Dodging the Bureau's Lure
Departments are different, so just mind your own business—why bother checking up and making a fuss?
Of course, that probably wasn't the real reason.
He's just tossing out some formal flattery to butter me up.
You know the type—like when you meet a celebrity and claim you've listened to all their songs. In reality, you've only heard the hits.
"What direction is the captain seeing from Intelligence Command?"
"Pardon...?"
A brigadier general suddenly asking me about some direction that wasn't even north, south, east, or west.
This kind of essay question had a pretty high difficulty level.
I'm thinking the direction of sucking honey as supply company commander until discharge.
Of course, I couldn't say that out loud.
Model answer, model answer—what's the model answer?
Something safe and unflashy.
I was an expert in this field, so it didn't take long.
"Isn't it the same for everyone? Victory in the war—that's the direction I'm facing."
"Hah, what an exemplary attitude."
The brigadier general made a face like he was genuinely impressed.
Now, if only he'd lose interest and leave.
Come on, anyone you ask out of a hundred would give the same answer. What's so exemplary about it?
His reaction was over the top.
"I'm at a loss for words with such praise from the bureau chief."
"Since you're facing the same direction as me, it makes me want you even more."
"Pardon?"
"How about transferring to our Intelligence Management Bureau once this operation ends?"
"Wh-what do you mean by that, sir?"
"You must know this, but to get a key position, you have to pass through our Intelligence Management Bureau at least once."
No, sir. I had no idea.
I'd only learned about the Intelligence Management Bureau's existence recently.
"That's true, sir."
"Once this landing operation is over, come over to our side. I guarantee it'll be a great experience."
He looked like he was offering some golden opportunity.
From the perspective of someone in Intelligence Command, it was absurd.
The bureau chief was personally scouting a mere captain.
But the problem was that the target was me.
What great experience? It's a death trap.
Intelligence Management Bureau.
The name sounded like a cushy administrative job, sweet as honey.
But in reality, it was hell.
Why else would they slot it in on the path to key positions?
It was a brutal workload position.
A workload that could kill you.
Compiling, organizing, and analyzing every piece of intel coming in from everywhere.
Safe since you don't go into the field, sure—but with a supply company secured, jumping into overtime hell? Only a madman would do that.
"Am I ready to go there already?"
"You're more than ready at your level. Better to do it before it's too late—for your future."
No, sir. My future isn't in Intelligence Command.
He had some serious misconceptions.
For now, just play it off naturally.
Rejecting the brigadier general's offer outright was impossible anyway.
So, I had only one move.
"Thank you for the generous offer. But may I focus on my current mission for now and give you my answer later?"
"Of course. The mission comes first. You're sharp as a tack, captain."
My image seemed to improve even more, but dodging the situation was what mattered.
"I hear this mission is quite dangerous. Take care of yourself. I want to see you smiling when we meet again."
Cold sweat broke out in my palms at the bureau chief's words.
Dangerous? Isn't my part basically done now?
Wait at home and join the landing op.
That's all I'd heard. Was there more?
Nah, probably not. He's just saying the landing op itself is dangerous.
I shook off the ominous feeling and forced a smile.
"Thank you for your concern."
"Good. Carry on."
The bureau chief patted my shoulder once and left the conference room.
This place isn't for humans.
The building wasn't dark or anything, but it felt suffocating.
"Let's bounce."
I bolted out of headquarters, grabbed a carriage, and hopped in.
"To the Oclo County estate, please."
"This might take a while, so have a seat."
Lieutenant General Karen gestured to the sofa for Major Eden Tal as he entered the commander's office.
"Thank you, sir."
Despite the overwhelming rank difference, he didn't seem overly tense.
He'd been here before, so it wasn't unfamiliar.
"I was wondering how to support your return, but you handled it yourself. Saved me time and resources—thanks."
"As I said earlier, it wasn't much trouble."
"Only a major like you could find a way that fast. Anyone else would've failed."
"I won't deny that."
He'd escaped immediately thanks to his connection with Besinia.
Without that, even Eden would've needed a week.
"Did you make a deal with them?"
The "them" the commander meant was obviously Besinia—one of the few who knew Eden's secret.
"I can't go into details, but yes. And I'll be submitting a 10,000 gold reimbursement request for your approval."
"They sure gouged you."
"Ending it with money is the best outcome."
Eden picked up a cookie from the table and popped it in his mouth.
"This is good."
"A friend back from the north brought them as a gift. Take some if you like them."
"I'll have plenty here. I try to limit snacks anyway."
"Good self-discipline. Anyway, to the point—I have a favor to ask."
As business came up, Eden straightened and met the lieutenant general's gaze.
"I mentioned earlier that only the schedule changed, not the landing operation itself."
"Yes, sir."
"I'd like you to board the flagship and join the command staff."
Join a command staff full of generals as a major.
An extraordinary and burdensome request.
"May I ask why?"
"From the reports, there's quite a bit that differs from what we knew. So, putting the two who did the recon in key spots makes sense for efficiency."
A judgment based on solid reasoning.
Eden thought it over and nodded.
"Since the landing op's success is paramount, I'll step in and do my part."
"Truly grateful. But there's one issue."
"An issue, sir?"
"His Highness the Crown Prince will also be joining the command staff. That's why I called you separately."
"Hm."
Eden's face twisted the moment the Crown Prince was mentioned.
"I know it's uncomfortable. But it's the operation we have."
"So that's why you phrased it as a favor."
Meeting the Crown Prince was the last thing Eden wanted.
"Put Captain Palan in instead. He was on the recon too, so he'd be helpful. And as a noble, he punches above his rank."
Eden considered it briefly but ultimately refused the commander's request.
But Lieutenant General Karen wouldn't call him here just to back down.
"How long do you plan to avoid him? You know you'll have to face him eventually as a soldier."
"It doesn't have to be now."
"Major, you know how critical this operation is. In times like these, a soldier sets personal feelings aside, right?"
Eden fell silent at the lieutenant general's piercing words.
"Of course, I'm not forcing you. I understand your situation."
It seemed like a step back, but he'd said what needed saying.
"Hoo."
Major Eden let out a deep sigh and popped another cookie in his mouth.
"You're putting me in a tough spot, sir."
"I'm just seeking the best path to success. So bury the old Eden Lycan and act like a proper Intelligence Command officer."
That name—he hadn't heard it in ages.
Eden's face instinctively crumpled.
"Understood. I've had my cookies, so I'll face him as you wish."
The lieutenant general nodded at the hard-won answer.
"Wise choice."
"If it was gonna end up like this, I shouldn't have volunteered for recon."
"Don't think like that. Who else could do it if not you?"
"Does Intelligence Command have only me as an agent?"
"Haha, speaking of—Captain Palan? The more I see of him, the more impressive he gets. Breaking through that forced march with you."
The lieutenant general mentioned Palan to lighten the mood.
"Well, better than I first thought. He's perceptive."
"High praise coming from you. I was planning to send him to Intelligence Management Bureau after this op anyway. Reliable fellow."
"Pardon...? What do you mean."
Eden, who'd promised to assign him to supply company, grimaced again.
"Haha, want to keep him under you forever? But you know—to move to key positions, you have to go through the bureau."
"True, but."
"By the way, the bureau chief requested him personally. Seems impressed from last time."
"Hm."
Realizing the situation was tangled like spaghetti, Eden pondered before speaking.
"Captain Palan is a noble, isn't he? Once the war ends, he'll discharge anyway. Do we need to go that far?"
"Would a talent like that discharge? From his merits, he's a born soldier—where would he go?"
"He doesn't see it that way. His dream is discharge."
"Hm, didn't know that. Thought he was enjoying it here."
Lieutenant General Karen stroked his chin in surprise.
"So I planned to send him somewhere cushy after this landing op to rest. He's worked nonstop."
"True, hasn't skipped a mission since commissioning."
The lieutenant general nodded in agreement.
But his conclusion was off.
"Guess I'll call him in for a talk later. Encourage him, boost morale."
"Hm... well, if you must."
Eden felt things getting messy but ignored it and ate another cookie.
"Uwaaaaaah!"
Flop!
The mattress adjusted perfectly to my body, like it was alive.
This—this was art.
"Haa, perfect. This is a bed."
The military-issue crap that offered zero comfort.
I wasn't in charge, or I'd have torn it apart—there had to be corruption behind it.
"At least they'll give me three days off, right?"
Once they sniffed out the enemy, they'd be on alert for a while.
If so...
Play it right, and I might rest longer than expected?
Yeah, after bouncing around weird fronts, time to suck some honey in the capital.