Chapter 27
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Title! The Man Who Starved the Nobles!
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The joint training between the Knight Department and the Officer Department, which had run for a full five days, had finally wrapped up.
...Ah. Gotta be careful. If the Officer Department guys hear that, they might flip their shit again.
Actually, they'd definitely flip. I'd bet my entire fortune they'd bitch, "Why'd the Officer Department have to go last?!"
Take two. The joint training between the Officer Department and the Knight Department has concluded.
If the two departments had been at each other's throats, the win or loss would've mattered a ton.
But since this training was meant for a bit of moderate bonding between the two, we set that aside.
The problem was, with victory not on the line, everyone started zeroing in on the training results themselves―
"How could you pull that off and not come to the Officer Department?! You're something else, man, really something!"
"Kekeke. It's insane. So you starved the kids for four days? Wait, do we count the first day or not? Anyway, three whole days? You're nuts!"
"A war hero family really is different! No mercy! Uhahaha!!"
It all started spotlighting how I'd tormented the Officer Department and Knight Department alike, fairly and squarely, during training.
Sure, they all dreamed of being officers or knights, but at the core, they had that "noble" mindset.
A vague fear that if you didn't treat them like nobles, they might crumble.
That's why everyone had been holding back just enough.
Look at them right now. Even the seniors—they don't make you stand at attention all day or hassle you personally.
They don't drill you at all outside training, though that's not to say they never do.
They don't drop by when bored and wring your soul dry. Gotta be 'cause they're all nobles, right?
But me? "Yeah. Fuck that." No mercy, I stomped them flat.
If you don't think about supply lines, starving's par for the course, and you deal with the thirst.
And who says you have to capture the flag? Just smash the enemy's head, done.
Showing these chicks just 10% seriousness? Yeah, results like this.
"You bastard. Even so, couldn't you have sent up some water at least?"
"First time in my life I've starved anyone that bad."
"Richi, you dog! Regular imperial citizens qualify for relief if they go more than a few days without food! You know that?!"
The B Team guys I'd roasted so thoroughly were now screeching for their mommies.
Ah, so what? If you're salty, you should've done the same.
"Ughhh. Losers got a lot to say! Ughhh!!"
"Disgrace to the Officer Department! Accept defeat humbly!"
But by my side were my teammates, savoring the sweet taste of victory with me.
If I'd taken a hit, they'd have felt it too—think they'd just sit there?
Naturally, they jumped in, drawing all the B Team aggro with their own screeching.
Good thing was, for all their griping, it was all in jest.
Not a single one showed real anger or hatred toward me.
They probably vaguely realized it themselves.
If this had been a real battlefield, it'd have been way worse and more painful.
At least this way, they'd learned how precious supplies are—and they'd damn well pay attention next time.
"Or maybe they're not complaining 'cause His Highness the Crown Prince said not to nitpick, and they'd be in deep shit if they did?"
Ariete handed me a cup of steaming hot black tea.
"Why aren't you drinking? Don't like black tea?"
"Nah, it's not that. Hmm."
I freeze to death. Not talking Americano—that black sludge sucks for me too.
Just my rule: "Everything drinkable stays ice-cold. Ice it up if you can."
I don't even enjoy tea, and it's hot? Sigh... Fine, for the effort, I'll drink.
"How's the Knight Department reacting?"
"What? They acted all cool during training, but they were worried?"
"Would be weird if they weren't."
We'd thrown newborn chicks straight into boiling water.
Even a guy like me has a conscience—not totally heartless, so I felt a little bad.
Either way, I'd poked at stuff not specified in the notice.
"Hmm. Something like, the whole group's up in arms, throats closing in?"
"...For real?"
"Nah, kidding."
You really bought that? Scared ya.
"Actually quieter than expected. They were even impressed?"
"Impressed? After three days starving, no sleep?"
What? Turns out they're all pervs?
"As expected of a Reinhardt. Getting hit once by a war hero family woke 'em right up. Made 'em think about the future we're heading into and why you're pushing us like this."
"...They could've figured that out some other time."
The imagery's off. Starved three days and suddenly eyes open! Whoa!
Shit, this world's got a medieval vibe with a touch of crazy. Hope this doesn't spawn some weird group all-nighter training ritual.
Unsettled. Real unsettled.
"Oh yeah. Garen wants to meet you."
"Tell him I'm not into guys."
Ariete burst out laughing at my reply. Pfft!
Good thing no novel-style tea fountain erupted in my face.
More than that, felt good. Other guys'd grumble, "That's not funny at all."
Heard somewhere that matching humor codes is key for getting along.
"Eek! Hick! Ahem! Anyway! Seems he's got stuff to discuss with you. Who knows? Maybe another classmate hoping for both Knight and Officer Departments after me?"
If someone's volunteering for hell, I'd welcome it. Dying alone'd suck.
But doubtful it'd happen. Ariete's a special case, and Garen's a knight through and through—dunno if he'd dip into officer territory.
Still better than his face turning beet red yelling "Richi you bastard!"
"Meet him anyway, for the future. In my eyes, Garen's gonna be one hell of a knight someday."
"If my adjutant says so, guess I'll trust it."
"What? I said I'd be your knight, not your adjutant."
"Say that, but you handled it fine during training."
Good personality, gets along with anyone, and his family's influence is insane.
Might not make a knight, but top-tier adjutant material. Except... hmm.
Worried the Victory Duke might snag his youngest daughter as adjutant and he'd bolt.
Even Reinhardts gotta drop dead if one of the Three Dukes spits "Duke's divine art."
Not like my brother with a title—just a family noble, even more so.
"That a compliment?"
"I'll call it stating facts."
"That's what we call a compliment, Commander Richi."
Ariete sipped her tea with a slurp, then stared at me intently.
Looked like she had something to say. Spit it out already, Adjutant Ariete!
"I think you owe me a reward."
"Reward?"
"Like you said, if I'm your adjutant, I nailed this mission, right?"
"Sure...?"
"Then don't just say 'good job'—reward me properly."
"...What do you want? Name it, Ariete."
It's Ariete. Not some Lester.
No reason to worry... but still worried.
"Ar."
"Yeah?"
"Ariete's fine, but it feels kinda stiff. So, feel free to use a nickname."
So, she wants a pet name?
"Got it, Ar. Like that?"
"Whoa, right away?"
"Not a tough ask."
I ain't got a girl, and Ar—er, Ariete—ain't got a guy.
Plus, with marriage talk floating around up top, no issue.
"Hmmm."
But why's Ar suddenly giving me that weird look?
Why? Why now? No take-backs on the reward. No backing out!
"You..."
"Me what."
"Nah, never mind. Later. Satisfied for now."
Satisfied with what? Care to explain?
And what's with that tiger eyeing a juicy steak?
*
I carefully unfolded the report sent by an acquaintance at the academy.
Didn't wanna publicly demand it and make Richi feel burdened.
So I quietly requested it, and the guy had quite the laugh.
"Hmm."
The five-day schedule ended in just three days.
Looks like the second son got too serious against those still-green kids.
[After seizing B Team's supplies atop the hill, for three days...]
Ho ho. Richi, boy. Even so, they're your friends—starving them three days?
The kids might hold massive grudges, but what a son you've turned out to be.
[His Highness the Crown Prince appeared greatly satisfied...]
Come to think, His Highness was there observing.
Can't say how shocked I was at first hearing.
Met the Victory Duke over kid stuff, and somehow it snowballed.
"Congratulations, Supreme Commander. Your second son showed remarkable command qualities. Might see him at HQ soon."
That's what the acquaintance said. Felt strong commander vibes from Richi.
But to me, it felt like something else.
Wondered why the second son pulled this stunt.
Risked pissing off classmates he should bond with.
To show off? Nah, other ways for that.
But Richi seized "supplies" and degraded "troop" combat power.
Showed how much you crumble from a few days without food, water, sleep.
To his classmates. Future comrades who'd lead the Empire together.
'Awakened them, eh, Richi? To future comrades. Friends still so green. Supplies before tactics and strategy. Better learn from you than the enemy?'
Who'd he take after, driving them so harshly?