“Anyway, they were planning to send me back to the barracks starting today. I had to go to the city for a while to restock on medical supplies.”
Edward Brecht, a reserve lieutenant and former physician of Roxanna, said.
He mentioned that he was currently serving as an external military doctor for the Third Platoon and was considered a civilian dispatched force.
He added that there were limits to the medical supplies that could be obtained from the battalion’s infirmary.
I had only thought of him as an active-duty officer, so I wondered if that was why he stayed close to Roxanna without encountering me.
However, nothing had really changed.
Since he was a reserve lieutenant, he was still my senior in rank and age, which remained unchanged.
Even though he had retired from the military, I couldn’t just treat him like a stranger. After all, he was a much older gentleman, and that alone was enough reason to show respect.
“Are you going to Chernov City when you mention the city?”
“No? There wouldn’t be any good medicinal herbs in that remote city. Instead, I’m going to ‘Donetsk City,’ which is much further west.”
Donetsk City.
It was a name I had heard before. In the main storyline, it was a supply hub used effectively during the invasion of Okhraine.
As a result, it seemed that a considerable amount of medicinal supplies were also being funneled into Donetsk City.
“The illness Roxanna has is very complicated. She can only take medicine made from herbs that I personally selected and prepared as her personal physician.”
“Is that so?”
Edward said this with a calm voice.
In any case, the discharge procedures for Private Roxanna were quickly finalized, and I led her to her newly refurbished barracks.
Just in case, I left a room empty, and it would be fine if Roxanna used it.
As soon as Roxanna entered the barracks,
“Roxanna! You’re finally discharged!”
“Bella! Lumina!”
Two people sitting on the sofa jumped up and shouted when they saw Roxanna.
Roxanna rushed over to the embrace of her two sisters with a bright welcome and burst into laughter.
‘It looks good.’
When I didn’t know her internal situation, I had only thought of her as a sick soldier in the First Platoon… but…
After hearing the details from her attending physician, I realized she was a truly unfortunate friend.
She joined the military to survive because she would d*e whether she used magic or not.
Conversely, I had seen cases where someone was exempted to survive, but this was the first time I encountered someone joining the military to survive. This must mean that Roxanna’s body is completely different from that of ordinary people.
While I was happily reunited with the three people,
“Platoon Leader.”
Sergeant Claude, who had slipped out of the room unnoticed, approached me. Is his stealth ability a passive skill?
I didn’t even notice him until he got right in front of me. He’s like a living stealth machine.
“Why are you here?”
When I asked without showing surprise, Claude crossed his arms and replied.
“Just now, the Personnel Officer came and went. They said to come straight to them when I return from the infirmary.”
“Personnel Officer?”
Wasn’t Captain Michael Robron deployed to Chernov City at the request of the National Guard?
“They said it might be about commendations. Their expression looked quite happy.”
Commendations!
That’s right, there wasn’t much reason for someone on deployment to return to their unit.
Sure enough, Colonel Lannister had mentioned discussing rewards and commendations after the situation stabilized, so it’s possible that discussions have started within the National Guard by now.
Special commendation! Performance bonus! And special artifacts!
“Then I should head to the Personnel Office.”
With a heart full of anticipation, I headed towards the Personnel Office with light steps.
*
“Glory to the Motherland!”
“Oh, our lucky platoon leader is here! Come on, sit down for a moment.”
Captain Michael Robron said from his desk while shuffling through documents. His voice and expression were not bad, which gave me a good feeling.
“How is the situation in Chernov City?”
“It’s not bad honestly. The residents haven’t suffered too much.”
“I see.”
“The criminal organization that Rex was involved in has been wiped out. Did you hear about that?”
“Yes, I did.”
“I knew it would happen sooner or later. Those guys went too far.”
The Personnel Officer clicked his tongue and added.
As someone who knows the whole post-war situation, I found it unbelievable how Captain Michael Robron, who had seemingly condoned Rex’s misdeeds, could switch his attitude so dramatically.
Well, maybe that’s his strength.
After all, political skills are listed as one of the key stats in Hearts of General.
In the end, in an organization like the military, your position is determined by how well you handle yourself.
Michael Robron was a soldier who understood this very well.
“Oh, here it is.”
The captain pulled out a document from a pile of files and placed it in his bag before sitting down in the seat opposite me.
“Actually, I had some documents left behind in the unit, so I came to deliver the news. Have you heard of Hailun? Our personnel officer. Even though I ordered him to go, he said he was busy and refused. What a pain… Now I feel like I’m just an old man in the backroom.”
“Oh, yes.”
The Personnel Officer kept talking about himself even though I hadn’t asked. I responded vaguely, waiting for him to bring up the main point.
“Anyway, that’s not the important part. Enok, you don’t need to prompt me with those eyes. I’ll tell you anyway.”
“Did I give myself away?”
I replied with a joke, and the Personnel Officer laughed.
“Yeah, this is more important to you. By the way, there’s a Northern Branch Director of the National Guard in Chernov City right now. Major General Edgar Comi.”
Major General. One star.
Considering that the division commander visited in person for the Belgorod Fortress raid, it makes sense for a major general to come this time too.
Given that the city’s chief of police was clearly involved in treason, it wouldn’t be surprising if even the National Guard commander-in-chief came.
But what followed was no minor figure mentioned by Captain Michael Robron.
Indeed,
“His Majesty King Orlando Rus specifically pointed out you and your platoon. You’ll likely be heading to the capital soon.”
“What?”
“Heh, I knew you’d make such a face. According to the military officers, His Majesty was closely monitoring this incident. Well done, Enok.”
I already knew how important the king regarded this incident, especially after seeing how Major Sony Chepelin and Colonel Lannister treated it.
But still, to have the king call you directly?
I had only expected something like a third-class medal or a promotion by one rank.
To be singled out by the ruler of Okhraine—essentially the country’s president—was staggering.
Oh my.
“I don’t know the exact protocol yet, but… it seems like a promotion by one rank is certain.”
The Personnel Officer looked at me with a slightly smug smile.
“Congratulations. Since we can’t change the promotion immediately, we’ll have to wait until the first officer reassignment period in June.”
“Thank you.”
“Who would have thought that the arrest would be successful the very next day after agreeing to the National Guard’s request?”
That success was purely due to luck and Captain Ramur’s useless meddling. In essence, it wasn’t entirely wrong.
“After the 8th Division Commander, the name of the Third Platoon was also put forward to the Northern Branch Director of the National Guard. Major Commander Roxharte was grinning from ear to ear.”
I couldn’t help but vividly recall the image of our battalion commander rubbing his mustache with delight.
A subordinate’s achievements are always attributed to their commanding officer.
For Roxharte, I must be like a golden goose bringing him wealth.
“Oh, and there’s something else I need to tell you. I almost forgot.”
Captain Robron suddenly clapped his hands, remembering something he had forgotten.
“There’s a platoon evaluation planned for the beginning of next month.”
“I didn’t hear that correctly?”
“This time, the Fifth Squad, which was previously excluded, will receive significant attention, and the battalion commander plans to review it intensively.”
Platoon evaluation…?
My mind momentarily froze. While it is a system that exists in Hearts of General, this came as a complete surprise.
Suddenly?
I was greatly surprised by the unexpected schedule, and Captain Robron shrugged his shoulders with a pleasant—though somewhat annoying—expression.
“Still, they notified us a month in advance. With this golden opportunity, we should make sure the results speak for themselves so others can’t ignore us.”
“…Ah.”
“Good luck.”
The Personnel Officer gave me a pure encouragement, considering his friendly view of me.
But with the word ‘evaluation’ included, I couldn’t possibly smile.
