How a Two-Life Scoundrel Lives - Chapter 98

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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【Chapter 98】

 

“I’ll be damned if I haven’t seen all kinds of crazy bastards.”

 

Carlisle sneered.

 

“What method does that bastard think he has to reform me? Even the Grand Duke failed at that.”

 

“Watch your words, Private Carlisle.”

 

Helen couldn’t bring herself to agree with Carlisle’s statement due to her position, and settled for giving him a warning.

 

However, seeing that she didn’t scold Carlisle, it was clear she had been quite tormented as well.

 

“The Battalion Commander is someone who focuses on military discipline in his command, so please be mindful going forward.”

 

“When have we ever cared about military discipline on the front lines?”

 

Carlisle snorted as if it were absurd.

 

It was true – on the front lines where battles broke out every other day, they didn’t bother with unnecessary military discipline.

 

How could they enforce discipline when they were frantically repeating operations, combat, and reorganization?

 

Enforcing discipline through pointless formalities and nitpicking would only add to the soldiers’ mental fatigue, so it was common practice on the front lines to generally not point out such things.

 

“If that’s how the commander operates, then that’s how it is, Private Carlisle.”

 

“Are you saying rank is everything?”

 

“If you find it unfair, then get promoted to a higher rank and command however you want.”

 

“Ha.”

 

“Anyway, please be especially careful with your actions and words going forward. Otherwise, not just you but the entire unit will have a hard time.”

 

“Kek.”

 

“Why aren’t you answering?”

 

Helen pressed him after seeing Carlisle make a rotten smile.

 

“You’re not thinking of getting into a power struggle with the Battalion Commander, are you?”

 

“How could a lowly private like me get into a power struggle with the Battalion Commander? I might end up court-martialed and executed.”

 

“At least you know that much.”

 

“I did the same thing with Father.”

 

“What do you mean by that?”

 

“When he said he’d skip my promotion, I said I’d rather face a court-martial. That I’d rather just be executed.”

 

“…”

 

Helen looked at Carlisle as if wondering what kind of bastard this was.

 

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

 

“Do you really not know why I’m asking?”

 

“…?”

 

“Sigh.”

 

Helen let out a deep sigh and shook her head as Carlisle made an innocent expression as if he truly didn’t understand.

 

“Private Carlisle.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“I’ve been getting headaches ever since I had you as a subordinate. My head throbs whenever I get the chance, and I’m nearly losing my mind.”

 

“Then you should take some medicine.”

 

“Please just behave yourself, please.”

 

“Yes, well. I’ll try my best.”

 

When Carlisle answered with a thoroughly twisted smile, Helen squeezed her eyes shut.

 

‘I might become the first officer to retire because of a direct subordinate.’

 

For the first time since becoming an officer, Helen imagined taking off her military uniform.

 

* * *

 

That evening.

 

Carlisle was able to hear from the scout members about what had happened during his absence.

 

“He’s completely insane, I tell you.”

 

Wilson shook his head back and forth.

 

“All day long he goes around nitpicking everything, giving us drills saying our discipline is lacking. I’ve been in the military for years, but this is the first time I’ve encountered a commander who’s this irritating.”

 

Marder also exploded with frustration, having built up a lot of resentment.

 

“I don’t know how many times a day he sends us out on search and reconnaissance missions. I’m too tired to live like this.”

 

“Grurrr…”

 

Even Hugin, who was sitting on Marder’s shoulder, seemed so tired that he drooped his head.

 

“Can’t we do something about this?”

 

“About what?”

 

“You’re a Sigmund. If you speak to His Grace the Grand Duke…”

 

“Do you think that would work?”

 

Carlisle responded to Russell’s request(?) with a question.

 

“If that worked, I wouldn’t be here. I’d be in the rear enjoying the good life.”

 

“That’s true.”

 

Russell understood Carlisle’s point and quickly gave up.

 

“Maybe he’ll stop eventually. When he gets tired too.”

 

“I don’t think that’s likely.”

 

Kudo spoke with a meaningful expression.

 

“From what I’ve found out, the Battalion Commander is someone who started as a lowly private, received a knighthood, and was promoted all the way to Lieutenant Colonel.”

 

“…”

 

The scout members all fell silent at once.

 

It was very difficult for someone with soldier status to become an officer.

 

Even Helen, their company commander, was considered a legendary figure, but if someone had risen all the way to battalion commander, they would be not only capable but also possess tremendous tenacity.

 

“I’ve also heard things about that guy.”

 

Begman added his input.

 

“He’s famous for being good at impressing his superiors. I heard he’s a master of social maneuvering.”

 

“More like a master of sucking up.”

 

Carlisle spat out in an indifferent tone.

 

“Social maneuvering or sucking up. In the military, nothing is more important than impressing your superiors.”

 

“The military sure runs well.”

 

“When was it ever different? So even if we have complaints, we have no choice but to act like dead mice when given orders. What can soldiers like us do? If we rebel for no reason, not only us but Sir Helen will be in trouble too.”

 

At Begman’s words, the scout members’ expressions darkened rapidly.

 

In any military unit, the atmosphere is determined by the commander’s disposition, and with someone as strict and ambitious as the current battalion commander, it was obvious he would make the unit members’ lives difficult.

 

“By the way, has the mage arrived?”

 

Carlisle changed the subject to shift the mood.

 

There was no point in complaining about that irritating person – it would only give him a headache…

 

“Huh? A mage? What are you talking about?”

 

“I have a promise that was made.”

 

“What kind of promise?”

 

“They promised to send us a mage.”

 

“Is that really true?!”

 

Begman’s face lit up.

 

“Ooh!”

 

“A mage!”

 

“If we just had one mage, things would be several times better than now!”

 

The scout members had the same reaction as Begman.

 

After all, a mage was someone who had an enormous impact on a unit’s combat power, so this was news worth welcoming with open arms.

 

“But who promised to send us a mage?”

 

“The Grand Duke.”

 

“…Please don’t call His Grace the Grand Duke like that.”

 

“What’s wrong with it?”

 

“Just call him Father instead. Every time you say ‘Grand Duke, Grand Duke,’ it makes me flinch.”

 

“Just deal with it. Calling him Father feels too personal.”

 

“Then call him His Grace the Grand Duke.”

 

“That’s too stiff.”

 

“Let’s just drop it.”

 

Begman shook his head from side to side.

 

“So you’re saying His Grace the Grand Duke promised to send a mage?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“When?”

 

“How would I know? They haven’t come yet, so we’ll have to wait.”

 

“At least there’s some good news for once.”

 

Begman nodded while crossing his arms.

 

“Still, the Grand Duke keeps his promises well, so he’ll probably send one soon.”

 

“I really hope so. Things have been unsettling lately.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“The number of barbarians has increased significantly. It’s going to get harder from now on. It seems like we didn’t expand the fortress and increase the unit size for nothing.”

 

“Ugh.”

 

“You must be tired from the journey, so get some rest for now. Starting tomorrow, you’ll be very busy.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Carlisle nodded and lay down on the bed.

 

‘Hmm. Should I desert even now?’

 

Carlisle seriously considered it, but decided against it, judging that the losses would outweigh the gains.

 

If he deserted, he would not only be pursued by the Sigmund Family knights, but would also have his profits from the Merrel Mine confiscated, making it a loss.

 

* * *

 

Late at night.

 

Helen went to Krabel’s office.

 

Knock knock.

 

“This is the 3rd Company Commander. May I come in?”

 

“Come in.”

 

“Loyalty.”

 

“Yes, loyalty.”

 

Despite the late hour, Krabel seemed to be sitting at his desk handling administrative work.

 

However, Helen quickly noticed that Krabel wasn’t actually doing work.

 

Though unintentional, she caught a glimpse and saw that the document Krabel was writing wasn’t about unit operations, but a personal letter to commanders of higher units.

 

It was clearly a personal inquiry about their well-being, and seeing several such letters stacked up, it seemed he was sending them to multiple people simultaneously.

 

“What is it, 3rd Company Commander?”

 

“I have something to report.”

 

“Go ahead.”

 

“It’s about the equipment that Private Carlisle donated to the unit.”

 

Helen glanced at the boxes stacked in one corner of Krabel’s office.

 

“I would like you to personally examine them and then return them to the 3rd Company.”

 

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll examine the equipment for any problems and return it right away. You know well that I confiscated the equipment only because it was brought in without the commander’s permission.”

 

“Yes, Battalion Commander.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

Krabel thought for a moment, then stood up.

 

“Since we’re talking about it, let’s examine it now.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

“Open it and show me yourself.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Helen opened the box containing the equipment and showed it to Krabel.

 

“Th-this is…”

 

Krabel was startled when he saw the equipment inside, or more precisely, the weapons.

 

The weapons Carlisle had brought were made by dwarves, so even ordinary soldiers could see they were exceptional masterpieces, and someone of battalion commander rank couldn’t fail to recognize their value.

 

Krabel’s gaze was drawn to a sword that looked particularly high-quality among them.

 

“Th-this is…”

 

Krabel reached out to touch the sword as if mesmerized.

 

Sring!

 

Just from touching it, a cool sword cry resonated softly.

 

‘This is truly an incredible sword. What I’ve been using all this time was nothing but scrap metal.’

 

Krabel had the strange experience of feeling that his own sword, which had been with him for over ten years, was like garbage.

 

The sword made by the dwarves was so excellent that it was enough to captivate Krabel.

 

“Ahem. Ahem ahem.”

 

Krabel cleared his throat unnecessarily and said:

 

“It seems difficult to return them right away.”

 

“What do you mean by that?”

 

“Equipment used in the military must have excellent stability and durability.”

 

“…?”

 

“Unverified equipment could endanger the lives of our soldiers. If weapons break in a critical situation, who would take responsibility?”

 

“Then the equipment…”

 

“I, as the battalion commander, will use them first, and when I judge their stability and durability to be reliable, I’ll return them then.”

 

“Battalion Commander, the equipment Private Carlisle donated was made by dwarves of the Fire Hammer Tribe. Don’t you know the dwarves’ technical skills? The stability and durability of weapons they make…”

 

“How dare you talk back!”

 

Krabel shouted angrily.

 

“Are you, a mere company commander, daring to dispute the judgment of your direct superior, the battalion commander?”

 

“That’s not what I meant. The stability and durability of weapons made by dwarves don’t need verification…”

 

“Hah!”

 

Krabel clicked his tongue.

 

“3rd Company Commander, your blind faith in dwarf-made weapons is excessive.”

 

“Excuse me…?”

 

“The judgment is not made by you or by public reputation, but by the commanding officer, the battalion commander.”

 

“…”

 

“I, as the battalion commander, will personally judge and decide on this matter, so don’t bring it up again. Otherwise, I’ll charge you with insubordination. Understood?”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Helen suppressed the anger rising from deep in her stomach.

 

“Then considering our conversation finished, you may leave now.”

 

“Yes, loyalty.”

 

“Loyalty.”

 

As soon as Helen left, Krabel took the sword from the box and drew it like lightning.

 

Chiring!

 

With a clear metallic ring, sharp sword light flashed.

 

“This is truly an incredible sword. Truly worthy of being made by dwarves.”

 

Greed flickered in Krabel’s eyes as he looked at the sword.

 

“To judge the sword’s stability and durability would take at least several years. Hehehe.”

 

Krabel muttered this, then threw aside his own sword and fastened the dwarf-made sword to his waist.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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