Chapter 65 (1/2)
This happened the day after the War Tribe came.
The mornings of Mora and the other behind-the-scenes workers of Jiiteias Castle begin very early.
Today also she slipped out of her bed right before dawn.
After quickly was.h.i.+ng her face and changing, she headed first towards the kitchen. As Head Maid, it is her responsibility to light up the hearth, which can be said to be the heart of the kitchen.
By the time she had finished the preparations for breakfast together with Anna and the former magic soldier trainee boys, the sun had already peeked over the horizon.
Next, Mora brought a bucket filled with newly boiled water and a towel to the main tower.
It is rare for the castle lord Gio to get up by himself. The job of waking him up and helping him get ready is something that Mora never leaves to anyone else.
The stew and bread left over from last night would be their breakfast for today.
On days with nice weather, the servants and soldiers bring tables and benches out to the central courtyard and eat there. The adventurers ard castle lord take it in the hall of the main tower.
Mora and the four dark elf sisters eat only after servicing the castle lord until he finishes his.
At the beginning, Gio was troubled about the treatment at mealtime that he wasn't used to, but after the girls put their foot down and refused to budge, now he's used to it.
After breakfast got cleaned up, then it was time for laundry, cleaning of the interior of the castle, and maintenance.
Laundry is mainly left to the former magic soldier trainees, Log, Teru, and Daya.
Sheets, tablecloths, towels, underclothes, and the like are gathered from all around the castle and thrown into a huge laundry bucket, which is then filled with detergent made of lye and then either stomped or struck with a laundry stick.
Though it is the dry season, the water from the well still proved to be quite cold, causing the young boys' hands to turn red.
”How long do we have to keep doing this kind of thing anyways?”
”I know, right.”
”Ehh? But I think we're being treated really, really well though……”
The vigorous leader Log grumbled out loud, at which Daya, the young girl burning with hatred against Shadow Demons expressed her agreement. Then the timid Teru chided them both, completing the pattern that had been repeating quite often recently.
”But I mean, we left the Training Facility to come here to learn how to make golems, right?”
”It's already been 2 weeks, and all we've been doing is just ch.o.r.es……”
”It, it can't be helped. Margils-sama looks to be really busy too……”
”That's right! Gio-san is very busy!”
Mora roughly musses up Log's black hair, as his hand that was brandis.h.i.+ng the laundry stick had gone still.
”Wa-, stop it please!”
”We've only just moved into the castle, so everyone's still busy, alright?”
”Uu……”
With a red face, Log tried to protest, but he was no match for Mora, who was admonis.h.i.+ng him like an older sister. In actuality, he is 12, and she is 14, so they're only 2 years apart.
”But don't worry, all of you are still very much on Gio-san's mind. Before, he said to me that ”I feel very sorry that I can't seem to make the time to look over those kids.” He hasn't forgotten about you all.”
”Is, is that so……”
”And compared to the Training Facility, this place is way better!”
”That's right! So move your hands! Once the laundry has been hung up, you all can take a break until lunch preparations!”
♥♦♣♠
Lunch for today turned out to be bread, bean potage, sausage, and boiled egg.
With a practiced hand, Anna smeared plenty of b.u.t.ter on the bread, and Mora distributeed the potage into bowls. A few of the dark elf sisters came back and helped the young boys with the setting.
”Mm? Ojou-sama, isn't the amount today more than usual?”
”It's already been like this starting from yesterday's dinner.”
As the eldest sister Aruga wasn't informed, Mora filled her in.
Per the castle lord's instructions, Leid and the War Tribe members that have been garrisoned in the castle since yesterday were also going to be given food same as everyone else. Which meant 11 more portions for every meal.
”Ehhh, we're going to give food to those people also?”
To Aruga, these people who accused her Oluri of being a Shadow Demon were practically enemies. She puffed her cheeks in displeasure.
”Yes we will. Because if we don't get along with the War Tribe people…… with everybody in the world, then we can't win against the Shadow Demons!”
”Uu…… I understand, Mora ojou-sama.”
With a smile on her face, Mora continued heaping bread and sausages onto a large plate. The dark elves of course knew their Oluri's goal, so Aruga also help out, despite still feeling reluctant.
♥♦♣♠
War Tribe members do not often get to stay in proper cities or inns.
They are frequently chasing Shadow Demons through the wilderness, or cornering Demonists who have burrowed into society.
Therefore, their camping and cooking skills are as well-developed as their fighting techniques. Their equipment is also fully a.s.sorted.
The tents that were set up in a corner of the courtyard inside Jiiteias Castle were made by first erecting a light, durable wooden frame, which was then covered by large pieces of leather that had been painted over with unique animal fat. With this set up, they are firm, have great insulation, and are also quite s.p.a.cious inside.
But that's from the point of view of the War Tribe members with normal body sizes.
The large-bodied Head Warrior Leid who is more than 2m in height is looking extremely cramped as he folds his body to exit the tent.
”...... What a weird feeling.”
He mutters to himself while looking around the courtyard that seems so empty beside the long, st.u.r.dy castle walls.
In the middle of the courtyard illuminated by warm sunlight, there are young boys and girls hanging up white sheets and clothes. Bright, high-pitched voices belonging to children reverberate in the air.
When he looks towards the castle gates, he just happens to see the three youngsters who were recently conscripted returning from their marching training.
Even while being lectured by a middle-aged warrior about something or other, they make their way to the well, where they upend water over their heads and let out satisfied shouts. None of the things that come to his mind when he thinks about soldiers or warriors can be seen here — no harsh shouting, no disparagement, no tension, nothing to be tenacious against, and most of all, no anger.
For him, 'fighting' is solely a means to destroy Shadow Demons, and training means constant enduring while vomiting blood and burning with rage. And whatever else it is, it is not the scene in front of him.
Nearby, the other War Tribe members are earnestly going about their daily tasks, such as maintaining their weapons, but it feels like they are the ones who are out of place here.
The lord of this castle had also publicly declared that he would fight against Shadow Demons, but Leid cannot see any indication of that intention in this place.
”Head Warrior, all of us have completed our inspection.”