I Became an Officer in Another World in Just 5 Minutes - Chapter 243

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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 243
“They would naturally have chosen the shortest route.”
“Yes, it seems unlikely they would have taken any other path.”
Since it was a rural area, taking anything but the proper road would multiply the travel time several times over.
“If all these assumptions are correct, the horses must have already departed today. Considerable time has passed.”
“That’s likely.”
The carriage had arrived at least at 8:30 in the morning.
There’s no way Mithril would still be at Salt Castle now, at 5 in the afternoon.
‘Intercepting horses already in transit is far too risky.’
One must know when to abandon a pursuit decisively.
“Should we deploy five operatives?”
“That number of personnel does seem necessary.”
The person transporting Mithril might not be alone.
With 99 percent certainty, they would be considerably skilled.
‘Even five might struggle.’
However, if too many operatives move simultaneously, the probability of being traced increases exponentially.
“If we relay orders today, we won’t be too late.”
“But does Salt Castle have that many personnel available?”
Receiving only reports with names redacted.
I have no idea how many operatives work within the Adits Empire.
“We can assemble five.”
“I see.”
Eden spoke as though it were possible, but something felt off.
‘Wait, now that I think about it, we’re both Lieutenant Colonels, so why does this man know so much?’
Officially, he’s one rank above me, but is the difference between a Chief Inspector and a Director-General really that significant?
‘It does seem about right.’
Since I’ve never held such positions, there’s no way to know.
“Draft the detailed plan. I need to go humor the old men and their word games.”
Eden checked his watch and stepped back from the map.
“Will you report to Headquarters?”
“Are you insane? Tell it to men with loose mouths?”
“True enough.”
The phrasing was harsh, but not a word of it was wrong.
‘Those incompetent fools lack patience and will blab everything within a day.’
That’s why Intelligence Agency operations must remain contained within the Agency until results materialize.
“I’ll say it’ll take about two weeks and come back cursed at. Already tedious.”
“You work hard. Still, try to cut back on the chain-smoking.”
“Are you concerned about me?”
“The smell is overwhelming.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Eden said this while putting a fresh pack of cigarettes into his pocket and heading toward the door.
Just before stepping outside.
As if he had something more to say, he turned his head and looked at me.
“Did you forget something…?”
“That thought you just had wasn’t bad. Keep thinking that way going forward.”
“Huh? Ah, yes sir.”
“See you later.”
Thud.
Eden closed the door and left.
I spent a moment organizing my thoughts, then shook my head.
“What, if you’re going to compliment someone, do it properly.”
Anyway, the man was socially awkward.
* * *
“We’ve made the Mithril visible to the Intelligence Command, and by now they’re probably racking their brains over it.”
At Robin’s report, Seto Count rose from his seat.
“Of course. It seems like a lie, yet they can’t help but wonder if it might be true.”
All operations had unfolded as desired.
Now all that remained was for the enemy to come out to reclaim the mine.
“As you know, the most crucial thing in this situation is controlling the information.”
“Yes, in that regard, we’re managing it so thoroughly that even our own forces believe the Mithril has appeared.”
Robin understood better than anyone that to deceive the enemy, you must first deceive your own side.
“Truthfully, I had hoped it would actually appear. It’s a shame it didn’t.”
“Indeed.”
Seto Count had harbored some hope while clearing away the rubble.
After all, he’d been told the Manastone deposits here were considerable.
“Once we occupy Belzium Castle and continue mining, it might appear eventually, might it not?”
“That’s true. Mithril is like that.”
Seto Count nodded and gazed intently at Robin.
A few seconds of silence.
In that brief moment, the atmosphere in the barracks shifted.
“Are you satisfied with your current position?”
“Satisfied, you say?”
“The Reconnaissance Command must ultimately remain hidden in the shadows. You cannot reveal your identity.”
“That’s precisely what gives it meaning, is it not?”
“Meaning? Do you truly believe that? You didn’t endure the Punishment Squad just to enjoy such a thing.”
As if seeing through something.
Seto Count’s eyes fixed on Robin.
“Of course, I’m not asking you to become my man. I understood long ago that even if I asked, you wouldn’t be that kind of person.”
Watching Robin, whose lips were firmly sealed, Seto Count continued.
“As you well know, Duke Abiel is exceptionally brilliant, but he’s prone to obsession and greed. As a researcher, he’s worthy of respect, but he’s not the sort to hold political office. And certainly not someone to follow.”
Though Robin showed no reaction to the disparaging remarks about Duke Abiel.
Sometimes silence itself becomes an answer.
“I’m telling you, serving under that woman will eventually destroy you. I’ve seen quite a few cases—starting with someone as young as Orpia.”
“What exactly are you trying to say?”
“Just stay neutral in the middle. If you do that much, I’ll help you.”
He would provide support without requiring a sworn oath of loyalty.
It was an extraordinary proposal by any measure.
“Are you serious?”
“Why would I lie? I’m not obsessed with possession like some people.”
He met Robin’s gaze directly, as if to prove there wasn’t a shred of deception in his words.
Count Seto faced Robin head-on without flinching.
“What do you say?”
“If you’re sincere, I don’t see any reason for me to refuse.”
“A wise choice.”
Count Seto nodded with evident satisfaction.
“So what exactly should I do and how?”
“You’ll find out when the personnel order arrives after this operation concludes.”
“Understood.”
Robin bowed his head at Count Seto’s cryptic words.
“This conversation has gone on too long. Let’s get to work. I have a meeting coming up soon.”
“Yes, sir.”
After saluting, Robin left the barracks.
“Chief Inspector.”
Lieutenant Fedor approached as Robin walked toward the mine.
“What is it?”
“Looking at the clouds, it seems rain will come starting tomorrow, which might introduce variables into our schedule. Should we adjust the timeline?”
“Rain.”
Robin looked up at the sky, and indeed the clouds were thicker than usual.
“The system’s moving in from Salt Castle’s direction.”
“Yes, it looks like rain will cover the entire area from Salt Castle to here.”
“Send them out as they arrive. There’s no need to be bound by the schedule. Or is the Assassin Squad reporting problems?”
“No, that’s not it. I’ll proceed as you say.”
“The enemy will now move from multiple directions to verify the truth. So be even more careful.”
“Yes, sir!”
Lieutenant Fedor left after receiving his orders.
Robin stopped walking and stood quietly, organizing his thoughts.
‘How will this unfold, truly.’
The direction of the war.
And the future ahead.
The moment Robin lifted his gaze to the sky.
Tap!
“Ah….”
A raindrop fell across my forehead.
* * *
Whoooooosh!!!
A torrential downpour cascaded upon the forest path, nearly devoid of human presence.
Everything was drowned beneath the roar of rainfall.
A subtle movement stirred within the forest.
“How many hours now?”
“About thirteen hours, I’d estimate.”
Lieutenant Homul answered Captain Alpen’s question as we sheltered among the vegetation, drenched by the rain.
“I’m absolutely stiff.”
“Shall I massage your lower back, sir?”
“It’s not that bad. More importantly, I wonder if they’re actually coming.”
The order was simple: eliminate anyone riding at full speed and confirm whether they possessed Mithril.
Yet for thirteen hours, no such movement had been detected.
‘If this turns out to be a waste of time, I’ll have words when I return.’
Though Paran’s rank now far exceeded mine, a teacher remains a teacher for eternity, does he not?
“Haah.”
Creak, creak!
Just as Captain Alpen stifled a yawn from exhaustion.
The distinctive sound of carriage wheels rolling echoed from the opposite direction.
“Hide.”
Captain Alpen and Lieutenant Homul instinctively crouched low.
Creak, creak, creak!
Through the eerily silent forest, a carriage driven by a uniformed man passed us by.
“That makes how many now?”
“The carriages are forty-two….”
Thud!
The moment Lieutenant Homul began to speak.
Captain Alpen shoved him aside.
Thunk!
Simultaneously, a dagger flew through the air and embedded itself in the ground.
Captain Alpen drew his sword and surveyed the surroundings.
‘Two of them?’
Fewer than I’d anticipated.
I considered calling in the scattered Intelligence Agency operatives.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sound of clashing blades erupted from across the path.
‘There were more on that side.’
This situation had become complicated.
“Th-thank you.”
Lieutenant Homul’s voice trembled, startled by how close the dagger had come.
“Get your head in the game. Don’t waste the life I just saved for you.”
“Yes, sir!”
His trembling voice lasted only a moment.
Lieutenant Homul, having regained his composure, gripped his sword tightly.
“There’s definitely something here. The Assassin Squad wouldn’t be busy at a meaningless roadside like this, would they?”
Captain Alpen spoke with a twisted smile, but the two masked figures showed no reaction.
Or rather, there was a reaction.
It just came from their bodies, not their words.
Clang!
The Unnamed Man closed the distance in an instant and swung his short blade.
Captain Alpen blocked the attack, then surveyed his surroundings.
‘Damn, the location is terrible.’
A forest in the late evening.
This environment, where visibility was difficult to maintain, favored the Assassin Squad far too much.
‘And on top of that.’
“Ugh!”
Lieutenant Homul was struggling to block the attacks.
He was now a fully capable Intelligence Agency operative.
But I knew better than anyone that he wasn’t at a level to handle the Assassin Squad.
‘I should pray the other side ends quickly.’
But that wouldn’t be easy either.
The fact that they had picked a fight meant they weren’t likely to lose easily.
“It would be nice if we could all just go our separate ways, but why did you choose such a dangerous path?”
Ching!
Captain Alpen deflected the short blade and drove his body deep forward.
“Ugh.”
The Unnamed Man, caught off guard by the risky movement, furrowed his brow and withdrew.
The distance that opened between them.
The Unnamed Man assumed another attack would come immediately and took a defensive stance.
But Captain Alpen’s judgment was entirely different.
“Wh-what?!”
Captain Alpen suddenly changed direction and began to run.
It was an unexpected move, but its meaning was immediately clear.
They simply couldn’t catch up with him as he ran a beat faster.
“Evade!”
The Unnamed Man shouted almost immediately.
But faster than that was the combined effort of two who had worked together for the past six months.
“Damn it.”
The Assassin Squad member, who had been pressing Lieutenant Homul with an overwhelming difference in skill, caught sight of Captain Alpen and hastily retreated.
“Where do you think you’re going!”
Lieutenant Homul had sustained considerable wounds while defending against the relentless barrage of attacks.
Yet he clung to his opponent like a leech, refusing to yield.
“You bastard!”
Slash!
Against the flawed, desperate attacks that were nothing but clinging, the Assassin Squad member swung his short blade and severed Lieutenant Homul’s arm.
Brilliant crimson blood sprayed into the air.
But nothing changed.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Lieutenant Homul continued to cling and swing his sword relentlessly.
A single possibility of victory had consumed him with obsession.
Just before his mental fortitude reached its absolute limit.
Whoosh!
Captain Alpen’s blade, descending like lightning, pierced the Assassin Squad member’s heart.

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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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