Chapter 6

【Chapter 6: The Five Royal Families】

Colonel Altsaer continued to flip through the documents.

"But every time, you make such a show of your achievements. Why are you still just a second lieutenant?"

"I'm a commoner..."

He was already tired of explaining.

However, Colonel Altsaer smiled thinly.

"Indeed, as a commoner, you do not belong to any of the 'Five Royal Families.' In our glorious Imperial Army, the lack of backing from the Five Royal Families hinders promotion."

The 'Five Royal Families' are prestigious lineages that have continued since the founding of the Schweidler Empire. They are said to be the descendants of the five knights who conquered this land.

The Medilen and Litray families are among the Five Royal Families, and the head of the main family has the right to inherit the throne. However, this is purely honorary, and no one from these families has ever actually ascended to the throne.

The authority of the Five Royal Families is immense. No matter how much wealth or land one possesses, one cannot be recognized as a noble without proving blood ties to the Five Royal Families.

Therefore, the nobles place great importance on their relationships with the Five Royal Families, forming five powerful lineages.

However, commoners can become nobles through marriage or adoption.

Some of my fellow commoner officers have married into noble families. They seem to be quite happy, and they have been promoted to first lieutenant.

"By the way, have you not married yet?"

"I am single."

To be honest, I had received a few marriage proposals, but I turned them all down.

If I were to marry, I would have to work for the benefit of my wife's family. I would be in a position where I couldn't stand up to her family, and I would be treated as just another commoner within the clan.

I am tired of the strained family relationships.

So I answered honestly.

"I'm not good with such complications."

"I see. Well, from now on, the 6th Special Task Brigade will take care of you. Since it is far from political strife, you can rest assured."

"I appreciate that."

Then, Hanna came over quietly and whispered in my ear while bending down.

"The brigade commander's family is the 'Ring Finger,' which means the Medilen main family."

"Main family?! Not a branch family?!"

I blurted out, and Colonel Altsaer chuckled.

"Yes. Unfortunately, he also has the right to inherit the family headship, though his rank is low."

"I must say, I am quite surprised."

There is a ceremonial hierarchy within the Five Royal Families, often compared to the five fingers.

The Medilen main family is the 'Ring Finger,' ranked fourth. Despite this, it commands the loyalty of dozens of branch families and former vassals, wielding considerable influence... so it seems.

"I am the son of the previous head's second wife. The current head is my nephew, who is forty-four years old. By the way, I am twenty-two, so please don't misunderstand."

"Ah, I see."

A twenty-two-year-old aunt. The current head must have a tough time.

But the previous head must have been quite active in his later years.

As I thought this, Colonel Altsaer sighed.

"I try to keep my surname hidden to avoid causing trouble for the head of the family. Perhaps I should use my holy name like you. But... I have my reasons."

Seeing him look troubled, I couldn't help but ask.

"What is your holy name, sir?"

The colonel looked at me with a slightly resentful expression.

"Don't laugh. It's 'Nitsaer.'"

Altsaer Nitsaer.

"Haha..."

It wasn't me but Hanna who laughed.

Colonel Altsaer looked visibly displeased.

"I told you not to laugh. My name is 'Altsaer,' and you don't need to rhyme it with 'Nitsaer.' My name is not a poem. That accursed parish high priest."

I almost laughed too, but I can't help reading it in Japanese. It's the sad fate of a reincarnated person.

Still, does it exist or not?

The area around the Five Royal Families is a hub of immense power and wealth, where a single word or action can be fatal. The Imperial Noble Directory is full of nobles who 'died mysteriously.'

Colonel Altsaer is wary of this and deliberately stays away from power to protect himself.

The colonel looked displeased.

"Hanna, you know my holy name, right? Why do you laugh every time?"

"S-Sorry! Haha... "

Hanna saluted while trembling.

Colonel Altsaer sighed and stood up. Oh, he's surprisingly short?

Schweidler people vary in build based on their status, but those from the Five Royal Families should be well-built. But he looks less than 150 cm, which is average for a commoner woman.

Thanks to my street life, I managed to get enough protein, so I'm probably around 180 cm tall. Hanna is a few centimeters taller than me. Both are unusually tall for commoners, who are usually around 160 cm.

The colonel glared at us.

"What?"

"It's nothing..."

"I inherited my small stature from my mother. My father preferred small women."

The previous head of the Medilen family must have done everything he wanted in his later years.

Despite his small stature, the colonel approached me with a commanding presence and looked up at me. Despite looking up, he exuded an intimidating aura, befitting a noble.

Then he said with a serious face.

"You've been politely dismissed. Whether you're a staff officer or a second lieutenant, you're still a second lieutenant. And there's no chance of achieving any great deeds here. But I have no intention of letting you go."

"That's fine with me, sir."

"Are you sure?"

Colonel Altsaer looked slightly surprised.

"This brigade is an empty box. A brigade that should command multiple regiments only has one company of 150 female infantry soldiers."

I see. It's a brigade in name only because it's under the direct control of the Five Royal Families.

I like that.

Perhaps because I didn't react, Colonel Altsaer said, testing me.

"You will spend the rest of your career taking care of female soldiers. I imagine it would be humiliating for a male officer..."

It's fine.

It's really fine.

I've landed the best job.

Excited, I saluted sharply.

"No, it's been worth all the hard work. I will serve with all my might."

The colonel looked visibly confused.

"Are you serious?"

"Of course, I am."

Reincarnation in another world is the best.

The colonel stared at me intently, as if she had discovered a rare creature.

Then she smiled.

"It seems I've finally drawn a 'winning ticket.'"

"Huh?"

The colonel smiled and said.

"I've been looking for someone like you. I formally request that you become my staff officer."

I don't quite understand, but it seems I'm welcome.

I immediately stood at attention and saluted.

"Yes! I will serve with all my heart!"

"Thank you, I look forward to it. I have a request based on your experience and knowledge."

"Anything you need."

Finally, my luck is turning around.