I Won’t Let the Execution Battalion Die, ~Even If the Empire Falls, We Want to Survive~ - Chapter 74: Defend the Battalion to the Death ③

To conclude, the citizen representatives who entered battalion headquarters came back after about five minutes saying “That’s enough, we’re going home.”

Of course they would. Three unarmed citizens among people in jet-black execution battalion uniforms bustling around frantically. If I were in their position, I’d say the same thing. Because it was scary.

I’d really wanted to buy more time, but it would be problematic if the people waiting outside turned into rioters. What mattered was that “the three comrades who went inside returned safely.”

I brought the three anxious-looking citizens back to the front gate again.

“I showed them inside battalion headquarters. Ask them for details.”

I opened the gate once more and sent the three outside.

They were immediately surrounded by the crowd.

“Hey, how was it?”

“Was the rumor about lots of prisoners being there true?”

Then the three shook their heads.

“No one was there. Just soldiers.”

I could visibly see a deflated atmosphere spread through the group.

“What the hell, a swing and a miss?”

“Who was it that said such random stuff?”

As expected, someone seemed to be agitating the crowd. Spreading rumors and directing citizens here and there, hoping conflicts would arise with Imperial forces.

The quickest way would be for the crowd to make the first move, but deliberately having them come unarmed felt somewhat like Yuo’s style. She disliked civilian casualties.

But either way, bloodshed would definitely occur somewhere. That blood would stain you, Yuo Nevilnel.

That aside, the crowd seemed to have lost interest in the Ceremonial Battalion.

“Can’t be helped, let’s try somewhere else.”

“Are we done with this place? They’re the Emperor’s dogs, right?”

“If they were really the Emperor’s dogs, those three would’ve had their heads cut off by now.”

“They were more decent than expected.”

Why thank you—the Imperial Ceremonial Battalion, known for law compliance. We are a law enforcement agency, after all.

Here I played my trump card:

“The Imperial Ceremonial Battalion are executioners. That’s precisely why we never mistake who to execute. We absolutely never kill those who haven’t committed crimes. That’s why we’re sometimes resented by the bigwigs.”

Subtly appealing that we were also on “that side.”

But this would backfire if I was too insistent, so I changed topics:

“If you’re still not satisfied, I’ll guide another three, but what do you say?”

This crowd had been agitated and was one step away from becoming riotous. They definitely had the urge to rampage.

However, they seemed taken aback that we, who should have been their “enemy,” showed no inclination to fight and only responded with peacetime measures.

“No, that’s fine. Thanks, Captain.”

“What should we do now?”

“Let’s go back to the plaza for now. We might get instructions.”

So there really was someone in command.

The crowd shuffled away.

Their retreat was suspiciously clean, but the agitators were probably also wary of the people becoming riotous. Once things got out of hand, civilians would start killing each other, or criminals would commit lawless acts in the confusion.

Having somehow driven off the crowd, I turned around and smiled:

“You can stand down from alert status. We got lucky with an unusually understanding bunch.”

The line infantry let out deflated sighs of “Whew…” and sat down on the spot, while NCOs wiped their brows saying things like “I thought we were dead…”

The officers remained dignified as expected, but I could tell they were obviously relieved. Yeah yeah, I was relieved too.

“Um, excuse me… but Company Commander, who exactly are you?”

“Just a company commander. Don’t make such a pathetic face over something this minor. Rest while you can. Another group might come.”

I was staying calm because I was the commanding officer here, but honestly I wanted to scream “I don’t want to do this anymore, I want to go home!” Give me a break.

“I’m going back inside. Call me again if anything happens.”

Let me take a little break and have some tea.

Thinking this as I climbed the front entrance steps, Second Lieutenant Crimine was standing there.

“So co—”

What?

Second Lieutenant Crimine had flushed cheeks, sparkling eyes, and grabbed my hands.

“So cool… Company Commander, you were so cool.”

“Because you chose a good man.”

“Hyu?”

Some strange sound leaked out—are you okay?

I returned inside the building with Second Lieutenant Crimine.

“The crowd clearly had leaders and agitators. I don’t think they’ll just disperse without achieving their objectives.”

“So that means overthrowing the Imperial Household?”

“That’s right. Think of today as the Empire’s last day.”

Like a movie line—so cool. As expected, during historical moments, cool lines just come naturally. Though I’m not happy about it.

Then the battalion commander appeared. Unusually, she seemed slightly surprised.

“You handled that crisis well. Impressive, but what’s with your smooth talking?”

“You’ve been using me heavily precisely because you expected that. I just did what I could.”

Among the many “rigid” Imperial soldiers who were overly concerned with position and face, I was in the “flexible” category. Usually looked down upon, but maybe my type was useful at times like this.

“More importantly, Battalion Commander, Captain Goffel from Second Company and Military Doctor Buho—”

“I know. Minaka, whom I sent for reconnaissance and rescue, has returned.”

So that’s why she’d relieved Captain Yugi from company command for this. That person was basically a ninja.

The rumored Captain Minaka Yugi smoothly emerged from the shadows. Definitely a ninja.

“Captain Fonkt, good work. Company Commander Goffel and his men—one second lieutenant, three NCOs, and forty-two infantry—are retreating with Dr. Buho.”

Retreating? Were they safe? Also, the infantry numbers had decreased slightly.

Then, as if answering my question, the battalion commander chuckled:

“Our line infantry are all old men, right? Thanks to their slow marching, they avoided getting caught up in combat with ‘prairie fire.’ Though they apparently fought a retreat. Minaka retrieved Buho and entrusted her to Goffel.”

Ah, so that’s it. Being late was occasionally a good thing.

However, the scene they witnessed was apparently tragic.

“They were supposedly planning to lure ‘prairie fire’s’ main force within fortress artillery range for intercepting battle, but ‘nightingale’ faction artillerymen in that fortress bombarded Imperial Army positions.”

Having to fight outside the fortress was hard enough, but being shot at by cannons from that very fortress left no chance of victory.

“The units deployed outside scattered, and Captain Goffel’s group escaped while being pursued by ‘prairie fire.'”

I didn’t know if I could have returned alive in the same position. That old man was amazing.

The battalion commander smiled:

“Right person for the right job. Goffel was suited for dealing with rebel armies, while you were suited for dealing with civilians. If Goffel had dealt with civilians, there’d be gunfights by now.”

That old man definitely couldn’t handle flexible responses. He was a warrior to his very bones.

“I’m happy thinking I might hear Company Commander Goffel’s lectures again.”

“Don’t sound so reluctant, hehe.”

The battalion commander laughed while patting my back, then said:

“The die is cast. I don’t think that idiot Emperor can handle the situation either. Once Goffel’s group returns, we’ll ignore all orders and all flee together.”

“Finally.”

When the Imperial Household was overthrown and this country’s rulers changed, we had a high probability of being eliminated as objects of hatred.

So we were carefully preparing escape plans.

“We now commence Operation ‘Midnight Ink.’ Notify all personnel.”

“Yes ma’am.”

The start of the final operation was announced.

Now we’d flee.