The Secret Merit List
“Mind the steps, Your Highness.”
Rosen, who had come to see her off, escorted Rene all the way to her carriage.
“Thank you.”
“Not at all. I'm just sorry I can't accompany you.”
“You can't leave your post empty, Master.”
Rosen was one of the teachers who had instructed Rene and the other direct descendants of the imperial family since childhood.
“It feels like it's time for me to step back from the front lines, but the opportunity never comes.”
“You're still young and vigorous—far beyond hale.”
He had long passed a hundred, but in human terms, he was still in his mid-thirties.
“Times like these make my long-lived race feel like a curse.”
“That's rich coming from you, Master.”
Rosen smiled at Rene's words and pulled an elegantly sealed envelope from his robes.
“This is the primary list of meritorious officers and His Majesty's imperial edict. You can review it on the way.”
“It's thick. Father must have a lot to say.”
“He's been in the best mood I've seen him all year.”
Not just the Emperor—everyone in the imperial family was probably feeling good right now.
“I'll deliver it safely.”
“Yes. And take this as well.”
This time, Rosen produced a plain, rough envelope and handed it over.
“What's this?”
“The same—meritorious officers. Just ones who can't be revealed publicly. As you know, it must never leak.”
Rene's face showed a flicker of surprise at the unexpected contents.
“Me, handling this? Did Father approve?”
Places that couldn't show their faces were things like the Intelligence Command or assassination squads. Even a princess couldn't easily secure or meet their members.
“Yes, since you know the faces involved. Go see them after so long. In a way, it's His Majesty's consideration.”
Rene's expression brightened instantly at Rosen's words.
“Please convey my deepest gratitude to His Majesty.”
“I will. And there's one more besides them—His Majesty has taken a great interest, so put in a good word.”
“Yes, I will.”
The road to the west, which she'd dreaded, suddenly felt lighter than ever.
“Then travel safely.”
The door closed, and soon the carriage carrying Rene departed for Rimir Castle.
I should memorize the list ahead of time.
Showing even a hint of ignorance at an event honoring soldiers' merits would tarnish her father the Emperor's face.
This first... no, let's start with this one.
Unable to contain her curiosity, Rene opened the plain envelope first.
Meritorious Officers
Classified: Level 1 Secret — Handle with Care
Double-sealed inside the envelope. If an unauthorized person were caught viewing it, execution followed without exception.
Uncle must have racked up another massive achievement.
Full of anticipation, Rene tore open the seal and unfolded the contents. The list of secret meritorious officers revealed itself. The moment she saw the name, her body froze.
1st Merit: Lieutenant Palan Oclo
2nd Merit: Major Eden Tal
“Wh—why... why is he here?”
* * *
“All rise for a moment of silence.”
Rimir Castle's grand plaza. At the announcer's words, soldiers and civilians bowed their heads.
“We will never forget the 2,837 comrades who became stars fighting for the Empire. Their sacrifices will not be in vain—we will show no mercy to the enemy invading our lands.”
Once the number exceeded a thousand, everyone was connected by just one degree of separation.
“Sniff!”
“Waaah! My son!”
Some couldn't hold back their grief and wept. The announcer barely restrained his own emotions to deliver the final words.
“Rest in peace, heroes. Dismissed.”
After the silence, he waited his turn, left a memorial note, and exited the incense altar.
Not easy.
Even for a support unit with minimal casualties, it weighed heavy. How must the combat units feel? He couldn't even imagine.
But I can't keep moping.
The war wasn't over, and Rimir Castle still needed to recover from the battle.
“Company commander, the director just said the special rations budget came through.”
“Knew it would. How much?”
“He said it's two-tenths more than you estimated.”
“Generous.”
Victory meant special rations funding—it was only natural. And natural things required preemptive preparation for swift execution.
“Thanks for passing it on. I'll handle the rest.”
“Yes, sir! Loyalty!”
After sending a letter to the trading company requesting special rations preparations and reporting minor tasks, he left headquarters early for once.
Time for some rest.
Tomorrow would be chaos with the rations, so he needed sleep now.
Quitting before sunset—how long's it been?
Life was tough, he thought as he opened the door to his two-room officer's quarters.
“Ugh! Sofa! Missed you.”
Not showered, so no bed—he flung himself onto the sofa.
“Perfect. Bliss.”
Body surrendered to gravity. Nothing more needed.
Just sleep like this.
His mind drifted toward negativity, but reality rarely obliged.
“Lieutenant, didn't peg you for this. You're filthy.”
“Wh...?!”
An unwelcome voice pierced his private quarters. He briefly suspected a hallucination, but he wasn't that far gone.
“Captain... no, Major Eden, why are you here?”
Even if he popped up everywhere, his own quarters? Too much.
“I have business. Why else?”
How is that not a valid question?
The guy was off his rocker.
“How'd you get in? I locked up.”
“Can't crack this lock and call yourself Intelligence? Wire's enough. Practice when you have time, Lieutenant.”
Eden smugly displayed a wire from his pocket, triggering a migraine that nearly floored him.
Can't even report this anywhere.
Best to hear him out and boot him fast.
“Sure, whatever. I'll learn. So, what's the talk?”
“Impatient. Anyway, higher-ups decided to promote you to full agent. Be happy.”
“Pardon...?”
What nonsense now?
“Rare case. Usually two years observation, but half a year to full agent.”
“I... wasn't full before?”
Catching frontline spies, and not full status? Unforeseen.
“Didn't know?”
“No.”
He looked briefly flustered, assuming Palan knew.
“Hm, now you do. Sometimes ignorance is bliss.”
Forgetting he spilled it, now rationalizing late. Artistic level.
Not the first time. Pointless to argue—wastes breath.
“Any perks to full status?”
“Can request Level 2 secrets. Below that, no permission needed.”
Eden pitched it like a grand privilege. Sounded sour to Palan.
Who cares about secrets?
Life taught him: less knowledge of secrets, the better—especially dangerous ones.
“Not interested.”
“Not just that. You'll lead missions, plan and execute yourself.”
No more spoon-feeding. Not appealing.
“Hard to believe a do-nothing lieutenant's full agent already.”
Like sending off a fostered child. Anyone'd think Eden was his foster dad.
“Must I? Supply company's best for me.”
Couldn't grasp moving a results-producer like him. But the reason was close.
“Planned to, but you showed insane ability lately. Saw it—can't leave you cooking.”
System use's karma again.
“And you accepted, playing dumb.”
“When? Never proposed formally.”
“On the wall, I asked how I did—you said fantastic.”
“That's not—”
Most forced acceptance ever.
“What better acceptance? Order's out—can't cancel.”
“Figured.”
“Haha, don't take it bad. Others beg to join.”
“Sigh.”
Couldn't stifle the deep sigh at the gut-twisting words.
“Military life's rough.”
“Always is.”
“Next steps?”
“Nothing set. Enjoy victory. Her Highness the Princess comes to honor merits—watch from afar.”
Eden's casual remark froze him.
“Her... Highness the Princess?”
“Riding hard in a carriage now. You're same age, right? Met at socials?”
“Never at socials.”
Barely attended, and youngest sons didn't crash imperial events.
“But you've met?”
“Once, by chance.”
The smithy encounter. Not fond memories.
“Great person, no?”
“Uh, sure.”
Praise royals preemptively. Nodded quick.
But Eden's senses were sharp.
“Don't look convinced. Something bad?”
“Nothing.”
“Fine, won't pry. Last: from next, a trainee agent attaches to you—teach well.”
“Me? Teach? I'm barely surviving myself.”
Teacher duty on top? Overkill.
“I agree, but captains up get trainees. Like you with me.”
“I'm a lieutenant.”
“Hm? Didn't know? You're promoting.”
“Promoting... what?”