The trigger for recalling my past life was somewhat special. I was lying down, reading a book, when something smacked right into my forehead.
“Ow!” I rubbed the spot, thinking, “If I end up with a lightning bolt scar like someone I know, does that mean I’ll be talking to snakes now?”
Then I realized, “Wait, what am I even thinking about? Lightning bolt scars? Talking to snakes?”
Suddenly, all kinds of information I’d never known before started flooding into my mind.
At first, I thought I was going insane.
But as the memories became clearer and blended seamlessly with what I already knew, I finally accepted that I had been reincarnated into this world after passing through the modern one.
“So, this is a life with increased difficulty.”
In this life, I’m the offspring of one of the most prestigious families in the Empire.
I thought, “Living honestly in my past life must’ve gotten me this reward, right?”
Of course, I did have some worries.
Like, would our family get dragged into some trouble? Or maybe they’re cooking up some suspicious schemes?
But nothing happened. Watching my family continue to thrive, I took a deep breath.
Hmm, this smell—it’s honey! Honey, I tell you! The happy life in this other world has begun!
“Dammit.”
While eating sand at the drill grounds, I cursed my previous self.
The happy life in this other world? Forget it. The problem’s this big mouth of mine.
“Shouldn’t you also consider serving the military since you belong to the Klawitz family?”
On the day I became an adult, Father came to me and said that.
I thought he was just suggesting it, giving me some time to think.
But the next day, I got dragged off to boot camp, where they pushed me around mercilessly.
“So it wasn’t a suggestion but a notification, Father?”
I was indignant. Extremely so. Boot camp twice? Military service twice?
If soldier life had to happen twice, I’d have been tinkering with the key to the next world already.
“Basic military training ends here. Thank you for following along!”
When the drill instructor, who’d been working me to the bone for a month, said this, I let my guard down for just a brief moment.
Is it finally over? Can I go home now? —Yeah, right!
“I’ve arranged your assignment. Due to the recent conflicts between the Demon Race and Nobogorod, the Imperial Army is mobilizing. You’ll be joining the command staff. It might be a lowly position, but it’ll be a valuable field experience—do your best.”
Father, Father, Father! Stop! Are you not going to hear my opinion at all?
I hoped Mother might interfere, clinging to a slim hope.
But Mother simply said, “Take care of yourself while you’re gone.”
The only comfort came from my little sister, Kaya, who’s followed me since she was young, though we’re quite far apart in age.
“Daddy, I hate you! Why are you being mean to my big brother? Don’t let him go! I’ll tell you off, Daddy!”
I said my farewells to the family, climbing aboard the carriage. The battlefield—it sent my heart racing.
And that’s when my life started getting strange.
[Last night, a meteor fell. Soldier morale is poor.]
Though the archivist tried to keep the record brief, the situation was far from simple.
If it were peacetime, it might’ve been ignored, but this was war time. And this was the front line, where a battle could break out at any moment.
The meteor, large enough to be seen with the n*ked eye, fell into our camp with a strange sound.
This was the pinnacle of ominous omens.
The soldiers and officers alike were whispering, interpreting it as God’s prophecy of our impending defeat.
The entire army was showing signs of instability, leading to an emergency gathering of all the commanding officers.
“What’s the current situation?”
“It’s not good. Overnight, the troops’ morale has completely taken a nosedive.”
“The Demon Race, on the other hand, is in peak form. According to the scouts, they’re preparing for a decisive battle, brimming with confidence.”
Of all times, why now, against the Demon Race?
I curse the gods, thinking the heavens must be awfully indifferent. To let all of this unravel over a measly meteor—what a mess.
“d*mn it.”
I inadvertently cursed, drawing the attention of the Legion Commander, who cleared his throat and looked over.
“…”
As an aide to the Legion Commander, the second princess, Isabel, was here to gain experience—not to directly command. She wasn’t representing the Imperial Household either. This was purely in her personal capacity, so there was no reason to tiptoe around her.
Nobody except the Legion Commander knew about this arrangement.
Therefore, focus on your duty, Commander, without worrying about the princess.
Though that was the understanding, could I really ignore the fact that she’s a direct descendant of the Imperial Family?
I couldn’t help but feel guilty about swearing in front of the most noble figure in the Empire.
But Isabel didn’t seem to care much about the Legion Commander’s words. Instead, she appeared deep in thought, her brow furrowed.
“Commander. Perhaps we should retreat and move the camp back.”
“What? Are you suggesting we abandon the army for such a trivial matter as a meteor?”
The tone in the command center began to rise.
“Is this really just ‘a trivial matter’? The morale of our soldiers is at rock bottom. And let’s not forget who we’re facing! We’re up against the Demon Race! A fight under optimal conditions would result in heavy casualties. Facing them with a demoralized army would be s*icide!”
“Are you not ashamed to tarnish the proud name of the Imperial Army?!”
“If tolerating a moment of disgrace can save the soldiers, then that is the path we must take!”
Debates flew back and forth. The tension between the commanding officers and advisors grew sharper.
Though the Legion Commander could intervene at any moment, he hesitated.
Because even he didn’t know how to handle this ridiculous situation.
Retreating meant abandoning the advantageous high ground they’d gained at great effort.
But staying put meant the soldiers would collapse under the weight of their fears.
Just as the Legion Commander locked eyes with Princess Isabel across the room, a clear signal that he needed to mediate.
He immediately rapped the table, signaling the end of the discussion.
Just as the command tent fell silent, one voice rose loud and clear.
“…So what if a meteor fell?”
It was perfectly timed, though clearly intended for the speaker alone. Given the cacophony of the room, it was likely a thought muttered under someone’s breath.
But timing was not good. The venue was inappropriate. And worst of all, the Princess was sitting right there.
The Legion Commander feigned fury as he searched for the offender.
“Who was that? Who dared mutter such a reckless comment in such an important meeting?”
“…”
Naturally, no one stepped forward immediately. But the moment the Legion Commander frowned, a nervous hand raised.
“You there. Your name?”
“…I am the eldest son of Duke Bertier Empire, Kael.”
“So, Duke Bertier. A member of the Klawitz family.”
The Klawitz Family. They’ve long been one of the pillars of the Empire’s military, producing many excellent commanders.
It seemed they sent their eldest son to gain experience this time, but for him to make such a mistake…
“Humph. You’re a young fellow, aren’t you? I’ll assume your lack of understanding of battle conditions stems from youth, so I will offer a few words of advice instead of chastising you.”
In the soothing tone of an elder trying to calm a child, the Legion Commander continued.
“Under normal circumstances, such a meteor would be nothing. But on the battlefield, the same thing can take on ominous significance. Especially when said meteor lands right in our camp and becomes a harbinger of doom.”
Whether it’s coincidence or divine intent, the important thing isn’t the meteor itself—it’s the people who believe in its significance.
Even a brief windstorm, a sudden change in weather, or a fleeting mist can have catastrophic effects in the fluid situation of a battlefield.
And if the spirit of soldiers is wavering, their influence can be devastating.
As the Legion Commander explained this, Kael nervously scratched his cheek.
“Again, I am very sorry, Commander. There’s nothing I can say to excuse my blunder.”
“Good attitude. Mind your words going forward. Two strikes, and… ”
“But frankly, I still find it hard to understand why we’re retreating because a meteor fell.”
The entire command tent turned to Kael, their eyes wide with disbelief.
Hadn’t the Commander just patiently explained everything? And yet, here he was, still questioning it.
Had this young nobleman been raised in luxury, completely unaware of how the world really works?
Just as someone was about to explode in rage, an unexpected voice broke through the tension.
“By any chance, do we have some fireworks?”
That night, the Imperial Army cheered as they watched the meteor rise into the night sky, painting it red.
This was no longer a sign of bad omen—it was God withdrawing His disfavor, and endorsing their victory.
On the flip side, the Demon Race was thrown into confusion, unable to understand how this bizarre event had unfolded.
Even as their commanders tried to quell the unrest, their words fell on deaf ears.
Because the smallest things can create ripples on the battlefield.
The Legion Commander smiled knowingly, thinking, “Indeed, even the tiger’s cub doesn’t grow into a stray dog.”
He resolved to tell the head of the Klawitz household this story upon returning.
And.
The second princess, Isabel, began to look at Kael, the young nobleman, with intrigue.
What a fascinating man. He’s about the same age as her, and this is his first military campaign, and yet… how did he so quickly devise and propose such an extraordinary strategy?
Isabel’s curiosity always got the better of her. She immediately summoned one of her guards with an order.
At the same moment, Kael was bowing deeply to some unseen figure.
“Thank you! Thank you, General You-sin Kim!”
