I Became an Officer in Another World in Just 5 Minutes - Chapter 165

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

Episode 165

“Everyone here, listen carefully.”

Seto Count raised his head and swept his eyes over the gathered commanders.

“Do you think His Majesty the Emperor gave you those stars on your shoulders just to stupidly issue two types of orders: charge and retreat?”

Each word pierced their hearts like needles, yet Seto Count hadn’t even begun.

“You can oppose tactics. But opposition without any alternatives, or only one-dimensional arguments—I don’t know how to understand the value of your existence.”

Seto Count turned his head and looked down at Major General Matters.

“I do not trust you. And don’t expect trust at this point. Believing in you incompetent fools who have failed at every opportunity would be difficult even for your mothers.”

Trembling.

Had these men with their almighty military stars ever been insulted to this degree in recent years?

I guarantee no one will be there.

“Don’t argue with me, just do as you’re told. When I can see your usefulness, then I’ll give you the right to offer opinions. Understood, Chancellor?”

“Yes…!”

It’s shameful, and it’s not that I have nothing to say.

Captain Delf gave only a brief reply and bowed his head.

“The preparations for this operation will be handled by the staff headquarters led by Major Baren Seto and myself. You should focus on troop management while detailed instructions are being issued.”

“Yes.”

“Let’s end the meeting here. Next time you speak, think a little first. Your head isn’t just for decoration, is it? You need to be on the same level to have any kind of conversation. Tsk tsk.”

Duke Seto clicked his tongue as if finding it pathetic and left the conference room.

A meeting that was all stick and no carrot.

Captain Delf bit his lip hard and rose from his seat.

“Some people might feel strange emotions, but bear with it. Endure until the end.”

If you don’t endure this here, there won’t be anyone who will take your side.

“Chancellor, even so, having Major Varen devise tactics is just bloodline….”

Just as General Matters was about to continue speaking.

He stopped speaking under Captain Delf’s irritated gaze.

“Just do as you’re told… Hah, shit. If you think that way, then have the general go and talk to them. I don’t think that’s right.”

“I’m… I’m sorry.”

“Just keep your mouth shut. If that’s too hard for you, I’ll break one of your bones and keep you locked up somewhere. I’ll do the talking.”

From then on, there was no such thing as opposition in any meeting conducted by Duke Seto.

The operation began to be prepared at a rapid pace.

“Master Kong, it’s been such a long time since I’ve seen you. You’ve grown up so wonderfully.”

“Haha, no. It’s been almost three years, but you haven’t changed at all.”

An eye-catching sensual checkered shirt and dark navy shoes.

This extraordinary man’s name is Marco.

It’s the famous Midas touch.

‘It’s exactly the same as the memory in my head.’

I know he’s over forty, but he’s literally hip.

“Working busily with young people gives me energy and helps me keep going. Still, I’m getting gray hair these days.”

“That’s just a new kind of style, isn’t it?”

“Haha! That’s right. With divorce rates rising again recently, isn’t there increasing demand for stylish clothing that suits middle-aged men?”

“I…Is that so?”

“I happen to be around that age myself, so I’m preparing for it directly.”

By the way, just because Marco is preparing clothes right now doesn’t mean he only does clothing.

Women’s perfume, bags, convenience items, and so on.

You can assume he knows how to plan anything that makes money.

“I’m looking forward to it since Marco is preparing it.”

“Yes, and we’re naturally planning to include Confucius’s uniform in this line as well.”

“Ha… haha.”

As expected, there was a reason why he suddenly brought up divorce rates.

‘She really steered the conversation this way to bring up clothes right away.’

Being so natural means you’re quite skilled.

“Can’t you picture it just by imagining it?”

“What kind of painting…?”

“Young nobles and commoners alike will wear Confucian robes, adorning the imperial capital. This will elevate our family’s status beyond mere profit.”

‘Is this really worth making such a big deal out of…?’

It seemed like what he said wasn’t wrong, so it wasn’t easy to know what to say.

“Is that so…?”

“What determines the landscape in the fashion industry is the flagship model. That’s why they spend astronomical amounts of money to recruit famous opera singers or young ladies renowned for their beauty.”

“Yes… I know.”

Here too, if you’re born pretty and handsome, it’s easy to make money.

Especially a woman born into nobility with the status to enter high society, and she’s pretty enough to count on your fingers?

You could say that just by breathing, dresses, jewelry, and money come pouring in.

“Such a model can be done directly by the young master, who is the next guild leader of the Oclo Trading Guild. This way, we can maintain the brand’s model permanently while also having symbolic significance….”

He was explaining the advantages.

Every single point he made was absolutely correct.

‘If a company chairman can be the model, there’s nothing better than that.’

We wouldn’t have to worry about contract renewal seasons at least.

Plus, it would generate buzz too.

“Looking at the current trend, your uniform line will definitely be a huge hit. Let’s try making it together.”

His passionate explanation.

Honestly, when he’s working this hard even though it’s not his own company, how could I refuse?

‘Damn, I was thinking of suggesting we scale down or consider other options.’

If this was a planned setup, I’ve been completely played.

“I’ll be counting on you. But what do I need to do?”

“The guild’s excellent designers will bring various clothes. You just need to look at them and choose or give feedback.”

“That much, I understand.”

Looking at it, it seems somewhat like famous chefs’ convenience store lunch boxes.

‘Just saying a word or two and lending my face.’

Well, making clothes is a professional’s domain, so how could I do that myself?

“I’ll make sure every man in the capital is wearing your uniform.”

“Ha…haha, I’ll look forward to it.”

Literally, I was both anticipating and fearful of the sales figures.

‘Succeed moderately. But don’t fail either.’

A desperate prayer.

Actually, this is all I can do.

“And this is the information about the Gartitz Trading Company you requested last week.”

“Oh, thank you.”

If the main topic of this meeting with Marco was clothes.

For me, it was the information in the envelope Marco just handed me.

‘It took a bit longer than I thought.’

Well, the Oclo Trading Guild isn’t an intelligence organization like Besinia, so it wouldn’t have been that easy.

“Let me take a look at this right now.”

“Yes, please feel free to look.”

I temporarily pushed aside the steak that came as the main course and opened the envelope to take out its contents.

【Greetings, young master. This is Haiell. The Gartitz Trading Company you requested information about is a guild that supplies raw materials including leather and cotton… Last year’s sales were 30,000 gold, showing an upward trend…】

Information written in quite detail.

As I looked through it, something seemed a bit strange.

‘Hey, why are the sales so low?’

Last year’s sales were 30,000 gold.

Of course, it’s not a small amount.

However, looking at the taxes this woman paid last year, it’s 2,000 gold.

That means she earned and took at least 5,000 gold.

‘She made 5,000 gold profit out of 30,000 gold in sales…?’

The operating profit margin is roughly 16 percent by my calculations.

‘Does this make sense?’

My knowledge might be wrong, but luckily there was a relevant expert right in front of me.

“Don’t trading companies dealing with primary materials like this have low operating profit margins?”

“Yes, since it doesn’t require special skills, there are many substitutes, so the operating profit margin is low. Even if you run it really well, it’s 7 percent, usually 4 percent.”

“Right?”

As expected, the knowledge I had was correct.

‘The average is 4 percent, so why is this woman alone at 16 percent?’

Is she supposed to be some genius merchant?

Of course, that’s not the case.

Why?

Because the answer is written below.

【Sales are generated from transactions with currently operating factories, and looking at representative ones, there are Osentid Factory, Galak Factory, David’s Blacksmith, etc.】

Places currently trading with the Gartitz Trading Company.

How could these names be so familiar?

‘They’re all military suppliers.’

Osentid Factory is currently making combat uniforms, and Galak Factory supplies military boots.

And David’s Blacksmith?

It’s the place making the lightweight plate armor that Captain Bern recently pointed out.

“You seem to have found a problem.”

“Yes, there’s a very big problem. A very big one.”

I was planning to beat them up moderately, just enough so they’d never think of messing with me again.

But this is a real catch.

“From your expression, it looks like you’ll handle it well.”

“Yes, thanks to you, it seems like it’ll be easy to resolve. My mind is at ease.”

Perhaps because the picture was drawn so clearly in my mind.

I couldn’t help but laugh.

“If you need any help, just let me know anytime.”

“Haha, thank you. Let’s eat the food first before it gets cold.”

Since I had only come out briefly during lunch break.

Marco and I just had our meal and parted ways cleanly.

* * *

“Are you closed for business? Oh, you’re here.”

At 6 PM after work hours.

I opened the door and entered David’s Blacksmith, which was closest to the Military Base and whose contract would expire in two months.

“Welcome. What brings you here? I didn’t hear that a Lieutenant was coming.”

Perhaps because it was a place that made its living from military contracts.

Even though he wouldn’t know who I was, he bowed upon seeing just my military uniform and rank insignia.

“I’m Lieutenant Paran Oclo from the Planning Division. I came because there’s something I’d like to discuss. Is the owner here right now?”

“Pa… Lieutenant Paran Oclo, you mean that decorated…”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Oh my! He’s in the back of the blacksmith right now, I’ll call him immediately!”

Upon hearing my name, the Unnamed Man hurriedly ran off somewhere.

‘Having a famous name does have this advantage.’

One of the truly few benefits, and after waiting standing for a moment, a muscular man came running to where I was.

“I’m Krek, the owner of the blacksmith! It’s an honor to meet you!”

A bronze-colored muscular body with a booming voice.

He resembled over 90% of what ordinary people would imagine a blacksmith to look like.

“I’m Lieutenant Paran Oclo. I came suddenly, but thank you for welcoming me like this. Would it be alright if we could have a brief conversation?”

“Yes…! I’ll escort you inside.”

Following the man, I entered a space that was more like a waiting room at an employment office rather than a Reception Room.

“What would you like to drink?”

“Just water is fine.”

“Yes…!”

Actually, given the time, I was craving some coffee, but I didn’t think the coffee here would be particularly excellent.

‘At times like this, instant coffee would be really nice.’

Consistent taste.

Unfortunately, they don’t have such things here.

‘Making that wouldn’t be bad either.’

I should mention it to Marco when I meet him later.

‘Buses, rakes, coffee… there’s a lot to do.’

First, I need to be discharged and become a free man, but when that might be possible.

I can’t even get a sense of it anymore.

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