I Won’t Let the Execution Battalion Die, ~Even If the Empire Falls, We Want to Survive~

We advanced by threading through the rocky terrain, circumventing gun batteries as we headed for the island’s bay.

Captain Yugi seemed to see as clearly as daylight even with the faint moonlight, quickly crossing the ridge and entering the island’s interior.

In the bay was what appeared to be a Navy ship of the line and two small fast boats. The fast boats were probably what Admiral Telzen’s group had arrived in. There were also several rowboats.

Judging by the number of vessels, the forces here seemed small-scale. The bay was narrow—not wide enough to moor multiple ships of the line.

Several buildings stood in the bay area. Most were wooden, but bright light and the sound of metal being struck leaked from one brick building. Probably a workshop.

Captain Yugi muttered:

“Perhaps protected by the island and currents, the interior is even more defenseless than the outside.”

“There are hardly any sentries, let alone patrols.”

There probably wasn’t much point in heavily guarding this place, but since assassins like us had actually infiltrated, they shouldn’t let their guard down.

Captain Yugi scurried around here and there with her thighs exposed through the slit, then came back.

“That’s the workshop, that’s the barracks, this is a warehouse. The officers’ quarters are probably over there.”

Captain Yugi pointed to a two-story brick building set back a bit from the waterfront. It was separated from the workshop and barracks, with a garden surrounded by trees.

“Certainly, it’s perfect as the Admiral’s hideout.”

I nodded and quietly reached for the short sword in my clothes. Fighting seamen’s muskets with this was reckless, but pistol shots would be problematic if heard.

“If anything happens, I’m counting on your martial prowess, Company Commander. Please take care of it.”

“Yes, I think I can manage if I stick to one-on-one combat.”

She answered cautiously, then Captain Yugi continued:

“Combat is strictly forbidden until we locate the target. After discovery, I’ll decide whether to engage based on my judgment, so Lieutenant, please guard one side so I don’t get caught in a pincer attack.”

“I’ll make every effort.”

When push came to shove, I’d use the pistol too. Even if I could only fire once.

The officers’ quarters had the feel of a small seaside villa, built with emphasis on livability. Many openings made it easy to infiltrate. Balconies and large windows were like front entrances for Captain Yugi.

But naturally, there were multiple sentries here.

“What do we do about those?”

“We’ll go around. This way.”

Captain Yugi approached the quarters unhesitatingly while hiding among the trees surrounding it. I’d also learned scouting basics at the military academy, but Captain Yugi’s stealth techniques were completely different from the textbook.

We managed to reach under a window, but Captain Yugi made a sour face.

“Iron bars. All the first-floor windows.”

“Should we enter from the second floor?”

“Yes, that balcony probably belongs to the Admiral’s quarters.”

Saying this, Captain Yugi began climbing smoothly by catching her fingertips on the mortar joints between bricks. Was this person really human?

I absolutely couldn’t imitate that. I’d been left behind.

However, Captain Yugi, who had hidden in the shadows of the balcony, immediately untied her decorative sash and lowered it. She’d apparently worn it for this purpose.

Still, I had to climb this…? I’d done rope climbing at the military academy but…

When I struggled up without making noise, Admiral Telzen’s voice became audible.

“The woman that man offered up? She’d certainly fetch a high price if sold, but humans are different from horses or jewels. Only humans can faithfully carry out their sender’s orders. I don’t know what she’s been commanded to do.”

Very perceptive.

But I was taking Second Lieutenant Crimine back. Absolutely.

Only Admiral Telzen and Second Lieutenant Crimine were in the spacious room. Good, the Second Lieutenant was safe. She didn’t appear to have been stripped either. The Admiral apparently had no intention of laying hands on her.

“But I need to be cautious with you too. Strip.”

Wait, you bastard. I’ll kill you. Well, I’m going to kill you anyway.

Crimine was flustered.

“S-strip!? Here!?”

“Of course. You’re mine now.”

You’re not his. You’re my… no, that’s wrong. No wait, it’s not wrong. You’re my important comrade-in-arms. Not his.

“From what I can see, your chest is meager and your ass looks small too, but if I think of you as a married woman, it’s somewhat arousing. That man is probably crying right now from the loneliness of losing you.”

Let’s kill him. Let’s kill him right now.

Thinking this, I looked at Captain Yugi, and she was grinning.

“Should we wait a bit longer?”

“Why?”

Let’s rescue her quickly.

Captain Yugi smiled pleasantly and took out her fan.

“Just kidding. Well then, I’ll break in, but please make sure no reinforcements come through the door.”

“Understood.”

I would have preferred to kill that bastard myself, but at this point, anything was fine.

The balcony door was half-open for ventilation, and Captain Yugi slipped silently into the room through the gap. Admiral Telzen remained with his back to us, staring intently at Crimine.

“Strip quickly.”

“I-I understand.”

Crimine was removing her jacket, untying her bow tie, and beginning to unbutton her blouse. I might have found myself staring too, but rescuing her came first right now.

When Captain Yugi stepped forward smoothly, Admiral Telzen sensed something and whipped around.

“You…”

He probably tried to say “You bastard!” but Captain Yugi threw her fan to cut him off.

However, the light fan had no killing power and was easily batted away with bare hands.

Captain Yugi threw another fan in succession.

The Admiral tried to knock this fan away as well, but this time the fan struck his fingers with a dull thud. It looked exactly the same, but this time it was apparently an iron fan.

She’d made him careless with the first fan, then went for breaking his fingers with the second.

“Guh!?”

An unexpected blow could cow even a battle-hardened warrior.

Captain Yugi didn’t miss that instant of opportunity.

She pulled the ornamental cord to snap the iron fan back with a whip, then released it again with graceful movement. The ornamental cord wrapped around Admiral Telzen’s neck.

“Nuuuh…”

The Admiral tried to untie the cord with his broken finger, but Captain Yugi immediately closed in.

She entangled the Admiral’s limbs with her own slender arms and legs, applying her body weight to bring him down. The two collapsed onto the bed.

“Guuuh… gah…”

The Admiral made weak groaning sounds while trying to shake free with all his might.

But Captain Yugi held the Admiral down from behind, entangling his limbs and firmly locking his shoulder and knee joints.

The Admiral’s torso was stretched defenseless, with his back and abdominal muscles completely disabled. Stretched muscles couldn’t exert power.

The Admiral was quite muscular, but even so, arm and leg muscles alone couldn’t overcome Captain Yugi’s entire body’s musculature. It was Captain Yugi’s excellent technique that didn’t let physical disadvantage show. Frightening.

“Kahah… gih… ogo…”

The Admiral’s face rapidly turned purple and his eyes became bloodshot. Almost time now.

Captain Yugi’s expression hadn’t changed at all. Like a spider devouring a moth. There was an eerie beauty to it.

The iron fan with ornamental cord was similar to the corded concealed weapon Captain Yugi had shown me. That one had a ceramic ball attached, but since weapon users never show the “real thing” to anyone, she’d probably planned to use the ornamental cord in combination with the iron fan.

I confirmed the room’s exit door was locked while holding my knife ready to assist at any time.

But since the surprise attack had been completely successful, Admiral Telzen’s fate was already sealed.

Eventually Captain Yugi sat up on the bed. Her hair was slightly disheveled, making her look quite alluring.

Admiral Telzen had thrown out his arms and legs and showed no signs of getting up again. The ornamental cord remained tightly embedded in his neck, which had discolored from cyanosis. He was probably dead.

The mission was accomplished for now. Rest in peace. Yours was completely self-inflicted.

After a moment’s prayer in my heart, I considered what needed to be done next.