Chapter 36

* * *

"Then, should I just buy some sweets? But if it's baked goods, they should be right there..."

"Yesterday, the ladies working in the cafeteria baked some. Could you bring a few? My mouth is so bitter I can't stand it."

"Understood."

After Lieutenant Colonel Chrombartz scratched his head and left, Colonel Alzäer's expression turned serious. It was hard to believe that just a moment ago, he had been complaining like a child about his bitter mouth.

"Lieutenant Stayer."

"Sir."

At the colonel's serious expression and voice, Lieutenant Roz Stayer straightened her back. Though she might seem to be joking, she was a true soldier and knew that this was one of "those moments."

The colonel traced the rim of his cup with his finger and asked,

"Tell me about the first time Lieutenant Chrombartz drank coffee."

"Huh? Yes, sir."

Roz wondered why he was asking this, but she answered smoothly as a proper officer.

"He seemed to know very well how to brew and drink it, even though it was his first time. However, he started drinking it without adding anything, which made me laugh."

Roz tried to elicit a light laugh, but Colonel Alzäer didn't smile.

"I see."

Then, the colonel's expression softened slightly as he asked,

"Lieutenant Stayer, do you know where coffee is cultivated?"

"No, sir. I only know that the Mildor family imports it from other families."

"It's transported by sea from a distant southern region, taking quite a roundabout route."

The colonel said this, narrowing his eyes.

"Due to the enormous transportation costs, only the wealthy can afford to drink coffee. And the wealthy in the empire can add as much sugar and milk as they like. That's why it's established as a sweet drink here."

"I've heard that too, sir."

"Of course. Hardly anyone drinks it without adding anything. But Lieutenant Chrombartz drank it without adding anything, as if it were the most natural thing in the world."

"What does that mean?"

"Coffee beans can only be cultivated in a scorching land thousands of kilometers south of the empire. In that land, even commoners drink coffee, but they can't get enough sugar or milk. So they drink it without adding anything."

Roz was taken aback by these words.

"Not adding sugar or milk is one of the 'local ways' of drinking it, then."

"Yes. Don't you find that strange, Lieutenant Stayer?"

Colonel Alzäer's tone was one of curiosity, but his expression was bright and excited.

"When did and where did Lieutenant Chrombartz learn this way of drinking? He comes from a poor commoner's family and had no opportunity to drink coffee. His hometown is far from any port."

"Maybe he read it in a book? He's incredibly knowledgeable."

"The coffee books available in the empire are all written for the Schwaidel people, and they all instruct to add plenty of sugar and milk."

Roz was at a loss for words and looked at her new superior.

"Then, what do you think, sir?"

"I don't know. His background and abilities don't add up. But there's no lie in his background, and you know his abilities."

"He's amazing, isn't he?"

"Yes, I agree."

The colonel chuckled and then propped his cheek on his hand.

"And he doesn't tell us anything. Not me, not Hanna, and probably not you either."

"That's true. I don't really want to ask either."

Roz shrugged.

"He's always on the side of the commoner officers and has never betrayed our expectations. He's brave, honest, and capable. I'm sure he'll continue to be so."

"I think so too."

"Then, isn't that fine?"

"I wish I could think so."

Colonel Alzäer, with his arms crossed and a frown on his forehead.

Roz observed her superior's expression and gestures, carefully gauging whether her concern was as a soldier or as a woman.

And she answered,

"If he wants to tell us, he'll do so eventually."

"Yes. Perhaps it's better to open his heart than to force his mouth open."

"That seems to be the solution to your worries, sir."

Roz said this lightly, and Colonel Alzäer glared at her.

"I see, that's why you're called 'Chatty Roz.'"

"Oops, my apologies."

She saluted to cover it up.

Just then, Lieutenant Colonel Chrombartz returned to his room, carrying a basket full of cookies.

But his expression was grim.

"Sir."

"I'm listening."

Both Colonel Alzäer and Lieutenant Stayer became serious.

Chrombartz spoke quietly.

"We received a notification from the Second Division. By imperial decree, Duke Zichtberg has been granted the rank of Marshal."

"Duke Zichtberg!?"

* * *

Duke Zichtberg and his lineage guard the western border with the Kionis Federation. The Second Division, which Duke