NOVEL NEXT Chapter 31
– All operations are top secret. Letters must only be sent via mail.
– Colonel Lannister said that.
– He added that he was currently in a ‘position’ staying in the nearby unit for accommodation due to the follow-up measures of the Belgorod Fortress raid.
– In short, if one frequently visits the third battalion, they might be suspected of infiltrating by some force in some way.
– But shouldn’t we tell the platoon members?
– Please ensure absolute secrecy. Thoroughly educate them not to reveal anything.
– I will keep that in mind.
– The reason our first platoon joined this investigation, including myself, was due to the isolation inherent in our platoon.
– We are treated as a low-grade platoon and virtually invisible even within the battalion.
– This is because there is no risk of getting entangled with personnel from other units.
– Indeed, when I visited Bella and Chernov City last time, I encountered several soldiers, but none seemed to recognize us.
– Being an unknown platoon, it’s easy to move discreetly…
– Although it’s a bitter truth, it has given us such opportunities.
– Then, what should our platoon do in the meantime?
– First, wander around Chernov City and take a look at the merchant guild.
– The first request conveyed by Colonel Lannister was an investigation of the caravan.
– The problematic cargo — the artifact stolen from Belgorod Fortress — was transported to the fortress through Chernov City.
– It had been kept with twists and turns to avoid being known by the 18th Infantry Corps which manages the fortress.
– If information leaked, it could be linked to the ledgers of the caravan, leading to this investigation order.
– I heard Major Lockhart is having the barracks renovated. It would be good to contact the caravan while purchasing furniture or materials.
– Right. Barracks renovation.
– Come to think of it, our living quarters are completely separate from the main building, aren’t they?
– When there was something to discuss during operations, we just gathered in a room to talk, which made it easy to maintain security.
– That’s all for now. I’ll see you later.
– After concluding the meeting with Colonel Lannister,
– I returned to my accommodation with the military police badge he gave me.
– Military police badge.
– You can think of it as a sort of emblem like a martial arts plaque.
– It’s something that can instantly crush someone’s head to the ground if shown to a guard or a soldier from another unit trying to exert pressure.
– …But isn’t this meant to be used when everything is overturned?
– In summary,
– The military police assigning us this task means it’s a great opportunity career-wise, and it’s also a meaningful mission to uncover spies.
– “I’m back.”
– Upon returning to my accommodation, Bella Meyer, who had been waiting, greeted me warmly.
– “What’s going on!? The military police commander called for the squad leader! Could it be about that Rex guy?”
– “No, it’s not about him…”
– “Then why did the military police commander call for the squad leader? Ah! Could it be related to the follow-up actions after the Belgorod Fortress raid? An appreciation certificate or something?!”
– Bella Meyer poured out questions and speculations like a storm. I ignored her and entered the common lounge.
– There, Lumina was already sitting on the sofa.
– “Squad leader?”
– “Lumina, gather all the squad members. I have something important to say.”
– “What kind of thing…”
– “It’s something important for everyone. Don’t you find this treatment annoying?”
– I looked back and forth between Bella and Lumina as I spoke.
– “We’ve got a golden opportunity to raise our platoon’s value.”
– *
– “That’s impossible, ah, no, it’s impossible.”
– Lumina asked in disbelief. But it’s true.
– “Yes, why would the military police ask for our cooperation otherwise?”
– “Sergeant Bella, such self-deprecating remarks are not good.”
– “It’s true, there’s no point in denying it.”
– Even Sergeant Claude defended Bella’s opinion. If only she hadn’t said such things.
– “They probably concluded there’s no suspicion since only I and Sergeant Lumina actually engaged in combat.”
– “That makes sense. If they suspect the entire northern corps, it’s better to recruit those who can be eliminated by elimination method…”
– Bella crossed her arms and thought deeply. Her large body parts were emphasized as they moved.
– “They wouldn’t have given us this badge otherwise.”
– As I took out the military police badge from my pocket, I said. It was a silver badge with a pattern of a reindeer with large antlers.
– It’s a symbol of the national military police.
– For soldiers, it’s a group more feared than internal inspections.
– To be honest, when the military police show up in reality, it usually causes chaos.
– Despite Colonel Lannister being one rank lower than Lieutenant Colonel Lockhart, he receives proper respect.
– Even in modern times, the power of the military police is immense.
– “So, what should we do now?”
– In response to Sergeant Lumina’s question, I shrugged my shoulders.
– “For now, continue with our daily lives. However, Major has allowed us to go out to the city for the barracks reconstruction…”
– “Out to the city?”
– Even the usually indifferent Claude showed interest for the first time.
– He was intrigued by the keyword “out”.
– “By the way, are you thinking of going out again under the pretense of going out to get drunk or drink legally during working hours?”
– “Why should I care what I do?”
– Bella frowned at Sergeant’s comment. A sigh as deep as if the ground was sinking followed.
– “Ha. The military police don’t know anything. They should have taken people like this too.”
– “If only you couldn’t speak.”
– “Want to feel the magic of a pierced mouth?”
– “I’ve had enough of suppressing riots. That’s plenty.”
– “You, now stop it…!!”
– “What are you two doing right now?!”
– Sure enough, Lumina intervened again as the two started bickering.
– “This isn’t the time for that. Sergeant, please report to the squad leader and act accordingly this time!”
– At Lumina’s sharp words, even Sergeant Claude had no choice but to surrender.
– “…I understand. I’ll remember that.”
– Though their relationship with Bella wasn’t good, Lumina was someone who supported the platoon, and he acknowledged that to some extent.
– Even before I arrived, most of the platoon affairs were controlled by Lumina through Claude.
– She was effectively the acting squad leader and deputy squad leader.
– No matter how bad a person Claude is, he wouldn’t abandon his junior female comrade who supported him.
– That’s why, whenever Lumina was involved, Claude tended to become slightly lenient.
– ‘The suppression mechanism works well indeed.’
– “Anyway, let’s get back to the main topic. We need to continue rebuilding the barracks and make a few trips to Chernov City.”
– “Good news. If we finish our tasks, is free time guaranteed?”
– “Yes, as long as you return by the designated time.”
– “That’s not difficult.”
– A faint smile appeared on Claude’s lips. They say he can’t live without drinking all day.
– Already, he was looking forward to residing in the city’s taverns.
– “Squad leader! This won’t do! If you allow one thing, it will lead to more!”
– As usual, Bella Meyer’s challenge came in. What kind of life have you lived, Sergeant?
– “Do you think I’m a child?”
– At Bella’s criticism, Claude glared fiercely and answered coldly.
– Though he intimidated people instinctively, Bella Meyer wasn’t the type to easily back down.
– “Your actions match your words, don’t they?”
– “Enough, Sergeant. You might end up in trouble.”
– “Since life is meaningless anyway, let’s just end it.”
– “Stop it, both of you!!!”
– Bam!
– Lumina slammed her hand against the wall, silencing the two.
– “What are you doing this for? As I said earlier, this is our only chance. We can’t afford to waste it.”
– Lumina added, pointing at me.
– “The squad leader’s body hasn’t fully recovered yet. We shouldn’t act like this! It won’t help!”
– “Damn it, I get it. I’ll handle it. I’ll only do what I’m told.”
– With a wave of his hand, Claude left the lounge. The awkward silence followed.
– I sighed deeply in the frozen atmosphere.
– ‘Surely… it started with good news…?’
– This is the strength of a low-grade platoon? It was a performance that could truly fill one’s heart with pride.
– Oh, I wanted a cigarette.
–