Chapter 3 The Military Uniformed Young Lady
I sat quietly in a carriage, passing through the front gate of the Imperial Army's Fifth Division. Most likely, I would never return.
There wasn't any particular attachment holding me back. The accommodations had been far from pleasant, and the food—especially the food—was outright terrible. That alone made leaving easier.
But there was a bigger issue right now: this carriage.
This wasn't some mule-drawn supply cart, nor was it a standard military transport.
The interior was lavish—fine leather seats, smooth suspension that hardly registered the rough road beneath, and soundproofing that made the world outside feel distant. No doubt, it belonged to someone of high status.
Across from me sat a woman clad in a military-style coat.
Yet she wasn't a soldier. The garment mimicked the formal wear of senior officers but bore a crest in place of any rank insignia.
That crest belonged to the Litreille family—one of the most powerful noble houses in the Empire. She wasn't just their kin. From the stories and rumors, she was the current head of the family. And her clan essentially commanded the entire Fifth Division.
Rather than officer's riding trousers, she wore a long, elegant skirt. Clearly not part of any regulation uniform.
In short, I was alone in this extravagant carriage with a noblewoman indulging in military cosplay.
"Lieutenant Krombelts, was it?"
"Yes, ma'am. Second Lieutenant Euner Krombelts."
"It's a pleasure to meet you."
She smiled and gave a graceful nod. Her tone was gentle, unhurried—exactly how a noble would speak, each word floating softly.
She looked to be around twenty—likely the same age as me. Her delicate face bore a calm, composed expression, her eyes slender and gently slanted downward. In manga terms, she'd be the classic ito-me type—the thread-eyed beauty.
Outside, heavily armed cavalry flanked the carriage. They wore polished breastplates and carried themselves with rigid formality. Yet they weren't Imperial soldiers. Their distinct uniforms marked them as private guards of the nobility.
The air outside was tense. One wrong word, and the mood could shift drastically. I responded with a slight nod and a muted salute, though seated at the edge of my seat, I couldn't fully extend my arm.
Meanwhile, the woman sat comfortably at the center, posture refined but far from that of a true soldier.
She turned to glance out the window and then asked, "How is the ride? Is it to your liking?"
"It is very comfortable. I'm grateful for the arrangement."
I had been surprised to find this luxurious carriage waiting for me in front of the officer's quarters—completely unrequested. The cuirassier escort only added to the mystery. It was a level of hospitality far beyond what a common lieutenant should receive.
And when things seem overly generous without reason, they rarely end well. That had been true in my past life, and it remained true in this one.
"For a lieutenant to be granted use of a private carriage... how moving," she said, her smile widening. "A fine gesture of goodwill toward our brave military men."
Her words were warm, but they dripped with sarcasm.
"Our family continues to support the Empire's restoration and development, unwavering in our loyalty to the Schweidel throne."
I forced a polite smile. This woman... she was dangerous.
She went on without pause. "And within that support, promising young officers receive even more attention."
Trying to win me over? I wasn't buying it.
"That is quite generous. I shall strive to be deserving of such consideration."
I thought I'd dodged the implication gracefully, but she pressed on.
"I see you, Lieutenant Krombelts, as a true soldier—a pillar of the Empire's future."
"I'm honored by your words, but I assure you, I'm hardly worthy of them."
This was bad. When a noble personally reaches out to a low-ranking officer like me, it usually spells trouble. And given the situation, I had no escape route—mounted guards surrounded us.
"Lieutenant Krombelts," she said with a gleam in her eye, "you are known as the 'Grim Reaper,' are you not?"
"It's true... that nickname has been used. But it's only because so many of my men were lost in battle."
She tilted her head, curious. "Was it not due to your own courage and ferocity?"
"I wouldn't say that."
Officers like me—those born without noble blood—were usually given the worst assignments. I didn't belong to any political faction at the academy, and I couldn't find a place among the cliques after graduation. Just like my old life... always on the outside, always alone.
It was too pathetic to admit aloud, so I tried to shrug it off. Still, she kept watching me closely.
"I've read of your exploits," she said. "You led a charge on enemy artillery during the campaign against Agan, seizing the cannons yourself."
She began to count on her fingers.
"You defended the border fortress for three days against overwhelming odds until reinforcements arrived. I hear morale remained intact under your command."
I remembered that siege vividly. The enemy was relentless, and the fort's garrison was full of green recruits. I spent every moment cycling between encouraging them and forcing discipline through sheer pressure. Many never made it home.
"And since your cadet days," she continued, "you've never once lost a tabletop exercise."
"Those were just simulations."
The war games at the Officer School were a joke. You could win simply by abusing elevation advantages. Morale checks barely worked, so sacrifices could be made freely. Compared to the tactical sims I used in my past life, they were child's play.
"I also heard you ranked near the top in swordsmanship."
"Matches are different from actual combat."
Back then, I was just a benchwarmer in a strong kendo club. I never got past the third round in solo competitions, and my team never won a single group match. Honestly, I was nothing special.
Yet despite my downplaying, she kept glancing at my Command Sword.
It was my one personal indulgence—though still modest. I had the grip customized to a length I could handle with both hands. The blade itself was simple, cheap, and practical. I didn't need it to look fancy—just not break mid-battle.
"I've heard," she said, "that you employ an unusual style in combat."
"It's a rough, two-handed technique from my commoner days. Not something worth admiration."
It was nothing more than basic kendo with added leverage. The full swings were heavy and fast, enough to overwhelm foes unfamiliar with two-handed swordplay. Since few warriors trained against such techniques these days, it gave me a slight edge. That was all.
Still, I couldn't relax. Everything about this woman—her words, her gaze, the setting—was unsettling.
She was Litreille nobility. Not just a daughter from some distant branch, but someone with real power. The carriage, the guards, everything pointed to high status—possibly the heir, or even the current head of the family.
In the military, nobles gathered by blood and allegiance, forming factions within each division. The Fifth Division was dominated by officers loyal to the Litreille family.
Which meant something had shifted behind the scenes.
I decided to probe, just a little.
"...Is this carriage really bound for the headquarters of the Sixth Special Task Brigade?"
Notes:
• Euner Krombelts - The protagonist. A military officer with a commoner background. His appearance is that of a disciplined soldier with a stern expression. He is pragmatic and resentful of the nobility's influence in the military. He is reassigned as an advisor to the Sixth Special Brigade, a position he views with skepticism. His combat style is frontline-focused, but he possesses strong operational planning skills.
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