The Water Magician

"Tonight, let's camp around here."

"Understood."

Captain Mora said, and the other four agreed.

Without anyone giving instructions, each understood their role and moved accordingly.

Ryo, of course, said nothing and observed the movements of the five.

((All five of them are quite experienced.))

((Could it be that they have trained for this? They mentioned earlier that they received various teachings from adventurers, right? Camping is a skill that every adventurer must acquire.))

((That may be true, but for example, the defense squad in the royal capital doesn't have such skills, right?))

((No, the defense squad in the royal capital likely possesses those skills.))

((Eh! Is that so?))

Abel casually mentioned it, surprising Ryo.

((Previously, the Run knight order, where Ryo was a swordsmanship instructor, also did such training, right?))

((Yes, there were exercises for that.))

((It's the same. Both the Run defense squad and the royal capital's defense squad included such exercises in their training.))

((Why do they do such things?))

((Because it helps in critical situations. Having prior experience can provide a significant sense of security. Those at the commanding level, as well as those who create training menus, know this.))

((I had no idea.))

Ryo nodded slightly.

Indeed, he had been called out for outdoor exercises with the Run knight order multiple times.

Once, after returning from an outdoor exercise in the rain, he found that Abel, who had just ascended to the throne, had been attacked...

((The outdoor exercise in the rain was hell.))

((The outdoor exercise under the blazing sun is also tough.))

((Does that mean the outdoor exercises in extreme cold are...))

((Ah, yes. It feels like your fingertips might freeze.))

Both Ryo and Abel understood that outdoor exercises were challenging regardless of the situation.

((It seems they have diligently engaged in such activities.))

((To be honest, in the city defense squads, there are times when they leave without ever needing those skills.))

((Being able to put effort into training is a kind of talent, I think.))

((Talent?))

((Yes. Quite a number of people tend to slack off during training, right? They interpret or conclude that this isn't something they'll need in actual situations.))

((That's true; there are those kinds of people.))

Abel himself never slacked off, but he knew there were those who did during training.

He had seen it during his time as an adventurer.

Since becoming king, he had hardly seen soldiers slacking off...

((If someone were to slack off in front of Abel, who's in the position of king, that would indeed be a problematic individual. In a bad way.))

((No doubt about it.))

While the first duke and the king engaged in an unseen conversation, the third defense squad steadily progressed with the preparations for camping.

Specifically, they prepared the sleeping arrangements and dinner.

Even though they called it a bed, there were no tools...

"Ryo-san, I'm sorry for the makeshift bed."

Mora said.

Since there was no straw mat, cut grass was laid out.

"Not at all, this is splendid. Nobody would complain about being provided such a place to sleep during an adventure. Thank you."

Ryo replied with a smile.

In reality, a sleeping arrangement during an adventure usually meant wrapping oneself in a cloak or robe and lying on the ground.

Even for those accustomed to it, sleeping in such a state for a night often left one stiff in the morning.

Compared to that...

"The fire is ready!"

"Oh, do you need hot water or anything?"

At Omin's words, Ryo responded.

Since the meal was made from rabbit meat acquired during their travels, it seemed they didn't need hot water.

All six of them ate until they were full.

"Leave the night watch to me. I have just the right magic for water attribute magic."

Ryo said, creating an ice wall surrounding the group.

This indicated that everyone could sleep soundly.

"Ryo-san's ice wall is amazing."

"Isn't it? It's unique to water attribute magic. I've found it quite useful during my adventures."

Ryo replied cheerfully to Mora's praise.