this? It tastes like the sweetness of slowly simmered vegetables!」

「It truly is just fried potato, but this depth of flavor... Marvelous. The strong taste is also right up my alley.」

It seems they suited the palates of people from another world too, which was a relief. I tried one myself, and the light, crispy texture combined with the heavy punch of the consommé flavor created an amazing synergistic effect. It was incredibly delicious. The strong flavor really seeps into a body exhausted from running around all day.

For these two, who will likely have more opportunities to use this place in the future, I needed to properly explain what was where. After satisfying our light hunger with snacks and juice, I gave them a room tour, teaching them the general layout of the things in my house and how to use them.

「You have a bath... Could it be that your family was quite wealthy, Masaru-sama...?」

「This is... A-A machine that finishes the laundry automatically!? You wouldn't even need a maid!」

「A microwave...? —No way, to think an appliance that can heat food without using fire exists in this world!」

「This is higher performance than the refrigerator we had at the Baron household...」

I was worried it might be boring since they were all just mundane things to me, but judging by Lirica's reactions, it seemed that worry was unfounded. Or rather, because they gave such great reactions, I ended up unintentionally showing off all sorts of things.

「All the magic tools here run on my magic power, so you're free to use them whenever you're inside the house.」

Using a hair dryer for the first time in her life, blowing her bangs up with a loud woooosh, Lirica gave a firm nod. By the way, Priola also gave a firm nod in the same way, her cheeks puffed out.

The reason she couldn't speak was that her mouth was stuffed full of ice from the ice maker. It seems she has a much more playful personality than I thought.

「Also... ah, I'll use Refresh on these too.」

I cast Refresh on the empty peach juice bottle and potato chip bag, reverting them to brand-new, unopened states.

「...There, like this. I can restock the things inside my Home using my magic power, so if you use anything, just leave the trash somewhere I can easily spot it.」

「Restocking food with magic power...」

「Ath dish phoint anyphing goes shoo much, I'm naught efen shurprised anymore...」

Priola herself probably thought she was making an entirely serious face, but because her mouth was stuffed full, the visual was so ridiculous I almost burst out laughing. Why did she even have her mouth full of ice in the first place? N-No, I can't. The memory of her saying, "As an ice mage, I cannot help but investigate this!" while aggressively munching down on the ice keeps flashing back to me.

Don't laugh. Hold it in, me...

-----

Thank you for my Patrons !!

[Platinum]

-

[Gold]

B random

Nepheos

[Silver]

Corey Hicks

Creris

Frédéric Bertrand-Hudon

Jake Seagraves

Matthew Fraser

Tbaum56

Xavier O'Donoghue

[Bronze]

Anton Lim

Baelee

Christopher Feliciano

Ctdela

Curious Panda

nick nasca

SD Fox

Sébastien Dionne

Z

Read Advanced Chapters only on my Patreon

-----

<<Prev << ToC >> Next>>

Read More

[WN] Jitsuwa 3-Domedatta : Chapter 424

Chapter 424

(Kyle Calendar Year 515: Age 22)

Tightrope-Walking Tactic

Translator : PolterGlast

The Commander and General Golpa seemed to be thinking the exact same thing regarding this difficult situation, and their conclusion was fast. After confirming several points of concern based on the map and summarizing them into a tactical plan, the two explained it to me, whose understanding had not yet caught up.

「In short, the initial basic strategy and plan themselves remain unchanged. To gradually reduce the enemy army through defeat in detail, to lure out the enemy's main force and strike them in a field battle rather than a siege battle; these points are common. The setup for this operation is...」

Through the Commander's explanation, I was finally able to glean their thoughts! But well... what pressure.

「The differences in the operation itself are that it will be a series of battles over a short period of time, and that everything is linked and if one part crumbles the whole thing collapses; we have no choice but to walk a tightrope to achieve our objective, right?」

Having finally understood the tactical plan, I too solidified my resolve. Thereupon, the Commander convened the main commanders and explained the outline of the operation to them just as he had to me. And then...

「Then, in accordance with the operation, I will depart one step ahead leading five thousand cavalry to hold back the enemy main force. Of the two thousand infantry remaining, one thousand are composed of Vile Kingdom soldiers, and the remaining one thousand are Cain Kingdom soldiers. In both, I have appointed resourceful individuals as commanders, so please command them as you wish.」

Saying so, General Golpa departed for the front. Simultaneously, the two thousand men who remained under the General's command all became infantry, passed through the forest off the highway, descended the mountain, and began to move to conceal themselves in their designated positions.

「Glenn, the two thousand Longbow cavalry shall gather usable items such as banners and shields captured from the Holy Knights, receive the necessary number, and stand by before the mountain pass!」

「Ha!」

「The other five thousand cavalry shall stand by behind the bow cavalry as the main force; the two thousand cavalry led by Mars, Aral, Danke, and Isaac shall also join the main force and be under Takuhir-sama's command!」

「「「「Yeah!」」」」

「The main force shall descend the highway after the vanguard has departed and lay in ambush at the designated position; take care absolutely not to be discovered by the enemy! The one thousand residual unit shall retreat to the base after the battlefield cleanup is done; in addition to guarding the entrusted cavalry horses and prisoners, maintain the supply materials. If immediate withdrawal is not possible, you may abandon a portion of the captured goods!」

The Commander's instructions flew in rapid succession, and everyone hurriedly began to move.

「Takuhir-sama, I leave the main force and the two thousand infantry unit acting as the assault unit in your hands. I will lead the Longbow cavalry and lure the enemy soldiers out of the castle.」

At those words, I nodded tensely. Because this operation's lifeblood is timing, and the role the main force I lead must fulfill is extremely large. Even during preparations, the enemy army is moving moment by moment. While watching that, the Longbow cavalry led by the Commander solemnly departed for the front, crossed the mountain pass, and moved toward the west side. After seeing them off, we too commenced action.

「Following the assault unit already lying in ambush ahead, the main force will also enter the Cain Kingdom and conceal ourselves! Everyone, dismount and follow in an orderly manner, weaving through the shadows of the forest!」

「「「「「Yeah!」」」」」

Taking care not to raise dust clouds, we too solemnly crossed the mountain pass and began moving toward the east side, weaving through the forest. The rest is whether the enemy will move as assumed...

※

The two thousand cavalry led by Weiss, while hoisting the banners of the Holy Knights, moved out of the Royal Capital of the Cain Kingdom as if pursuing the one thousand Holy Knights moving west. The missions imposed on them were three.

·         To approach the pursuing enemy army without being detected as an enemy.

·         To commence the attack at a timing where the enemy main force moving northeast and the enemy remaining in the Royal Capital are at a distance where they cannot detect it.

·         To whittle down the fighting strength of the target of the attack without completely annihilating them, push them toward the Royal Capital of the Cain Kingdom, and make them send out reinforcements from the Royal Capital.

In executing this operation, if they fail to assess the timing, all the setups will collapse. Therefore, Weiss gradually closed the distance with the one thousand cavalry of the Holy Knights while carefully assessing the respective distances and times. And finally... He opened his eyes wide, drew his sword on horseback, and spurred the entire army.

「From here on, a simultaneous volley while overtaking them; come out on the west side and push them east while semi-encircling them! Listen up, absolutely do not hit the baggage train; we need them to carry the bait right in front of our next prey, after all.」

Those following, instead of answering verbally, each readied the Longbow they held in their hands.

※

The one thousand cavalry of the Holy Knights that departed the Royal Capital of the Cain Kingdom, despite being composed entirely of cavalry, were moving west slowly. It was only natural; a baggage train fully loaded with supply materials plus the wealth plundered in the Royal Capital of the Cain Kingdom was accompanying them in a long line.

「Even so... how far did those guys who went ahead go?」

「They're probably absorbed in the hunt and hurrying ahead anyway. It'd be nice if there was prey left by the time we arrive, though.」

「Even so... moving accompanied by a baggage train makes one impatient with how slow our feet are.」

「Fufufu, much of this is our wealth plundered from the Lute Kingdom. If you think of it that way, it shouldn't be a hardship.」

「Certainly... right. Hm? What is that?」

From the right rear of their field of vision as they spoke, the dust clouds raised by thousands of cavalry horses and the military banners hoisted by the cavalry running at the vanguard could be confirmed.

「Dust clouds from the rear! It seems the allied forces that set out earlier have caught up!」

「Did they finally finish their hunt and join us? Those guys, I was worried they might get absorbed and go all the way to the national border ahead of us.」

One of the commanders leading the Holy Knights let out a sigh of relief towards the allies who had finally joined them. However, the allied forces catching up hurried ahead without slowing their speed in the slightest, making it look as if they were going to slip past beside them.

「N-No way... they are going ahead again to hunt on their own...」

「E-Enemy attack!」

「W-What did you say! What were those guys who went ahead doing!」

Amidst the echoing screams of the commander, the enemy hoisting the banners of the Holy Knights bathed them in a simultaneous volley of arrows as they overtook them, and dashed past one after another.

「P-Protect the wealth at the very rear! Do not let them take it. Each of you return fire while surrounding the very rear!」

Yes, the very rear was fully loaded with the wealth they had thoroughly plundered. Treasures and gold coins that had slept in the Royal Palace of the Cain Kingdom, a massive amount of wealth thoroughly plundered from the mansions of nobles in the Royal Capital, merchants, and the populace...

「T-The enemy numbers are too many! There seems to be double our number. We cannot fully protect it at this rate!」

「Tch, then fall back for now! Temporarily retreat to the Royal Capital until allies return! Those hyenas, we will annihilate them later! Request reinforcements from the guys remaining in the suppressed Royal Capital too!」

Following those instructions, the one thousand cavalry of the Holy Knights hurriedly began to fall back.

※

The Holy Knights, while protecting the baggage train, laid out a crescent moon formation and gradually began to fall back along the path they came. Against that, Weiss laid out a goose-flight formation, and deliberately did not sever their retreat path or circle to their rear to attempt an encirclement and annihilation.

「Listen up, do not mistake the degree; it will ruin everything if they route. While maintaining distance, continue to appropriately pressure the enemy!」

Following those instructions, the Longbow soldiers continued to unilaterally attack from horseback while maintaining a safe distance. It did not deal fatal wounds to the heavily armored Holy Knights, but it was sufficient to force them to bleed while gradually prompting their retreat.

※

And then... a while after battles opened, a report informing them of the crisis of their allied forces also reached the garrison entrusted with the Royal Capital of the Cain Kingdom.

「Reporting! The enemy soldiers that the main force of the Holy Knights was pursuing earlier have returned once again! Their number is approximately two thousand; they are currently attacking the transport corps heading towards the national border!」

「What happened to those who went out to pursue!」

「They are nowhere to be seen; it seems they chased after them in the wrong direction.」

「Tch! Those reckless boars who don't know war, are they not even aware they lost sight of them because they were absorbed in the chase? From here on we too shall sort out with our entire army, and eradicate the thieves aiming for the offerings to God!」

Upon saying so, he immediately opened the city gates of the Royal Capital, and the general entrusted with the defense of the Royal Capital sortied leading nearly four thousand soldiers, which was almost the entire army. This was because he calculated that against two thousand enemies, with a total of five thousand, a fighting strength more than double, they could secure a victory for certain. Besides creating an overwhelming difference in numbers, there was one more thing that pushed their backs and prompted their decision. That was the massive amount of wealth the Holy Knights were taking away. Originally, when the Lute-Vile-Cain Kingdom split into three countries, each country achieved its own unique growth.

Lute Kingdom: Due to constant skirmishes with the Istoria Imperial Kingdom over the national border, industries centered around the military aspect, including mobile ballistas, to protect the long border line developed, as well as livestock farming, including the pasturage of cattle and horses which, unlike fields, can be moved; but above all, there were rich mines scattered throughout the country to the extent that the Istoria Imperial Kingdom attempted invasions time and again.

Vile Kingdom: Surrounded on the left and right by brother countries, and with little worry about defending national borders, they proceeded with land reclamation and developed primarily in the agricultural aspect. In addition, since they bore the responsibility of defending the border with the Empire from olden times, they enriched defensive weaponry using various ballistas, but compared to the neighboring countries on both sides, they lacked prominent industries, were inferior economically, and were in financial straits.

Cain Kingdom: Because there was less imminent military threat compared to the other brother countries, commerce developed and they focused on commercial transactions with other countries. Due to this, they had become outstandingly wealthy financially among the three countries. Therefore, the nobles of the three countries unanimously entrusted their assets to the merchants of the Cain Kingdom and gained wealth by having them manage it. As a result, the Cain Kingdom became the commercial and financial center of the three countries, and since major trading companies also placed their headquarters there, they stood one or two steps above their brother countries in economic power.

So to speak, only the Vile Kingdom remained a traditional agriculture-based country, left behind from the wealth. That was also one of the reasons the former King of Vile envied other countries, but this is another story. Due to such circumstances, massive amounts of gold coins and treasures slept in the Royal Palace's treasury, the mansions of great merchants lined the Royal Capital, and gold coins and goods were piled high in their storehouses. And the Holy Knights plundered the majority of those. Although the Royal Palace's treasury was split evenly, it is no exaggeration to say they almost monopolized the wealth of the Royal Capital. Therefore, their baggage train was loaded with wealth equivalent to hundreds of thousands of gold coins. This was an unpleasant story for the subordinates of Lugner and Azel. And... it was even more unpleasant for those to be recaptured by the defeated remnants of the Cain Kingdom. It is no exaggeration to say that they sortied in order to partake in the share of the disproportionate wealth held by the Holy Knights.

※

Receiving the report that the city gates of the Royal Capital were opened and nearly four thousand soldiers, combining cavalry and infantry, had come out, Takuhir, lying in ambush within the forest, floated a smile of satisfaction.

「Now then, the luring out of the military force remaining in the Royal Capital, which was the most difficult problem, has succeeded. All that's left is for us to block their return path and unleash the second and third stages of defeat in detail! Entire army, prepare for sortie while lying in ambush!」

Saying so, he grasped the reins of his beloved horse and mounted. Then, he informed the person standing beside him.

「Communicate to the infantry unit concealed near the Royal Capital! 『After we strike out and secure the city gates, recapture the emptied Royal Capital.』 With this, the Cain Kingdom will also be liberated shortly.」

「Ha!」

Staring at the back of the running messenger, Takuhir calmly watched the progression of the battlefield. From here on, the second and third stages of defeat in detail will begin.

-----

Thank you for my Patrons !!

[Platinum]

-

[Gold]

B random

Nepheos

[Silver]

Corey Hicks

Creris

Frédéric Bertrand-Hudon

Jake Seagraves

Matthew Fraser

Tbaum56

Xavier O'Donoghue

[Bronze]

Anton Lim

Baelee

Christopher Feliciano

Ctdela

Curious Panda

nick nasca

SD Fox

Sébastien Dionne

Z

Read Advanced Chapters only on my Patreon

-----

<<Prev << ToC >> Next>>

Read More

[WN] Sweet Herb Laboratory : 14

The Beginning of Winter and Cold Prevention 3

The back of the royal castle was surprisingly spacious. It was unexpected that the grounds extended this far back. Beyond the backyard, which had a well and a washing area, tall trees grew thickly. There seemed to be many evergreens, so despite it being winter, many trees still had their leaves, and perhaps because of that, the area was dim.

Passing through a small path that ran windingly through them as if sewing them together, the sky suddenly opened up wide. Right before my eyes was a medicinal herb garden with lush green leaves.

「Amazing! I didn't think it would be this spacious.」

It was probably more than double the size of the Jilgista Kingdom's. The medicinal herbs we use are not self-sufficient, but there are many that we use frequently or grow for the sake of research.

「Are the necessary medicinal herbs here?」

「Yes, because it is a popular medicinal herb.」

The target medicinal herb was in a place recognizable at a glance. I proceeded there while sometimes crouching down to observe the medicinal herbs' growth status. It is a well-maintained medicinal herb garden.

「This is it.」

「This is?」

Beyond Ashren-sama's puzzled gaze was a medicinal herb in a half- withered state. Its height was about up to my waist, and its large, reddish-brown leaves were hanging down heavily.

「This is... a medicinal herb often used for cold medicine, isn't it. Primarily, the flowers, and then the seeds are used.」

The medicinal herb that blooms in summer and bears red fruit in autumn will wither in one year. Therefore, it needs to be pulled out and replanted with new seedlings in early spring.

「What we will use are the leaves and stems. They can be broken easily by hand, so let's pick as much as we can carry with the leaves still attached.」

When I placed both hands as close to the root as possible and lightly twisted it, the stem easily broke off with a small snap. Next to me, breaking them one after another, Ashren-sama also put his hands on the stems.

On the way here from the knight order, my scarf, which he had wrapped around himself again, looked like it was getting in the way of his work a little.

「If the scarf is in the way, I will hold it for you.」

「No, it's warm, and I would like to borrow it if possible.」

He somehow seemed to like it. Even though it was a cheap thing I randomly bought in the port town before coming here.

My arms were soon full of medicinal herbs. Holding them, we returned down the path we came from and headed to the well in the backyard.

「Ashren-sama, I would like to borrow a rather large pot, but where is the kitchen?」 「You're doing it here, not in the laboratory?」

「Flora and the others are using the laboratory, and doing it outdoors is more convenient for various reasons.」

Saying he understood, Ashren-sama took me to the kitchen. There, we fully boiled water in a large pot fifty centimeters deep that we borrowed, and then carried it to the backyard together with Ashren-sama.

「As for the reason we didn't do it in the laboratory, I think you will understand soon.」

Having him place the pot directly on the ground, I tore the leaves and stems of the medicinal herbs, which I had washed while the water was boiling, by hand and put them in. Then, I boldly mixed it with a borrowed ladle. As I stirred the ladle round and round, the hot water turned a copper color. And, as that color deepened,

「Ugh, what is this pungent odor piercing my nose.」

「This is the reason we did it outdoors.」

The back of my nose tingled at the smell, which was like alcohol boiled down even further. Before long, our eyes should start stinging as well.

「Ashren, Layla, what are you doing in a place like this?」

「Director!」

Since when had she been there? The Director, holding documents in both hands, was looking this way while pinching her nose from a short distance away.

「I am making a cold prevention medicine. Why are you here, Director?」

「The direction for the new medicine came into sight, so I came to consult with Reizan for a bit. I heard you say cold prevention medicine, but is that it?」

The Director came over while still pinching her nose and peeked into the pot.

「Ah, it will hurt if the steam gets into your eyes.」

At my words spoken in a fluster, the Director and Ashren-sama simultaneously stepped back a few paces. I also moved upwind before beginning to roughly mix it with the ladle once again.

「In the Jilgista Kingdom, this medicinal herb grew wild everywhere. If you enter a forest just a bit, it grows in clusters, its blown seeds grow freely in the corners of fields, and in the countryside, you can see it all over if you walk along the ridges between rice paddies. How is it in the Kanista Kingdom?」

「It is very similar in this country. I hear that commoner children pick the flowers and fruits and take them to the medicinal herb wholesaler to help supplement their livelihood.」

Since it's a neighboring country, that aspect doesn't change much. Because the temperature is higher in the Kanista Kingdom, the time when the flowers and fruits grow might be slightly different, but it's probably only a margin of error of about a month.

「Alright, it is done.」

「It is already done?」

「You only boiled it, didn't you?」

The two of them widened their matching ice-blue eyes. Looking at them like this, they really are mother and son; their expressions look very alike.

「Yes, all that is left is to bottle it and we are finished.」

「It really is easy. What about the temperature when boiling, or the ratio of water to medicinal herbs? From the looks of it, I think you were making it quite roughly.」

Ooh, as expected. He is observing closely. Yes, that is exactly the good point of this medicine.

「It is a rough estimate. The ratio of medicinal herbs to hot water is about one part medicinal herbs to five or six parts hot water. As for the leaves and stems, please tear them to about half the size of your pinky finger. Because we use the broth, if you make them too fine, they will get mixed in when transferring it to a bottle.」

If it is too fine, you will have to go through the process of removing the leaves and stems when transferring it to a bottle. There is no particular fixation on the size, nor is there a need to make them uniform.

「Next is the boiling temperature, but water that has boiled and cooled for two or three minutes is just right. If it has cooled down too much, the components won't extract easily, so it is fine to reheat it with the leaves already inside. However, please be careful, because if you make it with boiling water, the scum will float to the top and it will become useless. The boiling time is about ten minutes, and when this kind of color appears, it is complete.」

「It is so rough that it is unimaginable from your usual recipes, Layla.」

「Really, it is like a cooking recipe. With this, anyone can make it easily.」

Yes, that is exactly it, Director. That is a good comparison. While a professional chef would measure the ingredients precisely, most home cooking made by a mother is done by eye. The reason it can be made with that same sense lies in its method of use.

-----

Thank you for my Patrons !!

[Platinum]

-

[Gold]

B random

Nepheos

[Silver]

Corey Hicks

Creris

Frédéric Bertrand-Hudon

Jake Seagraves

Matthew Fraser

Tbaum56

Xavier O'Donoghue

[Bronze]

Anton Lim

Baelee

Christopher Feliciano

Ctdela

Curious Panda

nick nasca

SD Fox

Sébastien Dionne

Z

Read Advanced Chapters only on my Patreon

-----

<<Prev << ToC >> Next>>

Read More