I Became an Officer in Another World in Just 5 Minutes - Chapter 44

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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 44

 

“When you’re gaining trust, you must work harder than anyone else to leave an even better impression.”

 

Given how crucial this moment was, the retainers’ faces showed a mixture of tension and anticipation.

 

All except for two people—Tems Oclo and Edmon Oclo.

 

“Paran will contact us soon, but before that, each of you should think carefully about how to stably supply food materials and be ready to report.”

 

“Yes!!”

 

Their answer came without a moment’s hesitation, their eyes filled with passion.

 

“This war, and this business venture, will surely become a stepping stone for our family to leap even higher. So give it your all—I’ll reward you more than generously.”

 

Like the seasoned merchant he was, he dangled the carrot as he wrapped up the meeting.

 

Afterward, the retainers dispersed to their respective positions, with Tems Oclo being the first to leave the conference room.

 

Crash!

 

“Shit!!!!”

 

As soon as he entered his room, Tems grabbed everything in sight and hurled it against the wall.

 

“Why is that vermin bastard achieving results!”

 

When Broad first said he would give Paran the position of family head, it had felt unpleasant but wasn’t a major blow.

 

After all, that incompetent fool would either die in the military or, even if he survived, would never inherit the family head position due to his pathetic abilities.

 

But things had gone wrong.

 

Paran had graduated from the training camp with the ridiculous achievement of second place.

 

“Why… why, why is he doing so well!”

 

Before he could even accept the fact of second place, suddenly—for reasons unknown—Paran’s name was listed as the second greatest contributor to the Rimircastle recapture operation, and he was promoted to Lieutenant.

 

Even though Tems was ignorant about military matters, he knew this was tremendous.

 

“If his talent as a merchant gets recognized too, it’s all over.”

 

Tems could feel his position shaking these days.

 

There were even rumors recently that Haiell, who was among the top five most influential people, had begun supporting Paran.

 

“I have to stop this.”

 

Ability. Yes, he acknowledged it.

 

But if he just sat still, everything would be taken from him.

 

“Young… Young master, what was that sound just now…”

 

A maid who had heard the noise long ago but was too frightened to enter until now came in to check on Tems’s condition.

 

“It’s nothing. More importantly, tell Father I want to see him.”

 

“Y… Yes, sir!”

 

“Hey.”

 

As the maid tried to flee, Tems called out in a menacing voice.

 

“Y… Yes!”

 

“You think you can just leave like that? Aren’t you going to clean this up?”

 

Tems pointed at the glass shards that had been sculptures just moments before.

 

“I… I’m sorry.”

 

“It’s annoying, so do it properly. With that ugly face of yours, you’re ruining my appetite. Who hired someone like you anyway.”

 

Consumed by rage, nothing pleased Tems’s eyes.

 

And that afternoon, Tems Oclo entered the Head of Family’s Office.

 

“What is it? I’m busy enough as it is.”

 

Broad looked at his eldest son, who had requested a private meeting during this busiest of times, with disapproving eyes.

 

“I came because I have something to say about what came up in today’s meeting.”

 

“If it’s some petty story about wanting to interfere with your brother, get out. I have no intention of listening.”

 

Broad already knew that his son was jealous of his youngest, who was doing well in the military.

 

“That’s not it. On the contrary, I think this is a historic opportunity for our family. The youngest has accomplished something truly great.”

 

“Hmm?”

 

At these completely unexpected words, Broad tilted his head.

 

“When the war ends after our family and the youngest achieve merit together, even if not immediately, a promotion in rank might be possible someday.”

 

Promotion in rank.

 

Every family head’s dream, but something nearly impossible under normal circumstances.

 

However, there are moments when the door to such promotion opens, and that’s during war.

 

“That’s right. You’re seeing that picture too. Excellent. This isn’t something to be jealous about.”

 

At a time when they lacked manpower even if the whole family worked together.

 

Tems’s words were enough to win over Broad’s heart.

 

“You’re right. I was briefly jealous of my brother’s abilities.”

 

“Yes, he’s working hard on the front lines for the Empire and our family, isn’t he.”

 

At Broad’s words, Tems barely managed to suppress his grinding teeth.

 

‘That incompetent bastard is working hard?’

 

Fifteen years since he started learning the guild business until today.

 

Hearing his youngest brother’s efforts—who had only been focused for a few months—being valued more highly than his own, despite working harder than anyone, made his head burn with anger.

 

“So Father, as his older brother, I want to help him.”

 

“Help him?”

 

“Yes, since supplying food materials to Rimircastle is crucial, don’t we need someone there to communicate with Paran and handle the work?”

 

“Haiell will do that.”

 

“No matter how important Rimircastle is, shouldn’t the advisor oversee the entire Western Front?”

 

“Hmm.”

 

It certainly wasn’t wrong.

 

‘It wouldn’t be bad experience either.’

 

He had said he would pass the family to Paran, but that didn’t mean the remaining direct descendants would become completely irrelevant.

 

The Empire was vast and always short on talent, so direct descendants who received higher education from childhood were undoubtedly perfect workers.

 

“I’ll go and help the youngest.”

 

At Tems’s seemingly ideal attitude, Broad pondered for a moment.

 

‘Is this all he could think of?’

 

One lesson from decades of working as a merchant was that people don’t change easily.

 

‘He’s probably planning to go there and cause trouble, far from helping. Tsk tsk.’

 

It was too obvious.

 

He probably thought he was acting earnestly, but he couldn’t surpass Broad’s palm.

 

‘When will he ever mature?’

 

“Sigh.”

 

Broad sighed at his truly pathetic eldest son.

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

“Nothing. So, you want to go help the youngest?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“Fine. Go with Marco and help Paran.”

 

“With… with Master Marco?”

 

A seasoned merchant who earned massive profits selling luxury goods to nobles, and a teacher who once instructed all three direct descendants together.

 

Most importantly, he was a bachelor who claimed to be married to money.

 

“Is there some problem?”

 

“Not exactly, but it’s a bit uncomfortable…”

 

“You can’t succeed if you avoid capable people because they make you uncomfortable.”

 

“That’s true, but perhaps instead of Master Marco, with Lorenz…”

 

The moment he mentioned Lorenz, who was on his side, Broad’s brow furrowed.

 

“No. I’ll go with Master Marco.”

 

Recognizing that this was the line, Tems had no other choice.

 

“I don’t know about him as a man, but as a merchant he’s excellent, so watch and learn a lot from him.”

 

“Yes… I will.”

 

Two days after the family head’s permission was granted.

 

A carriage carrying Tems Oclo and Marco departed toward the Western Front.

 

*    *    *

 

“Ugh, after eating only potatoes, seeing meat after so long makes me feel like I’m coming back to life.”

 

It’s already been a week since I was assigned to Rimircastle.

 

Finally, the Oclo Trading Guild’s carriage successfully entered the castle.

 

“I brought a little extra.”

 

“You didn’t lose money on this, did you?”

 

“Haha, I’ve never experienced a loss in my entire life.”

 

I found myself nodding automatically at Haiell’s words.

 

“I suppose that’s true.”

 

“These days, this old man can’t even sleep properly because of you, young master. After 20,000 people, now 40,000? The guild doesn’t have any carriages left.”

 

“I’m sorry about that. But it was a situation I didn’t anticipate either.”

 

“I know. It’s just an old man’s complaints, so you can ignore them.”

 

While the food supplies were being unloaded, I walked around with Haiell.

 

“Starting next week, the first young master will probably come to handle the food supply deliveries.”

 

“What…? Is that really true?”

 

It was unexpected news, and not particularly welcome either, making me frown.

 

“Haha, you don’t need to worry. Marco will come with him, so he’ll help you diligently.”

 

“Marco… Ah, I see.”

 

It didn’t take long to recall the person named Marco.

 

‘A weirdo.’

 

A man who married money, a merchant to his very bones.

 

If he’s coming along, I can feel a little relieved.

 

‘If that guy Tems tries to pull any nonsense, he’ll stop him.’

 

Of course, it would still be best if he didn’t come at all, but saying “starting next week” means he’s already more than halfway here.

 

“He’ll definitely be a great help.”

 

“I don’t know about my brother, but Marco will certainly be helpful.”

 

“Haha, the relationship between brothers is unavoidable, whether then or now.”

 

Haiell’s good-natured smile made him look exactly like a grandfather.

 

“By any chance, have you found any solution regarding the potatoes?”

 

“Hmm, I was actually going to mention this, but the potatoes will be quite difficult.”

 

The reason was simple.

 

The quantity was too large, and the price the military contracted for was too expensive.

 

“Even if we took them at half price, there would be no profit left after processing them.”

 

“I see, as expected.”

 

“In my view, the only way is to somehow process them here where 40,000 people are gathered for meals.”

 

“Sigh.”

 

At those words that sounded like a death sentence, I unconsciously let out a sigh.

 

‘Am I really going to die in a rebellion too?’

 

Potatoes that have no choice but to be served three times a day.

 

This really is a hopeless situation.

 

“In this old man’s opinion… how about trying to cook the potatoes deliciously?”

 

“The Mess Sergeant is already attempting that daily.”

 

Sergeant Colton’s 37 different potato dishes, who is currently acting as Mess Sergeant, are already quite famous.

 

‘Whole potatoes, soy sauce steamed potatoes, julienned potatoes… ugh, just thinking about it makes me nauseous.’

 

I never really liked potatoes to begin with, but these days even the smell makes me grimace.

 

“I see. Still, there might be dishes that haven’t been tried yet, so I’ll look through some books as well.”

 

“Thank you for your concern.”

 

It doesn’t seem like it’ll be easy, but I appreciate the sentiment.

 

“Not at all. If I find any good news, I’ll send you a letter.”

 

“I’ll be waiting.”

 

After discussing a few more things and seeing him off, I returned to the dining hall.

 

“The soldiers are going to go absolutely wild today.”

 

Colton’s voice, as he checked the incoming food supplies, was brighter than ever.

 

“I hope so.”

 

They need to be in good spirits to endure another week of potato parties.

 

‘Isn’t there something like changing potatoes into lotus roots or something?’

 

“Shop.”

 

After returning to my office for the first time in a while, I opened the shop.

 

[Available Points: 310p]

 

-Anywhere Frying Pan 30p

 

-High-Calorie Capsule Rations (30 pieces) 10p

 

.

 

-Emergency First Aid Kit 50p

 

.

 

.

 

“As expected, nothing useful.”

 

While working as the mess company commander, a few related items have appeared in the shop, but that’s about it.

 

“This is difficult. So difficult.”

 

Since I’ve been running my brain at full capacity lately, my fatigue level is no joke.

 

“Excuse me…”

 

Just as I was contemplating whether to just set fire to the potato warehouse, a familiar voice came from the office entrance.

 

“Yes, who… Huh? Derick?”

 

When I looked up to check the visitor, it was none other than my Training Camp colleague, Derick Rahila.

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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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