Kays Translations

Chapter Twenty-Three: Fieldcraft Knowledge

Ren accepted Weiss’s offer, though he expected Roy and Mireille to object.

To his surprise, both gave permission.

Weiss explained that he intended to teach Ren the same fieldcraft used by the Clausel knights. Once his parents understood that the lesson would be supervised by the Knight Commander himself, their initial concern disappeared.

“We’ll go beyond Tsurugi Rock and prepare to spend the night there,” Weiss said.

He walked one step ahead with a torch in hand.

Snow covered the winter forest and made every step difficult, yet Weiss advanced with powerful, steady strides.

(Amazing.)

The difference in their strength and build was obvious.

A Little Boar burst from the darkness.

Weiss cut it down with one hand. His torso did not sway, and his sword moved so quickly that Ren was not confident he had followed the stroke with his eyes.

(How strong is he?)

Weiss noticed Ren staring.

“Something wrong?”

“I was thinking that you are incredible.”

“Hah! What brought that on? You’ll surpass me before long.”

He lifted the dead Little Boar as casually as though it weighed nothing.

“You can handle the next monsters. Are you able to fight at night?”

“I should be fine. I’ve done it once before.”

That previous encounter had involved only Little Boars, but the darkness no longer frightened him.

Ren defeated several more as they passed Tsurugi Rock, each with a single thrust to the forehead.

“I see why the young lady cannot defeat you,” Weiss murmured.

“They’re only Little Boars.”

“Every one died from one precise strike. Your response speed is impressive as well.”

Ren wore the Thief’s Magic Sword over one finger to maintain Physical Ability Boost (Minor), but the weapon in his hand was an ordinary iron sword. Praise still embarrassed him. Perhaps that was one thing he would never become accustomed to.

They continued deeper into the forest until they reached an open area dominated by a large boulder. Weiss carried the Little Boar into a hollow beneath the rock and beckoned Ren inside.

The stone sheltered them from the falling snow and biting wind.

“First, we need fire.”

Weiss explained the available methods.

Knights normally relied on magic tools. Without one, they used flint. If even that was unavailable, friction between pieces of wood became the last resort.

“Wet wood will not catch easily. The important thing is to prepare before you are reduced to your final option—and to avoid reaching that situation in the first place.”

He handed Ren a dagger in a leather sheath.

“This is for you. A special ore is set into the pommel, and the sheath is made from processed monster leather. Strike them together firmly, as you would use flint, and they will produce sparks.”

“May I truly accept it? It looks expensive.”

“Not especially. In Clausel, one costs about ten thousand G—roughly a commoner’s daily wage.”

That did not sound cheap to Ren, but Weiss clearly intended the gift as part of his thanks.

Weiss placed a prepared piece of wood on the ground.

“Since this is a lesson, I borrowed dry materials from your manor. Watch me first. Then you will try.”

He drew the dagger and struck it against the sheath. Sparks leaped easily.

Weiss took a small bundle of dry straw from his pocket and repeated the motion until a faint flame appeared.

“Your turn.”

Ren produced a spark after approximately ten attempts. With Weiss’s guidance, he transferred it to fresh straw and then to the prepared wood.

The device was simple enough for a beginner to use.

“Should I gather firewood?” Ren asked.

“That will be another lesson. Tonight we will rely on a magic tool once you understand the process.”

Weiss placed a small open vial on the ground. Several seconds later, flame began to rise from it.

“It will soon burn as strongly as a campfire. Until then, I’ll show you the remaining fire-making method and teach you how to butcher a monster.”

For the friction method, Weiss first carved the wood into a shape that concentrated heat. He then demonstrated the proper motion.

Ren tried next.

This method was far more difficult. Thirty minutes passed before he produced a flame, leaving him deeply grateful for the benefits of civilization.

“You have good instincts,” Weiss said.

“It took me half an hour.”

“Many beginners cannot produce even smoke. You did well. Now we move on to butchering.”

The Little Boar Weiss had carried became their lesson.

He explained which parts of most monsters were edible, how to drain blood, how to remove internal organs safely, and how to preserve the hide. Ren was not disturbed by the fresh entrails; Mireille often handled game in much the same way at home.

With Weiss instructing him, Ren completed the work in roughly an hour.

They roasted part of the meat over the magic flame. Without seasoning it was plain, but the circumstances made it strangely satisfying.

“There is something I wanted to ask,” Ren said.

“What is it?”

“Why did we wait until just before midnight to leave? I was ready much earlier.”

Weiss looked away.

“I did not want the young lady to overhear.”

“Ah. I understand.”

Had Licia known about the lesson, she would almost certainly have insisted on joining them.

Neither of them could openly say that. Weiss’s position made it particularly difficult for him to exclude his lord’s daughter.

“We will return before she wakes,” Weiss said. “The schedule will be demanding.”

“Compared with the day I fought the Thief Wolfen, this is easy.”

Weiss laughed.

“Quite right. Unlike some of my men, you never complain.”

The rest of the night was filled with instruction. Weiss taught Ren how to camp in cold weather, conceal a resting place, maintain and guard a fire, divide watches, and respond to danger while exhausted.

It was only one night, but Ren understood that the knowledge might one day save his life.

* * * *

They woke before sunrise after sleeping for only half of Ren’s usual time.

His eyes were surprisingly clear.

They left the shelter beyond Tsurugi Rock, crossed the river bridge, and returned along the snow-covered field road.

“We made good time,” Ren said.

“Yes. The young lady should still be asleep.”

They reached the manor exactly as planned.

Ren opened the door.

“Welcome back.”

Licia stood inside, smiling brightly.

An indescribable pressure accompanied that smile, although she did not appear truly angry.

“It must have been cold. You did not need to leave at such an absurd hour.”

Since they had departed late specifically to prevent her from following, Ren could think of no safe explanation. He scratched his cheek and gave an awkward laugh.

“I wouldn’t have demanded that you take me into the forest in the middle of the night,” Licia said. “I’m merely a little upset that no one told me.”

“Sorry.”

“But it is fine. We will skip today’s match.”

Ren thought she was punishing him. He was wrong.

“You’re exhausted, aren’t you?” she asked.

“Only a little.”

“Don’t pretend. It would be terrible if you forced yourself and became ill.”

She had abandoned the sparring match out of concern for him.

Weiss looked almost as surprised as Ren. Licia had come to the village largely for those matches, yet she restrained herself without complaint.

Ren’s thoughts stalled for a moment under the unexpected kindness.

Her expression held no deception. She genuinely meant what she said.

“Besides,” Licia added, “there would be no satisfaction in defeating you while you were tired.”

That, too, was undoubtedly sincere.

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