I Won’t Let the Execution Battalion Die, ~Even If the Empire Falls, We Want to Survive~ - Chapter 39: Ghost Road ④

Yuo Nevilnel was the person I had executed (supposedly) during my mission in the Kavaraf region.

Since the real one had apparently been executed over thirty years ago, this one was obviously fake too.

Dr. Buho pulled a crumpled command document from her pocket. Her handling of classified documents was completely sloppy.

“This political criminal is surprisingly a young woman. Brown or black hair, medium build. Age estimated to be late teens to early thirties.”

“That’s essentially saying nothing.”

At that age, it was definitely a fake.

Besides, that description would apply to both Dr. Buho and Second Lieutenant Crimine. It was even questionable whether they seriously intended to arrest anyone.

“Isn’t there anything else?”

Then Dr. Buho looked at the crumpled paper again.

“I feel like there was something else. Ah right, she has an old sword wound on her side.”

“That’s slightly meaningful information, but are you going to make people strip at the checkpoint to examine them?”

Dr. Buho shrugged.

“That’s too much trouble. I don’t get paid enough to go that far, so at most I’d just ask ‘Do you have a sword wound on your side?'”

“That’s basically teaching fugitives ‘You can escape if you hide your scars.'”

Having doctors do police work wouldn’t go well. I was an executioner too, and couldn’t do police work either.

This was becoming increasingly something I couldn’t leave alone, so I decided to strengthen the checkpoint for now.

When I entered the checkpoint, the NCOs saw me and saluted in unison. They all knew my face.

“By battalion commander’s order, I’m temporarily taking command. Please report the situation.”

Then the most senior middle-aged NCO immediately responded. He was originally a veteran line infantryman, always selected for firing squad executions. He could accurately shoot through the heart even with the low-accuracy musket.

“We’ve been conducting checkpoint operations here since this morning, but haven’t discovered the political criminal yet.”

“Thank you. I know this is an unfamiliar mission and difficult, but please bear with it a little longer.”

When I said this, the NCOs looked somewhat relieved.

“We can relax with Lieutenant Fonkt in charge.”

“Yeah, that’s a relief.”

Oh, do I have popular support?

“Even if we slack off a bit, he won’t say anything.”

“If something happens, he’ll take responsibility.”

I’m getting a subtle evaluation.

Well, I’m not very competent as a soldier, so it can’t be helped.

I crossed my arms and complained:

“You should say such things where officers can’t hear you, gentlemen.”

“Yes sir, excuse us.”

Everyone saluted sharply, but somehow the atmosphere had loosened, which was quite bad.

I began to understand why I wasn’t called even when the Second Company was short-staffed.

“Maybe I did something presumptuous…”

While muttering to myself, I thought.

Our battalion commander understood that Dr. Buho couldn’t command a checkpoint. If she’d ordered this knowing that, maybe it would be better not to be too thorough here.

If so, I might have done something even more presumptuous.

It was hard to judge, but even if I arrested “Yuo Nevilnel,” I could release her for insufficient evidence. I just wouldn’t keep any records.

I felt stupid for sticking my nose into trouble and worrying about it myself.

Then Second Lieutenant Crimine returned.

“There’s a post town nearby, so I arranged for the carriage and cavalry to wait there.”

“Sorry about that.”

“You really should be!”

Second Lieutenant Crimine was angry about having her leave canceled.

I really thought this situation was questionable too, so I apologized.

“I’ll make up for the compensation…”

“Really? I’m going to demand something really amazing.”

That sounded scary.

“Um… what exactly are you planning to make me do?”

“I can’t say. We’re on duty, aren’t we?”

She was planning something unspeakable… I’d acquired a terrifying subordinate.

I felt dejected but decided to focus on work for now.

“Um, Second Lieutenant Crimine, please handle body searches of women. Apparently it’s a young woman with an old sword wound on her side.”

“Understood. I wonder how she got that wound?”

I’d been curious about that too, so I thought about it.

“Right. If it were on her back, I’d think she was attacked by bandits, but if it’s on her side, it would be a wound received while her arm was raised…”

“Which means?”

I answered while tilting my head:

“Maybe she was in a sword fight…”

“A woman?”

“Maybe someone like our company commander.”

Second Lieutenant Crimine immediately looked frightened.

“I have to body search such a scary person?”

“What are you saying as a soldier?”

We might have to charge at enemy bullets for our salaries, so I wanted her to steel herself for this. Though I understood her feelings.

I glanced at the line infantry resting nearby. They were all grizzled veterans with white-streaked hair, sitting and smoking pipes.

“Even if things get rough, those soldiers are here.”

“Will that be okay?”

“They’re men who survived as soldiers to that age. They’re at least more skilled than you.”

Since this was the early modern period, war frequency had greatly decreased, and the number of times they’d exchanged fire on battlefields could probably be counted on one hand, but I didn’t mention that. They were definitely professional warriors.

“If you find someone matching the description, report to me.”

“Understood. What will you do, Lieutenant?”

“I’ll observe the checkpoint queue.”

I pulled my military cap down and smiled.

“For this kind of thing, it’s faster to watch how people act while waiting for inspection. Those with something to hide try to hide it while waiting in line.”

“Ah, like us earlier?”

“Exactly.”

I’d tried to look like a veteran officer, but that unnecessary comment ruined it. This girl really said one word too many.

I sighed and called out to the resting soldiers:

“Anyone feeling like a walk, bring your guns and two of you come with me. We’ll patrol the checkpoint queue.”

“Then I’ll go.”

“If you’re going, I’ll go too.”

Two middle-aged soldiers stood up with a grunt. I’d be worried about what to do if no one came. Since they belonged to a different company, I had to be careful when giving orders.

When we went outside the fence, the checkpoint queue had grown longer than before.

Travelers on the highway departed early morning and entered inns before sunset. It was just before noon now, rush hour on the highway. Processing couldn’t keep up because of this.

“This is bad. Keeping travelers waiting here will disrupt their schedules.”

When I muttered this, one of the veteran soldiers spoke leisurely:

“Can’t be helped. It’s everyday stuff in the military.”

“That’s true, but they’re not soldiers. I don’t think they’ll wait quietly. Soon some will try to bypass the checkpoint and enter the thickets. It’s dangerous.”

Wolves and bears appeared when you left the highway. Bandits who rarely appeared during daylight could be encountered anywhere away from the highway.

In that case, Dr. Buho’s decision to conduct casual inspections was the best choice. She probably hadn’t thought that deeply about it, but the Second Company commander who sent her here probably expected that.

I really shouldn’t have interfered after all.

While thinking such things and observing the queue, everyone was indeed sneakily hiding luggage or covering their faces.

Since everyone had guilty secrets, they probably became anxious about checkpoints.

Most of the gazes directed at us were somehow fearful.

“This is troublesome.”

Having amateurs conduct checkpoints here would only accumulate travelers’ dissatisfaction and anxiety. After passing this checkpoint, they’d spread word everywhere: “We had a terrible time being kept waiting at an Imperial Army checkpoint.”

“This isn’t good…”

I sighed and returned after roughly checking to the end of the queue.

Returning to the checkpoint, I gave instructions to the NCOs:

“The queue is getting longer. We’re looking for a young woman. Just check if others aren’t in disguise and let them pass.”

“Yes sir!”

The command document said to also capture Yuo Nevilnel’s supporters, but I ignored that. It wasn’t realistic.

Just as I thought this might shorten the queue somewhat, a mounted messenger came rushing in.

“Message from Ceremonial Battalion headquarters! Are Lieutenant Fonkt and Second Lieutenant Crimine present!?”

“I’m Fonkt, what’s wrong?”

Then the messenger dismounted, saluted, and handed over a command document.

“Orders from the battalion commander to depart here immediately and enter anti-imperial Fortress! Details are here!”

What? What?