Ch.61Third Escape (2)

As soon as I woke up, I carved a mark on the rock.

Counting them, I realized I had been stranded on this uninhabited island for well over 120 days. I’ve endured for an impressively long time.

By this point, not only my uniform but even my underwear was starting to fall apart. The smell was another problem. Though I washed my clothes regularly, without soap it wasn’t very effective.

That’s just how life on a deserted island is. I have to accept it.

“…so, I was thinking we should celebrate the passing of the year.”

“You mean a year-end party?”

“Yes, a year-end party. I couldn’t think of that word.”

I wanted to object. We’re fighting for survival every day, and you want to have a New Year’s party?

But thinking about it, it’s not a bad idea.

In island survival, mental strength is just as important as physical strength. Even a modest celebration would greatly boost morale.

“Sounds good. Let’s do it.”

So we focused on gathering food.

Plants and berries were everywhere, so that was covered. The important thing was meat. We invested two full days in hunting.

We captured five or six squirrels, three rabbits, two deer, and one wild boar. We caught more than a dozen birds as well. It was a truly bountiful harvest.

“This is also thanks to the Goddess…”

The Holy Maiden paused her prayer and glanced at me.

“…thanks to the blessing of the Goddess and Jeriem.”

“Ms. Kasten?”

“Yes?”

“Is it appropriate for a Holy Maiden to speak like that?”

“I’m saying this because I am a Holy Maiden.”

“You sometimes say things I don’t understand.”

“It’s because of you.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“For a year-end party, I can’t only mention one religion’s blessing. The party is meant for harmony, right? I’m sure the Goddess will understand, just for today.”

I nodded. I also offered a prayer in the Holy Spirit style.

“Mage?”

“Since the noble Holy Maiden personally greeted our ancestor, it’s only right that I thank the Goddess as well, isn’t it?”

“Won’t they say something about this in the Magic Kingdom?”

“They will. They’ll say a lot.”

“Same for us. I guess we’re both heretics now?”

The Holy Maiden covered her mouth and laughed. Though she can be a bit silly at times, moments like these remind me that she’s fundamentally a dignified person.

While Riyo and I grilled the meat, the Holy Maiden and the Valkyrie prepared the vegetables. The Holy Maiden was especially busy because she also had to make stew. The reason was obvious—the Valkyrie was afraid of fire.

All sorts of ingredients went into the stew: herbs, berries, fish, meat, eggs found in nests, and more.

[‘It’s a hodgepodge.’]

[‘Isn’t it an eintopf?’]

[‘Looks like it. I’ve been eating it to the point of boredom for the past few years.’]

[‘That’s because the country mandated eating it at least once a month. It tastes good, but being forced makes me reluctant to eat it.’]

Still, this was a feast by our standards.

Where there’s food, there should be alcohol, but since we had no way to get any, we skipped that.

Originally, we planned to build a large bonfire, but since the Valkyrie was afraid of burning or exploding fires, we decided to substitute with a different event.

As early evening fell and darkness began to descend…

“Thank you for waiting.”

I gathered igneous magic stones and began my performance.

“Fireworks show!”

The Valkyrie blinked. She and the Holy Maiden had a conversation.

“What is the magician trying to do?”

“He says he’s going to show us fireworks.”

“Are you crazy?!”

The Valkyrie tried to run away immediately. Riyo blocked her path.

“Superior! That’s an order! Let go!”

“Hey, this is different from regular fireworks. Nothing explodes. Nothing at all.”

“Then how is that fireworks?”

“It uses luminescent stones and heat lines. If they were exploding fireworks, monsters would hear the noise and come running, right? This is quieter than a car engine, so you can just enjoy watching.”

“I still don’t want to!”

“This is a spectacle you can only see in the Magic Kingdom.”

While the two were arguing, I picked up the first magic stone and threw it into the sky. When it had risen high enough, I chanted a spell.

[“Light the way.”]

Heat lines spread out.

A soft light extended in all directions. The first ray of light spread in yellow, forming the shape of a sunflower.

Next, milky white flames created a white lotus, and purple flames formed a chrysanthemum. Various colorful magic stones adorned the night sky.

“One star for magnesium, one star for potassium, one star for sodium, sodium…”

“It’s so beautiful! I wish I could take a picture. Don’t you think so, Major?”

The Holy Maiden nudged the Valkyrie’s waist. The Valkyrie, who had been trembling so hard she could barely breathe, cautiously raised her head. And then…

“Wow…”

She was also amazed.

“They really are fireworks that don’t explode.”

“And they don’t make any sound. Aren’t they beautiful? It’s like flower buds blooming in the night sky.”

“And mo-money. This could make money. Since they’re not dangerous fireworks, if we make them lightweight and market them to children…”

I’m glad. All three of them seem to like it. The fox seems a bit off, but that shouldn’t be a big problem.

Anyway, the preparation was worth it. The year-end party on the deserted island concluded in a relatively comfortable atmosphere.

I hope that by this time next year, citizens of both countries can celebrate the year-end together.

***

After the modest year-end party, the four people prepared thoroughly and boarded the lifeboat. It had been a while since they last set sail.

“What if the fog brings us back here again?”

“We’ve already captured someone claiming to be a technical advisor to the Demon King’s army. Surely their leader can’t still be around?”

With that, the group departed for the next island.

And in the dwelling they left behind, a new shadow fell.

[“…”]

Rustle.

A spider monster emerged from the undergrowth. Black straight hair and red eyes. The upper body resembled a beautiful woman, but the lower body was in the form of a spider.

The monster looked around, glanced at the sea, and snapped its fingers. The mana it had been concealing was released, creating a wind.

The monster stretched out its hand while staring beyond the horizon.

[“Shoot.”]

Swish!

Threads spurted from the monster’s hand.

Those threads instantly covered the camp. The purification facility, beds, and even the signal device were all wrapped in threads and gathered in one place.

The monster continued its spell.

[“Split.”]

Simultaneously, the ground split open, creating a huge pit. Seawater flowed into the gap.

The monster waved its hand, dumping all traces of civilization into the pit.

Boom.

The pit closed. Everything had disappeared without a trace.

Then the monster took out parchment and a quill. She moved around as if taking a stroll, wiggling her four pairs of legs.

Scratch, scratch.

[-Record from the 28th Army. The 3rd Army suffered devastating damage and has effectively been disbanded. The specific cause is under investigation. End.]

The letters recorded on the parchment glowed and scattered into the air.

And at the same time, the monster also vanished.

***

Magic Kingdom Joint Chiefs of Staff Headquarters.

Air Force General Tedman Giford’s personal office.

“Attack the Elf Nation? Are you out of your mind?”

Tedman slammed his desk and exploded in anger.

“The war with the Holy Spirit Kingdom isn’t even over yet. What reason is there to provoke the elves who are minding their own business? What idiot came up with this idea?”

“It’s the Supreme Leader’s decision.”

“I’ve never seen such a lunatic!”

“Are you insane?”

Adora replied while chewing bubble gum. She made a throat-slitting gesture with her hand.

“Dad, if it were any other officer, this would happen immediately. I’m giving you one chance because you’re my father. Watch your words. Otherwise, losing your position won’t be the end of it.”

“Go ahead and try to strip me. With Dietz missing too, let’s see how the Southern Command operates without me.”

“Do you really want to see blood?”

Shing.

Adora drew her stabilizing sword and pointed it at him. She twisted her face into a fierce grimace. Tedman pointed at her in shock.

“Has this girl gone mad? You dare draw a sword on your father?”

“Before I am your daughter, I am the Supreme Leader’s hunting dog. Let me ask you again. What do you think of the Supreme Leader’s decision?”

“Put that sword away.”

“You’d better answer first.”

Adora pressed the sword closer. Tedman glared at her. He had always thought his daughter’s condition was abnormal, but not to this extent.

“Fine, go ahead and plan that operation. Losing the war won’t be the end of it.”

“On the contrary, don’t we need to destroy the elves who are supplying weapons and money to the Holy Spirit Kingdom for our mages to win this war?”

“Is that what that person said?”

“Watch your—”

“Adora.”

“Yes.”

Tedman stood up.

“As you know, Pinar is a maritime nation. The ones in power are not Wood Elves but Water Elves. They’re extremely skilled in naval warfare. They’re not opponents that we, with our army-focused military, should provoke.”

“No, we have unmanned drones and an invincible submarine fleet. Our magic stones have been sufficiently improved, giving us a technological advantage. How well can those who just play with spirits fight in a real war?”

“Don’t underestimate the enemy, Adora.”

“Father, you’re the one underestimating our soldiers.”

Adora sheathed her blade. She wrapped her chewed bubble gum in tissue and threw it away, then gave a small bow.

“I didn’t come to discuss this but to inform you. We’ll be fighting on two fronts from now on, so please pay attention to troop deployment. Yes, that’s all.”

With a clunking sound, his daughter disappeared from sight.

Tedman collapsed into his chair.

“Huh.”

His blood pressure was rising. He never expected to receive death threats from his own flesh and blood. He couldn’t even blame his aide for this.

“What am I going to do with that girl…”

Look at this. She didn’t even properly throw the tissue in the trash.

Tedman picked up the tissue himself, grinding his teeth.

“I’ve warned her so many times not to chew gum while on duty… Huh?”

Tedman’s eyes widened as he unfolded the tissue.

“…Blood?”