I Won’t Let the Execution Battalion Die, ~Even If the Empire Falls, We Want to Survive~ - Chapter 12: The Battalion Commander's Sigh ②

Imperial Ceremonial Battalion Commander Major Filia Gehenbach was receiving a report from Second Lieutenant Riesha Crimine of the Third Company.

“So I took off my military uniform and soiled my undergarments for the lieutenant’s sake. Of course, this was to disguise myself as a fugitive peasant. Furthermore, I had myself bound tightly with rope. This was very good and—”

“What am I being made to listen to?”

Filia sighed and brushed back her bangs.

“Riesha. Listen carefully. I don’t want to know the details of your perverted hobbies. I’m requesting a report about the mission in the Kavaraf region.”

Riesha tilted her head with a puzzled expression.

“About that report. Knowing Lieutenant Fonkt, he probably omitted this part, didn’t he?”

“Unlike you, he has common sense.”

Propping her elbows on the desk, Filia set down her pen.

“Even so, to hang yourself even if it was fake—you’ve really come along, haven’t you?”

“During the duel with Lord Grien, I showed quite an unsightly appearance…”

Riesha sighed deeply.

“I was worried that Lieutenant Fonkt might be disgusted with me, so I put my heart into it this time.”

“Sorry to break it to you after you put your heart into it, but he doesn’t care about that sort of thing at all.”

“Please care! I was even prepared to actually die!”

While watching the girl bang on the desk, Filia smiled wryly.

“But at least Lieutenant Fonkt must have gained new respect for you. You shouldn’t be treated like a deadweight anymore. Your resolve wasn’t wasted.”

“Right?”

Receiving that expectant gaze, Filia smoothly averted her eyes. She had a policy of not telling unnecessary lies.

“Well then, since there were no discrepancies in your reports, it seems safe to be relieved. As always, your reports are reliable. What you do is completely reckless though.”

“I thought that recklessness was what was expected of us.”

“It is. This kind of thing can only be done by certain people even within the Third Company. Losing Lieutenant Meinen was a painful blow.”

While picturing her lost subordinate’s smile, Filia prayed for his soul in her heart.

“You will assist Lieutenant Fonkt for the time being. You’re too dangerous for anything solo, and Lieutenant Fonkt needs a good understanding partner to demonstrate his true abilities.”

“Yes, Battalion Commander.”

Riesha saluted crisply, then said with a straight face:

“Then as Lieutenant Fonkt’s assistant, I must say that I believe he’s better suited for missions while remaining single.”

“Hey you, you were eavesdropping outside the battalion commander’s office again.”

Filia sighed.

“Don’t worry. I’ve been strictly ordered, ‘I’m going to marry Fonkt-san, so Mama absolutely cannot get married.'”

“Ah, your daughter…”

Riesha smiled wryly.

“But you’re totally planning to get ahead of her, aren’t you?”

“Who would do that? Besides, what’s so good about that man anyway?”

“He’s capable and reliable, gentle and serious with a good face, kind to women and children, has a sense of cleanliness, and yet there’s something about him you can’t leave alone.”

“Every last one of you…”

Filia turned away sulkily.

“Personally, I think you’re the best match for him.”

“Battalion Commander, I love you. Let’s get married.”

“What am I supposed to do with that? Do it with him.”

Filia collapsed face-down on the desk, spreading her flowing blonde hair everywhere.

“Ahh, if only I’d had that kind of encounter when I was about your age…”

“There’s no point lamenting. Leave the rest to the younger generation.”

“Don’t treat me like an old woman. I am still in the young lady category by society’s standards.”

Since Riesha was silent, Filia became even more displeased.

“You’re annoying. Don’t you transfer anywhere either. You’d definitely be abused in a proper unit.”

“I kind of understand that. I wonder why.”

“Because you say things you shouldn’t say and don’t say things you should say. Well, fine. I’ll give you a top-secret mission.”

Filia sat up and became serious.

“From now on, provide personal security for Lieutenant Fonkt. In his private life too. If necessary, become his lover or even his wife.”

“Yes ma’am.”

Filia smiled wryly at Riesha, who saluted immediately.

“Just from the previous and current missions, he’s taken considerable risks. He’ll take even greater risks from now on. There are probably informants with outside contacts in this battalion too. If mission details leak, there’s a possibility he could be targeted for assassination or downfall schemes.”

Riesha showed an understanding expression.

“So that’s why his private life too.”

“That’s right. Keep an eye on everything about him. I don’t think he’d go to brothels, but if that seems likely, you ‘handle it somehow.'”

“Yes ma’am.”

Again saluting immediately, Riesha’s expression was grinning.

“You’re quite understanding, Battalion Commander.”

“What value is there in a superior who won’t protect subordinates?”

After saying that, Filia suddenly smiled.

“Of course, you should have Lieutenant Fonkt protect you. No, you’re probably already being protected. He’s skilled at escorting female officers.”

“I feel that. Since I started working with the lieutenant, other officers have stopped doing strange things to me.”

“Right? When I bring him along to Imperial Guard Regiment headquarters, the bastards who grope my ass and shoulders stay away.”

In the Orthodox Empire where male chauvinism was deeply rooted, female officers were constantly exposed to danger. This didn’t change even in rear departments with only friendly forces.

“Really, there are too few decent men in this Orthodox Empire. It’s just like the officers’ mess at Imperial Guard Regiment headquarters. Lots of them, but no choice.”

After blowing away her own dark past on a sigh, Filia smiled wryly.

“In that respect, the late Meinen was quite manly too. Since he was only interested in alcohol, I never received unpleasant treatment from him despite being a drinker myself.”

“That’s true. Lieutenant Meinen’s value system was ‘can drink or can’t drink.’ That’s questionable as a human being in its own way though.”

Riesha smiled wryly along with her. She was also in the heavy drinker category, but since she was quite an aggressive drunk, she was feared in the Third Company.

“In any case, male officers who can show respect to female officers are precious just for that. Protect him firmly, and be protected.”

“Yes, Battalion Commander.”

Even in the military where rank was absolute, women’s positions were low. Neither of them ever acted alone outside. There was a possibility of being attacked by enlisted men.

“By the way, if she finds out I gave you such an order, will my daughter scold me?”

“Probably.”

At that moment, Filia collapsed face-down on the desk again.

“But it can’t be helped, Mama has work to do… It’s to protect your precious ‘Fonkt-san,’ so please understand…”

“It’s alright, Battalion Commander, you’re not wrong about anything.”

Riesha gently stroked Filia’s blonde hair.