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

While riding on our battalion-owned horses, Second Lieutenant Crimine on horseback muttered:

“Lieutenant, it’s cold. Very cold.”

“The Kavaraf region is near the northern limit of cultivation. In winter, both fields and ponds freeze solid.”

I answered while closing the front of my coat.

“We’re lucky it’s spring. But the imperial decree is to capture the peasant rebellion’s ringleader before this year’s wheat cultivation begins in earnest.”

“I think that’s impossible.”

Second Lieutenant Crimine spread out a map and sighed.

“The entire Kavaraf region has thousands of villages and settlements, and even just the Fumazov territory we’re heading to has over twenty settlements. If the peasants decided to hide him, they could do so indefinitely.”

“Yes, it’s impossible.”

I smiled wryly at Second Lieutenant Crimine as I began walking down the muddy road.

“But imperial decrees make the impossible possible.”

“That’s still impossible.”

“I know. What’s important is the fact that ‘the order was carried out.'”

At my words, Second Lieutenant Crimine looked puzzled.

“Um, surely you don’t mean…”

“We supervise Yuo’s execution and confirm his death. We report that the body was buried in his hometown. That’s all.”

Having grasped the mission’s meaning, Second Lieutenant Crimine now looked exasperated.

“That’s fraud.”

“The entire Kavaraf region has thousands of villages and settlements, and if they decided to hide him, they could do so indefinitely.”

“That’s what I said.”

Yes, her argument was correct.

Since it’s impossible, we’ll pretend we did it. Even if the real person pops up later, we can just claim he’s an impostor. There are reasons why that’s possible too.

“Well, our pleasant chat ends here. Let’s get to work talk.”

“What we were doing was work talk.”

I grinned and pulled out a top-secret memo from the battalion commander.

“The real work, that is.”

* * *

“Well, well, this is… the Imperial Honor Guard Battalion, was it?”

“Imperial Ceremonial Battalion, Lieutenant Makaran.”

I smiled at the young man bearing the insignia of a cavalry second lieutenant. With his flowing blond hair and idol-like looks, he was most likely the son of an aristocratic officer.

It was good policy to be friendly with such people. My rank was higher, but he was nobility and cavalry. His importance was different.

The cavalry second lieutenant, who seemed like a country noble’s son, still saluted me. Rules were rules.

“It’s an honor to receive cooperation from the execution specialist unit.”

“Yes, leave executions to us. We’ll cut off anyone’s head.”

I smiled and returned the salute.

Behind me, Second Lieutenant Crimine was probably making a face like a washed cat, but I didn’t need to confirm it, so I left her alone.

In our black military uniforms that looked like mourning clothes, Second Lieutenant Crimine and I stood out bizarrely in the cavalry platoon quarters set up in a requisitioned private house. It was like enemy territory.

The cavalrymen taking a break in chairs were whispering conversations that weren’t very favorable:

“So that’s the famous head-chopping unit…”

“Bah, they’re just cowards who’ve never stood on a battlefield. That second lieutenant over there is just a little girl.”

“Her chest is flat, but her face is nice. Maybe I should talk to her.”

“Cut it out—you’ll catch the stench of death.”

Cavalrymen were popular with women, so these conversations came up immediately. They were certainly cool though. I liked them too.

I decided to give a little warning to prevent Second Lieutenant Crimine from being sexually harassed.

“The other day I was reluctantly ordered to kill a noble in a duel, but this time it’s just a peasant, so a simple shooting will suffice, I presume.”

The young second lieutenant serving as platoon leader looked surprised for a moment.

But he immediately answered as if spitting:

“That’s your job. We don’t give a damn.”

“Lieutenant Makaran, use respectful language with superiors.”

“I know that!”

The second lieutenant saluted in a somewhat desperate manner. He’d probably be promoted soon and become my superior, but at this moment, I was his superior. I said this:

“Then I, as the highest-ranking officer present, will decide the search policy. Of course, if you have objections, please voice them. You are the unit’s commander.”

“Understood. I want to finish this quickly and go home.”

This second lieutenant was probably around twenty. Normally he’d still be enrolled in military academy at that age, but nobles could easily become second lieutenants. His subordinate cavalrymen were probably his family’s private soldiers. In my previous life’s terms, they’d be samurai retainers.

Being careful not to make unnecessary enemies, I smiled.

“Don’t worry. If the mission looks like it will drag on, I’ll request reinforcements from the Ceremonial Battalion to take over your unit’s duties.”

“Th-that would be… helpful.”

Oh, did his attitude soften a bit? Young people really were honest. I was still in my twenties in this life too, though.

The second lieutenant was grumbling while leaning against the wall.

“The peasants here show naked hostility toward us. They’ve been digging narrow holes in the roads so horses will break their legs.”

Maybe there were prairie dogs around. I’d reserve judgment on whether it was intentional.

“Then I’ll break my leg instead. Unlike horses, human legs heal quickly.”

“You know that?”

“When horses break their legs, they weaken and die. Military horses are especially expensive among horses, and life is precious for both humans and horses.”

I vaguely remembered something about their internal organs getting damaged by their own body weight. From my previous life.

Showing consideration for horses seemed to make the young second lieutenant open up further.

“That’s helpful. The local lord is apparently willing to cooperate, so you should pay your respects to him as well.”

“Thank you, Lieutenant Makaran.”

I smiled cheerfully.

The second lieutenant ordered his subordinates:

“Escort Lieutenant Fonkt to the lord’s castle. Everyone, mind your manners.”

“Yes, young master.”

Yeah, these cavalrymen really did seem like this noble’s retainers.

The cavalrymen looked at me somewhat suspiciously, but their rank was common soldiers. I was an officer.

Following military discipline, they saluted me.

“We’ll escort you.”