Chapter 23: Struggling with Subordinates

At a different time, in a different place.

Monster Hunting Department of Shian Imperial Army.

“Captain, this is the report that you asked for.”

“Thank you.”

Captain Cross Bonalt was struggling to get used to his new task during his superior’s absence. So far, he had managed to fulfil his job to lead the battalion, but it was not easy without Razé around. After she was gone, he keenly felt how excellent she was. He wished that Razé would come back sooner, but he also hoped that she would enjoy her school life even though she was there for a mission. He didn’t want to throw a wrench in her plan.

Harul Ducard, who was the same age as Bonalt, walked into the office and said, “Cross, it’s lunch time.” Bonalt raised his head and replied, “I’m coming.”

He didn’t notice the time was quite late already. He stood up and when he saw Razé’s empty seat, he let out a sigh.

Bonalt: “I wonder how Leader’s doing.”

Ducard: “Who knows. But I’m sure she should be fine.”

Bonalt: “You know how she is. I’m a bit worried …”

Ducard went silent. Although she looked like a normal girl, Razé Orphan was a senior official in the military. During her mission, she was always alert and could made strict decisions. And she was very strict during training too, because she wanted them to be vigilant to prevent fatality in actual battle. If someone underestimated her, there was a 100% chance that they would get their fingers burned.

“It should be fine.” Ducard nodded hesitantly. Razé was someone who always followed through with her duty. There should be no problem for her to blend in among the students.

“I hope so …” Bonalt replied with a doubtful face and closed the door. Later in the evening, there will be joint training with other units. They need to eat well before the training. A long time ago, when training was so difficult and Bonalt couldn’t get himself to swallow any food, Razé had said to him, “Even if you’re dying, you still have to eat!” It felt nostalgic.

When Bonalt and Ducard entered the dining hall, they went to sit at the table where their team members were gathered around. One of them called out to Bonalt, “Captain. How’s work?”

He perfunctorily replied, “Fine.”

“Just now, we were talking about Leader. Aren’t you curious how Leader looks like in a school uniform?”

“Ugh. Isn’t that a bit too much?”

“Huh? Why? You don’t feel curious at all? Not even a little bit?”

“Well- If I say no, that would be a lie, but …”

“If Leader act her age, I think she’d look pretty cute. I don’t think anyone could ever guess that she was as strong as a monster.”

When they recalled how strong their superior was, everyone at the table went silent.

A man walked over to their table and said, “What’s wrong with you guys? Are you worried about the joint training because your little weapon is not around?”

The man was Lieutenant Colonel Zelhide Knit Olusanya, who led the 302th SAB[1]. Both of their units were scheduled to conduct a joint training today.

This man was an aristocratic soldier and was terribly hostile towards Razé. Whenever something happened, he would always try to find fault with the 537th SAB members. Unlike commoner, aristocratic soldiers had formal educational background. As long as they had basic martial skills, they could climb to a higher position easily.

Olusanya: “Are you sure you can survive in this world with just that one little kid?”

The members of 537th SAB stared at Olusanya quietly while cursing in their hearts. How dare he speak badly of our family leader. He doesn’t even know a thing!

Olusanya: ((( ；ﾟДﾟ)))!!!

The look on those men’s eyes made Olusanya shivered, so he hurriedly turned and left.

Ducard called out to Bonalt in a playful tone, “Captain～”. Their team members were all looking at Bonalt. Ducard continued and said, “Leader was too kind so we always let him go before …” Ducard’s face suddenly turned serious and angrily said, “It’s time, right?”

If we do something now, Leader won’t have to take the blame.

Bonalt sighed loudly when he heard those words. Razé was not around, so he was in charge to lead the team. In other words, he would have to take the responsibility for anything that happened during this period. Bonalt wrinkled his eyebrows when he saw his team members staring at him. At this moment, he really wished that Razé would come back soon …

After thinking for a while, Bonalt said to them, “If you want to do it, make sure to crush him thoroughly.”

The team members happily replied, “Yes, sir!”

There were things that were non-negotiable even to Bonalt. Their team members were full of energy, looking forward to the joint training.

―　―　―

A few hours later.

Olusanya: “E- Enough! Let’s end the training here!”

Olusanya, who was treated like a sandbag, screamed at the training ground. He looked dirty and disheveled. Although he was a soldier, he lacked the guts and quick to run away.

“What are you talking about? There’s a lot of time left, Lieutenant Colonel Olusanya. Our leader is always strict about time, so we want to learn from her.” Bonalt smiled to Olusanya while holding his gun. They did not use live bullet because it was a training. But Olusanya, who was fired a few millimeters away from his face, was unable to stop trembling.

He can’t even go over Zone 4 and he dare to boast around. Humph! Bonalt looked at the man who obviously was not as talented as he was but has higher position than him. He said, “See if you dare to talk nonsense about our Leader again. We will chase after you relentlessly.”

Olusanya had never been beaten up like this before. He had no choice but to nod his head. His proud team was thoroughly defeated.

Bonalt had more to say but he let them withdrew. His team members looked satisfied.

“Damn it. I was so surprise at how weak they were,” Ducard mentioned to Bonalt.

“It’s useless to say more if they can’t even go to Zone 6. Don’t they know that we had entered Zone 11?”

“I don’t think so. I don’t think they can even understand what Zone 11 looks like.”

“Oh, you’re right.”

The deeper they proceeded into Baruda, the stronger the monsters they would meet. It was 537th SAB duty to move forward deeper into the wilderness. They were the strong men who conquered Baruda’s deepest area.

“But still, that was quite miserable. Victor, are all aristocrats like that?” Ducard asked the young man who came from an aristocratic family.

Victor shook his head vigorously and replied, “Compared to commoners, there are quite a lot who like to boast around. But not all are like him.”

Ducard shrugged his shoulder and said “I’m relieved to hear that. Otherwise, I’d feel sorry for Leader who was sent to the aristocratic school.”

These men liked to complain that their leader was too strict and too strong. But they all looked up to her and respected her. It was because they knew how she was always thoughtful of her friends and treated them like a family member.

“Ha–, Leader please come back soon!” Ducard said the words that other members didn’t dare to say. They missed their leader.

“Let’s have a party when she come back!”

“Oh, that sounds great! Leader like to eat sweet things. I’ll go and look for some.”

“I think she always wear shirts and trousers. I’ll ask my sister to buy something.”

Their leader was someone who was reliable in combat and accomplishing missions, but wasn’t good at spending time for herself. They were eagerly waiting for their little superior to return.

[1] SAB: Special Attack Battalion ↩