The Parade of Heroes
Thud!
Teph Brigade General couldn't finish his sentence before collapsing to the floor upon hearing the report from the communication orb.
"Haha."
The reinforcements he'd trusted in had vanished in an instant.
The communication orb urged them to retreat, but that was easy advice from those who didn't grasp the situation on the ground.
"How in the world..."
BOOM!!!
Before he could even think, a massive explosion tore a hole straight through the defensive line.
"Push forward! The enemy numbers are thinning out now!"
"If we seize the docks, it's over! We're almost there! Victory for His Imperial Majesty!!!"
The Lycan Empire forces surged ahead.
Everything was unfolding faster than Teph Brigade General could have imagined, and the only outcome awaiting them was annihilation.
"Ugh."
I barely managed to steady myself after nearly toppling from the head-on collision with the warship and peered out the window.
"What a mess."
The deck was swarming with enemy soldiers.
Probably because water was starting to flood the lower decks where people had been stationed.
"More importantly, this turned into a double shot."
There had been two warships carrying the reinforcements, sailing in single file formation.
We'd rammed straight into the lead one, and the trailing ship—whether from drowsy navigation or delayed braking—slammed right into it, creating a chain collision.
"The operation was a resounding success."
"Yes, it seems so for now."
Just three of us had neutralized how many now?
It was an achievement beyond imagination.
"What now, sir?"
"We escape. They've probably seized the docks by this point."
Schultz Colonel glanced at the three Aditz Empire soldiers.
"Where's the lifeboat?"
"On the aft deck."
"I see. Good work."
"No, sir. It was pointless anyway. Now we'll go to the Lycan Empire..."
"No. There's no place for you in our empire."
"Pardon...?"
Spurt!
Blood from the deputy captain sprayed across the pilothouse before he could even process the words.
"You... promised."
"I don't make promises with vermin."
"You... damn Lycan bas—!"
Spurt!
They weren't combat troops, so they couldn't dodge Schultz Colonel's sword.
It took less than thirty seconds for all three officers to meet their end.
"Captain, your performance this time was truly impressive. Intelligence operatives are indeed something else, regardless of rank."
Schultz Colonel sheathed his sword and turned to me.
"N-no, sir. But weren't you going to let them live?"
"These?"
He pointed at the corpses sprawled on the floor.
"Yes... you said you'd help them settle."
"Of course it was a lie. Why even ask? Unless there was something you needed to extract from them?"
"No, nothing like that."
"If they're useless, there's no reason to keep them alive. They'd just be a liability."
I understood the logic, but it felt strangely off.
Is this what they call a conscience? Or just plain stupidity?
Honestly, it seemed stupid and naive.
They weren't good people, and given half a chance, they'd have killed me.
"Let's move."
"Understood."
Feeling a tangle of emotions, I left the pilothouse and headed to the deck.
What a mess.
Bodies littered everywhere.
And only one person here capable of that.
"There you are. I was waiting."
Garen Major spotted me and Schultz Colonel, waving.
"You knew where the lifeboat was?"
"Stumbled on it while scouting. It's usually there, right?"
"Fair enough. I've rarely been on warships. Anyway, good work. Glad you're not badly hurt."
He had wounds here and there, but surviving at all was a miracle.
"Relieved to see you safe too, Battalion Commander."
"Captain Palan's the one who made it possible."
Schultz Colonel suddenly praised me.
"Haha, didn't I tell you? He's a real asset."
"From Lieutenant Derek on down, the company commander's got good eyes for talent."
"Maybe make him a training instructor next posting."
"Save that for when he's older. Anyway, just cut the ropes?"
"Yes, I'll handle it."
Garen Major released all the securing mechanisms, then sliced the final ropes.
Splash!!!
The lifeboat dropped into the sea simultaneously.
It was a fair height—I worried it might shatter—but it held up fine.
Splash! Splash! Splash!
Schultz Colonel went first, then we leaped in one by one.
"I'll pilot. You two rest."
Drawing on my experience with Eden Major last time, I fired up the engine and took the wheel.
This is how you rack up points.
Something felt forgotten, but anyway—the lifeboat smoothly headed for Hasmont Fortress, wrapping up an operation for the history books.
"We've captured site commander Teph Brigade General and Viscount Golbein alive! The enemy reinforcement warships are aground and retreating! Your Highness! A great victory!"
Command tent.
Crown Prince Louis's legs gave out at Godric Lieutenant General's words, and he slumped into his chair.
"Vic... victory."
He knew he shouldn't show tension, but that didn't mean he hadn't felt it.
Suppressing it had been mentally exhausting.
Now released, he lacked even the strength to stand.
"Send word to His Majesty at once."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
The commanders bustled frantically.
Victory didn't mean the end—they couldn't slack off.
"Whew."
The crown prince struggled to his feet, scanning around.
Then Eden Major approached silently beside him.
"Well done."
A short, ordinary phrase anyone might say.
But Louis beamed brightly.
"Thank you."
"Lower your speech. Eyes everywhere."
"R-right."
Eden watched the awkwardness briefly, then exited the tent.
"Captain Palan. Sigh."
He pulled out a cigarette and lit it.
"He brought this on himself, so he won't blame me."
The promise to assign him to supply company command.
Odds of keeping it had skyrocketed against.
Things were tough already, but maybe this works out better.
Eden smiled just thinking of Palan's face.
"Your Majesty! Yalk Island has been secured!"
The minister rushed in at the communication orb report, announcing the triumph.
"Congratulations, sire!!!"
"The tide of war truly favors our empire now!"
Everyone in the situation room clenched fists in ecstatic joy.
"Whew, good work."
The emperor sighed in relief before any cheers.
Have I ever been this tense?
He might not have trembled on the battlefield himself.
But this operation involved his successor, the crown prince.
As emperor and father, denying worry would be a lie.
"Status on Hasmont Fortress?"
"Torched it. Full army withdrawing to Yalk Island now."
"As planned. Pass on thanks, but remind them it's not over—stay vigilant."
"Yes, sire!"
History showed many losses after lax post-conquest.
Islands lowered the risk, but caution hurt no one.
"Sire, casualties minimal—not fully tallied yet."
"His Highness takes after you, a truly outstanding leader."
Endless flattery poured in.
What parent doesn't rejoice at child praise?
The emperor's lips curved up.
"So tense, yet he pulled it off."
In peacetime, he'd seen the crown prince as overly kind.
Today demanded a reassessment.
"Sire, with this victory, thoughts on a triumphal procession?"
"A procession."
Rosen Minister's suggestion had the emperor pondering with pen in hand.
"Boosts morale, reassures anxious citizens, spreads His Highness's fame."
Catching three birds with one stone.
No reason to refuse.
"Sounds good. Spare no expense—make it grand."
"By your command!"
Rosen bowed gladly.
Thus, the capital prepared to welcome its heroes.
"This ain't right. This is seriously not right."
Triumphal Procession Formation
First Line - Louis Lycan, Godric Architect Lieutenant General… Schultz Colonel, Garen Major, Palan Oclo Captain
Second Line – Geron Atrophy Brigade General…
"Well, hmm."
Five days since departing for the capital.
The procession schedule had arrived, and something felt very off.
Why's my name there?
I knew why, really.
Seizing Eltho had blocked thousands of enemies.
"Our top hero, Captain Palan Oclo. Slept well last night?"
As I trembled over the plan, Eden Major rode up beside me.
"Sleep...?"
"Who could? You're the empire's hero now. Word's already spreading through the capital."
"Ha... haha."
Fuck.
Done for.
Utterly screwed.
"Not a happy face. What's troubling our war hero?"
Eden Major, knowing full well.
Infuriating.
"What trouble? Parade ends, then supply company command."
"Captain, why say impossible things knowingly."
That brazen face.
But a promise was a promise—no backing down.
"Pardon? You promised."
"I did. But didn't you protest, saying you didn't want supply?"
"When did I—"
"Top hero seizing a warship, blocking reinforcements. Then supply company? You mocking me?"
The worst part: he wasn't wrong.
"No, sigh."
Emotions choked; words failed.
I didn't aim for merit!
Just survived by the skin of my teeth.
Why always merits?
Injustice choked my breath.
"Can't you just close your eyes and send me?"
"Think I'm the crown prince?"
"Still just a captain, right?"
"Captain, yes. Was a captain."
"Pardon...?"
"Heard you're up for major. Congratulations."
Eden Major's words stunned me silent.
"B-but I've been captain less than a year."
Captain promotions were quick enough.
Major onward? Even with merits, this speed was absurd.
"Bragging to me?"
"No, that's not—"
"Don't get too excited. Not confirmed—just in discussion."
"Got it. Then as major, support battalion command—"
Tap.
Eden placed a smiling hand on my shoulder.
"Dream on, Captain."