Did 3rd Platoon Not Participate in the Operation?

I watched Erika disappear down the corridor, then set off. It was midday outside the command barracks. By the time the battle had ended and I had finished my report, the sun had already climbed high overhead.

I headed straight for 3rd Platoon's barracks area. My steps were light on the way back. The fatigue of battle remained, but perhaps because of the exhilaration of victory, my mind was clearer than ever.

The closer I got to 3rd Platoon's barracks area, the more I sensed the lively atmosphere.

"The lieutenant is back!"

"Hooray! Long live 3rd Platoon! Long live Lieutenant Max Jaeger!"

The platoon members who spotted me all rushed over, cheering. A few looked ready to hoist me into the air. I raised a hand to calm them down.

"You all fought well. It wouldn't have been possible without you."

The platoon members were still gathered in small groups, excitedly reliving today's battle.

"My heart's still pounding. When that pile of gunpowder exploded, I really thought the world was coming to an end!"

"I almost stepped on that trap, you know? If I'd taken even one more step…"

I smiled wryly and looked over 3rd Platoon. The first person to catch my eye was Private Klaus, standing at the center of the noisy crowd.

"Hey, Klaus! You bastard! When you go on leave, drinks are on me!"

A large soldier repeatedly thumped Klaus on the back. Another soldier chimed in excitedly.

"No, seriously. How did you hit that box from so far away? The wind was pretty strong too…"

Klaus himself had turned bright red and wore an utterly helpless expression. It seemed this attention was still weighing on him.

"Ah, n-no. It was just… I was lucky. It was thanks to the round the Lieutenant gave me…"

I slowly walked into the middle of the group. As I approached, the soldiers stepped aside and opened a path. I placed a hand on Klaus's shoulder and spoke.

"You can be proud, Private. That single shot you fired today saved all of us."

At my words, Klaus cried out, his face filled with emotion.

"No, Lieutenant! It's because you gave me the opportunity! I will remain loyal to you for the rest of my life!"

When Klaus shouted, the platoon members around him cheered again and began patting him on the back.

Sergeant Gunter was standing right beside him, watching the scene with satisfaction. I approached him and motioned with my chin.

"Sergeant Gunter. Thanks to you keeping the platoon in line, we were able to move in perfect order even amid the chaos. You performed your role as a noncommissioned officer admirably."

Gunter's rough face brightened. He snapped a salute and shouted in his booming voice.

"With your command, Lieutenant, our 3rd Platoon would follow you even into hell! Loyalty!"

My gaze shifted to Corporal Kurt, who was standing beside Gunter. The moment he sensed my gaze, he gave me an oily smile and saluted.

"Loyalty! It's an honor just to serve under your command!"

What a sly bastard. I smiled wryly and looked him up and down.

"When we retreated, I saw you running toward the rear first. Then again, you're quite an expert at showing your heels."

At my words, the oily smile vanished from Kurt's face, and he went deathly pale. His shoulders trembled as though a nightmare from the Pioneer Battalion had resurfaced.

"Th-that was…"

"I'm joking, Corporal."

I lightly patted the shoulder of the man who had gone rigid.

"I meant that because you quickly covered our rear, the formation didn't collapse and we were able to withdraw safely."

Kurt let out a sigh of relief.

Lastly, I walked over to Hanna, who was standing quietly near the entrance to the barracks.

"You were the key to today's operation, Hanna."

I spoke in a voice quiet enough that no one else could hear.

"If it weren't for you, half of us would have died the moment we set foot in the forest."

"It's thanks to your excellent leadership, Lieutenant. I…"

A faint blush rose on Hanna's cheeks. She shyly looked up at me and continued.

"For you, Lieutenant, I could do anything."

Her hazelnut-colored eyes gleamed with a subtle heat, as though they were wet. She stepped closer to me and brought her lips near my ear. I heard her whisper along with her hot breath.

"Even in the daytime battle… and in bed at night…."

'Ah.'

The bold whisper brought me fully to my senses. Heat surged through my body, and my lower abdomen tightened involuntarily. I discreetly checked Hanna's status window.

[Emotion: Absolute trust and love for the lieutenant, and a powerful desire to offer him everything she has]

'Good grief….'

Had she already become so deeply devoted to me? Just a few weeks ago, she could barely meet my eyes, and now she was acting this boldly.

For a moment, my desire threatened to surge, but I was able to calm myself thanks to [Strong Mind]. I discreetly looked around. The platoon members were still excited, but no one seemed to notice this subtle atmosphere.

I secretly gave Hanna's hand a gentle squeeze. Then I whispered into her ear in return.

"Wait."

At that single word, Hanna's shoulder gave a pleased little tremble. She answered with a small nod, then took a step back, her face flushed red.

I turned back toward the platoon members.

"3rd Platoon, quiet!"

The noisy barracks fell silent in an instant. Every eye turned toward me.

"Attention! I have news to share with everyone. This is something I was just told directly by the company commander."

I spoke while meeting each of their eyes in turn.

"In recognition of our accomplishments in this operation, 3rd Platoon has been granted complete rest for the next two days! No training, no work, nothing! Eat, sleep, and rest! That's an order!"

"Waaaaaaaah!"

A deafening cheer erupted from the barracks.

"And! Everyone will receive a special bonus for this operation! Rest well while looking forward to a hefty payday! But remember this: this is time to recharge. If anyone causes pointless trouble, I'll kill them myself!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Lieutenant, loyalty!"

The soldiers grabbed one another by the shoulders and cheered. I watched them with satisfaction.

"Dismissed! Enjoy your rest from this moment on!"

As soon as I finished speaking, the platoon members cheered and scattered in all directions. It seemed as though their fatigue and tension had been released all at once, and the barracks instantly descended into chaos.

I watched the scene for a moment, then quietly left the barracks.

*

My footsteps carried me toward the regimental supply depot. I wanted to rest right away, but there was something I had to take care of first. The new-model mana rounds.

It was a strategically vital weapon. Since a single round could turn the tide of battle, it made sense to replenish the supply right away.

The supply depot was especially busy in the immediate aftermath of the battle. Soldiers carrying ammunition crates and noncommissioned officers replenishing damaged equipment crowded the place. I pushed through them and looked for Sergeant Hermann, the stout supply officer. He was staring at a pile of ledgers while sweating profusely.

"Sergeant Hermann."

At my call, he raised his head with a frown.

"Ah, Lieutenant Jaeger. What is it? I'm so overwhelmed I can hardly think…"

Before he could finish speaking, an icy voice drifted out from the office inside.

"What is it?"

It was Captain Seraphina. She stood before a desk piled with ledgers, turning through the documents one by one. From a quick glance, it seemed she was checking the disastrous list of 2nd Platoon's equipment losses. Perhaps because of that, deep furrows creased her brow.

"It's nothing, Captain. Lieutenant Jaeger just…"

Before Hermann could hurriedly explain, I stepped forward.

"I'm reporting 3rd Platoon's expenditures and requesting replenishment, Captain."

I took a sheet of paper I had prepared in advance from inside my uniform and placed it on the desk. Her blue eyes scanned the document. For an instant, the furrows between her brows eased ever so slightly.

"…150 rifle rounds, two grenades, and… one new-model mana round."

"That's right."

She was silent for a moment at my concise answer. But Sergeant Hermann asked, puzzled,

"…? Did 3rd Platoon not take part in the operation and only train?"

"No, Sergeant. 3rd Platoon infiltrated the enemy lines and carried out the most important mission of neutralizing their chain of command."

At Seraphina's answer, he let out an involuntary gasp.

"Good heavens, what…?!"

Unable to hide his astonishment, he glanced at the single sheet of paper I had handed over. The more he examined the immaculately neat page, the more his expression changed.

"Heh heh…."

In the end, he let out an incredulous laugh and returned to his own work. He unfolded the mountain of 2nd Platoon's loss reports. The contents were appalling: machine-gun barrel replacements, numerous bulletproof vests discarded, and twelve rifles damaged. His face twisted into a deep frown as though merely looking at it gave him a headache.

'Status Analysis.'

[Name: Hermann]

[Emotion: Contempt for the incompetent commander (Erika), awe and curiosity toward the competent commander (Max)]

[Hidden Desire: I want to process this troublesome equipment-loss report quickly and go home.]

'Contempt and awe….'

They were simple emotions, but they pierced to the heart of this battlefield. To a practical man like Hermann, there were only two kinds of commanders: competent ones who reduced his workload and incompetent ones who increased it.

Just then, Seraphina pushed the pile of documents aside and stood up.

"Let's talk outside for a moment, Lieutenant."

Without sparing Hermann so much as a glance, she jerked her chin toward me. I gave a short nod and followed her.