A while after leaving the village.
We’re currently resting the horses in an open area beside the road.
…But, there’s hardly any conversation.
It’s incredibly awkward.
Neil-san occasionally looks my way, but when I try to make eye contact, he hurriedly averts his gaze.
Did I do something wrong?
Worrying about it won’t help, so I’ll initiate the conversation myself.
“Neil-san, how about we sit down and take a break for now?”
First, let’s sit down.
The grass is soft and dry, so it shouldn’t be a problem.
I sit down in seiza first.
T/N: Seiza is a traditional Japanese way of sitting on one’s knees with the buttocks resting on the heels. It’s considered a formal and respectful way of sitting.
“Ah, yes. — That’s a rather unusual way of sitting.”
He seemed relieved when I spoke to him.
It seems he felt awkward too.
“It’s a sitting style called seiza. It keeps your back straight and feels good.”
I thought that it would be better to reduce the strain on my back since we’ve been riding horses.
It can be quite taxing if you’re not used to it.
I’ve only ridden a few times in the village.
“Seiza, is it? I’ll try it.”
Neil-san tries to imitate me and sit next to me in seiza.
“O-ow, my knees hurt. A lot. But it does make my back feel straighter.”
He doesn’t have to force himself to sit the same way.
He’s really grimacing.
But, the fact he can sit properly in seiza means Neil-san must be quite flexible.
Um, what should I talk about?
I think I read in a book in my past life that it’s good to ask questions that are easy to answer or bring up a common topic in times like these.
Okay.
“Um, Neil-san, about our first destination…”
I decided to lightly bring up the topic for confirmation.
Neil-san must have also disliked the silence, as he immediately responded.
“Yes, first we’ll enter the town of Raza and register you with the Garcia Soldier Guild.”
An unfamiliar term came up.
A soldier guild, huh?
Garcia is the name of this country.
The Kingdom of Garcia.
The fact that it’s included means it’s state-run?
“Forgive my ignorance, but what is the Soldier Guild?”
“Ah, my apologies. The Sword Saint-sama did tell me to explain things starting with general knowledge.”
It wasn’t necessary since I lived in the mountains.
It can’t be helped.
It’s definitely not that I’m dumb.
Well then, let’s ask Neil-san a lot of questions.
“Teacher, please guide me.”
“T-teacher? I’m not that great… Well then, Katia-san, are you aware of the founding of the Garcia Kingdom?”
I know a rough history.
But do I need to start explaining about the soldier guild from there?
“I believe the Garcia territory, which was one of the eastern territories of the Dao Empire, was the center of the movement for independence, right?”
I should probably at least remember the general geography of the countries, shouldn’t I?
The Dao Empire largely controls the entire western region of this continent.
In the central region, there’s a Beastman country in the north, the Garcia Kingdom near the center of the continent, an Elf country to its south, and further south, a Dwarf country.
It’s like a clump of countries running north to south in the central region.
This unnatural distribution of countries is the result of being pushed by the Dao Empire, which seeks to expand its territory.
The eastern part of the continent is undeveloped, and in the past, the central part was also an undeveloped area with many monsters.
The human sphere of influence was concentrated in the west of the continent.
The Dao Empire apparently intentionally spared and drove non-human races to the east, taking the developed land later.
I think that the lack of cooperation between the non-human races during this time was also a result of the Empire’s constant efforts to divide them.
However, the situation changed drastically when the Garcia territory, which was part of the eastern territory of the Dao Empire, raised a rebellion.
“Yes. In the Garcia territory, people who opposed the Baal faith, the state religion of the Dao Empire, gathered together and formed an alliance with the other three countries, achieving independence. That was about one hundred years ago.”
The eastern territory was the frontline of invasion.
Not all humans would be completely devoted to religion, and if they kept doing the same thing as robbing the lands that others had opened up, there would be those who would feel guilty and wear down their hearts.
I can understand the feelings that led to such a decisive action as independence.
However, there are also things I find strange about the situation.
“They were actually able to form an alliance, right? This was during a time when humans were considered the enemy, wasn’t it?”
Due to the exclusive nature of the Baal faith, it should be hated by other races.
It was also a time of war, so the impression would have been the worst.
“That’s true. However, every country was exhausted from opening new territories to secure their living space and from failing to defend against invasions. In such a situation, the Garcia territory prevented the empire’s invasion twice, and accepted many refugees from other countries, regardless of race. Through this, a unique multi-ethnic nation was born, in an era when the continent itself was divided by race. Other countries, having seen the attitude and defense capabilities of the Garcia territory, accepted the alliance. This is how the anti-Empire alliance of the four countries was finally established.”
I wonder how the Garcia territory was able to defend against the Empire’s attacks, but that’s another story.
It seems there was already a underlying tendency to promote friendship between races, taking the Baal faith as a bad example.
The alliance of the four countries consisting of Garcia, Beastmen, Elves, and Dwarves continues even now.
The Dao Empire is so powerful that it can maintain its national power even when opposing these four countries.
Neil-san continued with his explanation.
“Let’s get back to the original topic. Most of the population of Garcia, which was formed as a nation, consisted of refugees who were tired of war. Even though they were accepted as refugees, they couldn’t easily shake off their distrust of the human race. Thus, Garcia faced a shortage of soldiers in proportion to its population.”
That may be natural considering the circumstances.
Since trust is low, if they became soldiers, wouldn’t there be suspicions that if they weren’t human, they’d be treated as disposable or assigned to especially harsh places on the battlefield?
“So, that’s where the guild comes in.”
From the way the conversation is going, that seems to be the case.
“Yes. Since there was no miraculous solution to instantly resolve such emotional issues, they decided that instead of military service, which is an obligation, it would be better to make soldiering a business, since the country’s credibility was low. If guilds were established in various places, it would also prepare for monsters.”
They’re stimulating desire through the promise of high rewards and simultaneously offering a sense of security by not making it compulsory.
Refugees are likely in need of money, and depending on the rewards, they will probably take the job.
The fact that you can refuse military service based on your own decision is quite amazing, isn’t it?
“So, would that be considered a temporary soldier?”
“Yes. It seems there were a surprisingly large number of people willing to accept being treated as temporary soldiers or mercenaries if the rewards were sufficient.”
The only good thing I can think of is that the cost is low, since there are few standing soldiers.
A disadvantage would be that the skill level of the soldiers might be an issue.
“Were the troops actually able to maintain proper order on the battlefield?”
“Although it has been the case since long ago, even now, the minimum required military training is conducted regularly by each guild. Participation is not mandatory, but there are many participants because there is a reward for that too.”
Is that really okay?
It must be okay, since this country still exists.
Seeing that my questions had stopped, Neil-san transitions to a detailed explanation of the guild.
“Outside of wartime, the state or feudal lords may also refer mercenaries for work when soldiers are needed. It’s often related to monster extermination and maintaining public order. There are ranks for soldiers. Those with higher ranks get a higher base reward, and in the case of mercenaries, it becomes an indicator of credibility for personal requests from merchants and others. Restrictions might be placed on requests depending on the rank. Furthermore, there are preferential treatments such as tax exemptions. It’s up to you whether you choose to accept them or not. However, those who receive tax exemptions must always go to the battlefield.”
It seems they are allocating most of the budget normally used for the military to the guild.
I can sense a tendency where the military of this country is structured around prioritizing morale through rewards rather than order, by creating a ranking system and fostering competition.
In addition, it seems that even ordinary citizens can place a request through the guild as long as they pay the reward.
“Given that history, even now, the majority of soldiers who can be mobilized in times of emergency in our country are categorized as temporary soldiers or mercenaries. The national department that manages them is the Soldier Guild. Temporary soldiers and those in the mercenary business are obligated to register here. The national army and the armies of the various territories are also registered here to centrally manage all soldiers.”
We’re going to register there now, then.
I see, hearing about the guild has solved one question I had.
The power of the national army is not very strong, so that’s why it’s important to gather support in the current struggle for the throne.
Even though it’s a monarchy, it seems the power of the people is great in this country.
At the same time, new questions arise.
Knowing this background, it seems to me that the First Prince Edgar, who is so devoted to the Baal faith, has no chance of winning… Even considering the founding of the country, it’s strange.
What intentions could the nobles who are supporting him have?
Hmm.
“I understand the soldier guild. By the way, how will I be treated? Am I a soldier of the national army?”
As someone who has been summoned, it’s hard to think I’d belong to any other group.
“I think it’s certain you will be part of the national army. Since there is a letter of introduction from former King Spike to be given to the guild, I don’t think you’ll be a regular soldier, but… I don’t know the details.”
Neil-san says while crossing his arms as if he’s thinking.
“Then, I guess we’ll just have to go and see. I made you give me a long explanation, didn’t I? I’m sorry… No, I should say thank you. Thank you very much.”
“No, I apologize for having you go to the trouble…I’m sorry.”
He seems to be referring to the stiff atmosphere we had until just now.
He seemed normal when we talked, and he doesn’t seem like the type of person to create walls.
If so, then.
“Is there a reason for that?”
It seems better to ask sooner rather than later.
For the sake of the future.
“Actually… I have an older sister, and…”
The conversation is going in an unexpected direction.
An older sister?
“What is it?”
When I asked him again, he scratched his cheek as if he was embarrassed.
“It’s embarrassing to admit, but since I was a child, we’ve always had a relationship where I’m kind of bossed around by her. My sister looks like she has a strong personality, or rather, her eyes have a look of being feisty… Because of that, when I see a woman who seems like she has a strong personality, I get intimidated.”
Hmm, in other words.
“It’s because my face looks similar to hers, that was why you were so stiff?”
I may have slightly tsurime eyes, right now?
T/N: “Tsurime” eyes are slanted upwards at the outer corners. This eye shape is often associated with a sharp or fierce look.
I’m trying not to think too much about my appearance.
Because I had a sad experience in my past life.
In my past life, I thought my looks were around average, but I was completely unpopular.
…Unpopular.
Self-evaluation tends to be lenient, doesn’t it?
When I mustered my courage and asked my cousin, who was visiting our family, to rate my face (high, medium, or low), she said,
“Low-medium! I don’t dislike it though!”
…I cried.
I cried even more from the follow-up.
Low-medium is like a reserve for ugly!
“Ah, um, did I make you feel bad?”
Oops, I remembered something unpleasant.
“No, I don’t mind it.”
Not that topic, anyway.
“I’m sorry. I’ve been rude to you since we met… Katia-san’s demeanor is gentle, despite how you look, and I intend to understand that you are different from my sister.”
He said that his sister was just like her looks, didn’t he?
Does it mean that it’s okay for me to feel relieved that I’m acting like a proper woman since my demeanor is gentle?
“It’s okay. I feel relieved that I understand the reason.”
Neil-san must be a sincere person, having said something that was hard to say.
“Thank you… well, that’s not the only reason though.”
He spoke quietly from the middle.
But, I heard it perfectly.
What could be the other reason?
I’m curious!
“Is there anything else? Please tell me!”
Before I knew it, I had leaned forward, getting close to him.
Ah, too close.
I take a little distance.
Neil-san’s face turned red, probably from embarrassment, since I caught his quiet words.
“N-no! It’s nothing!”
“Why are you trying to hide it!? If there’s something strange about me, please tell me! I was raised in the mountains and I don’t know anything about the world!”
“It’s not something strange! It’s just… It’s my fault. I’m… not immune to beautiful women…”
?
Is he not good with women?
Is it because of his sister?
In the end, I didn’t get a clear answer.
Hmm.
“Well, it’s fine. Tell me someday.”
It’s postponed.
I’ll try to get the answer later.
“Ah, no… um… ha ha ha.”
His attitude only made me feel like he was trying to avoid it.
Oh, come on.
