Rebirth in a Ruined Nation! The Life of a New Strategist Starting From Now - Chapter 51

The Canned Food Project Team, Let’s Celebrate the Launch! 

“Suru-chan! Could you please get us another glass of mead and wine?” 

Suru-chan nodded and smiled as she accepted Sazabi’s order. She was undoubtedly delighted to see two handsome men. Of course, one of the two handsome men was Sazabi, and the other one was me… I wish! It was Wickharlt. 

Wickharlt appeared to be unfamiliar with dining out in town, so he continued looking around the place with interest. 

“The atmosphere here is quite different from that restaurant we visited in Gedland. Interesting…” 

I was glad to see Wickharlt having a good time. 

Wickharlt, like Frein, comes from an affluent family. I was startled when he told me he has a personal trainer who has been teaching him archery since he was a child.

I, Sazabi, Wickharlt, Nelfia, Diku, and Rufa were all at the Tranza Inn today. To put it another way, the canned food project team plus Wicharlt was here. 

Today was the day canned food would be launched to the public. Since the project would now be taken over by the country, I asked everyone to gather here today to celebrate and also to thank them for their hard work. 

In addition, we have an unlimited budget for today’s gathering since The King would cover all expenses. 

No matter how much we drink and eat today, it would not make a dent in the King’s fortune though. 

By the way, only I, Nelfia, and Sazabi knew the King would pay for today’s expenses. 

‘How about we throw a little celebration party?’ I said on my way to Drew’s room with Nelfia. When Nelfia submitted a report to the King, she ended up mentioning my exact remarks to the King, therefore it was decided that our party today would be paid by the King. 

I was curious how Diku, who had been ordering practically everything on the menu and doing nothing except stuffing himself, would respond if I informed him the King would pay for today’s meal. It would be entertaining to witness his reaction. 

“Wickharlt-san! Roa-san is a terrible person, you know! He wants to exclude just me!” 

While clinging to Wickharlt, the drunk Sazabi began to complain. 

“I told you I thought Nelfia was going to tell you,” I explained.

“Well, you should ask important questions yourself, Sazabi,” Nelfia said as she sipped her wine elegantly.

We were all talking about everyone’s future plans. 

Nelfia, as she had previously stated, would continue to be the King’s secretary as well as my subordinate. Now that I think about it, working as both the King’s secretary and my subordinate seemed a little confusing. 

Wickharlt, who has already sworn an oath to me, would undoubtedly continue to be my aide. Rufa, on the other hand, was already in charge of the pantry and the armory alongside me, even before working on the canned food project. 

While Diku, after speaking with Rays-sama, was officially placed under my command. He would now assist me and Rufa in handling the inventory of the 10th Division and accompanying me on the battlefield. 

As a result, Sazabi was the only member of the team who would leave. He chose to stay, however. 

I assumed Nelfia had already discussed everything with Sazabi. 

Sazabi didn’t say anything to me, so I figured he’d return to his original job as the King’s secretary, and Sazabi assumed Nelfia would return to her original job with him as well. 

When Sazabi learned that Nelfia would continue to work as my subordinate, he exclaimed, “Why didn’t you invite me too!?” 

“I know you’re busy, so I don’t want to add to your burden,” I replied

“There’s no way I’m leaving this kind of interesting job!” said Sazabi. 

As a result, Sazabi chose, or rather, insisted, on remaining. 

… Both Sazabi and Nelfia were skilled, so I was grateful they would stay to assist me, but was this just me, or was their assessment of me a little too…strange?

“Sazabi, you’re drinking too much,” Rufa scolded. 

“But, Rufa-chan, this guy was…” 

This time, Sazabi switched from Wickharlt to Rufa, incurring Rufa’s disgusting stare. 

Well, I was sure that Rufa was actually happy with the fact that Sazabi would remain with us though. 

“By the way, Roa-sama, What is your plan for the future?” Nelfia, who appeared to be completely sober despite being drinking wine, inquired. 

“My plan… For now, I just want to participate in the discussion on the road reconstruction project.”

“Is that it? or are you concealing something else from us?” 

Nelfia questioned me. 

Well, I did have a few things I hadn’t told anyone about, but I have no plans to share them just yet. 

Speaking of which, the 10th Division should be involved in two major battles until Rudek was destroyed. The battle would occur after the new year, while the second would occur shortly before the destruction of the Rudek Kingdom. 

The 10th Division would be involved in a number of other minor conflicts, but by the time of the second major battle, I wanted to have Rays-sama’s full trust, and then I wanted to ask for Rays-sama’s assistance. That should be my best bet in fighting Lucifal Veras’s betrayal. 

“Roa-sama?” 

Nelfia pulled me out of my thoughts. 

“Sorry. Speaking of plans, Rays-sama told me to join the new knights mock battle.” 

“Ah, it’s almost that time of year again. This year, I’ve heard that the 10th and 6th Divisions will be in charge of the mock battle.” (Nelfia) 

Every year, right before the snow fell, was the season of encounters and partings. 

At this time of year, the paperwork for knights departing the Order, whether due to old age, injury, or other reasons, was finished. 

It was also the period of year when new knights were admitted to the Order. 

The mock battle I was referring to was the first battle for the knights accepted into the Order. 

It was like a new knights’ welcome ceremony, a yearly event where the new knights would be deployed to the front lines for their first large-scale battle. 

In that event, the majority of the new knights would be beaten to a pulp by their seniors before being assigned to their respective divisions. 

Normally, two divisions, the 10th Division and whichever division was free that year, would be in charge of the mock battle, but this year, the 6th Division, which was now building the road, was chosen. 

It was an annual event that drew a large crowd and was a highlight of the capital at this time of year. I used to look forward to it when I was still just a court official. 

I never expected to be able to participate in the mock battle rather than simply watching it… 

With mixed emotions, I watched the drunk Sazabi, who was continually clinging to Rufa, get punched by Rufa.