Chapter 46

※Please note that due to the original writing of "Reincarnation as a Werewolf" Volume 15, updates will be once a week for a while.

※The next update will be on the 13th (Friday).

【Chapter 46】

The remnants of the Sixth Special Task Brigade returned to the empire's territory alongside the First Division, which was part of the Imperial Guard. They entered the border fortress city of Tzima and were welcomed by the Second Division's border defense force.

The officers were invited to the governor's mansion and attended a luncheon that combined a report and a commendation.

"Ah, those Kionis people really gave us a hard time!"

The colonel of the First Division, part of the Imperial Guard, stroked his beard and laughed heartily.

"Thanks to the Marshal's strategy being seen through, we barely managed to break through the enemy lines."

Liar. You guys didn't even make it to the battle.

Next to him, Colonel Altsa glared at the colonel of the Imperial Guard with a fierce expression.

The colonel of the Imperial Guard seemed to be taken aback and his tone quickly became subdued.

"Well... um... it was thanks to the valiant efforts of the Sixth Special Task Brigade, wasn't it?"

The gazes of the participating officers and nobles turned to Colonel Altsa.

The anger that had filled his face a moment ago was gone, and he looked completely calm. It seemed to have been an act.

"Losing such a great ruler as Duke Zihiteberg is a sorrow that the Medilen family cannot bear. Please, everyone, be strong."

It was a flawless expression of condolences. As a member of one of the Five Royal Families, he certainly lived up to his reputation.

All the soldiers and officials in Tzima City were from the Zihiteberg faction. With the loss of their leader, their positions became unstable.

For that reason, the colonel's words were warmly welcomed.

"Thank you, Colonel Altsa."

"Please help us protect the honor of our house."

Their fears were understandable.

After all, they had invaded Kionis territory with an army of fifty thousand, and only about twenty thousand returned.

And those who returned were mostly those who had not participated in the battle. The only unit that survived the battle was the Sixth Special Task Brigade.

Therefore, almost no one knew the truth about the battle, and everyone seemed to be making false reports to avoid being held responsible.

In other words, our words could determine the fate of many people. No one dared to openly doubt the words of the aunt of the head of the Medilen family.

The colonel, for his part, remained calm as if nothing had happened. He neither denounced the lying colonel of the Imperial Guard nor said anything about Duke Zihiteberg.

The colonel glanced at me.

(Is this okay?)

(Yes. It's better to remain silent rather than make a rash statement.)

The colonel nodded slightly in response to my eye contact.

(This major blunder will put the Zihiteberg family in a precarious position.)

(That's right... The Zihiteberg family will try to prevent the loss of authority, and the returning soldiers will likely blame Duke Zihiteberg for everything.)

We ourselves are in an awkward position. There is a risk of being held responsible for the defeat, and we must think of our own safety.

In that sense, it is very convenient that the supreme commander died in battle, as we can blame everything on him.

The military's internal atmosphere is very tense, and a careless word could put one's position at risk.

The colonel sighed subtly through eye contact.

(The situation is difficult. Do you have any plans, my strategist?)

(The influence of the Sixth Special Task Brigade is limited. For now, we have to play the role of a despicable opportunist. However...)

(What?)

The colonel tilted his head, so I gave a wry smile.

(Duke Litreju will surely do something. We should ride on his actions and make the best of it.)

The movements of the various factions within the country are complex, but Duke Litreju's goal as the mastermind of the intrigue is simple: to bring down the Zihiteberg family.

We don't have the power to stop him, so we should take advantage of his actions and benefit from them.

The colonel looked exasperated.

(I have once again confirmed your competence, but you are a man I don't want to have as an enemy.)

(Are you praising me?)

(I am praising you to the highest degree. Do not leave my side from now on.)

I was praised. I was happy.

I suddenly noticed that the colonel of the Imperial Guard was looking at us with a startled and curious expression.

"Um, Colonel Medilen... Is there something?"

It seemed that the colonel's intense gaze at me, his aide, had made him extremely anxious.

He even said this.

"Isn't that lieutenant the famous Lieutenant Yuna Chrombertz, known as the 'Death Strategist'?"

Being called the "Death Strategist" is a bit hurtful. Wait, famous?

Then Colonel Altsa's face became extremely smug, and he smiled proudly.

"Yes. Our brigade was pursued by Kionis cavalry during the retreat, but this man's strategy turned the tables and we annihilated them."

The assembled officers and officials murmured in awe.

"Oh... Truly, the hero of Zepher Fortress."

"The Sixth Special Task Brigade, known for its elite status, lives up to its reputation."

"To break through the enemy lines almost unscathed amidst such a great defeat..."

Hmm? Something feels off.

I can't deny the praise, but there's a strange feeling.

Our victory was a small tactical win that had little impact on the war between nations.

I nudged the colonel's elbow under the table and appealed with my eyes.

(It's strange. This is a place for strategic discussions, and our victory is not worth praising in such discussions.)

(You're right. There's a very unhealthy smell, like the perfume of that woman.)

The sarcasm is harsh, but I was thinking the same thing.

Sure enough, the conversation started to veer off in a strange direction.

"Although the expedition was a great defeat, we still have such elite forces unscathed."

"Indeed. Let us unite under Duke Litreju and protect the revered imperial family."

Of course, it's that guy.

(Sir, this is Duke Litreju's propaganda.)

(I know. He intends to use us as political tools.)

That bitch saw everything coming.

The great defeat of Duke Zihiteberg and our safe return.

And she plans to make us tragic heroes.

Duke Litreju has nominated Duke Zihiteberg as the Marshal. There will be a time when he will be held responsible for nominating an incompetent person.

To silence that voice, he can turn this battle into a touching story and make it an untouchable "sanctuary."

"Are you going to insult the soldiers who fell in a foreign land and the heroes who fought through the fierce battle and returned?"

It's a shift in the argument, but it's hard to counter when put this way, especially when the unit is treated as heroes.

Originally, almost all the nobles and soldiers within the empire were in favor of the Kionis expedition. The general staff of each division also rated the chances of success as "extremely high." A thorough investigation might expose their incompetence.

Thus, everyone fell silent, each carrying their own awkwardness.

The military analysis was abandoned, and the expedition was placed in a position where no one could touch it, becoming a "tragic defeat" in imperial history. The expedition would be turned into a touching story and forgotten.

In fact, the atmosphere of the room was already heading in that direction.

"It was a tragic battle, but now is the time for the Five Royal Families to unite."

"We must carry on Duke Zihiteberg's legacy and protect the empire from the Kionis people."

"Yes, let us unite under Duke Litreju."

The conversation was subtly misaligned, due to the differences in their positions. Intense negotiations were already underway behind the scenes.

And we were brought up as a topic of conversation, like a break in the discussion.

"Still, the Sixth Special Task Brigade is remarkable."

"I had underestimated them as all women, but they are truly impressive. Our division should take them as a model."

"Your excellent performance, Colonel, would surely please Duke Medilen."

The colonel and I exchanged glances and sighed quietly.

(I can't be genuinely happy.)

(We just have to endure for now.)

To think we lost four important comrades for this...