Escape From a Deserted Island With Enemy Female Soldiers

60 – The Third Escape (2)

I carved a line into the rock the moment I woke up.

Counting them, I realized it had been well over 120 days since I was stranded on this deserted island. Damn, I’ve endured a long time.

At this point, my uniform, hell, even my underwear was starting to fall apart. The smell was another issue. I regularly washed them in the water, but without soap it just wasn’t cutting it.

It’s unavoidable, living on a deserted island. Gotta just accept it.

“…So, I was thinking of doing something to celebrate the year ending.”

“Are you speaking of an end-of-year party?”

“That’s right, an end-of-year party. I couldn’t remember the phrase.”

I feel like I could just cut in. We’re in a daily survival situation, do you really have time for a year-end party? I thought.

But, thinking about it, it’s not bad.

Mental fortitude is just as important as physical strength for survival on a deserted island. Even a simple banquet would be a big boost to morale.

“Alright. Let’s do it.”

And so, we spurred into action, gathering food.

We had plenty of plants and fruits growing everywhere, what we needed was meat. We spent two full days hunting.

We caught six or seven squirrels, three hares, two deer, and a wild boar. We also caught over a dozen birds. It was a major haul.

“This too, is by the grace of the goddess…”

The Saintess started her prayer, then glanced at me.

“……Must be the grace of the Goddess and Jeriem.”

“Mr. Carsten?”

“What?”

“Is it alright for the Saint to say things like that?”

“I’m saying it *because* I’m the Saint.”

“You say things that don’t make sense sometimes.”

“It’s because of you.”

“Did I hear you wrong?”

“It’s a year-end party, I can’t just say it’s the grace of one religion. It’s a party held for the purpose of harmony in the first place, isn’t it? Just for today, the Goddess will understand.”

I nodded. I also offered a prayer in the Holy Spirit Church style.

“Mage?”

“The noble Saint has personally greeted our progenitor, so shouldn’t I also give thanks to the Goddess?”

“Doesn’t the Magic Kingdom say anything?”

“They do. They say a lot.”

“It’s the same for us. Does that mean we’re both heretics now?”

The Saint covered her mouth and laughed. She’s a bit of a gossip sometimes, but every time she shows this side of herself, I think she’s fundamentally a dignified person.

While Liyo and I grilled the meat, the Saint and the Valkyrie prepared the vegetables. The Saint was especially busy, because she also had to make the stew. The reason, of course, was that the Valkyrie was afraid of fire.

All sorts of ingredients went into the stew. Herbs, berries, fish, meat, eggs found in nests, and so on.

[‘A hodgepodge, huh.’]

[‘Isn’t it Eintopf?’]

[‘Looks like it. Been living off this stuff for years, sick of it.’]

[‘The government made us eat it at least once a month. Tastes alright, but being forced to, you just lose your appetite for it.’]

Still, this is a feast compared to usual.

If there’s food, there should be booze, but there’s nowhere to get any, so forget it.

I was originally going to build a huge bonfire, but the Valkyrie’s afraid of fire, whether it’s Valkyries burning or explosions, so we decided to switch to a different event.

Early evening, as darkness began to settle.

“Sorry for the wait.”

I gathered the Martian magma stones and started the spectacle.

“Fireworks show!”

The Valkyrie blinked. She and the Saintess exchanged words.

“What’s the mage doing?”

“Says he’s going to show us fireworks?”

“You crazy b*stard!”

The Valkyrie immediately tried to run away. Riyo blocked her path.

“Sergeant! That’s an order! Let me go!”

“Hey, this isn’t your typical fireworks, you know? Nothing explodes. Not a thing.”

“Then what kind of fireworks are they?”

“It’s done with glowing stones and heating wires. If it was exploding fireworks, monsters would come running at the sound, wouldn’t they? This is quieter than a car engine, just enjoy the show.”

“Still don’t like it!”

“This is something you can only see in the Magic Kingdom, you know?”

Two were bickering, and in that time, I grabbed the first magic stone and threw it into the sky. When the stone had risen high enough, I chanted the spell.

[“Light the way.”]

Heat lines spread.

A faint light stretched out in all directions. The first ray unfurled in yellow, drawing the shape of a sunflower.

Then, milky-white flames painted a white lotus, and purple flames, a chrysanthemum. Besides those, magic stones of every color embroidered the night sky.

“Magnesium in one star, potassium in another, sodium in another, sodium…”

“It’s so pretty! It’s a shame we can’t take pictures. Don’t you think, Major?”

The Saintess poked Valkyrie in the waist. Valkyrie, who had been trembling so hard she could barely breathe, cautiously raised her head. And.

“Wow…”

She was impressed too.

“So it really is a firework that doesn’t explode.”

“And it doesn’t make a sound. How beautiful is that? It’s like flower buds rising in the night sky.”

“And, and money. This is money. Since it’s a non-hazardous firework, if we lighten it, and crush the business targeting children…”

Thank goodness. It seems like all three of them like it. The Fox seems a little off, but it shouldn’t be a big problem.

Anyway, it was worth the preparation. The year-end party on the deserted island ended in a fairly comfortable atmosphere.

Hopefully, this time next year, the people of both nations will be able to spend the year-end party together.

*

After the modest year-end party, the four prepared thoroughly and boarded the lifeboat. It was their first departure in a long time.

“What if the fog brings us back here again?”

“We caught even the Demon King’s army’s technical advisor, you don’t think the head honcho’s still around, do you?”

So, the group left, heading toward the next island.

And, in the dwelling that lost its master, a new shadow fell.

[“……”]

Rustle.

A spider demon emerged from the undergrowth. Black, straight hair and red eyes. Her upper body was that of a beautiful woman, but her lower half was the form of a spider.

The demon looked around, casting a glance out at the sea, then snapped her fingers. Concealed mana was released, whipping up a wind.

The demon, gazing beyond the horizon, reached out her hand.

[“Shoot.”]

Whirr!

Threads shot from the demon’s hand.

Those threads instantly covered the camp. The water purifier, the beds, even the signal beacon were all wrapped in silk and gathered in one place.

The demon continued her incantation.

[“Tear.”]

At the same moment, the ground split, creating a massive pit. Seawater poured into the pit.

The demon waved her hand, casting the traces of civilization into the pit.

Rumble.

The pit closed. Everything vanished without a trace.

Following this, the demon pulled out parchment and a quill. She scuttled, her four pairs of legs twitching, moving as if taking a stroll.

Scratch scratch.

[-Record from Unit -28. Unit -3 sustained devastating losses and has effectively been disbanded. The specific cause is under investigation. End transmission.]

The letters inscribed on the parchment shone and scattered into the air.

At the same instant, the monster vanished without a trace.

*

Magocracy Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Air Force General Tetman Gifold’s private office.

“You’re attacking the Elf Kingdom? Are you out of your goddamn mind?”

Tetman slammed his desk, erupting in fury.

“The war with the Holy Nation isn’t even over, and you’re poking at elves who are minding their own business? What kind of moron came up with this idea?!”

“It’s the Führer’s decision.”

“Have you ever seen such a lunatic?!”

“Are you crazy?”

Adora chewed her bubblegum, popping it loudly. She mimed slitting her throat with her hand.

“Daddy, any other officer would be right there. I’m giving you a chance because you’re my dad. Watch your mouth. Otherwise, you won’t just lose your uniform.”

“Try and take it. Ditz is MIA anyway, let’s see how the Southern Command runs without me, huh?”

“Do we really have to get bloody?”

*Shwing.*

Adora drew her suppression blade from its scabbard and pointed it at him. She grimaced fiercely. Tetman recoiled in shock, pointing a trembling finger.

“Has this b*tch lost it?! Daring to draw a sword on her own father?”

“I’m the Führer’s hunting dog before I’m your daughter. Say it again. What do you think of the Grand Führer’s decision?”

“Put the damn sword away?”

“You’d best answer.”

Adora pressed the knife in deeper. Tetman’s eyes widened. He always thought his daughter was a bit off, but not to this extent.

“Fine, go ahead and plan the damn operation. Losing the war won’t be the end of it.”

“It’s the opposite. If we dry up the elves supplying the Holy Kingdom with weapons and money, wouldn’t our mages be able to win the war? Yes.”

“Is that what *he* said?”

“Mind your words…”

“Adora.”

“Yes.”

Tetman rose from his seat.

“You know Pinar is a maritime nation. The ones in power are Water Elves, not Wood. They’re incredibly skilled at naval warfare. They’re not an enemy we, with our land-based army, can afford to mess with.”

“No, we have unmanned drones and an invincible submarine fleet. We’ve improved the magic stones enough to be technologically superior. What can they do in a war, besides play with spirits?”

“Don’t underestimate the enemy, Adora.”

“Don’t underestimate our soldiers, Father.”

Adora retracted the blade. She wrapped the chewed gum she spat out in a tissue and discarded it, then gave a small bow.

“Anyway, I came to inform you, not to discuss it. We will be fighting on two fronts from now on, so please pay attention to troop deployments. Yes, that’s all.”

With a clattering sound, his daughter vanished before his eyes.

Tetman collapsed back into his chair.

“Heh.”

His blood pressure was rising. He never thought he’d be threatened with murder by his own flesh and blood. He couldn’t blame his adjutant for this.

“What am I going to do with that damn girl…”

Look at this. They didn’t even put the tissue in the trash can properly.

Tetman ground his teeth and picked up the tissue himself.

“I’ve warned them so many times not to chew gum while on duty… Huh?”

Tetman’s eyes widened as he absentmindedly unfolded the tissue.

“…Blood?”