“Has everyone overslept today? Or are we the late ones?”
“In a certain sense, it’s the latter.”
“What happened?”
For a brief moment, Clarisse’s expression turned pensive. While only a subtle change, it was rare to see her hesitate in Altina’s presence.
“The recon party returned a moment ago.”
“Eh?”
“By recon party, you mean the scouts from the north?”
Altina gave a sharp nod in response to Regis’s query.
“All reconnaissance carried out at this fort is on enemy forces to the north. Our main duty is monitoring the situation of our neighboring countries and barbarians. We send recon parties into enemy countries at approximately one-month intervals...”
The Beilschmidt territory shared their northern border with the grand duchy of Varden.
Varden was a nation belonging to the Germanian Federation. It was constantly embroiled in civil war with some federation country or another, and had initiated hostilities with Jerome’s border regiment on a number of occasions.
Moreover, in the sea of trees that lay between the two countries were a number of barbarian settlements.
They varied in size from small tribes of a hundred or so to larger congregations of a thousand strong. Many in their numbers were the region’s aboriginal people, but tales had also spread of citizens abandoned by the empire and federation slipping into their midst.
Both were foes the border regiment needed to be cautious of, and, had the results of northern recon indeed come in, this was an important matter of which every last detail needed to be reported to the commander.
Altina tapered her lips.
“...Sir Jerome is the one receiving the report, isn’t he?”
“Yes. A soldier came here to inform him of the party’s return. Once he learned of the margrave’s absence, he headed for his bedchamber to retrieve him. The officers made for the plaza to hear the report, too.”
That soldier had not come to Altina. Her room was just down the corridor, and yet she had been bypassed entirely.
While a torrent of rage consumed her heart, Altina managed a composed expression.
“Breakfast can wait.”
She was off for the door before she had even finished.
Clarisse gave a deep bow behind her, Regis hot on her heels as she hastened to the plaza.
✧ ✧ ✧
There were a great many officers gathered before the front gate at the plaza, the rank-and-file soldiers forming a circle from which they observed at a distance.
Standing at the very center of the sphere of people were Jerome and five men.
The margrave stood straight with folded arms as he listened to the report. The men crouched before him wore cloaks and shouldered swords, giving the appearance of wanderers seeking adventure. Their faces were gaunt and unshaven, completely devoid of spirit aside from the faint glisten in each man’s eyes.
They were the recon party, the man speaking its apparent leader.
Beer and raisins were presented to honor their work, but they went untouched. These men had spent a harsh month-long journey in enemy territory for this report, and that alone had been their driving force.
“—and that is everything to report about the grand duchy of Varden.”
“Hmm... So they’re gathering soldiers.”
“So it would seem.”
“Are they going to attack again? Or is it another civil war... Mn?”
Jerome’s eyes flitted toward Altina as she parted the crowd to approach.
Regis, meanwhile, had to stop outside the flock. He very much wanted to avoid trudging behind her like a faithful attendant and inviting any unnecessary hostilities.
Those of the recon party made grim faces upon Altina’s arrival. Overlooking her as little more than a decoration, they had begun their report in her absence; but she was their commander by title, and was as high-born as they came. Rubbing her the wrong way could bring down imperial wrath.
The commanding officer stepped forward.
“Commander... let me start my report again—”
“That’s quite all right. Carry on where you left off. As long as Sir Jerome heard, I’m sure he’ll report the matter to me in detail.”
“Gaha! I’m reporting to you? Go back to the dining hall and chew on your ham.”
“...I’ll settle that matter with you after hearing the recon report,” she stated firmly.
Altina’s spirit did not waver in the face of Jerome’s intimidation. They were like two swords, scattering sparks as they clashed. Even the intrepid recon party members swallowed their breath.
The report continued on Altina’s urging.
“Ahem... Next is on the barbarians of the forest... There was a large-scale, inter-tribal war going on when we were conducting reconnaissance.”
This caught Jerome’s attention.
“Hohoh, among barbarians? Small skirmishes between tribes are common, but large-scale warfare is quite rare.”
“Yes. Furthermore, it seems at least three tribes have united to form a coalition.”
“Those barbarians, who only know how to kill and steal, have learned to speak politics? Are they really barbarians?”
“I would have to assume so from their equipment and how they fought. Among them was a conspicuously strong warrior who moved like a monkey, leaping from foe to foe and offering a swift end to each. Such strength alone was enough to change the tide of battle.”
“Hohoh...”
Jerome smiled bravely at the appearance of such a troublesome foe. Was this characteristic what had earned him his title as hero and the adoration of his soldiers?
Altina listened silently. If she interjected as freely as Jerome, the report would hardly progress. He asked a few questions, almost all about the barbarians, considerably interested in this monkey-like foe.
Once the report had come to its conclusion, Altina finally spoke up.
“...There were twelve of you when you set out.”
“Y-Yes.”
“How did they pass?”
“We lost three to barbarians, two to illness, one lost his footing on the mountains, and another strayed into a blizzard.”
“I see...”
Altina nodded and closed her eyes. A moment of silence for the dead.
Both the officers and soldiers radiating outward from her position quickly fell silent as all sound vanished from the fort.
Eventually, she opened her eyes.
“...Thank you for your service. Please have a good rest.”
“Yes... Your Highness... Snff...”
The five surviving men all shed tears as they were swept by waves of remembrance, looking back on their journey and their comrades lost. They gave a deep bow before receding into the crowd.