Chapter 130

Six days had passed since Leonardo enlisted as a new recruit.

During that time, nothing special happened to Leonardo.

And for good reason, because Leonardo was in the 'army.' It was a repetition of a set daily routine, training, and meals.

However, unlike the other new recruits, Leonardo secretly snuck out of the barracks every dawn to go to the royal palace. He checked the Future Diary and devised a way to get help from the Elves.

As an aside, the new recruit named 'Nar' became quite famous among the new recruits after receiving punishment during the roll call on the first day.

The reason he became famous was partly because he was late from taking a dump on the first day, but what made Leonardo even more famous was that he did 2,000 push-ups without a break during his punishment.

It was an incident that surprised not only the new recruits, but also the drill instructors, and even Instructor Max.

With the show of force that Leonardo—'Nar'—displayed from the first day, he was clearly remembered by everyone.

***

Five in the morning, in front of the new recruit barracks.

As I returned from the royal palace again today, Jereuth opened the back door of the barracks for me and said.

"Then, Your Highness, please go in."

There were soldiers on guard at the main gate, but not at the back gate. Jereuth had moved the guards elsewhere for my convenience.

"Yes, Commander. Thank you again today."

"Not at all. But... Your Highness, your expression has been a bit dark lately, are you not too tired from handling both training and state affairs?"

My expression is dark?

'Hmm... is it because of the Future Diary?'

Receiving recruit training was not difficult at all. Neither mentally nor physically.

However, since I was contemplating 'a justification for the Elves to help the Plank Kingdom' 24 hours a day, there was no way my expression would be bright.

'It seems that 'you can become family even if not a single drop of blood is mixed' is an important hint... but other than that, I'm not really sure.'

"No. I'm fine."

Even though I smiled and said I was fine, Jereuth did not immediately agree. Was my expression that dark?

But that was only for a moment.

Jereuth silently nodded his head.

"I understand. But Your Highness, if there is anything I can help you with, you must tell me."

"Haha, yes. I will."

"Then I will take my leave. I will see you this afternoon, during the mental education session."

Mental education.

Come to think of it, today there was an educational training session by Jereuth for the new recruits. The content of the education was... 'What is the Army,' right.

'It was also mentioned in the future closest to the present in the Future Diary. It said that from that education, 'I gained an important realization in running the kingdom'.'

As it was mentioned in the diary, it would be a quite important moment for me as well. But for now, I wasn't paying much attention to it.

My mind was filled only with the justification to make the Elves help the kingdom.

Creek—.

It was now time to become the ordinary new recruit 'Nar' again.

***

Five-thirty.

The drill instructors roughly threw open the barracks doors and shouted.

—"Wake up! Don't you dare slack off just because you're getting used to it! Get up, now!!”

At that voice, the new recruits woke up one by one. They all seemed to be in bad shape, perhaps exhausted from yesterday's particularly tough physical training.

“Ugh... I'm going to die. I really can't get used to this tired feeling in the morning.”

The new recruit using the spot next to me, Remond.

He spoke in a dying voice and glanced at me with a half-asleep face.

"Wow... Nar, you're really amazing. You've already made your bed? Aren't you tired?"

"It's just so-so."

"Just so-so... as expected of the beast who does 2,000 push-ups at once, a beast. Then since you're up, can't you do mine too? My arms really won't move."

Flail—.

Remond flailed his arms. It seemed he was trying to appeal that he had no strength.

"Your arms are moving just fine."

"...That's so mean, really."

Remond spoke in a drowsy voice and said while making his bed.

"Still, it's a relief that we have mental education this afternoon. If we had to run the training ground until evening today too... ugh, it gives me the creeps."

"You were dragged outside and punished for dozing off during the last mental education session."

"Such a mishap will never happen again. Today, I will sleep with my eyes open."

"...Alright. Good luck."

Remond, who was determined to doze off during the education session with his eyes open.

I nodded my head at him hesitantly and got up from the platform. There were about 15 minutes left until roll call, so it was about time to head out.

Although I'd been feeling it for several days now, it really hit me that I had come to the army.

***

Six-thirty in the evening, in the auditorium on the second floor of the new recruit barracks.

Watching the new recruits sit in their respective seats according to the drill instructors' directions, the training instructor Max thought.

'Commander Jereuth said he would be conducting the mental education himself today. Why is that... could it be because His Highness is here?'

The theme of today's new recruit education was 'What is the Army.' It was a mental education session before the start of the full-scale combat training next week.

And usually, he, a junior knight, had conducted that education.

'Everyone will be surprised when the Commander suddenly appears. The drill instructors probably knew in advance, so it'll be less of a shock for them—.'

As Max was thinking.

Clank—!

The auditorium door opened. Through the open door, fully armed knights, senior knights, entered.

Max was startled by the knights arriving earlier than expected and straightened his posture.

The first to enter was Vice Commander Hagen. The second-in-command of the military, who, though not as much as Jereuth, received considerable support from everyone in the kingdom's army.

"W-welcome! Vice Commander Hagen... C-Commander, you've come as well!"

As Jereuth entered behind Hagen, Max immediately changed his words. Even though he already knew they were coming, he became very tense when the big shots actually entered.

The drill instructors and new recruits were also tense. The auditorium, which had been somewhat noisy with chatter, became quiet in an instant at the appearance of the big shots.

—…….

The new recruits became like clams at the appearance of a powerful person they wouldn't even dare to look at.

—'It's... Commander Jereuth.'

—'T-to see him this close twice.'

—'Why did someone like Commander Jereuth come here?'

—'...He's so cool.'

All the new recruits, with their waists ramrod straight, were hyper-focused on Jereuth.

Even Remond, who had declared to Leonardo that he would definitely sleep with his eyes open, had his eyes wider than anyone else.

Thud—.

Jereuth placed his helmet on the podium at the front of the auditorium. Even that trivial, insignificant action felt dignified and intimidating to everyone present.

He was a living legend.

Watching such a Jereuth, Leonardo, who was sitting in a corner of the auditorium, thought calmly.

'For now, let's stop thinking about the Elves. The Future Diary said I learned something important during the mental education session... so I need to concentrate now.'

Jereuth scanned the new recruits in the auditorium. Then his eyes met Leonardo's, and with a slight, imperceptible nod, he began the education.

"New recruits, you are all working hard in your training. I'm sure you all know who I am, so I will skip my introduction. It would be better to finish the education a little earlier and let everyone rest."

A short and simple greeting.

But to the new recruits, each and every word seemed to be engraved in their ears.

"The reason I am standing before you today is to tell you 'what the army is.' You there, yes you."

—Yes, yes! Recruit Remond!

Remond was pointed out by Jereuth for the reason that he was sitting next to Leonardo.

Of course, that was a fact only Jereuth knew.

"What do you think the army is?"

—T-the army... is a being that protects the kingdom! No, I, I think so!

"The army is a being that protects the kingdom. A good answer. Then where do you think the army's strength comes from?"

—T-the army's strength...? Training! It's training!

"Training. That is also a good answer. You may be seated."

—Th-thank you!

Remond immediately sat down. So flustered that he didn't even know what he had just said.

"As Recruit Remond said, the army is a being that protects the kingdom. And the army's strength comes from training. I will explain that in a little more detail."

—…….

"The ultimate goal of the army is to protect the kingdom and its people from the enemy. Here, the meaning of 'enemy' is diverse. It could be another kingdom that attacks our Plank Kingdom, it could be the demons. Or, it could be monsters. If not that, there could be enemies within the kingdom as well. The lazy who hinder the kingdom's development, the opportunists who pursue only their own interests, those who deceive those who work honestly, they are all enemies of the kingdom. Above all, the most evil enemies are those who displease His Highness Leonardo."

—…….

"A legal armed group that judges such enemies, that is the army. And only by carrying out the king's orders does the army gain 'honor'."

Jereuth continued.

"An army without honor is no different from bandits. Then what is needed to gain that honor, to carry out His Highness Leonardo's orders well? That is, as that new recruit said earlier, 'training'."

—…….

"Starting next week, you will enter full-scale training. Before that training, there is a mindset you must have. First, the 'faith in yourselves' that you can become strong through strenuous training. That is the most important."

—…….

"Second, the 'faith in your comrades' who have endured that strenuous training together. When such faith is built, a solid 'cooperation' towards each other is created, and that cooperation becomes the 'courage' for us to face any battlefield without fear."

Tap, tap—.

Jereuth turned to the blackboard and wrote 'faith, cooperation, courage' as he continued.

"The strength of our Plank Kingdom's army comes from these three things. That does not only apply to soldiers and knights. Mages, technicians, farmers, carpenters, merchants, etc., everyone moves forward with faith, cooperation, and courage. That is the driving force that has protected our kingdom for a long history, comparable to the 'Angla Empire,' the 'Osius Kingdom,' and the 'Hwangryong Confederation' beyond them, and other such powerful nations on the continent."

—…….

"Right now is a relatively peaceful time as all of humanity is busy recovering from the damage of the war with the demons. But looking back at our history, we have always been threatened in various ways. Not only the empires and kingdoms of the continent, but also the Jerpan Archipelago across the southern sea has constantly sought to invade the kingdom."

Tap—tap—tap—.

Jereuth, who had finished his explanation quickly.

This time, he began to draw a simple military formation on the blackboard.

What was drawn on the blackboard was a square defensive formation. In the front were soldiers with shields and short spears, and behind them were soldiers with long spears.

"This is a formation called 'Plank's Shield,' and it is one of the formations you will be training in from tomorrow. As you can see, the front is blocked by soldiers with shields and short spears, and soldiers with long spears from behind subdue the enemy, a simple formation. From the outside, it can look like a hedgehog."

—…….

"This formation may seem simple at a glance, but it is quite complex to master, and its power is equally great. Because everyone moves forward and backward as one body, and can also move freely from side to side, not only cavalry but even Ogres cannot rashly approach a well-formed 'Plank's Shield.' This is a formation that has protected this kingdom for over a thousand years and was the number one contributor that allowed me and your seniors to be active in the war with the demons."

—…….

"However, even this powerful formation has a weakness."

Tap—tap—tap—.

Jereuth drew a flaw in the middle of the formation.

From the inside out.

"The weakness of this formation is not the outside, but the 'inside.' You, who form the formation, are the weakness."

—…….

"In the 'Plank's Shield' formation, if one person makes a mistake, the entire formation is disrupted. Then a gap is created in the formation, and through that trivial gap, the formation collapses. It means that the 'Plank's Shield' collapses. I have seen this unfortunate scene hundreds, thousands of times on the battlefield."

—…….

"Then what is the reason for one person making a mistake on the battlefield? It is because there was no faith. Because there was no faith, they could not cooperate with their comrades, and because they could not cooperate, courage did not arise. That is the only reason the 'Plank's Shield' collapses."

—…….

"If one person shows weakness on the battlefield. If one person makes a mistake, if one person is careless. That will surely lead to the defeat of all. If one person's shield wavers, that gap will immediately result in revealing our hearts to the enemy. And that result can never be undone. It means that the kingdom could be destroyed by my laziness and mistakes. It means that the smiles of all your loved ones, including family, lovers, and friends, could be taken away by a merciless enemy."

Educational training conducted after dinner.

It was naturally a drowsy and tiring time.

But none of the new recruits were dozing off. Everyone was in a state of hyper-focus.

It wasn't because Jereuth was in front of them. Everyone was simply captivated by Jereuth's sincere education.

The voice of the old general who had been active on the battlefield for over a decade had power, even without raising his voice.

Jereuth pointed to 'faith, cooperation, courage' written on the blackboard one by one and said.

Tap-tap-tap-.

"The reasons you have joined the kingdom's army will be different for each of you. Some to protect the kingdom, some to protect their families, some to make a living, and you would have enlisted for various other reasons."

—…….

"But whatever the reason, you must remember. From the moment you enlist in the army, you are a community of shared destiny. Think of each other as family. Think of the comrade you are protecting as yourself. You must be dedicated to the comrade next to you, help him so that he does not make a mistake, and hold him so that he does not fall. Each and every one of you is the shield, spear, and sword of our army."

—…….

"You there, yes, you."

Jereuth pointed at Remond again.

Remond, who was fully focused on the education, was jolted to his senses and stood up from his seat again.

—Yes, yes! Recruit Remond!

"Are you prepared to shed blood and sweat to think of and protect the new recruit next to you as family?"

—F-for Nar?

Remond glanced at Leonardo—Nar, then answered loudly.

—I don't know!

It was Remond, blowing a chance that might have changed his life.

"You're honest. Then... what about you?"

Jereuth pointed at Leonardo. Everyone's gaze, which had been on Remond, turned to Leonardo.

The guy who was seriously handsome, and surprisingly physically fit.

The guy who had many elements that could make one dislike him, but was also human enough to be late for morning roll call because he was taking a dump.

And above all, the guy who had shown the most outstanding performance in any training so far.

That guy answered simply.

"Yes, I am prepared."

To say he was prepared so confidently. It was an answer that could be a bit cringey in a way.

But somehow, that answer had a power similar to Jereuth's speech, and-

That answer left a deep impression not only on the new recruits, but also on the drill instructors, and even on Hagen and Jereuth.

"Good. Then this concludes the education."

***

After Jereuth's education ended.

Another two weeks passed.

During that time, nothing special happened.

However, the attitude of the new recruits had changed a lot. Since Jereuth's education.

'Everyone's gaze became sharp.'

It was indeed a hero's speech, or lecture.

There was power in Jereuth's words, and everyone's morale rose.

'I also gave something like a speech before the 'war on crime'... but honestly, it was on a different level from me.'

Listening to Jereuth's lecture, I also felt many things.

From the mindset I should have when I go to the battlefield, to how I should think of my comrades in training as more than family, and even things like 'what is a good lecture.'

Perhaps the 'important realization in running the kingdom' that the Future Diary had spoken of were those things.

'But what was a bit disappointing was... that what I really needed to realize was something else.'

I had to figure out 'a justification to make the Elves help the kingdom.' That was my biggest concern right now.

But I hadn't realized that.

'That part is a bit disappointing... but still, I learned a lot.'

As I was thinking.

Thwack—!

Someone hit the back of my head.

"Nar! Why are you standing there blankly? Aren't you going out?"

It was Remond. Around him were other new recruits with expectant expressions.

They were the guys who shared the same barracks as me.

"We have leave today!"

Leave. Yes, today was a leave day.

Generally, during the new recruit training period, there were no vacations, no overnight stays, and no leaves.

Nevertheless, leave was permitted today as a reward from the training instructor Max.

'The reason for the reward was that they were the best-trained new recruits he had ever seen.'

At the entrance of the training ground, there were already many new recruits. Their families and friends who were waiting for them were also gathered.

"I'm just going to stay inside."

At my words, Remond had a dumbfounded expression, then-.

"W-what?! You're staying inside?"

"Yeah. I have nothing to do outside, and no one to see. I don't have a family waiting for me like that either."

I said without much thought, looking at the new recruits and their families gathered at the training ground.

It was also the truth.

But after saying it, my heart felt a little ticklish.

...Why was I thinking of my father, the king, at this moment?

"Have fun. I'll—."

I was about to go to the barracks before any gloomy thoughts could arise.

But.

Thwack—!

...Remond hit the back of my head again and said.

"You bastard, are you going to be like that? It's disappointing."

"...Disappointing? What's disappointing."

"The Commander asked you if you were prepared to think of me as family and, huh? shed blood and sweat, and you said it! 「“I am prepared.”」!"

“……”

"I was so damn moved when I heard that, huh?! I clenched my butt cheeks so hard during training to not fall behind you, and if you say that, am I disappointed or not? It was damn hard!"

Remond spoke as if he were truly disappointed, then laughed and dragged me away.

The other new recruits from the same barracks who had gathered around were also subtly pulling me.

'I really have nothing to do outside.'

As I was led by the guys towards the training ground entrance, I could see Remond's, and the other new recruits' families waving their hands.

The first thing I saw was a girl who seemed to be Remond's younger sister.

"Remond oppa! ...Huh?"

The girl who was running towards Remond.

She stopped talking when she saw me next to Remond.

As his sister stared at me blankly, Remond scowled fiercely and hit the back of my head again.

"Hey! My sister is off-limits!"

"...I didn't do anything, what are you talking about. And stop hitting me. You'll regret it later."

"Regret my ass, hey, you, go back inside! Don't come out, you!"

—"Why are you being like that to that oppa! But is he your friend, oppa? Huh?”

Was Remond shocked that his younger sister was more interested in me than in him?

After being speechless for a moment, he put his arm around my shoulder as if he had no choice and said.

"Not a friend, my younger brother I made in the army. His name is Nar, his specialty is taking a dump at a set time every morning, and being handsome."

—Hahahaha!

—Yeah, that is Nar's specialty! Going out every dawn to take a dump!

—The last stall in the first-floor bathroom, right?!

—O-oppa. Can you introduce me to that oppa too—.

—What do you mean, oppa. He's younger than you, you punk. And do you think you're a match for him?

—What's wrong with me?!

—My sister. If you do not know what the problem is, look in the mirror. Therein lies the answer. It is regrettable, but that is the truth.

—You son of a bitch! What's wrong with me!!

It was a boisterous atmosphere. To the point where a hollow laugh escaped me.

Vaguely, without realizing it, such a thought occurred to me.

'Me, a younger brother... that you can become family even if not a single drop of blood is mixed—.'

Huh?

Something.

Something.

It was definitely a feeling of realizing something.

I thought as I looked at the guys surrounding me and their families.

'Even if not a single drop of blood is mixed... if I think of them as family, and further, if I think of everyone in this kingdom as family.'

Perhaps just by that alone.

'Doesn't that become a justification for the Elves to help them...?'

***

At that moment when Leonardo gained a great realization at the entrance of the training ground.

Elly was cleaning the spotless room in Leonardo's room again.

'His Highness doesn't have training today, right? Then he might come from the afternoon, so I should clean more thoroughly—.'

As Elly was thinking.

Woooooooooong—.

The sound of something vibrating came from the bookshelf. It was the bookshelf where Leonardo had collected the books he frequently read.

At that sound, Elly turned her head sharply, her large eyes wide with a panicked expression.

"Is there... a mouse?"

For Elly, it was a crisis of a lifetime.