Chapter 514: The Visit(3)
Chapter 514: The Visit(3)
In the military, it’s generally common to be allowed to move around the base as long as you have permission.
However, unless you’re an official, getting inside the barracks where the command and control center is located is usually difficult. Most visitors just look at the scenery or buy cheap goods at the PX.
Of course, the story changes when you’re a retired general—and a hero who laid the very foundation of the unit, at that. Add to that a prophet revered worldwide, and the rules bend even further.
If nothing else, my father’s influence alone was enough to grant us access to everything. He was the man who, alongside the current corps commander, established the bedrock of this knighthood. Who would dare object?
The same applied to me. In fact, from the perspective of the knights, they were likely anxious to stay on my good side.
Since the world ebbs and flows based on my every word, they probably felt the need to make a good impression.
Thanks to that, I was able to tour various parts of the base under the guidance of Dave and Nicole.
Ah, but obviously, we couldn't go near the active duty posts. Those are places where lives are on the line, and no one has the luxury of looking after a guest.
"There aren't just knights on the base, right?"
"Of course not. You felt how warm the visitation room was earlier, right? If the heating isn't running here for even a day, your only option is a campfire. Facility managers are essential. It’s so cold outside that we don't even need refrigerators."
"What about the cooks? Are they contractors from outside, like that man from before?"
"Some are, but every knight has a space where they can cook for themselves. The Minerva Empire is vast, and everyone’s culture is different."
"That’s interesting."
I didn't realize it went that far. I thought they were quite open-minded for the era, but they were much more progressive than I expected.
A kitchen provided for every soldier? That was a facility I couldn't have even imagined in my previous life.
To put it another way, it meant the Navy Knights had that much political clout. If the barbarians ever managed to break through and descend, the Empire would be in utter chaos.
"I bet someone’s burned the place down trying to cook something weird."
"Yeah. Last time, Mr. Gult wanted fried food, so he threw some meat in, and it exploded. Did we ban him from making fried food for a while after that?"
"I think so. When I first heard it, I thought a powder keg had gone off."
A military story with a military-style "hell-ending"... well, not quite. If this were South Korea, the kitchen would have been shut down for a month.
And while frying seems easy, it’s actually quite dangerous.
If you put in food with too much moisture, it pops; if you put in rice cakes, they explode; basically, if you put in anything even slightly weird, it all blows up.
But the fact that they can even fry things means their supplies are abundant. Unless it's frozen food, fried dishes are usually something you can't even dream of in the field.
‘Isn't oil incredibly expensive?’
Above all, oil was pricey. No, "pricey" didn't even begin to describe the insane costs.
Mass production of cooking oil only began in the 1900s, so I could only imagine how it was now.
Thanks to the unbalanced level of development, the food industry had advanced, but the existence of fried food was still a fresh surprise.
Well, there might be some technology I’m unaware of, so I couldn't jump to conclusions.
"Was he hurt?"
"He coated himself in mana the moment it exploded, so he avoided any burns. Talk about a waste of talent."
"Well, his reaction speed is top-notch."
Afterward, Dave and Nicole explained that there was no separate "cook" MOS; the Navy Knights were a unit focused entirely on combat.
Instead, they were taught "survival skills" in case they were stranded or faced the worst-case scenario. They explained that everyone was thoroughly educated on what was edible and what wasn't.
Since my father retired, there had been almost no direct armed conflicts with the barbarians, but that was only because the barbarians hadn't attacked first.
The scouts were in particular danger, and many members often returned with injuries.
"Still, it’s nothing compared to Father’s time. The barbarians were one thing, but sometimes Elven scouting parties would trespass, too."
"Ah, I’ve heard of that. But hasn't it gotten better now?"
"Who knows? It might just be that we aren't catching them. Still, since the Queen of Albenheim is close to you, I imagine it’s relatively less frequent."
The Minerva Empire shared borders with many nations. One of them was Albenheim.
Since the Human Alliance from the Race War had transformed into the Minerva Empire, one could guess the nature of their relationship.
Perhaps because of that, until Arwen took power, provocations were constant, and Elven scouts frequently appeared in the north.
From Albenheim's perspective, nothing was better than the Minerva Empire struggling with northern issues.
However, I heard that such incidents became quite rare after my father was transferred here.
It might be because Arwen was busy clashing with the Elder Council, but it also meant they didn't even have the leeway to cause trouble.
In fact, even Keir, Arwen’s attendant who had been a soldier, was well aware of my father’s prestige.
‘He’s like a living Deus Ex Machina.’
If someone asked, "I heard the northern region used to be a mess, so why is it like this now?"
The answer would be: "The Red Lion handled everything." And the response would be: "Ah, if it’s the Red Lion, that makes sense." They would just accept it.
I had never seen my father’s martial prowess with my own eyes, but I figured I’d see it at least once someday.
"If you train during the week, what do you do for fun on the weekends? There’s a limit to how much you can read."
"Lately, we play Baduk. It’s been a trend ever since you introduced it."
"Baduk?"
"Yeah. Since it requires a lot of brainpower, some people avoid it, but more people play it than not."
So Baduk was popular here, too. It reminded me of how Arwen and Cecile spent all day playing matches during winter break.
Because of the current situation, they didn't have a chance to meet, but they had been so absorbed in it that even I had forgotten about it for a while.
Moreover, since the two of them had formed a strange rivalry, it was more than enough for them to fall deep into the game.
"It was hilarious when Senior Rick and Senior Ana played against each other. Rick flipped the board, shouting that she was playing like a total dick."
"Didn't they almost get into a real fight because of that?"
"They’ve made up now. Though the training hall had to be resurfaced."
It seemed the phrase "playing like a total dick" was starting to trend. As everyone knows, it’s a time-honored compliment that has been passed down since ancient times.
I let out a chuckle at the story, which felt very human despite them being the strongest knighthood.
Fortunately, it seemed that while there was some minor hazing, there was no toxic military discipline. And the hazing would probably improve once I gave them my autograph.
"Grrr."
"Huh?"
As I was walking and chatting amiably with my family, a beastly growl reached my ears.
I thought I might have misheard because of my winter hat. My eyes widened as I turned my head toward the source of the sound.
And there, where I turned my gaze, was a cat... no, a tiger, prowling around.
To reiterate, it wasn't a cat; it was a tiger. And a massive one at that, completely defying all sense of perspective.
What is that? Why is that here?
"W-W-What is that? Is that a tiger?"
"Huh? Oh, that?"
When I pointed my finger and asked in a panicked voice, Nicole reacted as if it were no big deal.
Then, she made a clicking sound with her tongue and beckoned it to come over. It was exactly like someone trying to coax a dog or a cat on the street.
Then, amazingly, the house-sized tiger began to saunter toward us.
It looked huge from a distance, but up close, its size was on a different dimension.
"Grrr."
"Let me introduce you. This is our knighthood’s mascot, Leo. He’s a gentle soul, so don't worry."
"...Is it a monster?"
"It’s not a monster; it’s an animal. Didn't Father bring this guy in?"
Father again? I looked at my father after hearing Nicole’s question.
Father was stroking his neatly trimmed beard while looking at the tiger—Leo.
His golden eyes were filled with both nostalgia and wonder.
"So this fellow is that cub? He wasn't this big when I left."
"Time has passed, after all. What do you think, Isaac? Isn't he cute?"
"Do you know how amazing our Leo is? Sometimes he even goes out and hunts monsters on his own. Thanks to him, we don't have to deal with annoying monster business."
"Uh..."
It’s not particularly strange for every unit to have a "mess hall cat."
I myself had rolled around with cats during my military service. There was even a junior who lost a fight to one of those cats.
But I suppose this is a fantasy world; the scale was on another level.
The Soviet Union had used war bears during World War II, but this was... just different.
"Grrrr."
While I stood there dazed and dumbfounded, the tiger thrust its face toward me.
Its face was twice the size of mine. This wasn't a "mess hall cat" in the slang sense; it was a literal tiger.
Even though Nicole said he was gentle, the natural intimidation of a tiger was immense. Naturally, I couldn't help but be tense.
Rub— Rub—
"......Huh?"
"Purrr. Purrr."
But then, it did something unexpected. After staring intently at my face, it began to rub its head against me.
Furthermore, it even made a purring sound just like a real cat. It was a clear sign of affection.
Flop—
Now, it even flopped down in front of me and showed its belly.
As everyone knows, when an animal shows its belly, it means it trusts you.
Despite meeting for the first time today, this giant tiger was showing me infinite affection.
"Is it because Father is here? He rarely shows his belly to anyone."
"I don't think that’s it. You saw it, Dave. He rubbed his face against Isaac. It looks like he really likes Isaac."
Dave and Nicole spoke, their voices filled with surprise and wonder.
Apparently, this cat—no, tiger—named Leo was quite prideful and didn't show his belly easily.
Yet, this tiger rubbed its face against me a few times and then bared its belly completely.
I couldn't understand how this was happening, but then something suddenly flashed through my mind.
‘Ah. The Blessing of Hirt.’
The Pure Blessing that Hirt had bestowed upon me. Unlike other blessings, the Pure Blessing was closer to a type of "Authority."
Furthermore, Hirt was the Goddess of Nature. All flora and fauna within nature—excluding monsters—fell under her jurisdiction.
In other words, this tiger might be sensing that and expressing its friendliness.
"Grrrr. Purrr."
"Aww. You're so cute."
So, I petted him to my heart's content. I touched his face, his ears, and finally stroked his belly.
He seemed to enjoy my touch, purring loudly and wagging his tail.
Though they were different species, he somehow reminded me of Leona and was quite adorable. Leona also loved it when I stroked her head or belly.
I wanted to do more than just pet him—I wanted to ride him—but since time was limited, I stopped quickly.
I was here for a visitation, not to move in.
Staying here too long might end up being a nuisance to the knights.
"Well, bye. We’re going now."
"Grrr."
He rubbed his face against me as if he were sad to see me go. I stroked his face one last time and moved on.
Leo seemed to understand my intent and moved his house-sized body away with a slow saunter.
"Oh, right. You said you’ve met Lady Hirt before, right? That’s when you received Ariel."
"Yeah."
"Maybe that’s why. Usually, if anyone else reaches out, he bites."
"......If he bites, wouldn't your hand just disappear?"
"That’s why we reinforce ourselves with mana."
It was an answer befitting the Navy Knights, where only the strong could serve. I could guarantee that I wouldn't last even a day here.
I had heard from Nicole that even the entrance test was like a trip to hell.
"So, where should we go next? Is there anywhere you're curious about? Oh, for the record, it’s probably best to skip the training hall."
"Why not the training hall?"
"Because it’s basically a live-fire exercise. The moment you walk in, all sorts of debris will probably fly at you. We’d protect you, of course, but just in case."
"......"
This really was a place where only the strongest of the strong gathered. After hearing Dave’s explanation, I decided not to go to the training hall.
According to him, it was a place where only monsters gathered, so a "light spar" was never actually light.
Even Dave and Nicole, who had served as martial studies assistants at the Academy, said it was hard to endure at first.
The people sparring were literally the eye of a storm, and everything around them would get swept away.
"Doesn't that cost a lot of money?"
"Oh, don't worry about that. The training hall isn't inside the base; it’s outside. Out there, they can run wild to their heart's content."
"......This unit really defies common sense."
"That’s just how our unit is."
Dave shrugged his shoulders with an air of familiarity.
I shook my head at his nonchalant reaction.
"Then can you show me where you and Nicole live?"
"That’s easy. Just go into that building over there."
"Ah. That one?"
I had my suspicions, but that plain, rectangular building was actually the barracks. It looked so familiar that I almost let out a hollow laugh.
A rectangular building is quite good in terms of efficiency.
The construction itself is structurally simple, and everything is neatly partitioned. It was a nostalgic sight, in a way.
‘I guess they just need a place to rest.’
I followed Dave and Nicole into the barracks. I could feel a wave of heat; it seemed the barracks were heated as well.
"There weren't any proper barracks before, but these were newly built. They’re all private rooms."
"Like the Academy dorms?"
"Yeah. I heard they were modeled after the Academy dorms. Before that, three people shared a room, but not anymore. The barracks are the most recent addition."
"Things really have improved. In my day, we didn't even have tents, let alone barracks."
Father looked around the interior of the barracks in admiration. From his perspective, he couldn't help but have a "back in my day" moment.
—...Heil! ...non!
Then, a vigorous shout echoed from somewhere. I paused for a moment.
The others continued walking forward, seemingly having missed it while explaining things to Father.
Thinking it would be fine since we were inside the barracks, I walked toward the direction of the sound.
"Isaac? What are you doing?"
"Ah. I heard something from here."
It didn't take long for Nicole to catch me. She frowned slightly at my independent action, but her expression turned to curiosity after hearing my words.
She looked in the direction I pointed and approached me, muttering softly.
"This is Senior Ben’s room. Did you hear something?"
"Uh... I thought I heard someone shouting. Maybe I misheard..."
Just as I was scratching my head in embarrassment, someone inside the room shouted loudly once more.
—Heil!!
I let out a small "Huh?" upon hearing that, but it was already too late.
—Xenon!!
"......"
Words that should never be heard, and words that should never be shouted, came from behind that door.
The moment I heard that famous salute, my heart sank. At the same time, I felt the blood in my entire body turn cold.
I forced my stiff neck to turn, my joints creaking with the effort.
What... did I just hear?
"Ha. That man is at it again. Doesn't he have any shame?"
"......"
"Let’s go. There’s a lot more I want to show you."
I’ve already seen too much. Even as Nicole pulled me away, I couldn't take my eyes off that door.
‘What on earth have I...’
The Great Depression wasn't the only thing I had sown. It was just overshadowed; various seeds, large and small, had been planted in the ground.
If the beautifully blooming Great Depression were to wither in a few months, those other seeds would begin to sprout.
Right now, it could be dismissed as a mere incident, but what if something like that spread on a national scale?
Even without looking far, nobles were already trending toward Hitler’s toothbrush mustache and Stalin’s Kaiser mustache.
That specific salute was likely part of the same trend. But the aftermath would be beyond imagination.
And one person immediately came to mind.
‘Arwen...’
Arwen, the communist Elf and Queen of Albenheim, who was deeply inspired (?) by Hitler.
‘...I need to visit Albenheim soon.’
And I should meet Lady Hirt while I’m at it. I forced my sinking heart back into place.
—...Heil! Xenon!
Oh. Please.