Promotion as a Gift
“We need more power in the Reconnaissance Command than the Seto Duke family. You know what I mean, right?”
“Yes, I'll handle it without disappointing you.”
Serendia Abiel couldn't have been more satisfied with Robin's demeanor—there wasn't a trace of worry or doubt about failure.
“That's all I have to say. Contact me anytime you need something.”
“Understood, Your Grace. I'll take my leave then.”
Robin straightened his bent knees and turned to leave the room.
As he walked slowly out and the butler was about to close the door behind him.
Serendia's final words rang out.
“Oh, and I prepared a reinstatement gift, so don't be too surprised.”
Thud.
The door shut completely before he could even respond.
It wasn't until the next day that Robin could check Serendia Abiel's reinstatement gift.
Promotion: Lieutenant → Major
Hereby ordered as above.
General Maemold Sikaite
Transfer: Vanguard Company, Penal Battalion → Inspection Division 1, Innovation Reform Office, Reconnaissance Command
Appointment: Chief of Inspection Division 1, Innovation Reform Office, Reconnaissance Command
Hereby ordered as above.
General Maemold Sikaite
“Haha! Hahahaha!!!”
Robin stared at the ceiling, laughing like a madman after confirming the orders.
“Now it begins.”
Robin spurred his horse toward the Reconnaissance Command for the first time in ages.
Gripping a sharply honed sword in his hand.
“So, a bunch of soldiers went out on leave and hit up an illegal gambling den?”
“Yes. That's what the investigation of the soldiers on leave turned up. We even found a few officers in the mix.”
Aisa Lintun was reporting the results of the investigation I'd ordered two days ago, but it was way off from what I'd expected.
“Ugh, illegal gambling den means unlicensed, right.”
Casinos are at least somewhat legit.
But casinos are in big cities with some scale. In a small village like this, every gambling joint is illegal, no exceptions.
“Exactly. Going to a casino is embarrassing enough, but for soldiers to frequent illegal dens? Pathetic.”
Her words stabbed me right in the chest without warning.
'I used to hit casinos like a degenerate myself.'Sure, it was for missions, but if you just count the games I played—and enjoyed—no one could top me.
“Tricky. Can't exactly open a casino in the barracks.”
Back in the day, there were apparently entertainment spots at Gyeryong that went beyond gambling, but that's not a precedent to follow.
“Shouldn't we punish the ones caught going to the illegal dens first?”
'Huh...? Punish them?'Well, punishment isn't unreasonable.
Illegal gambling den— the name alone screams regulation violation.
'But punishing means disciplinary committees and a whole mess.'Ah, my head's already throbbing at the hassle.
“Punishment, right, punishment. Sigh.”
“What's wrong, sir?”
“Nah, how many we talking?”
“Nine enlisted, seven officers by my count.”
Enlisted, whatever.
But seven officers? More than I thought.
'Officer punishments are even more of a pain.'Shouldn't even be thinking like this.
Why get caught and make everyone miserable?
'They knew it was against regs. Should've been more careful.'Aisa's goal wasn't cracking down on gambling anyway.
Getting nabbed despite that? Sloppy as hell.
“Gotta do what we gotta do.”
Of course, saying I'll punish them doesn't mean I can do whatever.
“Probably under conduct maintenance. Look up the punishment levels for gambling visits and let me know. I'll draft the request based on that.”
“Yes, sir!”
Aisa, brimming with enthusiasm, left the company commander's office and returned in no time.
“Here it is.”
“That was fast.”
“Like you said, sir, it was under the conduct maintenance section. Easy find.”
I checked page 271 of the regulations she opened.
— Acts damaging a soldier's dignity (gambling, visiting entertainment venues, excessive drinking, binge drinking, etc.) shall result in disciplinary action.
1st offense: Unit-level discipline
2nd offense: Referral to JAG office for discipline
— In cases of severe conduct violations, units may skip unit-level discipline and refer directly to JAG. Decided by unit head.
I figured it'd be straight to JAG referral, but first offense was unit-level.
'Sixteen disciplinary requests? Nightmare averted. God doesn't want me overworked yet.'“Unit-level discipline? Leave it to the battalion commander. Not my place.”
I could do it if I had to.
But why me specifically?
'This is important work for the battalion commander.'Yeah, yeah.
Acting commander or not, don't overstep.
“Sounds right, sir.”
Aisa nodded in agreement.
“Get their statements ready. So we can process as soon as the battalion commander shows.”
“I'll have them by tomorrow.”
“Good. And don't crush their spirits too hard. Everyone's just busting their asses.”
I'm out in two months anyway. Best to keep it chill.
'Damn, I'm full last-year sergeant mindset now.'Everything's a hassle these days.
“I'll keep that in mind, sir.”
“Yeah.”
With the headache sorted, I reviewed the rest of the report.
“Second most common outing reason: meals. Meat, obviously.”
Barracks chow's decent, but mass-cooked meat can't touch restaurant stuff.
'Plus they make good money, so they go oil up regularly.'I know the feeling—hit the BBQ spots every leave back in the day.
“Like you said, sir, a BBQ setup would fix this. I polled the company, and reactions were great.”
She even checked morale without me asking.
“Yeah, let's plan it. Doesn't look like it'll cost much.”
“Got it. Issue's meat supply.”
“Meat, huh. If Oclo Trading Company handled food deliveries, they'd bring some extra to sell. Perfect.”
But sadly, another merchant handles it here.
'Just have 'em bring it anyway.'Does it have to profit every time?
Sometimes you support tough postings even at a loss.
“I'll ask the family or find a way.”
“As expected, sir. You'd do anything for the unit. I respect that.”
“Uh...?”
Praise hit out of nowhere.
“Learning from you every day, sir.”
“Nah, nothing worth learning. But thanks. Next after meat?”
I rushed past the awkwardness.
That covered billiards and board games too—three welfare spots now in planning.
“Captain, burning the midnight oil again.”
7 PM.
Stuck processing paperwork instead of heading home, Garen walked in.
“Been out ten days, so backlog's huge. Battalion commander's on leave too.”
I played up the exhaustion.
'Obvious play—he's dragging me to the training yard.'I've lost count of these routines.
'I'll end up going anyway, but gotta resist.'Challenge and attempt are key, right?
“Fair enough. You're doing double others' work—must be wiped.”
“Y...yeah?”
What's with him?
Unfamiliar vibe made my hand shake.
“This overwork sustainable? You're one of the empire's top talents.”
“Thanks for the high praise. Always striving.”
“Good. I'll handle company training while you're catching up. Go home, sleep, rest. Ask if you need anything.”
'What the hell did I just hear?'Pinched my thigh under the desk—no dream, sharp pain.
'This real? He eat something bad?'Anyway, exhausted today, and no dragging? Huge win.
“Appreciate the consideration.”
“We're tight—what're friends for? Right, Captain?”
“Y...yes? Haha.”
His unusual kindness left me awkwardly smiling.
But old saying: no free kindness.
Garen was no exception.
“Got a question.”
“Shoot.”
“Uh... what does Colonel Orpia like?”
“Colonel Orpia?”
Out-of-left-field superior crush talk.
I looked up—his face dead serious.
“Intel and Special Forces nailed that joint op. Wanna gift her thanks, but need intel.”
“Ah... I see.”
Business on the surface, but tone and expression screamed otherwise.
“Figured you might know something.”
Expectant eyes.
Now I got the kindness motive.
'Wait—if I don't know, straight to training yard.'Bigger deal than I thought.
“Colonel Orpia, huh. Hmm.”
Honestly, no clue.
'Not like we hung out long—just a few meetings.'Probably same as Garen's encounters.
'But think: woman, mid-30s guess.'First idea: jewelry.
“Gold necklace?”
Man or woman, nobody hates gold.
Mid-30s? Practical choice, not girly.
'Me? Gift-picking pro.'