I Became an Officer in Another World in Just 5 Minutes - Chapter 38

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 38

 

Since it was a trading company run by a retired colonel, everyone had been keeping quiet about it.

 

‘But wait, the daily food budget is 15 silver?’

 

It was much higher than I had expected.

 

“With this amount, we could actually feed them pretty well.”

 

At minimum, there should be a meat dish at least once every day.

 

“Is the problem serious?”

 

As I stared intently at the contract, Captain Siel asked with a curious expression.

 

“It’s quite seriously problematic.”

 

This isn’t just somewhat serious—this is blatant corruption.

 

“Then should we report this to the Regimental Commander?”

 

“But since the guild master is a reserve colonel, rather than reporting immediately, I think we need to investigate a bit more.”

 

“Understood. Let me know when you’re ready. I’ll handle the report to the Regimental Commander. You can do it directly if you want to.”

 

Reporting corruption—a very troublesome task that’s perfect for making enemies.

 

I never dreamed she would offer to do that for me.

 

‘What is this? Can a person really be this kind?’

 

But unfortunately, I have no intention of asking the Regimental Commander to resolve this.

 

‘If I’m going to report this upward, Captain Eden would be the direct route.’

 

Since it’s audit period anyway, he’d shake them down thoroughly and wrap things up cleanly.

 

But would that really be the best option?

 

‘In the end, reporting it would just be doing the military a favor. With nothing falling to me.’

 

This would be a completely losing deal.

 

‘From my current thinking, kicking these guys out and inserting Oclo Trading Guild seems most profitable.’

 

Just this 1st Division alone will soon surpass 20,000 people for meal service.

 

‘Even if we only skim 1 silver per person, that’s 200 gold per day.’

 

That’s a simple calculation, and looking at what Alonso Trading Company is doing, they’re not just skimming 1 silver.

 

‘At least 5 silver, so 1,000 gold per day, 30,000 gold per month. That’s insane.’

 

This is just money duplication.

 

“I’ll try it myself, and if it doesn’t work, I’ll ask for help.”

 

“Alright. And if possible, try meeting the guild master directly. You might obtain some new information.”

 

“Yes, I was planning to do that anyway.”

 

Of course, obtaining information isn’t the main purpose, but I will meet him.

 

“Looking at your face, it seems like you have something in mind.”

 

Is this what they call women’s intuition?

 

I thought I was pretty good at managing my expressions, but it seems visible to her eyes.

 

“Ha…haha, I’ll let you know if things go well.”

 

“Alright. Let’s do a bit more work and then go eat.”

 

At the Director’s words, I unconsciously bit my lip.

 

‘We’re going to the Soldier’s Dining Hall again, aren’t we…?’

 

There’s probably a 99 percent chance of that.

 

That means I’d have to put yesterday’s abomination in my mouth.

 

Just imagining it gives me chills.

 

‘I need to resolve this quickly. There’s no time to spare.’

 

Looking at it again, this was a problem directly connected to my survival.

 

*    *    *

 

“Ugh, just kill me.”

 

It’s already been a week since I was appointed as company commander.

 

I’m spending hellish days, but there’s good news today.

 

‘Thank goodness the report to the Regimental Commander was postponed, otherwise I would have really died.’

 

I heard he was called in for investigation, probably with high likelihood related to corruption.

 

“Do you think the Regimental Commander will return safely?”

 

“Our Regimental Commander didn’t embezzle on a large scale like others, so he’ll probably return safely? Though he’ll get a warning, of course.”

 

Since the audit began, countless commanders have been dismissed from their positions or disappeared without a trace.

 

Since there are so many, quite a few cases are being handled with warning measures depending on the scale of corruption.

 

‘Of course, if you can’t pull your weight in the war, you’ll get arrested as soon as it ends.’

 

Perhaps because of this, there’s definitely a feeling that the military has been more energetic lately.

 

“I hope that’s the case. If we lose any more people here, won’t we all die?”

 

“That’s right. We’d really die then.”

 

Captain Siel shook her head as if she didn’t want to imagine it.

 

“Haha, I don’t know about myself, but you’ll survive, Director.”

 

It’s not empty words—she’s truly a monster when it comes to paperwork.

 

‘Working overtime is the default, with an insane level of concentration.’

 

If she had been born into a good family and studied, she would definitely be making a name for herself as a scholar somewhere.

 

“Don’t say scary things, will you? More importantly, you said you’re meeting the guild master today?”

 

“Yes, I’ve arranged it as a dinner appointment.”

 

“That’s too bad. Meat came in today, so it’ll be a special meal.”

 

“Ha…haha, that’s really unfortunate.”

 

Not at all, not even slightly disappointing.

 

‘Really, does this woman have any food she can’t eat?’

 

This might sound odd, but if you threw her on a deserted island, she’d adapt within a day.

 

“Go and have a good conversation. What’s good is good.”

 

“I’d like to do that too. If you’re here when I return later, I’ll report to you. Loyalty!”

 

I saluted, gathered my document bag, and left the building.

 

“If I resolve this well, it’ll practically be a cushy position.”

 

The mess hall company commander duties only seem overwhelming now because problems are tangled up, but once stabilized, I just need to hide in the dining hall office and order ingredients.

 

‘Let me hang in there just a bit longer.’

 

Dreaming of the rosy future I could see in the near distance, I headed to the barbecue restaurant in front of the military base, which was our meeting place.

 

“Nice to meet you for the first time. I’m Colbet, the vice guild master of Alonso Trading Company.”

 

A man who appeared to be in his thirties spotted me in military uniform and greeted me first.

 

In some ways, he seemed very friendly, but the first gear was already seriously wrong.

 

‘Vice guild master?’

 

I had naturally arranged to meet with guild master Alonso.

 

“I’m Lieutenant Paran Oclo, mess hall company commander. Did the guild master perhaps go to the restroom?”

 

“He’s busy with ingredient-related work today, so I came in his place. I’ve been given full authority, so you can speak with me.”

 

The sight of him informing me of the no-show at the meeting place without a single word of apology was quite impressive.

 

‘These guys won’t do.’

 

I think I can afford to be a bit more ruthless.

 

“I see. I understand for now.”

 

“What would you like to order?”

 

“Let’s go with lamb.”

 

Since wool is a Western specialty, lamb is the cheapest across the entire continent.

 

“Looking at the price, it seems to be old lamb. I’m sorry I couldn’t bring you to a better place.”

 

“In times like these, going to an upscale restaurant and getting caught would invite criticism, so I’ll just accept the sentiment.”

 

Especially during audit periods like this, one needs to be extra careful.

 

“Once things stabilize a bit, I’ll treat you properly.”

 

“I think it would be better to put that effort into the ingredients you supply rather than on me.”

 

After throwing that pointed remark, I sat down and drank a glass of water first.

 

‘What should I talk about first?’

 

The plan got slightly twisted with the vice guild master showing up, but it’s not a big problem.

 

‘Should I start by applying some pressure?’

 

Just as I was about to start the conversation after setting the direction for the first topic, Colbet moved first.

 

“And this is a small token of sincerity from our guild master. He would be grateful if you could use it somewhere good for the Empire.”

 

Colbet pushed the food box he had placed on the floor toward me.

 

“What is this.”

 

“Haha, please take good care of our guild.”

 

Though the contents were obvious, I opened the box slightly just in case.

 

‘Well.’

 

Inside was, as expected, gold coins.

 

Judging by the weight, it seemed to be a little over 500 gold.

 

“Not just today, but we’ll visit every month to show our sincerity.”

 

Colbet smiled good-naturedly.

 

If the former company commander had been sitting in this seat, his mouth would have stretched from ear to ear, but I’m a bit different.

 

‘These bastards make well over a thousand gold a day in simple calculations, and this is all they brought?’

 

What sincerity—this level is just plain insulting.

 

“And this is a delicate matter, but I heard you enjoy visiting casinos. Is that correct?”

 

“Well, I do visit occasionally.”

 

I was curious about what they were going to offer this time, so I played along.

 

“Our guild master is a VIP at the Obelip Casino, the largest in this city.”

 

How much gambling did he do for a guild master registered as a small guild to become a casino VIP?

 

The more I dig, the more scandals emerge—it’s truly astounding.

 

“Since it’s a place that operates only by invitation, he said he’d speak to the casino if you’re interested.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

What should I do with these people.

 

It seems like a difficult problem, but actually, once I make a decision, there’s nothing to worry about.

 

“Hey, do I look like a beggar to you?”

 

“Pardon…?”

 

At my coldly thrown words, Colbet’s expression hardened stiffly.

 

“You’re telling me, an Oclo, to take this dirty money? Have you lost your mind?”

 

Clatter clatter clatter!

 

When I kicked the box I’d received as a bribe, gold coins scattered across the floor.

 

“I… I think there’s some misunderstanding, Company Commander.”

 

“Don’t annoy me, and if you don’t want your guild to collapse, bring the guild master right now. This is too disgusting to bear.”

 

“If the guild master comes, you’ll surely suffer consequences too, Company Commander. Please calm down, this was my mistake, so let’s talk…”

 

Still not having come to his senses, he was subtly threatening me.

 

‘The world really has gone wrong.’

 

Setting aside that I’m a noble, it doesn’t make sense that he could act so brazenly after committing a wrong.

 

“Consequences? Interesting. You think you can harm me? Stop saying things you can’t take responsibility for and just bring the guild master.”

 

“You’ll regret this in the end.”

 

Colbet stood up with his eyes wide open.

 

“By the way, I hope you realize there isn’t much time. If you’re too late, even the chance for negotiation will disappear.”

 

“I’ll be back within an hour, so wait.”

 

Eyes filled with anger.

 

It feels like the roles have been reversed, but I can be generous enough to overlook this much.

 

“The lamb you ordered… I’ll prepare it for you.”

 

A young female employee came with the lamb, looking terrified.

 

“I’m sorry. It was a bit noisy, wasn’t it? Um, would you like this as a tip?”

 

I picked up a few gold coins scattered on the floor and handed them to the woman.

 

“Th… thank you!”

 

The woman who had been terrified just moments ago bowed repeatedly as if nothing had happened.

 

‘Money really is the best medicine after all.’

 

The world is truly simple when you understand it.

 

“And do you happen to have a private room here? It’s going to get noisier in a bit.”

 

“Yes! There’s one room in the back. Shall I move you there?”

 

“Please do.”

 

With the employee’s help, I entered a room that wasn’t luxurious but at least had a door and sat down.

 

‘I’m hungry, should I eat first?’

 

Since it came out cooked, if I leave it like this, it’ll get cold and lose its flavor.

 

“Right, that would be a waste.”

 

Chew chew.

 

The moment I picked up a piece of meat with my fork and put it in my mouth.

 

The lamb’s flavor and juices created a chain reaction, causing a massive explosion.

 

“Ahh! This is it!”

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