13. Private 124, Standard
The Empire had a rather amusing system called the Medal of Honor, and even the elves knew about it.
Eloise Lohengrin, commander of the Annihilation Force, was one of them.
She had a hobby of listening to information about Medal of Honor recipients.
They were humans who had achieved quite remarkable feats—brave and strong specimens of men.
Listening to those stories made her heart race with overflowing excitement.
She wanted to meet them right away and exchange opinions about strength.
However, most of those people were no longer of this world.
It was unavoidable. Anyone who had accomplished that much and survived was a miracle.
But this time it was different. A survivor had received the Medal of Honor.
So she was slightly interested, but it quickly cooled when she heard it was about rescuing allies.
‘Not just ally rescue? Like cutting off the ears of those damn Luzens elves?’
If it were that, it wasn’t fun at all. Make my heart race more. I need a strong man.
I had no interest in my fellow countrymen who acted like girls anymore.
A strong human man was the best. Always thrilling. Always new! Aaaah!
Honestly, when a Medal of Honor recipient came out, I was slightly expecting it.
A sharp shooter from the Imperial Army who had assassinated the Luzens leader without anyone noticing.
I naturally assumed he would come forward to receive the medal, but that wasn’t the case.
‘Could it be that the Luzens guys sent an assassin?’
If we thought about it that way, this Medal of Honor recipient wasn’t much different either.
They said they rescued hundreds while treating themselves like idiots. Isn’t that even more shameful?
...Aah. I don’t know. I don’t know. I hope that sharp shooter appears soon!
Eloise’s ears perked up. A sound of something running quickly came from somewhere.
She knew what it was, so she let out a sigh.
A while later, a cute-looking squirrel entered.
The guy who had been looking around briefly handed something behind his back.
—Commander of the Annihilation Force, Eloise Lohengrin, recipient—
Sigh. It’s starting again. What trouble is this to bother me this time?
I should retire soon. It’s not even work hours—what is this mess?
Eloise muttered to herself as she received the order and spoke.
“Yes. Understood. Please speak~”
Then the squirrel’s eyes lost focus and its mouth opened.
[Remaining Luzens movement detected.]
“Oh my. Is that so? Where are they going? A cliff? An underground tunnel?”
[The Empire.]
Suddenly Eloise’s eyes narrowed. Are these guys crazy?
[Their goal is one of three. Assassination of high Imperial officials. Terror against noble children and young ladies. Finally, assassination of this Medal of Honor recipient.]
“Wahha...”
Did they really eat drugs as a group? They’re all idiots.
“Could they have finally decided to become a suicide special unit?”
[Don’t know. So we’re investigating. Orders issued, Panther. Destination is the Empire. Goal is to break the peace between us elves and the Empire.]
“What is the method?”
[As always, reconnaissance and extermination. End.]
When the voice cut off, the squirrel’s eyes regained life.
And just as it had come, it ran away and soon vanished.
...Aah. In the world. No way, it’s a business trip I didn’t expect. Not even this boring forest, but the Empire!
Thanks. Damn elves. Thanks, Luzens. Thanks to you, I’ll get to drink some Empire water?!
As a sign of gratitude, all at once. No, that’s not right. I’ll kill you a bit less painfully.
With a bewitching smile, Eloise immediately started preparing for the business trip.
*
‘Leaving home, taking the train. The day to the training center...’
Ugh. Damn it. Just singing one verse makes me feel like a private again.
I had retired twice, so I thought my immunity was built, but it wasn’t.
A. Why are you suddenly singing? The situation is exactly like that.
Clank, clank—
This place is a world where swords, magic, and science coexist.
So a picture of magic and gunpowder simultaneously covering the battlefield like dogs can appear.
By the way, there’s also a train running on steam engines.
“The recruit training center is 40 minutes by train from the capital. I’ve prepared everything on this side, so Private Karl Adelheit, please just move with us.”
Did I make today a full holiday just for this? Feeling dejected and suffering...
Originally, I would have slept in late, exercised a bit, then loitered at the academy.
I wanted to spit out the last words of the Medal of Honor recipient.
After suffering so much and retiring, I wanted to say “Are you sending me back to a place with the smell of the military?”
But... damn it. Thinking about it, it’s my fault that the protagonist four are doing this.
The Hydra guys kept saying “How did you overcome the confession?” so I said “Yeah, when you enlist as a soldier, it’s like ‘bang!’ and it gets better! Hey, join the army, chu-rai?” and made a fuss.
After doing that, my conscience is still working normally, so I can’t say “Ah, I don’t know! Do it yourself!”
Even after being battered by rough storms, my heart’s square that I thought was worn out is still sharp...
“Private Karl, would you like some eggs? There’s also carbonated water!”
“...Yes. One, please. Major Megi.”
By the way, the boiled eggs and carbonated water sold on the train are the truth.
The only disappointing thing is that the carbonated water tastes a bit like weak cider.
Yeah. As long as there’s something like this, it’s okay. If there wasn’t, it would be train terrorism.
“Honored.”
“Eh?”
“To go on a mission with the Medal of Honor recipient. Even a hero who rescued hundreds!”
“Ah, yes. Is that so.”
But Major, even if you don’t know if it’s a mission or an order, I’m not.
They keep forgetting, but I retired. Damn it, I retired!
[Passengers, the next station is Nonsen. Nonsen Station.]
“Ah. It seems we’re about to arrive.”
Major Megi hurriedly stuffed the boiled egg into his mouth and downed the carbonated water in one shot.
Whoever said “Megi” has a really big mouth. A lot going in.
Or maybe because he’s still a soldier, he has a good appetite? Did I eat like that when I was active?
When we got off the train, a group of officers came out to greet Major Megi.
“Ranshtak! Are you Private Karl Adelheit? We’ve been waiting!”
Yeah. I thought it would be like this. Since I had fully anticipated it, I decided to get used to it.
Where’s the war hero like in novels that people don’t know and ignore.
War isn’t some kids’ prank, and people are bound to get excited about such achievements.
But what I don’t like is that they only remember the glory.
Do they even know how many people died or got injured behind this medal?
At least I received this, so I’m lucky. How will those who only saved their lives live on?
“I heard that the recruit training center is in a very difficult situation.”
“Yes. That’s right. There are four recruits like Private Karl this time...”
“It’s not like the situation I faced when I enlisted.”
Past me. Thanks. Huh? Why did I stir up such crap words and suffer like this.
...Ah, what? Unfair? No way, I didn’t know those kids would really do that?
Yeah. Admit it. I admit that. Those who took a sick leave for a leave of absence due to suspension, I have to understand.
I watched the ramblings of the training center staff officers boarding the carriage.
It was mostly about the protagonist four, and they seemed to have suffered quite a bit.
“...Thanks to you, how am I supposed to deal with the training intensity—”
“—But what’s driving me crazy is that all four of them are secretly following well...”
“I’m going crazy. The upper management is telling me to quickly expel them, and the parties are holding out—”
At least the positive news is that none of the four are disabled.
I thought I would get sick even inside the training center, but that’s not the case.
Whether they are protesting as protagonists or not, they are unpredictable guys.
“Um, but can you really send those recruits back to their families?”
“If you ask that, it’s difficult. I also... ugh. Those guys came to me saying they were looking for me.”
“Ah...”
“I’ll do my best to persuade them. No matter what the intention was, in the end, I have responsibility too.”
When I gave the most positive answer, sunlight poured into the gloomy officers.
Everyone’s eyes are sincere that they want the four to quickly leave the training center.
It’s a pity. I said it’s not bad to stay and suffer a bit.
Honestly, there’s a bit of unfairness in me rolling around as a soldier.
“By the way. Private Karl Adelheit. The training center director asked me to ask once.”
“Yes?”
“After persuading these four recruits. Would you give a short lecture to the remaining recruits during the morale education time?”
“...”
“Please. It’s not easy to see the Medal of Honor recipient!”
They’ve completely sucked up the honey. Huh? Suck it up.
“Fine.”
“T-thank you!”
“Instead. I also have conditions.”
“Condition? What is that?!”
Simple. Not difficult. Just let me toy with those four for a little while.
Here, only 3 years of military life. Including memories from the previous life, I need to show off about 5 years of experience.
*
Private 124: Schlippen. Private 125: Wilhelm. Private 126: Alexander. Private 127: Joachim.
The four-person squad consisting of these four received a sudden transfer order from the instructor.
“Instructor? Where are we going now?”
“Be quiet. Look ahead. Don’t talk.”
It seemed they had no intention of answering. So all four focused on just matching their steps.
After being scolded several times for sloppy formation on the way, this became the top priority.
Finally, the place they arrived at was an empty training ground with no one.
“The recruits, wait here.”
The instructor who said that turns his body and disappears into the barracks.
Suddenly wondering what this is, everyone was in a moment of checking the surroundings with glances.
“Private 124, Standard.”
I heard this voice somewhere. For a moment, the head tilted in confusion.
But soon, Schlippen reflexively raised his right hand and shouted.
“Private 124, Standard!”
“Stand side by side with arms spaced apart.”
“Stand side by side with arms spaced apart!”
In the training center, repeating after the instructor is basic etiquette. What the instructors say.
The four who faithfully followed it, but there was one problem.
“Look at the voice. Are these ants? Lie down.”
The one who just climbed onto the speaker, had enlisted in the Imperial Army 3 years ago.
The fact that he faced a military life more terrifying than now with his whole body!