Summoned to Supply Command
“Sounds about right.”
“Pardon…?”
“Banquets aren’t my thing anyway, so that’s fine. More importantly, no matter where you go, you’ll be saying goodbye to the Intelligence Agency for a while.”
“Not completely?”
“Pretty much. There won’t be any operations to run there anyway.”
I figured he’d tell me to keep one foot in both worlds again, but it looks like not this time.
This is genuinely good news.
Escape from the Intelligence Agency.
Wasn’t that what I’d dreamed of all along?
“Of course, once you’re officially transferred, you’re not fully out unless you discharge. So don’t get too excited.”
“Tch, got it.”
So close.
Still, dipping just a toe in now instead of being fully submerged is plenty meaningful.
This is how you pull out gradually.
You can’t fill your belly on the first sip.
“When I first laid eyes on you, Major, I never imagined you’d climb this far.”
Glug glug!
Eden suddenly delved into old stories as he poured another round.
Damn, I’m ready to head out now.
I’d heard all the important stuff, but my escape from the tavern didn’t come until it closed at 4 a.m.
“Your Majesty, our investigation into the trading companies supplying cold-weather gear has confirmed embezzlement totaling 20,000 gold.”
Major General Jensen, commander of Supply Command, reported while gauging the emperor and Minister Rosen’s moods.
“What measures have been taken?”
“We’ve raided all the trading companies and factories involved, identifying culprits. Military personnel are being detained and questioned separately.”
“Execute the key offenders in Revolution Square, based on the severity of their crimes.”
“Yes…!”
Execution in Revolution Square.
A punishment reserved for great traitors whose crimes must echo across the entire empire.
“Commander.”
“Y-yes! Your Majesty!”
“It’s only been a short time since your appointment, and you’ve proven yourself in this operation, so I’ll let it slide. But if it happens again, there will be no mercy.”
“Of… of course! I’ll etch this lesson into my bones and shatter them to reform Supply Command.”
The landing operation had succeeded, but not everything was flawless.
Especially the cold-weather gear issued to the troops—it was bulky enough to hinder combat, yet so poorly made that icy winds seeped right through.
The report of over a hundred frostbite cases had evaporated the emperor’s joy in victory, igniting his fury.
“The issues with supplies aren’t limited to cold-weather gear. Root them out before they erupt.”
“Yes…! Your Majesty! Your command is received!!!”
“Request whatever you need without hesitation. Don’t hold back excuses for later.”
“Then… Your Majesty, may I mention one thing?”
Knowing failure here meant his own execution in Revolution Square, Jensen mustered his courage.
“Speak.”
“Supply Command is currently overwhelmed with procuring western supplies and handling all manner of tasks.”
Jensen’s voice was desperate.
The emperor gazed down silently, as if bidding him continue.
“With key personnel tied up in the corruption probes, operations are on the brink of paralysis.”
“Requesting reinforcements?”
“Yes. To restore proper supplies, we need top-tier talent.”
“Hm.”
The logic was sound, so the emperor stroked his chin and glanced at Minister Rosen beside him.
“Then pull some from the Treasury.”
“You know we’re pulling all-nighters like it’s routine because we’re short-staffed.”
“A manpower problem, then.”
Post-war workloads had surged across all sectors, leaving the empire in a talent crunch.
“For supply work, they need to be capable and sharp. Hmm.”
Such people existed, of course—but they’d already be vital elsewhere.
“Your Majesty, what if we send Major Palan Oclo, slated for infantry battalion command?”
Rosen pondered briefly before naming the recently decorated Palan.
“Major Palan?”
“He’s tied to Intelligence, so easy to move, and from a merchant family—surely adept with numbers?”
“Doesn’t he lack experience for supply duties at such a critical time?”
“The embezzlement has left gaps in supplies that need filling now. Major Palan handled something similar as supply company commander.”
“Now that you mention it, true.”
Experience changed the equation.
“Plus, with his new medal, who’d dare underestimate him? Give an outstanding talent a stage to shine.”
Rosen’s follow-up swayed the emperor, who stroked his chin before deciding.
“As the minister says. Send Major Palan to Supply Command and scrape together more personnel. The commander will assign detailed roles.”
“Your grace is boundless!”
Jensen bowed, satisfied with securing manpower.
“I’ll issue an edict for exemplary punishment. Prepare accordingly.”
“Yes! Your Majesty!”
As victory’s thrill faded, the empire prepared to excise its rot.
Transfer: Special Forces Command 103rd Battalion → Supply Command Western Support Unit Headquarters Planning Section
Appointment: Western Support Unit Headquarters Planning Section Chief
The above personnel transfer is hereby ordered.
Major General Jensen Kenate
This personnel order arrived just two days after the commendation ceremony.
But the real issue was the man standing before me right now.
“And you’ve got the medal right here. Not a bad touch. Guests always end up in the receiving room anyway.”
“Wasn’t my idea—Father suggested it.”
Long ears, looks that could eclipse any idol.
The emperor might not recognize him, but this was someone impossible to mistake.
“Still, why would busy Minister Rosen himself come all the way here…?”
The titan of the empire’s economy, Minister Rosen.
He’d shown up at the mansion at dawnbreak, personnel order in hand.
Damn, he’s ridiculously handsome.
That porcelain skin, those refined features.
Handsome enough to envy is one thing—this was on another level.
“Wanted to chat with you, Major. Business to discuss, too.”
“I see…? Hardly worthy of a humble soldier like me.”
Knock knock!
I was pondering how to handle such a heavyweight when someone knocked on the receiving room door.
“Come in.”
Rosen’s curt reply.
The door opened, revealing none other than Father.
“Minister, nothing fancy, but please have some tea and make yourself comfortable.”
The family head himself, tray in hand.
Anyone would think he was the butler.
Can’t blame him.
Second only to the emperor in power—cross him, and you’re done.
“Much appreciated.”
“Not at all! Take your time.”
Father bowed and exited the receiving room.
“Have a seat.”
“Yes, sir…!”
I sipped the freshly brewed tea.
Expensive stuff.
One taste screamed luxury.
“First off, per the order, you’ll head to Planning Section Chief. It’s a lieutenant colonel slot, so quite the promotion.”
“Really…? Why entrust such a key role to me?”
Just one rank up, sure—but field grades were worlds apart.
“Because you’ve proven yourself, no? And no one else fits the bill for this.”
“If you see it that way, I’ll give it my all.”
A bit daunting, but non-combat was already a win—even if it was scraps.
“But what exactly will I be doing that the minister himself scouts the candidate…?”
“Simply put: filling the holes embezzlement tore in our supplies.”
“Pardon…?”
What nonsense is this?
I’m no factory foreman—how am I supposed to ‘fill’ supplies?
I’d thought “planning chief” meant drafting pie-in-the-sky New Year’s goals. This felt off.
“Details get complicated, but you need to know, so…”
Rosen’s words flooded my mind.
Long story short: one tidy summary.
The emperor raged at the state of supplies during the op, flipped everything, found a mess. Fix it.
First thought: obvious.
“Scale’s too massive for a mere major.”
Even skimming it, embezzlement gaps hit hundreds of thousands of gold minimum.
Me handling that?
My head was already spinning.
“Not catching crooks—just restocking supplies. What’s hard about it?”
Rosen looked genuinely puzzled.
“W-well, true…”
“The old food supply mess was similar, and you fixed it. I trust you’ll manage this too.”
No, that was small potatoes—this is leagues apart.
Fishing in a stream doesn’t qualify you for deep-sea sturgeon.
“Fair point, but I lack supply experience. Wouldn’t a specialist be better?”
Persistent refusal.
Thankfully, Rosen was reasonable.
“Didn’t expect you to think that way, Major. Figured you’d jump at this.”
Why would you assume that?
I wanted to crack open his skull and see his evaluation of me.
“Surely someone more qualified exists.”
“More qualified… Fine. Scratch this—we’ll issue a new order for infantry battalion command as planned.”
Grip!
I instinctively grabbed Rosen’s wrist as he rose.
“W-wait… On second thought, didn’t His Majesty choose me personally?”
“Could see it that way…”
“How could a loyal subject refuse? I’ll give it my best shot.”
“Didn’t you just call it burdensome?”
“In wartime, shirking burdens leaves nothing to do.”
My sudden reversal left Rosen mildly flustered.
But I was the most shocked.
Why pivot to infantry battalion on me like that?
This draft swerve would’ve slammed the car into a wall.
“So you’re in?”
“Yes, sir. I’ll plug those supply gaps fast—no hitches for operations!”
My voice brimmed with passion, verging on desperation. Rosen nodded.
“I’ll hold you to it.”
“I’ll head out today—trust me with it.”
Regrettably, this was my only path to survival right now.