To Be Comfortable, You Must Impress Piel (1)
To Be Comfortable, You Must Impress Piel (1)
"Captain Piel, let's do this."
To conceal the existence of the M183 demolition bag, Hildea came up with an idea.
"You happened to possess the artifact known as the <Extinguishing Soul Torch>."
"My apologies, but what is that?"
"It is an artifact that does not extinguish even when submerged in water, burns for an incredibly long time, and is supremely effective for incinerating corrupted World Tree stumps. It is very expensive, but not impossible to obtain if one has the money."
An explanation followed that during the Plain Recovery Operation, which had cost 150,000 lives, dozens of <Extinguishing Soul Torches> had been deployed to eliminate the corrupted World Tree.
"With this much military merit, captaincy is no problem for you. However, promotion to major is something even I cannot guarantee."
From field grade officer ranks onward, approval from the royal family is required, not just Hildea's alone.
"Since you wish to conceal the existence of 'Aemipam,' there is no other choice. What do you think?"
M183, Em-il-pal-sam, Aemipam....
I really need to be careful with this pronunciation.
"Commander-nim, that's not it. It's Em-il-pal-sam."
"The pronunciation is somewhat difficult. Anyway, I, the Commander, also agree with concealing the existence of Emilpam. Its power was simply too terrifying."
Hildea gave a slight shudder.
Yeah, Emilpam is better, anyway.
"I shudder to even imagine what would happen if this manufacturing knowledge fell into the hands of the elves... or a neighboring kingdom."
There's no need to worry about that.
Even if lost, it would be instantly recovered due to the security protocol, so there's no issue, and medieval fantasy science wouldn't be able to figure anything out anyway.
After eating a late dinner, I spread out a sleeping bag at the cave entrance.
"It's still blazing fiercely. Truly a beautiful sight."
The horizon was still burning bright, as if sunset had settled there.
"Shall we sleep now? Captain, come into the sleeping bag."
"I'm fine...."
"It would be a serious matter if you caught a cold. When your maternal family comes to visit later, what face would I have to greet them? Come in, quickly."
In the end, just like yesterday, I slept pressed up tightly against Hildea inside the narrow sleeping bag.
'But her body is really slender.'
Rebecca was slender yet voluptuous, but Hildea's entire body is so thin it feels like she might break at a mere touch.
***
"Hmm...."
Hildea looked around with a serious expression, then opened her mouth.
"It seems this direction is not it either."
"Understood. I will prepare lunch."
"Could it possibly be grilled chicken skewers?"
"No. It's grilled lamb skewers."
"Lamb skewers!"
Day 5 since leaving the barracks.
Day 4 since destroying the stump.
We were still wandering the plains, unable to find the barracks.
I had no particular complaints.
Thanks to being carried comfortably on Hildea's back.
At first, I tried to refuse, but....
「Eo-heo, Captain, stay still. I, the Commander, will carry you.」
「You are so frail, if you fell ill from a harsh march it would be disastrous.」
「I am not the least bit tired. More importantly, I wish we could eat something fortifying for dinner tonight....」
Being carried comfortably on the soft back of a silver-haired beauty is a truly excellent reward.
Hildea's expression as she ate the charcoal-grilled lamb skewers was that of the happiest girl in the world.
So much so that it naturally brought a fatherly smile to my face just watching.
Hildea, who had finished her meal with a beaming face, suddenly sighed with a dejected look.
"It's sad that once we return to the barracks, I can no longer eat skewers."
Grilled food is difficult to eat within the unit.
Because of the smell.
You can't very well advertise to the entire unit by smell that the commander alone is eating something delicious.
"Even so, I still have a decent amount to serve you, Commander-nim. Couldn't you just periodically come out on reconnaissance with me alone?"
"Indeed. I could eat lunch with you outside the barracks every day."
"I don't have enough quantity for that. Twice a week seems appropriate."
"Is that so? Twice a week is the limit?"
Seeing her sullen expression pricks my conscience.
'Sorry, but you have to eat the same galley menu as the soldiers on weekday lunches.'
This is a simple promotional tactic.
Only by consistently eating the 'medieval field ration' at least for weekday lunches does the value of the food I provide rise in Hildea's mind.
No matter how good something is, it becomes taken for granted if the point of comparison disappears.
Still, 1,000ml of barracks coffee comes out for breakfast and lunch at the galley, so it's much better than before.
'Could it be that she's deliberately pretending to be lost to delay returning?'
Right now, Hildea is spending her days eating the three most delicious meals of her life.
If she's pretending to wander on purpose because she doesn't want this moment to end....
'That's actually even better. It means she's that tamed by me.'
***
As I march along, carried comfortably on Hildea's back, various thoughts cross my mind.
'Just what nerve does Count Anbelrum have to send absolutely no supplies?'
Newly commissioned second lieutenants are collateral to guarantee supplies will be sent.
Of course, it's not legally mandated to send supplies, just a custom.
Still, even out of sheer face-saving, everyone makes at least a minimal gesture of goodwill. But Count Anbelrum is sending genuinely nothing.
'Is he confident that because the Ainshuvan Front and his territory are too far apart, Hildea can't do anything about it?'
I'll have to look into this later.
'Day 5 since leaving the barracks. The flour I was handing out as pay must have run out, so the farmland clearing will be temporarily halted.'
I was withdrawing the flour from the supply cheat each time, worried rats might steal it. I'll need to build a warehouse that rats can't get into first.
And raise some cats.
Suddenly, Hildea stopped.
"Commander-nim?"
"I hear hoofbeats. Over there."
I quickly turned my head, but my eyes couldn't see anything.
So, still on her back, I held up the binoculars to my eyes. Indeed, a group of cavalry was galloping this way.
"It's friendly forces!"
"I know. Elves don't ride around on horses."
Hildea said confidently.
"They saw my beloved horse Nerius return alone, so the unit must have sent out a search party."
Hildea set me down and raised her aura blade high to signal.
The cavalry galloped toward us.
Hildea's face, which had been watching with a bright expression, suddenly began to crumple.
"Oh no...."
"Commander-nim?"
"Of all things, it's a face I dislike seeing."
"Pardon me?"
As I stood there bewildered, the cavalry drew closer and the face of the lead commander came into view.
Healthy skin tone, blonde hair tied at the nape and falling forward over one shoulder.
A tall, slender figure around 170cm, boasting a voluminous upper body....
"Piel! Lieutenant Piel!"
"Commander Rebecca-nim?"
Rebecca, who had ridden up quickly, dismounted and approached me, even omitting the salute to Hildea.
She grabbed both my elbows and shook them, openly expressing her joy.
"I heard you went missing during reconnaissance! I was so worried!"
"...Thank you."
Anyone watching would think I was her long-serving senior officer.
"Honestly, how worried I was. You weren't devoured by the General Commander, were you?"
"Pardon me?"
"Oh, not yet? That's a relief."
"...Commander Rebecca, what is this disgraceful behavior in front of the General Commander? And why are you out here?"
"Oh my, General Commander. This is our 4th Army's operational area."
"This is the 4th Army's operational area?"
"Do you realize you've come in the completely opposite direction from the 3rd Army?"
"...."
Seeing Hildea stagger, I was certain.
That she hadn't been deliberately wandering to eat skewers for a few more days.
"A few nights ago, the whole of Ainshvan is in a state of emergency because of the massive explosion and flame that erupted. The center is also beside themselves, wondering if it's related to the General Commander's disappearance."
"We discovered a corrupted World Tree stump, and Lieutenant Piel, who happened to possess an <Extinguishing Soul Torch>, subjugated it."
"What? A corrupted World Tree stump?"
Rebecca was horrified.
"Really? You subjugated it?"
"Yes, we were extremely fortunate. The enemy was off guard, so their perimeter wasn't tight."
"No wonder the horizon has been burning for days. But Captain? Not Lieutenant?"
"I temporarily promoted him to captain in recognition of his military merit."
"If he subjugated a corrupted World Tree stump without casualties by putting forth the Extinguishing Soul Torch, isn't that military merit deserving of a special two-rank promotion?"
"...I will request the promotion to the center as soon as I return."
I felt it last time too, but the two female commanders really don't seem to get along.
"Let us return. Please guide us."
"Alright. Piel, ride behind me."
"Wait! Why must Captain Piel ride behind Marquis Carlton?"
"Well, because there's only one spare horse?"
"Piel is my subordinate, so I will put him behind me."
"It's a single-rider saddle, Piel will be uncomfortable. But my saddle is a two-seater."
"Marquis Carlton...."
In my opinion, going back riding comfortably behind Rebecca is better.
Riding without a saddle looks like it would be very hard on the rump.
And so, Hildea mounted the spare horse, while I rode behind Rebecca.
"Piel, hold my waist tightly with both arms. He's a rough one, you might fall off."
"Yes, excuse me."
Without hesitation, I firmly wrapped my arms around Rebecca's waist.
A smooth waist with no flab, solid abs and erectors can be felt.
Rebecca suddenly turned her head back and whispered quietly.
"Piel, have you thought about my offer a bit?"
"Well, that's...."
"Take your time thinking. There's plenty of time. Do you remember the conditions? If you just enlist with me, whatever you do, I won't interfere and I'll fully support you."
She hits me with it the moment we meet.
I gave my best effort to gloss over it with a smile.
"I hear you give 2kg of top-quality flour daily as pay to 175 farm soldiers? Piel's maternal family must be truly wealthy."
"They are rather good at farming and trading."
Rebecca chattered about this and that, but didn't press to the point of making me uncomfortable.
"Piel."
"Yes, Commander-nim."
"If you want to touch my chest, you can."
"Cough! Cough!"
"It's okay because it's Piel."
"I-I'll pretend I didn't hear that...."
Occasionally, I felt Hildea's gaze staring this way.
Judging by the sharpness of her eyes, she and Rebecca must be on considerably bad terms.
***
We returned to the unit so quickly that the days of wandering felt like a lie.
The Royal Military Inspector who had come down from the central government had been pale as death, but was relieved to see Hildea unscathed.
"We discovered a corrupted World Tree stump during reconnaissance. Fortunately, 'Lieutenant' Piel possessed an <Extinguishing Soul Torch> and was able to handle it immediately."
"Oh! I was worried because the fire on the horizon didn't go out for days, so that's what happened! Truly great achievements, Countess Hildea! Lieutenant Piel!"
"I believe Lieutenant Piel has achieved military merit worthy of a special two-rank promotion."
"Hmm, but from the rank of major upward, one must receive a knighthood to be eligible."
The Royal Military Inspector (Marquis) scrutinized me up and down with a dubious look.
"This fellow looks so frail he doesn't seem capable of wielding a sword properly?"
Hildea stepped forward urgently.
"I will take responsibility for teaching him swordsmanship and forge him to the level of a beginner knight within this year. Please grant the officer who achieved this military merit a special two-rank promotion!"
"Let's do this. For now, you'll maintain the rank of captain as Major (Brevet). But I'll issue the order that your promotion to major will be automatically confirmed the moment you receive your knighthood later."
"Thank you."
Seeing Hildea cheerfully answer as if it were her own matter made my heart tickle for some reason.
The Military Inspector called me over with a stern expression.
"Lieutenant, come here and kneel."
He is the King's proxy.
I quickly knelt.
Grateful for the grace of the King, etcetera etcetera, blah blah blah....
The long admonition finally ended.
"Now rise, Captain Piel Anbelreum."
The moment I rose from my spot.
【Field Grade Officer Rank Achieved!】
【Direct Unit: Supply Procurement Unit (175 personnel), Cooking Unit (22 personnel), General Commander's Orderly Room (2 personnel)】
As expected of the supply cheat, I believed in you.
It's treating Major (Brevet) as a Major as well.
【From now on, you will be able to request a special strategy budget additionally needed for unit operation and military operations.】
【Major Special Strategy Budget Limit : 1,000,000 / Month】
Wow, the available budget has increased!
As expected, rank is gangster. They say real military life starts from field grade officer.
'I was nervous with only 7,000 left in the budget, but now I can pull some emergency funds.'
What delighted me more than anything was the 'supply weapons available from major and above' that had finally been unlocked.
▶Mortars (Man-portable)
▶Rocket Launchers (Portable)
▶Recoilless Rifles (Portable)
Good-for-nothing combat mage parasites who only waste food — I don't need them in my unit.