[No title provided]
"Nah. 'How much farther to the capital?' 'Dunno. Probably another ten days at least.'"
The imperial army was advancing on the capital of the Heyrn Kingdom, just as always.
"But... doesn't something feel off?"
"What?"
"I mean, we haven't seen hide nor hair of the kingdom's forces."
For four straight days, they'd done nothing but march. There should have been skirmishes aplenty by now, so more than a few soldiers started questioning the unusually smooth progress.
"Guess they're too scared to show up."
"Maybe they're prepping something big? You know, like that thing."
"Quit jinxing it..."
A rider galloped past them on horseback. One soldier eyed the horse's retreating form and muttered.
"Lucky bastard. Riding around like that."
"Shoulda been born luckier yourself."
"And you? Born lucky and still stuck here?"
"..."
As they traded idle banter, something caught their ears.
"?"
"What was that?"
"Sounded like 'halt'?"
"Full halt! Hold position here!"
"What's going on?"
"We'll find out soon enough."
The sudden order to stand by raised eyebrows, but no soldier was about to complain about a break.
"Ow. Blister popped."
"Ugh, gross. Clean it up."
"New guy. Wake me if anyone shows."
"Yes, sir!"
"Kinda curt, huh?"
"...Sorry, sir! I'll fix it!"
"Nah, wasn't gonna chew you out. Who's your squad leader?"
Aside from the conscripted sentries, they all took the hint and settled in for some rest. But even after lunch came and went, no further orders arrived.
"Can't remember the last time we got a break this long."
"Think... the war's over?"
"As if. Don't get excited."
"Looks like we're pitching tents. Probably camping here all day."
"We've been slammed lately. A real break ain't bad."
"Tastes good."
"...But this sudden downtime's got me uneasy."
"Quit overthinking. If you're that worried, go scout ahead yourself."
"Not that bad. Oh, look at you, suffering while we chill."
A soldier ribbed his buddy returning from sentry duty. But the response was off.
"...On my way back, I overheard some officers talking in their tent."
"What'd they say?"
"The war... it's over?"
"Whoa."
"Bullshit. You buying that? Don't fall for it."
"Swear it's true. Hey, you heard it too, right?"
"Damn straight I did."
"...For real?"
"You get duped your whole life or what?"
"Last time I fell for your crap, it cost me a fortune. No way."
"That was on you for being an idiot. Why would I lie about the war ending? He heard it too."
"What's the deal?"
"War's over."
"Who said?"
"This guy."
"Bullshit. You buying?"
"Fuck off. He heard it too!"
"Damn straight I did!"
The rumor that the war was over began spreading through the ranks.
"Is it really over?"
"Haven't seen kingdom troops lately. Maybe they surrendered?"
"Don't jinx it. Tomorrow could be hell."
"More bad omens..."
"Why do you think they vanished? Could be prepping a trap."
"Just passed the officers' tents... heard we're heading back to the empire tomorrow?"
"Even if the war's done, we might not go straight home..."
"Not every unit's bound for the capital, right? We can hope."
"Won't believe it till I hear it myself. False hope hits hard..."
"Sounds like your first love."
"...Yeah."
Skeptics abounded, but even they buzzed with anticipation. Then, after dinner, the officers made it official.
"It's over?"
"We're going home?"
"Oh... oh?"
For a while, cheers echoed across the camp.
"Hmm."
Tap. Tap. The Emperor drummed his fingers on the armrest, sorting through the report.
"Does the Solar Church know about this?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. We've confirmed they're assembling their own investigation team."
"Then why has the Demon God Cult resurfaced?"
"We're looking into it now."
What could be stirring these long-dormant fanatics? The Emperor's brow furrowed deeply.
"Keep this under wraps. No need to unsettle the people now that the war's won. Can you manage?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Good. You're dismissed."
Ominous...
Why turn humans into demonic beings?
Tap tap. Tap. For a time, the tapping continued.
"So, a rebellion after all."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Heh. For all their bluster, what a pathetic end."
The Fairn Empire's Emperor smirked.
"And Boern's new weapons in this war?"
Fairn had watched Boern's innovations closely. The war with Heyrn had been the perfect showcase.
"Guns and cannons proved devastating on the field—strategic game-changers. And those new shells are a real threat."
"Hmm. How's our research?"
"Matchlocks and cannons are feasible. Gunpowder's still in R&D, but once we crack the formula, shells won't be hard to replicate."
"Gunpowder's the key. Without it, these weapons are nothing."
"Alchemists are pouring their hearts into it. Results are trickling in—worth watching."
Two empires vying for continental dominance. But Boern's new weapons had given them the edge. He couldn't stomach that.
"Progress on matchlock improvements?"
"Using flintlocks for a superior design. Theory and blueprints nearly done."
"And the steam engine?"
"Magitech engineers are designing it now."
"Hurry it up."
"Yes. Then—"
"No expense spared. Can't have Boern pulling ahead."
Finish the research, and Fairn would catch up. Just hold out a little longer.
"Oh, war's over."
Luna Karen said, scanning the newspaper.
"Already?"
"Yeah. Empire had the upper hand from the start. This actually dragged on."
"I see."
The war, begun in spring, wrapped up spanning into summer.
"Still, good news. Empire's losses were light."
"Sure is."
"Says here the low casualties are thanks to John Brown's weapons and Luna Karen's gunpowder."
"That's us."
"Yep. Hehe."
Karen grinned playfully.
"Mm. Back to work."
"Why do you get shy when it's about you in the paper, Mr. Brown?"
"Not shy."
"Ehehe."
"Good news, everyone."
The Research Director arrived right on cue.
"The palace recognizes your weapon development. Medals incoming."
"Medals?"
"Yes. Ceremony date..."
Sooner than expected.
"Whoa, medals!"
"Haha, embarrassing. We didn't do that much..."
McCallson, uncharacteristically modest.
"Yeah, why you get—"
"I did initial designs for rifling barrels, and my steam engine enabled mass production. Ahaha, yeah, I earned it."
"Whoa."
"Mm? No need for thanks. You've helped me plenty."
"...Right."
Time flew, and the ceremony day arrived.
"Hmm..."
"Starting."
"Oh..."
"Private Tom, with his exceptional marksmanship, led victories in clashes with the kingdom... for which this medal is bestowed."
"Whoa."
"Nice."
Clap clap clap.
Applause rippled around them.
Sniping with a percussion cap rifle?
Brown wondered, but hey, good shot's a good shot. He clapped for Tom too.
Tom accepted the medal and spoke.
"Thank you. I'll continue serving the Empire faithfully."
"Whoa."
"True soldier."
The crowd admired him. But Brown was stunned.
Reenlisting? Driving a stake through his discharge?
Tom could've left but chose to stay—a choice Brown's two years of military memories in his past life couldn't fathom.
But who was he to judge another's path? Best he could do was clap from afar and wish him luck.
"Next..."
Names flew by until it was their turn.
"McCallson... this medal is bestowed."
"Luna Karen... this medal is bestowed."
"John Brown... this medal is bestowed."
Up the stage, receive medal, shake hands, short statement, step down.
Brown took his medal and gripped the extended hand.
"Haha, thanks to you all, the Empire's stronger. My gratitude."
"You're too kind."
"I mean it. And..."
He leaned in, whispering.
"Ever thought of enlisting?"
Chills ran down Brown's spine.
"No."
Instant reply.