My Platoon is Fucking Hopeless – Chapter 52

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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The single diamond on my uniform’s epaulet was replaced with two. And it was the King himself who changed it.

The promotion wasn’t the only reward. All squad members, including Lumia and Belle, received the 3rd Class White Medal of Honor and a bonus for their special contributions.

It was a fitting reward for capturing the Chernoe City spy in just one day, without mobilizing a large force.

As for Roxana… well, it couldn’t be helped. She wasn’t part of the operation.

While I felt slightly awkward about being the only one promoted, Lumia and Bell seemed to take it for granted. They even scolded me for thinking otherwise.

“Of course, you deserve a bigger reward, Platoon Leader. We wouldn’t have caught Lamur without you.”

Even in a real-world army, some people received more than others for the same contribution. Especially in a near-wartime situation like this (although such a concept didn’t seem to exist yet), it was natural for commanding officers to be treated more favorably.

After the commendation ceremony, King Orlando Luce held a brief Q&A session. It wasn’t anything special. He asked how I made my decisions, what I thought was the reason for my success so soon after commissioning, and so on.

He didn’t ask about the future political landscape or what strategies Ukraine should adopt, which were the only things I could actually answer.

Well, it was understandable. While I had achieved significant feats just one month after commissioning, I was still only a second lieutenant, recently promoted to first lieutenant.

He probably thought it was too early for me to discuss strategy and tactics.

I doubted any of the generals present considered me or my squad members as “essential personnel.” That seemed to be the general perception of magic troops in the Ukrainian Principality Army.

Even the generals seemed to think that most magic officers, except for a select few, would leave the military after completing their five-year mandatory service.

Especially the magic NCO’s.

Mana was more useful in the civilian sector than in the military. Unlike military magic, which was mainly used for destruction, the five elements—fire, water, earth, lightning, and wind—had limitless potential for civilian applications.

With the existence of magic towers, civilian institutions dedicated to researching and commercializing these elements, the outflow of magic NCO’s and officers from the Ukrainian army was a serious problem.

‘It’s like the Air Force.’

Just like Air Force officers leaving for higher-paying civilian airline jobs after reaching the rank of captain or major. There was no reason for magic officers or NCO’s to remain in the stagnant Ukrainian army after their five years were up.

Even in our unit, there were many senior magic officers and NCO’s who didn’t seem interested in commendations or promotions. They spent most of their time on personal magic research, planning for their post-military lives.

While I couldn’t blame them… knowing the tragedy that would unfold in a few years, their attitude was frustrating.

It wasn’t just individuals; the government’s overly optimistic outlook also played a part.

‘It’s too early to address that.’

And I didn’t want to attract attention yet. Speaking up could make me a target or label me as a dissident. I needed to prepare for the war, but that was something to consider after escaping this wretched battalion.

I needed to be at least an aide to a division commander or a staff officer at headquarters for my words to carry weight. As a platoon leader in a remote magic battalion, I was too restricted.

For now, I had to be content with the exceptional promotion to first lieutenant just one month after commissioning.

The audience with the King ended. Belle Meyer and Lumia Blyue returned to the quarters, but I couldn’t leave the palace yet. I had to attend an unofficial “after-party” hosted by the generals.

‘Damn, this is suffocating.’

Everywhere I looked, I saw stars. A newly promoted first lieutenant with a single medal couldn’t breathe easily among generals whose uniforms were covered in medals.

Major Lannister was the only one I could comfortably talk to… but he had disappeared somewhere.

All I could do was sip wine in a corner of the banquet hall. It was the first time I wanted to escape back to the 3rd Battalion.

“Second Lieutenant Enoch Levandal!!”

A clear voice called out from behind.

“No, wait. First Lieutenant now. First Lieutenant Enoch Levandal?”

I turned around and saw the distinctive lavender hair. An unforgettable woman.

The Sky Archmage, Colonel Sony Zeppelin.

“We meet sooner than expected, huh?”

she chuckled, looking at me. Was she attending because she was close to the King? I saluted, and Sony Zeppelin casually waved her hand.

“Forget the salute. It’s all formalities.”

“What brings you here?”

“I’m stationed in the capital. I’m with the Special Response Brigade, directly under the Central Corps, remember?”

Right.

“I usually hate these after-parties, but I came because I heard you were attending, Lieutenant.”

Sony Zeppelin walked past me and refilled her wine glass.

“Let’s have a toast.”

-Clink.

She gently clinked her glass against mine. The Colonel took a sip and nodded. Despite my public rejection of her recruitment offer, she showed no resentment.

‘I acted that way anticipating this… but I didn’t expect her to be completely unfazed.’

She was an unusual person.

“Congratulations again on your promotion to first lieutenant. You’re the second second lieutenant to be promoted after just one month of commissioning.”

“The second?”

“Him, over there. The Central Magic Brigade Commander. He was promoted right after commissioning because the Quernen War broke out. I heard he worked his tail off there.”

I followed her gaze and saw a red-haired man chatting with other generals. Despite his youthful appearance, seemingly in his mid-thirties, the single star on his epaulet was impressive.

“Still, a wartime promotion is different from a peacetime promotion. You helped me find a clue, Lieutenant.”

“About the stolen artifact?”

“Yes, it’s now confirmed that the Sovie Empire took it. They’re still denying it… but we’ll see. We’re working on a retrieval plan.”

“A retrieval plan? You’re planning to send troops to retrieve it?”

“The stolen artifact is essential for the future of the Ukrainian Principality. We’ll have to endure some losses and international condemnation.” Sony Zeppelin’s eyes gleamed.

“They were the ones who crossed the line first, anyway.”

What kind of future did she envision? I still wasn’t sure if it aligned with mine.

As I remained silent, pondering the serious topic, she suddenly grabbed my hand.

“So, have you changed your mind about joining our brigade? You know June is the reassignment period, right? Your sudden promotion has left you in a strange position, Lieutenant.”

“I’ll… think about it.”

The situation was different from when I flatly refused her. As she said, with my unexpected promotion to first lieutenant, I couldn’t remain in my current battalion. To maintain the existing rank-based culture, it would be better for someone like me, who stood out, to be transferred.

“Gasp!? Really!?”

“Now, now, Colonel Sony Zeppelin. Don’t jump the gun.”

A man with a sturdy build approached, speaking as Sony Zeppelin beamed at my more positive response. She seemed to recognize the voice and grimaced.

“Ugh… Commander Zygmunt Blachowicz.”

“A pleasure to meet you, First Lieutenant Enoch Levandal.”

A black uniform stood out among the sea of white. The three gleaming stars and the large insignia symbolizing the Military Police exuded an overwhelming presence.

It was Lieutenant General Zygmunt Blachowicz, the commander of the National Military Police. While Major Lannister, standing beside him, was a large man, he looked like a cub next to Commander Zygmunt.

“Glory to the Motherland!”

“Glory. Congratulations on your promotion, Lieutenant. I heard about the situation from Major Lannister. You did a remarkable job.”

“Thank you, Commander!!”

I couldn’t help but feel tense. Why was I more nervous than when I met King Orlando Luce?

“By the way, you seem more suited to the Military Police than the Magic Corps. How about transferring your assignment? The Military Police also has openings for magic officers.”

“What!? Commander Zygmunt, isn’t this too much?”

“Sony Zeppelin, don’t you think he’s a bit too valuable to be dragged into your experimental brigade?”

Colonel Sony Zeppelin was arguing with a three-star general. She really was crazy. And Commander Zygmunt, as if used to this, simply responded with a playful tone.

“Even the commander of the Military Police can’t just poach personnel like this!”

“Then let’s ask the person directly. Ask him to choose between the Military Police Commander and the Special Response Brigade Commander.”

“Oh~? Are you that confident? Fine. Lieutenant Enoch! Make your choice! Who do you want to work under?”

My mind went blank. The gazes of an acting brigadier general and an active lieutenant general were fixed on me. An immense pressure weighed me down.

“I-I didn’t quite catch that…?”

“It’s simple! Where do you want to be assigned in June?”

Sony Zeppelin thumped her chest, eagerly presenting her case.

“I’ll take your entire squad! We’re short on personnel anyway. We can skip the formalities and transfer an entire platoon! Oh, and I’ll grant you the temporary rank of captain using my authority as Brigade Commander.”

Temporary rank of captain…? Was that even possible? And it didn’t end there; Lieutenant General Zygmunt also extended a compelling offer.

“No need for long explanations. Military Police, Lieutenant General’s line, central authority.”

Three incredibly enticing words. Zygmunt casually flicked his fingers.

“With your talent, it won’t be difficult to earn a chrysanthemum on your epaulet within a few years.”

“W-Well…”

“Lieutenant Enoch! Don’t tell me you’re going to stand me up twice after falling for his sweet talk?”

I couldn’t speak. I was screwed, in a different sense of the word. Excuse me, generals… Why are you doing this to me…?

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