I Became an Officer in Another World in Just 5 Minutes - Chapter 185
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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 185
“Moreover, the enemy forces are now overextending their troops so much that they can’t even properly feed their soldiers in the fortress.”
At Baren’s words, General Wolf examined the report more closely and found the relevant information.
“Due to insufficient facilities, the catering soldiers work without rest, and recently they’ve even resorted to serving combat rations for meals because they can’t keep up.”
“If that’s how it is even in their fortress, what will happen when they march out to Belzium Castle? They’ll be feeding them nothing but combat rations three times a day.”
“Haha, these guys are complete incompetents.”
The importance of quality meals in life-or-death combat is something even a passing Lieutenant would know.
But to feed soldiers nothing but combat rations for days during an expedition?
A vertical drop in combat effectiveness is an all too natural consequence.
“Just by staying inside and holding our ground, the enemy will destroy themselves.”
“I was really being foolish thinking about requesting troop reinforcements. Let’s proceed as planned.”
Having confirmed that the most important aspect of warfare – meal distribution – had collapsed.
Even the slightest possibility of defeat vanished from General Wolf’s mind.
“I knew they’d act stupidly when I heard that young Crown Prince was leading them, but I didn’t expect it to be this bad. Well, you have to experience hunger to know that misery.”
“Exactly. Entrusting the Empire’s future to a greenhorn. I’m grateful, but I almost feel sorry for the enemy soldiers.”
The commanders nodded in agreement with General Wolf’s words.
“They should blame their fate for being born on that side. Everyone double-check our defenses to prepare for any unexpected variables.”
“Yes!!”
Having confirmed that the enemy lacked this crucial element.
The meeting ended with the decision not to request troop reinforcements.
After finishing his schedule and returning to his office, Baren spread out a map showing Belzium Castle and the surrounding terrain.
“The enemy must have some plan too.”
Though he thinks the Crown Prince is a fool, that doesn’t mean their entire command is foolish.
Especially Major General Gadus.
As the person who left him with the humiliation of defeat, Baren was determined to achieve victory at all costs in this battle.
“If I were the enemy.”
Baren closed his eyes and put himself in the position of attacking Belzium Castle.
‘They wouldn’t dig tunnels with an army of 70,000, and water sources are secured so that’s not a problem. The best option would be.’
Baren opened his eyes and placed his hand on Belzium Castle marked on the map.
“The best strategy would be to attack from four directions with overwhelming force.”
Of course, they might have hidden weapons.
However, whatever they brought, Baren believed that Belzium Castle’s walls were solid and the 30,000 troops defending them were insurmountable.
“I’m somewhat looking forward to it. To see what approach they’ll take.”
Baren smiled and looked away from the map.
* * *
“Lieutenant, how do you like them? These are the five types of carriages made from the blueprints that Peram gave us.”
The carriage workshop on the outskirts of Rimircastle.
This place is now run by Lieutenant Peram’s family, and the person in front of me is Peram’s father, Cols.
‘Wow, he doesn’t look like his dad at all.’
Unlike the small Peram, Cols is, how should I put it.
The very embodiment of a muscular tough guy.
“They’re not as big as I thought they’d be.”
“Yes, there’s no benefit to making carriages too large. Standard specifications are the best.”
“Well, that’s true.”
There’s a reason standards exist.
They’re a common agreement, and all roads are built accordingly.
‘Since we won’t just use them once and throw them away, it’s better to get close to standard even if we can’t match it perfectly.’
In that regard, Lieutenant Peram and Corporal Ret did an excellent job with the design.
“We installed the cooking equipment from the place you specified and secured it. We tested it too, and it works well.”
“Good.”
When I went to the meat-grilling carriage and lightly pressed the heating plate, heat immediately rose.
‘So the smoke generated here will escape through the ceiling and the windows on the sides?’
For reference, all five types of carriages were designed so the ceiling could be opened halfway.
“Everyone get up there and run a simulation, thinking about cooking.”
“Yes!!”
The Catering Company soldiers I brought along and Sergeant Colton climbed onto the carriages and began examining them thoroughly.
And their conclusion was.
“This seems really good. Cooking here would be almost as efficient as in the culinary facility.”
“Actually, the shorter movement paths might make it even faster if ingredients come in promptly.”
Everyone seemed satisfied.
Looking at their expressions, they were being sincere, not lying.
“Then let’s finalize this and begin carriage production. The contract… Ion.”
“Yeah, I’ve prepared everything. As we discussed before, you can make 50 units here, right?”
Cols nodded and answered Ion’s question.
“Yes, if we stop all other contracts and put in our full effort, we can manage up to 50 units per week.”
Just 50 units in one week.
It’s practically a miraculous production rate.
“Good. The price can stay as we discussed before, right?”
“Oh my! I’d be so grateful if you do that.”
His face bloomed with a bright smile – naturally he’d react that way.
The price we set per carriage this time is 30 percent higher than market rate.
‘You’re making them quickly for us.’
Plus, they’re installing the cooking equipment here too, so honestly I don’t think it’s a huge loss.
“Then let’s sign right away.”
“Yes!”
Cols took out a pen from his pocket and signed the contract, then it was my turn.
“Team leader, you sign too.”
“Yes.”
By adding my name to the documents Ion gave me, the first contract was sealed.
‘How is it that this doesn’t seem much different from what I was doing at the Western Support Unit?’
If anything, it feels like I’ve gotten a bit busier.
Anyway, we’d broken ground.
After making similar contracts with all the carriage-making companies and returning to Command Post with the prototype.
And the person to show this prototype to was naturally.
“Haha! So you cook here like this? Seeing it in person makes it even more impressive.”
The Crown Prince examined the five types of carriages enthusiastically, as if he’d discovered some interesting toy.
“Is this where you make soup?”
“That’s correct, Your Highness.”
“This one doesn’t seem like much.”
“That’s where we’ll prepare ingredients or handle vegetables like salads.”
“It can be used for various purposes.”
“Yes.”
I was planning to show him briefly and then escape to the Infantry Battalion, but he showed no intention of leaving.
‘Don’t tell me he’s going to cook something here…’
“I can’t just stand still seeing something like this. It’s a bit early, but bring some meat. I’ll grill some and share it with everyone.”
‘Oh, crazy bastard. Really crazy bastard.’
The words I’d feared actually came out of the Crown Prince’s mouth.
A severe headache hit me.
“Your… Your Highness, how can you cook personally…”
Major General Gadus tried to stop him with a trembling voice, but once the Crown Prince sets his mind on something, he’s just stubborn as a mule.
“This isn’t cooking, it’s testing our military’s new strategic weapon, isn’t it.”
“That may be true, but.”
“Don’t eat too much, and since it’s before lunch, just take light bites.”
“Yes….”
Major General Gadus nodded weakly as he replied.
After that, the meat was set up in truly no time at all.
The Crown Prince personally took the meat and stood in front of the heating plate.
“Ah.”
“Sigh.”
Everyone was looking at the Crown Prince with anxious eyes, which was only natural.
The cooking equipment he was about to use was a heating plate so hot that even the slightest touch would cause burns.
‘If he makes a mistake and injures himself… at minimum a written reprimand.’
At maximum… I’m not sure.
“Your… Your Highness, let me help you.”
Finally, Major General Gadus, unable to watch any longer, stepped forward.
The Crown Prince looked at him with surprised eyes.
“Major General, do you know how to cook?”
‘Hey, if you can do it, why couldn’t Major General Gadus?’
A major general has at least 30 years of military service, so he’d have to be a master at grilling meat.
“I was quite good at grilling meat when I was a junior officer, so I was always in charge of the meat at company dinners.”
“Oh, then I’ll have to see your skills. I’ll put it on, so Major General, please watch over it.”
“Under… Understood.”
Major General Gadus replied with a trembling voice, and I immediately understood how he felt.
‘He probably wants to do it all himself.’
He definitely wants to pick up the Crown Prince and throw him out of the carriage right now.
“Alright, here I go.”
After confirming the heat had risen sufficiently, the Crown Prince used tongs to place the meat on the heating plate.
Sizzzzzzle!
A sound that would normally be music to the ears.
But today, it didn’t register at all.
Anyway, after that, more pieces of meat filled the heating plate.
Major General Gadus watched for the right timing and diligently flipped the meat.
‘Even the Major General is having a hard time.’
The weight of being a family head is always heavy.
“Is this one fully cooked?”
The Crown Prince pointed to the meat that Major General Gadus had moved to the side.
“Yes, that’s right. Please try a piece first.”
Major General Gadus put the meat on a plate and handed it to the Crown Prince.
“Oh, then I’ll taste it first.”
The Crown Prince, in very good spirits, stabbed it with a fork and put it in his mouth.
Major General Gadus watched anxiously.
‘He probably has incredibly picky taste.’
Princess Rene did enjoy the meat that Corporal Ret grilled, but that was because she’s the Princess.
The Crown Prince is a demon, isn’t he.
“Mm-hmm.”
Still taking care of his health, the Crown Prince chewed the meat thoroughly before swallowing.
His reaction was.
“Oh, eating this outdoors makes it even more delicious. The doneness is just right, and I can see why the Major General used to be in charge of the meat.”
Words close to high praise.
Major General Gadus seemed to lose strength in his legs as his body sagged slightly.
“Ha… haha, it’s an honor, Your Highness.”
“Others should try this too. Ah! That’s right! Where is Lieutenant Paran.”
My name coming from the Crown Prince’s mouth, damn it all.
I sighed inwardly and stepped forward.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“The Lieutenant was the one who thought of this carriage, wasn’t he. Here, have one and continue working hard in the future.”
The Crown Prince personally served me meat with his own tongs.
“Thank you. I will continue to work hard.”
Saying words with absolutely no sincerity, I received the most burdensome piece of meat in the world.
‘I really am having all kinds of experiences.’
I really want to be discharged so badly.
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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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