107 the course of an expedition (1/2)

The carriages carrying the vanquishing party go out of the capital through the main street of the capital. It was not without a sense of appeal, but it was simply the only road that could accommodate a large carriage. When I glanced out of the carriage, I saw the usual variety of tribes watching the procession from the roadside with eyes that were neither admiration nor contempt. Hopefully, I'll be greeted with applause and praise when I return.

The carriage is going in a different direction from the way to the city. The ride is very uncomfortable. The younger Mathis, Martin and Boris seem to be doing better, but the older guys, Sandro and I, are complaining about our backs and asses, and Frederica is complaining that her ass hurts. I didn't touch her too much, because that would be s*xual harassment, if there is such a concept in this world. I'll get him a cushion or something later.

There was a break before the sun passed the mid-heaven. We hurriedly got out of the carriage and stretched ourselves. I heard a thumping sound in my lower back. It was quite painful. There was a river nearby, so we fetched water by ourselves. There are many soldiers in the river. Some of them were washing their faces downstream.

Upstream, Marius and his men can be seen. It seems that they, too, are having a hard time traveling in a horse-drawn carriage with chains suspending their cabins. He is rubbing his waist. I wonder if it would be better if the carriage had plate springs. Comparing the previous world and this world, it is not my intention to spread the technology because it is the first technology.

I go back to the carriage, cut some dried meat out of the luggage, and take a bite. I'm not going to do any physical activity today, so I'll just chew on this slowly to quench my hunger, and that should be enough to last me until dinner. Outside the carriage, the others were doing the same. But Miss Frederica, who was currently in the carriage, hadn't said a word. She is looking over the inventory of the supplies.

You're not going to eat anything, are you? You might get carriage sickness, but it's better to eat something. If you're too hungry, you won't be able to think straight.

I forgot to bring it, sir.

”I forgot to bring it,” I asked, and Frederica said without hesitation.

Is this your first time in this kind of work?

Yes, sir. Normally I calculate the amount of taxes collected.

Normally you work at a desk. You're still young, so I guess you didn't think that much of it.

I cut off another piece of dried meat and offered it to Miss Frederica.

”Young people need to eat properly.

No, no, no, no, no. It'll mess up Eizo's consumption schedule.