Chapter 226: What Doesn't Change

***Arc 10 One Who Doesn't Acknowledge, Chapter 226 What Doesn't Change***

Running on the iron rails with a clatter was a wooden connected vehicle.

Magical rail-road vehicle――Gateal Gorton.

Its name comes from Gorton, a messenger from Western mythology who was worshiped in Alberan at the time, and his beloved horse, Gateal.

Easily moving, manage, and control the movement of people and goods.

The reason they were able to control the vast territory of the continent and countries was probably due in large part to this iron road.

It was an existence that became the foundation of the great development of the Alberan Kingdom, and it continued to be used until it was destroyed as a symbol of rulership during the downfall of Kleinmere.

"Muu, it's no good Gatan-goto, is shaking at the joint."

"Don't complaining, geez. Compared to a horse-drawn carriage, it doesn't shake that easily."

"Krische should have thought a little more about how to make the rails at the start..."

While hugging Selene's arm, she puffed out his cheeks.

When they arrived at the final destination, the western Elsren――Clauzella, Krische was the first to get off the 'Gatan-goto'.

There were platforms made of transmuted rock on both sides of the railway, and although the sound of trumpets cannot be heard, dozens of men in tight military uniform lined up in front of them.

Two men were kneeling in front of them.

"Chirp Chirp, it's been a while. Woof Woof too."

"Yes. I had met Selene-sama during the battle against Elsren, but...both of you seem to be doing well."

Nozan Verreich, commander of the eastern army of Alberan Kingdom.

And then there was Grunmeld Varcas, the general of the Eastern Front.

His handsome face remained the same, but his coppery hair was now gray and wrinkled.

Similarly, Grunmeld had black hair mixed with gray hair.

and more than anything――

"Somehow you guys have beardy to, haven't you?"

――They all have beards.

Nozan beard seems well-maintained, but he has a thick beard that stretches from around his mouth to his jawline, and Grunmeld grew it out freely.

The men around her have been growing their beards lately, and she wondered if it was some kind of trend.

"..You guys too, mean?"

"There are a lot of them, but there's also Aleha. He seems to have started growing his beard recently, so Krische nicknamed him Beardy...but there are so many Beardy..."

"Hahaha, I see. But well, I guess that's what men end up doing when they try to add dignity to their appearance. Aleha probably has the same reasons as me. Grunmeld is just lazy though."

"For me, no matter how much I shave, it grows back, so it's a pain in the ass."

Grunmeld laughed and scratched his bearded cheek.

Although he didn't have a refined appearance since the start, he was now already just a bandit boss.

Ignoring his height, he looked like siblings with Dougleen who was in the south.

"However, Krische-sama is still the same. Not getting older."

"Really. I'm shocked. Even though in reality she's one year younger than me."

Selene watched the little girl wrap her arm around hers and pulled her cheek.

*Munyi* her soft cheeks stretched out.

Confused expressions could be seen from the soldiers lining up, but Selene didn't care anymore.

They already went past that stage long ago.

"Muu...Krische is a fine adult――"

"If it's just about getting older, dogs and cats also can do it. I'd like you to look a little more age-appropriate, though..."

She pulled and pulled her cheeks and said, 'Well, guees that's impossible', with an exasperated expression.

Nozan smiled bitterly and looked at the men around him.

"Well, let's leave rekindling old friendships for later. We have a long way to go from here, so we'll head to the tent for now."

"That's right. Um... ah, Nekki, the seventh and eighth cars."

"Yeas. Hey, the seventh car comes first. Hurry."

In the lead vehicle, a man with a prosthetic leg came out from the driver's seat and quickly gave instructions.

A former member of the Black Flag Special Forces Company's craft squad――the first Gatan-goto's pilot, Nekki.

Veterans of the Black Flag Special Forces Company and others were given priority and sent to work on railway operations.

Nekki, who had been involved with the continental Gatan-goto network project since the early days, requested to be the pilot after the memorable first vehicle was completed, and since then he had always been entrusted with important routes.

This railway was particularly important in Alberan, and most of its personnel were retired military personnel, but many former Black Flag Special Force were employed to work on the railway, especially heading east into the former territory of Elsren.

Krische let go of Selene's arm and went to the back of the train.

The workers were in a panic as they removed the countless fasteners on the seventh and eighth cars, but when they opened the seventh car, a scream rang out.

"Gururun"

Jumping out of the cramped cargo hold with a 'Gururuu' was the 8 shaku tall 2 jou long body, a Suiko that looked irritated.

When it came out, it stretched and yawned, lowered its head, and Krische climbed onto its back.

"Suiko also seems energetic as usual."

Nozan said impressed, and Krische smiled.

"Ehehe, she's full of energy. It's a good thing."

Then she happily patted Gururun's neck.

Leaving the place, a group of tents spread out on the plain.

The soldiers saw Krische and salute one after another.

Most of them were soldiers of the Central Alberinea Army, and no one wondered who the girl sitting on the green tiger was.

Some of the new recruits and people who had come from the Eastern Front Army looked suspicious because of her appearance, which was over 40 years old, but behind her.

Field Marshal Selene, who was riding a well-built horse――Bururun II, also looked quite young, and they were convinced that that was just how it went.

Nozan who appeared along with them also played a big part.

Selene said she would listen briefly to the Nozan and then parted ways, and the first thing she headed for after arriving was the tent in the center of the Alberinea army.

As usual, there were soldiers in familiar black armor surrounding them.

"It's been about two months Usa-chan, fufu, I missed you so much."

"...were you lonely?"

"Kalua, you're not young enough to be called an Onee-san anymore right."

As if exasperated, the chestnut-haired adjutant put her hands on her hips, glared at the black-haired woman.

"No matter how old you are, as long as you're beautiful, it's Onee-san. Don't mind the small details."

"...I don't think it's a small detail at all."

Mia, who had a rather young face, had grown her hair a little longer, giving her a more mature and calm look.

She, like Kahlua, was also like a beautiful woman at a young age, where effects of old age were still shallow.

Krische looked at them, smiled, and said 'it's been a while'.

"Elvena, I think she was a little lonely because she didn't get to see you two."

"Fufu, that's obvious. I wanted to come using Gatan-goto too..."

"Kalua, don't complain. We have a lot to do after all."

"*Sigh*..."

Then, an old man wearing armor appeared and saluted.

His shaved head and prominent aquiline nose. and a white beard.

Krische pouted her lips and glared at the man, her hands on the hips.

"...Krische think, Krische already said that since Bald Eagle is an old man, you should retire as commander as soon as the handover is over."

"My apologies. We have a lot of handover work to do, so it's taking a while."

Krische stared at Dagra, who in turn smiles.

Kalua patted Krische on the head while laughing.

"You know, Mia can be a bit clumsy. Even when at the take over――"

"K-Kalua!"

"...Is that so, Mia?"

"U-ugu..."

Mia glared at Kahua and then at Dagra.

Then, after sighing, she answered, 'Yes', seeming unconvinced.

"Really. Mia is still Mia. Bald Eagle, it's dangerous, so it's no good if you come to the frontline, okay? Regardless of whether it's on paper or not, to Krische, Bald Eagle is no longer Kurofuyo commander, but Kurofuyo training instructors."

"Ha. But don't worry, even though I looked old, my movements are still comparable to those of younger people."

He powerfully slapped his arm over his armor, then put his hand on his sword.

'Geez', Krische said, pouting her lips.

"That's not the problem. Once it's over, it's time to retire. Life on the battlefield isn't good for the health. Even this far is already a long journey..."

Smiling at that Krische, Dagra replied, 'Of course'.

"Mia is the commander after all. Bald Eagle is the training instructor and assistant. Please understand that."

"Ha. Understood, Krische-sama."

Dagra clicked his heels and gives a powerful salute.

He looked at it, feeling somehow unsatisfactory, and Krische jumped on top of the Suiko.

Dagra turned his gaze from that Krische to Mia and smiled bitterly.

"...I'm sorry, Mia."

"Ha, can't be helped. Don't worry about it, commander."

Mia made a face that matched her words and sighs.

Mia had given up, thinking that her role would probably follow her for the rest of her life.

"When I thought that this would the last battle, I would like to be the commander after all."

"Right, right, look there's not a hint of a commander's on Mia after all."

Kalua said while putting her arm around Mia's shoulders, and Dagra smiled bitterly.

"...I'm proud to be the commander of this unit."

Dagra continued, saying that he had a good subordinate, and nodded silently.

――Two months later.

The stage of the decisive battle was far east of the kingdom.

It was a place called the Fang of Vasarius, on the eastern edge of the former Elsren territory.

Its nature was probably similar to that of the Dragon's Maw.

It was a break in the great mountain range that rose in the north and was bordered on the south by the vast sea.

This plain was the only road connecting the east and west sides of the continent and was the gateway to the eastern part of the continent.

Huge forts and towers lined up on the east side, and a long wall was built from the quay――Elsren attacked this place many times, but they were never able to break through, and even after dozens of battles, it was still undefeated.

The walls of Garugain stood menacingly.

This great wall that separated the east and west had been even been heard to the far west――in front of it Krische,

"Selene, it's the sea, the sea."

She was jumping up and down on the sandy beach.

"Don't get too excited. It's definitely amazing, the horizon..."

Garugain Wall and its surroundings were steep cliffs.

However, as one proceed westward, the quay breaks off and becomes a sandy beach.

The sky was filled with clouds and the beautiful blue sea.

The horizon seemed to be shining, and the occasional white waves were swaying like living creatures.

"It's beautiful. I only knew about it from books, but when you actually see it, it's completely different huh."

Selene said, looking at her feet.

And she jumped away from the spot.

"There's a strange spider..."

"...?"

Gradually, Krische approached, and grabbed the little creature's leg that surprised Selene.

"Do you mean this?"

"Touching it..."

"This is probably the one you can eat. There was one even smaller near Krische's village. River Spider...that's the crab name in the book that Krische read."

"River spider... Oh, come to think of it, I might have seen something similar."

`"Krische have never eaten it, but according to the book, it's delicious. They say there are large ones that are often eaten near the sea...''

The crab, gripped by Krische, moved its limbs and shook its scissors.

Selene took a step back and Krische to throw it.

"Isn't is the same as spider. ...I won't eat it, okay?"

"Muu...spider..."

She looked closely at the crab and thought it certainly looked like a spider on the sandy beach.

As she watched it quickly run away, she gave up thinking that it might indeed be a river spider, a member of the spider family.

To Krische insects were basically not to be eaten.

She knows that there are some that ate insects.

A story often heard on the battlefield.

There were some people in the village who would eat the youngling of the bees while they were taking their hives, but seeing as Grace was very reluctant to do so and refrained from doing so, Krische guessed that it was not that common.

To Krische a splendid lady don't eat insects.

Of course, Krische who was a lady (self-proclaimed) did not eat insects.

"Hahaha, you two, what at a huge loss."

A hoarse voice called out to the two of them.

When they looked over, they saw three men walking towards them.

"It's been a long time, Marshal Alberinea."

"It's been a while, Orugan-san. You're quick."

"Yeah. However, I feel like the ground is still shaking, probably because of the rocking of the ship."

They were Orugan, the chairman of the Gulshan Republic, and Dougleen Garhka, the supreme commander of the Southern Army.

Although his hair was lightly slicked back, his gray beard was allowed to grow freely.

Even as he grew older, his muscular physique remained undiminished, and he never seemed to calm down.

Behind him was Zalvaag, who looked sick.

"Crabs are quite delicious, Krische, Selene. I ate something called Tarafuku Seafood in a port town, and you can't underestimate the seafood. Many of the creatures look strange, but the taste is exquisite."

"Really?"

"That's true. You should stop hating everything. I brought some from the port to go with the drinks. I was thinking of serving it to everyone tonight after the meeting..."

Krische's eyes lit up, and Selene let out a small groan.

"There are soldiers who were born in ports town and are very skilled. Putting aside you will like it or not, it would be a good idea to try seafood dishes once. I used to hate eating things like crabs, but there are very few people who would say they taste bad.''

Krische purple eyes sparkled at Orugan's words.

She approached Selene and pulled her sleeve, looking up at her.

"Selene, let's try it...?"

"I-I..."

Perhaps truly not feeling up to it, Selene leaned back.

Krische looked up at Selene and drew her body closer to her.

"*Sigh*...I understand, geez."

"Ehehe. Maybe Krische can bring it as souvenirs for Bery..."

Krische said and then putting her hand over her mouth in a panic.

Selene stared at such Krische, her cheeks blushing slightly.

Then she pulled her cheek, 'You idiot'.

"You how long ago was that... You don't have to worry about it anymore. It's more embarrassing for me to be cared about like this."

"...yes"

Letting out a sigh at Krische's seemingly probing gaze, she pulled Krische cheek. Then, she shifted her gaze to Dougleen.

"Well, I'll take you up on your word... How's the ship situation?"

"The five ships that were delayed will probably take about ten days. However, I don't think it will have that much of an impact."

Orugan looked at Krische.

Krische nodded and smiled.

"Rright. If it's that late, it might be a good idea to take control of the port on the other side."

As usual, as if it was a matterof course.

"We'll break through the day after tomorrow."

She declared calmly.