NOVEL NEXT
Chapter 14
[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – ChiSync]
Chapter 14
The Protagonists. Let them retire.
Shulifen, the eldest son of the Marquis of Adria, the next head of House Rothenberg.
He had an impressive background, but he also had a painful past.
Several years ago, he confessed his feelings to Selena, his academy classmate, and that was the beginning of it all.
Since then, he couldn’t easily face Selena. He kept avoiding her.
Why he did that, he still doesn’t quite understand. He just… wanted to.
Every time he recalled how sharply she rejected his confession, his heart would tremble inexplicably.
Despite wanting to brush it off casually, it didn’t quite work out as intended.
Thus, for two years, he struggled and agonized internally until one day,
“Enlist as a soldier.”
That was the advice Karl gave, a colleague who had changed significantly compared to before. He said he had been through the same. After military service, everything became clearer.
In Shulifen’s eyes, Karl’s advice seemed right. Even though he had been harshly rejected by Selena, the atmosphere between them was okay.
The incident seemed like a distant memory now, relegated to mere nostalgia.
It was then that Shulifen realized, ‘Ah! Maybe I can be like that after serving in the army!’
Immediately, he took a leave of absence with other friends and applied for enlistment.
Naturally, there was opposition, but he persisted and ended up at the recruit training camp.
“Recruits! You will become the great soldiers of the empire! But! You must first overcome even this basic training!”
It was days of hardship in succession. He realized that his life had been too comfortable until then. He came to know how many young people shed sweat to defend the empire.
A new world. A place he had never known before. Maybe that’s why Karl gave such advice.
Indeed, it seemed quite nice to forget the pain, fear, and embarrassment of that day.
It seemed that Wilhelm, Alexander, and Joachim, who enlisted alongside him, felt the same.
However, a bolt from the blue struck them all.
“Trainees 124, 125, 126, 127. You’re dismissed. Get ready to leave.”
Each was ordered to return to their respective households and behave accordingly.
There was an atmosphere suggesting, ‘One of these bastards is enough!’
Though everyone insisted they couldn’t all leave, they knew this wasn’t the right answer.
Even Karl, who had given advice, was used as an excuse, but that wouldn’t last forever.
So, just as the four were brainstorming what to do next…
“Fall back.”
“Forward march.”
“Sit. Stand. Sit. Stand. Sit. Stand. Stand up! Who told you to sit down? Get your act together!!”
A demon of a sergeant, fierce enough to strip even the souls of the poor four trainees, descended upon them.
* * *
Tomorrow is an enjoyable weekend. The weekend. Whether there’s an agenda or not, weekends are truly precious.
So, it must be finished today.
Finished, and those bastards must be taken back to the academy without fail.
We can’t spend this damn weekend in this cursed recruit training camp.
Anger rises as past memories come flooding back.
“Can’t you get it together? What can you achieve with that kind of mentality?”
“Ugh!”
“Shulifen. Huh? Get lost. If you’re going to be like that, go home! The lord is looking for you!”
“No!”
“Wilhelm, you too. Are you already giving up? No? No way!”
“Grraaah!!”
“Repetitive drills! Repetitive drills! Alexander, you keep making the same mistakes. Your comrades are suffering for it!”
“I’m sorry!”
“Do you think I’m not watching, Joachim? You keep dragging your feet. Let’s see who comes out on top. Ten more rounds for everyone! Commence!”
“Attention! Commence!”
No matter how well they adapted in the training camp, there would always be instructors looking out for their backs.
It’s obvious without saying. How dare they try to slack off as trainees?
As long as I’m here, it’s not happening. No way. Treat them the same… as I am… no, as the other soldiers!
“Do you still see me as your fellow classmate, the returnee from the 19th class at the academy?”
“No, sir!!”
“Right. No. I am Sergeant Karl Adelheit of the Imperial Army!
It means I’m an invaluable talent that won’t change even if I load you chicks onto a cart!”
Actually, no. I wish I could be seen as Karl from the 19th class rather than Sergeant Karl Adelheit.
I’d be happy even if they called me a returnee! I want academy life, not military life! Yaaay!
“In my eyes, you’re still far from it! You came here to grow, to improve, right? But what’s with this attitude?! It’s embarrassing for me, the one who gave you advice!”
“Aaargh!”
“Give up! Just pack your bags and leave! You’re more suited for the academy anyway!”
“Aaarghhh!”
No, kids. I’m not telling you to hold on. I’m really telling you to give up and leave.
So, please, for heaven’s sake, stop enduring and just give up and pack your bags, okay?
“Everyone, rise.”
“Ri- Rise!”
“Here’s the paper. See it? Just sign it. No need to say you’re giving up. Then you’re free. Honestly, you’ve worked hard enough. You’ve done what others wouldn’t even think of doing. So, that’s it. You’ve done enough. Stopping here, nobody will say anything. They’ll even say you’ve done well.”
“….”
“I’ll give you seven chances now. If not, it’s back to running ten laps around the parade ground.”
This is the devil’s paper that anyone has no choice but to sign.
Even those who lived comfortably as members of noble families are signing it without hesitation… right?
From Shulifen to Wilhelm, Alexander, and Joachim, without anyone needing to go first, they all dash towards the parade ground.
Rolling with the punches, they stride forward while gritting their teeth.
It seems like the true stubbornness of the devil’s spirit comes out even as they retch.
‘…This is fucking insane. Really.’
Before the afternoon session ended, I had expected to dismiss them.
But even after the session ended, even after evening fell and the sun went down…
“Heck! Huff!”
“Cough! Cough!”
Those damn four never gave up. They didn’t even give a glance toward the instructors.
Strange. Are they planning to all become officers later?
No way? Aren’t they supposed to graduate from the academy, go to parties, and enjoy some attention from the ladies before each returning to their respective families to become lords?
I glanced briefly at the edge of the parade ground. There stood the worried-looking instructors.
Understandable. They’re from esteemed families, so if any issues arise from my handling of them, they won’t be able to avoid responsibility.
Honestly, I’m worried about that too. I don’t want others to suffer because of me. Even though I’ve completed my service, they have to continue living as officers.
If they get a blot on their record because of me, it could result in being passed over for promotions, the worst possible outcome.
This can’t go on. This method won’t send them home.
“Trainees, assemble.”
“Assemble!”
The sun had already set, it was dark. Looks like they won’t be going home today.
Sigh. It seems they’re destined to stay in the recruit training camp until Saturday after all.
No wonder I had a terrible nightmare about re-enlisting suddenly.
“From now on, just listen. Don’t do roll calls or answer back.”
“Yes!”
“Don’t even respond.”
Where do I begin? How do I say it to return them to where they originally belonged?
“I’ve seen enough of your determination. I understand better than anyone how much you’ve suffered. From an objective standpoint as someone who has served in the military for three years, you guys are quite impressive. Despite the lack of reason, you’ve shown strength in your choices and decisions, never giving up. Perhaps if you had gone to the battlefield, you might have been even more remarkable than me.”
This isn’t just talk. It’s real. Truly, it might have been so.
“But you know, people ultimately belong where they should be. I didn’t know that, and I made many people uncomfortable. I made it hard for myself too. It’s good to set an example, but maybe that was just my own idea and not for others.”
“If you guys stay here longer, many people will suffer.”
It’s not a time when propaganda like mine is needed. And those aren’t country nobles either. Even if those four stayed here and became soldiers, the drawbacks outweigh the benefits.
“And honestly, haven’t you achieved your goal?”
“…?”
“Did anyone here think of Selena?”
It’s unlikely. They’ve been rolling and tumbling relentlessly. It’d be strange if they did.
The shame of the rejection? The doubts about themselves? All probably erased by now.
And now, finally, it’s time to use the last resort.
“All right. Fall back, everyone.”
Are they trying to roll again? The instructors watching from behind murmur with concern.
But no, this is a spell that anyone falls for when they’re a trainee.
“While looking at the sky, while looking at the stars, think about your parents and your family who are waiting for you.”
“Ah…”
“Your parents, especially your mother, will be worried sick about you doing something like this without any discussion. Think about her face.”
Even during the sergeant days, but especially during the trainee days, there’s no word stronger than “mother.” Mom. I remember crying my eyes out back then. I must have been a sight.
“…Karl.”
Finally, Shulifen spoke, as if he came to his senses.
“Huh.”
“Are we really allowed to go back?”
“If you feel like you’ve changed yourselves.”
“I’m not sure if we’ve changed. But now, I don’t think it’ll hurt to stand in front of Selena anymore.”
“Me too.”
“Same here.”
“…Agreed.”
Damn bastards. I envy them. I think I only realized this towards the end of being a private.
“I already told the instructors. To let you off for a bit because you were feeling unwell. Conveniently, the reason for leave was also sick leave.”
“What are you talking about, Karl? Medical leave is…”
“Damn it, shut up. We’ll talk about this later with Senior Marcus. You hear me?”
Let’s not bring up this topic again or they might explode. Let’s talk to the senior about it.
“Anyway, trainees. You’re allowed to go back. Understood?”
“Yes. Understood.”
“Listen to your voices. Already faltering?”
“Yes!! Understood!!”
Good. It’s over. Let’s eat now. What a suffering it was because of these guys…
“As expected, you seem qualified, Karl.”
“Huh?”
“I agree. You’re the one who should.”
“Have you all gone crazy or something? What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
Get up already. Let’s go have dinner! All I’ve eaten today is boiled eggs and soda!
“Confessing to Selena again.”
“What?”
“I was thinking of trying again if I got the courage, but it seems like you’re the only qualified one, Karl.”
“Stay strong, Karl! Selena will like you for sure.”
“She’d naturally prefer someone much cooler than us.”
“Hahaha. Hahaha!”
“Trainees, rise.”
“What?!”
“Aren’t you going to respond to roll call? Rise, you idiots!”
Trainee Karl disappears, and once again, Sergeant Karl Adelheit returns.
The instructors, who were smiling contentedly, rushed over in panic? Yeah, get lost.
Just let them roll all night long. Get ready to beg for mercy!
You twisted otherworldly bunch of retards!
[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – ChiSync]
fr(e)ewebn(o)vel.𝓬𝓸𝓶