Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Bombed the Emperor with Facts (4)
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I woke up this morning and immediately sent a silent thank-you to Sergeant Major Yurgen in my mind.
What if he hadn't told me?
Even in a situation where two women were fighting over me, I would've thought I wasn't popular with women at all.
I might've even turned into one of those deaf protagonists from an anime who pretends not to hear a confession...
'Not now.'
"Lieutenant Monica, Lieutenant Lina. Thank you both for sacrificing your precious day off for me. It's my first time living near the capital, so there's a lot I don't know. You'll be a huge help."
Monica straightened her chest proudly and replied.
"We're always in your debt, sir... I'm just glad I can help like this. There's a restaurant nearby that I know well. How about we start there?"
They say even the wonders of Mount Geumgang Mountain are judged after a meal.
No matter where you try to sightsee, if you're hungry, the scenery doesn't register properly.
Better to eat first, right?
And since it's a recommendation from Monica, who's pretty picky about food, it's bound to be delicious.
"Lieutenant Monica, it's only 10 a.m. now. The restaurant probably hasn't opened yet."
"But sir, you might be hungry already?"
"We can eat a bit later. And you know how much preparation there is for someone like me who's new to life in the capital suburbs, right, Lieutenant Monica?"
Officers' postings change as frequently as dice rolls.
So there's no need to buy your own house when moving.
The state provides barracks for those who relocate often.
But that's where the government's help ends.
Lina pressed Monica relentlessly, speaking rapidly.
"Until now, you've had excuses like being busy with military duties to skip social events. But from now on, you'll get invitations you can't refuse. So we need to buy a tailcoat, right?"
"That's true."
"After the tailcoat, you'll need custom shoes, and clothes for everyday outings."
As a soldier, I'd managed so far by just wearing my uniform.
But regular nobles buy dozens, or even hundreds, of outfits.
To maintain a minimum of dignity, you don't need that many...
'Still, I need to buy proper clothes and wear them.'
"Since we're in the city center, can't we buy suits here?"
Lina flashed a triumphant smile.
She glanced at Monica and shrugged one shoulder.
According to Yurgen, both of them liked me.
Were they in a cold war right now? Over me.
"That might work for a mere company-grade officer. But you're already a lieutenant colonel, Battalion Commander. The future Field Marshal of the Imperial Army can't wear such cheap suits."
"Do you know a good place?"
Lina pulled a fancy-looking letter from her bag.
"The tailor that makes uniforms and tailcoats for the men of the Chaplin family is right nearby. They're famous for not making clothes no matter how much money you bring without an introduction."
"Is it okay to introduce me?"
"Of course. Aren't we close, sir?"
"Let's go then."
Lina took my hand and naturally led me away.
"You don't know the way, so I'll guide you."
She said that while glancing toward Monica.
I couldn't see her expression.
Monica glared at Lina, clearly annoyed.
"Lieutenant Lina!"
**
The suit shop—no, tailor's—that Lina brought me to was very different from what I knew.
Expensive-looking fabrics hung on the walls, and suits were displayed everywhere.
I couldn't say it out loud, but...
How much does one of those cost?
I could certainly afford a suit, but honestly, it was a bit overwhelming.
"Miss Chaplin, what brings you here today?"
"I'd like a suit made for the lieutenant colonel here."
The tailor tilted his head as he looked at me.
"......A lieutenant colonel? He looks like he's just been promoted to first lieutenant..."
As Lina started to explain, the tailor's eyes widened.
He bowed so low his back nearly touched the ground.
"Aren't you Lieutenant Colonel Schumacher? To think the empire's greatest war hero would grace our humble shop..."
"I need a new tailcoat and suits."
"Please wait just a moment."
The tailor hurriedly called over a man from the back.
The man who came out smiled at me in a way that almost seemed suspicious.
"Thank you for visiting our shop. You want new tailcoats and suits... Do you have a preferred color?"
"Black for everything except the dress shirts."
"Understood... If I may ask, what is your relationship with Miss Chaplin?"
Lina and I weren't anything special.
She just had some romantic interest in me?
"Are the two of you perhaps courting...?"
Lina's mouth twitched severely.
Her face turned red as an apple, but she didn't deny it.
So as I was about to deny it, Monica answered firmly.
"They're just superior and subordinate. Please don't spread such rumors—it would trouble the lieutenant colonel and Lieutenant Lina."
"My apologies. Since the young lady brought her own introduction..."
"The lieutenant colonel has no intention of dating anyone yet, so please don't speculate like that."
For nobles, romance is extremely important.
It's not just a man and woman becoming husband and wife—it's two families uniting politically...
It carries enormous political weight.
Monica had just cut that off herself.
"Thank you, Lieutenant Monica."
"We can't have you getting unnecessary misunderstandings, sir."
Monica shrugged at Lina.
Lina shot Monica a sharp glare.
"Thanks, Lieutenant Monica."
"We female officers serving the same lieutenant colonel should help each other out."
It was a huge relief I hadn't gotten involved.
If Lina and Monica had grabbed me and asked which one I liked...
Just thinking about it made my stomach churn.
The two kept alternating glances between each other and me.
"Sir, after getting the clothes fitted, how about going to a place I scouted? You don't like fancy cuisine, Battalion Commander, so I found a nice moderate spot in advance."
"Sounds good. Thanks to you, Lieutenant Monica, I'll get to eat something delicious today. It's a treat after all that army chow."
"Even if officers have professional chefs, it's still garrison food in the end."
Imperial Army officers are nobles.
So the food is on a completely different level from what soldiers or NCOs eat.
If I had to guess, each meal is at least 30,000 won quality.
And that's because I don't have huge tastes...
Officer mess hall meals can easily cost over 50,000 won if bought outside.
'Officers split the food and chef labor costs...'
Back when I was a second lieutenant, 30% of my salary went to mess hall fees.
"If you like it, sir, we could go just the two of us next time."
Lina cut in at those words.
"If it's that good, I'll join next time too. Good food is best shared."
They say if a woman holds a grudge, frost falls even in the fifth lunar month...
That seems spot on.
The air around where they stood felt noticeably colder.
Then they both asked me in unison.
"Sir, next time, how about dinner with me...?"
"Sir, how about going hunting nearby with me?"
Picking one would make things extremely annoying going forward.
If I went to dinner alone with Lina as she suggested, Monica would sulk.
Conversely, if I went hunting with Monica, Lina would pout.
'In situations like this...'
So I firmly decided to push everything off to later.
Just like in university, shoving assignments to "future me."
Things somehow work out on the due date anyway.
"How long does tailoring take?"
"It'll be ready the day after tomorrow. Where should we deliver?"
"Send it to the 15th Disciplinary Battalion."
Instead of answering, focus entirely on the tailoring.
With no reason left to fight, Lina and Monica gave up arguing.
They'd bring up eating together later for sure...
But better than that coming up with both of them present.
"Since Monica scouted a restaurant for me, let's start there today. Lunch is on me."
"Yes, sir."
This time, Monica gave Lina a triumphant smile.
Her shrug was surprisingly cute.
It was a headache-inducing situation, but not bad.
After all, I had two women who liked me.
Today, for the first time in my life, I truly enjoyed what could be called a date.