Illusion Sword Master

＜Punishment Squad (3)﹥

The ‘adequate’ measures I had initially thought of didn’t come to fruition.

After receiving the complaints of the soldiers and demanding improvements from the battalion commander, I had planned to report it to the higher-ups and wash my hands of it. However, due to the 13th battalion commander’s reckless trolling, my plan failed.

The battalion commander, who couldn’t accept the stripping of his command authority, attempted to attack the inspector general, and ultimately met a miserable end. As a result, I was left to deal with all the problems he had created.

As the acting commander, it was also the inspector general’s duty to fill the gap until the battalion returned to normal.

So, I was stuck in the front lines, unaware of when the next battle would break out, and was suffering from excessive fatigue.

“You useless piece of trash. Why did you try to do something with that kind of ability and make people tired?”

I had to reassign personnel, re-investigate the unfair punishments given to the soldiers, write reports on the inspector general’s work, and meet with the 13th battalion’s officers and staff one by one…

“How did a guy like that become a battalion commander?”

The administrative and tactical tasks that the deceased battalion commander should have handled were piling up like a mountain. That incompetent person couldn’t even do his own job properly.

My loyal aide, Olek, brought a steaming cup of tea to the table.

“Inspector General, I’ve prepared your tea.”

“Thank you.”

I took a brief break from the piles of documents that had been tormenting me for days and took a sip of the tea.

“Is the tea to your liking?”

“It’s perfect.”

Olek, who was also skilled in brewing tea, had done an excellent job. However, as a conversational partner, he wasn’t very good, so I wanted to enjoy this short break in peace.

“…It’s all good, but it would be better if you weren’t here.”

This humble wish of mine was ruined by Olek’s gaze, which seemed to pierce through me.

“Is there another task?”

“Ah, no. I just thought you were amazing, sir.”

“What do you mean?”

“You didn’t hesitate to execute the battalion commander, who was at the level of a general. You’re truly impressive, sir.”

Olek continued, seemingly feeling guilty for doubting me earlier.

“Honestly, I thought it was too hasty to execute him without a replacement commander, but now I see that you saw through to the essence of the matter that I couldn’t.”

Olek’s words were like a continued apology for his earlier doubts.

“The 13th battalion’s soldiers are surprisingly calm now. The troublemakers who used to cause all sorts of incidents have become loyal soldiers who praise the inspector general!”

I didn’t really do anything special.

The 13th battalion’s soldiers thought that my sword, which had accidentally beheaded the battalion commander, was a symbol of justice and courage. Additionally, during my stay, the battalion commander had lifted the ban on beer and cigarettes, which only added to the soldiers’ admiration for me as a savior who had ended the tyranny of the evil battalion commander.

“If there’s anything I can do, please let me know! I, Olek, will follow your orders without any doubt!”

“Good attitude. Then, Olek, go take a walk outside.”

“Ah, I didn’t mean to take up your time. I apologize. Glory to the Empire!”

Olek belatedly realized he was interrupting my rest and quickly took his leave.

“It seems like he doesn’t have a sense of awareness…”

My hope for some alone time was once again crushed due to the visiting guests.

“Glory to the Empire! Independent Battalion Commander Yelina, I’ve come at the inspector general’s summons!”

“Glory to the Empire. I’m Bellam. I came at your call.”

He was a half-elf man with a striking beauty mark and a youthful appearance.

“To the glory of the Empire. Let’s take a seat for now.”

Belram, the highest-ranking officer among the remaining senior officers after the commander’s death, and the soldiers, who received overwhelming support, were working hard to normalize the unit’s operations. Despite their exhausting efforts, their faces were filled with vitality.

“Thank you, Inspector. Thanks to you, our unit has started to function like a real one again.”

Belram bowed his head in gratitude.

“I feel the same way. I finally feel like I’m dedicating myself to the Empire as an officer.”

Yelina also smiled faintly and nodded in agreement. Both of them seemed to be relieved to be free from the commander’s tyranny and able to perform their duties properly.

But I just manipulated them.

“It’s not like I did anything. You’re the ones who worked hard.”

I didn’t call them here to exchange pleasantries, so I got straight to the point.

“Anyway, while reviewing the soldiers’ enlistment records, I found something strange. I called you here to confirm this. There are many who were unfairly dragged into this unit.”

The 13th Battalion was a penal unit composed of the Empire’s criminals. However, the crimes of most soldiers were relatively minor.

Some stole a chicken because they were hungry, while others accidentally trespassed on a noble’s private land while searching for herbs. There was even someone who was caught complaining about the war, accused of slandering the royal family’s incompetence.

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

I asked Belram. He was also a victim who was unfairly dragged into the military and spent 7 years in the army. He killed a stray dog that attacked him, only to find out it was the beloved pet of a young noble.

“What’s the point of talking? They wouldn’t listen anyway. It’s fortunate if we don’t get punished.”

Belram spoke in a somewhat rough tone.

“It’s useless to complain about the unfairness, so I thought I’d just spend my life here and die fighting against the Orcs. But then I realized I’d be dying because of an incompetent commander, so I joined the rebellion with the others.”

After finishing his story, Belram gave Yelina a sharp glance. Yelina’s expression suddenly darkened.

I turned to her and said, “You knew about this, didn’t you?”

“···Yes. I knew. I knew the soldiers were unfairly treated, but I followed the previous commander’s orders and treated them harshly.”

Yelina’s voice trembled as she replied. I could sense the emotions on her face.

Guilt. Shame. Regret.

“Why did you do that?”

Although she was just following her superior’s orders, I pressed her with a question to understand what kind of person she was.

“I had to maintain my officer status to restore my family’s honor…”

Yelina began to reveal her personal story.

Her father was a renowned knight, but he was executed for treason. She was training to become a knight, but as the daughter of a traitor, her knighthood was denied.

However, she was allowed to serve in the military to atone for her father’s sins, which allowed her to become an officer on the battlefield.

It was her last chance to restore her family’s honor, so she had no choice but to follow the commander’s orders, no matter what.

[Ha! You treated the traitor’s daughter as an officer, and she betrayed me!]

It seemed the commander had said something like that before he died.

“I know it’s all just excuses. I’ll accept any punishment for this.”

Yelina struggled to finish her story, then bowed her head deeply.

“Well, at least you have a foundation.”

Although I was caught up in the situation, Yelina was originally a person with a clear mind.

I thought for a moment, feeling relieved that there was a capable officer leading the unit.

The 13th division’s prisoners, who had been dragged away and suffered harsh treatment, would never become loyal soldiers of the empire.

Their resentment towards the unit’s leaders would be immense.

For now, it seemed like the 13th division was back to normal with me around, but if this fundamental problem wasn’t resolved, I didn’t know when another incident would occur.

“Even if a problem arises, it won’t be resolved for now.”

I wanted to get away from the front lines as quickly as possible. But if I handled things carelessly, the consequences would ultimately fall on me.

“You can’t punish an incompetent superior for their mistakes.”

I said, trying to comfort Yelina. Her eyes widened as if she thought I would be punished harshly.

“I don’t know when the next division commander will arrive. I don’t know what kind of person they’ll be either. But I can’t stay here forever.”

I said, looking back and forth between Yelina and Bellam.

“I’ll return and report to the commander. Although I can’t resolve all the soldiers’ grievances due to the situation on the front lines, I’ll make sure they’re treated as legitimate imperial soldiers, not penal legionnaires.”

“Really?”

Bellam asked in surprise.

“Of course. If they distinguish themselves, I’ll propose an early discharge, considering the severity of their crimes.”

“Thank you, Inspector!”

Bellam’s face lit up like a child’s. He was actually just moderately happy, but his youthful appearance made it seem like more.

“I’m really grateful…”

Yelina’s expression also brightened, having had misgivings about the soldiers’ treatment.

I added in a low voice, “And I have a favor to ask. Until the new division commander arrives, and even after that, can the two of you work together to lead the unit? Let’s bury all the past mistakes and negative feelings with the deceased division commander.”

“Ah, will that be possible?”

“Of course. From now on, I’ll fulfill my duty.”

I nodded in satisfaction.

‘Yes, do well. Or rather, just do moderately well. Don’t make things difficult for me.’

As far as I was concerned, it was a measure to avoid responsibility.

“It seems like the higher-ups only care about covering their own backs, but I’m grateful there’s someone like you.”

“Thanks to the Inspector’s fair judgment, the 13th division will become even stronger!”

To those who had been gaslighted by the incompetent commander in this fantasy world, I seemed like an unparalleled figure of integrity.

Well, this should resolve the 13th division’s chronic problems to some extent.

If I just slip away from here, it’ll be perfect.

“Inspector! We’ve received a communication from the commander!”

A soldier rushed into the barracks.

I was just about to contact the commander to report my return.

“Alright, let’s go.”

#

The 13th division’s communication room.

The communication crystal projected the image of 6th Army Commander Krenek. He was still wearing his armor and looked like he had just finished a fierce battle.

[I’ve read the report. You executed the division commander.]

His expression didn’t look very pleased. No wonder, since I had handled the commander without consulting him.

Of course, I had an alibi. The result was good too.

The soldiers hadn’t lost a single person, and the commander, who had been negligent, was punished. The 13th Division’s problem was also resolved, making it the best handling of the situation.

“I’ll explain. It’s like this…”

[What’s with that? You’re there, so it’s fortunate.]

It was an unexpected reaction.

[The Orc army is approaching from that direction. Not just there, but from all directions. You need to encourage the 13th Division’s personnel to hold their position somehow.]

It was a mind-boggling statement.

“Why now of all times?”

Are those damned Orcs chasing me or something? Why are they launching a large-scale attack at the exact moment I’m about to leave?

“Gu, Commander? My mission is only…”

[Anyway, please. If that place is breached, our main base will be surrounded! Just hold on, and I’ll even give you my daughter!]

─ Tchik.

The communication was cut off along with the commander’s desperate cry.

Immediately, a soldier rushed in, panting heavily. This kind of visitor always brought bad news.

“Inspector! The Orc army has been spotted. There are approximately 2,000 of them approaching this location, including dark mages and tribal leaders!”

As expected, the content was about the overwhelming difference in military power between us and the enemy.

“This is terrible.”

I didn’t have time to waste, cursing my fate. The communication with the commander was cut off, and another communication came in from somewhere else.

I quickly connected the communication, hoping for some comforting news, no matter how small.

[Huh?]

“Yes?”

The face projected on the communication device looked familiar.

[Ethan? Why are you there?]

“Sera is… Ah, yes.”

It was Sera Zephyr, a fellow magic academy student with whom I had a complicated relationship.

Come to think of it, Sera had joined the family’s mage squad after graduating.

As the daughter of Duke Zephyr, who led the mage squad, Sera’s position within it would be high.

The only way to turn the tables against the approaching enemies was to receive support from multiple skilled mages.

“It’s been a while, Sera!”

[What’s with this guy all of a sudden? There are even family elders here! How long has it been since graduation…]

I saw the discontented expressions of the mages beyond the communication device, including Duke Zephyr. Perhaps they saw this as an excessive display of affection.

But that didn’t matter.

I was just happy to see her.

＜ Punishment Battalion (3) ﹥ End