Chapter 242: Speaking of Summer Training Camps

After storing the carriage and the Golems away with magic, we teleported near New Wrexham. The surroundings were vast plains, but it was a place with a small lake and a grove of trees.

I had learned about this place from the knights and the Elves. It is a quiet place where you can feel nature.

Monsters don’t appear around here very often anymore. Besides, just in case, the Golems are keeping watch over the surroundings. Therefore, I brought the carriage out, and we went inside to take a breather.

I say carriage, but since it has been spatially expanded to be like a house, we can spend time in the living room or rest in separate bedrooms for boys and girls. While we were relaxing, Oliver and Kate also met up with us.

We plan to stay the night at this place today. That’s right; when you think of a summer training camp, you think of camping.

I explained to His Majesty and the others that this was practice, as the need to sleep in the carriage might arise while exploring the southern undeveloped lands.

But the real reason was that Flora looked a little envious after hearing stories about camping from her classmates at the academy.

Being born into the Royal Family means you can’t exactly go camping. That is why I consulted with Letty and the others and decided we would go camping for our summer training camp.

“The sun is starting to set.”

“Yeah, Letty. Let’s get that ready.”

As our surroundings grew dark, we stepped outside. From here on out, it’s a true summer training camp event.

I took out the firewood I had stored in an open area near the lake. Making sure the firewood got thinner toward the top, I stacked them alternately in a log-cabin style.

“I brought some gathered branches.”

“Thank you, Theo.”

In the center of the structure, we placed the branches collected from the grove. Then, I ignited it with Fire Magic.

The flames roared to life. That light illuminated the darkness of the night.

“Wow, how beautiful. So this is a campfire.”

Flora clasped her hands in front of her chest, deeply moved.

“There’s just something nice about having a bonfire outdoors.”

Although Letty was a Count’s daughter, she often acted together with the knight order, so she has experience sleeping outdoors.

“You are right, Letty. I feel as though it warms my heart as well.”

I’m glad Flora seems to like it.

“This is my first time camping as well, but it is nice to have this sense of liberation. I am glad I joined the Southern Development Research Society.”

“I see, El. I’m used to sleeping outdoors, but it’s not just Her Highness; you really are a high-class lady too, El.”

“Well, obviously. She is a Ducal family’s daughter, after all. She is different from us, Col.”

“I suppose you’re right, Kate. Being born into a noble house comes with a lot of restrictions, so it must be tough.”

“Now then, speaking of campfires, this is the best part.”

Ria and Gil handed out marshmallows skewered on bamboo sticks to everyone.

The two of them had told me to include marshmallows and bamboo skewers in the luggage, so I brought them along.

“Does everyone have one stick each?”

“I have one. What are we supposed to do with this?”

“Sophie-sama, you do it like this.”

Smiling brightly, Ria held her stick out over the campfire. The marshmallow rapidly puffed up.

Beside Ria, Gil, who had similarly held his marshmallow over the fire, took a hearty bite.

“Yeah, delicious as always.”

Everyone else began to roast their marshmallows too. But if you aren’t used to it, it is actually quite difficult.

“Wah, it melted away,” the one saying that is probably Sophie.

It seemed to be difficult for Flora as well.

“Ah, it burned.”

Looking at the charred black marshmallow, she slumped her shoulders in dejection.

“It’s best not to hold it directly in the fire. You should keep it a little distance away and twirl it around to toast it.”

I have roasted marshmallows with Gil and Ria a few times before.

“Here, have this.”

When I handed her a roasted marshmallow, Flora timidly took a bite.

“My! It is crispy on the outside, and gooey on the inside.”

“It’s not exactly an elegant confection, but it’s nice once in a while, right?”

“Yes, it is extremely delicious. I never thought I would get to eat such a rustic treat.”

After that, we had a barbecue next to the campfire.

It feels like the order is backward, but since roasting marshmallows leaves a strong impression, I consulted with Ria and Gil and decided to do it first.

When we grilled the meat and vegetables I had stored away, a delicious aroma drifted through the air. For Flora and El, grilling their own food seemed to be a completely novel experience in itself.

“Princess, you’re overcooking it.”

As expected, the twin guards seemed used to outdoor cooking and were helping Flora grill.

Around the time we finished eating, Sophie looked up at the sky and raised her voice.

“Wow, the sky is full of shining stars.”

When I looked up, it was truly a star-filled sky. Both Flora and El were captivated by the starry night.

Because we have members like Her Highness the Princess and Ducal daughters, we can’t have a long-term training camp, so we will return to the Royal Capital tomorrow afternoon.

But thanks to going camping, I think we were able to make some good memories.