I Became an Officer in Another World in Just 5 Minutes - Chapter 251

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

Chapter 251
Fire
-I am genuinely grateful for the Empire’s demonstrated commitment to peace.
Queen Ellen Adrian’s voice came through the communication channel.
Since faces weren’t visible anyway, Demian Raikan opened his mouth with a furrowed brow.
“Commitment, you say? I understand the Alliance’s hardships from this war, so I’ll indulge you this once. However.”
His voice carried an icy chill.
Anyone listening would immediately sense his profound displeasure.
“You’d do well to remember there won’t be a second time.”
-Yes… The Alliance simply hopes that through this opportunity, the Two Empires will reach an amicable agreement and bring peace to the continent.
“If that’s possible, I’d welcome it. I’ll have a delegation sent to the Gelrof Kingdom within the week.”
-Thank you.
After that, a few more words of little significance were exchanged before the communication channel disconnected.
Tap! Tap!
The Emperor continued drumming his fingers on the desk, clearly still displeased.
Rosen, sitting right beside him, opened his mouth upon witnessing this.
“The timing worked out perfectly, and Geshud Castle’s safety is now secured. This ceasefire is a significant gain, Your Majesty.”
The ceasefire came about through the Kingdom Alliance’s sudden request.
There was no choice but to accept, as they wielded a kind of blackmail card—that continued military action would be seen as lacking peaceful intent.
And this aspect deeply displeased the Emperor.
“Looking at results alone, perhaps. But these fools are overstepping their bounds.”
“Should they cross the line, the Adits Empire will take measures. There’s no need for Your Majesty’s hands to be stained with blood.”
The Adits Empire suffered the greatest losses from this ceasefire, without question.
“That’s true. We should view ourselves as beneficiaries of this ceasefire, though my mood remains poor.”
“Yes, in fact this is fortunate. If we seize this opportunity to reorganize the military, we can draw an even grander strategy.”
The Emperor nodded at Rosen’s words.
“Since this ceasefire lasts three months, have the Commander-in-Chief immediately draft a leave schedule and report it.”
“Yes!”
Three months of ceasefire declared through the Kingdom Alliance’s quasi-coercion.
With the restraining mechanism in place, leave orders were issued the very next day to all soldiers except essential personnel.
* * *
[Is the war over?]
-With the Kingdom Alliance’s request, a three-month ceasefire was declared, and negotiations began in the neutral Gelrof Kingdom.
While each Empire’s terms for ending the war weren’t made public, experts predict the negotiations won’t be easy.
The major hurdle in these negotiations is considered to be Adman Castle, which remains in a standoff—
“Heh.”
I never thought I’d live to see a ceasefire order.
Indeed, one must live long to witness such things.
“Are you that pleased?”
At Eden’s question, I nodded without hesitation.
“Why would you object? If we handle this well, we might finally end this tedious war.”
“End it? That won’t be easy. Starting with Adman Castle, the enemy won’t make any concessions.”
“What? Adman Castle is honestly something we already took, isn’t it?”
The ceasefire order had come down while we were occupying the City Wall and clearing the Fortress interior.
Due to that, we were now in a standoff with the small enemy force that remained.
For them to refuse to acknowledge it as ours was simply unreasonable.
“The world isn’t rational enough to be so considerate.”
“Well… I suppose that’s true.”
“And they’ll demand Belzium Castle as well.”
“They’re not asking us to fight, surely they wouldn’t do that? You don’t understand politics.”
Would the Adits Empire, weakened by successive defeats, attempt such a reckless move?
At most, if they got greedy, they’d demand Adman Castle.
‘Give it to them. Just give them everything.’
Whether Adman Castle existed or not wouldn’t put a single coin in my pocket anyway.
We just need Belzium Castle.
“Uh…?”
Wait, something about this feels off.
“Chief Inspector.”
“Speak.”
Eden took a sip of coffee while looking at me.
“If the war ends like this, wouldn’t Belzium Castle become the Front Line?”
“It would be.”
“Is there no chance of acquiring Salt Castle through negotiations?”
“Suddenly spouting nonsense… oh.”
Eden realized what I meant and his lips curved upward.
“If a peace agreement is reached as things stand, Belzium Castle will be the Front Line and thus fall under direct Imperial rule. Along with the Mana Stone Mine.”
“Ah… no.”
As I began to imagine the worst possible future, my hands started trembling.
“When peace arrives, the Lieutenant Colonel will finally have the discharge opportunity he’s always wanted—is Belzium Castle really that important?”
“That… well.”
Discharge was certainly important.
But giving up the Mana Stone Mine was absolutely not an easy decision either.
“I hope a peace agreement is reached.”
“Ha… haha, surely both sides need to agree for that? It doesn’t seem like it’ll be easy.”
“Your words flip like the back of a hand. Just organize things. We need to head to the Capital.”
“Yes.”
Just because it was leave didn’t mean I could go immediately.
I still had to handle the basic administrative work.
“This seems useless, and I wonder if this will be needed.”
I sorted through the accumulated reports and quickly drafted a handover document as well.
Not as many people as before, but someone will still come and get the work done.
‘The Intelligence Agency can’t really shut down even with a vacation order like other departments.’
Would field operatives who’ve struggled to establish themselves in the field really return just because of a ceasefire?
Of course they don’t get vacation, and because of that, the operatives who need to review their reports can’t take extended leave either.
So why am I taking a vacation? The reason is simple.
‘You’ve all worked hard.’
After fighting intensely on the Front Line, you can’t rest during the ceasefire period?
That’s unacceptable.
“Busy, aren’t you.”
While I was moving about frantically.
Captain Alpen spoke to me.
“Yes, there are quite a few things I need to take care of.”
“I see. Lieutenant Colonel, no matter how much I think about it, I’m not sure if I should really go to the Capital.”
His expression showed considerable hesitation.
It couldn’t be helped—the Intelligence Agency Commander had summoned Captain Alpen to commend him for the Iron Bridge destruction.
“You have every right to go. After all, it was the mana bomb you installed that detonated and caused the Iron Bridge to collapse.”
“What does that matter? I lost the switch and got my comrades killed.”
His voice carried no strength whatsoever.
This is a problem.
“Well, that’s….”
“Sigh, still, I should keep my promise. I’ll go and give a good performance. Sorry for saying unnecessary things—don’t worry about it.”
“Ha…haha, thank you.”
He seemed to have sensed my discomfort with uncanny precision.
“What would you like me to do with the reward money?”
“Pardon? Just use it as you see fit….”
“How am I supposed to use that? If I refuse to accept it, I was thinking of distributing it to the families of the operatives who fell this time. Would that be acceptable?”
“Please do. I’ll also contribute some of my own funds on top of the reward money.”
“There’s no need for you to do that, Lieutenant Colonel….”
“What else is money for if not times like this? And no matter how much I withdraw, it won’t even show. I’m remarkably good at the clothing business.”
“Thank you.”
Captain Alpen looked at me with eyes glistening with moisture.
This man’s mind is definitely still trapped at the scene of the incident.
‘Is there something like psychological counseling here?’
If I look and there isn’t any, it’s worth researching regardless of cost.
The wounds of war leave scars not just on the body, but on the heart as well.
“Do you still intend to retire?”
“What would change? I’ve committed an unforgivable sin.”
“I think differently about it, but if that’s your intention, I understand.”
If it’s still the same after several days have passed, I should respect his decision.
“You look busy—go ahead and work. I’ve taken up too much of your time.”
“No, sir. Why don’t we share an evening meal with the Chief Inspector later?”
“Very well.”
Captain Alpen turned and left his seat.
His shoulders appeared remarkably heavy.
‘It truly isn’t easy.’
Someone who appeared so formidable, and truly was formidable.
Yet the spirit could shatter in an instant.
‘I must be careful too.’
Anew, I reflected on how survival itself was never simple.
After completing the final arrangements, I boarded the carriage bound for the Capital.
* * *
“The situation is dire.”
Simon Adits furrowed his brow after reviewing the complete casualty report from this expedition.
“My apologies. We attempted to recover by seizing Geshud Castle at the last moment, but timing is…”
In any case, failing to capture Geshud Castle meant this expedition ended in total defeat—nothing but losses.
It was no simple matter for Seto Count to raise his head.
“Sigh.”
Whatever was said held little significance.
Even if he held Seto Count accountable for this defeat, he knew there were no better alternatives.
Simon exhaled deeply and closed the report.
“Next time, move with greater caution.”
“Yes, I shall be more careful.”
“Let us set this matter aside for now. What are your thoughts on the ceasefire?”
The defeat was history.
What mattered now, regardless of what anyone said, was the three-month ceasefire.
“I believe attempting negotiations would do no harm.”
The military bore deep wounds.
In such circumstances, a peaceful peace accord was far from a poor choice.
“They will likely propose a ceasefire with our forces withdrawn from Adman Castle. Is that not so?”
“Yes, I share that assessment.”
If that occurred, history would record it as a victory for the Raikhan Empire, which would have gained Belzium Castle and Yalc Island.
“The war must not end with us merely surrendering everything.”
Seto Count nodded in agreement with Simon’s words and opened his mouth.
“We must cede Yalc Island but demand recognition of Adman Castle as our territory, and insist on the return of Belzium Castle as well.”
“Is… is that even possible?”
A proposal the Raikhan Empire would deem not worth hearing.
Yet Seto Count’s voice and expression were grave.
“Your Majesty, our Empire is not the weaker party. We need not appease the enemy from the outset.”
“So we negotiate gradually.”
“Yes. Simply because we suffered defeat in recent battles, we must never appear broken.”
At Seto Count’s forceful words, Simon rose from his seat.
“Your words are wise, Count. I had already intended to appoint you as the head of the negotiation delegation, so I ask for your further service.”
“I accept Your Majesty’s command.”
Seto Count bowed his head upon receiving the imperial decree.
The very next day, a delegation composed of high-ranking nobility and military generals departed for the Gelrof Kingdom.

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