Chapter 88

"The rumors we spread seem to be working well."

Colonel Altsar read the report and chuckled.

"I was surprised when you, the ever-pragmatic one, suggested using the emperor, but it seems to have had a solid effect. Many are now showing signs of resistance, trying to hold on a bit longer."

"I'm flattered."

I salute with a composed face, but I can't help feeling pleased at the praise. I did a good job.

Still, I feel a twinge of guilt.

"His Majesty the Emperor is probably no longer alive, so it pains me to make the dead walk in this way."

"In your case, I can never tell if you're joking or serious..."

"I'm being serious..."

Perhaps due to my poor behavior, I'm not entirely trusted.

Colonel Altsar smiles at me.

"Thanks to you, Lord Hafven's strategy is going smoothly. Those who were considering surrendering to the Principality of Bruges are now seeking assistance from the Medilen family."

"The last rumor we spread was that the First Ceremonial Cavalry Squadron of the Imperial Guard had entered the Medilen family's stronghold, Portrite Castle."

In reality, it was probably a reconnaissance squadron of the Medilen family. We made it look plausible.

But if there's a "plausible movement," the rumor gains credibility and spreads more easily.

— The cavalry protecting the emperor has entered Portrite Castle.

— Oh, I saw some cavalry-like people enter the castle.

— So the rumor was true.

— The emperor is alive.

I remember learning something like this in an information class during my student days. The mechanism by which rumors spread seems to be just that.

Colonel Altsar props his cheek and gazes at me intently.

"Truly, you have a cute face but you're a scoundrel. What will be your next scheme?"

"I'm just planning as a staff officer, not being a scoundrel."

I maintain a calm demeanor, but watching the colonel's black hair spill onto the desk makes me feel a bit strange. I need to focus. I'm on duty, and he is my respected superior.

Colonel Altsar straightens up with a smile.

"Well, thanks to you, the flow of imperial nobles to Bruges has stopped. The three dukes of Bruges are also in internal conflict, so they can't make rash moves. We can buy some time for now."

"That's true, but the time we can buy is limited."

"I understand. The Medilen family's factory has started the prototype of the rifle, and I've arranged for Sergeant Hanna to be temporarily commissioned as a second lieutenant in the artillery. She will be enrolled in the artillery department of the naval academy."

In our country, civilian women cannot enter the military academy, so they cannot become officers. However, this is a story about the army.

Since most of the navy is under the jurisdiction of the Fourth Division, if the Duke of Medilen says, "It's fine," then a nominal enrollment in the naval academy of the Fourth Division is possible.

Given the current state of war, as an exception, Lieutenant Roz, an artillery officer, will become an instructor. After completing the necessary courses, Hanna will be given the qualifications to graduate from the naval academy and be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the artillery. She will be the first civilian female officer in the empire, a name that will go down in history.

It's a bit forceful, but this will increase the number of artillery commanders to two.

"The artillery will be managed by two officers, and the rest will be infantry. I don't have the time to command directly, and you have your duties as a staff officer. We will be sending a few lieutenants from the Fifth Division. But don't expect much from them."

"I understand."

The Fifth Division, which is fighting the Kingdom of Agan, will send people they consider expendable. I was in the same position, so I can't say much, but it's best not to have high expectations.

The colonel then shows a slightly troubled expression.

"There are not enough capable officers. The strength of line infantry depends more on the quality of the NCOs and officers than the quality of the soldiers. Right?"

"Yes. Anyone healthy can become a line infantryman, but not just anyone can command them."

That's why we train officers at the military academy and promote experienced soldiers to NCOs to lead the troops.

In this world, the military recognizes officers and NCOs as "talent," while soldiers are treated as expendable. As long as they don't desert, anything goes. It's a terrible situation.

If he's bringing up this terrible but common situation, there must be something on his mind.

As I think this, the colonel says with a difficult expression.

"Actually, someone has come to sell NCOs to our brigade."

"Who is it?"

I have a bad feeling about this.

The colonel sighs.

"His name is Josef Funkthaut, a mercenary captain."

"I've never heard of him."

"...He's your 'grandfather.'"

That old man had such a name!?

* * *

【The Possessed by the Grim Reaper】

Let's go back a bit in time.

"I am honored to meet you, Colonel Altsar Medilen."

The elderly man in a gray uniform saluted with a straight back.

Colonel Altsar returns the salute with a wry smile.

"To think I would meet the man who tried to seduce me. This is the way of warriors, I suppose."

"Life is unpredictable. This time, I have become an enemy to my old friend."

The old soldier, Josef, smiles calmly.

(The impression I had of him from what I heard is quite different.)

He was pragmatic and shrewd, cold towards nobles and the wealthy, but also had a sense of honor and unexpected kindness towards the poor.

(This attitude is probably an act for the nobles. He's lowering himself just enough not to be underestimated by a young girl like me, maintaining a good distance.)

With this judgment, the colonel picks up the documents.

"Three platoon commanders and twenty-eight NCOs on a long-term contract. All infantry?"

"Yes. Strictly speaking, they are mountain riflemen. I served as a sergeant major in the mountain guard of the Third Division. They will be particularly useful in the battles in the Schwaidel Mountains in the western empire."

The Schwaidel Mountains, which run across the western empire, are controlled by the Mildor family in the north and the Zichtenberg family in the south. The implications of the battles there are clear.

Colonel Altsar shakes her head with a calm expression.

"Let's see what my staff officer thinks. And I hear you have a deep connection with my staff officer?"

"Hehehe. We just did a bit of mischief together."

(If poaching on a noble's private land is a capital offense, calling it "a bit of mischief" is quite something. He's quite a scoundrel.)

The colonel is exasperated but doesn't show it.

(This man has value. After all, he knows Yui's childhood... No, that doesn't matter.)

She tightens her resolve and asks the old man.

"By the way, why did you use a pseudonym?"

At that moment, the old man's smile disappears.

"Hmm... Why do you think so?"

"The surname Funkthaut is only found in a limited area of the Mildor region, but your pronunciation has traces of a Litrai accent. Don't underestimate me, and give me a more convincing fake history. I'm a bit hurt."

The colonel smiles, and the old man scratches his head.

"Well, that's a tough one. If I really wanted to fake my history, I'd call myself a civilian captain."

"True. A mercenary captain as a sergeant major would lack authority."

The old man straightens his back.

"To be honest, I am a military affiliate with the rank of sergeant in the supply corps of the First Division, Margot Dalsen."

"Come on, at least say the Fifth Division. You're clearly from Litrai."

"Then let's say I'm a sergeant in the artillery of the Fifth Division, Ceredo Warif."

"What's your real name?"

The colonel listens to the old man's parade of fake histories without anger.

Seeing this, the old man becomes serious.

"They are all my real names. They are all the names of comrades who died in the 'Snowball War.'"

"The 'Snowball War'? ...Ah, the Seventh Bruges Expedition."

"You know about it?"

"Of course. I only learned about it in a lecture, but it was a reckless expedition led by Emperor Pelden III when he was the crown prince. It ended in a historic defeat."

The colonel speaks honestly, and the old man nods.

"Many of my subordinates and colleagues became snowballs in that war. They could have done many things if they had survived, but they died from hunger and cold."

The colonel nods silently, feeling it was better to do so.

The old man continues calmly.

"So, I decided to take on all their names. The dead appear in contracts and official documents. They are not dead yet. Isn't that satisfying?"

"Indeed. To inscribe the names of unknown soldiers in history. Future historians might complain, but it's part of history, I suppose."

The old man looks surprised.

"You're not angry?"

"I'm not as righteous as to criticize what you believe is right. I myself am steeped in corruption and intrigue. I'm somewhat impressed by your resolve."

"It's an honor to hear that from a noble. You seem different from other nobles."

The old man sighs deeply and continues.

"But now, I need to take care of the living. Will you hire my subordinates? I have trained them well as NCOs."

"Hmm..."

"Last time, we lost because of Yui, but the mission itself was completed, and the unit survived. To be honest, in that situation, we would have been wiped out."

The colonel nods at the old man's words.

"I acknowledge that. You and your men minimized losses and achieved the objective in that situation. We wouldn't have escaped without Lieutenant Chrombertz. Your subordinates are capable."

Then the colonel says,

"However, as I mentioned, I will let my staff officer review it. And I can't contract with a mercenary captain who changes names. But you won't reveal your real name. So..."

The colonel smiles mischievously.

"I will call you 'Big Chrombertz.'"

"Big... Chrombertz?"

The surprised old man listens as the colonel continues.

"You are Lieutenant Chrombertz's 'grandfather,' so the Chrombertz name should be fine. To avoid confusion, we will call you 'Big Chrombertz' in our brigade. You have no right to refuse."

The wide-eyed "Big Chrombertz" scratches his head, mimicking Yui's gesture.

"Well, that's a tough one... You're a big man. I see why Yui fell for you."

(Huh? What did he say? What did he say just now?)