Rebirth in a Ruined Nation! The Life of a New Strategist Starting From Now - Chapter 109

The Hogbeck Territory (4) – Drew ‘Activate’

It was our third day at Wickharlt’s house. In the morning, I was woken up by Opa-san’s voice.

“You can’t! You’re going to die if you do that!”

Hearing those words, I hurriedly went to the front door, where the voice came from.

There, I saw Opa-san holding Drew’s hand, trying to stop her from leaving. Drew seemed to have the intention to leave the house even if she had to drag Opa-san along with her, but unfortunately, she ended up not moving because she wasn’t strong enough.

“Drew. What happened?”

“Perfect timing. Roa, I want to return home so can you give me a horse?”

“Go back home? You mean to the capital? Why so suddenly?”

“Obviously it’s because I have something I want to make, duh,” Drew answered as if it was a matter of course.

“We’re going home in a few days, Drew, not now.”

“If you won’t give me a horse I’ll walk there,” Drew said while her back toward me.

“She keeps saying that and trying to leave!” Opa-san said with a troubled expression.

“Why is it so noisy this early?”

“What’s going on?”

The twin arrived while yawning, followed by everyone else.

I took the role of stopping Drew from leaving and explained the situation to everyone.

“What a hassle.”

“You. It’s not good to be selfish.”

The two of you didn’t deserve to say that, but anyway…

“Identical faces, shut up. Your voices are too loud, it’s running the perfect design in my head.”

“Roa, can we beat her up?”

“Hold her like that. I’ll grab my morningstar.”

No, you can’t beat her up! Seriously, why were the two of you always so easy to jump to violence!?

“If you don’t mind, how about you use the workshop of a craftsman in the town? I can make the arrangement,” The considerate lord of this territory a.k.a Wickharlt’s father offered.

“I can’t trouble the craftsman on a holiday like this,” When I refused, Drew began to say something outrageous.

“No. I need proper equipment so I have to go home.”

“Drew! You’re being rude!” Lapilia-sama said while softly hitting Drew on her forehead.

“Drew. You’re troubling everyone. Apologize.”

After being scolded by Lapilia-sama, Drew, for the first time said, “I’m sorry…”

Lapilia-sama let out a small sigh.

“How about going to Lieze Fortress? There’s a military fortress there so you don’t need to trouble anyone.”

Drew’s eyes immediately light up.

“Sure! Let’s go!”

“Wa..wait! Tonight is New Year’s Eve so you should relax today…” Wickharlt’s mother quickly said, but Lapilia-sama shook her head.

“Drew won’t be able to wait until tomorrow so we’ll just leave now. We’re planning to go to Lieze Fortress tomorrow anyway, so it’s fine. The other should stay here just like the original plan.”

“I can’t just let you do the work, Lapilia-sama so I will also–” 

“Listen. I told you before that I took my year-end leave earlier than everyone else’s so half the reason I’m here is for work. If you come with me Wickharlt won’t be able to relax because he’ll be worried. Roa, resting properly is also your job!” said Lapilia-sama.

I have no other choice but to listen to her.

“Well then, we’ll be going ahead. See you at Lieze Fortress. Sir Hogbeck, Madam, Opa-san, Cecilia, thank you for your hospitality. I’m sorry for the rush. See you later.”

After saying that, Lapilia-sama left the house, taking Drew with her.

***

Despite the trouble in the morning, Lapilia-sama was right that we had to enjoy our vacation properly. Otherwise, it would be disrespectful to the Hogbeck family who had offered us warm hospitality.

We went sightseeing in the Hogbeck territory with Opa-san and Cecilia. Although the wind was cold, the weather was good.

We also visited Howarth Ranch. There, we were given warm milk and we spent the time chatting with the horse breeder that spent the new year at the ranch.

The hot milk with honey warmed our cold bodies.

While we were chatting, Aro seemed to be having fun reuniting with his good friends.

After that, I took some time to talk with Cecilia.

“For now, I’m too busy with my duty in the 10th Division, so I have no intention of starting a relationship,” I told her honestly.

“I’ll respect your wish, but since you’re not saying you already have a lover, that means I still have a chance of making you fall for me, right?” Cecilia replied and I chuckled.

Cecilia was a good woman. It was my own little secret that I thought it was a shame I ended up turning her down.

At night, a few minutes before midnight, we all went outside with our glasses in our hands.

The clear night sky was full of beautiful stars.

Not long after, the sound of bells rang out.

“Happy New Year!” Wickharlt’s father said, and we all toasted to the night sky.

Finally, I had arrived at the year when Rudek was destroyed.

***

T/N: In Japan, it’s a tradition for a bell in a temple to be rung as the sign of a new year, like the new year ball drop in the USA