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Episode 20
Soldiers describe a 2-night, 3-day leave like this:
‘2.3 seconds.’
A 3-night, 4-day leave is ‘3.4 seconds’.
As you can tell just by looking, it means time passes that quickly.
And this remains the same even after becoming an officer.
No, it doesn’t feel like 2.3 seconds anymore; now it feels like just 0.23 seconds.
“Son, did you pack everything you need?”
“Yeah, more or less.”
A few novels worth reading, a wristwatch, and high-quality underwear.
Frankly, I have no choice but to wear the combat uniform, but the issued underwear is truly trash.
‘It’s not like my underwear is visible. Surely they won’t throw a fit over me wearing something different. That only happens in training battalions.’
Even as a soldier, I wore privately bought underwear.
“Alright, make sure to write letters.”
“I will.”
After sharing a hug with my mother, I boarded the carriage.
‘Now I’m going back. To hell.’
Still, I’m not returning unchanged after this 2-night, 3-day leave.
“Status Window.”
Name: Palan Surname: Oklo
Affiliation: Intelligence Command
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Specialties: Physical Training, Eyes of Truth, Swordsmanship Mastery
‘Second Lieutenant in Intelligence Command. They’ve gathered all the bad stuff inside.’
You could call it a menu perfectly designed to make you sick.
Anyway, putting that aside.
The two new specialties I gained this time are far more useful than I expected.
[Eyes of Truth]
An excellent commander must be able to see the true face behind the mask.
Ability: Can examine a target’s information using points.
[Swordsmanship Mastery]
For a soldier, the sword is a second life. A weapon not to be released until the moment of death. It’s easier to think of it as an extension of the body, connected to the hand.
Ability: Increased swordsmanship proficiency. Unlocks the store ‘Bookstore – Swordsmanship Manuals’.
The descriptions are a bit long, but in short, I gained an opponent information pass and a swordsmanship skill booster.
‘The bookstore opening is also a big deal.’
I sneaked a peek yesterday, and it truly had manuals for all kinds of swordsmanship.
At quite hefty prices.
‘The cheapest one was 50 points.’
It was too expensive, so I couldn’t bring myself to buy anything yet.
“Young master, we have arrived.”
Upon reaching the destination, the coachman politely opened the door with both hands.
Simultaneously, the sign of the pub came into view.
<Arbion>
The name was exactly as written on the memo.
“Is this the right place?”
“It’s my first time here too, but it seems correct for now.”
“Do you plan to have a drink before going in?”
“I’d like to, but I drank too much yesterday, so that might be difficult.”
I want to tell the truth, but doing so would very likely cause problems.
“Haha, when I was your age, young master, I’ve run non-stop for a week. Aren’t you speaking a bit weakly?”
“Impressive. Anyway, I promised to go with friends, so I should get going. Give my regards to mother.”
My perfectly fabricated lie.
Namely, that I’m sharing a carriage with friends also heading west.
“I could escort you.”
“I won rock-paper-scissors, so go on.”
“Stay healthy, young master.”
“Yes, I will.”
After pushing the hesitant coachman’s back to force him to leave, I entered the pub.
“One beer here!”
“Sweetie, what are you doing tonight? Big brother is free today.”
“I’m not that kind of woman! Look for someone else!”
“No, look. War has broken out now. So where should we invest?”
An interior surprisingly spacious for a neighborhood pub.
Perhaps famous as a good eatery, it was packed with customers to the point of being deafening.
‘Usually in spy stories, don’t they exchange signals with the bartender in a quiet pub?’
Somehow, it just doesn’t feel right from the start.
“You’re here. Did you enjoy your leave?”
Just as I was pondering what to do, Captain Eden appeared from somewhere and spoke.
“Loyalty.”
“There’s a mountain of things to teach you. First, don’t salute. Unless you plan on announcing you’re a soldier.”
Captain Eden let out a sigh, and thinking about it, he was right.
“Sorry.”
‘Could the operation already be going awry?’
Usually in spy stories, everyone else in this pub is an enemy or something, right?
There’s a chance my salute just now caused a problem.
“Be careful from now on, and follow me.”
Following the Captain’s footsteps, I entered a secret room inside the pub.
“One bottle of raclette and some suitable snacks, please.”
“Understood.”
After Captain Eden skillfully placed the order and closed the door, the noise from outside was perfectly blocked to an amazing degree.
‘Soundproofing magic tools?’
Looking up at the ceiling, as expected, magic tools emitting a blue light were installed like works of art.
‘This isn’t the kind of item you’d install in a pub like this. Their investment is impressive.’
It’s a facility found only in really high-end restaurants, the kind nobles frequent.
“Why make a surprised face over something like this? A house like the Oklo family should be able to install one in a private room.”
“That’s not wrong, but I was surprised it’s in a regular pub.”
“I heard the owner is a passionate music enthusiast. He probably practices performances here after closing.”
“Ah.”
If that’s the reason, then it’s understandable.
“Anyway, so I’m a regular here. It’s almost the only place where you can have secret conversations while drinking reasonably priced alcohol.”
“I’ll leave your drinks and snacks here.”
While Captain Eden was sharing TMI about the pub, an employee brought and set up the drinks and food.
“Since you’re a noble, I ordered alcohol one grade more expensive than usual. You should be able to handle this, right?”
“Yes, well… I drink cheap stuff fine too.”
My palate, which enjoyed Soju and beer in South Korea, how refined could it be?
“That’s unexpected. Have a glass.”
“Thank you.”
In a way, it’s my first day of work, and I’m not sure if it’s right to drink before even starting, but I accepted since it was offered.
‘It looks strong just from a glance.’
Everything from the bottle to the scent announced it was a strong whiskey.
‘Sigh, but I have to drink it. What else can I do?’
Gulp.
After filling Eden’s glass, I hesitated briefly before pouring it into my mouth.
“Ugh.”
The taste, much stronger than expected, made an involuntary sound escape me.
“A bit bitter for a kid’s palate, huh?”
“I’m not a kid.”
In South Korea, maybe, but here, it’s an age where you could even get married quickly.
“If you struggle with this, you’re a kid.”
Eden poured whiskey into his own empty glass and downed it twice in a row.
‘Ugh, that strong stuff.’
He smokes strong cigarettes too; he’s definitely someone worn down by life.
“More than that, aren’t you curious? What a Second Lieutenant will do in Intelligence Command.”
“Well… I guess I’ll just do what I’m told.”
“You know well. The military is just about doing what you’re told. Especially in times like these.”
Eden took a cigarette from his pocket and put it in his mouth.
“From a Second Lieutenant’s perspective, does it seem like war will break out in earnest?”
“The atmosphere is tense, but ultimately, won’t it be neatly stitched up through diplomacy?”
They are two empires with too much to lose.
“You’re wrong. The war has already begun in earnest. It just hasn’t surfaced yet.”
In a way, Eden casually dropped a shocking statement and blew out smoke.
“And right now, fighting and dying on the front lines is the Intelligence Command, where you’ve just set foot.”
So, in other words, he was elaborately explaining that I’m screwed.
“That… do people die too?”
“Then did you think war was child’s play? Especially in intelligence warfare, if your identity is discovered, the probability of returning alive converges to zero.”
“Ha…Haha.”
Damn it.
How did I end up here from being a member of the Eastern Coastal Guard Battalion?
Even the abyss must have its own levels of depth.
“If only my abilities were outstanding, I could help, but it’s a shame I don’t know anything yet.”
I said it meaning, ‘Surely you wouldn’t give work to a mere Second Lieutenant?’, but the Captain was more of a madman than I thought.
“No, from what I see, you already have sufficient talent. Haven’t you been thoroughly separating your persona to live in society?”
“Huh…?”
Since when have I been separating my persona to live?
Reacting as if hearing this for the first time, the Captain raised the corner of his mouth and poured whiskey into his glass.
“Me, I’m not very interested in nurturing someone. They end up dying before their growth is complete anyway.”
A bittersweet expression, as if he had experienced it many times before.
“In that sense, someone like you, Second Lieutenant, is very usable. A decently sweet-looking family background and a personality that knows its timing.”
“Ha…Haha, I appreciate the positive evaluation, but I am absolutely not that kind of person.”
“You might not know it yourself, but my eyes. Precisely, the information we’ve investigated isn’t wrong.”
As he said that, Eden took a paper from his pocket and tossed it onto the table.
“The first mission entrusted to you, Second Lieutenant. Go to the 3rd Division, make contact with Major Olmen, and secure the list of defectors.”
“Huh…? Me?”
My hands trembling as I reached for what was clearly no ordinary task, I unfolded the paper.
[Olmen]
Rank: Major (Battalion Commander, 1st Infantry Battalion, Ground Operations Regiment, 3rd Division)
Age: 34
Interests: Soccer, Alcohol (Whiskey), Gambling
.
.
.
The personal details of a man named Olmen were densely written.
Almost everything was there, except perhaps his underwear color.
“Currently, the most crucial task handled by Intelligence Command is investigating military defectors. And the latest find is this guy.”
Eden pointed his finger at the name ‘Olmen’ written on the paper.
“He’s the first field-grade officer defector we’ve found, but there are definitely more. The problem is, these guys hide tightly, making them hard to find. Phew.”
He deeply inhaled cigarette smoke and exhaled; a thick fatigue emanated from the scent.
“So I changed my approach. Let’s get close and find out directly. I plan to insert you, Second Lieutenant, into that operation.”
“A rookie like me…? Wouldn’t it be better for more outstanding individuals to do it?”
No, who do they think I am to be entrusted with such an important mission from the start?
‘Aren’t these bastards just dumping it on me because they don’t want to do it themselves?’
It’s a situation worthy of such suspicion.
“Well, honestly, I don’t have complete faith in you either, Second Lieutenant. But these guys are very suspicious. We’ve already sent about two people, but forget about getting close; they felt the risk of exposure and withdrew.”
“If they’re that suspicious, how could I succeed?”
“You might not, but from what I see, the possibility is sufficient. You are natural in every aspect and have a background that Major Olmen would like.”
“Is that so…?”
“If you don’t want to do it, just say so. I did prepare another mission for someone like you.”
Frankly, approaching a defector to root out his group isn’t too dangerous?
I immediately switched to the other mission.
“Well, I’d be more grateful if you did this one, of course.”
As Eden said that, he took out another sheet of paper, but its contents were nothing short of shocking.
<Albein Castle, Infiltration Operation>
“We’ll prepare a cover identity. Your task will be to extract information related to military deployments. Note that if discovered, you will be tortured, and you must absolutely never divulge any information related to us….”
“I…II’ll go to the 3rd Division. On second thought, it seems like the perfect mission for me.”
“Is that so?”
As if things went as desired, Captain Eden raised the corner of his mouth.
‘These demonic bastards.’
