Uninvited Guest in Black Uniform (2)
The Eastern Army Command was located in Branberg, where vast wheat fields stretched endlessly. True to its reputation as the empire's fertile granary, every inch of land visible from the sky was farmland. Countless stalks of wheat swayed gently in the breeze. Karin Maven, who had woken at some point, was also gazing out the window at the scenery with wonder.
"First time seeing something like this?"
"...Yes."
Werner recalled Karin's background. She came from a mountain village in the southeast. With no real plains in that region, this sight must have felt quite foreign to her.
"Forty percent of the empire's wheat production comes from Branberg alone. One administrative district feeding nearly half the population."
After finishing with the documents, Werner approached her and explained.
"That's incredible..."
"They don't call it the Golden City for nothing. In autumn, when the wheat is ready for harvest, the horizon supposedly sparkles with gold."
Karin paused to imagine the scene. It was already beautiful now; it was obvious it would be even more stunning then.
"That must be why the food here is supposed to be amazing. There's even a pasta place the Lieutenant likes."
It was a restaurant he had learned about while researching the area beforehand. He hadn't tried it himself, but the long lines even on ordinary days suggested the taste was worth the wait.
"Really?!"
As expected, the word "pasta" made Karin's eyes light up instantly. Her voice rose with excitement. Even someone as unmotivated and timid as her couldn't hide her emotions when it came to good food.
"Ah..."
Werner smiled at her obvious change in demeanor, and Karin quickly turned her head away. Her reddened ears made it clear she was embarrassed at having her feelings caught.
"If we have time, let's go together. I've been wanting to try it myself."
"Yes..."
While they chatted, the helicopter pilot seated in front spoke up.
"Director, we'll be arriving at headquarters shortly."
Werner turned to look ahead. A massive castle had drawn close without him noticing. The fortress rising from the middle of the plains was the Eastern Army Command's Branberg Headquarters. It had once belonged to a ducal family that owned the surrounding lands before the military purchased it for use as their base. Any duke who controlled such fertile territory must have wielded tremendous power and influence. Even from the air, the castle's grandeur and majesty were unmistakable.
Of course, Werner didn't view it favorably.
'Stuck in a place like that, they'd spend all day spouting noble nonsense.'
Across forty regressions, he had never once left the field behind. Even after becoming Supreme Commander, he had set up the Supreme Command's field headquarters near Graveyard and lived there. Far removed from desk-bound administration, Werner found such empty formalities especially grating.
Well, orders were orders. Whether he liked it or not, this was the Chancellor's command. Werner intended to thoroughly exploit every weakness of these ridiculous self-proclaimed nobles.
===
"So this is the assigned lodging."
"Yes, sir. The other accommodations were already taken by the generals and other distinguished guests..."
"Hmm."
The room the Eastern Army Command had assigned was shabbier than expected. It qualified as a hotel, but only barely met the minimum standards of a three-star establishment. Sensing his less-than-impressed reaction, the hotel staff member guiding Werner and Karin hurried to explain.
"Well... actually, this is already quite considerate. Besides the Lieutenant Colonel, most of the soldiers staying here are Colonels."
In short, they were extending the courtesy normally reserved for one rank higher. Given his position as director of the Security Strategic Agency—a special organization directly under the Supreme Command—they had placed him among the Colonels out of consideration.
It made him wonder just how many important figures were attending this banquet. At the same time, it reminded him once again of the Eastern Command's fondness for rigid hierarchy. If this was how they treated a seemingly influential Lieutenant Colonel and Colonels, where in the world were newly commissioned Lieutenant Colonels or Majors staying?
Werner could only let out a hollow laugh.
Of course, Werner, a born field soldier, had no reason to complain about his accommodations. But the hotel staff seemed thoroughly intimidated by his characteristically stiff expression and the aura emanating from his unusual black uniform.
"Ah, and! The interior is actually quite nice if you check! The corridors and lobby have an antique feel, but the rooms themselves are very modern!"
"Don't worry. I have no complaints. However..."
Werner pulled several bills from his pocket and handed them to the staff. The amount was far too generous to be a simple tip. Realizing the intent behind the thick wad of cash, the staff immediately bowed deeply.
"W-What can I do for you?!"
It was an implicit signal used when making a personal request. At the same time, it conveyed that the staff should prioritize his instructions throughout his stay.
"During the event period, do not clean my room. Tell the other staff not to enter for any reason."
"Ah! You can count on security! I'll personally ensure no one disturbs you, Lieutenant Colonel!"
"Hmm. Also, my adjutant will likely be coming and going frequently. Could you issue a separate visitor pass?"
The staff glanced between the cash, Werner, and Karin, then nodded vigorously as if understanding something.
"Understood! I'll have the pass ready by this evening! Please rest well until the banquet!"
The moment the conversation ended, the staff snatched the cash and scurried off. Even from behind, the upward curve of their lips was obvious.
After confirming the staff had completely disappeared, Werner entered the room with Karin.
The staff hadn't been lying. Unlike the outdated corridor that looked decades old, the room itself was well-appointed. The queen-sized bed instead of a single might have been because this was a slightly higher-grade room.
"Phew... After flying so long, my shoulders are stiff."
Werner muttered to himself and set down his luggage in the corner.
But there was no time to rest. The banquet began tomorrow and ended the day after. All preparations had to be completed today.
Unlike him, however, Karin Maven looked exhausted. Werner hesitated for a moment before speaking to her, who stood blankly by the entrance.
"Karin, you should sleep here."
"...Y-Yes?"
Karin's red eyes began darting around.
"T-That's... You mean... with you, Director...? Sleep... together...?"
Her voice was more guarded than usual as she shrank back. She raised both hands to cover her chest. At the same time, she recalled the conversation Werner had just had with the staff. A space where no one was allowed to enter. A large bed. A pass because she would be coming and going often...?
At first she had assumed it was purely for official reasons, but her thoughts gradually drifted toward something more improper.
"No, that's not what I meant. You look very tired, so I was suggesting you rest and sleep here."
Sensing the serious misunderstanding, Werner quickly corrected himself.
"...Ah."
"Would I sleep with a subordinate just because I got shot in the head? I'm not that shameless."
"I-I never thought that."
Karin's voice shrank again. Her deeply bowed head was an added touch.
Still, if she was going to rest, better to do so somewhere comfortable. The safe house she had originally been assigned—a small inn owned by a local collaborator—couldn't even charitably be called decent.
"T-Then... I'll stay here..."
"If I return too late or have to leave due to unavoidable circumstances, use this to contact me."
Werner handed her a communication terminal he had prepared in advance. It was one he had personally purchased for this operation—a new model bought at a steep discount during a post-war commemorative sale.
Karin accepted the device and fiddled with it, her eyes slightly wide with surprise.
"And if you're all right with it... you can stay here instead of the safe house."
"Huh...? Then what about you, Director?"
"I'll sleep there. No one cares what a mere Lieutenant Colonel does anyway. You could tell from the staff's reaction."
Not only Eastern Army Command personnel but also generals from neighboring commands and prominent local figures from Branberg would be gathered for the banquet. The better hotels would all be occupied by them. No one would find it strange if a Lieutenant Colonel frequented a shabby inn. If anything, wandering around where the Colonels were staying might draw unnecessary attention.
Besides, this black uniform already stood out far too much.
Karin wouldn't leave the room much anyway, and even if she wandered the hotel halls, people would simply assume she was someone's adjutant and pay her no mind.
"Then rest well."
Werner closed the door. To return in the evening and receive Karin's visitor pass, he needed to be back at least two hours early.
It was just as Werner was hurrying out of the hotel that it happened.
"A banquet this large is certainly something to look forward to."
"...!"
At the familiar voice drifting up from the lobby, Werner instinctively hid himself.
"You're telling me. Though I suppose all the Colonels are staying here?"
"Well, there are quite a few generals as well."
Two women chatting amiably. Peering carefully, he saw a female officer wearing Colonel's insignia whom he didn't recognize, along with a Lieutenant with reddish-brown hair who appeared to be her adjutant. A side ponytail, sparkling yellow eyes.
It felt as though his breath had been stolen away.
Werner's entire body went rigid.
She was the supply company commander of Graveyard—and his other fiancée.
Leah Gilliard.