The Great War of Rhodesia

29. Conversation Night V

In the evening Lucia accidentally stopped by Aksa and Nata's tent to talk at once to see Aksa's newly finished designs made by East Star craftsmen. A furniture that Aksa calls Sofabed.

As usual Lucia was accompanied by Jean as well as some soldiers who stood guard outside the tent.

Luque really liked the new furniture. A sofa with a width as tall as an adult man. Plated smooth and soft velvet pads.

And what distinguishes from the sofa in general is the backrest that can be stretched to change the shape of the sofa into a small bed.

The Sofabed was placed near the bed nets between the front room and Luque's room. Face to face with a pre-existing sofa. And practically adds to the narrow space.

"I love these sofas" said Luque, who was rolling on the couch.

"Don't till you fall asleep in that place, Miss Luque. You can catch a cold later." Rafa who was worried about Luque looked like an older brother who was advising his sister. In reality, their roles are changed.

"Yes-yes, I know that," said Luque who then took his favorite blanket from inside the room.

"Are you not considering building a house? With walls and a solid roof?" lucia said from the direction of the old sofa. Sit between Jean and Lily. "Even the Atelir-Atelir around this place was built of wood and metal," he added later after staring around the room. Practically there are only metal ropes, wooden pegs, and tent fabrics as a substitute for the walls and roof.

"really. This is the only tent relic from... how much? Six years ago?" Jean added.

Nata smiled a little. "really. But building a house is not our priority for now," he replied, still looking down to read something on the table face to face with Aksa who was drawing.

"That's all," Lucia replied with a small smile. He knew the real reason Aksa and Nata did not build a house in that place. Because they both did not plan to stay.

And despite not saying anything, Lucia respected their decision. The girl knew that she would part with them again someday. And he's ready.

It was because his experience of having lost both young men before made him learn. He couldn't rely on them both.

"But if Rafa and Luque want to live in a decent house, we can work on it" Aksa said later. Seemed busy drawing. "The area around the bathroom was good enough to build a house. Plus the water pipe and drainage system are in place."

"I want to stay here" said Luque, who walked out of his room while weighing down a blanket wrapped around his body.

"I also chose to stay here" followed Rafa who appeared to be putting sugar in his tea pot.

While Lucia who heard the answers of the two women could only breathe a short breath. "All right, it's up to you" he said, taking a cup of tea from the table.

"You guys are weird people. Look at the magnificent building you've built up there. But you're living in a tent at the bottom of the ravine" said Jean, who sounded like he was booing.

"God's majesty must be as selfless and humble as that, Jean. The stereotype is, that is," Aksa replied quickly.

"In the meantime, who do you mean by inferiority or selflessness, that?"

"Does age make you senile, Jean? I'm definitely the one." This time Aksa answered while touching her hands to her chest with a proud face looking at Jean.

"Ck, this kid. I wish I was really senile and cut your insolent tongue out." Jean looked irritated and a screech stared back at Aksa.

"sorry. But I can't bear not to ask this." Suddenly Nata spoke while staring at Lucia.

"What's? Just ask," Lucia replied after taking a sip of the warm tea from her cup.

Nata was still silent for a while staring at Lucia, before her silence caught the attention of the people inside the tent.

Slowly Aksa raised his gaze towards Nata. So did Luque and Rafa who had been busy doing things.

"What's up, Nat? You look serious" said Lucia who began to look worried.

"Do you need time alone?" Suddenly Aksa whispered loudly enough that everyone could hear her. Which makes Nata and also the atmosphere awkward.

"No. It's not. Suddenly I remembered something. But it's not a problem. It's not something related to the question I'm going to ask," Nata said, looking a little panicked..

"Sus very, original," said Aksa squinted at Nata.

"So what do you want to ask, Nat?"

"Because this matter is quite urgent, so does Your Majesty already have a candidate to take care of the soldiers' supplies?" tanya Nata then closed the book she had read.

"Yes, as we thought before. Many are willing to take on the task, even without any reward." Lucia answered

"According to Uncle Orland, we'll take several people at once to handle it. Because I think this task is big enough to be carried out by one or two people." Lucia changed her sitting position. "As with any drug problem. We need a group of people to work on it, right?"

"really. I also agree. I think it's good to be held by more than one person. So who will Your Majesty choose?"

"Mr Edward seemed very enthusiastic to take part in this task. So I guess we'll choose him as field officer, assisted by some of Mr. Lumire's relatives. While Orland's own uncle will take the position of full responsibility. He is quite familiar with the milestones and also the population. Which makes him a bridge for the workers and the military." Lucia explained.

"Well, you're already adept at doing things like this now, Queen," praised Aksa who looks impressed by Lucia's explanation.

"Are you hurting me, Aks? I've been Queen for almost five years now, you know?" timpal Lucia with a small laugh.

"Take a word, boy! You can be beheaded on charges of harassing the Kingdom's Leader" Jean insisted.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way" Aksa replied quickly as she raised her hands up as if she was giving up.

"Then too, Your Majesty needs to start considering making a voyage to the east sea. At least for the direct trade route with the Estrinx region," Nata continued the topic of conversation.

"Yes, we've thought about it. We plan to do it after the war is over" Lucia replied without thinking. "There has never been anyone who has sailed to the east sea before. We'll be the first to do it. This pioneering voyage to the eastern sea of the Elder plains."

"And why wait until the war is over? Are we short of people? Or lack of ships?" sela Aksa who looks really curious.

"True, isn't the voyage to the west sea still done even though the war isn't over?" Nata added to.

"That's because in addition to sailing to the east not necessarily bring profit to this region, also because the Elbrasta built a dock on the coast of the Karu region just northeast of the port of Mado. And then again Vistralle also filled a small pier of the former Ignus region which was on the northern shore of the Azure free land border, with warships." Lucia explained the reason. "And although they did not make a direct attack on our docks on the east coast, they did not rule out the possibility that they would attack our ships while at sea."

"Are our iron ships unable to keep up with their strength?" ask Aksa.

"Maybe. But for what purpose do we wage unnecessary wars like that?" Lucia again gave the best reason.

"Hm, if the problem is the reason why you have to bother sailing east, then Your Majesty will soon get it" said Nata later.

"Do you have a plan, Nat?"

"really. Tomorrow I will speak with the leaders and the parliament."

"Oh yes. Speaking of the eastern region, I would like to propose another project, Her Majesty the Queen," Aksa said later.

"Other projects?"

"So according to the Trio of hunters and Fla, on the slopes of Sekai mountain there was found a source of sulfur water."

"Yes right. On the south slope if I don't remember wrong." Lucia looked closely at what Aksa was going to say.

"How about we make a bath in that place," said Aksa then with a fluffy smile.

"Bath? Sulfur water?" Not only did Lucia look surprised. Jean, Rafa, and Luque were confused by Aksa's proposal. Because from what they know, the smell of sulfur is very pungent. And it was inconceivable how people would bathe in the midst of that pungent smell.

"really. We can make it a kind of recreational place. You can leave the management to the Yllgarians if you want. It's good to increase their living income" said Aksa.

"I don't think that's a bad idea. It could also add livelihoods for the Sekai villagers." Nata seems to agree with Aksa's proposal.

"Isn't the smell of sulfur stinging? How will people hold a bath in that place?" Luque interrupted.

"really. From what I hear sulfur can even make us short of breath." Jean added to.

"For that matter, leave it to this God Envoy. Not a thing to worry about," replied Aksa with a haughty nsda that he used to use.

"If you think it's good, let's do it. But not in the near future," Lucia replied.

"Yes I know. But at least we can start making a road that allows us to get to the mountain slope first." Aksa gave another suggestion.

"And the work can be done by the miners or the help of the Yllgarians. Those who are not busy doing their main tasks. So once we are ready to build, the streets are also ready to be available" the young man added, trying to convince the Queen.

Lucia seemed to agree. "alright. I'll tell Uncle Orland tomorrow."

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