—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“I was planning to send her back to the barracks today anyway. I had to go to the city briefly to procure new medicines,”
said Roxana’s attending physician, Reserve Second Lieutenant Edward Brecht.
He explained that he was currently an external collaborating physician for the 3rd Battalion, treated as civilian dispatched personnel, and therefore there were limitations to the medicines that could be procured from the battalion’s medical unit.
I had assumed he was active duty, which explained why he was always by Roxana’s side without my ever running into him. Still, it wouldn’t change much.
As a reserve second lieutenant, he was a senior officer, both in rank and age. Just because he had retired from the military didn’t mean I could treat him like a stranger.
He was a considerably older gentleman, and that alone was enough reason to be respectful.
“By city, do you mean Chernoe City?”
“No? There’s no way there’d be decent medicinal herbs in that backwater town. I’m going to Donetsk City, much further west.”
Donetsk City. I’d heard of it. In the main story, it was a supply hub that would be useful during the Ukrainian invasion.
It seemed a considerable amount of medicinal herbs and pharmaceuticals were concentrated there.
“Roxana’s illness is quite complex. She can only take medicine made with ingredients I, her physician, have personally selected,” Edward explained in a calm voice.
In any case, Sergeant Roxana’s discharge procedures were quickly completed, and I escorted her to the newly refurbished barracks.
I had kept a room vacant just in case, which Roxana could now use. As soon as Roxana entered the barracks…
“Roxana! You’re finally discharged!”
“Belle! Lumia!”
The two, who had been sitting on the sofa blankly staring at the fireplace, jumped up and exclaimed.
Roxana, met with this warm welcome, immediately ran and hugged her two seniors, bursting into laughter.
‘That’s nice.’
Before knowing her circumstances, I had only thought of her as a frail squad member… But after hearing the details from her physician, I felt sorry for her.
She had enlisted to survive because she’d die whether she used a lot of mana or not.
I’d seen people receive exemptions to live, but this was the first time I’d met someone who enlisted for the same reason.
It just showed how different Roxana’s body was from an ordinary person’s.
As I was watching the three of them share a happy reunion,
“Platoon Leader.”
Sergeant Claude, who had slipped out of the room unnoticed, approached.
Did this guy have stealth as a passive skill? I hadn’t noticed him until he was right in front of me. He was like a living stealth aircraft.
“What is it?”
I asked, keeping my surprise in check.
Claude crossed his arms and replied,
“The personnel officer came by earlier. He said to come see him as soon as you returned from the medical unit.”
“The personnel officer?”
Wasn’t Captain Mikel Lovron dispatched to Chernoe City due to the National Military Police’s request for support?
“I think it’s probably about the commendation. He looked quite pleased.”
A commendation! That made sense; there weren’t many reasons for someone dispatched elsewhere to return to base.
Major Lannister had indeed said that commendations and rewards for me and my squad would be discussed after things had calmed down.
Three days after the incident, discussions were likely starting within the National Military Police.
Promotion! Bonus pay! And a special artifact!
“Then I should go to the personnel department.”
My heart swelling with anticipation, I made my way to the personnel department.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“Glory to the Motherland!”
“Oh, our lucky platoon leader is here! Come, have a seat.”
Captain Mikel Lovron said, rummaging through documents at his desk. His tone and expression were positive, a good omen.
“What’s the situation in Chernoe City like?”
“Honestly, not bad. The residents have dealt with this kind of thing before.”
“I see.”
“Rex’s criminal organization was completely wiped out. Did you hear?”
“Yes, I heard.”
“I knew that would happen eventually. Those bastards went way too far.”
The personnel officer clicked his tongue and added.
Knowing the full story, I found Captain Mikel’s Udyr-level change of stance ridiculous, considering he’d been complicit in and condoned Rex’s atrocities.
Well, I guess that was a kind of skill too.
It wasn’t for nothing that ‘Politics’ was a key stat in Hearts of General. In the military, one’s position depended heavily on how well they played the game.
Mikel was clearly a master of that game.
“Ah, here it is.”
The captain pulled a document from a mountain of files, folded it neatly into his bag, and plopped down in the seat opposite me.
“I had some documents I’d left at the base, so I figured I’d stop by and deliver the news at the same time. You know Hailen, our personnel administration NCO? I told him to go, but he sent me instead, saying he was busy. Honestly… they treat me like an old has-been these days.”
“Ah, yes.”
The personnel officer rambled on without prompting. I offered noncommittal responses, waiting for him to get to the point.
“Anyway, that’s not what matters. Enoch, there’s no need to rush me with your eyes; I was getting to it.”
“Did I give myself away?”
I joked, and the personnel officer chuckled.
“Indeed. This will be of more interest to you. The head of the northern branch of the National Military Police, Brigadier General Edgar Comey, is currently in Chernoe City.”
Brigadier general. One star. Well, even the Belgorod Fortress attack warranted a visit from the division commander, so it made sense a brigadier general would come for this.
The city’s chief security officer had committed a clear act of treason. It wouldn’t have been surprising if the commander of the National Military Police himself had come.
However, the person Captain Mikel mentioned next was not someone to be taken lightly.
“His Majesty, King Orlando Luce, specifically requested you and your squad by name, through Brigadier General Comey. You’ll likely be summoned to the capital soon.”
“What?”
“Heh, didn’t think you were capable of such a dumbfounded expression. I heard from the Military Police officers that His Majesty has been keeping a close eye on this incident. You’ve grabbed hold of a golden opportunity, Enoch.”
Considering Colonel Sony Zeppelin and Major Lannister, I already knew the King considered this incident important.
But even so, to be summoned directly by the King? I’d only anticipated a 3rd Class medal or a one-rank promotion at most. This was unexpected.
The ruler of the Ukrainian Principality. The equivalent of a president. Summoning a mere second lieutenant. Good heavens.
“I don’t know the exact protocol yet… but a one-rank promotion seems guaranteed.”
The personnel officer said, a smirk playing on his lips.
“Congratulations. However, we can’t just change personnel assignments on a whim, so you’ll have to wait until June, the first officer reassignment period.”
“Thank you.”
“Who would’ve thought you’d succeed in the arrest the very next day after receiving the request from the Military Police?”
That was pure luck, combined with Security Chief Lamour’s unnecessary meddling. But results-wise, he wasn’t wrong.
“With the 3rd Battalion’s name reaching the 8th Division Commander and now the head of the northern branch of the National Military Police, Battalion Commander Lockhart is ecstatic.”
I could easily picture our battalion commander, his mustache practically vibrating with excitement. A subordinate’s achievements became the commander’s achievements.
To Lockhart, I was a swallow bringing him all kinds of gold.
“Oh, and one more thing. I almost forgot.”
Captain Mikel clapped his hands, remembering something.
“Separate from the commendation, the 2nd Company evaluation is scheduled for early next month.”
“I’m sorry, what?”
“The 5th Platoon has been implicitly ‘excluded’ up until now, but considering all the attention you’ve garnered, the Battalion Commander plans to focus on you.”
A company evaluation…? My mind stalled. It was a system in Hearts of General, but… suddenly?
Seeing my bewilderment at this unexpected development, Captain Mikel shrugged with an amused – and to me, somewhat irritating – expression.
“But they gave you a month’s notice, right? Make the most of this golden opportunity and crush the others with your results so they can’t underestimate you.”
“….Ah.”
“Good luck.”
The personnel officer offered his genuine support, as he was quite favorably disposed towards me. But with the word “evaluation” involved, I couldn’t bring myself to smile.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
