I Became an Officer in Another World in Just 5 Minutes - Chapter 245

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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 245
Fire
“So the enemies found out about us.”
“Yes, sir. It appears the entire Assassin Squad transporting the mithril was eliminated.”
At Robin’s words, Seto Count’s brow furrowed.
“They’ve figured out how we’ve been moving the mithril.”
“That appears to be the case, sir.”
“But how is that possible? It was the Assassin Squad that moved it, of all units.”
“This is entirely my fault. I apologize.”
Though the problem originated within the Assassin Squad itself,
Robin, as the one ultimately responsible, bowed his head without excuse.
“The enemy was reaching their breaking point, and now everything has fallen apart.”
Seto Count frowned, rose from his seat, and approached the map.
“With this development, the enemy will certainly attack Adman Castle.”
“May I ask the reason for your conclusion, sir?”
“Fundamentally, reclaiming lost territory takes priority over conquering new land. Moreover, Adman Castle is where they demonstrated their incompetence.”
On this point, Seto Count could speak with absolute certainty.
“The situation has become considerably complicated.”
“I am truly sorry, sir.”
“No. The problem is that we’ve been read by the enemy. They’re more cunning than we gave them credit for.”
Seto Count spoke reassuringly as he placed his hand on the map.
“But we cannot simply retreat like this.”
“Then…”
“We return to the fortress, and send the forces currently at Salt Castle to Geshud Castle to strike from behind.”
Hearing this new strategy, Robin visualized the plan in his mind.
‘He’s going to exploit their weakness.’
Indeed, if the enemy attacked Adman Castle, the defenses at Geshud Castle would inevitably weaken.
“So you left forces behind with this very scenario in mind, sir.”
“I merely considered the possibility. One needs at least one achievement to save face in case of failure.”
“Remarkable, sir.”
“Save such praise for after we succeed. Prepare for withdrawal. It’s time we left this place.”
It would be a lie to say I have no regrets.
But Seto Count was a man who understood how to concede.
“Yes, sir. I will do my utmost to ensure we capture Geshud Castle.”
“See that you do.”
Seto Count nodded.
From that afternoon onward, preparations for withdrawal began.
* * *
“Ugh, it’s not even summer yet, and why is it raining so much?”
“Tell me about it.”
I went out for a simple dinner and came back, but my clothes were soaked despite carrying an umbrella.
‘Did the sky crack open or something?’
Anyone seeing this would think it was the height of summer.
“My socks are completely drenched. I’m absolutely miserable.”
Lieutenant Colonel Larsen frowned with genuine displeasure.
I genuinely couldn’t sympathize with him.
‘My boots are completely waterproof and comfortable.’
These swift military boots I first purchased at the Training Camp and have been using ever since.
They’re not only fast and cushioned, but they also have waterproof functionality—not a single drop of water gets in.
“I’ll take off these wet socks and change into slippers before coming back out.”
“Go ahead.”
We were in an advanced enough office where wearing slippers was acceptable.
This kind of atmosphere was naturally possible because of Eden, who had no interest in anything beyond work.
“What are you looking at so intently?”
I approached Eden, who stood before the map like a statue, and spoke to him.
“They say the enemy is preparing to withdraw.”
“Yes, I’ve heard.”
One might expect some hesitation, but his judgment was damnably swift.
‘He’s not human—he’s a machine.’
In my opinion, even if Seto Count had gone into stocks, he would have succeeded.
“Don’t you think we shouldn’t just let them go like this?”
At Eden’s words, my fists clenched without my realizing it.
‘What kind of insane talk is that all of a sudden?’
When a hundred thousand strong army retreats after just eating, you’re supposed to say ‘thank you.’
Thinking about striking now was a clear sign something was wrong with my head.
“Haven’t we already gained sufficient advantage?”
The financial losses need not be mentioned.
Soon we’ll even reclaim Adman Castle.
“If we can gain more advantage but do nothing, that’s foolish. Lieutenant Colonel.”
At Eden’s words, my eyes shut tight involuntarily.
‘No. Why are you like this?’
You’re supposed to live by pretending not to hear even when ordered, subtly postponing work that needs to be done.
Why are you so eager to find more work?
‘If you’re going to work that hard, you should get a job in the private sector. Why are you in the military?’
Something was deeply wrong here.
“But Chief Inspector, attacking the enemy isn’t our job, is it?”
If I left it at that, he’d surely find something else to do.
I laid out my own logic, but he was a formidable opponent.
“Exploiting the gaps in a retreating enemy is, broadly speaking, also our job.”
‘Ridiculous.’
He has a talent for making nonsense sound plausible.
“Well then, have you come up with anything?”
“I was thinking about laying magic bombs along the enemies’ retreat route.”
“It won’t be very effective. They can simply take a detour, and detonating them won’t be easy anyway.”
Without mines in their proper form, switches are all we can manage.
Before we could even detonate them, the scout unit would discover us and cut us down.
“You’re right, it’s not a good plan.”
Eden nodded in agreement.
“Unless we leave the fortress and fight directly, we’ll end up losing more than we gain.”
“Leave and fight, you say.”
I’d just told him to give up.
Eden rubbed his chin and began thinking seriously.
‘What is this? He said fighting outside was madness.’
If he’s going to act recklessly, he should do it with those incompetent fools.
Why is he second-guessing himself now?
It wasn’t easy to suppress the headache building behind my eyes.
“That’s truly not feasible.”
“Don’t just say no—use your head instead.”
I furrowed my brow at Eden’s words and attempted what you might call deliberation.
‘I really hate myself for even considering this.’
My role here is to force Eden to confront the grim reality.
“Unless they cross a bridge, there’s nowhere to create any variables.”
If there were a bridge, we could blow it up while they’re crossing and split their forces.
The entire route between Belzium Castle and Salt Castle is dirt road from start to finish.
“A bridge, a bridge…”
But how did my words become some kind of inspiration?
After thinking for several minutes, Eden suddenly pointed with his finger at the Iron Bridge.
“They won’t pass through there.”
It’s the bridge used when traveling from Middle Village to Salt Castle.
“What if we force them to use this route instead?”
“They have no reason to go that way.”
Abandon a perfectly good road to take a bridge?
That might make sense in unfamiliar foreign territory.
The Aditz Army knows this terrain ten times better than we do.
“If there’s no reason, then create one. Your thinking is too rigid.”
“Sir?”
“Plant magic bombs on the original road and leak the information. The Intelligence Agency will orchestrate all sorts of interference operations.”
“So you’re saying they’ll take the bridge instead?”
“It’s the second shortest route, so they would, wouldn’t they?”
Now that I heard it, the plan actually made some sense.
No matter how crucial speed is, they wouldn’t want to travel with the burden of magical bombs weighing on their minds.
But then…
“Do we really have to do this? I’m not entirely convinced.”
“We survive by striking the enemy when the opportunity presents itself.”
“Well, that’s….”
It’s not wrong, I suppose.
But does it have to be me who delivers that blow?
The people at Geshud Castle could handle it.
‘Am I being too selfish?’
Yet there are people in the Capital who stretch out and sleep without a care—is being selfish really such a grave sin?
I honestly don’t know.
“Do as you wish. I doubt my words would sway your decision anyway.”
“I know. And even if I decide to do it, that doesn’t mean I can. Ultimately, approval has to come from above.”
“That’s true.”
Even if Eden were to push forward with something earnestly, his rank was ultimately Lieutenant Colonel.
He was far removed from any real decision-making authority.
“I’ll have to visit Headquarters again. The Lieutenant Colonel should come along too….”
“Absolutely not this time! Please be careful on your way.”
I hadn’t supported this operation from the start anyway.
If I went, I’d inevitably end up with some strange role thrust upon me.
I refused firmly and settled back into my seat.
“Now you’re even defying orders.”
Eden shook his head in disapproval and grabbed an umbrella.
“It’s raining heavily, so use your umbrella well.”
“Thank you for worrying about me.”
Eden stepped out into the downpour alone, his expression tinged with loneliness.
‘Should I have gone with him? No.’
History had proven it countless times—whenever I go, misfortune inevitably follows.
But there was one thing I overlooked.
Military life itself is misfortune.
* * *
Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!
Late in the early morning hours.
Captain Alpen wielded a shovel, digging into the earth.
“This is truly something else.”
After such a fierce battle, I’d expected the next order to be rest or withdrawal.
Instead, reality was manual labor.
“I’ll place it in.”
“Go ahead.”
As Captain Alpen dug, Lieutenant Homul, his arm in a cast, would place the magical bombs into the holes.
“Still, it’s fortunate there are no carriages coming and going.”
“During a withdrawal, there’s no need to send more supplies anyway. And with this downpour…”
“It’s a bit gloomy, but thanks to it, the work is easier.”
There was no need to dig deep.
The damp earth wasn’t bad for shoveling at all.
Moreover, it was ideal for covering things with just the right amount of visibility.
“How’s this?”
“Perfect. It shows just enough signs of being hidden.”
The operation’s orders were to bury the magic shells half perfectly and half in a way the Reconnaissance Command could detect.
‘What kind of ridiculous order is this?’
And it didn’t end there—once this was finished, I’d have to do the same work at the Iron Bridge.
“If you don’t get promoted to Captain this time, retire.”
“Ha, I’d rather become a full-fledged operative than get promoted. My peer did it faster than me.”
“Marquis Linton’s Eldest Daughter?”
“Yes.”
“She was with Paran Oclo, wasn’t she? Being next to that guy creates achievements out of thin air.”
Lieutenant Homul nodded at Captain Alpen’s words.
“I worked with her once before too, and it definitely seems that way. Even this time.”
“If you want rapid promotion, go attach yourself to her.”
“Captain Alpen is enough for me. Aren’t you becoming a Lieutenant Colonel now?”
At Lieutenant Homul’s words, Alpen’s lips curved up ever so slightly.
“Quiet, just place the magic shells.”
“Yes, sir!”
With more than just the two of us, the work was completed before sunrise.
The operative at Salt Castle carefully leaked information, piece by precious piece.

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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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