I Became an Officer in Another World in Just 5 Minutes - Chapter 256

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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 256
Fire
“Do we really need to prepare that much?”
“Of course. You haven’t attended a banquet in ages, after all. We need to choose your outfit first.”
“Can’t I just wear the uniform they sell at the Guild?”
There are clothes being sold under my name—do I really need anything else?
“Well, that’s the base, but we need to add embellishments. A uniform alone would look plain.”
“I… I see. Understood.”
When she puts it that way, what can I do?
I’ll just do as she says.
‘Good grief, I normally prepare in fifteen minutes after waking up.’
I can’t even fathom how to spend five hours.
“First, regarding accessories—since it’s a charity banquet, something less ornate would be better, don’t you think?”
“Naturally.”
Of course, that doesn’t mean dressing modestly.
“This is a brooch made of diamonds. I think it would suit you perfectly. Would you like to see it?”
I took the diamond brooch from Aurora and examined it.
‘Goodness, how much is this worth?’
The family crest carved in diamonds was nothing short of exquisite.
“It’s perfect. Less flashy, but understated and elegant—exactly what I need.”
“Yes, and…”
An endless stream of ornaments emerged.
The quantity was enough to make one believe an entire jeweler’s shop had been relocated here.
‘Our house really is wealthy.’
Even for nobility, possessing this many jewels was no simple matter.
“Then I’ll set these up with your uniform this way.”
“Very well.”
After selecting the accessories and coming to my senses, more than an hour had already passed.
The real work was only just beginning.
“I need to do your makeup, so please close your eyes.”
“Y… yes.”
* * *
“My son looks so dashing I almost didn’t recognize him.”
As I was about to leave the Manor after finishing all the preparations.
My Mother emerged from the room where she had been waiting and examined my appearance.
“H… ha, I’m relieved.”
Well, even I had to admit the makeup was done well.
The problem, if there was one, was that every trace of my usual self had vanished.
‘I feel like I’m suffocating.’
I thought standing still would be fine.
I kept applying something to my face, wiping it away, then applying it again.
Treating it like clay, molding and reshaping—the exhaustion was no joke.
‘And that’s before the makeup was even finished, followed by trying on dozens of outfits.’
Honestly, I just wanted to abandon it all and collapse into bed right now.
“The young ladies won’t be able to take their eyes off you.”
“There probably won’t be any young ladies at this banquet.”
It was a charity banquet related to the treatment of discharged soldiers, after all.
It was definitely a topic that would interest men far more than women.
‘But wait… if I think about it, why would I need to dress up this elaborately for a banquet full of men?’
I felt like I’d stumbled upon some tremendous truth.
But since I was already dressed, I’d ignore it.
“That’s too bad then.”
“There’s nothing to regret about it. I’ll be going now.”
There wasn’t much time for a lengthy conversation.
I bid farewell to my Mother and climbed into the carriage, heading toward the Ebindt Barony.
* * *
“Thanks to the dedication and effort you’ve all shown on the Front Line, our Empire has been able to achieve victory in battle after battle.”
The Princess’s words marking the beginning of the banquet.
With soldiers gathered like this, the focus was naturally on matters related to the war.
“Please take a brief respite from the fierce and grueling Battlefield, and enjoy yourselves at ease.”
“Thank you!!”
Voices rang out the moment she finished speaking.
Sharp and clean, as befitted soldiers.
“Your Highness, thank you so much for hosting such a wonderful banquet.”
As the banquet officially began, the first person to approach the Princess was Major General Gadus.
“Not at all. How have you been?”
“Well enough, Your Highness. I’ve felt the weight of things, but fortune has smiled upon us, and we manage.”
“Then that’s all that matters. I always hear of your accomplishments, Major General. You must have worked hard at Belzium Castle this time as well.”
“Ha, that’s thanks to the fine work of those under my command. I’ve done little myself.”
Major General Gadus scratched his head as if embarrassed.
“Recognizing the value of those beneath you and supporting them—that’s what I’ve learned true ability is. In that regard, you’re doing excellently.”
“Your words honor me greatly. I shall enjoy this beautiful banquet and take my leave.”
“Please do.”
A line had formed of those wanting to exchange even a word with the Princess.
Major General Gadus withdrew at an appropriate moment.
“Your Highness the Princess, I pay my respects.”
A second guest arrived without taking a single step forward.
A young man of her own age with a face quite familiar to the Princess—Ion Velburn.
“Ion, it’s been so long.”
“I should have visited more often. My apologies.”
“It’s fine. I’m just glad we can see each other again like this.”
Being the same age and both holding high positions, we’ve had no choice but to cross paths frequently since childhood.
“Yes.”
Perhaps it was because we’d seen each other so often.
Ion felt no sense of awe at Her Highness the Princess’s beauty—the kind that struck those meeting her for the first time.
“With Ion Velburn leading the negotiation delegation, the Young Master must be quite busy. Are you managing?”
“I should say I’m managing, but there’s so much work that I’m barely keeping my head above water.”
“That must be exhausting.”
“However….”
Ion Velburn seemed about to say something, then hesitated and glanced around.
“Yes?”
“No, never mind. Thank you for hosting the banquet.”
What could it be?
Ion ultimately swallowed his words and bowed his head.
“Yes…of course.”
I wanted to ask, but there was surely a reason he chose not to speak.
Her Highness the Princess simply acknowledged his greeting and sent him on his way.
‘What was that?’
The curiosity was fleeting.
New guests approached her without pause, and as the banquet deepened into its rhythm.
An unexpected variable erupted.
“His Highness the Crown Prince enters!!”
The Gatekeeper’s voice rang out as if demanding everyone snap to attention and mind their manners.
At that very moment, the soldiers in the Banquet Hall stiffened rigidly.
“The…the Crown Prince, you say?”
“Wait.”
The soldiers hurriedly checked their appearance and set down the cups they’d been holding.
Once they’d made some semblance of preparation.
Creak!
Two Gatekeepers pushed open the Banquet Hall doors with force.
“We greet His Highness the Crown Prince!!”
“We greet His Highness the Crown Prince!!!”
The soldiers paid their respects to the Crown Prince as he passed through the doors and entered the Banquet Hall.
The Crown Prince swept his gaze across them once, then approached Her Highness the Princess.
“Is the banquet proceeding well?”
“Yes, it was unfolding in a pleasant atmosphere.”
Yet Her Highness the Princess’s expression was far from pleased.
The Crown Prince’s unexpected arrival had frozen the banquet’s mood rigid.
But the Crown Prince paid it no mind and surveyed the banquet’s attendees.
“I don’t see my friend Colonel Paran Oclo. Where might he be?”
Even as a murmur, it was loud enough for those nearby to hear.
Naturally, I would need to find Colonel Paran Oclo and bring him here.
But after waiting several minutes, Colonel Paran Oclo never appeared.
“Didn’t we invite him?”
“Yes? We did invite him. Definitely.”
Before distributing the invitations, Her Highness the Princess had reviewed the guest list once.
His name was definitely on it.
“Perhaps he went to the restroom.”
“That’s probably it. But when did you two become close enough to call each other dear friends?”
“We’ve overcome the threat of death together multiple times, so we can certainly be called the closest of friends.”
Shocking words tumbled from the Crown Prince’s lips one after another.
Everyone in the Banquet Hall would inevitably remember this clearly.
That His Highness the Crown Prince stood behind Colonel Paran Oclo.
“Colonel Paran Oclo and His Highness the Crown Prince were that close…?”
“Hmm, I’ll have to be very careful.”
Time flowed amid the murmuring atmosphere.
A maidservant who had heard the news rushed to Her Highness the Princess.
“Your… Your Highness the Princess.”
“Speak.”
“Colonel Paran Oclo sent word that he would not be attending the Banquet.”
“Ah, so that’s why I didn’t see him.”
Her Highness the Princess nodded and glanced at the Crown Prince.
“He said he won’t be attending.”
“Oh, I wonder if he’s unwell. He has been pushing himself hard lately, after all.”
There were few reasons for him to miss Her Highness the Princess’s Banquet.
And the most likely among them was naturally his health.
However, the maidservant, who was well-informed about all happenings in the Capital, knew the truth.
“That is, by now, he’s probably at a different Banquet Hall.”
“What?”
At these completely unexpected words, Her Highness the Princess furrowed her brow in a rare display of displeasure and asked again.
“I don’t know the exact details, but I heard he’s attending a charity Banquet held by the Ebindt Barony.”
“The Ebindt Barony?”
It was a name she had never heard in her life, and the title was merely that of a Baron, the lowest rank among the Nobility.
“He skipped my Banquet to go there?”
“Yes… that’s what I understand it to be.”
Quite.
No, Her Highness the Princess was very displeased.
But the Crown Prince beside her was different.
“A charity Banquet—Colonel Paran Oclo always has his reasons for what he does. I should go see for myself.”
“You’re going to the Banquet Hall, Your Highness?”
I attend a banquet I was never invited to, simply to see one person.
It’s conduct far beneath the dignity of the Crown Prince.
“Aren’t you curious? I’ll tell you when I return. What sort of banquet is it that made you reject even my invitation?”
The Crown Prince looked absolutely delighted.
Only the Emperor could stop him in this state.
But right now, he’s confined to his Office dealing with the negotiation delegation.
“Yes….”
In the end, the Princess could only answer weakly.
The Crown Prince promptly left the Banquet Hall and boarded a Carriage heading toward the Ebindt Barony.
* * *
“Thank you so much for coming! I’m Baen Evint.”
“I’m Paran Oclo. I should be the one thanking you for the invitation.”
After exchanging light greetings, I looked around.
“This is truly a beautiful Banquet Hall. You must have gone through considerable trouble decorating it.”
To be honest, it wasn’t quite as lavish or impressive as all that.
But Mother had instructed me to offer praise first whenever attending a Banquet Hall.
“We had to change venues in a hurry, so we couldn’t decorate it properly. Thank you for viewing it so kindly.”
The venue had been changed.
Likely because my attendance had increased the number of guests.
“A Banquet Hall doesn’t need to be lavish. But how is your arm?”
“It’s fine as long as I don’t lift anything.”
“I…I see.”
Though technically, if he couldn’t lift anything, he wasn’t fine at all.
‘Stay positive. Be positive.’
After all, that’s how one manages to think such admirable and wonderful thoughts.
“I sincerely wish for your continued recovery.”
I spoke with genuine feeling.
Perhaps my sincerity reached him, for Baen broke into a radiant smile.
“I’ll work hard to show you my best self! And thank you again so much for coming.”
“One should always support worthwhile occasions. I’m looking forward to the event.”
Since there were others waiting behind him, I ended the conversation at an appropriate point and headed toward where cocktails were being served.
‘If you’re at a banquet, you should have a drink first.’
It’s pointless to drink alone at home, so I might as well enjoy it while I’m here.
“Ahh.”
Bitter yet sweet in flavor.
I didn’t know how expensive it was, but it suited my palate well.
‘Perhaps I’ll have another glass.’
Honestly, my liver barely registered it.
I picked up another cocktail and brought it to my lips….
Clack
“Hm?”
As I raised the glass to my lips, slender fingers wrapped around my arm, halting me mid-motion.
I opened my eyes, which had been closed to savor the drink, startled by the unexpected grip.
A familiar face materialized before me—one that made my breath catch in my throat.
“Wine should be shared. Why are you drinking alone after coming all the way to the Banquet Hall?”
“Captain Aisa…?”
Captain Aisa stood before me in an elegant dress instead of the uniform I knew so well.
Confronted with an image I had never imagined, I found myself instinctively stepping backward.

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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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