Chapter 35: The Last Battle Part 7

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The roads around the royal capital were well maintained but as we went further away, the road quality gradually deteriorated. The carriage moved forward accompanied by a rattling sound. The trip to the Man-Eating Forest took 3 days but thanks to Captain Millie accompanying me, the first and the second days passed by without any problem. 

On the third day, we were finally drawing near to the Man-Eating Forest. The weather was bad today. The wind was strong so we camped earlier than usual and decided to depart again tomorrow early in the morning. We also needed to restore our energy after our long trip here. 

Every knight built their own tent and prepared their equipment for tomorrow’s battle. The sun was turning orange. At this rate, the sun would completely set in about an hour and half. Watching the setting sun made me feel emotional. 

In the past two days, I almost had no contact with Dietrich-sama. He seemed somewhat distant. Even as we were having our strategy meeting, the fact that I was now a member of the Fenrir Knight still felt like a dream. 

I felt lonely…. But I put that feeling in a jar and tightly shut the lid close. This was not the time to worry about that. I had to do the things that I could do. 

“Captain Millie, I’m thinking of cooking something warm again today too.”

“Ooh, I see. Last night’s vegetable soup was delicious. I’m looking forward to today’s dinner for sure.”

“Yes!”

On the first day, I made meat jerky soup and on the second day, I made vegetable soup. On the third day, I decided to make bean soup from my mother’s recipe book. I lined up the stones in a circle and made a simple stove by using tree branches to start a fire. 

I filled up the pot with water and then I added bacon, beans, potatoes, carrots and cabbages. I seasoned them with salt and pepper then I waited for them to slowly cook. I cut up the baguette bread and distributed the cut up bread along with the soup to Captain Millie.

“Captain Millie, how is it?”

“It’s delicious.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“You should share this with the Fenrir. I’m sure it must’ve been a while since they last had something warm like this.”

I was feeling a little embarrassed to bring this to them when the two of them had been eating meals prepared by a professional chef everyday but I decided to suppress the embarrassment I felt instead. 

“I will bring the pot. Magic Soldier Melodia, you bring the baguette.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Dietrich-sama and Gilbert-sama’s tents were quite far from us. It was pretty difficult to move around here since there were a hundred people camping.

If they were still having a strategy meeting, I’d just leave the soup here and return to my tent but it turned out both Dietrich-sama and Gilbert-sama were sitting in the bonfire. Their eyes looked vacant as they stared at the fire. It was clear to see they weren’t feeling well or to be precise, they were feeling down. 

“Good thing we brought this here.”

“Ye-Yeah.”

I received the pot from Captain Millie and went to the two of them.

“Dietrich-sama, Gilbert-sama.”

“Ah, Melodia. Do you feel tired?”

“No, I’m fine.”

“I see.”

“Sorry. We didn’t get many opportunities to talk before today.”

“No. It must be hard to lead a hundred knights, right?”

“Well, that’s right.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“Thanks.”

Our conversation was interrupted as Dietrich-sama stared into the bonfire again. Gilbert-sama didn’t even spare a glance at me. I knew it wasn’t because there was something wrong. The two of them were just feeling nervous because they were going to fight against the real Wolf Witch tomorrow. 

“Umm… Have you had dinner yet?”

“Yeah. I had some bread and meat jerky. Gilbert doesn’t have any appetite so he hasn’t eaten anything yet.”

Gilbert-sama’s situation was simply out of question and as for Dietrich-sama, bread and meat jerky definitely wouldn’t be enough to nourish me. It was good I brought this with me. 

“I made soup.”

The soup was already cold by the time I reached here so we warmed the soup again on the bonfire. As the soup reached its boiling point, the soup became muddy. Probably because of the potatoes in it. I poured the warm soup into a bowl and I also didn’t forget to include the baguette. First, I offered the soup to Gilbert-sama, who hadn’t eaten anything yet. 

“…….. I don’t have any appetite though.”

Gilbert-sama took the soup albeit reluctantly. Then, I offered the same soup to Dietrich-sama. 

“So this is the meal that Melodia made.”

“I’m still a beginner at cooking but I followed my mother’s recipe to the letter so it’s delicious.”

“Thank you.”

Dietrich-sama obediently ate it. 

“This is so delicious! Oi, Gilbert, you need to quickly eat them too.”

“No, I mean… Big brother, anything that Melodia-san made must be delicious to you, right?”

“That’s not it. Even though this is not something that Melodia made, it’s still delicious! Trust me.”

On the receiving end of Dietrich-sama’s retort, Gilbert-sama also started to eat. He looked listless as he carried the spoon to his mouth but the moment the soup went into his mouth, his eyes widened. 

“Th-This is… Really delicious!”

After he said that, Gilbert-sama began to gulp the soup down. He also ate the baguette that came with the soup. 

“What a mysterious soup.”

“This soup is my mother’s trump card.”

She’d always made it whenever my father was tired or when I didn’t feel well. It was a special soup filled with nourishment and my mother’s love. 

“Besides, the food that you eat outside always tastes better.”

“Hm. That’s true.”

In addition, the weather felt cold so this warm soup really hit the spot. Dietrich-sama and Gilbert-sama ate all the remaining soup in the pot. I could see the light returning in their previously vacant eyes and their complexion also looked so much better. Their mental strain must’ve decreased considerably too. Feeling relieved, I realized the sun was about to set.

“Ah!”

It was the usual seizure that I had when I transformed into a beastman.

“Melodia-san?!”

“It’s the sign of her transforming into a beastman. I’ll let her rest in my tent. Gilbert, tell Captain Toll that I’ll be taking Melodia with me.”

“I understand.”

Dietrich-sama picked me up and brought me into his tent. This was the moment I started to lose my consciousness.

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“Uuuh….”

“Melodia, are you awake?”

Dietrich-sama asked as he looked into me. I tried to answer ‘yes’ but I could only let out whining and barking sound. As usual, I had transformed into a beastman while I was unconscious. As I looked around my surroundings, I realized the tent I was in looked more high class than the tent we had been using.

The frame, extending from the ground, overlapped into the form of a circular house. This must be a simple house like the one that the nomad used. Futon and blanket was laid out on top of the soft rug. At first glance, this place looked luxurious like you were staying at the comfort of your own house. 

“Rest in my tent today. I’ve informed Captain Toll about you.”