10th Company (3)
“Why?” he snapped, voice sharp as a fresh cut. “It’s just a cow, right? Dropped one and it’s all over.”
“But it’s a grandmother cow. You can’t just say it’s grandma. That’d be too much, wouldn’t it?”
Cloud stared at her for a long moment, silent, his face unreadable. ‘Did she always have this kind heart? I thought she was pure filth.’
The old adage aside, a new commander like him just wanted to get along with the troops. He pictured himself as the ideal leader—someone who shared a true friendship with his soldiers instead of bullying them into submission. He wasn’t the type to set a good example; he knew he lacked both the moral compass and the commanding presence to do so. Punishment or teaching only worked when you yourself were above reproach, or at least had the seniority or talent others would respect. Cloud had always known he was the kind of man who deserved nothing but contempt, yet here he was, nodding along to her words. When you had nothing impressive to offer, a leader who just hung out like a buddy was way easier than the one who bellowed “What the hell are you talking back to me for?”
“I was too harsh, huh? Sorry. I’ll try to be better.”
“W-what? Why so suddenly all formal?”
Lucy looked baffled at his unexpected answer. Just as he was trying to smooth things over and send her off with a pat on the back, the soldiers milking the cows suddenly started screaming and bolted toward him. “Save me, sir!” “Yaaaah! Commander!” “We’re doomed, sir!” Every single one of them treated him like their own dad. Cloud glanced toward the back of the unit and saw a massive brown bear bursting out of the nearby forest, white fangs bared, eyes blazing as it charged straight for them. “You idiots, stay calm and retreat behind me!” He hadn’t expected anything from these clowns anyway. He was the only one who could handle it. The terrified soldiers scrambled to hide inside the nearby building as ordered. Cloud stepped forward to meet the charging bear, grabbed Gesengquiya from his belt, and—without drawing it yet—kept walking until the beast was within ten meters. Then he yanked the sword free and swung. The legendary blade stretched and wrapped around the bear’s thick neck in a single fluid motion. “Stretching sword?!” Lucy, who had been watching silently from the side all along, leaped back in shock. Cloud yanked the hilt hard; the bear’s head came off clean as a whistle. The headless giant body collapsed in a spray of blood across the grass. “Whoa! The commander is amazing!” “So cool, sir!” “That’s my guy, Cloud!” The entire 10th squad, including Leonald, clapped wildly, faces full of admiration. Cloud sheathed Gesengquiya and walked back to where Lucy stood. While he gulped down the juice on the table, she stayed rooted in place, staring at him with an unreadable, sullen glare. Feeling uncomfortable, he smirked. “What’s with the death stare? Something wrong?” “How did you even get here?” “Here?” “In our squad. How can someone like you even be a commander?” “What’s wrong with that? Can’t I just join?” “Everyone here is half-baked idiots, but the commander? That’s not right. You’re supposed to be the real deal. What happened? Demoted?” “Why are you like this? We’re training-school classmates who joined on the same day. We’re still fresh!” “Really? Then what? Got hated by an officer during training? It’s unbelievable. A guy who’s got the legendary stretching sword and he’s stuck here?” “You’re being way too pushy.” “Hmph.” He sighed and rubbed his chin, trying to think of an excuse, when Latinus suddenly leaped in front of Lucy. “Grandma! You’re here! I’ve been looking everywhere!” “Grandpa, I’m in the middle of a conversation!” “Don’t run away! This time I’m never letting go! Seeing those small breasts means you’re not a cow, so you must be my grandma!” “G-g-g-g…” Lucy’s chest actually did look small. At the words, she clenched her fists so hard her knuckles turned white with anger. Conversation was clearly impossible now. She yelled at Latinus, “My chest is not small, you pervert!” ‘Phew. Good timing. I’m grateful to this eccentric for showing up.’ Cloud thought to himself. It suddenly hit him how hard it was to be a friend-like commander—keeping things light with the troops while still being able to open up honestly.
“Who is this Cloud guy?” The Valua estate. Aaron, Leonald, and Sylvia sat together for dinner. Leonald was bragging about the day’s events like it was the highlight of his life. “He took down a huge bear with one slash. It was so cool I keep thinking I’d love to travel with him as his bodyguard when the airship is finished.” “Oh? So Cloud really is that talented.” “Cough, cough!” Sylvia, who had been silent until now, choked on her words at her father’s comment. “Why are you coughing so suddenly? Sick?” “N-no, I’m fine. But just killing a bear doesn’t prove skill. Anyone could do it if they were good enough. Cloud’s level is nothing special. I’ve seen it myself.” She was trying to bury her lover, but her words fell on deaf ears. Aaron, who already favored his son over his daughter, patted Leonald’s shoulder and coaxed him gently. “You want to be like that too, don’t you? Don’t you want to hunt bears like Cloud?” “No way.” Leonald answered like a blade. “I only like watching hunting. I’ve got my own things to do.” “So you’re still collecting airship materials, huh?” “Exactly. I’m madly in love with the airship. We’re soulmates.” His answer was as pathetic as ever. Aaron wiped his mouth with a napkin and let out a deep sigh. But he didn’t give up. A brilliant idea struck him. Why not use Cloud to drag the foolish son into the world of swordsmanship? Aaron decided right then. The next day he ordered Vurmir, who was both a 1000-man commander and a knight, to carry out the plan, and Vurmir passed the order to his adjutant Torres. Torres stared blankly at Vurmir after hearing the full story. “You think the weakest 10th squad can pull this off? And they have to take young Master Leonald with them?” “It’s the lord’s order. We have no choice. Just do what we’re told.” When Cloud arrived at the command post that morning, the order was waiting. Mission: Search the Razil Mountains, locate the bandit stronghold, and exterminate them immediately. Location: Razil Mountains, southeast of the city. Intelligence: Bandit group estimated at 30 to 40 men. Lord’s special note: Must include Leonald. Cloud stared at the scroll for a long time, completely confused. “They give us rusty swords and wooden helmets and armor and then tell us to wipe out bandits?” The thought was absurd. Bandits would have far better gear than that. “Huh? Cloud, you again?” “Oh, Lady Vivian.” He had ended up in the same corridor again and ran into her. “Good morning.” “Good morning to you.” She wore the uniform in a way that made her curves look even more tempting and greeted him with a bright smile, holding a tray with coffee like yesterday. “Well, well, we meet again. You’re always popping up.” “Is this becoming our daily routine?” She laughed brightly. Starting the day with such beauty was a real power-up. “Sounds good. I’ll give it my all today.” “Huh?” “Full power for today.” Cloud clenched his fist and walked off. Vivian, left behind, felt a strange pang of emptiness the moment he was gone. ‘Maybe I should have talked to him a little longer.’ She had been so pushy before, but lately he just vanished easily. ‘That’s weird. Maybe it’s because he got married. A man with a woman.’ Cloud headed straight to the 10th squad building. When he opened the meeting room door, every single soldier was already there—rare and admirable. He gave them an internal round of applause. They were all sitting in a circle, happily eating the tomatoes Leonald had brought. “Oh, Cloud. You’re right on time.” Leonald wiped tomato juice from his lips and beamed. “I’d love to follow you around again today if that’s okay?” Seeing him, Cloud remembered the special order from the lord. He smiled warmly. “Of course. I don’t know when I’ll find airship materials, so I’d better keep you close.” “Oh, you thought about my work! I’m moved. Everyone else just tells me there’s nothing here, but you’re different. I knew you’d show up today. This was a good choice!” “C-commander, here’s some tomato.” Thomas held one out with embarrassed eyes. Cloud took a bite and ruffled his hair. “Good lad.” “W-what? Hee hee.” Thomas beamed happily at the praise. “Where are we going today?” Lucy walked over. She had already changed into work clothes, apparently expecting the usual boring task. “Today’s not the usual junk work. We’re heading to a very dangerous place.” “Dangerous?” Cloud turned to the squad, put strength in his voice, and declared, “Listen up! We might be going on a mission where we have to give up our lives today! Brace yourselves!”