713 - - 21-25 Fritz and Gloria
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Gloria's survey team from the Kingdom of Klein arrived at the village of Zeo three days later, on January 5.
All the heavy equipment was carried by <
It is a little early in the day, but the team decides to camp here for the day to rest the horses.
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The team members were working in shifts, setting up the tents and preparing meals.
"Captain, tomorrow we will be in uncharted territory.
"Well, Gloria, how are your people doing?
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They are all fine!
Bernardo, the captain, inquired about the condition of the female knights, and as expected of Gloria's chosen ones, there were still no problems.
"Well..." said Bernardo. What about Shoro, Mister Fritz?"
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He is taking good care of us, sir.
For the four female knights, including Gloria, this was their first experience of a long march, and Fritz Randle, Major of the Shoro Expeditionary Force, was concerned about them.
"Well. Without him and his golem, the march would not have been so easy.
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Even a warhorse is slowed down if it carries a load other than a knight. However, the giant golem
"Is there any inconvenience, Gloria?
That evening, Fritz appeared to Gloria and the other female knights as they were preparing dinner. He was carrying a small bag in his hand.
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"Hello Fritz, I'm used to it, but my men seem to be a bit puzzled.
Gloria, who had been checking the march records with her second-in-command, stopped, turned around and replied.
"I see. I'm used to this kind of encampment, but I guess a female knight doesn't have much experience.
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He then held out the bag in his hand to his second-in-command.
"What is this, Mister Fritz?"
the deputy asks as he receives the bag.
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"It is a tea that has recently become popular where I come from. Unlike the Koohe and Theeje teas, it will not make you light-headed at night. Well, give it a try."
"Oh, thank you."
The deputy thanked Gloria for her help and with a wave of his hand Fritz went back to his tent.
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"Well, Mister Fritz takes good care of you. He is a good man.
"Yes, he is."
The deputy shakes the bag, listens to the sound, and looks inside.
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"Oh, it smells good.
It's what's called hojicha. It's low in caffeine, which means it won't make you feel light-headed even if you drink it before bedtime.
"Shall we drink it tonight?"
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"Yes, I guess so."
Meanwhile, the captain, Bernardo, is having a meeting with his guide, Roland.
"So you are sure that there is a village two days' walk east of here?
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"Yes. It is probably the descendants of refugees from the Kingdom of Selroa, who make their living by collecting honey.
"Hmm, honey."
Bernardo had a sweet tooth and inwardly licked his lips at the word honey.
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"Yes. I think we can still find some citrus fruits this time of year.
"I see, that should help with the food shortage a little. And the path is clear?
"Yes, there are only a few footprints, but you won't get lost.
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The two-day trip was on foot or by wagon. Since we were going on horseback this time, we could shorten the trip to one day.
"All right, let's get some rest early today and get an early start tomorrow.
Bernardo is about to leave the tent to tell the whole survey team, when he suddenly stops and smiles.
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"No, I must calm down a little more."
Bernardo found himself a little excited at the thought of finally entering the land of the former Leonard's Kingdom.
The next morning, the group woke up before dawn, had a quick breakfast, and set out for the east. It was around 6:00 a.m.
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The distance to the village of Ugong was about 80 kilometers. It would take about six hours to reach the village of Ugong, at a speed of a little over 13 kilometers per hour, using the horse gait method called hayashi.
The horses will have to rest along the way, and of course, so the journey is expected to take eight hours.
Are you all right, Mr. Roland?
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Yes, I'm fine.
Roland is the only one who is not a soldier, and the knights are concerned about him. Roland has experienced forced marching in the peddling trade many times, so he is able to keep up with them.
The group moves forward in the morning sun across the reddish-brown earth. Five giant golems lead the way, their shadows long.
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After two hours, the sun has fully risen and it is getting warmer.
"All right, let's take a break!
Bernardo, the leader of the group, gave the order.
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The group dismounted and drank water. The horses began to eat the grass growing around them.
"Well, as Mr. Roland says, this road is a good example of how little fodder is needed for the horses.
The area was covered with a kind of grass similar to pasture grass.
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The grass, which resembles clover, has nectar-filled flowers and is a good source of nectar for the bees.
"Gloria, are your men all right? They are more urgent than ever.
Fritz, who had been walking with
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"Ah, Mister Fritz, yes, I see you're still all right.
"Good, that's good. The horse's fast walk is different from the normal walk, because it is very bumpy. It can be very tiring if you're not used to it. Sometimes it helps if you stand up in the stirrups and absorb the shaking with your knees.
"Thanks for the advice."
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And so the group continues on again.
The third break is almost noon and lunch is served at the same time.
One of Gloria's men was saying that he had no appetite, probably due to fatigue.
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Then Fritz shows up.
"......Yes, of course. Give her this to drink.
He said and held out a water bottle to Gloria.
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"What's this?"
"It's april juice, or rather grated. Even if you don't have much of an appetite, this will help you get through the day."
"...... thank you."
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Gloria thanked the knight and offered it to her knight, who seemed to have lost her appetite due to fatigue and horse sickness.
"I'm sorry, sub-commander,...... but I really don't have an appetite," she said.
"I know, but you can't keep it up if you don't eat anything. Just try putting something in your mouth."
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"Yes. ......"
The female knight's eyes lit up as she took a bite of the grated après-ski.
"...... delicious ......"
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"Well, if you feel like it, you can drink it all."
"Thank you ......."
The knight lady drank all of the grated après-surprès from her canteen.
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"Well then, I guess I can make it through another half of the day.
"Yes, thank you for your concern.
"I can count on you, Mr. Fritz."
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"Yes, indeed."
Gloria muttered to herself, and the adjutant next to her agreed.
After a short rest, the group headed east again.
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A river about 50 meters wide blocked their way. It was the Erme River.
The river starts north of the village of Kaina, flows south of Kaina, forms the border between the former Kingdom of Leonard and the Kingdom of Klein, and empties into Lake Cedrolia, south of the capital city of Alban.
From there it changes its name to the Torres River and joins the Asur River south of Esair, the capital of the Kingdom of Selroa, to become the Naudaria River, which flows into the sea, one of the greatest rivers on the continent of Laurent.
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"How do we cross it?"
Captain Bernardo asked Roland. Roland checked the topography of the area before answering.
"Yes, there is a ford a little upstream from here, and you can cross on foot in this season.
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"I see. I see. I'm glad I brought you.
The group went about 200 meters upstream.
The river was twice as wide, but the water was shallow, 50 centimeters deep at the deepest point.
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"Okay, let's let <
Fritz said and went with <
The water is definitely shallow. The water was only up to <
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"Okay, follow Mr. Fritz!"
And so the group entered the former Leonard's Kingdom.
About ten animals appeared before their eyes.
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They were herbivores with long curly hair, about one meter long.
"Oh, that's a she-pa! Please hunt a few of them if you can!
Roland shouted.
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The herbivore, called a she-pa, looked much like a sheep.
"I'll take care of it!"
Fritz, the leader of the pack, mounted his horse and headed for the herd. He drew his longsword and decapitated four of them in a flash. The rest ran away in a panic.
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"Is that good?"
Fritz comes back, wiping the blood from his sword.
"Yes, that's enough! Captain Bernardo, can you drain the blood and carry it away? If we bring the shepherd with us, I am sure he will be welcome at the Wu Gong settlement.
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Bernardo was not incompetent enough to heed this advice.
"Yes, I understand.
He orders his men to remove the blood. The bloodstained pelts are washed and cleaned with river water. Goliath carries the extra baggage.
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We have lost about half an hour, but it is nothing compared to how much smoother the negotiations will be.
The group once again set out to the east.