Chapter 23
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Going Out (2)
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“Alright, we’ve arrived!”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
I handed a silver coin to the coachman and jumped down from the carriage.
In the game, the currency units were so ridiculously high that I had a headache trying to memorize all the tiny units of money.
As I stepped down from the carriage and entered the city, a completely different atmosphere unfolded before me.
Neat wooden buildings lined the main streets, and children ran through the alleyways with delighted laughter.
Merchants and citizens out shopping crowded together, creating a bustling scene, and on one side of the city, a band was playing a tune.
‘...It really feels like I’ve come to a fantasy world.’
I was struck by that feeling all over again. As I stood there slightly dazed, Bell Mayer spoke up beside me.
“The atmosphere is nice, isn't it? It's mostly like this, but you’d best not go into the back alleys. There are too many crazy bastards there who don't watch their step.”
“Crazy bastards?”
“They’ll pick a fight with anyone, soldier or civilian. It’s best to avoid them, since nothing good comes from getting into a squabble with civilians.”
“Hmm.”
I nodded lightly. There are always guys like that wherever you go.
Even in the 21st century, there were cases where high schoolers openly assaulted soldiers. It would be no different in Hearts of General.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“So, where should we go first?”
I pondered for a moment, then offered a wise suggestion.
“Let's get something to eat.”
I had just finished morning roll call and immediately headed out. My stomach, now fully awake from its nap, was starting to grumble for food.
“Good idea. Then let's go to a place I know. Their soup is truly top-notch.”
Bell was quick on the uptake. She was practically a guide for Cherno City alone.
“You seem to go out often, Sergeant Bell? You know this area’s geography incredibly well.”
“It's not like I have any desire to study magic... I just get bored if I stay inside my room all the time.”
Considering she supposedly suffered from depression, her personality was surprisingly lively. It was a surprise that she was this sociable, even if her status window listed a ‘Sociable’ trait.
But I could vaguely guess why she had developed this personality.
“Besides, if I stay inside my room, I just get gloomy for no reason. I don't like it very much.”
“That makes sense.”
Originally, if you suffer from depression and lock yourself indoors, it only gets worse.
She is struggling.
So that the feelings of depression and negativity don't swallow her mind whole.
I could empathize enough, as I too had suffered from it in the past.
“You are a very strong person, Sergeant Bell.”
“Huh? Ah... Thank you, Platoon Leader.”
That was the only thing I could say.
No one else could ever truly understand how she feels.
“So, where do we go?”
“This way! We just have to walk a little further.”
I followed Bell’s guidance and entered deeper into the wide market alley.
Jingle-
As soon as I opened the door and entered the shop, the owner’s booming voice washed over us.
There were eight 4-person tables, and two long tables running in a straight line along each wall. Candles placed on top added to the cozy atmosphere.
‘Ohho.’
The shop didn't look that big, but the atmosphere and the wafting aroma were to my liking.
Especially this savory yet sweet fragrance was enough to make my saliva flow just by smelling it.
Because of that, even though it was still early morning, there was quite a crowd of customers.
“It really is a great restaurant.”
“They serve different menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so it's always a new experience every time I come.”
As Bell Mayer greeted him with a smile, a man peeking his head out from the kitchen broke into a wide grin.
“Ooh, if it isn't the young lady sorceress!”
Bell must be a regular recognizable enough to be remembered by the owner.
“Who's that next to you? A colleague?”
“This is our platoon leader. He hasn't been posted for long, so he said he wanted to see around the city.”
“Aha! So he’s an officer. Well, have a seat! I assume you want the ‘Warm Morning Birdsong’?”
“Yes, I'll have that.”
Warm... what?
“Don't you have a menu?”
“No. Here, it's up to the owner's discretion.”
When I asked again, the owner burst out laughing from inside the kitchen.
“Kahaha! That's our shop's motto! If I leave the choice to the customers, they’ll just order something weird because they don't know any better!”
“No, but not having a menu is a bit too extreme...”
“Now, now! Platoon Leader! Just trust my judgment for once? A place like this doesn't need a menu.”
When someone insists this strongly, you can't help but trust them. I decided to wait until the meal was ready.
I realized Bell’s judgment was spot on.
“It’s... it's delicious.”
“Right!?”
“It’s really... delicious.”
To be honest, I thought the food provided by the unit wasn't that bad, but this was on a completely different level.
It felt like comparing military rations to chicken ordered from a restaurant.
It far surpassed even the level of a PX.
Warm corn soup, freshly baked bread, fresh salad, and a club sandwich cut into bite-sized pieces.
‘This is insane. What on earth have I been eating until now?’
The texture, taste, aroma, and temperature.
Everything was perfect. No wonder Bell Mayer spoke so highly of this place.
As we finished our delicious meal, the owner, sweating profusely, appeared from inside. His arms were as thick as Dwayne Johnson's.
His build was more suited for a gangster than a chef.
“Glad to see you enjoyed it! Please come again!”
With a satisfied smile, I gave a light bow and left the shop with Bell.
Now that my stomach was full, it was time to officially walk around the city and enjoy some shopping.
Even though I hadn't received my salary yet, I had 20 gold coins from the initial funds provided.
Normally, this would be used to upgrade equipment or boost the morale of the unit members.
However, in my position, where I have to plan all negotiations and operations, I couldn't always just stick to my military uniform.
For starters, I needed a few more spare military uniforms as well.
.
“This way. I passed by the other day and the men's clothes were really stylish. I think they'd suit you perfectly, Platoon Leader.”
Bell Mayer roamed the streets without hesitation. Every time we passed an alley, her hands were filled with clothes and various accessories.
“Do we really need to go this far...?”
“Now that you're getting higher in rank, you might get invited to banquets. I'm sure there will be a use for them someday.”
That was true.
‘Banquets’ were one of the contents provided in Hearts of General.
Through these events, you could increase your political power, be offered better positions, be promised a promotion, or even have a political marriage, allowing for the ‘internal’ growth of your player character.
Naturally, attending such banquets requires attire that matches the occasion.
Furthermore, the formal dress uniforms provided by the military are only given to commissioned officers of field grade. For someone of my rank, a mere junior officer, I had no choice but to wear a tailored tuxedo for such events.
“Try this one on too, oh...! That suits you well too.”
As soon as we entered the street lined with clothing stores, Bell Mayer started to go on a rampage.
In the end, because the luggage was piling up more than expected, we even had to buy a new bag midway.
“It really is fun dressing you up since you're such a good hanger.”
“Is that so...”
“You need to smile a bit more, Platoon Leader. Your expressionless face is already stiff to the point of being cold, so you won't be popular with the ladies at this rate.”
It was unjust.
It wasn't that I was doing it on purpose; it was because of the traits I picked before entering this godforsaken world.
“Phew! All done. I think this should be enough.”
In the end, we couldn't finish shopping until well past noon. Bell Mayer, looking satisfied with this round of shopping, puffed out her chest.
The leather bag was bulging. The gold coins I had on hand had also dwindled to 17.
17 gold coins.
Which is 300 silver coins in total.
Enough to custom-order a magnificent handmade gun.
However, it felt a bit harsh to say that to Bell Mayer, who was so excited, so I just let it slide.
Strictly speaking, it might be overspending, but it wasn't a useless purchase.
“Shall we head back now? We've seen about all of the city... Lumia said she would come with you to look at furniture, right?”
“I suppose so. I'll have to aim for next weekend.”
If the sun sets, I'd have to stay a bit longer.
But it would be better to return to the unit early to organize the clothes and get some rest, which I couldn't do today.
As I adjusted my grip on the bag and was about to step out onto the main street.
“H-help me!!!”
A desperate voice rang out. Followed by the loud sound of something crashing down.
Bell and I exchanged glances and instinctively moved toward the source of the sound.
Thud!
Hugging the wall of the alley, we checked the situation. A small child was surrounded by several men, being beaten to a pulp.
“Hey, you bastard! What are you gonna do about it!”
“Who told you to wander around here? You trash, hand it over quickly!”
“Th-this is a no-go!! I really can't!”
The moment I witnessed the scene, an estimate filled my mind.
Anyone could see it was a classic case of punks shaking down a little kid.
“Th-they're going to kill him...!”
“People don't die that easily.”
“No, Platoon Leader! You always say things like that...!!”
I couldn't help but fall into serious contemplation. Normally, I would have just walked past.
I could beat those guys to the brink of death no matter how many came at me, but for them to act so brazenly in broad daylight means they're either crazy or have a backer equivalent to a law enforcement agency.
Interfering in a matter that might get complicated is not to my taste.
But Bell was right next to me.
She looked like she was about to jump in right away. If I slinked out and left her to it, my credibility as a platoon leader would surely be shot.
‘...Guess I have no choice.’
I took off the coat of my military uniform and handed it to Bell.
My back injury was also because I hadn't used my body in a long time. So, it was about time I loosened up a bit.
“Platoon Leader?”
“Hold this for a moment.”
I set my bag down in a corner and slowly walked into the alley.
“What the hell is this guy suddenly?”
The guy standing at the entrance to prevent the child from escaping turned around and spoke. He had a face that made you want to pull out his slightly protruding buck teeth.
“A soldier passing by.”
“A soldier?”
At those words, the guys beating up the boy also looked my way.
“A soldier? Fuck, what's a dogface doing here? Looks like you're out on a date with your girl, so don't act tough for no reason and get lost.”
“You've got a filthy mouth. Is that the right way to treat a soldier?”
“Hah.”
The guy who had been stomping on the kid swaggered over. With his dyed yellow hair, he was the spitting image of a punk from head to toe.
He was the kind of guy you could taxidermy and put on display as a specimen in a museum.
“Hey, looks like you're an officer and a fresh face. In Cherno City, acting high and mighty with that kind of pathetic authority will get you in big trouble.”
These must be the punks Bell was talking about.
In fact, once you reveal you're a soldier, the usual reaction is to run away or, if threatened, to back down quickly.
These bastards must have messed with soldiers more than once or twice.
‘This is actually a good thing.’
I stared straight at the blonde punk.
“Oh? Not backing down? Fuck, these stuck-up dogface bastards need a lesson before they'll listen...”
Wham!
Instead of answering, I drove my fist into his temple. The guy who had been spitting threats just a moment ago was slammed face-first into the ground.
“Luke?!”
“Do you know what I hate the most?”
“You fuck!!”
I lightly blocked the fist swung by another guy, grabbed his collar, and yanked him down.
As the guy lost his balance and stumbled, I drove a knee kick straight into his chin.
“Urgh... Gah!!”
He collapsed on the ground without even being able to scream. One of his protruding buck teeth had fallen out. Should've behaved yourself.
In an instant, the situation had unfolded. I looked at the remaining two guys who were frozen stiff behind them and spoke.
“You might not be grateful that we protect this country, but at least show some respect. You bugs that are worse than trash.”