Chapter 5 Colonel Althea
The castle was filled only with girls. All of them were young—teenagers or women in their twenties.
Was the Brigade Commander some sleazy nobleman with a thing for women? Had he gathered only female soldiers to build a personal harem? The thought alone made my stomach turn.
I didn't like the idea at all. Staff Officers work closely with their superiors, and if personalities clash, it can be absolute hell.
"This way, Second Lieutenant," said Hannah, guiding me down a long, cold corridor at the rear of the castle.
"Ah, y-yeah. Thank you."
We stopped in front of a large door. Hannah knocked with practiced formality.
"Your Excellency Brigade Commander! This is Hannah."
'You'll understand when you hear.'
...A woman's voice? Don't tell me even the Brigade Commander is a woman?
Trying to calm my nerves, I stood silently as Hannah delivered her report.
"I've brought Second Lieutenant Krombelts."
'Ah, so you've arrived. Come in.'
Led inside, I stepped into the Brigade Commander's office—and froze. Sitting behind the desk was a young woman with long black hair. She looked slightly older than Hannah, but still clearly in her twenties. To think someone so young was in charge of a brigade... Unreal.
Crap, I need to salute.
"Excuse me. I am Euner Krombelts, Staff Officer, Second Lieutenant. I've arrived per reassignment orders."
The black-haired beauty—no, the Brigade Commander—rose from her seat and returned my salute with composed elegance.
"I'm Colonel Althea Medelin, commander of the 6th Special Task Brigade. For the sake of brevity, I'll skip the full ceremonial greeting. Would you like to hear my full name?"
"I'll pass."
Nobles from the Schweidel Empire had notoriously long names. Their full titles included lineage, family rank, and clan status. Memorizing them all was impossible unless you had a reason.
"Also, please don't use my family name too often. It's... complicated."
"Understood, Colonel Althea."
So it's a family matter, huh. The Medelin family was one of the empire's major noble houses, often in political conflict with the Litreille clan. Judging by her position and tone, she was probably a daughter from a collateral branch—but still noble, and likely with her own baggage.
"Thank you. Welcome to the brigade, Second Lieutenant Krombelts. We're glad to have you."
She flicked her black hair back and looked at me with curious eyes.
"Were you surprised that the Brigade Commander was a woman?"
"Not really."
Now that I thought about it, this was my first time seeing a female officer in the Schweidel forces. But considering my memories from my past life, having a woman as a superior officer wasn't that strange.
"Here are my transfer orders and service record."
As I handed her the documents, I noticed a flicker of curiosity in her expression. She seemed a bit intrigued by my lack of reaction. Cute.
"You must be tired after such a long journey," she said gently.
"Not at all. I've been looking forward to this. Becoming a Staff Officer was my dream."
I replied with a smile, trying not to sound too stiff.
Colonel Althea nodded in approval.
"I'm glad to hear that. A private office and room have been prepared for you. I considered assigning a soldier to assist you, but... for discipline's sake, I hesitated."
"I can manage myself. Thank you for your consideration."
Given that the entire brigade seemed to be made up of women, I didn't want to cause any unnecessary misunderstandings. Better to avoid trouble altogether.
She smiled, clearly pleased by my response.
"You're a gentleman. By the way... did you happen to encounter a strange woman on your way here?"
"Yes, I did."
I answered without pause.
Colonel Althea let out a quiet sigh.
"I thought as much. That woman again... Let me guess—was it someone from the Litreille family?"
"Litreille... wait, the Duke Litreille!?"
That cosplay-looking woman? She was the head of the Litreille family? She looked so young...
"I should confirm," I said quickly. "She was a beautiful woman around twenty, wearing a military-style uniform with the Litreille crest. Her eyes had a sharp, narrow look."
"That's her. She's not a soldier, technically—she's a politician. But she's someone to be extremely cautious of. Rumors about her are... complicated. I appreciate your honesty."
Of course, my salary came from the Imperial Army, not any noble house.
"I'm a soldier. Nothing more."
"Well said. Hmm, I'm starting to like you already."
Colonel Althea's gentle smile was warm and calm. It didn't give off the same eerie aura I felt from Duke Litreille. I didn't know what their relationship was, but at this moment, I felt certain—if I had to choose, I'd side with Colonel Althea.
She turned her attention to my résumé, flipping through the pages with practiced fingers.
"Euner Krombelts... That's a saint's name, isn't it? Forgive me for asking, but why no surname?"
"I was abandoned as a child. I don't know my family name."
"I see. My apologies."
"Please, think nothing of it."
In the Schweidel Empire, the State Church assigned saint's names to orphans. With that and a known birthplace, one's identity could be verified through the diocesan registry. It wasn't unusual for those without family names to use their saint's name officially.
"You graduated from officer school at age fifteen and passed the entrance exams on your first try... though your final marks were average."
"There were... circumstances. I come from a commoner background."
It wasn't just academic competition. The noble children treated us like pests. To them, we weren't even the same species. Competing on equal terms wasn't allowed. Honestly, surviving without being driven out—or worse—was already an achievement.
"After graduation, you were posted as an Infantry Second Lieutenant and served as a platoon leader."
"Yes. I actually wanted to join the Quartermaster Corps, but I wasn't accepted."
In the Schweidel military, Quartermaster Officers handled everything from logistics to administration. A desk job, in essence. Despite my struggles with math in a past life, I was more than competent here. Even among the top-tier students of the academy, I held my own.
But that didn't matter. My birth decided everything.
"Commoner officers are typically funneled into the infantry, regardless of their aptitude. Quartermaster roles are reserved for the noble heirs."
"That's how it is," I replied with a tight smile.
Colonel Althea looked at me again, her expression unreadable.
"Do you resent it?"
I paused, then answered firmly.
"No. Letting commoner talent die on the front lines would be a waste. Our minds are just as valuable as any noble's sword."
"...Good answer."
She nodded, clearly pleased. Her eyes softened a little.
"You're rational. I like that. I really do."
Was that sarcasm? I couldn't quite tell—it was our first meeting, after all.
Still, that gentle smile of hers...
I might've just found myself a good boss.
Notes:
• Hannah - Hannah Heiden. Female. A Corporal in the 6th Special Task Brigade. Her appearance is tall with broad shoulders and a reverse triangle athletic build. She has a confident and assertive demeanor. Her relationship with Second Lieutenant Krombelts is initially formal but becomes more respectful after recognizing his rank. She is strong and capable, easily carrying heavy luggage.
• 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.
• Althea - Colonel Althea Medelin. Female. Brigade Commander of the 6th Special Task Brigade. Young woman in her twenties with long black hair. Noble from the Medelin family, a rival to the Litreille clan. Professional and disciplined, yet approachable. Holds a high rank despite her age, indicating exceptional ability. Relationship: Superior to Euner Krombelts, welcomes him to the brigade.
• Schweidel Empire - A once-powerful empire that has lost much of its territory after more than a century of war. It is located in a continent where absolute monarchies are at their peak, and colonies are being established. The empire is currently fighting to restore its lost lands. It is surrounded by neighboring countries that are heretics and long-time enemies, despite being different sects of the same religion.
• Duke Litreille - Female. Politician from the Litreille family, not a soldier. Beautiful woman around 20, wearing military uniform with a family crest. Described as suspicious and of high caution. Relationship: Rival noble family to the Medelin clan, encountered by Euner on his journey.
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