After parting with the princess, my platoon members and I quickly washed up and awaited further instructions.
As much as I wanted to leave this tiresome Northern Front as soon as possible, the fact that I had completely wrecked a jeep meant that various administrative procedures were necessary to receive support.
Afterwards, I received a vehicle from the Special Operations Unit and headed straight to the Staff Headquarters.
Just like before, after four consecutive days of travel, I was able to arrive at the entrance of the Staff Headquarters, adorned with a magnificent large fountain.
Feeling the journey, I opened the passenger side door and stepped out, noticing my platoon members disembarking from nearby transport vehicles.
The members who quickly got out stood in formation in front of me, not even waiting for anyone’s command.
There were a few soldiers with bandages on their bodies, possibly injured during the enemy raid, yet their faces radiated smiles as if they had forgotten their injuries.
“They seem happy not to have to worry about enemy raids here. I can understand that.”
If I were a soldier, I would probably wear the same expression.
With a little more relaxation, I opened my mouth to address each of them.
“You all worked hard. You performed your missions excellently on the Northern Front. Moreover, despite facing an unexpected enemy raid, you all responded calmly, which is truly commendable.”
“Captain, you worked hard too!”
“I’m disappointed we couldn’t fight more! We should have burst those bastards’ balls more!”
As one or two overly enthusiastic soldiers shouted, laughter erupted among the platoon members.
Normally, I would have given a warning, but right now we had just returned victorious.
I didn’t want to ruin the warm atmosphere for no reason.
“There will be plenty of opportunities to burst the enemy’s balls in the future, so don’t worry. Also, you all… forget it. What good is a lecture now? Dismissed, and enjoy your victory.”
As I finished speaking, the soldiers saluted sharply.
Accepting their salute, I was about to head up to the Staff Headquarters for a report when I hesitated.
Prien approached as if she had something to say.
“…What is it?”
I must have sounded tired, as my voice came out low.
Prien’s face turned somewhat fearful, but she gathered her courage and spoke.
“Lieutenant Daniel Steiner! I want to discuss future matters!”
“Hmm? Ah, you’ll be entering a unit directly under the headquarters from now on. Unless called for something special, you can just train there.”
“What I wanted to say was not that…”
Then what could it be? As I stared at her, trying to understand, Prien took a deep breath and looked up at me.
“To be bold, I would like to become an officer, just like you, Lieutenant!”
“An officer?”
“Yes! Through the battle on the Northern Front, I felt strongly that I want to contribute to the Empire just like you, Lieutenant!”
It was a bit unexpected, but it was a given that Prien would become an officer.
However, it was a bit early. Typically, one would become determined to become an officer after having served as a private for a while.
I didn’t know what had caused this change of heart, but there was no reason to refuse her.
“I’ll inform the higher-ups that you wish to serve as an officer. Since you have a record of saving Her Royal Highness during the enemy raid, the transition to officer should go relatively smoothly.”
Prien looked truly surprised, as if she hadn’t expected to receive permission, and then saluted me vigorously.
“Thank you! Really, thank you, Lieutenant Daniel!”
I wondered if it was really worth this level of gratitude, but I didn’t feel bad about it.
Nodding slightly, I walked into the Staff Headquarters.
Once I entered the Operations Staff Room, I felt a strong desire to flee.
“Lieutenant Daniel! No, should I call you Captain now? Hahaha! Anyway, we’ve been waiting for you! All of us!”
Ernst, the Head of Operations Staff, welcomed me, and the staff erupted in cheers.
As I glanced around, everyone stood up from their seats clapping.
What was even more ridiculous was the flowers and balloons decorating my spot in the office.
I wondered if it was the soldiers who arranged this, and among the shabby decorations was a new nameplate.
【Operations Staff / Captain Daniel Steiner】
It was a nameplate that seemed slightly more upscale in some ways.
Before I could ask what that was, Ernst signaled to a nearby soldier.
Then the soldier approached, holding a small box with both hands.
It was a familiar box. It looked similar to the one Lieutenant Philip had given me before.
“Congratulations on your promotion! Captain Daniel Steiner!”
It was indeed that box as I accepted it and looked inside, where a captain’s badge and epaulettes were neatly placed.
As I was staring down at them with a somewhat displeased expression, Ernst spoke with a satisfied smile.
“I told you to make some accomplishments, but I didn’t expect you to finish things off so splendidly. And you even risked your life for Her Royal Highness! The higher-ups won’t look at you through colored glasses anymore!”
…It was the first time I had seen Ernst smile so brightly.
Well, the achievements of a subordinate are also the achievements of a superior, so it was understandable that he felt good.
In fact, I let out a sigh as the dream of my discharge seemed a step further away, but I couldn’t show my true feelings in a place where many eyes were watching.
“You flatter me. I merely did what I was supposed to do as a soldier of the Empire.”
So, it was the best I could do to receive Ernst’s handshake with a smiling face.
*
The week following my promotion was filled with busy days.
Most of the busyness was due to interpersonal relationships.
Having received consecutive promotions, I had become somewhat of a celebrity within the Staff Headquarters, and calls from those wanting to be close to a celebrity never ceased.
Most approached me with suggestions to have a meal together, but their intentions were transparent.
It was clear they wanted to recruit me to bolster the prestige of their factions.
Considering the politicians entangled with them, I couldn’t risk even dipping a toe into that factional pond.
So, I dodged their advances, claiming that I was too busy, and it seemed Ernst, our Head of Operations Staff, actually liked this attitude of mine.
He would catch me in the officer’s dining room and talk endlessly.
“Do you know what my daughter said at that time? She said she would take care of the Allied Forces’ guys instead of me, and that I should stay home tomorrow and play with her. She was so cute…”
Ernst, known for avoiding small talk, didn’t hesitate to bring up family stories whenever he saw me for some reason.
In other words, he was only showing goodwill towards me… To be honest, it was a bit burdensome.
The goodwill from my direct superior can sometimes be more uncomfortable than expected.
Especially when it intertwines personally rather than formally.
Just when I was beginning to feel like I wanted the conversation to end.
“Daniel Steiner! You hellish devil spawn!”
A shout from behind me made my shoulders jerk.
Turning around to see who it was, I saw an officer in Allied Forces uniform glaring at me, tied with a rope.
“You bastard! You cowardly piece of trash—!”
As the Allied Forces officer charged at me, a soldier kicked his legs from under him.
“Ugh!”
Thanks to that, the Allied Forces officer stumbled forward inelegantly.
The soldier who had kicked the Allied Forces officer’s legs looked at me with an abashed expression and bowed his head.
As I raised my hand to signal that I was okay, the soldier started to lift the Allied Forces officer while yelling.
Watching the scene unfold, I opened my mouth in confusion.
“Who is that…?”
“Oh. They said they were bringing senior prisoners from the Northern Command to headquarters, and it seems he arrived today. You know him well, right? You captured him personally.”
I nodded my head.
He was the officer who had shouted for his soldiers to surrender after being hit by the first shot during the assassination operation against Colonel Jeremy.
“I remember he held the rank of lieutenant colonel…”
As I sank into thought, Ernst clicked his tongue.
“I’ve heard that he’s a senior officer, and our side is trying to accommodate him as much as possible, but it’s proving difficult. He’s a talented individual who worked in the Allied Forces’ Intelligence Department, so it would be great if we could recruit him.”
I see. As I quietly observed the back of the Allied Forces officer being taken away by two soldiers, a good idea suddenly flashed through my mind.
“…Chief.”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“If it’s alright, may I handle his interrogation?”
Ernst tilted his head, momentarily taken aback.
“It’s not impossible, but more work will pile up than now, you know?”
“That’s fine. It seems worth the effort.”
This caused Ernst to exclaim in admiration.
“What shining patriotism this is! Truly, I feel small in comparison.”
Ernst, seemingly touched, nodded in agreement.
However, I was merely grinning with a sly smile while plotting a plan entirely opposite to patriotism.
‘Perhaps…’
I might be able to escape the Empire without going through a dishonorable discharge after all.