I Became an Officer in Another World in Just 5 Minutes - Chapter 236

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 236
“What have you all gained from living in this place?”
I looked around at those gathered, but no one answered.
“Higher prices than other fortresses because this is the Front Line, exclusion from development projects—the list goes on and on.”
I scratched exactly where it itched.
Only then did the murmuring subside, and they began to actually focus.
“Those who know will understand, but once the war stabilizes, this place will become the domain of our Oclo Comital Family.”
It was already a well-known fact by now.
Most of them seemed aware of it.
“That is precisely why I love Belzium Castle more than anyone else, and the first thing I examined upon arriving here was your lives.”
Though truthfully, I hadn’t examined anything.
I’d only gone out with Eden and gotten pelted with eggs before returning.
“What I saw there were miners receiving meager wages despite grueling labor, deteriorated buildings that received no development support, and children trapped within the fortress walls, unable to pursue their dreams despite possessing exceptional talents.”
For the record, of these three observations, I had only directly witnessed the deteriorated buildings.
‘The buildings really are in terrible condition.’
Belzium Castle had been under direct Imperial control.
Military facilities received staggering investment, but civilian areas received virtually no funding—or so I’d heard.
‘They probably figured that developing it would be a waste if it got occupied, so they invested elsewhere instead.’
At the very least, they should have allowed people to escape.
But even that was restricted—civilian relocation was controlled under the pretext of the Front Line.
“Though this has not yet formally become our family’s domain, I overcame my fears and petitioned His Majesty the Emperor for Academy establishment, eager to help you all as soon as possible.”
It was information that couldn’t be verified in the newspapers.
The citizens’ eyes widened in surprise at this revelation.
“I explained in detail how difficult your circumstances have been, and through such efforts, I was able to obtain permission for Academy establishment. However!”
Thud!
I raised my voice and stepped forward, fixing the citizens with an intense gaze.
“While I’ve been moving frantically to build a better Belzium Castle, what have you all been doing?”
Silence followed the question.
Were they finally feeling some pangs of conscience?
Everyone turned their heads away to avoid my eyes.
“Without anything being confirmed, you treated Lyckan soldiers as murderers, threw punches, and even interfered with operations. What exactly were you thinking while living your lives?”
I looked around at the citizens, genuinely hoping someone would answer.
But no one spoke.
Not even the old man who had thrown the egg.
“Because of you, I let the Reconnaissance Command—who commits murder—slip right through my fingers, and Lyckan soldiers were gravely wounded. Right now, in my eyes, you are nothing but enemies that must be eliminated immediately.”
As my words grew sharper,
a tense silence enveloped the square.
“Therefore, at the first opportunity, I will inform His Majesty the Emperor and cancel the Academy establishment.”
“That is….”
“No…no.”
I hadn’t expected them to push back so aggressively.
The moment I announced the Academy’s cancellation, bewildered voices erupted across the Square.
‘So the Academy had been counting on this after all. Selfish bastards.’
Ah, truly repugnant.
“You have no right to it. Let me be clear: everything will remain exactly as the Adits Empire had it, and I will not touch a single thing until the day I die.”
“But….”
Since it was a declaration that directly affected their livelihoods, their expressions darkened instantly.
“That concludes this matter. Whether you remain deluded about the serial killer being a soldier from the Raikhan Empire or not, I will no longer concern myself with it. Live as you wish, and live as you have.”
I surveyed the citizens with eyes that conveyed utter contempt, then descended from the Stage without hesitation.
“Um… Lieutenant Colonel?”
I was moistening my parched throat with water I hadn’t managed to drink while speaking continuously.
The Security Captain approached me.
“Speak.”
“You must be exhausted. Are you quite all right?”
“Yes, I’m fine enough.”
My mood is rather foul, but what could possibly be wrong with me?
“We’ve arrested the citizen who had the audacity to point at you disrespectfully. What would you have us do with them?”
“Hmm.”
Pointing disrespectfully at a noble.
It is indeed a crime.
However, there’s no need to create unnecessary complications with the sentiments I’ve just instilled in these citizens.
“Simply release them, if you would. There’s no point in wasting taxpayer money on imprisonment.”
“Understood. But was everything you said on the Stage truly sincere?”
“You mean about keeping things as the Adits Empire had them?”
“Yes, truthfully… if the Academy were to be established, I was considering a long-term posting here.”
A city with an Academy would certainly be worth a long-term assignment.
‘Perfect for raising children.’
This is precisely why nobles want to establish Academies in their own Domains.
“I’m uncertain. Though I received permission, I cannot build an Academy for people who lack even a speck of loyalty toward His Majesty the Emperor, can I?”
The Security Captain nodded vigorously at my words.
“Of course, that’s absolutely correct.”
“Well, if their attitude changes somewhat, perhaps. But as things stand, I’ll proceed as I stated.”
“Thank you for informing me. I’ve had a Carriage prepared. You must be tired—please go rest.”
“Ah, thank you.”
This fellow has exceptional instincts.
‘He’ll go far.’
I’m not sure about his work competence, but what does competence matter for soldiers and security personnel anyway?
They survive on flattery and good sense.
“Please take me to the Military Base.”
“Yes, I’ll see you there safely.”
After stating my destination, I closed the small window and leaned back against the seat.
‘Why would I cancel the Academy?’
Was I insane?
I’d worked so hard to get there.
“I absolutely have to accept it.”
What I’d told the citizens was merely a form of intimidation.
‘If I don’t establish discipline now, there’s no hope.’
I despised discipline and military order more than anything in the world.
But these people’s very ideology was disrespectful, wasn’t it?
I couldn’t simply ignore it.
“But something feels a bit lacking.”
I’d already issued the threat, but not all the citizens had gathered in the Square, after all.
I needed some additional sauce to enhance this subtle flavor.
“Excuse me.”
I opened the small window I’d closed and spoke to the Coachman.
“Yes, what is it?”
“Change the destination to the Oclo Trading Company Branch, please.”
“The newly opened one in Zone 1?”
“Yes.”
The Oclo Trading Company Branch built in Zone 1, the most expensive real estate district.
Since it would eventually become my Domain, I’d chosen a prime location.
“I’ve never been there, so I might get lost….”
“It doesn’t matter. Just get me there.”
“Understood.”
I closed the window and leaned back against the seat again.
The Carriage raced forward and arrived at the destination faster than I’d anticipated.
“Thank you for your service. Keep the change.”
“Gasp…! Thank you so much!”
I generously handed over 1 gold coin and stepped out of the Carriage.
‘Here it is.’
A three-story building with a notably expansive footprint even for Zone 1.
I didn’t know what it had been used for before, but now it bore the sign of the Oclo Trading Guild.
Knock, knock.
“Is anyone here?”
As I opened the door and entered, I saw people moving about busily.
I lightly tapped an empty desk and spoke, causing several heads to turn.
“We’re not officially open yet… Gasp!”
Upon seeing my face and military uniform, an Employee’s eyes widened and she rushed over.
“Y-Young Master?”
“Is the Branch Chief here?”
“Yes…! She’s on the Third Floor!!!”
“Please speak a bit more quietly. Everyone is working.”
It was already too late.
Every employee on the first floor had their eyes fixed on me.
‘Did I arrive too suddenly?’
The unexpected visit of the chairman’s son.
What else could this be but a bolt from the blue?
‘Still, there are more employees than I expected.’
I heard they recently conducted another large-scale recruitment drive.
Truly, there’s no guild quite like ours that contributes so meaningfully to society.
“I’ll show you the way.”
“Thank you.”
I followed the employee up the staircase.
“Where were you working before?”
Since nothing is more awkward than silence, I took the initiative and asked a light question.
“I was stationed at the Rimircastle Branch.”
“I see.”
“Forty percent of the employees here transferred from Rimircastle.”
Well, given the proximity, there’s no helping that.
‘The Branch Chief must have come from Rimircastle too.’
I didn’t know who it was, but they would have sent a true veteran.
Knock knock.
Perhaps because I was present.
The employee knocked on the Headquarters Office door without a moment’s hesitation.
“Branch Chief, Young Master Paran Oclo has arrived. May he come in?”
Bang! Bang! Bang bang!
“Wait! Ah…no, just a moment.”
Before the words even finished.
An unidentifiable sound and a human voice came from inside.
Judging by the tone, it was a woman, and her voice seemed familiar somehow.
‘This is definitely…’
Click.
Just as I was recalling who the voice belonged to.
The door opened and a familiar face came into view.
“Rena…?”
“It’s been a while! Young Master.”
She had been a team member in the ambulance carriage design division, so her appearance was completely unexpected.
‘She’s only in her mid-twenties.’
Even if this world advances social careers faster than South Korea.
She’s far too young to be a Branch Chief.
“It’s humble, but please come in.”
“Sure.”
I stepped into the Headquarters Office, and it seemed the unpacking still wasn’t finished—items were scattered about everywhere.
‘It just looks dirty, honestly.’
I remembered from when we worked together that this place was quite filthy, with food waste left sitting around for a week at a time.
“Would you like some coffee?”
“Ah… that’s fine.”
I cautiously declined, suspecting the coffee beans here had long since expired.
“Then perhaps a beverage?”
“I’d appreciate some warm tea.”
Boiling it would sterilize it, wouldn’t it?
In that brief moment, I’d made what was nearly the best judgment possible.
“You became a Branch Chief at quite a young age.”
“The ambulance carriage helped me grow.”
“What’s the connection?”
“The first shipment of ambulance carriages arrives next week, and since it’s a military collaboration, we need to be involved too.”
“Ah.”
Then they’d need someone with knowledge of ambulance carriages.
It seemed they’d selected a Branch Chief from among the design team members and sent them down.
‘That’s right—life is luck.’
Opportunities come when you least expect them.
If you’re prepared, you take flight immediately.
“Isn’t this the youngest Branch Chief?”
A Branch Chief in their mid-twenties.
Have you ever heard of such a thing?
I haven’t.
“Ah, I’m not the youngest. Marco became one at twenty-three.”
“That… I see.”
How on earth could someone become a Branch Chief at twenty-three?
It’s hardly easy to even imagine.
‘Seeing things like this, our Family is definitely meritocratic.’
If the Military were like this, the war would have ended in victory long ago.
“But by the way, what brings you here?”
“Ah, right. I should talk about business.”
Having met someone from the Capital in that hellish Western Front, I’d momentarily forgotten the main purpose and just chatted.
“I’d like to run an article in the newspaper—would it be possible right away?”
“What scale are you thinking of?”
“Nothing too grand—just the Western Front level?”
Newspapers come in different types.
If you divide them by rank, the highest tier is the newspaper published directly by the Imperial Palace, which is essentially required reading.
Next comes the newspapers distributed throughout the entire Empire, which ordinary citizens read quite frequently.
‘News from the Imperial Court is terribly dull.’
In any case, going down one more level from there, we have regional newspapers divided by the Western Front and Eastern Region.
Finally, there are local newspapers, which are now often handled as branches of the regional newspaper companies.
“That much is immediately possible. What sort of content are you thinking of publishing?”
“I just went out and gathered some material earlier. Listen to these….”
I recounted what had happened in the Square, organizing it in a reasonably composed manner.
“It seems the emotions are more intense than expected.”
“That does appear to be the case. But I’m not a schoolteacher, so I don’t need to indulge their complaints, do I?”
My temperament wasn’t particularly generous.
“That’s true.”
“So here’s what we’ll publish in the newspapers: Count Oclo’s Mansion has become deeply disappointed and is canceling all support plans.”
“Canceling, you say?”
“Yes. And it would be good to include interviews with our Guild employees as well. Originally they came because of various support projects, but since everything’s been canceled, they’re planning to head back to the Capital soon.”
“You’re trying to make them anxious.”
An elite truly is an elite—the speed at which they grasped the essence was remarkable.
“Right. And casually mention what kinds of support were originally planned.”
“Understood.”
Truly one of our Family.
We understand each other.
‘Damn it, why can’t I just commute here instead?’
The fact that I had to return to the Reconnaissance Command felt unbearably bleak.
“Oh, and don’t include the Academy cancellation. Someone might seize on it and the whole thing could actually fall through.”
One always had to be careful with the Emperor.
“Yes. Even without that, there’s plenty of material to work with, so I’ll coordinate with the newspaper and have it published as quickly as possible.”
An employee who understood exactly what I wanted and moved proactively.
Ah, truly wonderful.

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