I Won’t Let the Execution Battalion Die, ~Even If the Empire Falls, We Want to Survive~ - Chapter 11: The Battalion Commander's Sigh ①

After returning to the capital, I finished my report at Imperial Ceremonial Battalion headquarters.

“Thank you for your report. It was quite a nice vacation, wasn’t it?”

Since the battalion commander said this while chuckling, I stood at attention and put on a sullen face.

“It was terrible—cold, and glared at by the Second Division officers.”

“I heard you became friends with that cute little second lieutenant.”

How does she know that? And he’s not cute.

“I looked into it afterward, but the Makaran family is a mid-level noble house with considerable influence in the Empire’s south. One must cultivate connections.”

“True. I’ll acknowledge that. We’re standing on thin ice. It’s better to have more allies.”

The battalion commander with her abundant blonde hair said this, then looked up at me with a mischievous smile.

“So, did things progress with Second Lieutenant Crimine?”

What is this battalion commander talking about?

“She’s still a young lady whose thoughts I can’t fathom. However, her dedication to duty is worthy of praise.”

“Oh?”

“After all, she actually submitted to hanging as a body double for the rebellion’s ringleader.”

The battalion commander’s mouth hung half-open in shock.

“Eh…? What did you do?”

“Since we needed to execute someone who didn’t exist in this world, I hanged Second Lieutenant Crimine. It was her request.”

The battalion commander stared at my face intently, then asked to confirm:

“Of course, you hanged her so she wouldn’t die, so she’s alive, right?”

“Naturally. I would never let an important subordinate die.”

I could distinguish between people who could be killed and those who couldn’t. If I lost that distinction, I couldn’t work as an executioner.

Since I didn’t want to leave too much of this as a record, I explained the circumstances verbally.

“So that’s how it went. There was no other method.”

“I see, if that’s the case, then it’s fine.”

The battalion commander crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair with an exasperated expression.

“However, this is the first time I’ve encountered someone as reckless as you. Aren’t you afraid of imperial decrees?”

“If I weren’t afraid, I’d simply report ‘No such person as Yuo Nevilnel ever existed’ and be done with it.”

I’m doing this because I’m afraid. Please understand.

I was troubled, but the battalion commander suddenly burst out laughing.

“No, it’s interesting. You take on the most disadvantageous role that would guarantee execution if discovered, yet you’re neither afraid nor proud of it—you’re completely nonchalant. You don’t even seek rewards. You’re a genuine, thorough fool.”

Am I?

Then the battalion commander suddenly said something like this:

“You stay as my subordinate from now on. I won’t allow any transfer requests.”

“Do you think I’d submit one? I only became an officer thanks to you, Battalion Commander.”

The battalion commander smiled with an embarrassed expression.

“I just recommended one promising clerical NCO to officer school. Everything after that was your effort. You don’t need to feel indebted.”

“Ah, then maybe I’ll submit a transfer request to the Army Quartermaster Corps or something…”

“I won’t allow that. Never move from under my command. You’ll die if the higher-ups glare at you.”

She glared at me. Scary.

Then she suddenly changed her expression.

“Now then, Lieutenant Fonkt. How was your inspection of the Kavaraf region?”

Finally, the main topic. I straightened my back again.

“Perhaps because it was incorporated into the Orthodox Empire most recently, it seemed to possess its own unique temperament and culture. Governing that place would be no ordinary task.”

“You thought so too. But the ‘people above the clouds’ don’t think that way.”

The battalion commander put her white fingertips to her forehead and sighed lightly.

“Those fools are playing at being lords of terror by flashing death threats, but they’re just buying resentment. There’s going to be a rebellion soon.”

“Battalion Commander, that’s disrespectful.”

“I don’t care. If you have complaints, report them to your direct superior.”

That’s you.

The beautiful battalion commander rested her chin on her hand.

“Small grievances from below should be allowed to vent while they’re still small. And those above should perceive them and solve problems before they become serious. What’s wrong with that?”

“Nothing’s wrong with it. Those people are fools.”

“Hey, that’s disrespectful.”

You said it too.

While spilling her honey-river blonde hair across the desk, the battalion commander said:

“The situation is becoming quite precarious. In the worst case, I want to protect at least my inner circle. For that reason, I intend to prioritize assigning you such missions from now on. There aren’t many people I can rely on.”

“Understood. Regular executions weigh heavily on my mind, so I’d appreciate that approach.”

Missions where I’d worry afterward about “Should that person really have died?” probably weren’t suited for me. Having only clear-cut ones assigned would ease my mind.

“So, is there any work I should be doing now?”

“Nothing in particular. A group smuggling banned drugs was caught in a dragnet and they’re being executed one after another. There’s even a public execution this afternoon. Want to help?”

“The Second Company can handle that kind of mission.”

The Imperial Ceremonial Battalion was composed of three companies. The core First Company handled behind-the-scenes work like intelligence gathering, document management, and liaison with other departments. They were bureaucrats the battalion commander had poached from somewhere and never showed their faces at execution grounds.

The Second Company handled executions that looked like proper executions—firing squads in plazas and such. Exemplary soldiers who never questioned orders were assigned there, and they were all serious-minded.

Though there were also a few people who loved executions and autopsies.

The Third Company handled politically troublesome cases and other types of executions that couldn’t be brought into the open. Only the Third Company handled jobs like making it look like someone was killed while letting them escape.

Perhaps because of the many strange missions, the Third Company had become like a den of eccentrics. I was one of the few normal people.

“You’re one of the most peculiar even in the Third Company. The company commander finds you amusing too.”

Really? Am I stranger than Second Lieutenant Crimine or the late Lieutenant Meinen?

Incidentally, our company commander was also a young woman, but she was definitely more eccentric than me. Absolutely.

“What, you look dissatisfied?”

“I’ve never seen anyone as normal as myself.”

“Hahaha, that’s exactly what I mean.”

After laughing very happily, the battalion commander gave me a sidelong glance.

“By the way, I’m currently looking for a normal remarriage partner…”

“Sorry, I am an eccentric.”

The battalion commander’s only daughter was firmly opposed to her mother’s remarriage. I knew this because I met her often.

So I, understanding jokes, thought I’d given the proper “correct answer,” but the battalion commander let out a big sigh.

“Ah yes, you’re an eccentric. A complete weirdo.”

Is she a bit angry?

The battalion commander made a difficult face and waved me away with one hand.

“After this, I’ll also hear Second Lieutenant Crimine’s report. You return to the Third Company and report to the company commander.”

“Yes ma’am.”

While saluting, I was inwardly puzzled.