First Duty and Brotherly Farewell

18. When I asked what Big Brother Ragna, who was on duty, had talked about with the company commander, he just smiled. He ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠didn't seem inclined to answer this time either, so I didn't press him. And that evening, the priests from the Arkhael Church returned to pick us up. It was time for Big Brother Ragna to leave.

"Stay healthy and take care. Don't get hurt, got it?"

"Got it."

It had been years since I'd last seen him, and now I had to send him off after such a short visit—it left me feeling a bit down. So, I did something I wouldn't normally do.

"Uh, um..."

Big Brother awkwardly moved his hands when I hugged him, then patted my head. I squeezed him a little tighter before letting go.

"G-Go on now."

"Your actions and words don't match."

"I'm embarrassed, so just go."

"Alright, I got it."

I watched Big Brother's back as he walked away with the priestly procession. My nose stung a little. My eyes felt itchy too, maybe.

Thank goodness it was after hours, so no knights came out.

The weekend ended, and a new week began. I wanted to start it refreshed, but...

Ah, shit...

It wasn't up to me, apparently. I tugged the call cord by my bed. Less than ten seconds later, Elina entered my room.

"Your Highness, what is it?"

"It seems Mother Nature's day has arrived."

"Pardon? Isn't this earlier than usual?"

"Yeah."

"Ah, this isn't the time. Please wait just a moment."

Was enlisting that stressful? In this life as a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠woman, my cycle had always been regular, but this time it threw me off. Elina returned with the other maids. They pulled back the covers, stripped off my nightclothes, and dragged me to the bath. I let them handle my body obediently. The first time it happened years ago, I was mortified letting the maids take care of it, but now it was no big deal.

With the sticky feeling gone and only freshness left, I sat down to breakfast. Losing blood made me hungrier.

"Elina, another bowl of soup."

"That's already your third?"

"Then... bring two more at once."

"You'll gain weight."

"Yeah, I'll get all fat and roll around, so hurry up."

"Tch."

Normally she'd back off, but not today. I'm eating what I want and doing what I want. But that wasn't up to me either.

"......"

Just now, this week's duty roster was posted at each platoon barracks. And there was my name on it.

...Damn. On duty right from Monday. At least it's not the weekend. They separate duty NCO and duty soldier here, huh. In my past life's unit, they combined them. Familiar names for both—feels like they're going easy on me for my first shift.

I locked eyes with Gary, who was checking the roster.

"We're on together?"

"Yes, sir."

"Take care."

"You too, sir."

I patted Gary's shoulder and turned, spotting a slick face approaching from afar. 1st Squad Leader Iwan, also on duty.

"Iwan."

"Deputy Platoon Leader, sir. See the roster?"

"Yeah, you're on tonight."

"...Pardon?"

Iwan rushed to check, then stared blankly.

"Ahh... Duty on the first day of the week. Is this right?"

"What can you do? If you're on, you're on."

"True... If you're on, you're on."

After hours ended, the duty personnel—including me—gathered at the company admin office for handover. No company commander; just the admin supply officer.

"The company commander's on duty command tonight."

Good for me. Better our own company commander than some other company's brass I barely know.

"Handover... 2nd Battalion's got night shooting drills, so expect some lights flashing till dawn. That's it. 3rd Platoon Deputy, first duty tonight?"

"Yes, sir."

"You read up?"

"Of course."

Not much different from my past life. Sure, I was a grunt then, but staring into the night is the same.

"Good attitude. I'll do you a favor and tell you something special."

"What is it?"

"Our unit has a tradition: the duty commander drops by unannounced on a knight's first shift. Don't doze off."

"...Understood."

Damn, I was gonna slack with the NCO and grunt here. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Could pull rank, but not on my first go.

"Alright, I'm off. Duty crew, hang in there."

"You too, sir!"

"See you tomorrow morning."

Admin officer left. I ordered Iwan and Gary right away.

"You two, eat first."

"Got it."

I leaned back in the chair after they left, scanning the company HQ.

"Hmm..."

Past life army had phones, computers to kill time. Here? Nothing. So I blankly watched HQ soldiers come and go. They squirmed under my gaze, sticking to their tasks. I wasn't staring for a reason anyway.

Quiet company HQ. Only paper rustling.

Flip.

......

Flip.

......

Ah...

Why's this paper noise so annoying? Normally fine, but on my period maybe.

Flip.

Ignore it. Focusing makes it worse.

Flip.

Hmm. Urgh...

Flip.

"Hey."

"P-Private Lennon! You called, sir?"

"What's today's challenge?"

"Octopus with courage, reply greatsword."

"Thanks."

Phew. Good job, Arselia. Irritated but handled it properly.

But it didn't last. The oblivious soldier started flipping again.

"Hey."

"Private Lennon! You called?"

"Aren't you eating?"

"Got work to finish before deadline."

"How much left?"

I stood and approached Lennon. Peeking at his pile:

"Busy, huh?"

"Yes, sir."

The admin guy's my old sword instructor at the Imperial Academy—I know his type. Miss deadline, he'll flip.

"Uh... spin it."

"Sir?"

"Spin it out. But eat on time."

"Yes, sir."

Poor admin grunt. Back to my seat, now the flipping sounded like cries of anguish.

How much time passed? Iwan and Gary returned from chow.

"Alright, my turn for dinner."

"Go ahead, sir."

I headed not to the mess but my quarters. Gotta eat hearty for duty.

"On duty tonight."

"Duty? All-nighter?"

"Yeah. Eat, wash, head back—prep fresh clothes."

"Yes, ma'am."

Straight to the kitchen after ordering Elina. That greasy smell—roast turkey. Sat eagerly. But the maid brought ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠salad first. Appetizer. Ugh, want meat now. Normally courses, but not tonight.

"On duty—no courses. Bring food as I order."

"Yes, ma'am."

Maids shuttled plates nonstop. Salad, soup, turkey, bread... crammed whatever. Elina nagged about decorum from the side—ignored her. What, you gonna snatch plates? Spoons? Do your worst.

Washed up, changed, bolted out. No rush, but Elina's pissed glare chased me. Can't win fights.

"Women love flowers, they say. Say no, but light up when they get 'em?"

"Where I'm from, flowers everywhere—no point gifting."

Back at admin, Iwan and Gary bantering girls. Makes sense—years in same squad, tight.

"Ah, you're back?"

"Yeah."

"While you ate, one thing: sent a 1st Platoon private to medical. Not feeling well."

"What's wrong?"

"Newbie water change."

"Poor guy."

New water hits everyone first days. Lucky me, no issues.

I sat; they clammed up, eyeing me. Gauging my duty style.

I spoke first. "Finish your chat."

"Pardon? What chat?"

"Flowers for girls."

"Then... you, sir? Like flower gifts?"

Hmm. Past life guy—no flower interest. Can't say that.

"Palace gardens full of 'em."

"See?! Flowers lose appeal up close."

"Exactly."

"Even you say so!" Gary crowed at Iwan. Iwan shut up.

"Why flowers anyway?"

"Uh... nothing."

Iwan mumbled, embarrassed. What faux pas? Gary spilled.

"Gave flowers to a girl on leave."

"You punk!"

Iwan yelled. Oho, juicy.