On the morning of the second day from the front line.
A Shikigami arrived after breakfast.
“Intermediate disciple Ramba. Enemy soldier corpses in the river. Water contamination. You are ordered to dispose of the corpses. Repeat…”
“Understood.”
My seniors. Upper-level disciples.
They were slacking off because there weren’t enough Wooden Dummies to put in the river.
Ah, lumber that doesn’t float is precious.
Disposing of corpses in the river.
When corpses rot, they generate disease-causing gases within the body.
Masks alone aren’t enough.
A Talisman for Disease Resistance. A Talisman for Warding Off Evil.
“Shall we go? Intermediate disciple Ramba, I will now head to the river to dispose of corpses. Requesting permission to go outside.”
After obtaining permission from the Ukoyu Sect’s main gatekeeper.
One after another, disciples were ordered to dispose of corpses.
A line of intermediate disciples, bringing a few Wooden Dummies with them, formed to get permission to go out.
The corpses floating in the river were washed ashore and snagged.
Many corpses were also floating on the water’s surface.
If I recall. The enemy soldiers were around 4,000 to 5,000?
We carried and disposed of 800 corpses.
While confirming with the corpses or Wooden Dummies.
We stripped them naked and sun-dried them.
Those who would rust in two to three days were disposed of along with the corpses.
We sorcerers are in the rear guard.
The Wooden Dummies and Stone Dummies in the vanguard are attacked if they pretend to be dead.
For long-range attacks using Magic Tools, we have defensive barriers and preparations.
Splash. Splash.
Did fish jump out of the river in surprise?
“It’s a Magic Tool…!”
“There are survivors!!”
Speak of the devil, remnants.
Pitiable defeated soldiers and wounded soldiers abandoned during the retreat from above.
Even if they surrendered, they would die anyway.
So, it was either a desperate surprise attack.
“Truly pathetic.”
Aaaahhh aaaaah…
The surprise attack was successful for the remaining enemy.
They massacred ten Wooden Dummies and destroyed them.
The slaughtered Wooden Dummies were also cleaned up along with the new corpses.
Making saltpeter from corpses.
Making rust poison from rusted armor.
Each faction sorted the disposed bodies further and had Wooden Dummies carry the boxes of goods to their mansions.
I also sent four boxes to my mansion.
It’s time for a break. Recovering my Possessed Magic Power.
My physical strength hadn’t diminished at all, but.
When my magic power decreases, I feel sluggish.
“Uuuuuuhhhhh…”
I rested quite a bit.
I issued orders to the Wooden Dummies using Talisman Arts.
The talismans glowed once, and the orders were transmitted to the Wooden Dummies.
The Wooden Dummies moved with clacks and creaks.
I observed the work efficiency of other factions and schools.
As expected, the factions that continued working while I was resting had disposed of a large number of corpses.
There were also factions that were taking breaks as I came out of mine.
Women… I couldn’t tell.
No one was disposing of corpses alone.
I also had colleagues from the same faction nearby.
It was impossible to snatch one away and take her to the mansion.
Ah, it’s been about half a year since I last held a woman.
If I pass the advanced exam in Talisman Arts.
I could learn the true essence, the Ukoyu Faction’s original Talisman Arts.
Then, I could finally travel this India.
Find a good dating spot. Pick up a female caregiver from the front lines of another country, trick her into a dangerous situation, save her, and gain favor.
I wish someone would support me.
Then I could take the advanced exam.
“I should probably head back…”
The people around me are still disposing of corpses.
I’m heading back first.
“Intermediate disciple Ramba, I’ve returned from the river corpse disposal.”
“Wait a moment. Confirmed. You may enter.”
“Thank you so much—”
I greeted them, trying to mask my fatigue as much as possible, and entered the door, which was only wide enough for one person.
It was immediately closed, and a spell formula for various enchantments and strengthening was deployed on the door.
My return has already been reported by the gatekeeper.
There’s no need to contact me via Shikigami.
I’ll sleep soundly until dinner.
I’ll dream of committing lewd acts with women.
I might forget when I wake up, but.
For now, with this pent-up frustration, sleeping is the only way.
“Good night…”
I was woken up by a Shikigami arriving with dinner. I ordered a Wooden Dummy to bring me my dinner and stretched my body.
Pop. Pop. Pop. Crackle. Crackle.
My body is quite stiff.
There was a knock on my room door, and when I allowed it, a Wooden Dummy appeared with my dinner.
A reward for disposing of corpses?
An unusual dish was placed on my usual dinner tray.
Munch munch.
Is this dried meat? With herbs, and is this kelp?
“The sourness that comes afterward makes me want to eat rice.”
“Thank you for the meal. Take the tray back.”
Well then, my stomach is full.
I’ll prepare for tomorrow and check if I’m missing any materials before going to sleep.
In my dreams, beautiful women will… Zzzzz.
◇◇◇◇◇
His Highness the 4th Prince of the Republic of the Tower, and Hoshikyu.
Traveling around other countries before the war, together with those who newly joined the journey.
Confined to a small country compared to our own.
“How is the money?”
“Don’t worry. I still have enough to hire you.”
He was asking about Hoshikyu’s contract renewal fee.
Good grief, even now, he’s confirming money.
This man truly is as skilled and as rumored in personality.
“Master. I received an invitation to participate in the war again today.”
“The innkeeper also looks uneasy.”
“Do you all have any dissatisfaction or worries about being held up here?”
“It’s okay. Unlike that man.”
“Thank you for your concern ♡”
“Whoa. You’re brave, eh? You stray dog who was picked up when you were about to die a dog’s death!”
“What did you say, you bastard!”
“Stop it, both of you?”
“That’s right, don’t pick fights unnecessarily.”
Hoshikyu has money coming in even without work, but.
He’s accumulating dissatisfaction from this confined life.
He wants to vent somehow, but.
Only those who participate in the war can leave the city.
Or those providing support for the soldiers.
We escaped outside a few days later amidst the chaos of the country surrendering and the enemy army liberating the city.
Hoshikyu shot and killed several pursuers.
We hid in the forest.
Hoshikyu, as if to release his stress.
He shot and killed anything he saw, whether it was a monster or a defeated soldier.
Whoosh. Pew. Toss. Toss.
