I Became an Officer in Another World in Just 5 Minutes - Chapter 204
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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 204
“I’ll trust and wait for good results this time as well.”
“Yes, I’ll come to report when there are results.”
Robin gave his greetings and left the office.
“Phew.”
Robin mounted his horse and let out a deep sigh while shaking his head.
“Does this mean I won’t be able to handle it with my own hands?”
He had deliberately not pursued an assassination operation to watch him die in agony on the battlefield.
But with pressure coming from both ducal families, there was no choice.
“There’s a limit to conspicuous actions, but as expected, they’re foolish.”
Robin twisted up the corner of his mouth as he pulled the reins.
* * *
Thud thud thud thud!
“Your Highness, we sincerely congratulate you on conquering Belzium Castle!!!”
“The moment we heard the news at the Imperial Palace, our entire bodies trembled with excitement.”
“His Majesty is waiting! Please enter.”
The South Gate of the capital Derpfia.
Although no separate triumph ceremony was planned, perhaps because of that, the ministers hurriedly came out to the city gate to welcome us—or more precisely, the Crown Prince.
‘Ugh, social life is tough. So tough.’
Well, that’s how they climbed to those positions.
How could they stand out if they just waited quietly at the Imperial Palace?
There are reasons for all success.
“It was a battle where I felt many shortcomings. You didn’t prepare anything special, did you?”
“Yes, of course. Though we couldn’t stop the citizens from coming out to see Your Highness.”
“I’m aware of that much. Let’s go in.”
“Yes!!”
Thud thud thud!
The city gate opened almost like an automatic door as soon as the Crown Prince grabbed his horse’s reins.
Naturally, there was no need for inspection or anything like that.
“It’s His Highness the Crown Prince. I heard he was coming today, but he’s just arriving now?”
“Is that person behind him the young master of the Oclo Comital Family who achieved merit again this time? My, that’s truly unbelievable.”
“Honey, isn’t that the person who received the military decoration in the Yalc Island battle?”
“Yes, I heard he achieved merit again this time. He developed a carriage to solve the food problem and the city wall…”
This time, I heard quite a lot of talk about me.
‘The Emperor did write the imperial edict rather grandly.’
It was almost the same length as the Crown Prince’s, which was an absurd level.
‘But the atmosphere feels different from last time somehow.’
Well, that’s natural.
Last time was a proper triumph ceremony with full preparation, but this time we’re just quietly entering.
“The Deputy Commander must be disappointed. You can’t stay attached to Lieutenant Paran anymore, can you?”
The Crown Prince, who was riding a horse instead of a carriage, turned his head to look alternately at Deputy Commander Jentom and me.
“Still, I’ve memorized all the movements in my head. Moreover, while we’re in the capital, the Lieutenant will often come to my manor, so I plan to ask then.”
“The Deputy Commander will use up all his saved vacation days.”
“Haha, I was planning to do that anyway, so please take care of me.”
Deputy Commander Jentom looked at me with a good-natured laugh.
I really didn’t like it.
‘Please don’t look for me.’
It was nice to be somewhat freed from Colonel Schultz’s hellish training during the journey.
But that was only until the second day.
From the third day, everything went wrong when the Crown Prince, who had obtained information that Deputy Commander Jentom was learning swordsmanship from me, came out saying he wanted to train together.
‘Sigh, it was really tough.’
Especially when the Crown Prince asked for a sparring match, I thought I was going crazy.
“Those two weeks disappeared in an instant thanks to the Lieutenant.”
“Ha…haha, I feel the same way, Your Highness.”
I answered with an awkward laugh to the Crown Prince’s words.
“The Imperial Palace is a difficult place to visit, but don’t feel burdened and come visit comfortably anytime. We’re at similar skill levels, aren’t we?”
“Yes…”
Honestly, the Crown Prince is perfect as a sparring partner.
But no means no.
“Kid, you’re popular.”
Agnes, who had been hard to see, spoke to me from the side this time.
“I’m naturally like that.”
“Oh? This little thing.”
“I’m taller though.”
Of course, if Agnes’s height were converted to male standards, she’d probably be much taller than me.
She clearly looks over 170cm.
“I’m really so envious. By the way, don’t you know how to shoot a bow?”
“I know the basics, but I’m not particularly skilled.”
Since the path I’d walked so far was always close combat, I didn’t have the leisure to develop archery skills.
‘Come to think of it, there’s nothing as sweet as archery.’
Isn’t it a selfish position where you just shoot from far away?
Naturally, the survival rate would be at least three times higher than using a sword.
“Any thoughts of learning?”
“Are you offering to teach me?”
A monster-level expert skilled enough to enter the Imperial Knights with just archery.
If this woman offered to teach, I’d make time even where there was none…
“Me? I absolutely hate teaching others. Find someone good to learn from yourself. I’ll give you a skill evaluation later.”
Agnes rejected without a moment’s hesitation.
‘Then why ask and get people’s hopes up?’
Really hopeless.
After that, we just had trivial conversations while heading to the Imperial Palace.
We walked from the main gate toward Aladictol where the Emperor was waiting.
“His Highness the Crown Prince and the meritorious subjects who conquered Belzium Castle have returned!!”
Thud thud!
The massive doors of Aladictol slowly opened, revealing the magnificent interior scenery.
‘Wow, so this is the famous Aladictol.’
Not only was everything covered in gold, but there were also splendid ceiling paintings.
The space itself was art.
Step step step
The Crown Prince walking in front.
And I, as the first meritorious subject, followed behind him.
‘This position is quite burdensome.’
And even more burdensome than this were the countless gazes of nobles directed at me.
‘Why did they gather so many people?’
Of course, I expected it from when they called us to Aladictol, famous for being spacious, but this was still too many.
“I report the battle results to His Majesty the Emperor, the Sun of the Empire!”
The Crown Prince knelt before the Emperor.
I and the other meritorious subjects all knelt in the same manner.
“We collapsed the city walls to conquer the enemy’s Belzium Castle while simultaneously annihilating 30,000 enemy troops!”
Results that could be seen as somewhat brutal.
However, this couldn’t be helped.
There was a reason for what happened.
“The Imperial Army’s casualties are 9,832 killed in action, 4,722 severely wounded, and 11,844 lightly wounded! That concludes my report.”
Unlike outside, since only nobles were gathered here, everyone was watching the Emperor’s expression and didn’t burst into cheers.
‘Honestly, it’s not a small amount of casualties, but we won, so it’s fine.’
Just imagine if we had lost and were kneeling here instead.
It would be truly terrifying.
“You’ve worked hard. I have no doubt you learned much from this opportunity.”
“Yes, I felt my shortcomings and will not repeat them twice.”
“That’s good enough.”
After the Emperor finished speaking to the Crown Prince, he stood up from his seat and looked around at the nobles.
“Belzium Castle, which we have desired for so long, has finally fallen into our hands today. However, the process was not smooth.”
The Emperor’s voice dominated this vast Aladictol without even using an amplification magical device.
His experience truly shows.
“Incompetent tactics and decision-making processes. Without Lieutenant Paran Oclo, our army of 70,000 would have been left floating uselessly.”
My name came up naturally.
Well, it’s true.
“Thanks to that, we were able to identify our shortcomings while taking less painful hits. And this aspect will definitely be improved.”
At the Emperor’s words, the corners of my mouth unconsciously lifted slightly.
‘Yes, that’s it. You’re finally coming to your senses.’
Of course, he didn’t say how he would improve things.
But since the Emperor isn’t a fool, there must be some meaningful policy.
‘At least we won’t go backwards.’
Personally, I think this is rock bottom.
“Since today is a day to celebrate, I’ll discuss these matters again later. Crown Prince.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“You did better than I expected. Hold your shoulders high and proudly savor the victory.”
“Thank you!”
In a way, it was recognition and praise.
The Crown Prince answered in a pleased voice and bowed his head.
Then, where the Emperor’s gaze turned next was obvious.
“Lieutenant Paran Oclo.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“You have truly rendered great service once again. Honestly, it’s beyond surprising—it’s even marvelous.”
If what the Crown Prince received was praise.
What was pouring down on me was a kind of high praise.
“It was all possible thanks to Your Majesty’s support and encouragement.”
“Looking at you makes me understand why the first Emperor trusted Hamus so much.”
‘No. That man didn’t trust him at all.’
He probably felt murderous impulses, what kind of trust relationship could there have been?
“Ha… haha, you flatter me.”
“Moreover, your greatest strength is that you’re still so young. You have the charm that makes me eagerly anticipate what more excellent achievements you’ll accumulate.”
Is he planning to skip giving me a reward?
His words were getting long.
‘This feels a bit cheap.’
However, fortunately, the Emperor is someone who’s clear about rewards and punishments.
“What to give you. I’ve been deeply troubled about it.”
What was there to be troubled about?
Just a discharge certificate would do.
“How could I expect a reward for actions taken as a single soldier? A single word from Your Majesty saying ‘well done’ would be sufficient.”
By the way, that’s not true.
‘Will I get a marquis title?’
Honestly, it’s the reward I’ve been thinking about since departing for the capital.
This time, the chances for a marquis title really came out strong.
‘If I just get the marquis title, it’s over.’
A guild that has grown in size plus a marquis title?
I’d have all the foundation to be reborn as a second Amazon.
“Oh, would that really be enough?”
The Emperor was playfully teasing me as if pleased.
Managing my expression was work.
“Ha… haha, of course.”
“But that won’t do. Not everyone in the world has such deep loyalty as you, so if we just pass it off with words, who would work for the Empire?”
The Emperor made a meaningful statement and stepped forward.
“I’m more excited about your tomorrow than today, and the day after that. So I want to look a bit further into the future.”
What exactly is he planning to give that requires so many words?
If this is a gift, it’s like wrapping it in five layers of wrapping paper.
“First, I promote Lieutenant to Lieutenant Colonel, advancing one rank. It’s an unprecedented speed of promotion, but I have no doubt that no one will complain about this.”
A promotion along with a kind of warning.
Indeed, there’s a sense that comes from experience.
“I will do my utmost to work harder and contribute to Your Majesty’s and the Empire’s victory.”
Up to here was a kind of predetermined reward.
Without much thought, I bowed my head and recited the lines I had prepared on the way here.
‘Now the important part comes next.’
From here it’s a gacha.
The best outcome would naturally be a marquis title, the worst would be settling with money.
‘Please.’
A desperate prayer.
However, since I couldn’t let it show on the outside, I was managing my expression as much as possible when.
The Emperor opened his mouth.
“Additionally, since Belzium Castle couldn’t have been captured without Lieutenant Colonel Paran, I grant Belzium Castle and its surrounding area as the Oclo Family’s domain.”
“…?!”
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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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