—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Lumia and I were tasked with contacting the merchant guilds. We had to go furniture shopping anyway. The problem was the ‘thugs’ connected to Rex. Since Rex himself had said they were after me, we might be tailed as soon as we entered the city. So, I…
“So, how do I look? Do I seem like a different person?”
“…Wow.” Lumia breathed a short exclamation. “Black hair suits you, too.”
I had dyed my hair the previous night. Black, to be precise. Luckily, hair dye existed in this world. It made sense, considering the setting was the late 18th century.
Of course, since it was water-based, the color would wash out if I rinsed my hair in a river, but it was enough for a short trip to the city.
We weren’t planning to stay for days; it was just a quick visit to furniture and material stores.
Lumia, to conceal her conspicuous silver hair, decided to wear a robe. We also chose the most inconspicuous clothes we had, making us look like ordinary laborers.
“With these clothes, no one will recognize us unless they look closely.”
“They’re idiots; they won’t recognize us even if they do.”
“I-Is that so…?”
“Yes, of course.”
I smiled at Lumia. It was a common trope in game world transmigrations that a simple disguise was enough to fool everyone.
“But how are we getting to the city?”
“The Battalion Commander arranged a carriage. He even told them to wait and load the materials.”
“A carriage, too?”
“Since the military police are involved, they seem to be providing full support.”
We decided to travel in a military supply carriage provided by Battalion Commander Lockhart, as civilian carriages would attract attention.
Since it was the Battalion Commander’s carriage, it was practically like riding in his personal vehicle.
‘He has a keen sense for opportunities.’
He was an easy man to understand. And for me, who had earned his favor, his personality was quite advantageous.
‘Knowing how to ride coattails is essential for climbing the ranks.’
But that only applied if there were good results. If not, it could backfire spectacularly. High expectations meant high disappointment, which could lead to missed opportunities in the future.
That wasn’t going to happen. I might have started as a useless platoon leader, but I would end up great.
Having been thrust back into the military, I had to reach the position I dreamed of. I would become the true hero of this small nation caught between superpowers.
“Shall we go?”
“Yes, Platoon Leader.”
Another opportunity had arrived. Unlike last time, when I was just swept along, this time, I would seize victory with my own hands.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Gulp.
I swallowed nervously. I could sense Lumia’s tension beside me.
“3rd Magic Battalion, you say?”
“Yes, we’re here to procure materials for barracks repairs.”
“Hmm…! Pass!”
The guard at the city gate scrutinized us before opening the way. I finally relaxed.
Clatter, clatter.
As the carriage entered the city, Lumia exhaled.
“Phew, they seemed to be checking more thoroughly than usual.”
“Didn’t I tell you? It’s definitely collusion.”
The city guard and the criminal organization had some sort of symbiotic relationship. That was my conclusion.
For the thugs to act so openly and threaten even the military, they needed the backing of at least the city guard. That was the only way they could control the city.
The thugs bribed the city guard, who turned a blind eye to their criminal activities. In return, the thugs refrained from physically harming the citizens while securing their interests, targeting only outsiders who lacked local protection.
That was how Chernoe City’s society operated.
‘This has the distinct flavor of home.’
It was the same when I was deployed to the front lines. Internet cafes charged a ridiculous amount per hour. And that wasn’t even in a wealthy area.
But that applied not only to soldiers but to all outsiders. Just like back home, they were sacrificing soldiers and outsiders for their own gain.
“Even though news about Sergeant Rex hasn’t spread yet, the thugs we dealt with before will probably be watching.”
“Just what do they think soldiers are…?”
“If necessary, let’s turn the tables. They don’t even know who we are anyway.”
“Heh, you think so?”
Lumia chuckled at my attempt to lighten the mood. I looked at her and remarked,
“You have a nice smile, Sergeant Lumia.”
“Huh?”
“Don’t you often hear that you have a cold demeanor, just like me? You don’t seem cold at all when you smile.”
“I-Is… Um, is that so…? Thank you.”
Lumia seemed flustered, stammering before lowering her head. Her shy reaction was rather amusing.
“Platoon Leader, we’ve arrived at the city carriage depot. We’ll have to walk from here.”
The carriage came to a stop, and the soldier who was driving spoke.
“Thank you for your service.”
“Thank you.”
We thanked him and jumped out of the carriage.
“If you go a little to the right from here, you’ll see the ‘Guild’ building. This depot also belongs to the Merchant Guild.”
As the driver had said, there was a large crowd just around the corner. People dressed in colorful, luxurious clothes were chattering noisily. It was clearly the front yard of the Merchant Guild.
‘One of the few civilian factions we can interact with in Hearts of General.’
The Merchant Guild, the Mercenary Agency, and the Magic Tower. These were the three main civilian factions we could utilize, outside military and political matters.
Among them, the Merchant Guild was particularly useful for procuring and transporting military supplies and securing funds.
I had frequently used their services in the game. I must have missed them during my previous visit, as I was focused on the crafting district and the central commercial area.
“Shall we procure the materials first? We can look at furniture later.”
“Sounds good.”
As we confidently entered the Merchant Guild, a man in rough clothing blocked our path.
“State your business.”
He wore an outfit with metal plating and a sword at his waist. Clearly a guild guard.
“We’re from the 3rd Magic Battalion. We’re here to contract for materials for building renovations.”
“Ah, you’re from a nearby unit? Can I see your identification?”
“I don’t have my ID, but I have a letter from the Battalion Commander.”
I handed the guard the document I had prepared. It was a proper authorization document with Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel Lockhart Cromwell’s signature and the 3rd Battalion’s seal.
“This will suffice.”
The guard stepped aside and opened the way. There was no need for me to feel intimidated since it wasn’t a forged document.
‘But where do we go now?’
In the game, I could do everything through a single window. But now, without that interface, the building seemed like a maze filled with people. As I hesitated, Lumia winked at me.
“Leave this to me.”
Sergeant Lumia confidently walked towards what looked like the reception desk and began speaking fluently with the clerk who was fiddling with an abacus.
“We’re here to procure construction materials for our battalion. We need white oak from the northern forests.”
“Should the price be based on the standard military supply rate?”
“Yes, please. And… we’d also like to inquire about furniture for the barracks.”
Lumia listed various types of furniture without hesitation, despite not having a list. Even the initially indifferent clerk straightened up and diligently started writing things down, impressed by her concise and to-the-point manner.
Lumia’s passion for interior design, just as Belle Meyer had described, was evident.
“So, please issue us a bill of lading and a receipt.”
“Ah… I’m sorry, but we’re currently not issuing bills of lading.”
“What? Then how can we guarantee transportation?”
“You’ll have to either use your unit’s carriage or contract a separate transport carriage from our guild and escort it yourselves.”
In other words, they didn’t offer delivery. Usually, the Merchant Guild handled transportation for bulky and heavy items like construction materials and furniture.
It was only natural, considering they charged a transportation fee.
“May I ask why?”
When I finally spoke up, the clerk answered with an awkward voice,
“I’m not sure of the details. The Guild Master has ordered a freeze on all transportation records.”
“A freeze?”
Didn’t a freeze on records mean that the issuance and disposal of all transportation-related documents were suspended? Why now, all of a sudden?
Something was fishy.
Lumia also sensed something was wrong. Just as our gazes met,
BAM!
“Get the Guild Master out here now!!”
A large man wearing a cuirass, a type of armor covering the upper body with metal plates, barged in. He had a standard-issue Ukrainian Army pistol at his waist. He was followed by several soldiers in city guard uniforms.
“S-Stop! Even if you’re city guards, you can’t just barge into the Guild…”
The Guild guard who had stopped Lumia and me tried to intervene, but…
“What did you say?! You little…!!”
Wham!
He was sent sprawling to the ground by a punch from the large man.
“I’m Lamur, Captain of the Chernoe City Guard! Get Guild Master Shakov out here! If not, I’ll arrest you all for disobeying orders!”
Guard Captain Lamur. One of the individuals Major Lannister had warned me about was standing right before me.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
