Chapter 30
Chapter 30
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Escort Duty Approved
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I had originally planned to stop Kaya the moment I saw her.
After all, if rumors spread that our sweet little sister was ill-mannered, that would spell trouble.
But the scene that unfolded next left me frozen in place before I knew it.
"Don't... say... such stupid things."
Kaya's voice came out in cold, clipped bursts, utterly chilling.
It wasn't just her voice that felt eerie. The very atmosphere around her had shifted.
I could hardly believe this was my sister. She seemed like a completely different person from that adorable girl.
And I wasn't the only one. Everyone around us had frozen solid.
These were all military personnel. Almost all of them were veterans who'd seen real action.
People who'd clashed head-on with the killing intent and bloodlust of the battlefield.
Yet they were reacting just like me. That meant Kaya was every bit as sharp and intimidating.
'This won't do. I can't let this go any further.'
Before our little sister could cause an even bigger scene, I decided to step in.
"Kaya!"
I wondered if she was too focused on the moment to hear me.
But it was needless worry. True to form—as my sister should—she immediately glanced around.
"Huh?! Brother Kael?!"
"Stop it. Just stop, okay?"
"Got it! I'll stop!"
She grinned like she hadn't just been furious, then came dashing over to me with a cheerful patter of footsteps.
Then, just like when she was five, she hopped up into my arms and giggled happily.
"…."
"…."
All eyes from the people around us turned to us siblings.
More precisely, they were staring at Kaya, not me.
No wonder—they were stunned to see that terrifying aura vanish into thin air.
"Kael Clauvitz."
I turned to see a middle-aged man with a dignified, steady presence calling my name.
He clearly outranked everyone, so without a word, I followed him inside.
Soon, we entered an office, where he extended a hand for a shake and spoke.
"I'm Eugene Onegan, Deputy Director of the War Ministry's War Planning Division."
"Deputy Director Eugene Onegan. I remember the name. Father mentioned you were quite close."
"Close? That guy was always bossing me around since our active duty days."
He adjusted his glasses with a flick—a move that screamed bureaucrat more than warrior.
Then again, it made sense for someone heading the War Planning Division.
"And you must be Kaya Clauvitz."
—Nod, nod.
Hey, Kaya. That's Father's friend. Show some proper manners.
This might be a fantasy world, but etiquette is etiquette everywhere.
Come on, drop the rude habits and give a nice, polite answer!
"…Yes. That's me."
"What a good little sister who listens to her brother so well. I have a sister too, you know. She's been out for my blood since we were kids. And she's about to turn fifty soon, but still the same."
Looks like the deputy director didn't have a sibling bond like ours.
I listened to his grumbling for about four minutes before he wrapped it up on his own.
"Ahem. Got a bit off track there. Anyway, Imperial Count Bertier has been repeatedly asking us to prevent Kaya Clauvitz from joining the campaign."
"Dad promised me!"
"Yes, yes. So as your father, he's given permission. But as Imperial Count, weighing the Empire's gains and losses, he sees it differently."
Deputy Director Eugene suddenly turned to me as he said this.
Why? What are you about to say? Could you at least give me a reason?
"Young Lord Kael. Why don't you talk some sense into her? You seem like the one she'd listen to."
"…Me?"
What am I supposed to explain all of a sudden? Don't tell me it's that damn 'genius strategist' label again?
No, come on—at least tell me what direction to take!
"Don't go easy on her just because she's your sister. Be firm when you need to be."
"…."
Instead of following orders, I just stared blankly at the deputy director.
It wasn't defiance. I genuinely had no idea. I was asking for more explanation.
But he seemed to interpret it differently.
"No, even for you, this is a bit much."
"…."
"Aren't you two close? And yet you're sending her to the front lines!"
"…."
"Don't do it. Sending a fifteen-year-old girl into battle? People will talk, saying the Empire is so desperate and short-staffed."
Aha! So that's the issue! Now I get it!
Truly, when you don't know what to say, staying silent is the best policy.
There's an old saying for a reason: half the time, silence works in your favor.
"But, Deputy Director, Kaya has already proven herself. If her skills shine later, it could even work in our favor."
"…Weren't you supposed to talk her out of it? Did Arthur—that guy, ahem, the Imperial Count send you for that?"
Of course Father asked me to bring her home.
But would Kaya really go quietly?
I know her well—she's incredibly stubborn.
She won't be satisfied unless she does what she sets her mind to.
She bends a little for family matters, but that's it.
"So the point is, it's awkward having Kaya in such a public position."
"Exactly."
"Even if we send her back now, Kaya might sneak after us anyway. So here's my suggestion: since we're already here, let me take her with me."
"…You?"
"Yes. As my personal escort, it should be fine, right?"
Kaya's anxious because I'm heading to the front lines.
Father's fretting over her getting hurt.
And the Empire's side worries about damaging their authority with idle talk.
Putting it all together, making her my escort is the best solution.
For Kaya, she'd feel safe staying by my side.
And since I'm not on the front lines swinging a sword, she won't have to fight either.
That covers Father's and the Empire's concerns perfectly.
"Even so, having a fifteen-year-old girl as an escort is…."
"Then we just show them how that fifteen-year-old girl took down knights far her senior."
She's not joining the Imperial Army proper— she'll be my personal guard.
Meaning any fallout from Kaya falls on our family.
I figured that would ease the War Ministry's burden.
And right on cue.
"Hmm."
The deputy director muttered, "If that's the case, it changes things."
He stepped out briefly to consult someone about us, pondered alone for a bit.
Even muttered to himself, "Roselion approved it, that guy."
"Very well."
Decision made, he looked at me and continued.
"If she's going as your escort, the War Ministry has no further objections. Plus, I could even help persuade that rascal Arthur—no, the Imperial Count."
"That's great news. Alright, Kaya. You can come with your brother."
"Really? You're not lying!?"
Kaya bounced around with a beaming smile. She really wanted this that badly.
"But you have to stay quiet by my side. And no complaining if it's less comfortable than home. If you can't handle that, you're going straight back."
"Got it! I promise!"
"That's what she says, Deputy Director."
He nodded in agreement, then muttered something under his breath.
Let me guess... Something like, "That damn Arthur's gonna chew me out big time"?
He asked me to rein her in, but instead I let his nieces walk all over him? Yeah, Father might grumble.
Sorry, Deputy Director. Thanks for taking the heat.
"Then we'll plan for you to join the second wave heading to the eastern front soon…."
—BAM!
I nearly jumped. A man burst through the door without knocking.
We were both startled—the deputy director and me. Kaya? Not a bit.
"What the—? Why didn't you knock?"
"Sorry, sir! But this is urgent!"
"What is it? Did the Minister reject the plan again?"
The man handed over something as he replied that even that would be better.
It looked like a report. What could it be? Why's he so antsy?
"…Hey."
The deputy director called to him after scanning the document.
His voice sounded a little shaky. Was that my imagination?
"This... right now. Am I seeing this wrong?"
"I wish you were."
"If it's not wrong, then why does it say the 7th Legion on the eastern front was defeated and retreated?"
...What? Hold on. Defeated? Where? The 7th Legion?
"We just got word. Our 7th Legion passed through the area safely and reached their target."
The Pavilion Pass battle I was in before—that was the 12th Legion's sector.
Their legion commander had said it was a relief that the 7th Legion opened the path for their advance.
At this rate, they could pressure the Three Kingdoms alliance right away, he'd boasted.
Even the elite 12th Legion acknowledged them—that was the 7th.
But... they lost? What the hell happened!?
My head was spinning. Total shock. But first things first.
Seeing the deputy director's face darkening by the second, I quickly covered Kaya's ears with my hands.
I had a pretty good idea what was coming next.
"What the fuck! You fucking shit! Is this real? You sure?!"
"No way it's a false report, sir."
"That's what makes it worse! Goddamn it. They crushed it at Pavilion Pass! What the hell happened that a guaranteed win turned into a retreat?!"
As the deputy director raged, the man hurriedly filled in the details.
While the 12th Legion sealed off Pavilion Pass successfully, the 7th advanced swiftly.
They even reached right up to the Burkhai Kingdom's doorstep—the core of the alliance.
Strike while the enemies are panicking and unprepared, they reasoned logically.
So the 7th Legion launched their assault immediately.
The problem? The alliance's fractures were only noticeable at Pavilion Pass.
The front they hit was mostly Burkhai forces, with hardly any Porland troops.
And with Imperial forces right in their faces, the alliance felt a massive crisis.
In crises, alliances can fracture—or unite.
Pavilion Pass was the former; the 7th's front was the latter.
The coalition fought fiercely, forcing the Imperial 7th Legion to withdraw.
"Even so, this isn't just a few skirmishes…."
The deputy director clutched his head, sighing repeatedly.
As head of War Planning, his brain must be splitting.
"Young Lord Kael. Looks like you've got work right after returning."
"Pardon?"
"The 12th Legion commander recommended you. Said you'd be helpful sorting out the 7th's mess. Head back to the eastern front and assist the 7th Legion."
No, wait—what?
"Hold on, Deputy Director. Why me all of a sudden? I'm no commander. If a legion lost, their own officers can handle cleanup. Why drag me into it…."
"They want more than that, it seems. You know, the meteor fall turning into a swan-boat morale boost? I was impressed hearing about it."
"…."
Damn it. That's it, right? They really went and made me that.
A genius strategist who can flip any dire situation!
That's how you all see me now, isn't it?!
No! I'm not! Just an ordinary guy! Don't dump this nonsense on me!!