I Won’t Let the Execution Battalion Die, ~Even If the Empire Falls, We Want to Survive~ - Chapter 27: An Upset Night ③

I had planned to send Captain Yugi in her cheongsam as an assassin, but Admiral Telzen apparently wanted Second Lieutenant Crimine.

Crimine was currently dressed in a pantsuit with almost zero skin exposure, looking like a butler. Nearly masculine attire.

I shook my head.

“This person is not ‘merchandise,’ but my secretary. As you can see, she’s from the Empire and knows the laws and customs of this land well. I cannot conduct business within the Empire without her.”

“I’m asking despite knowing it’s unreasonable.”

Eh, what did that mean?

No wait, I’d dealt with similar customers in my previous life.

A complainer type who demanded special treatment no matter what. They’d make obviously impossible demands and fly into a rage if those demands weren’t met.

Admiral Telzen probably wanted to make the “impudent young Shao punk” accept unreasonable demands and submit. He wanted to make clear who held the power.

Damn, I’d reincarnated but was facing the same crap as my previous life.

Just like in my previous life, trouble with “business partners” was absolutely forbidden this time too. I had to secure the contract no matter what. If negotiations broke down, even survival would be uncertain.

In the first place, if Admiral Telzen felt like it, he could easily kill me and Captain Yugi and take Crimine.

Then I had no choice but to accept the demand.

If I was going to accept it anyway, I might as well do so graciously. That way I could sell at a higher price.

I considered all this instantly and nodded with a wry smile.

“It can’t be helped. As we build a relationship of trust from now on, how could I possibly refuse the Admiral’s request? Please accept her.”

Second Lieutenant Crimine’s face had gone completely pale, but even so, she didn’t forget her position.

“‘Master,’ are you certain this is alright?”

“Yes. You’ve served me well, but from now on, please assist Admiral Telzen. You’re from here originally, so you’ll be happier living in this land.”

While speaking gently, I conveyed with my eyes, ‘It’s okay, don’t worry.’

—Nothing’s okay!? What’s going to happen to me!?

—Calm down, there’s no other way. Just endure until the assassination is finished.

—Ehhh!?

—If you’re a soldier too, be prepared for this level of danger. I’ll definitely save you.

—After this mission is over, you absolutely have to make it up to me!

We conducted roughly this kind of exchange through eye contact, calming Second Lieutenant Crimine down. It was possible our communication hadn’t gone well, but it was probably right. Probably.

Second Lieutenant Crimine adopted a meek attitude and bowed silently to me.

“‘Master,’ thank you for everything.”

“Thank you for your long service. Please take care of yourself.”

I gently pushed her back to encourage her.

Once Second Lieutenant Crimine had taken position beside Admiral Telzen, I smiled pleasantly.

“Well then, let’s continue our business discussion right away.”

“No. Tomorrow night, I’ll gather people knowledgeable about this field and hear the story again.”

As expected, he rejected my proposal. This old man was the type who couldn’t stand not holding the initiative. So he’d reject my proposals and make his own decisions anew. Such a simple man.

If we continued negotiations now, rescuing Second Lieutenant Crimine would be difficult, so let’s adjourn here.

Having begun to understand how to manipulate Admiral Telzen, I still bowed reverently.

“I understand. Then I’ll also send word to my master, so I’ll take my leave tonight.”

“Mm.”

Now, I had to think about what to do from here…

****

After leaving the Southern Fleet Command grounds and entering the port town’s main street, Captain Yugi asked with a puzzled expression:

“What do you intend to do, ‘Master’?”

“There have been some changes, but let’s basically proceed as planned. I’ll ask ‘you’ to handle the final task.”

Second Lieutenant Crimine had learned minimum combat techniques as a soldier, but her personality and build weren’t suited for combat, so she probably couldn’t beat Admiral Telzen.

That man was probably quite skilled in close combat too.

“Can we do it tonight?”

“Well, I’ve roughly memorized the internal structure…”

The beautiful woman in the cheongsam showed signs of thinking it over.

“If we’re too cautious and drag it out, our disguise work might fall apart and our identities could be exposed. It’s been almost entirely ‘Master’s’ improvisation, one unexpected thing after another.”

“Sorry, it was sudden.”

I couldn’t think of any better ideas in that situation.

Captain Yugi smiled gently.

“No, it was helpful. Nothing can begin without gaining the target’s trust.”

“Thank you.”

Now, the problem was what came next.

Captain Yugi gave orders as company commander.

“I’ll change into inconspicuous clothes and keep watch on the target. ‘Master’ should contact headquarters while you can.”

“Understood.”

I left the Southern Fleet Command temporarily to relay the operation’s progress to the Ceremonial Battalion.

Naturally, for such an assassination mission, we three weren’t operating alone. As backup personnel, we’d infiltrated several trustworthy NCOs from the Third Company into the port town.

“So the situation has changed somewhat. We’re switching to Operation Plan Three, with Second Lieutenant Crimine’s rescue as a desired objective.”

“Understood. We’ll report to headquarters immediately.”

The NCOs disguised as pilgrims saluted, then said:

“Lieutenant, please remain calm above all.”

“Do I look that panicked?”

“No, you seem normal. But when it comes to Second Lieutenant Crimine, we thought you might not be able to stay calm either.”

Well, that was true.

“Certainly I can’t afford to lose Second Lieutenant Crimine after Meinen. She’s an important partner.”

“Ah, yes. That’s right.”

What was with that subtle reaction?

In any case, some of the NCOs immediately departed for the capital.

With this, even if something happened to us, battalion headquarters would take action.

When I hurriedly returned to Captain Yugi, she was wearing a coat and had a stern expression.

“Admiral Telzen just headed to the harbor with Second Lieutenant Crimine. There are about ten guards, so I can’t make a move.”

“That’s bad.”

If he planned to board a ship, Crimine would be taken away somewhere just like this.

Captain Yugi stared at me intently.

“If we prioritize certainty in the assassination above all else, moving here wouldn’t be wise…”

That was true.

However, I shook my head.

“If Second Lieutenant Crimine’s whereabouts become unknown like this, we won’t have time to rescue her after the assassination. In that case, she’ll be killed no matter what happens.”

I’d just lost a close colleague recently. I didn’t want to lose Second Lieutenant Crimine.

But I had to stay calm above all.

“We need to carry out the assassination and rescue simultaneously, but tonight is probably our only chance. I propose pursuit.”

“Understood. I agree.”

And Captain Yugi smiled.

“The Ceremonial Battalion doesn’t let anyone die.”

“Though we’re an execution unit.”

That’s exactly why we want to protect at least our own people.

Let’s do this.