Chapter 63

"I hope the rescue of Rikoshe goes well."

"You keep talking about that..."

The colonel and I were drinking tea in the imperial palace, waiting for the arrest of the Duke of Rhetra.

We couldn't move in a large group, so only the colonel, I, and a few infantry cadets were here.

The colonel seemed a bit moody.

She slathered berry jam on a biscuit—more like piled it on—and stuffed the sugary mass into her mouth violently.

"We've sent a team of elite riflemen with rifles to secure Rikoshe. Their commander, Corporal Laila, is an expert in mountain operations. If this fails, there's nothing more my soldiers can do."

While talking, jam was spilling out of the corner of her mouth.

"Sir, your mouth, your mouth."

"I know."

"Don't wipe it on your sleeve."

We were about to arrest the Duke of Rhetra, one of the Five Royal Houses, and a jam-covered commander wouldn't look good.

When the topic of Rikoshe came up, the colonel seemed moody. Probably because of her anger towards the Duke of Rhetra. She had shown a lot of sympathy for Rikoshe's situation, so that was likely the reason.

... Maybe I should say something to cheer her up.

"I deeply respect you, Sir. Being your aide has been the greatest fortune of my life."

"What's with the sudden change?"

"Important things should be said when you can, because you never know when you won't be able to."

People can die suddenly, like in my previous life.

I don't know when I might die in this life either.

Colonel Altsaer looked at my face for a while, but her expression visibly brightened. She seemed to be in a better mood. Indeed, showing respect is important.

"Your respect is comforting. Be careful not to lose it."

"Why are you so worried? I'll be fine."

I understand her decisive yet compassionate nature well from the past year and a half. I intend to be her aide for the rest of my life.

While thinking that it would have been better if she were the emperor, I fulfilled my duties as an aide.

"Everything is proceeding as planned. A selected rifle squad is on the way to rescue Rikoshe. We've assigned two cavalrymen for communication, but so far, it's just regular reports."

"What about the squad left at the training ground?"

"Regular reports from the cavalry there. They're building a stone oven and baking unleavened bread."

"That sounds fun."

"It's practice for fortification. Most of the absent squad are new recruits, so this is good for them."

This time, we only brought one squad to the capital. We're here on a top-secret mission, so we can't mobilize too many people.

The elite troops of the brigade are on the rescue mission for Rikoshe.

"The artillery company is waiting in position with a guard squad."

The line infantry, which has been reinforced to three squads, is all being used. We'll have to rely on other divisions for reserve forces.

The colonel seemed to notice this and her expression darkened slightly.

"We don't have enough soldiers for anything. I'd like to increase the numbers, but it's better to have fewer women in the line infantry."

"Same goes for men."

"True."

Of course, it's better to have fewer people die in battle.

However, the lack of soldiers is a fact. It's a future challenge.

At that moment, a knock came on the door and a brigade girl entered.

"Colonel, Aide, it's time. There are no abnormalities in the operation area."

The colonel stood up and asked the girl on duty.

"Where is His Majesty?"

"He suddenly changed his schedule and moved to the summer palace. He said he doesn't want to be a hindrance."

"Interesting. Indeed, it might be better if he's not here."

The colonel sighed lightly and holstered her loaded cavalry pistol.

I attached my favorite two-handed saber to my waist and smiled at the colonel.

"It would be inconvenient if His Majesty suddenly changed his mind and ruined our plans. It's better if he's not here. Let's get it over with quickly."

The colonel chuckled.

"Arresting the head of one of the Five Royal Houses quickly. You seem fearless."

"I have plenty of things to be afraid of. Losing you, for example."

"Haha."

She seemed pleased.

"Then, according to the plan, I'll give you command of the brigade until the operation is over."

The colonel then turned to the girl on duty.

"Everything is proceeding as planned. No changes. Inform everyone."

"Yes, sir!"

The girl looked at us with a bewildered expression but snapped to attention at the colonel's voice and hurried out.

After she left, the colonel smiled at me.

"Shall we go? I'll have the coffee you make when we're done."

It seems the colonel is telling me, "Don't die." I've started to understand that recently.

I saluted.

"Then I'll make a fresh batch."

I thought it sounded like a death flag, but "The Grim Reaper's Scythe" didn't say anything.

* * *

The Duke of Rhetra was supposed to be waiting in a room in the palace for the emperor, who, of course, wouldn't come. That old man got scared at the last minute and had already evacuated. It's a bit pitiful, but important people can be that cautious.

Looking out the window in the corridor, I saw the Duke of Rhetra's carriage parked in the courtyard, with about twenty dismounted cavalrymen waiting around it.

The colonel muttered.

"I wanted to put Corporal Laila in charge of the courtyard."

"She's a great marksman. But she's also an expert in mountain operations."

"I know. Sending her to the mountain lodge where Rikoshe is was the right decision."

We continued walking down the corridor in silence.

Six female line infantry soldiers followed us. This time, we prioritized courage over combat ability and selected the bravest from the brigade. They wouldn't be intimidated by the Duke of Rhetra.

At the door of the target room, there were soldiers from the Imperial Guard, responsible for the Duke of Rhetra's security. A young noble officer with a lieutenant's rank was also there. He must have been given this troublesome task.

Even though I'm a commoner, I'm a major, so he saluted me with a tense face.

"Then, I'll leave the rest to you."

It seems the emperor and his direct Imperial Guard want to distance themselves from this matter. They're all opportunists.

But I'm used to picking up hot chestnuts. I saluted silently and knocked on the door lightly.

"Who is it?"

It was the Duke of Rhetra's voice.

If I answered, I might be recognized, so I'll have the lieutenant from the Imperial Guard announce me.

But the young lieutenant was pale and trembling.

"Lieutenant, answer."

I intimidated him with a low voice, and he finally spoke.

"His Majesty's messenger has arrived. May I let them in?"

"Let them in."

If invited, even a vampire or the Grim Reaper would enter the room. A mere aide even more so.

I opened the door and entered.

"Excuse me."

In the spacious guest room, there was no doubt it was the Duke of Rhetra, drinking tea. There were no guards inside, only a few unarmed servants and maids.

The moment the Duke of Rhetra saw my face, he seemed to understand everything.

"You!?"

"Duke Minthiana of Rhetra. I have an imperial warrant to arrest you. Please come with us."

I showed him the arrest warrant issued by the emperor.

In the next instant, the Duke of Rhetra pulled out a pistol from under his skirt. Carrying a gun in the palace is forbidden except for authorized military personnel, but he must have hidden it for self-defense.

"Back off! I'll shoot if you come any closer!"

Almost simultaneously, our line infantry soldiers raised their guns. The ratio was six to one, and all their guns were aimed at the Duke of Rhetra.

But the Duke of Rhetra remained calm.

"Can you shoot me?"

He's hitting a nerve. We can't shoot.

We were ordered to arrest the Duke of Rhetra, not execute or assassinate him. Shooting would be a violation of orders.

I wish the warrant had included the phrase "dead or alive"...

The colonel sighed.

The Duke of Rhetra, still holding his gun, ordered his servants.

"We're leaving. Signal the soldiers in the courtyard."

"Signal?"

I raised my hand.

"Is this what you mean by a signal?"

I snapped my fingers, and one of the line infantry soldiers shot the window. The sound of the gunshot and shattering glass echoed loudly.

Immediately, a thunderous boom came from the courtyard. The chandelier shook.

"What!?"

The Duke of Rhetra was understandably shocked. Lieutenant Roz's field artillery company had just shelled the area around the carriage.

An elderly servant ran to the window and screamed.

"Your Excellency! Our guards!"

The cavalrymen in the courtyard had been decimated by the field artillery's shrapnel. It's a shame about the horses, but we couldn't let the cavalrymen escape.

The artillery fire continued.

Lieutenant Roz's artillery is thorough. "Chatty Roz" is as noisy as his cannons.

"Ah!"

"Kyaaa!"

The servants were in a panic.

The Duke of Rhetra was also shaken by the situation, and his gun and gaze were pointing in different directions.

This is my chance.

I ran towards the Duke of Rhetra unarmed.

"Prepare yourself!"

"Major Chrombertz!? Hey, stop! What are you doing!?"

I heard the colonel's angry voice behind me, but I hope she understands my reasoning.

The moment I stepped in, the Duke of Rhetra glared at me with fury. The gun was pointed at me.

"You, insolent dog!"

But "The Grim Reaper's Scythe" didn't say anything. So I charged in without hesitation.

The next moment, the Duke of Rhetra pulled the trigger without hesitation. There was a "click" as the flint sparked.

"Major!"

Colonel Altsaer's voice was almost a scream.

Fortunately, the gun misfired. I was unharmed and tackled the Duke of Rhetra, pulling him down onto the carpet. I wanted to do a German suplex, but I don't know how, so I settled for a back throw.

The colonel immediately shouted.

"Secure him! Don't let the major die!"

By the time I got up, the line infantry soldiers had their bayonets pointed at the Duke of Rhetra's chest.

I straightened my cap and told the Duke of Rhetra.

"According to imperial law, anyone who attempts to kill or injure an officer on duty can be tried by a military court, or shot if they resist. You shot me, so this law applies to you."

The Duke of Rhetra glared at me as he got up.

"You can't be serious! Are you trying to die!?"

"I wouldn't say that to someone who intended to kill me. Secure the Duke."

The line infantry surrounded the Duke of Rhetra, roughly stood him up, and tied his wrists with rope.

"Ouch!? Stop it! You have no right to touch me!"

But the brigade girls were silent, their faces filled with anger. They had been sent on a far expedition to Kionis and nearly died from a cavalry attack, so it's understandable.

The Duke of Rhetra was led away but glared at me as he passed.

"Death Reaper Chrombertz... You should have been eliminated."

"I agree. But it's too late now."

The Duke of Rhetra smiled strangely.

"You don't think this is the end, do you?"

"It is. Your crimes have caught up with you. Take him away."

The Duke of Rhetra was escorted to a tower in a corner of the palace, where there was a prison for nobles on the top floor.

At least one thing is done.

Just as I thought that, I felt an intense pressure from behind and turned around.

The small colonel was standing with her arms crossed, a look I had never seen before.

She smiled menacingly, more terrifying than the line infantry's bayonets.

"I didn't authorize such recklessness, Lieutenant Colonel Yui Chrombertz."

"That's because... I knew the gun would misfire the moment I saw it..."

That's a lie. I just judged that even if it hit, it wouldn't be fatal because "The Grim Reaper's Scythe" didn't react.

"Is that so?"

Colonel Altsaer picked up the Duke of Rhetra's ornate pistol and threw it at the ceiling.

The loud bang shattered part of the luxurious chandelier.

With crystal shards falling like snow, the colonel gave me a chilling smile.

"Don't do that again."

"...I'll remember that."

I'm sorry. I won't do it again.

Probably.

The colonel threw the gun and walked away.

"Next. I'll stay here with Lieutenant Steyer. You leave immediately. Don't do anything reckless like that again."

"Yes, sir."

This is the hard part...