I Became an Officer in Another World in Just 5 Minutes - Chapter 255

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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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Chapter 255
Fire
“You understand the concept, don’t you?”
“Yes, sir. You mean to install the Chair on rails so it can be removed whenever needed, correct?”
“Exactly. Or we could make it collapsible and attach it to one side—that might work well too.”
“Wow… your ideas are truly ingenious, sir.”
Walden continued to marvel at each suggestion.
To be honest, even I thought the collapsible idea was brilliant the moment it came to me.
“Don’t make it sound so extraordinary. Anyway, you can build it, right?”
“Yes, sir. I’ll combine your ideas to make it both collapsible and removable as needed.”
Looking at his expression, new ideas were already forming in his mind.
“And won’t the production cost increase significantly once we add rails?”
Unlike South Korea with its massive Factory infrastructure, I knew that items like rails were quite expensive here.
“Rails themselves are one thing, but we’ll need to add installation processes, so the cost will definitely rise noticeably.”
“Since material prices are unstable, make sure to raise the delivery price accordingly this time.”
Material prices had dropped slightly during the current ceasefire, but once the war resumed, they’d skyrocket without warning.
“Yes, sir. Since this involves advanced technique, I’ll raise it appropriately.”
“Good.”
Well, with that much guidance, they’d handle the rest competently on their own.
In this field, the Employees here, including Walden, were far more expert than I was.
“That settles the ambulance carriage then. Anything else?”
“Actually, sir, would it be possible for me to see the equipment you use in actual combat?”
“Equipment?”
I tilted my head at the sudden request and asked for clarification.
Walden unveiled a desire he’d been harboring.
“I’m planning to create toys under the Young Master’s name, but they’d be more effective for promotion and carry more meaning if they’re identical to the real thing, wouldn’t they?”
“So that’s what you were planning to do.”
I’d wondered why he hadn’t made them yet.
He’d been waiting to receive actual equipment so he could design based on it.
‘That’ll definitely make money.’
Even a brief walk outside showed children playing with toy swords and wooden sticks regularly.
“Bringing them wouldn’t be much trouble, though.”
There was just one thing that bothered me—the sword.
‘I’m planning to replace it soon anyway.’
The sword I currently used was one I’d received from Bangkero long ago.
It was still a fine blade, but it couldn’t compare to a work by the Dwarven Master.
“Is there some problem, sir?”
“No, it’s nothing. I’ll bring them tomorrow.”
I changed my mind rather than ask him to wait, uncertain how long it would take.
‘Besides, once I switch to a new sword, I can always release the old one as a new product later.’
Originally, that’s how things work—products periodically change their design and improve their performance while being sold, don’t they?
As long as the buyer is satisfied, there’s no need to make it overly perfect.
“I’ll do my best.”
“And don’t sell this like clothing—too expensive. We can’t have parents bankrupting themselves just to buy toys for their kids.”
I know this because I lived in South Korea.
Children can become targets of bullying based solely on whether they own a trendy toy.
‘If it comes to that, parents have no choice but to buy it, but if the price is high, it becomes difficult.’
You know what I mean.
I saw a truckload of parents struggling at Imato and Zip Plus, so I know this very well.
“So your strategy is to dominate the market by maximizing sales volume through low-price tactics.”
“Uh…? Well, yes.”
He’s interpreting it in a favorable light on his own, so there’s no need to correct him.
“Since you have considerable leave remaining, I’ll quickly develop a plan and show you a prototype.”
“Yes, I’m looking forward to it.”
“Yes, sir!!”
After clothing, now toys as well.
Even most celebrities wouldn’t have such a broad range of activities.
‘I need to earn money diligently.’
It’s important that I live well and eat well, certainly.
But our Guild alone has thousands of employees.
To pay their salaries, I can’t afford to lose market dominance.
That’s why I need to get out of this damned military as soon as possible.
* * *
“Has the second round of negotiations just begun?”
“Yes, the entire negotiation team just entered, and the door has closed.”
“I see.”
At the Chief Attendant’s words, Norman Gellof, the king of the Gelrof Kingdom, nodded calmly.
“I do hope this negotiation will be conducted reasonably and yield meaningful results.”
Queen Ellen Adrian, seated across from him and sipping tea, received a simple response from Norman Gellof.
“That is a matter for The Two Empires to decide, so this old man has nothing to hope for or against.”
The Gelrof Kingdom had also suffered considerable damage from the soaring prices.
Yet he did not voice even the slightest opinion.
“I see. Still, thank you for allowing us to use this venue.”
If the negotiation site had not been in the Gelrof Kingdom, figures like Seto Count or Ion Velburn would not have appeared.
“We cannot refuse to do what only our kingdom can do. Tsk tsk.”
Norman Gellof smiled softly and took a sip of the warm tea.
“As an old man, let me say one thing—it would be wise not to underestimate The Two Empires.”
Norman’s deep, penetrating gaze turned toward Ellen.
“How could I underestimate them when I trembled arranging this ceasefire?”
“Tsk tsk, you’ve been known for your brilliance since childhood, so I’m sure you’ll do well. But time really does fly, doesn’t it?”
Among all the continent’s leaders, Norman was the oldest.
When Queen Ellen Adrian, now in her mid-thirties, was born into this world, he was already king of the Gelrof Kingdom.
“Indeed. Time passes so quickly. Frighteningly so.”
Queen Ellen Adrian, now five years into her reign.
The deteriorating relations between The Two Empires that began immediately after her ascension, and at its end—war.
In a situation where one couldn’t afford to lower their guard for even a single day, the passage of time moved at a speed incomparable to anything else.
“Tsk tsk, you shouldn’t speak of time passing quickly in front of an old man.”
“But you’re in good health.”
“No matter how much one maintains themselves, the years cannot be overcome. Once this matter is settled, I suppose it will be time for me to step down.”
Norman turned his gaze away with a slightly weary expression.
And at its end lay the negotiation chamber, where everyone held their breath, waiting only for the outcome.
* * *
“Belzium Castle is the very heart of our Adits Empire, the birthplace of our founding ancestor, Jeton Adits. Without its return, peace is impossible.”
Seto Count brought forth historical justification and demanded Belzium Castle once more.
At his words, Ion Velburn furrowed his brow.
“I asked you to think reasonably, but it seems nothing has changed.”
“Our Adits Empire seeks only the return of Belzium Castle, our spiritual capital.”
Seto Count continued swiftly, as if he’d been waiting for this moment.
“It is the Raikhan Empire that is acting unreasonably now. Demanding the disclosure of circuits—the fruits of research—and requiring Adman Castle, which they failed to occupy, is no different from highway robbery, is it not?”
The negotiation chamber froze at the rather harsh wording.
“His Majesty the Emperor has shown considerable consideration toward the Adits Empire for the sake of a peaceful conclusion to this war.”
Ion Velburn’s voice carried a restrained anger.
He was genuinely somewhat irritated, but most of it was a calculated performance to seize the initiative.
“Yet since you continue to speak only unreasonably, we too shall withdraw our consideration.”
Ion Velburn produced a new peace proposal.
“Since the war began with the Adits Empire’s aggression, we shall add twenty million gold in war reparations to the terms.”
“What do you mean demanding war reparations in the middle of peace negotiations!”
War reparations.
Money extracted from the defeated nation by the victor.
It was no different from demanding that the Adits Empire acknowledge their defeat in war.
“This is not a negotiation. You have exactly three days. Should you fail to make a wise choice by then, additional terms will continue to be added.”
The moment Seto Count realized what Ion Velburn was saying.
He furrowed his brow.
“Are you threatening us now?”
“I withdrew my consideration, not made a threat. That’s dangerous language. Then I shall await your positive and wise decision.”
There was no need, nor value, in saying more.
Ion Velburn and the Raikhan Empire’s delegation left the negotiation chamber without so much as a backward glance.
Thus remained the Adits Empire’s delegation.
Seto Count, seated at its center, examined the Raikhan Empire’s peace proposal.
“So this is how they intend to proceed.”
It was faster than I’d anticipated, though I’d expected something along these lines.
And the real work begins now.
“Let’s return.”
“Yes, sir!”
With time running short, Seto Count and the negotiation team members began moving with urgency.
* * *
【Second Negotiation Ends in Collapse—Is War Truly Upon Us Again?】
The second peace treaty negotiation with the Adits Empire, held yesterday afternoon, had yielded poor results.
The arrogant Adits Empire demonstrated their foolishness by demanding Belzium Castle once more, prompting our Empire to add war reparations to the peace proposal.
Ion Velburn, the chief negotiator, declared to the press: “We have spoken, and the choice now rests with the Adits Empire.”
The next negotiation is scheduled three days hence, with all eyes fixed on what decision the Adits Empire will make.
“One truly cannot predict the course of worldly affairs.”
I nodded at Father’s remark as he read the newspaper over breakfast.
“It does seem that way. I never imagined circumstances would shift so dramatically.”
The second negotiation, following the first, had also failed.
‘Demanding war reparations from a still-intact Adits Empire—it’s essentially over.’
The enemy made an unreasonable demand, so we responded in kind.
Now both empires stand at opposite extremes.
‘Fine, then let them fight.’
Having resolved to return to military service, I actually hoped negotiations would collapse quickly.
“You mentioned attending a charity banquet today, not an Imperial Court banquet.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Hmm.”
Father’s response carried a note of disapproval.
Well, that was only natural.
By conventional standards of priority, a banquet hosted by the Princess should certainly rank first.
“It’s a charity banquet with genuinely noble intentions. It will certainly benefit the Guild’s image as well.”
“If that is your judgment, I won’t press further. But ensure you accomplish your objectives and return.”
“Yes, understood.”
I’d already devised several ways to assist discharged soldiers.
I found myself genuinely looking forward to today’s banquet.
“Master of the House, you should begin preparing to meet your next appointment.”
“Has it already grown so late?”
At Havel’s words, Father set down his bread and rose from his seat.
“Travel safely.”
“Yes, I shall endeavor to bring honor to the Family.”
“Good.”
Father, who had his own schedule, went upstairs to prepare before departing for work.
With some time remaining, I entered my room and lay upon the bed.
“Since I’ve committed to attending, perhaps more people will come to the banquet.”
I’d venture to guess that if things had gone normally, there wouldn’t have been even twenty attendees at this banquet.
‘The primary purpose isn’t socializing, and the one who extended the invitation is a Young Master from a Baron’s household?’
To be frank, if that touching letter hadn’t arrived, I wouldn’t have given this a second glance either.
“Well, if attendance is sparse, I’ll just make a brief appearance and leave.”
Actually, too many people would be chaotic—I’d rather avoid that.
Knock, knock.
“It’s Aurora. May I come in?”
“Come in.”
Just as I was about to dive into a novel I’d recently purchased.
Aurora opened the door and stepped inside.
“Young Master, I’ve come to help you prepare.”
“Hmm? Prepare?”
The banquet was still hours away—what preparations could possibly need help?
“Aren’t you attending the banquet today?”
“That’s right. We’re leaving at 2 PM, so there’s still plenty of time.”
The current time was 9 AM.
Five hours remained until departure.
“Wait—wasn’t it 3 PM? This won’t do. We need to move quickly, so please come with me at once.”
“Pardon?”
No, wait.
What on earth are you talking about?

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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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