I Won’t Let the Execution Battalion Die, ~Even If the Empire Falls, We Want to Survive~ - Chapter 20: The Path of No Return ②

Captain Yugi spread a map on the conference table in the battalion commander’s office.

“Admiral Telzen, in his position as Southern Fleet Commander, is based in the waters around Zelan Bay where the Southern Fleet’s home port is located. This area is also a major trading hub.”

If someone with a fleet at a major trading hub starts smuggling, they’d certainly make money.

“However, ships move all over the place, so no one knows where exactly they might be in the bay. He might be aboard the flagship, or at fleet command in the home port, or out on another ship.”

In an era without satellites or even aircraft, a ship’s mobility was equivalent to flying through the sky. Once they get offshore, they can’t be tracked. A troublesome opponent.

Captain Yugi looked troubled.

“If you could bring him right in front of me, I’m confident I could snuff out his life in an instant…”

This person was scary. Well, maybe that’s appropriate for the company commander of an execution unit.

I can’t pull off that kind of feat, but I might be able to solve my superior’s problem.

“Admiral Telzen is also the ringleader of smuggling operations. How about we attack from that angle?”

“Ah, then shall we try smuggling something ourselves? What kind of weapons would be good?”

“No, let’s avoid weapons. They’re bulky and we’d need large quantities.”

While one concealed weapon would be sufficient, military weapons were meaningless if you only have one.

I pondered how to explain this, but it seemed troublesome, so I decided to speak straightforwardly like a soldier.

“We’ll smuggle the company commander.”

“Excuse me?”

Captain Yugi blinked in confusion.

Behind us, the battalion commander was chuckling with amusement. She seemed to see right through my intentions.

“Excellent, as expected of Lieutenant Fonkt. Please continue.”

“Yes, Battalion Commander.”

I decided to continue my explanation.

“Since the prohibited drug smuggling was crushed by the Imperial Household, Admiral Telzen must secure new sources of income. Whether he reconciles with the Imperial Household or starts a rebellion, he’ll need enormous funds. But there aren’t many commodities more profitable than prohibited drugs.”

Jewels and spices would be reasonably profitable, but legal goods have limited appeal. When there were many competitors, market principles function. It’s insufficient for reaping enormous profits.

For Admiral Telzen, who can mobilize fleets, smuggling illegal goods should still be the most “delicious” option.

“In the Empire, the commodity that’s illegal to trade and offers good profits from maritime smuggling would be humans.”

The battalion commander nodded.

“True. Overland routes take too much time and there’s a risk of escape.”

“Fortunately, the company commander is beautiful and doesn’t look like a warrior from her appearance. If we market her as a different type of talent, we might be able to approach Admiral Telzen.”

Then the company commander smiled.

“Ah, so I’d infiltrate his bedchamber as a pleasure slave for nighttime entertainment.”

Well, that’s right, but all my careful consideration was completely wasted. I struggled to choose my words properly.

And why does she look so happy about it?

Second Lieutenant Crimine interjected:

“In the south, human trafficking in black markets is thriving, so Admiral Telzen may have already gotten involved. I hear ‘merchandise’ is transported to Zelan Bay from distant Kardahal and the Shao Great Dynasty.”

What kind of person was this quasi-noble daughter who’s knowledgeable about southern black markets?

I pondered.

“In that case, we need to add value to the merchandise. Just being beautiful isn’t enough.”

“Just beautiful, you say.”

Captain Yugi was happily shaking Second Lieutenant Crimine’s shoulders. I was worried Crimine might get a concussion.

That same Second Lieutenant Crimine added:

“For added value, I could use makeup to make her look like a princess…”

“You could?”

“Yes.”

“Wait, I’ve never seen you wearing makeup.”

“What are you talking about? I wear makeup every day.”

I had no idea. It’s so natural that… no, wait, wait.

“You removed your makeup when you disguised yourself as ‘Yuo Nevilnel,’ didn’t you?”

“Yes, naturally.”

I couldn’t tell the difference…

While I was confused, the women started whispering.

“Did you see that, Second Lieutenant Crimine? Men are all like this.”

“Eh? I thought Lieutenant Fonkt would have noticed.”

“It’s because Second Lieutenant Crimine is skilled with makeup.”

This is uncomfortable.

I had no choice but to apologize honestly.

“Sorry for being insensitive. Second Lieutenant Crimine naturally has delicate features, so I didn’t realize.”

Is this how you apologize? I don’t know.

The whispering started again.

“Did you hear that, Battalion Commander?”

“Not bad as attempts to smooth things over go. But don’t let your guard down—he just casually complimented her face.”

“Yes, that’s so typical of the Lieutenant…”

Still uncomfortable.

Second Lieutenant Crimine turned back to me with a smile.

“Lieutenant.”

“What is it?”

“When you say delicate, specifically what aspects are you referring to?”

Eh…?

I looked at the battalion commander and company commander for help, but both were reading documents with serious expressions. When did those documents appear?

Apparently I was on my own, so I stared intently at Second Lieutenant Crimine’s face.

…This is troubling.

I’m more attracted to facial expressions than facial structure, so I have a slight aversion to Second Lieutenant Crimine, who didn’t smile much for me.

If I stare too intently at her face, she might complain, and it’s true that my observation was insufficient.

However, if I don’t handle this situation well, it could even affect our mission. Trust between comrades-in-arms is more important than anything.

Don’t lose, me. Use your two lifetimes of experience.

“Looking at you properly like this, you have beautiful eyes.”

“I-Is that so?”

“When you were disguised as ‘Yuo Nevilnel,’ you had mud on your face as a precaution, didn’t you?”

At that time, we’d disguised her by putting a bag over her head, but considering the possibility someone might remove the bag, we’d also applied disguise to her face. I helped with it, so I remember.

“You definitely had your makeup removed then, but even so, your beautiful gaze couldn’t be hidden. That’s definitely something you were born with.”

Second Lieutenant Crimine seemed a bit restless, glancing up at me.

“Please continue.”

Why was a second lieutenant giving orders to a first lieutenant? Well, we’re colleagues, so this much is fine.

“Also, while it’s not directly related to your facial features, your black hair is so lustrous it was troubling. I’d actually planned to dirty it with ash water and make it messy, but I absolutely couldn’t bring myself to do it and left it as is. That would have given us away immediately.”

Second Lieutenant Crimine looked surprised.

“Oh, is that what happened?”

“I regret doing such a half-hearted job, but I don’t regret the decision. It was impossible.”

This kind of softness feels like it could be fatal as a soldier. Those who have something more important than the mission might not be able to complete the mission. Maybe.

“Also, you have a beautiful nape. I was surprised when we posed as a quasi-noble couple the other day. High-collared military uniforms are fine, but dresses suit you. This is also unrelated to makeup.”

“Nape… dress…”

“Don’t look at me like that. You’re the one who told me to continue.”

Second Lieutenant Crimine has beautiful bone structure itself, so beauty was concentrated in areas where the skin was thin. As someone with both bone and muscle fetishes, she was a somewhat dazzling presence for me.

I won’t say it because it would probably be sexual harassment.

Then Second Lieutenant Crimine nodded several times before smiling.

“I forgive you.”

“Thank you.”

I was forgiven.

The battalion commander immediately cleared her throat.

“Are you finally finished? Then move.”

“Yes sir!”

The three of us saluted.

…No, this kind of exchange wasn’t necessary before receiving a mission, right?