I Won’t Let the Execution Battalion Die, ~Even If the Empire Falls, We Want to Survive~ - Chapter 52: Ghost Hunt ⑥

Yuo Nevilnel swayed in a luxuriously appointed carriage, heading north along the highway. Armed cuirassier cavalry provided escort front and rear. This was a security formation that ordinary highway robbers couldn’t easily approach.

That lieutenant had said upon parting:

[Escape should be simple with this carriage. I can’t say details, but you shouldn’t be delayed at checkpoints. Have them drop you off somewhere appropriate.]

(I understand without details. It’s that second lieutenant’s family carriage, isn’t it?)

Yuo sighed inwardly.

She hadn’t investigated Second Lieutenant Riesha Crimine thoroughly, but she was apparently quasi-nobility. If a mere second lieutenant had bought quasi-noble status, her family must be commoners with considerable wealth.

(I’ll investigate thoroughly when I return. I don’t know any quasi-nobles with the surname Crimine, so she’s using false identity)

Though she had one more thing to consider, there was something more pressing to think about.

(Where should I have them drop me off…)

The drop-off point would probably be reported to the Ceremonial Battalion. Having hideouts and bases searched would be troublesome. But if too far away, the journey would become dangerous.

She had another concern too.

(If I get off in the wrong place, allies might witness this carriage. If they think I’m colluding with the Emperor’s faction, I’m doomed)

She’d heard some past “Yuo Nevilnels” had been purged. Treatment of traitors would be harsh. She’d definitely be killed.

(Troublesome…)

While worrying as the carriage rattled along, Yuo suddenly realized:

(Could this have been orchestrated to happen this way?)

Lieutenant Fonkt had seemed like a good-natured young man from every angle, but he was one of the most dangerous figures in the notorious Imperial Ceremonial Battalion.

(Just when was I caught in this trap? When we first met? Or even earlier…?)

Yuo gradually became increasingly suspicious.

Looking back, she’d been trapped almost perfectly. Making impossible promises while saving her from predicament to exploit her debt and seize control.

As a result, Yuo would return while spreading the “scent” of the Emperor’s faction.

(I’ve been had…)

Though she’d realized she was trapped, she felt no anger or resentment. Even now, only gratitude welled up toward Lieutenant Fonkt.

That was what terrified Yuo instead.

“Really scary person…”

Yuo murmured this with a faint smile somehow playing at her lips.

*****

“Ahh… my family carriage… my creamy vacation with Lieutenant…”

Second Lieutenant Crimine was waving at the carriage with a pitiful voice. What was a creamy vacation? Oh right, our promise to eat fresh cheese.

Feeling somewhat sorry, I called out to her:

“Sorry. But this way she can safely escape to the Kavaraf region. I’ll apply for leave again.”

“You’re kind, Lieutenant.”

Despite her words, Second Lieutenant Crimine glared up at me with a pouty face.

I smiled wryly and sighed.

“I’m hardly kind. I trapped her after all.”

“What do you mean?”

I explained to the puzzled Second Lieutenant Crimine:

“Yuo received private support from an Imperial Ceremonial Battalion officer and broke through the containment with a terribly expensive carriage and cavalry. If you were her superior, could you rejoice that she was safe?”

Second Lieutenant Crimine’s eyes widened at my words.

“You thought that far ahead when you had me call my family carriage?”

“Of course. We’re soldiers.”

Did I really look that good-natured? I thought I was quite a villain.

“Thank goodness… you weren’t the type to let a mistress use the main wife’s family carriage.”

Please don’t spout nonsense. I don’t know where to begin correcting. It’s exhausting.

Then Second Lieutenant Crimine chuckled.

“I’m joking. Knowing you, Lieutenant, I thought you must have some plan.”

“Sorry I couldn’t explain my intent to you. There was a possibility Yuo would refuse if she noticed.”

I was actually surprised Yuo hadn’t noticed. She must have really lacked composure.

When the carriage disappeared from view, I mounted my horse.

“Now Yuo can’t turn back. I hope we can drive a wedge into the anti-imperial faction.”

I’d use the anti-imperial ideology symbol “Yuo Nevilnel” in reverse.

“If she’s purged as a traitor, the next ‘Yuo Nevilnel’ will appear. But whether the anti-imperial faction she increased in the capital will accept the next Yuo is another matter. I’m betting they won’t.”

“Why not? Heave-ho.”

Second Lieutenant Crimine also mounted her horse and asked, so I answered:

“Meeting her directly showed me that her negotiation technique isn’t transactions backed by organizational power, but driven by her personal reputation. If she dies, those connections disappear.”

When she broke her promise with me, I strangely felt no anger. Probably her personal charisma.

“If her position within the faction worsens, something will probably happen. She didn’t seem like someone who’d be purged without resistance.”

Honestly, being shown her chest… no, her storied old wound had moved me considerably. That’s why I’d gone this far to help her.

She was always self-sacrificing. That’s why she captured people’s hearts. Different from those giving her orders without showing themselves.

I’d acted from half personal feeling, half calculation, but I needed to hide the personal part.

Then Second Lieutenant Crimine smoothly looked up.

“By the way, Lieutenant, didn’t Yuo whisper something in your ear when leaving? A promise of adultery?”

“I’m unmarried.”

After correcting that, I answered:

“She said ‘Next time when the nightingale flies.'”

“That is a promise of adultery!”

“I’m unmarried.”

Please consider a reincarnator whose girlfriend-less record kept growing even after death.

Ignoring my confusion, Second Lieutenant Crimine put her finger to her chin thoughtfully.

“Nightingale… that’s the little bird with the cute chirping voice, right?”

“The little bird with the cute chirping voice.”

I didn’t know if the small bird called Ruchuruvea in Imperial was really a nightingale. It might just have similar voice and appearance.

That aside:

“Some kind of code? Or a line from classical literature?”

“Unfortunately I lack literary cultivation, so I haven’t the faintest idea.”

I knew some Japanese classics though.

“But it’s certainly some suggestive words. I should probably report to the battalion commander. I also want to recommend strengthening surveillance. Let’s go back.”

I said this, but Second Lieutenant Crimine was staring at me intently. What?

“Smooth-talking scoundrel…”

“Stop with the superior officer insult charges.”

I spent the return journey bathed in cold stares.

What had I even done?