I Won’t Let the Execution Battalion Die, ~Even If the Empire Falls, We Want to Survive~ - Chapter 37: Ghost Road ②

It was unexpected that the Second Company would be conducting a checkpoint in a place like this, but the Ceremonial Battalion often had highly classified missions, so this kind of thing happened frequently.

Now, what should I do?

“I don’t really want to meet other companies during leave.”

“Turning back… the carriage is a bit too large for that, isn’t it?”

“It’s a four-horse team.”

We’d need space to make a full turn, but the left and right sides of the highway were wasteland. It had probably been forest originally, but had been completely deforested.

Attempting risky maneuvers in a place like this could result in getting stuck. Unpleasant memories from various games I’d played in my previous life came flooding back.

Second Lieutenant Crimine glanced at me.

“Should we just go through as is?”

“Well, it’s not like we’re doing anything underhanded…”

That said, if it became known that Second Lieutenant Crimine and I were traveling together, it might cause unwanted misunderstandings.

Especially since I was also her superior officer, I worried that other female officers might see her as a traitor to womankind. If they thought I’d used rank differences to force her to come with me, it would be far worse than just uncomfortable.

“I’ll go check the situation.”

When I got out of the carriage to observe the outside situation, there was a line of about thirty people. Merchants, pilgrims, and local residents who regularly used this highway.

The checkpoint’s efficiency wasn’t too bad, so our turn would probably come in a few minutes.

Really, what should I do…? Since I was on leave, I could just go through the checkpoint and pass by, but it would definitely become gossip within the battalion later.

Our battalion, unlike regular combat battalions, had few personnel. It was like a small village, so workplace rumors would be uncomfortable.

Not for me, of course, but for Second Lieutenant Crimine.

“Alright.”

After considering various angles, I decided what to do. I returned to the carriage and told the restless-looking Second Lieutenant Crimine:

“Although we’re on leave, I think we should help the Second Company’s mission a little.”

“Eh!?”

She sounded incredibly surprised. And dissatisfied too. Understandable.

I explained as carefully as possible:

“If they find out you and I came on a trip together, the Second Company guys might misunderstand.”

“What kind of misunderstanding?”

“Well, you see…”

Simply put, it was “the misunderstanding that Crimine and I are dating,” but for some reason I hesitated to say that out loud. Something inside me was warning “don’t touch on that.”

Knowing from exercises and missions that this kind of intuition couldn’t be ignored, I gave a completely different reason:

“If they learn that two Third Company officers are on leave while they’ve been dragged out to a place like this, they won’t think well of it.”

“Ah… the Second Company people are quite rigid.”

Did I convince her? Then let’s go with that explanation.

Since we were on leave, neither of us was wearing military uniform. I was in a cheap suit, and Second Lieutenant Crimine wore a very ladylike blouse and skirt.

However, we’d brought our black military dress uniforms in case of emergency summons, so we could change in minutes if necessary.

“Then to maintain that we’re on duty, let’s change first.”

“Right.”

Second Lieutenant Crimine closed the carriage curtains and began undressing vigorously.

“Wait wait wait wait.”

But Second Lieutenant Crimine unbuttoned and discarded her blouse, then dropped her skirt with a thump.

“Lieutenant, you’ve seen me naked before, right?”

“Eh? Ah, well, but that was for a mission—”

When she served as Yuo Nevilnel’s body double for hanging, she had indeed gotten down to her undergarments.

But that was for a mission—now we were on leave. The circumstances were different.

Then Second Lieutenant Crimine chuckled.

“If we don’t hurry, it’ll be our turn at the checkpoint.”

“That’s true, but—”

I rarely saw this girl laugh, but what was so funny? I didn’t understand. I really didn’t understand young people these days.

Since there was no choice, I steeled myself and removed my jacket. I took off my vest, loosened my tie, and then… hmm?

“Aren’t you changing?”

“No, I thought Lieutenant, as my superior, should change first. Look how cramped it is here.”

What admirable consideration. Really?

But I was being stared at intently. The corners of Second Lieutenant Crimine’s mouth were smirking. What was that about?

Feeling her gaze, I loosened my tie. Since I wore the same dress shirt as the uniform, I didn’t need to remove anything else.

When I glanced at Second Lieutenant Crimine, she looked openly disappointed in her underwear.

“Your guard is tight.”

“Did you say something?”

“No, nothing. You’re changing pants too, right?”

“Well, yes.”

When I removed my trousers, I was left in plain shorts similar to boxer shorts. This was underwear.

“Don’t stare at me.”

“I’m not looking.”

“No, you are looking.”

When I complained, Second Lieutenant Crimine thought briefly before answering:

“Then you can look at mine too.”

“I saw them before, so I’m good.”

“What did you say?”

“No, I’m not saying I’m not interested, but isn’t changing quickly more important?”

Perhaps convinced by my words, Second Lieutenant Crimine began changing.

“So you are interested…”

She was muttering something. Scary.

Lieutenant Meinen, because you carelessly died in action, I’m having a terrible time. Show some remorse.

Normally an officer’s grooming required much more care, but there was no mirror and no time. I pulled out boots and leather gloves, finishing the change in great haste.

“Lieutenant, your belt position—”

“No, I’ll fix it myself. I said I’d do it. Hey, don’t touch.”

Somehow your hands feel lewd. I felt like I was being sexually harassed.

“More importantly, your collar insignia is crooked.”

“My hands are a bit occupied right now.”

“I’m telling you to let go of those hands. Fine, I’ll fix the collar insignia myself.”

Since there was no mirror, it would be faster if I fixed it.

The moment my fingers touched her, Second Lieutenant Crimine writhed with a troubled expression.

“Aahn…”

“You don’t need to moan today.”

“I’m not moaning because I want to moan.”

Then what is it? Don’t glare at me.

I’d helped my niece get ready for daycare before, but this was taking longer.

The carriage window was lightly knocked, and a cavalryman’s voice was heard:

“My lady, please moderate your play. It’s almost time for the checkpoint.”

“It’s not play! I’m staking my life on this!”

Her voice was too loud. I had absolutely no idea where this girl’s emotional switches were, and it was frightening.

Still, we somehow managed to finish changing and got out of the carriage. Armed with sabers and musket pistols, we presented ourselves smartly as Ceremonial Battalion officers.

“Shall we go?”

“Yes, Lieutenant.”

Second Lieutenant Crimine nodded and called to the coachman:

“Please pass through the checkpoint as a transport carriage. You may use the family name if necessary. Just keep my involvement confidential.”

“Understood, My lady.”

I really wondered whose daughter this girl was.

I was a bit curious, but since we both worked under false names, prying was unnecessary.

With military boots echoing on the cobblestones, we began walking.