Chapter 71
Chapter 71
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: Diplomacy is Also a Means of War (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Battalion Commander, why are you suddenly packing your bags? Are you getting promoted already?"
Considering all the achievements I've racked up so far, I'd more than deserve a promotion from lieutenant colonel to colonel.
But right now, I'm too young and my promotions have come too fast, so they're basically holding me back by force...
The guy had every reason to think I was packing for a transfer due to a promotion when he saw me.
"No, I'm using up all the leave I've accumulated so far and thinking of going on vacation."
"Vacation, sir?"
"Yeah, vacation. I'm already 26, and I don't even have a girlfriend, right? So, I figured I'd head somewhere nice and have a natural encounter..."
Sergeant Major Yurgen gave me a look of utter pity for a split second.
Then, without saying a word, he quietly rubbed his forehead with his hand.
It's really a good thing I'm his superior.
If I weren't, I'd probably be hearing something like this right now.
'Bro, are you impotent or something? You've got two girls who are crazy about you, and you're pulling this nonsense?'
'You could wander around for a hundred days and not find another girl as pretty and kind as them.'
Power really comes in handy at times like this.
"Battalion Commander, seriously... I have so much I want to say..."
"It was a joke, a joke. You think I don't know that Lina and Monica like me? I'm not some brain-damaged idiot who took a bullet to the head."
Yurgen stared at me with deeply suspicious eyes.
No need to say it out loud—we were on the same wavelength.
'That bastard would totally do something like that...'
That's what he was thinking, right?
But what can I do? I just can't muster the courage.
"Actually, I got called to General Staff Headquarters and received orders from the Chief of the General Staff to use up my accumulated leave. So, I'm planning to go spend some vacation time in the Marco Kingdom."
"Ah, I see, sir."
"Going alone feels a bit off, so how about you come with me? I hear the Marco Kingdom is famous for its beautiful seas."
The nobles on this continent often travel abroad to broaden their horizons.
Even among generals and field-grade officers, it's common for them to take long vacations when assigned to cushy posts during personnel changes, dragging their families along for fun.
Young nobles sometimes go on a year-long grand tour of the continent after graduating from the officer academy, calling it a way to gain life experience.
'There's that story about going abroad alone and coming back with three people...'
So, heading overseas isn't exactly unusual for me.
Of course, I'm not going for fun, so if Yurgen bites...?
I'll work him to the bone.
How dare he tease his superior for not having a girlfriend...
But Yurgen looked at me and shook his head.
"My wife's about to give birth."
"......She's pregnant?"
"She's eight months along."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Isn't it obvious not to? She's the one who's pregnant, not me."
The Empire doesn't even have the concept of paternity leave.
Women giving birth is a big deal, sure, but there's no idea of the husband sticking around to watch or help.
But I don't think that way.
Why do soldiers risk their lives? To protect the Emperor, the Empire, and their families.
He's not even on the front lines—blocking him from caring for his wife and newborn isn't something a human would do.
"From now on, you're off all weekend duties. Stick by your wife's side on weekends."
"Pardon?"
Yurgen looked at me like he couldn't believe it.
"Why do soldiers fight? To protect His Majesty the Emperor, the Empire, and their families, right? And today is Saturday, isn't it?"
"Yes, sir."
"Unless you're standing duty, get out of here and go home. And this is a congratulatory gift from me."
I pulled out about 300,000 marks from my pocket and handed it over.
"Don't go home empty-handed—pick up some beef on the way."
"Thank you, sir!"
"About face! Run home!"
Yurgen bolted out of the room at the sudden dismissal order.
As he ran off, I suddenly remembered something I needed to tell him.
"Ah, I should've asked him to tell Lina and Monica that I'm going on long-term leave soon..."
I could've entrusted that much to him on his way out.
Now I'd have to ask another soldier to pass it on?
As I pondered while packing, Lina and Monica walked into the office.
They saluted me first, then glared at each other.
"What business does Lieutenant Monica have here?"
"Lina, I just heard the lieutenant colonel was back from General Staff Headquarters and wanted to see his face."
"Same here. What a coincidence."
They were surrounding me with such heated reactions...
Anyone who saw that would know they like me.
"Didn't I say I'd be back by next Monday at the earliest?"
"Lieutenant Yurgen sent a soldier to let us know."
"I see."
"We heard you're going on long-term leave, sir. We wanted to say goodbye before you left..."
Lina glanced at Monica.
"I heard you're going to the Marco Kingdom. Is anyone going with you?"
"No, just me."
"Why go all the way to the distant Marco Kingdom alone?"
Travel in this era is incredibly dangerous.
Not only are there bandits lurking in the mountains like in some medieval fantasy world, but in the worst cases, you could get kidnapped and held captive by peasants.
So, traveling alone is practically begging to be killed.
The two of them stared at me intently with perfectly reasonable suspicion.
'At this point, it's all out in the open anyway.'
"The Chief of the General Staff gave me a secret mission."
"A secret mission, sir?"
The task I'm on is indeed top secret...
But the Chief of the General Staff had said this:
'If you go alone, it'll look suspicious, so take a woman along and pretend you're on a pleasure trip.'
These two would be perfect.
Deep down, I'd love to take just one, but that might cause problems when I get back.
I won't get kidnapped, imprisoned, or exploited, but...
'When a woman holds a grudge, frost falls even in May, they say?'
"He ordered me to go to the Marco Kingdom and persuade their chief of staff. He told me to pose as a young noble on vacation so no one gets suspicious."
"I see."
"So, I need someone to come along."
Lina's mouth flapped open at that, but she couldn't say a word...
Monica nodded and immediately volunteered.
"I can't let you go on a secret mission alone, sir. If you'll allow it, I'll accompany you."
"You sure that's okay?"
"Anyone else, maybe not, but I trust you, Lieutenant Colonel."
Monica puffed out her chest and flashed a sly smile.
Lina pointed at Monica accusingly.
"Lieutenant Monica Dorothea... Even so, the lieutenant colonel is an unmarried man, and you're an unmarried female officer, aren't you?"
"Does our lieutenant colonel strike you as the type to lay a hand on a delicate female officer just because you're alone together?"
"Well, no, but..."
Monica smiled sweetly at me.
"Besides, there's no sea in Lichten, so I've always wanted to see one... This works out perfectly. I'll have to buy a swimsuit to enjoy some sea bathing."
"Do you really need to go that far?"
"You're already a famous war hero in the Empire, sir. The moment you enter officially, surveillance will be on you. To avoid suspicion during your mission, we have to act like real tourists, don't we?"
Come to think of it, she's right.
If we half-ass the act, I'll look even more suspicious...
And once suspicion falls on me, who knows what'll happen.
You could go to bed in a trustworthy inn and wake up to a strange ceiling (a prison cell).
Besides, how many chances will I get in life to go to the sea with women?
"......This is official business, Lieutenant Monica."
"The Chief of the General Staff ordered—no, commanded—us to enjoy tourism on the way there."
"True, but a swimsuit is a bit..."
"Then I'll go alone, right?"
Monica stuck out her tongue just a little.
Lina clenched her fists and flushed red at the sight.
"......Having two people is better than one for support. I'll go with you too, Lieutenant Colonel."
If I refused, I'd probably get summoned by Lieutenant General Chaplin.
Asking why I didn't take his unreliable daughter on a top-secret mission...
I'd be nagged to death and go deaf.
"Alright. Then we'll all three go."
Only then did Lina's face relax.
If I had just a bit more courage, I could've had a harem by now, huh.
"You've never been abroad before, have you, sir?"
"No."
A smile spread across Lina's face.
"I've been to the Marco Kingdom. And I know the foods you absolutely have to try there... I'll ask my relatives in the Foreign Ministry."
"Aren't you taking this too seriously? Just keep it casual..."
Lina replied firmly.
"It's a trip with you, Lieutenant Colonel. We can't afford any sloppiness."
Monica chimed in at that.
"You've worked your whole life without a break, sir. This is your first long vacation—we have to make it as enjoyable as possible."
And a week later, we took our long-term leave and departed the unit.
Since it was official departure, we lined up at the Marco Kingdom immigration checkpoint.
The immigration officer asked,
"What is your relationship?"