Promotion and the Gork Mountains Anomaly
With this, I can really rake in the cash.
The Empire might not have strict copyrights like modern Earth, but concepts like that exist, and there are related laws.
Home cooking is one thing, but if you're selling, go exclusive or at least collect royalties.
Sitting on a pile of money had never felt quite this plush.
"If it can help the Empire, it's my honor."
After that, the conversation between the princess and the commander continued without me.
Troop status, recovery rates, tomorrow's schedule, and so on.
The next time I spoke with her was when she was about to leave.
"It was even more impressive than I imagined, Lieutenant."
"It was only possible because every man in the company worked solely for the Empire's victory and loyalty to His Imperial Majesty."
Sweet-talking bullshit that didn't even taste right on my tongue.
But to survive in the Empire, this had to roll off as naturally as breathing.
"Splendid. I think I misjudged you for a moment there, Lieutenant."
No, you saw me right.
Her eyes softened, but there was no need to correct that.
"If my actions and words back then came across as misguided loyalty, I apologize."
"I'm glad you say that. No time today, so we'll leave it here—long talk tomorrow."
"Pardon...? What do you—"
Before I could ask, she turned and boarded her carriage.
And just like that, the princess was gone.
My head felt even more tangled than before.
She must've mixed up the schedule or something.
I wasn't even up for commendations; no reason for her to meet me again.
Or more precisely, both she and I had the wrong info—thanks to one scheming villain.
[Personnel Order]
Subject: Lieutenant Palan Oclo
Reassignment: Supply Battalion, Support Battalion, Rations Company Commander → Standby
The above personnel transfer is hereby ordered.
Supply Battalion Commander
Colonel Paolo
The personnel order greeted me first thing upon arriving early in the morning.
I couldn't help but sigh.
"They really meant 'rest until the commendations ceremony' literally."
The letter on my desk was even worse.
Be at the north gate at noon, prepared to depart. —Eden—
"This is a total mess. My head's spinning."
Of all times, his annoyingly swift action.
Only about three hours until noon.
Just say goodbyes to the essentials.
No time for distant visits, so I headed to the mess hall first and gathered the company.
"It wasn't long, but thanks for sticking with your incompetent commander—and great job, everyone."
"Sir...?"
The sudden farewell caught most of the company off guard.
"Leaving just like that? Why, sir?"
"Captain, is this for real?"
Faces full of disbelief.
Well, this wasn't exactly normal.
I figured I'd stick around until things stabilized, so they're even more shocked.
But the army's like that—one morning you're gone.
"Handover docs are all done. Next commander might need help, so Sergeant Colton, assist as rations chief."
I shook hands with Sergeant Colton, entrusting the future to him.
"I'll do my best, remembering what you've built."
Colton had started green, but after one battle, he'd grown into a seasoned chief.
Keep this up, and sergeant major's next.
Obviously, survivors of this fight would climb ranks fast.
"I didn't do much. Catch you next time."
"Yes, sir. Stay safe."
After goodbyes and packing, I headed to the battalion commander's office last.
"You leaving?"
"Yes, that's the order."
Eden aside, she'd been the longest constant in my service.
Denying any bond would be a lie.
"Destination set?"
"Back to the capital first, I think."
"Good luck wherever. Take care—especially now."
"Prioritizing my safety, as always."
With assassins targeting me, I'd vanish if I slacked.
"Steadfast as ever. See you later—you'll end up back west anyway."
Ciel's conviction.
Regrettably, I suspected the same, so no denying it.
"Sad to go. I'll reach out if I'm westbound. Loyalty."
Final salute, grab bags, head to north gate.
"Forgot to say bye to Derek."
Go now? Nah, I'd miss the rendezvous for sure.
Leave a note, then.
My gut said Derek and I'd cross paths soon anyway.
"Right on time."
Eden was already there, waving.
"Some bastard gave me a super tight deadline, so I rushed."
"What a jerk."
Deadpan denial, face unchanged.
Folks might actually buy his innocence.
"Whatever. Not our first rodeo."
"Cut him some slack—he's got reasons."
"Yeah, sure."
Stowed gear, boarded carriage.
"Let's roll."
Eden climbed in with me.
I tilted my head at the surprise.
"You riding along?"
"Thought you'd take it solo?"
He always traveled alone—what was this?
"Don't make it weird. It's awkward for me too."
Eden stretched out, perfect recline.
Doesn't look awkward at all.
Like his master bedroom.
"All the way to the capital?"
"I'm capital-bound. You drop at Gork Mountains."
"Pardon...?"
Gork Mountains—spanned north to west, Empire territory but untamed wilderness.
Reason? Monsters.
Goblins to trolls, orcs.
Legends said dragons; realistically, ogres confirmed.
"Why me there?"
"Your next post. Oh, right—Captain now. Here."
Eden tossed a box clearly holding captain's insignia.
Your rapid promotion and exploits have been recognized.
You have now stepped onto the path of a proper officer.
Forget not the soldier's spirit—serve with dedication.
Points were nice, but that last line nearly made me swing.
Dedication my ass.
This damn System knew exactly how to piss people off.
"Something wrong? Expected major?"
"Discharge papers."
"Ouch, don't hold your breath."
Eden's words spiked my blood pressure again.
"War ends, I discharge."
"Work on that. I'll cheer from afar."
Eden pulled another box from his pocket.
"What's that?"
"Promotion gift. Rare—use wisely."
Inside: a pricey fountain pen, as promised.
Wait—not new.
"Isn't this your pen?"
I'd seen him sign with it.
"Good memory. Disappointed it's used?"
Major Eden, reading minds.
Not really disappointed—fancy pens littered home.
"Of course not. Just curious."
"Mine was a gift on captaincy. Think of it as passing the torch."
"Can you regift?"
"Just take it—you ask a lot. Pass it to your sharp subordinate someday."
His words tugged a grin.
"So I'm sharp?"
Perfect jab.
Eden averted eyes, uncharacteristically.
"Think what you want."
"Haha, got it. When I find a subordinate as sharp and capable, I'll pass it on."
"Tch, enough chit-chat. Study this en route."
To shut me up, he handed a thick file.
Handle with Care
Bold red warning screamed "don't peek."
"I can read this?"
"Didn't I say? You're official now, Captain."
Right—Level 3 clearance unlocked.
"Forgot for a sec."
I flipped past the red, no hesitation.
<Gork Mountains Anomaly Report>
Topic: my new post, naturally.
Anomaly, huh.
Looked problematic.
-Despite no territorial wars, monsters descending mountains. Frequency tripled vs. prior year... Unusual behaviors noted in descending monsters...
Detailed report with data, cases.
Summary: Gork monsters breed summer-fall, war in winter over scarce food.
Winner takes food, land; losers, stripped bare, raid humans.
Now, 7th Legion—us—handles purges.
Basic academy stuff so far.
Surprisingly useful, that Spartan training.
Though mostly useless crap.
Issue: descents before wars even start.
"This is serious."
"Yeah. If mountains birth a horde... Unthinkable."
Monsters from mountains, Aditz from west.
Doom scenario clear.
"Why now? Quiet for centuries."
"Your mission to find out. Exciting, no?"
Investigate monster anomaly.
Meant fighting them—maybe entering mountains.
Fuck, this is a death sentence.