Chapter 10 (1/2)

“Thank you for the reception. I’ve returned. I pushed myself too hard, and I feel like I’m about to faint.”

Schera jauntily crossed the bridge and entered the castle while holding the stalk in her mouth. After everyone had entered the castle, the drawbridge was once again raised for defense.

“Welcome back Major Schera! How were today’s affairs?”

“We were hindered by a certain Lion. Their guard had become quite strict it seems, as one would expect.”

She recalled the unit carrying the Flag of the Lion that had gotten in her way. That young man who had fired sharp arrows at her. As she prioritized deflecting arrows that would inflict fatal wounds, she was unable to deal with one arrow. Luckily, she was uninjured, and it was just her armor that broke. When she had thrown a small sickle that she carried on her as payback, it was just barely avoided. He had true strength, good intuition, and he also wasn’t drawn into the ambush.

It appeared the Flag of the Lions was not for mere show. They were truly a troublesome enemy. She bit the stalk that had lost its taste in two, crushed it, and then swallowed.

“That is because Major Schera rampaged too much. Come, a meal has been prepared for you!”

Responded the soldier who raised his hand, directing her to the barracks.

“Thanks. Aah, before that: I have to get brand new armor. The shoulder part here is broken. You go first please.”

“Major, I definitely think you ought to get that treated, how about it?”

The anxious cavalryman was worried about Schera. He was the soldier who had presented her the sweet plant at the raid earlier. When Schera remembered that, she grabbed a small pouch from her waist.

“I’m fine. There are no injuries to my body. That aside, thanks for the food earlier. Use this and eat something you like.”

She took out a shiny gold coin. Forget a meal, one could eat as much as they liked for a week. At such excessive remuneration, the cavalryman was disturbed.

“U, under no circumstances. This is too much for me to take.”

“If you have a complaint, then go together with other soldiers. Unused money is meaningless.”

“But.”

“Fine. If you so vehemently refuse, I’ll throw it away.”

“W, wait please!”

When she gestured to throw it, the cavalryman hastily held out both hands. She threw it, and the cavalryman grasped the gold coin.

“Thank you very much, Major Schera!”

“Nothing of it.”

Giving the saluting soldier a backward glance, Schera hurried forward still atop her horse. She was so hungry that she was certain she would faint. No matter how much she ate and ate, her stomach would become empty again before long. Despite that, she did not gain weight. Just where did all the nutrition she ate go?

Schera didn’t know. When this did start happening? Maybe after that time when she ate that grim reaper thing? This was probably her just-desserts for giving in to her greed that one time. However, Schera thought this was more preferable to those times when she felt like she would die of starvation. She may not be able to savor the feeling of a full stomach, but she could abate the feeling of hunger.

Schera, presently, was very satisfied. She had become renown before she knew it, her stomach was a little more full, and she could have a meal together with her comrades. With just those, Schera was content. Other matters were unimportant.

She handed over her horse, and in the middle of heading towards the barracks, Schera was stopped by a voice calling to her.

“What’s the matter?”

“Sir, I have heard that Major Schera is looking for new armor. By all means, please use this! It is quite a gem.”

One cavalryman who was on house-watching duty presented a brand new armor to Schera. It was armor dyed jet-black. On the shoulders were carved white birds.

“What extremely nice appearance. The quality also looks very good. Where’d this come from?”

When asked, the soldier pushed out his chest and responded while hitting the armor with his hand, *kon kon*.

“Sir- I earnestly requested a civilian blacksmith employed by the military to make this. He was very hesitant at first, but when I told him you would be using it, his attitude took a complete about face. I think this armor is appropriate for the Major who is a match for thousands!”

“……Thanks. I’ll treat you to a meal sometime. Anyway, can I immediately try it on? I hope the size is good.”

“H, here. you mean?”

“What, is there a problem I wonder?”

“N, no. I will assist you!”

The damaged armor was thrown away, and Schera was actively putting on the new armor. ‘What’s going on, what’s going on?’ Curious onlookers around the area started to gathering, seeing as their fabled, honored Major was innocently changing in her underwear.

What was unfortunate was that she had not a shred of sex appeal. She had no curves to speak of. Her countenance was also bad. After quickly putting on the armor, the soldier in the spur of the moment even attached a bright red cape. Schera tucked her hair behind her ears, and then brandished her large scythe, carrying out various attack forms. She was testing out if the armor would get in the way or not.

The babbling soldiers reflexively gulped. Their superior officer slowly held the scythe over her head, and then cut the air, and the corners of her mouth curved. They, at that appearance, were lost for words in fear and awe.

“……No problem it seems. I’ll pay the the blacksmith compensation afterwards. I’m going to eat now, so if something comes up, come after I’m finished.”

A meal was more important than armor it seemed, and Schera left at a brisk pace. The soldiers around her that were watching, all of them, stood at attention and saluted.

“S-sir-! Understood, Major Schera! It looks great on you, really!”

“……?”

Schera had a dubious expression, but she silently left. The group members left behind exchanged glances and let out a deep sigh.

—-’I’m really glad I’m not her enemy,’ they thought.

Barracks Dining Room.

Schera was silently devouring bread, steak, corn soup, and vegetables.

The fragrant smells stimulated her appetite. She thoroughly chewed and slowly ate while relishing the taste. She was able to eat tasty food today as well. When she was eating, a smile would naturally leak out.

—-But then, boorish words were thrown at her.

“Excuse us for disturbing you during your meal! We are—-”

These two people who were standing still in front of Schera’s desk since a while ago, with limbs going numb, addressed Schera.

Of course they were aware that interrupting a meal was discourteous. But, significant time had already passed, and this illustrious superior officer had not even given them so much as a glance. Deciding that she wouldn’t mind if it was just something like a greeting, they dared to speak up.

Immediately, a loud, thunk noise was made, and Schera with narrowed eyes and no longer smiling was radiating bloodlust. The knife that was in her hand stuck out, deeply embedded, from the table.

The thing Schera hated the most, was to be interrupted while eating and slowly enjoying the taste.

In times like this, she would chew in supreme bliss to her heart’s content all the portions she excited in the middle of battle was unable to eat. To have this interrupted was akin to dashing water suddenly over her.

Just like the previous time when the military police interrogating her was about to be murdered, Schera’s aggression swelled many times higher than normal. This could not be described in any other way except as a flaw, but she herself had absolutely no intention of amending this it seemed.

“—-Silence. Can’t you see I’m eating? If you don’t want to be knocked out, then mute yourselves over there. If you insist on doing something else, I won’t stop you, so do as you please.”

“……P. please excuse me.”

“…………”

Schera once again started happily chewing. Only sounds of silverware moving remained at the dining table. Completely tense, the two of them had their hearts in their mouths. They did not want to tread on the tail of a starving tiger again.

—-Her meal would be finished… one hour after this.

“……Pardon the wait. So, what business do you have I wonder?”

Schera wiped her mouth with a napkin, gave thanks for the food, and turned her focus towards the soldiers. The two people standing rigid over there straightened themselves, saluted, and named themselves again.

“We were appointed this day to be adjutants for Major Schera. I am Second Lieutenant Katarina!”

“Similarly, I am Second Lieutenant Vander!”

“Ahh, you’re the guys Staff Officer Sidamo mentioned. I heard you’ve come to take over command in my stead. Let us cordially work together from hereon.”

Schera stood up and calmly saluted. Her stature was shorter than theirs’, but it appeared like the motivations they carried were different. In actuality, the two adjutants were somewhat overawed.

“N-not at all. The commander is you, Major Schera. We on the other hand will aid you to the bitter end.”

Katarina flusteredly corrected, but Schera shook her head sideways.

“I have not received any formal officer training. All I can do is swing my scythe to live. I have hope in you two. I leave the cavalrymen in your hands.”

“We will devote everything we have!”

“Very well. Then, I will return to my room so. If anything comes up, I won’t mind if you come. Except for when I’m eating, anytime is fine.”