Chapter 31
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Chapter 31 - Secretly, Greatly (1)
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Major Lanister said so.
He added that he was currently in the 'status' of staying and eating at a nearby unit as a follow-up to the Belgorod Fortress raid incident.
In short, it meant that if he visited the 3rd Battalion frequently, he might arouse the suspicion of whatever faction was secretly operating.
"But shouldn't we tell the platoon members too?"
"Absolutely keep it a secret. Make sure to educate them thoroughly not to speak a word of it."
"I will keep that in mind."
The reason the 5th Platoon members, including myself, were joining this investigation was due to the platoon's inherent closed-off nature.
We were treated as a garbage platoon, moving around the battalion like we were invisible.
It meant there was no risk of getting entangled with members of other units.
It was true that when we visited Cherno City last time, we ran into a few soldiers, but they didn't seem to recognize anyone.
It's easy to move secretly because we're an unknown, lame platoon...
It was an utterly bitter assessment, but thanks to that, we got an opportunity like this, didn't we?
"Then what should our platoon do in the meantime?"
"First, I'd like you to move around the Cherno City area and look into the merchant guild."
The first request delivered by Major Lanister was an investigation into the merchant company.
The problematic cargo—the artifact stolen from Belgorod Fortress—was reportedly transported to the fortress via the Cherno City merchant company.
They had stored it by twisting even the route so that the 18th Infantry Regiment, which was managing the fortress, wouldn't know.
If the information had leaked, it might be connected to the merchant company's ledger, which was a reasonable assumption that led to the investigation order.
"I heard from Battalion Commander Rockheart that he's rebuilding the barracks. It would be good to contact the merchant company while purchasing furniture and materials."
Right. Barracks reconstruction.
Thinking about it, you could say that our living area was completely separate from the main building.
If we just gathered in a room to discuss anything for an operation, there couldn't be a better way to maintain security.
"That's all for now. I look forward to working with you."
And so, the meeting with Major Lanister ended.
I returned to my lodgings with the military police badge he had given me.
The military police badge.
In simple terms, it was like a talisman.
It was a kind of scam item that allowed you to crush the opponent's head to the ground just by subtly revealing it when a guard or a member of another unit tried to exert external pressure.
...But isn't this basically telling me to use it when I have to flip everything over?
In any case, looking at the conclusion,
It was no different from the military police assigning a request to me and our platoon, so there was nothing bad about it career-wise.
Moreover, it was a very "meaningful" job to root out spies.
"I'm here."
As I returned to my lodgings, Bell Mayer welcomed me warmly, as if she had been waiting the whole time.
"What is it!? The chief of military police came and called the platoon commander, right? Did you talk about that Rex guy?"
"No, that wasn't it, but..."
"Then why did the chief of military police call the platoon commander! Ah!! Or is it because of the follow-up measures for the Belgorod Fortress last time? A plaque of appreciation or a certificate of appreciation?! Huh!"
Bell Mayer poured out questions and speculations like a storm. I passed by her with difficulty and entered the common lounge.
Lumia was already there, sitting on the sofa.
"Platoon Commander?"
"Lumia, gather all the platoon members. I have something to say."
"What is it..."
"It's an important story for all of you. Aren't you sick and tired of this treatment?"
I looked back and forth between Bell Mayer and Lumia as I spoke.
"A golden opportunity to raise the value of our platoon in one go has arrived."
"No way, ah, I mean, no way."
Lumia asked, looking as if she couldn't believe it. But what can I do? It's the truth.
"Right, if the military police were lacking something, they would ask our platoon for cooperation?"
"Sergeant Bell, I think it's not good to make such self-deprecating remarks."
"It's a fact, nothing to deny."
For some reason, Corporal Claude backed up Bell's opinion. It would have been great if it wasn't for that remark.
"In the end, the only people who actually engaged in combat were me and Sergeant Lumia, so they probably decided we had no suspicious points."
"That makes sense. If they were suspicious of the entire Northern Legion, it would be better to recruit only the people who are clearly filtered out by the process of elimination..."
Bell crossed her arms and fell into deep thought. Her already large body parts were emphasized as they were lifted and shook.
"Didn't they even give us this proof?"
I pulled out the military police badge from inside my clothes and said. A silver badge with the pattern of a reindeer with huge antlers.
It was the emblem of the National Military Police.
A symbol of a group that soldiers fear more than internal inspections.
It wasn't an exaggeration; even in the real military, when the military police showed up, it was usually a huge commotion.
It was also the reason why Major Lanister received proper respect even though he was a full rank lower than Lieutenant Colonel Rockheart.
Even in modern times, but in this day and age, the power of the military police is truly monstrous.
"Then what should we do now?"
In response to Sergeant Lumia's question, I shrugged my shoulders and answered.
"First, living as usual is the top priority. However, the Battalion Commander has allowed our platoon to go out of the city due to barracks reconstruction..."
"Go out of the city?"
Claude, who had been indifferent the whole time, showed interest for the first time.
He was hooked on the keyword 'going out'.
"Hey, Sergeant, you're not thinking of using this as an excuse to drink legally during work hours again, are you?"
"Is there any reason for you to interfere with what I do?"
Bell frowned at the Corporal's remark. A deep sigh that seemed to sink the ground was a bonus.
"Ha. I don't know what the military police is thinking. They should have taken people like this too."
"If you have a mouth, you should learn to keep it shut."
"Do you want to try getting hit by magic with that mouth of yours?"
"I've been beaten up plenty while suppressing your rampages. That's enough to say I've been hit a lot."
"You, that... Are you done talking...!!"
"What are you two doing right now!!"
As expected, Lumia separated the two who started growling again.
"That's not what's important right now. Sergeant, you must report to the Platoon Commander and move this time!"
At Lumia's sharp words, even Claude had to surrender completely.
"...Alright. I'll keep it in mind."
His relationship with Bell was not good, but he acknowledged to some extent that Lumia was the one who was supporting the platoon.
Apparently, even before I came, Lumia had been controlling Claude and handling most of the platoon's affairs.
She was practically acting platoon commander and vice platoon commander.
No matter how much of a scumbag Claude was, he wasn't human trash enough to abandon the young female soldier junior who had taken care of him.
That's why Claude tended to soften a bit when Lumia was involved.
'The performance of the suppressor is certain.'
"Anyway, getting back to the main point. We should continue to rebuild the barracks. And we'll be going back and forth to Cherno City a few times."
"That's good news. Will our free time be guaranteed once we finish our tasks?"
"Yes, just come back by the promised time."
"That shouldn't be difficult."
A faint smile crept onto Claude's lips. They say he's a man who can't live without drinking all day.
He's already grinning at the thought of staying at a bar in the city.
"Platoon Commander! You can't do this! If you grant one thing, it'll keep slipping!"
But once again, Bell Mayer jumped in to object. Sergeant Claude, just what kind of life have you lived?
"Are you treating me like a kid?"
At Bell's criticism, Claude's eyes flashed as he answered in a cold voice.
It was a presence that instinctively made people shrink, but Bell Mayer wasn't the type to back down easily either.
"Your actions fit the bill, don't they?"
"Cut it out, Sergeant. You might really die at this rate."
"A meaningless life anyway, go ahead and kill me."
"I'm telling you to stop!!!"
BOOM!
When Lumia slammed the wall hard, the two shut their mouths.
"What are you doing since a while ago!? As I said before, this is the only chance, are you going to let it slip away meaninglessly?"
Lumia added a word while pointing at me.
"The Platoon Commander's body hasn't even fully recovered yet, you shouldn't act like this! Even if you can't help, don't be a hindrance!"
"Damn it, alright. I'll do as I please. I'll only do what I'm told."
Claude waved his hand dismissively at those words and left the lounge. Then came an awkward silence.
In the atmosphere that froze instantly, I just let out a deep sigh.
'We started with good news, didn't we...?'
Is this the prowess of a garbage platoon? You could really call it a performance that makes your heart swell.
Ah, I wanted a cigarette.