I Became an Officer in Another World in Just 5 Minutes - Chapter 238

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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 238
I could have sworn he was explaining something just moments ago, yet now he says it’s finished.
What on earth is this supposed to mean?
‘How bewildering.’
He probably stopped mid-explanation because I’m his superior and he grew nervous.
‘I should preserve his dignity.’
If I simply said, “Right, step aside,” how humiliating would that be for him?
I’m not the sort of person to be so callous.
“No, take your time. Explain it slowly. I’ll sit here in the back.”
“Yes…? You really mean it…?”
“Transportation is far too important for the Tactical Officer Corps not to understand its role. Don’t worry—speak freely.”
Is there truly anyone with such admirable character?
He must be deeply moved right now, surely.
“Yes, sir….”
Staying here would only draw attention, so I moved to the seat beside Ion at the very back of the Auditorium.
“So this is what you’re doing.”
I already knew Ion was at Belzium Castle.
‘I’d planned to find time to meet him, but I didn’t expect it to be today.’
Perhaps it felt more pleasant because we were meeting legally during duty hours?
Either way, I felt genuinely delighted to see him.
“Tell me about it—I didn’t expect to be doing this either.”
“Isn’t educational escort usually the junior officer’s responsibility?”
One could safely assume that all tedious tasks fall to the newest officers.
But Ion had long since outgrown the role of junior.
“I suspect they assigned it to me because I’m an Academy graduate.”
“Ah, that makes sense.”
Yes, that would explain it.
“Are the officers in Belzium Castle’s Tactical Officer Corps just those people down there?”
“The newly commissioned lieutenants are all there, but the newly commissioned captains are scheduled to arrive next week.”
The Tactical Officer Corps system is quite intricate.
In the simplest terms: students commission as lieutenants, graduates as captains.
‘I hear quite a few graduates applied as well.’
Graduation doesn’t mean leaving the Academy—many remain to continue research and study in a sort of graduate program.
‘The more advanced graduates must have found the compensation enticing, desperate as they are for research funding.’
The Emperor played his hand well.
“Are there no newly commissioned lieutenant colonels?”
“No lieutenant colonels, but I believe there are several lieutenant colonels coming. Some professors applied as well.”
‘Why would professors even come to the military? Are they planning to establish an Academy here?’
While it does feel somewhat dizzying, the infusion of fresh talent is undeniably good news.
“Still, if Academy graduates start as captains, you must feel a bit cheated.”
Ion is also an Academy graduate, but didn’t he start from the rank of Lieutenant?
It’s a part that could be considered unfair, but Ion thought differently.
“The Tactical Officer Corps and regular officers have different qualities, and I learned a lot coming up from Lieutenant, so it’s fine. It was also a requisition at the family level.”
What, is this guy some kind of sage?
If I measured his mental age, I’d say he’s at least in his forties.
“Transportation is always the lifeblood of the military! And in tactical operations, speed is life itself…!”
While he was rambling without much thought.
The voice and figure of a passionate man caught my eye.
‘Full of fighting spirit.’
Honestly, by the rank of Lieutenant, most would coast along, but his bearing was exceptional.
“Who is that?”
Surely I should know about such an outstanding soldier.
I asked Ion, who would have the information.
“3rd Transport Battalion Commander Bold, Lieutenant. He came because time was the only thing he had available.”
“Really?”
Ion, this bastard.
He still doesn’t understand the military.
‘No time? By the rank of Battalion Commander, time is something you have in excess.’
Especially in Transportation?
With soldiers and non-commissioned officers driving the carriages, what could a Battalion Commander possibly be busy with?
‘It’s just that the most junior Transport Battalion Commander showed up.’
The picture was crystal clear.
There was no need to go ask about it.
“I look forward to your future accomplishments, and I hope we can see each other often!”
After finishing his greeting, Bold approached me.
“Thank you for waiting for me!”
“Well, I didn’t wait long, so there’s no need to thank me. You made a strong impression. Bold.”
“Ah, thank you so much!”
He hadn’t expected his name to come up.
Multiple emotions—surprise and joy among them—rose across Bold’s expression.
“You must be busy, so go on.”
“Yes! I’ll see you next time! For the Empire!”
As if he’d become a recruit.
Bold saluted sharply and left the Auditorium.
‘Now let’s do this.’
After confirming the door was properly closed, I climbed onto the Stage.
‘I seem to be standing in places like this far too often lately.’
Of course, today it’s only thirty-five people by headcount.
But each one carries different weight.
“Hmm.”
Before I spoke, I examined the faces of my friends from the Tactical Officer Corps.
‘They’re my age, or even younger-looking.’
Though I couldn’t judge everything by appearances.
At least, I didn’t see anyone significantly older.
“It’s good to meet you all. Since everyone probably knows who I am, I’ll skip the introduction—unless someone doesn’t know me?”
I couldn’t tell if they were being cautious or if they genuinely knew.
Not a single hand went up.
“Then I’ll assume everyone knows and move on.”
“Yes, sir!”
The response that came back was thick with tension.
‘They seem more nervous than when answering the Transportation Battalion Commander. Am I making them uncomfortable?’
With so little age difference, I’d thought we could maintain a much more relaxed atmosphere.
It seemed human relationships never unfolded quite as smoothly as one hoped.
“Which academy did you attend before becoming a Lieutenant?”
I directed the question at the tall-looking man sitting in the front row.

“I’m currently enrolled at Rior Imperial Academy.”
The front row—the traditional seat of honor students.
His educational background was top-tier.
“A prestigious school. What’s your name?”
“S-Sail, sir!”
“Right, Sail. Do you know what the Intelligence Agency does?”
He hesitated briefly at my question before speaking.
“I’ve heard it collects information on enemy nations and roots out spies who’ve infiltrated the Empire.”
“Impressive—you’re well-informed.”
Of course, that wasn’t the whole picture, but outsiders shouldn’t delve too deeply.
“Th-thank you, sir!”
“In that case, there’s no need for further explanation.”
To be honest, I hadn’t prepared any remarks at all.
‘I’m not exactly free these days, after all.’
And as Colonel Eden had said, the real meaning was simply in showing up.
“Still…”
“There’s a clear limit to what words can teach. The rest comes through doing and learning by experience.”
I glanced up at the clock—roughly fifteen minutes remained until the regular lunch hour.
‘Since Ion is still a Captain, he’ll need to stick to the lunch schedule strictly, so the timing’s awkward.’
After a moment’s thought, I spoke.
“If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I’ll answer most of them.”
I skipped the tedious lecture and moved straight to the question period.
Thirty-five pairs of eyes suddenly gleamed with interest.
A spark ignited.
About five seconds after I said I’d take questions.
A female lieutenant raised her hand.
“Go ahead.”
“Lieutenant Chloe.”
The woman announced her rank and name as I pointed to her.
This was embarrassing.
‘Didn’t she come after passing the Training Camp?’
She was an ace of an absurd caliber.
“When was the most memorable moment you’ve experienced during your military service?”
The kind of question that always comes up when someone asks for questions.
I briefly retraced my past memories.
‘Memorable, huh.’
Looking at the dictionary definition alone, it doesn’t necessarily mean only good things.
‘If I’m being honest, it would obviously be graduation day.’
The day I had the Eastern Coast Guard Battalion confirmed, but ended up going to the Intelligence Agency because of that damned Emperor.
It was truly a moment I would never forget for the rest of my life.
‘But still, I should mention something positive.’
Since there weren’t many positively memorable moments, I could actually choose quickly.
“When I was Supply Company Commander, solving the problems at Rimircastle—where poor meals had even led to a rebellion—was the most memorable for me.”
By the way, if they offered me the Supply Company Commander position even now, I’d run over like a dog and take it.
“Next question.”
Hands shot up.
Why did they have so many questions?
This time, more than five people raised their hands.
“The dark-haired male lieutenant right next to you.”
“Have you ever regretted enlisting?”
The question came without even announcing his rank and name first.
So Lieutenant Chloe really was unusual after all.
‘The usual taste. For a moment, I thought these guys were all top-tier aces.’
That’s why you shouldn’t judge an entire organization based on one person.
“Regretted it, you say.”
This question was poorly phrased.
‘They should have asked if there was ever a moment I didn’t regret it.’
I’d sighed ten times just this morning getting out of that garbage bed—did they really ask if I’d ever regretted enlisting?
I had no idea how to answer.
“I don’t have time to regret enlisting. The Intelligence Agency isn’t a place luxurious enough to indulge in such pointless thoughts.”
Even as I said it, I found it somewhat repulsive.
“Why did you choose the Intelligence Agency as your posting?”
“Why did you choose the Intelligence Agency?”
This question too—I didn’t understand why people kept asking things that forced me to lie.
‘I should just ask about good restaurants in Belzium Castle or something.’
I knew my way around fairly well, but the direction of the questioning felt far too heavy and strange.
“Information determines the victory or defeat of war itself. And there’s no other place where individuals can make such an impact.”
“Make an impact, sir?”
“Yes. For example, how many enemies can a well-trained soldier kill on the battlefield? Even at their best, they wouldn’t exceed ten.”
As I spoke while using simple gestures with my hands, the lieutenants began to focus intently.
“However, Intelligence Agency operatives gather information that allows individuals to sway the course of entire wars. That’s where I found the appeal. I didn’t want to remain an ordinary soldier.”
“Oh….”
“Such a reason.”
The lieutenants seemed genuinely impressed by something in my words.
Though I had said it myself, it did sound rather convincing.
‘Appeal, my foot.’
Escape is determined by intelligence.
Whoosh!
Hands shot up again from the lieutenants.
Glancing at the time, it was about when I should wrap this up.
“For the final question… hmm.”
Many hands were raised, but the one that caught my eye was Chloe, who had asked the first question.
‘What’s with that look in her eyes?’
She was giving off the distinct impression that she’d follow me all the way to the dining hall if I didn’t answer.
“Chloe, go ahead with your question. And I’ll answer one more after this, so everyone else think carefully before raising your hands.”
“Thank you so much!”
Chloe stood up with a respectful bow.
“What made you raise your hand again?”
“It’s just that I really want to join the Intelligence Agency, and I was wondering how I could do that!”
“Huh…?”
My head tilted involuntarily at a question I hadn’t even dreamed of.
“I want to be of great help to our victory in war, just like you, sir.”
“Ah….”
Her expression showed a resolve that had been firmly set.
All I could do was squeeze my eyes shut.

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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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