I Won’t Let the Execution Battalion Die, ~Even If the Empire Falls, We Want to Survive~ - Chapter 24: False Smiles ④

“Shao master, I’ll be taking my leave soon too!”

A seaman with his arm around a girl saluted.

It had been just about an hour of drinking, but I seemed to have succeeded in winning their hearts.

I’d let them guzzle premium molasses rum and steered conversations so the girls would like them, so they should be a little grateful or it wouldn’t be worth it. I’m exhausted.

I smiled and raised my hand lightly.

“Yes, have a good night.”

This bar had an open atrium structure, with private rooms lined up hotel-style on the second floor. The system allowed taking a girl you liked up there. Of course, additional fees were required.

I suddenly noticed that all the bar’s girls had disappeared. The numbers worked out perfectly, which was helpful.

“I guess that’s enough for tonight. Let’s pay and go home.”

Then Second Lieutenant Crimine stared at me with sultry eyes.

“You’re going home?”

“The seamen won’t be back for a while. They were pretty drunk—they’ll probably sleep until morning.”

Even for winning them over, tonight was probably the right time to stop.

Second Lieutenant Crimine looked displeased.

“You really are skilled at getting into people’s hearts.”

“I had to be to survive my life so far…”

Including my previous life, I’d lived watching everyone’s moods.

After confirming no one was around, I continued quietly in a small voice.

“My hometown was a poor village, and my parents were tenant farmers. The landlord was a good person, but the landlord’s son was a complete bastard. I thought life would become difficult when he took over, so I left my hometown.”

Also, as a modern person, rural life didn’t suit me. Especially things like toilets were extremely harsh.

Military academy was tough too, but since I gained a life where I could sleep in a bed, it became somewhat better.

Now with officer treatment, it’s considerably better. Though I still can’t get used to the lack of air conditioning.

Second Lieutenant Crimine looked unusually apologetic.

“Sorry, I was being…”

“Don’t worry about it. Everyone has painful experiences if they’re alive. You do too, right?”

A quasi-noble daughter working as an officer in an execution unit. I could tell there were circumstances.

I drained the wine remaining in my glass and smiled at Second Lieutenant Crimine.

“There’s no point in comparing misfortunes. It’s power gained from a life of fawning and flattery, but it was useful tonight. It’ll surely be useful in the future too. So it’s not such a bad thing.”

“‘Master’…”

Second Lieutenant Crimine had an expression like she wanted to say something, but making her feel more uncomfortable would be pitiful.

I stood up and called a clerk.

“We’re leaving. I’d like to pay.”

A clerk quickly came over with a thick bill, so I paid a bit more than the charged amount.

“When the seamen upstairs go home, please pack them some light food with this. Say it’s from ‘Wong of Shaoyuntasa.'”

“Y-yes. Certainly.”

“Thank you. This is for your trouble.”

I smiled pleasantly and pressed silver coins into his hand too.

*****

After repeating such utterly unenjoyable nightlife for several days:

“Um, ‘Master’? Our war chest is about to run out.”

“We’ve been spending money like idiots…”

Since I’d been using about my monthly salary every night, the money I’d brought was indeed running low.

I can’t believe spending this much money isn’t fun, but apparently I’m completely unsuited for this kind of entertainment.

“Now what should we do?”

Since this was a port town, there were banks, but they weren’t as convenient as modern banks and didn’t manage customer information. Moving large amounts of money risked having accounts traced and our identities exposed.

“Going back once might work, ‘Master.’ If we return to the ‘branch office,’ we can withdraw money.”

The Imperial Ceremonial Battalion only had a base in the capital, but since that would be problematic, we’d established simple safe houses in regional core cities. Hideouts that served as bases for execution assignments.

Unfortunately, there were no safe houses around Zelan Bay, so we’d have to withdraw temporarily.

“Can’t be helped. Should we go back tomorrow morning? But since we came all this way, let’s take a bit of a gamble tonight.”

Looking around the establishment, there were quite a few people staring intently at us.

Among them were fellows wearing Navy officer uniforms. They were drinking with NCOs and seamen in attendance, but it didn’t feel like they were playing.

“That’s them.”

I stood up and headed toward that table.

“Good evening.”

“So you’re the weird Shao person who’s been living it up everywhere every night lately.”

A middle-aged officer with a captain’s insignia stared at me intently, so I bowed respectfully.

“Yes. I am Wong, a trader who came from Shaoyuntasa—that is, the Shao Great Dynasty. I’ve been enjoying myself while my master’s eyes can’t reach.”

I shifted my sunglasses and smiled.

The Navy captain had a stern expression.

“Our seamen seem to have been treated quite generously, but what are you scheming?”

“Hahaha, you certainly wouldn’t think a Shao merchant would treat people to drinks without ulterior motives.”

Most foreigners coming to Zelan Bay were traders. To put it nicely, they were skilled negotiators; to put it badly, they were cunning.

So they were viewed with suspicion.

I pretended ignorance and took out a liquor bottle.

“If you want to know my heart, just get me drunk and I’ll start talking.”

The captain glanced at the label on the bottle I produced and snorted.

“Fine then. But if you try anything funny, your debauchery ends tonight.”

No, I’m out of money anyway.

I smiled wryly inwardly while setting down the brandy bottle and glasses.

“I’ll take your words to heart, Officer. Come now, let’s start with a toast.”

“Hmph… Hey, this is ‘Fire Dragon Mark’ thirty-year, isn’t it?”

“Yes, that’s right. You have quite an eye.”

Since it was a thirty-year aged premium product, this liquor had been sleeping in barrels since before Second Lieutenant Crimine was born. Naturally, it was incredibly expensive. A luxury item beyond the reach of a Navy captain.

The officers and NCOs’ gazes were riveted to the brandy being poured into glasses with gurgling sounds.

“Whoa, look at that color…”

“The aroma is incredible.”

“Captain, we can partake too, right!?”

“I don’t know, ask him.”

I smiled while holding a glass.

“Of course, let’s all toast together. To the heroes who protect the sea routes—to the glorious Imperial Navy.”

“…Yeah.”

Looking at each other, the Navy personnel toasted with somewhat awkward movements.

And it was some time later that the middle-aged captain, who had been completely on guard, slapped my shoulder while boasting, “Alright then, leave it to me! I’ll get you a meeting with Admiral Telzen!”