Escape From a Deserted Island With Enemy Female Soldiers - Chapter 77



76 – Pheromone Battle (1)

Origin stones store information. And unless deliberately manipulated, they don’t lose that information.

The mana compass, which always pointed in a specific direction, spinning like this was definitely not right.

“What’s wrong?”

“Just need to confirm something.”

I swapped the compass with a spare origin stone. The result was the same. The replacement compass was also spinning wildly.

There was only one thing this could mean.

“There’s a destination nearby.”

An exit.

In other words, the gate to the barrier existed.

“So, we can get out?”

“Probably.”

“Not that the stone is broken?”

“In my experience, stones don’t lie.”

I said.

“If we’re lucky, maybe we can go home next month.”

That single sentence lit up the faces of the female soldiers.

My own heart was racing just as fast. How much I missed the conveniences of civilization. But it wasn’t time to relax yet. The war might not be over.

Besides, we had our own practical problems.

“……Shit.”

Even tools break down after being used for a long time. Life rafts are no exception. After running this thing ragged for the past few months, it was starting to lose air. Scratches and scrapes were all over it.

Basically, the boat was done for.

“It’s too dangerous to travel on this now.”

Maybe if it were calm seas, but in this archipelago where storms blew in at a moment’s notice, setting sail in this flimsy thing would be suicide.

We have to abandon this boat. From now on, we’ll have to build something, even a makeshift raft, to get around. Of course, if we’re lucky, we’ll find a way off this island, but just in case.

“Ah…”

Surprisingly, Valkyrie seemed to feel a little bad about leaving the life raft behind.

“We’ve been together since the beginning.”

“You sad?”

“U-huh.”

Valkyrie nodded.

It’s a shame to say goodbye, but there’s nothing we can do. We’d be dead if it ripped open while we were in it.

We made a plan.

From noble mtl dot com

There’s a high chance the escape route is on this island. We need to be prepared for a long-term search. It would be good to set up a basic base.

“Major, what do you think?”

“This island looks bountiful.”

Valkyrie said, climbing down from a tree.

“Wizard, here, our home.”

I nodded. Like the third island we stayed on, the first thing to do was to make a place to rest.

Looking past the forest, there was a plateau. The clouds hanging around it were quite the sight. The terrain looked decent, but it’s too far to go right now.

Anyway, it’s a normal forest, and I can hear the stream and the birds chirping. Compared to the last island with only fire and rocks, this was heaven.

The Saintess said,

“Shall we find a place to live first?”

And then, a loud growl came from someone’s stomach. A few seconds later, the Saintess’s eyes turned light pink.

“…Let’s take care of food first.”

*

I thought back to what we ate on the last island.

Fish, water, a few bugs, and a few grains of primitive cereal. And fish, fish, more fish.

It was so bad I could taste the fishiness in my mouth. Awful. I don’t want to eat fish for a while. Unless maybe it was seasoned with herbs or something.

“Wizard, look at that.”

While exploring the forest, we found a beehive.

Looking closely, it was a honeybee nest.

[‘Worth the challenge.’]

[‘Be careful not to get stung by the bees.’]

I lit a branch smeared with pine resin and made smoke.

Whoosh!

The bees buzzed and flew out. I couldn’t help but glance at Valkyrie, worried the flame would upset her. Thankfully, Valkyrie was okay… or so I thought.

Valkyrie grabbed my right arm and linked arms with me. Just four months ago, I couldn’t have even dreamed of this. Has she forgotten that I’m her sworn enemy?

Whizz!

Valkyrie threw her spear. The flying spearhead hit the top of the beehive. The beehive, swaying like a grandfather clock, dropped to the ground with a thud.

“Honey, honey! Sweet honey! Ah, no! Fox honey!”

Riyo ran like a dog, no, like a fox, to retrieve it.

Finally, with some effort, we succeeded in getting honeycomb.

[‘Since you’re in the Air Force, suck on more honey like an Air Force guy, got it?’]

[‘Sorry! I’ll suck on more honey!’]

[‘Good. Tell your superiors and my subordinates to all lie down on a deserted island and suck on honey.’]

We divided the honeycomb into exactly four pieces. Each of us grabbed one and started nibbling from the end.

“Ah, I was really craving something sweet.”

“Hehe, delicious……”

We had no dignity whatsoever. Of course. We’d survived on a few small fish and a few sips of water for over two weeks. Everyone was on the verge of starvation.

[‘Honeycomb is a high-calorie food, about 300kcal per 100g. You should feel full even after eating a little?’]

[‘Mr. Muron, you know things like that too?’]

[‘Yes, I was very interested in cooking and nutrition when I was alive.’]

[‘You’re very knowledgeable.’]

[‘I’m just average. What about you, Mr. Kalon?’]

[‘I’ve liked cooking since I was young. I even worked in catering during training camp……’]

[‘Ah, that’s him.’]

My eyebrows twitched as I sucked on the sweet honey. The atmosphere between the Valkyrie named Olivia and former Battalion Commander Kalon was strange.

And the other side was just as unsettling.

[‘Lieutenant Kahnig said he attended the Larion Academy, right?’]

[‘That is correct.’]

[‘How did you end up way out here?’]

[‘War broke out while I was still pursuing my studies, and the country issued a draft order. I wanted to live, so I enlisted as an Air Force officer matching my major and specialties, but wouldn’t you know it, I ended up like this, huh?’]

[‘Still, as a soldier, you must have some sense of pride or….’]

[‘Didn’t have any. The country doesn’t give you anything, only asks for everything, so how can you have patriotism? Maybe they’ll just build me a grave after the war’s over.’]

[‘Is it alright to say things like that? Aren’t all mages supposed to be loyal to the Magical Kingdom?’]

[‘If you have a hundred people, you have a hundred opinions. I’m saying this because I’m going to die anyway, but I think the Führer needs to step down. I’m probably not the only one who thinks that way.’]

[‘Oh my.’]

David had even brought up politics. Probably the number one thing you should never talk about with someone you’ve just met, especially someone from the enemy nation.

[‘People from the Magical Kingdom aren’t so different from us, I see.’]

The Valkyrie on the other side seemed to have a pretty good reaction. Anyway, those two had an unusual vibe.

This is how my brain never got any peace. When two people quieted down, another two would start talking.

I need to create those four throats as soon as possible. Otherwise, I’ll have to suffer every day from morning until bedtime.

“Mage.”

The Valkyrie called to me and held out the honeycomb.

“Eat.”

“What about you?”

“I ate. Enough.”

“I still have some left too. We don’t know how much longer we’ll have to starve, so eat while you can.”

“Then, let’s trade…”

Valkyrie pointed to the honeycomb in my hand.

“I’m full. Your food portion is smaller. Let’s trade and eat. Is that okay?”

“…Okay.”

To be honest, I wasn’t as full as I thought I’d be. It was a decent enough offer.

When I think about it, Valkyrie’s actions could be calculated kindness. Since escape isn’t far off, she’s preparing in advance.

Or, it could be to repay the debt from the last island. From what I’ve seen of Valkyrie, she’s someone who gives back as much as she receives.

“Here. Open your mouth.”

I shook out the remaining honey into Valkyrie’s mouth. Valkyrie naturally took it like a baby bird. The way she munched was pretty cute.

“……”

What am I thinking?

[‘Oh my?’]

[‘oooh!’]

I was spacing out when the stones started yelling. I snapped to attention. Somehow my index and middle fingers were warm. Like they were stuck to a soft membrane.

Valkyrie was sucking on my fingers.

I flinched in surprise and quickly pulled my hand away.

“What the hell are you doing, that’s disgusting?!”

“You don’t like it?”

“……”

“……”

An awkward silence hung in the air.

I squinted, and saw Saintess and Liyo frozen like statues. Liyo spat out the beeswax he’d been chewing with a *bweh-wek*, and Saintess’s eyes had gone completely white from the shock.

Valkyrie shifted her gaze. She mumbled in a small voice.

“…It’s just inconvenient to get it on your hands.”

“The honey?”

“Yeah.”

*We could just find a stream and wash it off*, the words rose to my throat, but I swallowed them back down. Valkyrie’s comrades had suddenly started yelling.

*Thwack.*

Valkyrie tapped my shoulder and stood up.

“Let’s go.”

I shoved Valkyrie’s share roughly into my mouth and got to my feet. It was inevitable that the group’s mood would be strained.

At least it was easy to find food that was readily available. Things like tree fruits, wild greens, and such.

I saw a few small animals too, but finding a river came first, so I passed on them for now.

Finally, the longed-for stream appeared.

The current was moderate, and there was even a small lake to wash in. The depth was, on average, waist-high. Just right.

“The area nearby is flat, so it will be useful for guarding against monsters. How about we make this our base?”

“That would be good.”

We’ll start here, one thing at a time.

If before was just survival, from now on, we’ll also be living.

The real crafting begins.

*

Somewhere in the forest.

A single bee flew towards a colossal tree easily exceeding 30 meters.

At the apex of the tree sat a giant honeycomb plastered with hexagons, and on it, a demon sat cross-legged.

[“My Queen.”]

A being resembling both human and bee.

Birzoneh, Division Commander of the Old Demon King’s 6th Legion.

But now, called Queen by the bee monsters of this island.

[“Intruders have entered the island.”]

At the worker bee’s report, the Queen’s eyes widened. She switched the crossing of her legs and spoke demurely.

[“Speak.”]

[“One man and three women.”]

[“One man? Handsome?”]

[“For a human, exceptionally handsome and tall. A massive thing, befitting your Majesty’s perfect form.”]

[“Besides you, who else knows of this?”]

[“The Mushroom Witch and the Bloodsucking Princess, along with the late-stage executives, seem unaware. After all, this island is not exactly small, is it? Many places to land… also, it seems everyone is flocking to the center as the resurrection ceremony for Him is likely to succeed soon.”]

Tap, tap.

The Queen tapped her throne, lost in thought.

[“…The fact they’ve reached the entrance of this paradise means they are no ordinary talents. As one responsible for coastal defense, it’s necessary to proceed with caution.”]

The Queen rose from her seat, a smirk pulling at the corner of her lips.

[“First, scatter pollen throughout the whole forest. We need to get that male so intoxicated he can’t look at anyone but her. The hunt comes after that.”]