I Won’t Let the Execution Battalion Die, ~Even If the Empire Falls, We Want to Survive~ - Chapter 49: Ghost Hunt ③

We departed Penderltaine Fortress in pursuit of Yuo.

The checkpoint that fugitive Yuo was expected to head for was one established by the Penderltaine Fortress garrison along the highway.

“Since Yuo appeared inside the fortress, there are definitely Yuo supporters among the fortress garrison, right?”

When Second Lieutenant Crimine muttered this from horseback, I nodded.

“That’s right.”

“And since the fortress garrison falls under 3rd Division jurisdiction, there’s a high possibility of other supporters within the 3rd Division. The chief of staff has connections to naval factions, and that navy is estimated to have many anti-imperial faction members like Admiral Telzen…”

Second Lieutenant Crimine, who had been thinking seriously, looked up.

“Certainly, I think there’s a high possibility Yuo could break through checkpoints with help from supporters inside the 3rd Division. But did you really make your judgment based only on that, Lieutenant?”

Sharp. You’re sometimes really sharp.

I pulled my military cap down low and sighed deeply.

“You won’t get angry if I tell you?”

“I might get displeased, but I know you’re serious, Lieutenant.”

Ah, you’ve vaguely noticed. You see through everything that much?

I resigned myself and spoke honestly:

“When I met Yuo, I felt something was off.”

“What do you mean?”

I smiled at my comrade riding alongside me.

“If I were in her position and had obtained a Ceremonial Battalion uniform, I’d make absolutely sure the Ceremonial Battalion never found out. So I would have appeared before me in different clothing. But she came wearing the black military uniform.”

“To show off her power, right? Like ‘I can impersonate you people.'”

“I thought so at first, but something bothered me. She didn’t seem like someone who would want to show off her power.”

Immediately Second Lieutenant Crimine gave me a resentful look.

“Oh… Please tell me more about this.”

“Don’t look at me with the eyes you use when interrogating suspects.”

I complained in a lowered voice so Sergeant Decoct and the enlisted men following on foot wouldn’t hear. This was why I didn’t want to do this.

“If someone borrows the name of ‘Yuo Nevilnel,’ the symbol of anti-imperial ideology, they should be a charismatic figure. A spiritual leader or pioneer. But my impression from meeting her was the complete opposite.”

Remembering the serious gaze and tone I’d seen last night—not the chest, that’s different—I continued:

“She has a strong sense of responsibility, sincerity, and a self-sacrificing spirit. As a soldier, she’d have high aptitude as an NCO or officer. But I didn’t sense any leader like qualities or the caliber of a general. Our battalion commander has far more charisma.”

“Ah, the battalion commander can only be described as a heroine. I somehow can’t win against her.”

“Right. That expression ‘somehow can’t win’ is good. I think so too.”

Calm and bold but with some gaps, making you feel “I have to help her.” Company Commander Yugi, who had been sent as an assassin, became the battalion commander’s right hand. She had the caliber of a general.

“Yuo is probably the type who carefully weighs risks and returns. But meeting Ceremonial Battalion officers while wearing a Ceremonial Battalion uniform inside an Imperial fortress has only excessive risk. It doesn’t match her character profile.”

“The amazing thing about you, Lieutenant, is that you don’t think ‘maybe my character assessment is wrong.'”

Please stop with the pointed remarks.

I coughed to cover my embarrassment.

“Remember how she first made contact.”

“She left a noose at our bedside.”

“Right. Rather than suddenly appearing, she used props that wouldn’t trouble us if confiscated to see how we’d react. Then after judging it safe, she made contact.”

It seemed bold, but she had carefully closed the distance.

“At first I thought she was playing around, but my impression from meeting her was that she’s deadly serious. Not a prankster who’d toy with pursuers for fun. Caution and steadiness are her true nature.”

“Would a cautious and steady person get naked?”

“No, that was probably to show the old wound.”

It was true I’d seen it, so I felt somewhat guilty, but why should I feel guilty? By previous life standards, I was the victim of sexual harassment.

“Anyway, she’s not a charismatic leader but an excellent pawn. There’s a different mastermind behind overthrowing the Imperial Household, and Yuo is being used as a running dog.”

“That’s a bit pitiful. She’s a young woman, isn’t she?”

“Yeah, probably the same age as you. She looked under twenty. However excellent, she couldn’t have been active enough behind the scenes to become a mastermind.”

Considering her age, her activity period as part of the anti-imperial faction was at most a few years. Probably two or three years actually. Too short to build the connections and achievements of a leader.

Her too-young age, and her sincere, diligent personality.

Meaning…

“She’s probably a ‘manufactured hero.’ Since she wears the mask called ‘Yuo Nevilnel’ rather than her real name, she’s also a replaceable part.”

“Horrible…”

“Right. It’s what cunning people would think up.”

But at that time, I was thinking of something else.

The masterminds probably intended to use Yuo as expendable. Otherwise, they wouldn’t isolate such an important puppet in enemy territory like this. They’d be more serious about rescue.

Certainly I hadn’t felt much charisma from her. She lacked the flashiness to excite crowds.

But at that young age, she’d assessed risks and returns and came to meet me.

As a result, she hadn’t been arrested by me and was still continuing her escape.

And I couldn’t get her out of my head.

I’d keep quiet about this since saying it would probably make Second Lieutenant Crimine make a scary face again.

“From her manner of speaking, I don’t think she came to meet me on the mastermind’s orders. She seemed to be acting independently outside the chain of command. Considering all of this together…”

“She doesn’t have much leeway?”

“Right. Her options are limited, and considering her steady personality, predictions are easier to make.”

Though since I had no proof, I’d be betting on the highest probability. Not really a praiseworthy method as an officer.

“There’s plenty of possibility I’m being deceived, but if so, it would be easier to read the opponent’s responses if I pretended to be deceived until the last moment. So I’ll proceed with the current hypothesis for now.”

Then Second Lieutenant Crimine nodded seriously.

“Understood. As your partner, I support that judgment.”

“Thank you.”

“Life-long.”

What was that?

I wanted to confirm that area a bit more, but just then the destination checkpoint came into view.

“Our pleasant chat ends here. Let’s begin information gathering.”

“Yes, Lieutenant.”

Let me do the first verification to see if my reading was correct.

*****

“A Ceremonial Battalion officer? Um…”

The young second lieutenant who was apparently the checkpoint supervisor looked back at the sergeant behind him somewhat bewildered.

Then the middle-aged sergeant answered at attention:

“This morning, Second Lieutenant Riesha Crimine passed through! We understood she was acting independently under Lieutenant Fonkt’s orders!”

“I see, thank you. I can’t discuss details since they’re classified, but I appreciate your cooperation.”

I smiled as gently as possible. I felt somewhat like a villain.

So she’d used the Ceremonial Battalion uniform to impersonate Crimine and pass through. She’d broken her promise with me. This was why I couldn’t trust promises with enemies.

But considering her apparently honest personality and this predicament, I could also deduce she hadn’t had the luxury of keeping promises.

The Ceremonial Battalion uniform was like a lifeboat for her now. There was no way she’d give it up.

Looking back, Second Lieutenant Crimine (the real one) and Sergeant Decoct had their eyes wide. Somewhat amusing.

I told them:

“As expected, she seems to have gone ahead. Let’s hurry.”

“Y-yes!”

While looking like she had various things to say, Second Lieutenant Crimine saluted.

This was as expected. She really did plan to escape to the Kavaraf region, which had many anti-imperial faction members, by passing through 3rd Division checkpoints. She probably intended to rally anti-imperial faction forces there next.

In that case, I definitely wanted to meet her once more.

Looking ahead to future circumstances, let me try a somewhat dangerous gamble. The battalion commander would probably scold me again.