The Originium Slug breeding business was going remarkably well. Thanks to Spiky’s lewd... no, brilliant performance, a large number of once-wild slugs were now living peacefully within their pens.
I assigned the rescued Infected the role of breeders. They had nowhere else to go, but since they weren't in any condition to join the military, they readily accepted the offer.
Of course, a few protested, claiming they wanted to leave in search of freedom, but that was out of the question. If any of them were to report the location of the Guerrilla camp, we would be in a very difficult position.
So, as a way of repaying us for saving them, I asked them to sign a contract. It was a one-year agreement to work here as slug breeders. After that much time, they would come to understand the Guerrilla, and they likely wouldn't harbor any ill intentions. Fortunately, after some dramatic negotiations, the contracts were finalized.
The one responsible for solving two of our most pressing problems had set up a veritable honeymoon suite in the corner of the pen. Taking advantage of the fact that I let him out frequently, Spiky had gathered twigs and stones to build a decent-looking house inside the enclosure.
The breeders reported that every time they went to the pen to provide feed, they saw Spiky and a large female slug sharing that house together.
"Living the dream for a bug, aren't you?"
Lately, he was so preoccupied with mating that he didn't even come near me very often. I felt a slight pang of disappointment, but since his activities were benefiting us, I left him to it.
After all, his offspring would likely end up as slug stew, serving as excellent rations for the Guerrilla.
"Anyway... I need to handle this as well."
There were many mountains left to climb. While the most urgent issue of self-sufficiency had been partially addressed, I couldn't afford to be complacent.
By the nature of a military force, there were many places where money was needed besides food. Protective gear and weapons were all outdated and required replacement. A person can't live on slugs alone; we needed other side dishes and supplies. Medical materials were also in short supply.
Ultimately, we lacked the funds to solve all of this. However, it wasn't something that could be fixed immediately. The consensus among my father and the officers was that unless we had a clean source of funding, we would likely face heavy scrutiny from Ursus. Therefore, the matter of trading with other factions was put on hold for the time being.
"For now, we'll have to manage within the limits of Father's remaining personal wealth."
Aside from that, there was so much to do. I had to review reports coming in from each squad, check the daily slug population and any anomalies from the breeders, and perform equipment checks in my capacity as the Communications Chief.
"Ugh! I don't think I've ever lived this busily in my life."
I shook off my fatigue with a long stretch. This much was fine. It was for the Guerrilla. And for Yelena...
"Aaargh! Begone, wicked thoughts!"
Ever since that day, I had been hesitant to face Yelena properly. That damn Spiky. Doing such unnecessary things... well, he did a good job, but still!
Back in the cave, my only thought had been to protect her, so I could only sigh at how things had turned out. She had already burrowed deep into a corner of my heart.
I felt ashamed. To an outsider, it might look like the innocent feelings of a teenage boy, but I was well aware that if I added up the years from my previous life, my mental age was no different from that of a sly old snake.
Because of that, harboring romantic feelings for the young Yelena made me feel guilty. It was also embarrassing that I hadn't even realized it until I was enlightened by the sight of beasts mating.
"Whew... I'll calm down in a bit."
In the first place, Yelena probably didn't have such thoughts. At most, she likely thought of me as an older brother.
Let's just work. If I immerse myself in work, these feelings will cool down.
"Come to think of it, I need to replace this piece of junk too."
I looked at the 999k radio, which had practically become my personal equipment. Although it had proven its worth several times, it was very bad that our transmissions could leak to the enemy.
If the enemy were to decode the Guerrilla's ciphers and our information leaked, a small force like ours could face an irreversible crisis.
"I heard you called for me."
I should leave this to the expert. I immediately summoned Mark, who had taught me the duties of a Messenger.
"Mark. Is there any way to enhance the performance of this radio?"
"In what way?"
"So that only our allies can hear our tactical commands."
Mark thought for a moment and then gave a negative answer.
"That would be difficult."
"Really?"
"Yes. These communication devices work on the principle of reacting to the user's Arts adaptability to transmit voice within a certain range. It might be different for non-Infected, but anyone who is Infected or skilled in using Arts also possesses Arts adaptability, so we cannot stop them from hearing it."
So, in fantasy terms, it's a device that anyone with mana can overhear. I didn't know that because I just used it, but by that logic, even I shouldn't be able to hear this device. It only worked against the Ursus army because most of them are non-Infected.
"I guess this isn't something that can be solved immediately either... I understand."
"Oh. I saw the Caster Leader outside looking for you. Should I let her in?"
"Huh? Her? At this hour?"
It should be time for her to sleep. You won't grow if you don't sleep early. There's no need to come see me when your growth hormones should be peaking.
"Let her in for now."
Shortly after Mark left, Yelena entered.
"Earth. Why aren't you coming to sleep?"
"Huh? Oh, I have a lot of work to do."
"...You haven't come in on time for the last three days. You were the one who said we have to sleep early to grow tall, Earth. Do you really have that much work?"
Since we were children rescued together, Yelena and I had been assigned to the same tent so we could rely on each other.
And honestly, until recently, I had gone to sleep without much thought. When Yelena complained about not being able to sleep, I would threaten her by saying she wouldn't grow, or I'd soothe her by telling her fairy tales I knew.
The problem was that since that day, the 'Confucian Dragon' sleeping inside me had awakened. How could a boy and a girl sleep in the same space at the age of ten! ...Actually, I was just embarrassed.
That was why I had been using work as an excuse to escape. I made up work that didn't exist, entered the tent to take a nap only when she was asleep, and woke up before she did to avoid her.
"I can't sleep today either. Want some help?"
"No. I've finished most of the work. I think I can sleep a bit early today."
"That's good. I wanted to hear one of your stories today, Earth!"
This was troublesome. However, it seemed tonight's overtime was already ruined. Since Yelena had come to find me like this, I had no right of refusal.
There were beds for both Yelena and me in the tent. I swallowed hard and lay down on my bed. It was dark and hard to see the other side, but judging by the rustling sound that soon stopped, it seemed Yelena had settled in as well.
"Shall I tell you a story from Yan today?"
"Yes!"
Maybe it was because I hadn't slept properly for the past few days. My eyelids felt heavy, but I tried to maintain my focus.
Yelena usually asked for a story when she was feeling mentally unstable. I could guess the reason. It was likely because I hadn't come to sleep lately. If I fell asleep like this, there was a risk that the frustration and anxiety Yelena had been building up would explode all at once.
"The story I'm going to tell you today is 'The Sun and the Moon.'"
It was a story very familiar to me. Though to this child—no, to this world—it would be a novel tale.
A mother selling rice cakes, a scary tiger, a brother and sister who escape through their wits, the siblings who climb a rope to become the sun and the moon, and the tiger who exits the stage like a proper villain. It was a structure children would love.
"What's a tiger?"
"The mother is so pitiful..."
"Wow. The brother is amazing!"
And today was different from usual. Yelena, who always listened quietly until she fell asleep, was asking questions and reacting in various ways.
I answered her questions sincerely, and with her reactions adding to mine, the story reached its conclusion.
"...And so, the siblings who climbed the sturdy rope became the sun and the moon, while the tiger on the rotten rope fell to his death. That's the end of today's story."
Thanks to the audience's engaging reactions, I lost track of time while talking. Of course, I couldn't help being sleepy. It was the inevitable backlash from my actions over the last three days.
"But why did the brother and sister become the sun and the moon at the end?"
"Why? You don't like the ending?"
"No. If they become the sun and the moon, they can never meet. They rise at different times."
Though I was half-asleep, I pulled myself together to answer.
"That's not true. The sun and the moon are always in the same sky. It's just that the moon isn't easily seen during the day because of the sun's light... well, I'm not sure about the night. Anyway, they're in the same sky. Don't worry too much. They're basically together."
With those words, I could no longer resist the drowsiness. I surrendered to the embrace of sleep.
--------
"Earth? Are you asleep?"
Even when she asked, there was no answer, only the sound of his quiet breathing. In fact, she had vaguely noticed for a while that he was telling the story while holding back his sleep.
But it didn't matter. Being able to be with Earth after such a long time was a great joy for Yelena.
"Earth. You know what? If I were the sister, I would never have become the moon."
As a Cautus, Yelena's eyes glowed brightly even in the dark. The darkness was no obstacle to seeing Earth's face as he lay on the opposite bed.
"Because then, I would never be able to meet my brother again."
Being the knowledgeable person he was, he had kindly explained that her words weren't true, but Yelena knew. What she wanted wasn't simply to be in the same space.
"The sun and the moon can't look at each other in the end. If it were me, I would have lived happily with him in heaven."
Thinking about it, the story of the sister in 'The Sun and the Moon' was very similar to her own. Her family's lives were taken by a tiger-like Ursus soldier, and she was able to live thanks to the wit and courage of an Earth-like brother.
To her, Earth was truly like the sun in the story. No matter what difficulties lay ahead, he held her hand and lit the way, allowing her to endure the sorrow of losing her family.
However, she would not meet the same end as the sister in the story. After all, she wanted to be with Earth for the rest of her life. That was what Yelena thought.
Before she knew it, the night was ending and dawn was breaking. Had Earth said that the moon was just hidden by the sun's light, faintly keeping its place? A desire arose within her to be a woman like a mother, someone who stayed by Earth's side.
Earth obviously thought of her as nothing more than a spoiled younger sister. But it didn't matter. Yelena firmly believed that, in the end, she would be the one remaining by his side.
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