I Became an Officer in Another World in Just 5 Minutes - Chapter 157

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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 157

“Where in this world exists such a dangerous and reckless operation? Even in the most urgent situations, is it right to order such an extreme operation?”

The Emperor naturally assumes that Paran carried out the operation under orders from a superior, but the truth is different.

“From planning the operation to execution and decision-making, Lieutenant Paran did everything himself.”

“Everything…?”

“Yes, as I reported this afternoon, didn’t the enemy say they would commit murder once a day until Her Highness the Princess arrived?”

“They did.”

“Lieutenant Paran, upon hearing that, couldn’t contain his anger and requested permission for the operation despite Colonel Raint’s opposition.”

“Huh.”

At General Calren’s words, emotions beyond description flooded over the Emperor.

“How noble.”

From the Emperor’s perspective, the building where the hostage situation unfolded was no different from a pit of fire, just without flames.

And Paran had thrown himself into that pit of fire.

Without anyone forcing him to do so.

“Your Majesty, he truly is a remarkable young man. Didn’t he throw himself into danger to protect Her Highness the Princess?”

Rosen, who sat closest to the Emperor, also expressed great admiration and spared no praise.

“Amazing, truly amazing. The enemy must have prepared defenses there too, yet he broke through and even found the magic bombs. He possesses both luck and skill.”

“Indeed. Our Intelligence Agency plans to thoroughly analyze this operation and use it as educational material.”

“Do so. It was just recently that I awarded him a first-class medal, and now he’s achieved merit again. I don’t even know what to give him anymore.”

The Emperor looked at Rosen with a pleased smile.

“If this was going to happen, I should have just given him a second-class medal. Then I could have settled for giving him a first-class medal this time.”

“That’s why you shouldn’t have changed it on the day of the ceremony…”

“That was how I felt at the time. What can I do about it? I have no regrets.”

“Yes, seeing what he’s doing now, it was definitely the right decision. His loyalty to Your Majesty and the Imperial Court is what solved this problem.”

Rosen’s words were filled with conviction.

Though quite different from the facts, it wasn’t particularly important.

If you asked the person involved, he would definitely answer that it was all thanks to the Emperor’s grace.

“Then I couldn’t be happier. Since he achieved great merit, there must be a reward.”

Tap! Tap!

The Emperor tapped his desk while pondering for a moment, then spoke.

“Would promotion to Lieutenant Colonel be too hasty?”

“Yes, even Lieutenant is already beyond exceptional—it’s hard to find precedent. An additional promotion in just one month would be poison.”

The Emperor nodded at General Calren’s words, which had no flaws whatsoever.

‘Elevation to Marquis… no.’

No matter how excellent Paran’s achievements were, elevation to Marquis, which leads to high nobility, requires several factors to align simultaneously.

“Let’s give him a reward of 50,000 gold along with the right to take one item from the Class 2 Imperial Warehouse.”

The Class 2 Imperial Warehouse.

Class 1 is a kind of museum containing the Empire’s treasures of historical value.

Class 2 is where expensive items that money can’t buy are stored.

He’s being allowed to take one item from such a place.

It’s an incomparably greater reward than the 50,000 gold mentioned earlier.

“It seems appropriate. His loyalty to Your Majesty will increase even more.”

Rosen nodded as if it were a good decision.

Naturally, no one opposed it.

“General Calren, organize the report. This incident, from process to achievement, will be announced to all citizens of the Empire.”

“Yes, I will obey your command!!”

Following the Emperor’s order, the incident report was quickly organized.

Based on that, the Emperor personally wrote and issued an imperial decree.

* * *

“Loyalty! Good morning! Lieutenant Paran Oclo, sir!”

“Ah… yes. Good morning.”

As I left my quarters to go to work, officers I’d never seen before saluted me.

‘Ah, I really hate this.’

It’s been two days since the kidnapping operation ended.

As it turns out, the kidnapping incident had become so widely known that even the lowest-ranking soldiers in the camp knew about it.

So yesterday evening, the Emperor’s decree detailing the resolution process was distributed throughout the entire Empire.

‘That part is fine, but why does my name have to appear in it?’

There are two people who became superstars by having their names mentioned in the decree.

One is me, and the other is a kid named Haren who showed great acting.

‘That guy really hit the jackpot in life.’

He’s currently scheduled to receive a third-class military merit medal.

Since he’s an orphan, nobles wanting to adopt him will definitely appear.

“Loyalty!”

“Loyalty!”

Passing by the burdensome quarters and entering the Support Unit building.

Once again, countless salutes poured down on me.

‘Anyone watching would think I’m the unit commander or something.’

No, even the unit commander wouldn’t receive salutes with this much sincerity.

“Good… good morning. Everyone’s busy, so get back to work.”

I have no idea how I should handle this.

‘Wait, aren’t matters handled by the Intelligence Agency usually kept classified?’

But I don’t understand why everyone in the neighborhood knows about it.

“Loyalty! Have you arrived for work?”

As I entered the office, Captain Dennis saluted me this time.

“You’re here early.”

For reference, the current time is 7:30 AM.

Even though I came earlier than usual to receive less attention, Captain Dennis was already at his post.

“I was inspired by you, Section Chief, so I came to work as soon as I opened my eyes.”

“Eh…? Inspired by me? What do you mean.”

Don’t tell me he got inspired to discharge from the military?

‘That can’t happen.’

Captain Dennis has the intelligence to escape the military, but he’s still here – in a way, he’s a pushover.

Having such a pushover leave my hands is absolutely unacceptable.

“Looking at the Cambodia Factory, I didn’t sense any of those signs at all. I just thought they were being honest since they were offering cheap prices.”

“That’s understandable.”

Actually, that’s the common-sense response.

“While you were drawing the big picture, Section Chief, I was only worried about problems that would arise from contract delays.”

“Is… is that so?”

“This opportunity made me painfully aware of my lack of ability. I’ll work harder.”

Captain Dennis burning with very strong passion.

I’m really sorry to say this, but the first thought that came to mind was ‘why bother?’

‘This isn’t even his own business, so is there really a need to go that far…?’

Of course, having such an employee would be good for a boss, but honestly, shouldn’t you just work as much as you’re paid?

And from what I can see, Captain Dennis is handling more work than his salary warrants.

“Take it easy and work at a moderate pace. There’s no point in pushing yourself after seeing a special case – you’ll only lose out.”

“I’ll keep that in mind!”

It was sincere advice, but it didn’t seem to have much effect.

“Is visiting Saerom Trading Company the first item on today’s schedule?”

“Yes, the Transportation Battalion agreed to send a carriage as soon as it turns 8 AM.”

“This actually works.”

As I mentioned before, the Transportation Battalion will lend horses but rarely lends carriages.

This isn’t negligence of duty – it’s orders from above.

‘Don’t waste resources unnecessarily.’

The military has that kind of thing.

A Lieutenant takes a carriage once?

Then the Lieutenant Colonel will also demand a carriage next time he moves, out of pride.

If it continues like that, places that actually need carriages won’t be able to use them.

“Right now, if you asked for something, Section Chief, nothing would be impossible. After all, you’re a loyal subject recognized by His Majesty the Emperor himself.”

“Please don’t do that unless your purpose is to tease me.”

‘Why did the Emperor write my name in the imperial decree and cause this mess?’

The content is long and gives me a headache to read in full, so let me excerpt just the parts about me.

【Lieutenant Paran Oclo’s noble spirit of sacrifice and loyalty as a soldier in the operation…】

【Lieutenant Paran Oclo’s behavior of taking the lead is a model for soldiers…】

.

Just thinking about it gives me a headache.

‘Sigh, I don’t know. Whatever will be, will be.’

Is this just a day or two thing?

The code of conduct in times like this is to just stay quiet as a mouse.

“Loyalty!”

“Loyalty! I saw the imperial decree. You really accomplished something incredible.”

.

.

Department members coming in one after another.

Especially those who left early yesterday were belatedly offering their congratulations.

“It’s nothing special, so you don’t need to worry about it.”

“As expected… someone who has accumulated countless achievements remains as calm as usual.”

‘No. That’s not what I meant by that.’

Whatever I said would only be interpreted strangely.

‘Let’s just run away.’

A struggle to survive.

And since the Director would surely come soon, I hurriedly grabbed my coat.

“Captain Bern, let’s go to that Saerom Factory I mentioned yesterday.”

“Right now, sir…?”

“Yeah, there’s a carriage waiting downstairs. Didn’t you prepare it?”

“I did prepare everything yesterday.”

“Then hurry up.”

“Yes…!”

Captain Bern gathered his documents and followed me out.

As we walked down the stairs to the first floor, I heard a familiar voice.

“Well, well, to think someone who achieves such distinguished merit would emerge from our investigation team. I knew from the beginning…”

Even a passing cat would recognize the Director’s voice.

I quickened my pace.

“Hurry, walk faster.”

“What’s the rush for…?”

‘Ugh, this clueless guy.’

Even running away requires teamwork, but Captain Bern is lacking in this area.

“Loyalty! I’m Sergeant Regon who will be serving you!”

“I see. Please take care of us. We don’t have much time, so let’s depart quickly. You know the destination, right?”

“Yes!”

I hurriedly climbed into the carriage.

Just as the wheels began to roll, I caught sight of the Director coming down the stairs.

“I’m saved.”

He wouldn’t be crazy enough to chase after us on horseback, so this was a temporary reprieve.

‘Should I take sick leave this afternoon and escape?’

Honestly, I’d like to take about a week’s vacation until things calm down, but reality isn’t so generous.

“Manager, I was thinking about it last night. The price for lightweight plate armor seems to be set too high.”

“Lightweight plate armor?”

“Yes, if you look, there’s only a 1 gold difference from regular plate armor. But the materials used are clearly about half the amount just by looking.”

“Hmm.”

Looking at the documents Captain Bern brought, something did seem fishy.

‘For a full set, regular plate is 10 gold, lightweight plate is 9 gold. That is strange.’

The fishy smell was blatantly obvious.

“We’ll just switch this to bidding when the contract expires.”

“That would be best.”

Captain Bern started frantically writing something in the notebook he brought.

‘Why is he working so hard too?’

It was clear he’d received the same strange motivation as Captain Dennis.

‘Seriously, why are they all acting like this? Let’s take it easy.’

The department’s direction was flowing completely opposite to what I wanted.

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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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