I Became an Officer in Another World in Just 5 Minutes - Chapter 21

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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 21

Threatening someone with a sword really has no answer.

“I’ll give it my best effort.”

“Good thing we can communicate. I’ve prepared a carriage in front of the bar, so take it and head straight to the Western Front.”

‘Did he set everything up in advance?’

I feel like I’m completely dancing in the palm of his hand.

“Yes…”

“By the way, can you handle a sword? Since it’s an infantry battalion, you might have to fight enemies directly.”

“I know a little. I did learn at the Training Camp.”

We had a total of three sword training sessions called 1st, 2nd, and 3rd swordsmanship.

‘It was just a taste.’

We only learned how to hold a sword and basic cutting movements, so it’s not much different from not having learned at all.

“A little, huh. The Training Camp period was two weeks, wasn’t it? I can see it without even looking.”

Eden clicked his tongue and poured alcohol into his mouth.

‘It looks like he’s almost finishing a whole bottle by himself.’

He’s a real heavy drinker.

“Ha…haha, it can’t be helped since it’s wartime.”

“I’ll tell you now, learn from the field agent. Even though that guy is single-minded, his swordsmanship skills are at special forces level.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

I hate physical training, but swordsmanship is essential to survive at the front.

“Well then, let’s get up.”

Eden confirmed the bottle was empty and went to the counter to pay for the drinks.

“It came to 70 silver, so just give me 35 silver.”

“What…?”

“That reaction – don’t tell me you expect me to pay for everything? I’m living on a measly soldier’s salary.”

“Ah… well.”

‘No, shouldn’t you naturally pay for it?’

Not only is he my superior, but he chose both the menu and the establishment.

On top of that, about 80% of the alcohol went into his stomach.

I was so dumbfounded I could barely speak.

“Do nobles have a culture of one person paying for everything because they have a lot of money?”

“It’s not like that. I don’t have any silver.”

I opened my coin purse, but there was only gold and no silver.

“You live in a different world.”

“Ha…haha, please calculate with this.”

With the staff’s help, I paid the unfair Dutch treat and left the store.

‘What a real troublemaker.’

It’s not quite enough to call him a jerk, but he just doesn’t seem right in the head.

“That’s the carriage, so get on, and let’s try to see each other alive next time too.”

Just like with General Chelsa, always a farewell that prepares for the worst.

Just from this part, I could get a glimpse of how dangerous the work the Intelligence Agency does.

“I’ll see you again with a smiling face.”

“Heh, yeah. I’ll be looking forward to it.”

I bowed my head in greeting and got on the carriage.

Clatter!

The carriage departed without a word and ran non-stop toward the west.

*    *    *

“Haah.”

Ten days of travel with a coachman at the level of silent meditation.

It was hell without any romanticization of the past.

‘My back is killing me.’

There was no shock absorption system, so I had to feel every stone on the road.

To make matters worse, it even rained, and the ceiling leaked water because of how carelessly the carriage was maintained.

‘It’s really a miracle that I arrived safely.’

The entrance to the 3rd Division base.

The first thing that caught my eye were soldiers standing guard so densely it was suffocating.

‘Coming here from the capital, this really is just a battlefield.’

Carriages loaded with military supplies busily coming and going.

I somewhat understood Captain Eden’s words that the war had already begun.

“Please show your pass.”

When I tried to enter through the main gate, a soldier with a sword blocked my way.

“I’m Lieutenant Paran, newly commissioned to the 1st Infantry Battalion of the Ground Operations Regiment, but I haven’t received my pass yet.”

“Ah, please wait a moment.”

“Yes, take your time.”

As I stood waiting quietly, another soldier inside the building opened a window and gave an okay sign.

“It’s been confirmed. Instead of a pass, you can show your identification tag.”

Since I always carry my identification tag, I took it out from my chest and handed it to the soldier.

“Wow.”

The soldier let out a small exclamation as if the red identification tag symbolizing nobility was fascinating.

“I’ve contacted the battalion, so if you wait inside, an escort officer will come.”

“Thank you.”

I got my identification tag back and entered the waiting room to sit in an empty seat.

‘Is it because it’s the west? It’s a bit hot.’

It would be nice if there were cooling magic devices equivalent to air conditioning, but they wouldn’t be installed in just a waiting room.

“Are you Lieutenant Paran?”

While I was resting against the chair for a moment, the waiting room door opened and an officer wearing two diamond insignia entered.

“Loyalty! I am Lieutenant Paran Oclo, newly commissioned to the 3rd Division!”

Just by looking, this was clearly the escort officer the soldier mentioned.

Without time to hesitate, I stood up from my seat and saluted sharply.

“I’m Lieutenant Alpen, Vanguard Company commander. We’re going straight to the battalion, so gather your things and come out.”

“Understood!”

Friendly tone, he seemed to have quite a good personality.

“You can ride a horse, right?”

“Yes, I can do it to some extent.”

Although I didn’t learn it at the Training Camp, there isn’t a single noble who can’t ride a horse.

Of course, I learned it too, and that memory remains clearly in my head.

“Horses keep to the left within the base, so be careful and follow me.”

The lieutenant departed first, and I followed behind, riding my horse.

-Neigh!

As I recalled the memories and gradually increased speed, the horse suddenly shook its body violently.

‘Damn it, why is this guy acting like this?’

Is it the gap between memory and experience?

I knew the theory of what to do, but my body couldn’t immediately follow.

“Are you sure you know how to ride…?”

“Y-yes, please wait just a moment.”

I slowly calmed the horse, and since I didn’t increase speed, there were no additional problems.

‘I’ll have to practice later.’

Horseback riding is also a necessary skill for survival, so it’s essential, not optional.

“This is the main building of the infantry battalion you’ll belong to.”

A spacious building and grounds about 3 stories high.

Maybe it was because it was an infantry unit, but there were quite a lot of soldiers moving around.

Especially on one side of the training ground, training was in progress, and seeing that made me start to feel dizzy PTSD coming on.

“Your expression doesn’t look good. Are you disappointed because the building is too old-fashioned?”

“Ah… no sir. This is, well, excellent.”

“Excellent my ass, it’s a poor environment without a single proper facility.”

Lieutenant Alpen shook his head and entered the building.

“On the first floor there’s the armory, maintenance room, and main conference room. Well, the battalion building isn’t that big, so you’ll get used to it after walking around for about a day.”

He waved his hands dismissively as if annoyed.

His way of speaking felt somewhat like a neighborhood older brother.

‘But looking at this guy now, his arm muscles are no joke.’

Thick forearms clearly visible as he had rolled up his military uniform sleeves since it was summer.

Indeed, there was a reason he became the vanguard company commander.

“On the second floor is the Battalion Commander’s Office… since we’re talking about it, let’s report in first.”

“Right now…?”

Not just any battalion commander, but a traitor.

Of course the lieutenant doesn’t know that fact so he wouldn’t think much of it, but my situation is different.

“Is there some problem? He’s a very good person, so just go in comfortably and come out.”

“Ha… haha, understood.”

If I backed out any more here, it might look strange, so I nodded and stood in front of the Battalion Commander’s Office.

‘Calm down. I don’t know the fact that the battalion commander inside is a traitor.’

I organized my complicated thoughts and knocked on the door.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

“This is newly commissioned Lieutenant Paran Oclo. May I enter?”

“Come in.”

A low baritone voice that came as soon as I finished speaking.

I squeezed my eyes shut as I opened the door and stepped inside.

“Loyalty!”

I saluted immediately upon entering.

Seeing the appearance of a newly commissioned lieutenant who hadn’t fully shed his training camp habits, Lieutenant Olmen, who had been sitting in his chair, stood up.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Olmen, the battalion commander of this infantry battalion. You must have had a hard time coming all the way here from the capital.”

He extended his hand toward me, having a surprisingly kind impression that went well with his baritone voice.

“Not at all!”

“Haha, good spirit. Let’s consider the formal reporting procedure done and sit comfortably.”

The first truly gentle person I’d seen since coming to the military.

His appearance was so far from that of a traitor that I began to feel confused for a moment.

‘Intelligence Agency bastards, aren’t they targeting the wrong person right now?’

Didn’t our country also used to send innocent people to prison and kill them, calling them spies?

These guys have plenty of potential for that too.

“Thank you!”

I sat rigidly upright on the sofa Olmen pointed to, maintaining perfect posture.

“How long did it take to get here from the capital?”

“About ten days.”

“Usually we allow two weeks, so you came quite strenuously.”

Very casual conversation continued and the atmosphere gradually began to relax.

“I heard you were going to the Eastern Coastal Guard Battalion but came west after receiving His Majesty the Emperor’s orders. What bad luck.”

“Ha… haha, not at all.”

If I were to explain my current situation, it wouldn’t be much different from the facts.

I was going to the Eastern Coastal Guard Battalion to have an easy time, but got caught by the Emperor and had my assignment changed to the Western 3rd Division.

Of course, the fact that the Intelligence Agency was involved in the middle is classified information.

“Still, having the training camp’s second-place graduate come gives me peace of mind. The western front has been short-staffed recently.”

“Is… is that so?”

Do you know what being short-staffed means?

It means the soldiers currently here are each doing the work of two people.

“Lieutenant Alpen will guide you well as your senior officer, so don’t worry too much and adapt well.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

“Good. Let’s have a meal together sometime later.”

After finishing the conversation and greeting the battalion commander, I left the room.

‘Wait… is he really a traitor?’

Isn’t he too sweet and doesn’t seem like a shallow person?

‘The personnel file says he’s a gambling addict, but these guys really seem to have the wrong person.’

Gambling my ass.

He seems like the type who would enjoy reading books at home after work.

“All done?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I’ll introduce you to the others too, so follow me.”

Following Lieutenant Alpen, I made rounds all morning greeting people including the Sergeant Major.

The reactions were mostly very favorable.

Actually, they couldn’t be hostile.

The surname after my name is from the Oclo Family, which they could never even dine at the same table with in their lifetime.

“First time I’ve seen that picky old man smile while dealing with someone. Anyway, these guys blinded by promotion. Tsk.”

“Ha… haha, is that so?”

After greeting the Regimental Operations Officer and coming out, the lieutenant clicked his tongue as if disgusted.

“The regimental commander position is vacant so you can greet him next week, now let’s go to the company.”

“Um, but will I be assigned to your company?”

“If not, why would I be dragging a lieutenant around?”

“That’s… true.”

It was obvious and I knew it, but I asked because I wanted to deny reality.

‘Damn, the vanguard company is really not good.’

Just look at the name.

I already don’t like that it’s an infantry battalion, and on top of that, vanguard.

It means standing at the very front, so isn’t it the company that dies first?

“Is there a problem?”

“None! Let’s go. Haha.”

I laughed awkwardly and followed the lieutenant to the vanguard company located at the far right end of the infantry battalion.

‘This is… where I’m supposed to work?’

A shabby single-story building with red bricks that looked like it could collapse at any moment.

Just looking at it made me feel dizzy.

“You’ll adapt as you live here.”

I don’t think I’ll adapt at all, but what can a mere lieutenant do about it?

Sighing inwardly, I was introduced to the company office, my workspace, and finally the squad members.

“I’m Assistant Squad Leader Corporal Difon.”

“I’m Sergeant Malik, in charge of the 1st Squad.”

“I’m Sergeant Gallit of the 2nd Squad.”

“I’m Corporal Erok of the 3rd Squad.”

As I shook hands with the personnel in the platoon, everyone’s eyes seemed somewhat disapproving.

‘Maybe they don’t trust me much since I’m a new second lieutenant.’

Having served as an enlisted soldier, I could clearly see these people’s psychology.

‘Well, I also… treated new sergeants and new second lieutenants like baggage when they came, so I can’t really complain.’

But honestly, though it sounds bad to say this, they are baggage.

They can’t work as well as a private first class but take up space as officers.

Honestly, could they possibly view him favorably?

And what if, as an officer, he gave unreasonable orders to soldiers who enlisted before him or scolded them?

From that point on, they’d just treat him like a ghost.

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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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