Chapter 40 - Supply Issue?
The citadel interior was as moldy and dusty as I expected. Upon entering, I couldn’t help but cough. With every step I took, dust on the stone floor flew up. Furniture hadn’t been maintained well. Portraits and pictures on the walls were covered in a thick layer of dust.
Aside from Troturre’s patrolling soldiers, No servants or civilians were present. The population of this citadel was entirely military personnel. I hadn’t explored the town and the academy district yet, so I hadn’t t other ga characters. I wondered where they were.
"Woman, do you live like this?" I whispered to Lia.
"We... don’t have enough budget to hire maids. Also, we lack supplies."
"Supplies, huh? What supplies are you lacking? Provisions, equipnt, warhorses, manpower, or others?"
"Mostly rations and manpower. Three countries are simultaneously attacking us. We are spreading ourselves too thin to manage all the war fronts."
"Ah, rations and soldiers. By chance, are there many pottery artisans in your country?"
"We had a dozen. A few in this fortress too, actually. Why?"
I couldn’t stop smiling. "After this, arrange a eting for . I need to et the artisans."
"...Sure."
Lia seed reluctant. Obviously, she did not know what abilities I had.
I kept my ideas at the back of my head for now. We followed Lenitia to her resting quarters. Two knights in complete black armor, bearing Troturre’s lion emblem, were stationed at the entrance.
Usually, a princess like Lenitia would have kicked out of her room, but she invited in. Both Lia and I entered her bedroom.
However, as I walked past the knights, they glanced at , exuding killing intent. We closed the door behind us.
The bedroom was massive, covering at least 200 square ters. However, there were only three pieces of furniture: a working table, a wooden chair, and a king-sized bed.
Since those two must have been eavesdropping on our conversation, I gestured to Lenitia with my hands, pointing at the door, my ears, and my mouth.
Lia smirked and shook her head. Her eyes turned green, and her musou aura surged. A do manifested and sealed us in the room.
She explained, "No one can hear us. We can talk freely."
Lenitia nodded and gave a aningful look.
"Speak, Sir Crow. What have you noticed? What’s on your mind?"
Finally, Lenitia called by my na. I shrugged and told her the truth.
"Troturre sold you out to Choi Fraus. He tried to get rid of you and steal this fortress. Now that we’re back, he will soon send assassins after you. Expect our dinner to be poisoned."
Lia closed her eyes, but I could see her veins pulsing. Woman, I knew she was angry, but she should have kept her blood pressure low. So veins in her brain were going to burst.
Lenitia nodded. Her breath escaped in a soft, weary sigh. "I also thought about it too. I knew sothing was wrong with him, but I have no evidence."
Lady, the evidence was right in front of you. Troop allocation? Food stockpile in the barracks? Water? Embezzlent? Hello?
I facepald and advised her. "Did you or Troturre keep a ledger or a financial account?"
"No?" Lenitia tilted her head. "What’s a ledger?"
This woman... how stupid could she be?
"A financial record. You take notes of the budget you spent or allocated."
"Ah, that." Lenitia turned to Lia, but she shook her head.
Lia laughed dryly. "We left it in our traveling luggage, and... the ambush..."
I double-facepald. Why did they bring sothing so important and private to another country?
"So, you lost it," I asked to make sure.
"...Yes."
Yeah. Now I recalled why these two beca more of a liability in the later stages, unless the players were the ones in control, while other characters stole key roles in the future fights.
This wouldn’t do. I assud they had the intelligence of sixth-graders, and I was the only adult there.
"Alright. First things first. We will not join a banquet, a dinner, or take part in a festival held by that geezer knight, okay?"
"But what will we eat?" Lenitia asked. "I’ve had enough of the smoked hams. At this pace, I’m going to put on weight. I wanted so fruit."
I consoled her. "How about so dumplings?"
"Dumplings? What’s that?"
"The thing I fed you when you two were injured."
Lia’s eyes brightened. She patted my pockets and my sling bag, but she woke up Cow-Cow instead. He flew out of my shirt and sat on my head.
"CAAA! RUDE!"
The two ladies froze for a second. Lia unsheathed her sword while Lenitia’s face turned pale.
"A talking demon?! Crow, get away from that monster!"
Welp. This was why dieval people mistook crows and ravens for evil creatures, even though these guys were simply silly birbs with good brains.
"My boy is not a monster, ladies. He is my lifesaver! A benefactor!"
Lia sheathed her sword. Lenitia, however, still pointed fingers at the fat chicken. She pointed out,
"I thought there was sothing weird with your pet when we t. Now that I inspect it, it... has a musou core!"
I shrugged once more. Well, since it had been eating my food since day one, it might have evolved. It could spit fire for a reason. Even his third leg—ACTUAL third leg, not figuratively or a taphor—was freaking impressive. I once mistook it for sothing else!
I coughed and cut them short to steer the conversation away from Cow-Cow and his identity.
"Back to the main topic, I have a thod to fill your stomach and avoid Troturre’s poisoned food. Listen carefully."
Lia laughed at and gazed at my groin, "Fill our stomachs with what? Your milk?"
"No, you female dog. Listen to till the end." I looked around the room, but there was nothing for to destroy. Thus, I asked them, "Where do you usually keep vases, jars, or containers?"
"In the kitchen," Lia replied.
"Do a favor. Fetch several empty vases, jars, crates, or weapon racks. I’ll show you sothing."
The won looked at each other, confused.
Oh, dear. They would be in for a big surprise.
Lia pursed her lips and disabled the soundproof do around us. She opened the door and asked the guards.
"Her Highness needs so empty jars, vases, and wooden boxes. Go fetch so for her."
"Jars and vases? What for?"
"Won’s duty! Don’t question Her Highness!"
"...Understood."
The n hurried away, and Lia closed the door.
Minutes later, a team of five n carrying jars of water and empty wooden boxes entered the bedroom and put everything on the floor. They all glared at as though I was a weirdo. Then, they eyed Cow-Cow, who sat shalessly on top of my head.
After they were gone, I rubbed my hands and borrowed Lia’s sword.
"Soundproof, please," I asked her.
Lia nodded and generated a soundproof do around us. Then, I smashed one of the jars, ignoring whatever water was inside.
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