Chapter 54

Winter had come to the Sixth Special Brigade Headquarters. It had been exactly one year since I arrived here.

During this year, we experienced two deployments, but compared to the Fifth Division, where I was deployed more frequently to the battlefield, this was relatively peaceful.

Previously, the Sixth Special Brigade had received a notice to expand its forces, and after a series of procedures, the new recruits finally arrived. They were female volunteers from the Medilen territory. It seems they were introduced through the Filnia temples, which serve as sanctuaries for the weak in Medilen.

If the Imperial Army becomes their guarantor, they can escape from the abuse around them. Additionally, their duty station is outside of Medilen, so there's no need to worry about being pursued. Even if someone does come after them, they won't be allowed into the brigade headquarters.

For these reasons, about a hundred new women arrived this time. This brings the combat group to around 250 people.

However, the problem is that they are still amateurs.

"I heard that if we come here, we can sleep under a roof and get food to eat..."

The girls, dressed in brand new uniforms, all looked anxious.

I'm anxious too, but as the receiving side, I have to act confidently.

"That's right. Welcome to the Sixth Special Brigade. From now on, you will receive training as soldiers. In times of conflict, you will naturally be sent to the battlefield. Consider your salary and the guarantee of food, clothing, and shelter as the price of your life."

I tried to say it as calmly as possible, but everyone turned pale just from that.

Hanna looked exasperated.

"Sir, what are you doing?"

"Well, I was just starting with the explanation..."

It's dishonest to send them to their deaths with sweet words, and I don't want to hear complaints on the battlefield that "this isn't what I signed up for."

But Hanna shook her head.

"You shouldn't scare them..."

"I didn't expect them to be this scared."

"They're not like you, a seasoned soldier."

I was a regular civilian in my previous life too.

But it seems I should listen to Hanna's advice. I cleared my throat to cover up my embarrassment.

"Of course, we have no intention of letting you die. We will thoroughly train you to survive in any situation."

"Sir, Sir"

"What is it, Sergeant Hanna?"

Hanna had a subtle smile, as if she had given up on trying to help. It felt like she was abandoning me.

"Since we're here, can I take over from here?"

She had a smile like someone soothing a child. Don't treat me like a failure.

I felt a bit down, but Hanna is probably closer to the new recruits' mindset. I nodded.

"Sorry, I'll leave it to you."

"Yes, I'll take care of it."

Hanna saluted with a very good smile and then turned to the new recruits.

"I am Sergeant Hanna Hyden. I'm the acting captain of the artillery unit. This is Lieutenant Colonel Chrombertz, the second-in-command of the Sixth Special Brigade."

Well... that's how it is. Roz is still a captain.

"Sir might look scary, but he has never hit anyone in this brigade."

"He wouldn't hit anyone."

I couldn't help but respond with a sigh, but the new recruits' reactions changed slightly. They looked at me with expressions like, "Really?"

Hanna continued with a smile.

"Plus, he teaches reading, writing, and arithmetic very carefully and is very considerate. If you don't believe me, ask the veterans later."

Since it's all true, the veterans will say the same thing.

Still, is it really okay to introduce them like this, like in a kindergarten? This is the military, after all.

But thinking about it, the new recruits have their own reasons for being here. They are officially "volunteers," but they probably joined because they had no other choice.

I decided to let Hanna handle it without saying anything unnecessary, but I felt embarrassed and scratched my head, taking off my cap. I felt very uncomfortable.

"Sir will protect the brigade's children and will risk his life to save them. In the previous war, he single-handedly cut down cavalry with a saber and protected everyone."

Well... it's not a lie. But it's making me feel even more uncomfortable.

I need to stop this.

"Sergeant Hyden, that's enough about me."

"But this is the main part!"

What main part? Stop it.

I calmed down my almost out-of-control subordinate.

"Thank you, but that's enough."

Then I turned to the new recruits again and spoke as calmly as possible.

"New recruits, first, get used to the atmosphere of the military. If you find it doesn't suit you, you can leave the military and return home or work at a temple. You can't fight effectively if you're forced, so let's see if we're a good fit. If you have any problems, talk to the NCOs like Hanna."

It will take about six months to complete the basic training. Some will drop out during this time.

There's no point in rushing, so I'll take my time with personnel development.

＊ ＊ ＊

"The Other Side of the Conspiracy"

While the new recruits were listening to Lieutenant Colonel Chrombertz's speech on the training ground, Colonel Altsar in the brigade headquarters had a serious expression.

"I understand the situation very well."

"Do you believe me?"

The woman with slanted eyes smiled.

The colonel nodded slightly.

"If that's the case, I can only sympathize. They are no different from the soldiers in our brigade."

"But will he think the same?"

"What, are you worried about that?"

The colonel chuckled and looked out the window.

"I am convinced that he is the best staff officer in the empire. That's my answer."

＊ ＊ ＊

I left the basic training of the new recruits to the NCOs like Hanna and came to the brigade headquarters. I had been summoned by the colonel.

We are already on good terms, but I knocked on the door to maintain a professional boundary.

"It's Lieutenant Colonel Chrombertz."

"Thank you, come in."

"Excuse me."

The moment I opened the door and entered, I was startled.

Prince Litrayeu is here. Why? Why is Prince Litrayeu here?

He's the one who tried to get me removed from my position and probably wanted me dead. Why didn't the colonel tell me in advance?

I was momentarily confused, but my trust in the colonel calmed me down. If Prince Litrayeu were here, the colonel would have told me when he called me.

So, this person is not Prince Litrayeu.

I put on a calm face and asked the colonel.

"Are you receiving a guest? Who is this person?"

"Hmm..."

The colonel's eyes widened in surprise but then sparkled.

"Indeed, you are the best staff officer in the empire."

I don't understand what you're saying.

The woman who looked like Prince Litrayeu was also surprised.

"Really? You recognized that I'm not Prince Litrayeu at first glance?"

No, that's not exactly it.

I was unsure how to respond but then noticed something odd.

This lookalike of Prince Litrayeu, with the same clothes, hairstyle, and makeup, had a different scent. The sweet, cloying perfume was missing.

Prince Litrayeu's perfume was probably custom-made, a scent I had never smelled in this life. It was a complex, deep floral fragrance that perfectly fit the word "ripe."

In my previous life, the closest thing to it was a high-end toilet deodorizer.

Since I had no experience with perfumes in my previous life, I don't think Prince Litrayeu is necessarily bad.

On the other hand, the lookalike had a pleasant, citrusy scent. I was familiar with this scent from deodorants in my previous life and had smelled it a few times in this life. It was a fragrance that had spread among the wealthy commoners and was sold as perfume or incense.

My sense of smell seems to have dulled in this life, so I hadn't paid much attention to this difference. I can't even tell the difference in coffee scents anymore.

Well, let me point it out.

"The real Prince Litrayeu has a different perfume scent. If he were here, the colonel wouldn't have called me without mentioning it."

The two women reacted differently to my words.

The lookalike of Prince Litrayeu had a thoughtful expression.

"Indeed, the difference in perfume is decisive... I had mentioned this to the prince, but he never allowed me to use it. Did you notice this before?"

Wait a minute. From the way she speaks and her appearance, she must be Prince Litrayeu's body double.

But the body double's role is to not be recognized. This conversation is strange.

On the other hand, the colonel looked pleased.

"Heh, logically, that's how it should be. I wouldn't hide anything from you."

Colonel, please be quiet for a moment.

I desperately searched my memory, going back to my first meeting with Prince Litrayeu.

Now that I think about it, the first time I met him, the scent wasn't the real perfume. So, I was meeting the body double from the beginning.

I met the real Prince Litrayeu... Yes, it was the first time in the colonel's office. The real prince's scent was much stronger.

Reflecting on it, I realized I had met the body double more often. It seems the body double is sufficient for dealing with commoner officers.

With this in mind, I nodded calmly at the body double.

"I didn't recognize you when we first met in the carriage."

"Then when did you realize?"

Now. Now.

Given the flow of the conversation, it was difficult to tell the truth, so I smiled and answered.

"It's a military secret."

Did I manage to cover it up?

The body double of Prince Litrayeu looked at me intently and then smiled similarly.

"I see, now I understand why Colonel Altsar trusts you so much."

What exactly do you understand? I only feel uneasy. I should aim to be an honest advisor.

As I thought this, the body double of Prince Litrayeu straightened her back and bowed gracefully.

"Lieutenant Colonel Chrombertz, I am the body double of Prince Litrayeu, and my real name is Ricoche. I am a commoner from the Litrayeu territory, and my family were barbers."

She's not related. She really does look like him.

"I was initially hired as a lady-in-waiting for the Litrayeu family, but I was promoted to body double due to my makeup skills. My build, voice, and appearance are very similar to the prince's."

Ah, so she uses makeup to look like him.

At this point, Colonel Altsar added a subtle compliment.

"She is a very intelligent person and has become a trusted aide. Not only does she look like the prince, but she can also handle practical matters such as negotiations."

Indeed, she gives off an intelligent aura. I didn't expect her to be a commoner.

Ricoche then bowed deeply to me.

"Enduring the shame of disloyalty, I humbly request your protection from my lord."