A Peaceful Land of the Orcs (5.4)
Even with a coat on, it's this cold. If possible, I’d like to deliver some warm food as well. The potatoes loaded on this wagon are essential.
But the line isn’t moving much.
The grim-faced Field Military Police doesn’t signal for us to go. Everyone is stuck here at the foot of the bridge.
The engineers and infantry left on this side of the river seem to have had a tough time since last night.
This place was already off the main road.
Especially near the bridge, the riverbank is a muddy quagmire.
I understand well. Wagons can’t move easily in such conditions.
Over there, they’re filling holes, here they’re laying gravel, and over yonder, they’re covering it with wood. This is happening all over. Of course, the same needs to be done on the other side of the river. But it keeps raining. Before we know it, another wagon gets stuck somewhere.
Since the regimental supply corps ended up in such situations repeatedly, our division convoy has to transfer the cargo and deliver it directly.
What if my wagon gets stuck?
Normally, Quantz, who rides with me, would help, but he caught a cold and isn’t here today.
I’ll have to rely on the Orc soldiers.
Ah.
The Field Military Police gave the signal to go. Finally.
Three at a time?
Ah, I see. The pontoon bridge can’t handle too much weight at once.
It’s fine. I can do this. Believe it or not, I’m the best in the column when it comes to handling wagons.
—Taubert was not at fault.
Thus, for what happened afterward, he bore neither guilt nor responsibility.
One reason was that the rising water levels from the rain had loosened the ropes connecting the pontoon bridge.
Another was that the reinforcing wooden piles, recommended for long-term use of the pontoon bridge, had yet to be installed.
Yet another was that one of the wheels of the heavy supply wagon ahead of him had a lump of mud stuck to it, making it slippery.
Additionally, the load on that wagon had shifted slightly to one side.
And finally, on this particular day, Taubert had forgotten the gloves, a gift from his mother that he usually cherished, back at the logistics base, leaving his fingers numb with cold.
First, right before his eyes, the surface of the river shimmered, and the pontoon bridge swayed slightly. Under normal circumstances, this wouldn’t have caused any trouble, but the heavy supply wagon lost its balance and toppled straight into the river.
Everyone present was stunned as the collapse dragged all three heavy supply wagons on the bridge into the water.
Shouts of anger, screams, orders from officers trying to grasp the situation, and magic communications and messengers reporting the incident to higher commands filled the air.
Rescue operations began, but of the five soldiers on the bridge, one was unaccounted for.
—It was Taubert.
"Division exercises are suspended! Immediately suspend them!"
Inside the control tent.
Upon hearing the first report, Gustav Falkenhayn, who had been cheerfully playing with a giant wolf and chatting with those around him, erased his smile in an instant, stood up, and roared.
Dineluth Andariel was also present.
She was half-stunned by his sudden change in demeanor.
This was the first time she had seen Gustav like this, radiating anger.
"My King, however..."
Zebek began to speak but swallowed the rest of his words.
He understood how critical these exercises were.
Moreover, such incidents often occur during wartime. Even in peacetime.
Rescue operations had already begun on-site. Perhaps they could incorporate this into the exercise and continue in other areas—
"The General Staff may continue their exercises if they wish! But the division exercise is suspended. Gather all nearby units for a search! War is war! Peace is peace! In wartime, I must order my soldiers to die. But precisely because of that! If we lose soldiers due to the military’s negligence in peacetime, how can I face my subjects as their king? Suspend it immediately!"
"Yes, right away..."
There was no room for objection.
Zebek nodded and directed Staupitz to relay the King’s orders to all units.
—What on earth...
Perhaps, throughout the entire duration of these exercises, this was the moment that shocked Dineluth the most.
This King was strong.
Strong and compassionate.
Boundlessly compassionate and strong.
But the words and actions that followed also deeply shook her, enough to alter part of her worldview.
"Zebek. I will stop this rain. Do you mind?"
"At your command..."
Stop... the rain?
What was he talking about...?
Had she misheard a word or phrase?
Her mind was a whirl of question marks, but the King strode out of the tent.
Schwerin stood and followed, as did Zebek.
Driven by impulse, Dineluth also followed them.
What on earth...
"... It has been a while. Our King hasn’t done this in some time. I couldn’t help but want to witness it."
"Indeed. It hasn’t been necessary for quite some time."
What are they talking about?
"What, you’re still unaware, Dark One? Surely, you’ve already benefited from it."
"... What exactly are you referring to? What is our King about to do...?"
"Just watch."
Before their eyes, Gustav stood on the edge of a hill amidst the pouring rain. Soaked to the skin in moments, he remained still, gazing up at the sky.
Upon closer inspection, his lips were moving faintly.
It seemed he was muttering something.
It was clear it was a magic incantation.
Dineluth heightened her mana sensitivity to listen carefully.
—What is this?
It was something she had never heard in her life.
No, she couldn’t even be sure it was a language. At the very least, it wasn’t Lowland Orcish, nor was it Modern Arlbic or Ancient Arlbic.
It had a certain melody.
A faintly sorrowful resonance.
Like a lonely orphan crying softly, with nowhere to return.
Though she was hearing it for the first time, it carried such profound melancholy—
O’ Sun, O’ Sun
Please clear away this rain
O’ Sun, O’ Sun
Please clear away this rain
What do you think about this chapter?
