I Became an Officer in Another World in Just 5 Minutes - Chapter 127

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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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Episode 127

“Is it burdensome?”

“Yes, honestly it’s quite burdensome.”

What’s not is not.

‘Think about it. They’ll be waiting because their son achieved merit. But if some unheard-of guy is standing at the very front. Ugh.’

It wouldn’t be strange at all if the Emperor ordered my head cut off.

“Then enter alongside me. I’ve made a big concession, so don’t refuse any further.”

Words that sounded as if he was doing me a favor.

I really wanted to point that out, but there were too many watching eyes for that.

‘Damn, refusing again here would be too risky.’

I could tell he was stubborn, so there was no point in arguing.

“I’m grateful for Your Highness’s deep consideration.”

“Then let’s go to the front row.”

“Yes…”

Sighing countless times inwardly, I rode my horse at the very front of the triumph procession formation, right next to the Crown Prince.

‘I don’t know. Just enjoy this too.’

I feel like I’m gradually going insane.

This is all the Empire’s fault for making me like this.

Boooooooooo!!!!!!!

As the army approached the South Gate, the military band waiting on the city walls blew their massive horns with all their might.

Crrrrrrreak!

At the same time, the tightly closed city gate opened and… countless crowds came into view.

“His Highness the Crown Prince!!! Long live!!!”

“Long live!!! Long live!!!”

“Mom, hurry! Hurry up! The ceremony is about to start.”

The streets were packed without room to step, leaving only a passage in the middle.

All of them had come out to see the victorious soldiers.

“Let’s go.”

The Crown Prince gazed at the crowd for a moment, then took the reins and rode forward.

‘This guy seems nervous.’

Even his voice was different.

And I was just as nervous.

“Whew.”

I exhaled deeply to calm my breathing and slowly moved toward the Grand Plaza.

“Is that young man the son of the Oclo Count’s family?”

“He’s much younger than I thought. I expected someone with more experience.”

“My son serves on the Western Front, and he really admires that person. There was a good reason for it.”

Being next to the Crown Prince naturally drew the second most attention to me.

‘At least no one’s cursing at me.’

The itchy ears from earlier must have been purely from dust after all.

“There’s His Majesty.”

It had been dozens of minutes since we entered the capital.

At the Crown Prince’s words, I raised my head and saw the Emperor standing in the center of the Grand Plaza.

‘His expression looks okay, right?’

The distance was too far to see clearly, but I trusted it would be fine.

Neighhhh.

When we got somewhat closer.

The Crown Prince and all personnel dismounted their horses and walked into the Grand Plaza.

The distance to the Emperor gradually closed.

‘The Emperor aside, why are there so many people here?’

It looked like every noble in the capital had been summoned.

‘Father is there too.’

I naturally made eye contact with Father, who was standing not far from the Emperor.

‘He’s smiling so much, was he always like that?’

Among everyone here, he looked the most pleased.

“I report the battle results to His Majesty the Emperor, the Sun of the Empire!”

The Crown Prince stepped forward, greeted the Emperor with proper etiquette, and began the ceremony in earnest.

“The enemy’s Hasmon Fortress has been burned to an unusable state, and all enemy forces present were annihilated. Additionally, we occupied Yalc Island and captured 2,000 prisoners.”

Results achieved perfectly according to the original operation.

It was almost beautiful.

“Imperial Army casualties were 211 killed in action, 108 severely wounded, and 493 lightly wounded. By His Majesty’s grace, the Imperial Army achieved victory and returned to this place. That concludes my report!”

“Waaaaaaah!!!!!!!”

The citizens erupted in cheers at the news of overwhelming victory.

The Emperor looked around at the people for a moment, then stepped forward.

The plaza fell silent at that small movement.

Everyone’s gaze turned to the Emperor’s mouth.

“Citizens of the Empire, listen.”

Countless amplification magical devices drove the Emperor’s words into their ears.

“For over 100 years, our Empire’s sore spot has always been the sea. However! Our proud Crown Prince and our army have overcome adversity and brought news of victory!”

His voice began to gain strength.

It was like a kind of art, building layer upon layer.

“The arrogant and presumptuous Adits Empire must now realize something has gone wrong! But it’s too late.”

‘No, no. It’s not too late at all, let’s make a peace treaty even now.’

I couldn’t understand what was supposedly so late.

“I will show that the crime of touching our Empire is heavier than anything else! So you too must contribute to the Empire’s victory!!!”

The Emperor raised his clenched fist to the sky as he spoke.

“His Majesty the Emperor! Long live! Long live! Ten thousand years!!!”

“Long live!!! Long live!!! May the Empire be eternal!!!”

The citizens seemed filled to the brim with what’s commonly called patriotic fervor.

It was natural.

‘It’s not even winning the World Cup, just reaching the semifinals gets milked for 20 years of national pride, so what about victory in war?’

It just explodes.

“Our Empire…”

The continuous injection of national pride continued.

The Adits Empire will be destroyed, our army is strong, and so on.

In the middle, he even called the Crown Prince to the platform for a performance where they waved together.

‘Isn’t it about time to wrap this up?’

We had the procession, the victory report, and the speech.

If it goes too long, it loses its flavor.

“Beloved citizens of the Empire. If you saw the newspapers, you know this landing operation didn’t flow perfectly as we expected.”

After sending the Crown Prince down, the Emperor began another new story.

‘Geez, he really talks a lot.’

I don’t think he was this style originally, but people change.

‘I can’t even doze off.’

Of course, given the situation, I didn’t feel sleepy at all yet.

But the Emperor seemed to want to inject me with anti-drowsiness medicine.

“Though there were trials and hardships, three brave soldiers changed the tide of battle! Furthermore, they led the battle to victory!”

Three soldiers.

You’d be an idiot not to know who he was talking about.

“I will commend their achievements here and now. Colonel Schultz, Lieutenant Garen, and Captain Paran Oclo, please come forward.”

Lieutenant Colonel Schultz was the first to move at the Emperor’s words.

‘Damn, I knew this felt uneasy.’

To be honest, it would be a lie to say I hadn’t worried about this kind of situation from the moment we were placed in the front row.

But since he seemed so busy praising the Crown Prince, I thought he was just going to give out rewards.

As expected, it was just as I thought.

‘Phew, let’s go.’

If I moved too slowly, I might be misunderstood as being absent-minded, so I hurriedly got up from my seat.

‘At least it’s good that we’re close.’

Since I was standing in the front row, I didn’t need to walk far to reach the platform.

“Lieutenant Colonel Schultz! I greet His Majesty the Emperor!”

“Lieutenant Garen…! I greet His Majesty the Emperor!”

“Captain Paran Oclo! I greet His Majesty the Emperor.”

Standing side by side in order of rank and kneeling on one knee to pay our respects, Lieutenant Garen seemed quite nervous.

‘The Battalion Commander looks fine though.’

Well, that’s natural.

He’s someone who has to guard the Emperor, so how could he perform his duties if he got nervous just from facing him?

“You may rise.”

At the Emperor’s command, I straightened my knee and stood up.

‘Why are you looking at me?’

Even though Lieutenant Colonel Schultz and Lieutenant Garen were there, the Emperor’s gaze was fixed on me.

“When I first heard about the operation you gentlemen executed, I doubted my own ears. It was such a reckless, dangerous operation that risked your very lives.”

That’s true.

‘It was indeed a reckless and dangerous operation.’

Still, the reason we carried out this operation was…

“But you gentlemen put it into action. Looking only toward your desire for victory and the noble conviction to protect the Empire.”

‘No. That’s not it.’

We did it because we were in danger of being surrounded and annihilated.

A noble conviction to protect the Empire?

When I’m barely surviving myself, how could I have such a thing?

‘Well, I guess it’s good that it’s been packaged nicely…?’

Isn’t someone with a spirit of sacrifice ten thousand times better than a selfish person?

“The actions shown by these three men reminded me of Sir Hamus, who annihilated a corrupt knight order with just a single sword.”

‘Isn’t that also a false legend?’

I should ask about it later.

“Therefore, I have decided to award the Second-Class Medal of Military Merit. Lieutenant Colonel Schultz, step forward.”

Trembling

As soon as the words “Second-Class Medal of Military Merit” were mentioned, Lieutenant Garen began shaking his legs, going beyond nervousness.

And I was feeling similar emotions myself.

‘Are you serious…?’

Even though I’m no expert, I know what a Second-Class Medal of Military Merit is.

‘It’s the third highest medal.’

The second is naturally first-class, and the first is the medal named after the three founding fathers, which you’d have to be a benefactor of the Empire to receive.

‘If we exclude the ones that are practically impossible to get…’

It’s nearly the highest praise the Emperor can give.

And naturally, praise doesn’t end with words—it comes with countless benefits and rewards.

‘I know that even third-class comes with a get-out-of-jail-free card.’

The most representative benefit is naturally receiving a pardon even if you commit a crime.

Of course, things like assassinating royalty or other truly outrageous acts are excluded.

Thud! Thud!

Lieutenant Colonel Schultz approached the Emperor with rigid steps.

As he stood close by and waited at attention, the Emperor personally hung the medal around Lieutenant Colonel Schultz’s neck.

“Waaaaaaah!!!!!!!!! Schultz! Schultz! Schultz!!!”

“Schultz!!! Schultz!!!”

People in the square chanting Lieutenant Colonel Schultz’s name.

The Emperor gave them a moment before opening his mouth.

“I hear that the Lieutenant Colonel will be assigned to the Imperial Knights after this operation.”

“That is correct, Your Majesty.”

“Guard me well. I shall grant Lieutenant Colonel Schultz promotion to Colonel and bestow upon him the barony along with the surname ‘Gadriel.'”

“Your… Your grace is overwhelming!!!”

Lieutenant Colonel Schultz, who had seemed unperturbed until now.

For the first time, he widened his eyes and dropped to his knees on the ground.

‘Damn, he’s giving him a noble title.’

Of course he had achieved merit, but this was really generous.

Next was Lieutenant Garen.

“I grant you promotion to Lieutenant Colonel and a reward of 10,000 gold. Continue to distinguish yourself and lead the Empire’s wars to victory.”

“Your… Your grace is overwhelming!!”

Unlike Lieutenant Colonel Schultz, there was no title, but money and promotion were granted.

‘Even that’s not bad.’

As far as I know, he hasn’t been a Lieutenant for very long, so promotion to Lieutenant Colonel means he saved about 4 years.

‘Plus he received a Second-Class Medal of Military Merit, so he’s really gotten a proper boost.’

Unless he causes some incredible trouble or transfers to the Imperial Knights, he’ll definitely get his stars.

And after Lieutenant Garen’s turn was…

“Captain Paran Oclo.”

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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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