Chapter 47
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Toward the Capital (1)
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Debra Bennett's proposal was simple.
Company evaluations generally involved assigning a single scenario to each platoon to see how well they handled it.
The scenarios typically given during an evaluation could be divided into five types:
Main assault and breakthrough.
Long-range support bombardment.
Close-range support bombardment.
Defense against enemy cavalry/infantry.
And the last one was defense against enemy magic troops.
What Debra Bennett was advocating for was for the 5th Platoon to take on the "defense against enemy magic troops" scenario.
Defense against enemy magic troops is nothing more than simply deploying a magic barrier, making it the simplest of the five scenarios. It also has the lowest evaluation score. After all, it's testing defensive magic, so they only need to understand the barrier structure and don't actually have to use magic.
But what if we not only actually shoot magic here but also block it impressively?
"Your impact would certainly be undeniable."
"Correct!"
Along with Debra Bennett's voice, I felt a sly smile hovering before my eyes.
"So, I'll tell Captain Arendt Schultz to specially assign the anti-magic combat scenario to the 5th Platoon. You, Squad Leader Enok, also need to make sure you make a strong impression, got it?"
Since an evaluator would be dispatched, which platoon was assigned what scenario was entirely up to the company commander, Captain Arendt Schultz.
In fact, the evaluation itself was ultimately just for show.
It was terrifyingly similar to a situation where a certain Eastern nation would pre-announce when a higher-ranking unit would arrive and what they would focus on, then come out for a "surprise" inspection.
The more I saw it, the more it reminded me of the K-military... it was both heartwarming and bitter.
I knew all too well what kind of end this military would eventually meet.
That's probably why I'm here.
To save the life of a nation that is about to be torn apart the moment war breaks out, and to survive until the very end.
That is the goal of the veteran Kim Jin-hyuk, and the end of the journey for the new squad leader, Enok Levandel.
And... why would I have any reason to refuse when she's offering to improve the magic barrier for free?
I knew Debra Bennett was trying to pull some strings, but she was offering to bring a few extra side dishes of her own accord, so it was hard to turn her down. I should strike while the iron is hot.
Thanks to that, my 5th Platoon members and I could focus purely on preparing for the evaluation. For several days now, we've been shooting magic into the empty training ground almost every day.
I'm now starting to get the hang of handling my mana core. I've reached a level where I can cast basic magic, including Fire Ball, without any difficulty. The power isn’t excessive, and I can control it just right.
There won't be any more incidents like last time where I accidentally destroyed a wall while practicing indoors, unless I'm unlucky enough to have a Mana Rampage.
Also, thanks to the "devoted" help of Bell Mayer and Roxana Elim, there was now some room to overcome the innate weakness of my body's durability.
Master Healer Sergeant Bell Mayer, and Corporal Roxana Elim, who boasts a sturdy mana reserve.
Since the problem was that my body's fatigue accumulated quickly and mana loss was excessive, if those two took care of the support, I wouldn't be worn out as long as I didn't push myself too hard.
Of course, I was a little worried that I was using them as a sort of battery and bio-healing station.
"It's fine, Squad Leader. I, Roxana, want to help the platoon in any way I can!"
"Healing magic isn't that hard."
Since they were the ones who volunteered to help first, I didn't need to bring it up. If they want to do it, what's the harm. Being overly considerate and taking the lead would be counterproductive.
Yeah, that's right.
Moreover, not only Lumia but also Sergeant Claude participated in the training better than expected. Considering the news of the evaluation came suddenly, you could say things were going quite smoothly.
And so, as we spent our days diligently preparing...
"Squad Leader Enok, the Battalion Commander is calling for you."
"Ah, thank you."
Finally, the day I had been waiting and waiting for was here.
"Glory to the Fatherland!"
"Glory."
The Battalion Commander returned the salute leisurely. The corners of his mouth were already reaching his ears. He seemed unable to contain his laughter every time he saw me.
This is bad, I don't like men.
"You probably already know why I called you, right?"
"To go to the capital?"
"Yes, we're departing tomorrow. Lieutenant Colonel Lanister said he would also be returning with us, as the situation in Cherno City has stabilized."
It seemed they planned to travel in a procession along with the Military Police. That would be safer in many ways.
In a situation where we still haven't found out who was behind the request for information about the artifact to Captain Ramur of the Security Guard, it would be too dangerous to just send me and my platoon members alone.
They were the kind of people who would brazenly leak military secrets from the Security Guard, gather spies from the Sovye Empire and bandits lurking near the border, and attack a fortress.
They would probably think nothing of wiping out a single identified magic platoon.
"I unfortunately can't attend, but please be sure to convey my words to His Highness, Prince Orlando Ruth."
"You don't need to worry about that. If it hadn't been for Battalion Commander Rockheart's full support, apprehending Ramur would have been impossible."
"Is that so? Hahaha! As expected, you're my squad leader. I really know how to pick people. You're a real bundle of joy, a bundle of joy!"
He really is a simple man.
"I also ordered new dress uniforms. You can pick them up when you get to the capital."
"You even did that for us...?"
"Of course. You're going to meet the head of state and the supreme commander of the military. You can't go dressed like that."
Rockheart said, stroking his mustache. I turned my head to check the condition of my military uniform. Hmm, apart from a few loose threads sticking out, it doesn't look particularly messy.
When I made a puzzled expression, the Battalion Commander snapped his fingers and said:
"You'll understand once you see it. New lieutenants and regular non-commissioned officers rarely have a chance to wear dress uniforms. Ukran's military uniforms are well-made in their own right, but once you see the dress uniform, you'll be waiting for the day you get to wear it."
"Th-thank you."
"Don't mention it. Just don't forget that I, Rockheart, really cherish you, Squad Leader Enok Levandel."
"But won't it overlap with the company evaluation schedule?"
"The official schedule is 2 nights and 3 days. Of course, if you count the travel time, it'll be 4 nights and 5 days. But you should be able to make it back in time for the evaluation schedule."
Staying for 2 nights and 3 days out of 4 nights and 5 days. That means I have to spend two full nights just traveling.
It's definitely far.
I realized anew that this is the real front line. That's probably because the only widely available means of transportation is the carriage for now... but still, having to spend a night during travel means it's not close.
"Ah, right. There was something I forgot to tell you."
"What is it?"
"Due to the personnel limit on the escort carriage, you can only take 3 members of your platoon, including yourself."
"Excuse me? I didn't hear you correctly?"
"Of course, the rewards for your merits will be distributed equally to the rest of the platoon members. But having all five of you meet the Prince is a different matter."
"Then how should we decide on the personnel...?"
"Isn't that up to you to decide? Since the departure is tomorrow, you should have a good discussion with your platoon members today."
Colonel Rockheart shirked his responsibility and passed the authority on to me. Out of five, if three are going, that means only two platoon members can go, excluding me?
Hmm.
This has become a pain.
"That's what he said."
"..."
"Huuuuuh."
When I told the platoon members that not everyone could go to the capital, the expressions of Bell Mayer and Lumia hardened slightly.
In the awkward silence, it was Claude who spoke up first.
"I'm not interested, so you can exclude me."
"Are you really sure?"
"The capital, Kiev, is just noisy and complicated. I absolutely hate that kind of place."
Now that I think about it, I had a feeling that Sergeant Claude would hate places with so many people.
Moreover, since we're meeting the Prince, we'd have to do all sorts of formal greetings, even if just for show... that would be quite a ordeal for someone like him.
Somehow, I could easily picture him not paying any attention, just like he is now, and refusing to attend parties or events even when he was being honored for his war merits.
'Sergeant Claude said he's not going, so that's settled.'
I looked at the remaining members: Lumia, Bell, and Roxana.
"First, I'll take Sergeant Lumia with me."
"Thank you!"
At my words, Lumia couldn't contain her excitement and broke into a beaming smile. I decided to take her since she seemed to really want to go and had worked hard as a sort of deputy squad leader.
Now, the remaining ones are Bell Mayer and Roxana...
"What about you two—"
"Bell, you should go."
"Huh? What?"
"It's too dangerous for me if I get too far away from the battalion."
Roxana answered before I could even finish my sentence.
"Really. If I go to the capital for no reason and my heart condition gets worse, I'd be a big burden to you and the others."
Roxana gave up calmly. She could have asked for a little compromise, but... it was pitiful how she was pretending to be mature for no reason.
However, Roxana's argument wasn't without merit. To be honest, as I don't know exactly what her heart condition is, I wouldn't be confident in handling it properly if something happened to her health.
"I'm sorry, Corporal Roxana."
"It's fine! Don't worry about me and have a great time. Besides, Sergeant Claude will be here in the platoon! Right, Sergeant?"
"...Haa."
Roxana turned to Claude and asked. Although he let out a sigh with a displeased expression, he reluctantly nodded. It felt like an uncle who had to look after a troublesome cousin for a while.
'He's not such a bad guy after all.'
"Understood. Then you two will be heading to the capital with the National Military Police tomorrow, so please have your bags ready by today."
In the end, the participating members were decided to be Bell Mayer and Lumia Blue.
Since both of them are relatively easy to manage, we can assume that no unexpected situations will arise during the schedule.
"That's all for today. Please have your preparations done by at least 8 PM."
"Understood!"
"Good. Dismissed!"
I clapped my hands and dismissed the platoon members.