Quietly Follow Me Out

“You entrusted that child to Maya!?”

As we got off the carriage heading to the training camp, Waden, who was leading the Disciplinary Committee members, expressed his bewilderment towards me.

It was because he only learned about Dale’s whereabouts when we arrived at our destination.

Seeing his reaction, I started to feel a bit sorry.

I was so tired that I fell into a deep sleep as soon as I got into the carriage, and because of that, my response was delayed.

“It’s fine~ That child will get along well with the president too.”

“Getting along isn’t the problem. That child is…”

“Don’t worry. He’s not a child who will do bad things or recklessly reach out to dangerous things like someone we know.”

“……”

“Oh my, your expression has darkened~”

Well, he must be aware that he’s doing something unreasonable too.

In fact, that’s the reason I’m attending this training camp, so at least the head of the Disciplinary Committee won’t be able to say much about that child.

“By the way, is this the training camp where we’ll be staying for the next three days?”

A training ground of considerable size at a glance, and the adjoining accommodation facilities.

The scale was much larger than most sports facilities in Maris.

I suppose that’s why we traveled half a day by carriage from school and are staying for three days.

“Come to think of it, I’m curious about something. Who’s responsible for the school’s security while you’re away?”

“It’s mainly handled by teachers in charge of swordsmanship or physical education classes, along with mercenaries hired from outside. I suppose Mr. Gale will be overseeing them.”

“Then it should be fine.”

Even though they say that Gale guy has become a bearded old man now, his senses from his active days haven’t died.

They say he’s at an age where arthritis might start kicking in, but it shouldn’t be a problem for him to act as a temporary guard for a short while.

Separately from that, is this training considered so important that they’re even hiring mercenaries in addition to managing teachers’ schedules…

Well, I suppose that’s the level of care needed to create a system where students manage other students.

“…Do you perhaps know Mr. Gale personally?”

Was he concerned about my nonchalant attitude?

I smiled and answered the Disciplinary Committee head’s curious question.

“Well, I used to meet him often when he was active.”

“Met him, you mean with the hero from the front lines?”

“What hero? We just used to play some baseball when we met and then part ways.”

“Ba-baseball…?”

“Well, it’s not wrong to say that I would throw stones and he would hit them and send them flying.”

The Disciplinary Committee head’s expression showed that he was increasingly confused. Seeing his blank look, I couldn’t help but laugh.

It seems our head is too focused on principles and doesn’t understand jokes well.

Is that okay for youth that should be full of laughter?

I’ll have to tease him more often in the future.

“Head, it’s about time.”

“Right. I’ll follow shortly, so go in first.”

The Disciplinary Committee head sent the members gathered at the entrance ahead.

As the members who obediently complied with his instructions entered the training camp, Waden gently blocked my path with his hand as I was about to follow them.

“…Do you have something more to say?”

“Yes. Before we start training in earnest, I have a precaution to tell you first, Teacher.”

A precaution that the head, who should be leading the members, stays behind to tell.

Well, if he’s speaking so seriously, it must be an important reason.

As this is my first time accompanying such a training camp, I thought it would be right to follow the words of someone with experience in this matter.

“Currently, this training camp is run by a war veteran belonging to the Imperial Army, just like you, Teacher.”

Waden began to explain.

“He’s one of the individuals Maris wants to establish close ties with, as he has achieved many merits on the battlefield and gained trust. However, that relationship is just cooperation… As we’re not the only ones using this facility, if we’re not careful in our actions, problems could arise at the academy level.”

“In other words, if I step out of line here, it could negatively affect Maris?”

“Maybe not Maris, but you could be harmed, Teacher.”

That’s right.

Maris is large in scale, and I’m just one teacher. If I cause trouble for a collaborator, rather than cutting ties, they would choose to dismiss just me.

“That’s harsh, I’m not someone who picks fights here and there, do you think I’d cause trouble in a facility I’m visiting for the first time?”

“I’m saying this because I trust you.”

Waden grasped the brim of his hat.

His view was obscured, but his serious voice could still be heard.

“As the one who requested help, I don’t want you to be harmed either, Teacher. So until the time comes, please remain in the position of an observer… Do you understand what I mean?”

“…I got it. I’ll stay quiet until it’s my turn to step in.”

In short, until it’s my turn to take action, I shouldn’t interfere with the training and should just quietly observe from behind, focusing on my role as a health teacher.

That should be fine.

I’m not the type to cause trouble anywhere I go anyway, and how much could there be to get annoyed about in a training camp where I’m staying for just three days?

“It’s been a while, Director.”

As I entered the training camp nonchalantly, a man waiting at the entrance with his arms crossed greeted Waden.

A muscular man wearing a red hat.

His trained physique and rough appearance exuded a charisma that overwhelmed those facing him.

As soon as he faced Waden who approached him, he said,

“You’re 15 seconds late from the scheduled entry time.”

“That’s…”

-Slap!

Before he could answer, a hand struck out.

As Waden’s head twisted from the slap to his cheek, the man called the instructor grabbed Waden’s collar and pulled him close.

“Disciplinary Committee Head Waden Smith.”

“……”

“Can’t you hear me? Your answer is late. Waden Smith!!”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Your voice is too low. Louder!”

“I’m sorry!”

Waden raised his voice uncharacteristically.

He, who always exuded pressure with a low voice, spoke loudly in front of a man I didn’t even know.

Ah, I see.

So the warning he gave at first wasn’t because of me, but because of this man.

They say he’s someone Maris has established a cooperative relationship with, but… isn’t slapping someone in the face going too far, no matter what?

“Explain why you were late for the entry time.”

“There was some business left to handle before coming here.”

Waden answered while standing straight with his hands behind his back, despite such unreasonableness.

But even that didn’t seem satisfactory, as the other party raised his voice while lifting his red hat.

“If there was such a thing, shouldn’t you have handled it before coming here?”

“I’m sorry.”

“Even if something remained, shouldn’t your priority have been to come to me directly for consultation instead of sending the members ahead? Is that how I taught you when I came to the training camp last time!?”

“No, sir!”

“If you remember that, why are you acting this way! Do you think Disciplinary Committee activities are a joke!?”

The instructor, who was demanding unreasonable behavior while gradually raising his voice. Seeing this, I started to feel a strange sense of familiarity.

Where have I seen this before… Ah, right. I saw it in the military in my past life.

Or was it this life?

Come to think of it, picking on every little thing in the name of discipline was the same here and there in the military. I wonder if all militaries are like that, or if it’s because the developers were Korean.

Of course, they say that yelling and picking on trivial things is all for maintaining discipline, but the end of those who did such things even in actual combat wasn’t very good.

Think about it. In a situation where everyone is holding weapons and nerves are on edge, what would happen to those guys if they keep picking fights over every little thing?

No matter the hierarchy or patriotism, it can’t stop momentary impulses.

As a result, a rebel unit is formed that runs wild with the idea that the main enemy is the officers, and that their gun barrels should be pointed at their own camp, not the enemy territory.

Thinking about it that way, it’s not very… Hm? Wait.

I feel like I’ve seen that face somewhere before.

“Don’t tell me you’re under the delusion that you’ve become something just because you’ve become the head of the Disciplinary Committee unlike last time?”

“No, sir.”

“I’ve said this many times, but everyone who receives training here is an equal trainee regardless of their background or rank. In the midst of this, is it acceptable for the Disciplinary Committee head, who is responsible not just for ordinary members but for the security of the entire Maris, to not have his head on straight!?”

“……”

“Why is there no answer?”

“I’m sorry.”

Waden was enduring silently despite the one-sided verbal abuse.

His silent demeanor seemed to suggest that he thought enduring the current injustice was virtuous.

Geez, this is why inexperienced principled people are tiring.

He can’t even distinguish whether what he’s hearing is fact or gaslighting, and humbly accepts being treated like a human punching bag.

“It seems you haven’t properly recognized your position. I think there’s a need for mental education before we enter into full-fledged training…”

But I can understand Waden because he’s young.

What’s annoying is that the scene I’m watching now is considered unnecessary in training.

“You can refuse if you don’t like it. You’re not the only talent capable of leading Maris’ Disciplinary Committee.”

“…I’m prepared.”

“Good, then right now…”

At that moment, a smirk appeared on his lips.

“That’s enough, isn’t it?”

After that, disgusted by his attempt to reach out, I immediately intervened in front of him.

While suppressing the urge to punch him in the face right away.

“…Who are you?”

“I’m Seine Velvet, the health teacher of Maris. I accompanied the training camp out of concern for possible injuries during training.”

“…A teacher?”

The instructor stiffened slightly at my words, then looked me up and down.

“Hmm, I see.”

After that, as if he had grasped the situation roughly, a clear smile appeared on his lips beneath his hat.

As if he thought he wouldn’t be inferior to a mere health teacher, if not to others.

“Well, as a health teacher, this behavior must look quite bad to you. Since there’s concern for injury at the disciplinary stage, not even during training.”

“…Disciplinary?”

Just for being 15 seconds late…

Slapping the cheek of a kid who let you know he sent the members ahead to match the time?

“But you don’t need to worry. Enduring this is all necessary. In my long experience doing this work, especially in the case of Maris’ Disciplinary Committee, establishing discipline is absolutely necessary. As they do the most challenging work within the school…”

After that, his words continued on and on, blah blah blah.

From the middle, I started tuning it out because it was so unpleasant to listen to.

Ah yes, discipline is necessary and therefore he’s wielding the rod of love to establish order… They all say that in the military too.

But why do the instructors who act like tigers in the training camp suddenly become so kind during reserve force training?

The reason is simple. It’s not because of some grand cause, but because they know that the culture of harsh discipline is only allowed in closed environments like the military.

No matter how many three-star or four-star generals you have, once you’re out in society, you’re just the neighbor next door. In reserve force training where working adults gather, if you openly try to pull rank, wouldn’t there be an explosion of complaints?

“By the way, it’s unusual for a health teacher to accompany. Usually, it’s more common to hire clergy…”

“I’ll explain that later, for now, please answer one of my questions.”

Yes, from my perspective of having been through the military twice, it looks quite disgusting.

“Mr. Harrison Peter.”

Even though I tried to endure as much as possible because of what I promised.

How can I endure seeing someone making a living by bringing that toxic culture here?

“Do you remember my face?”

“What…”

“Look closely. You should certainly remember.”

Harrison Peter stared at me blankly.

Yes, I knew the name of the person in front of me. And he too, though he might have forgotten for a moment, surely remembers me.

“Ad-Adjutant Velvet?”

“Not adjutant, but commander. You worthless perch.”

His face turned pale as soon as I spoke harshly.

Waden, who had been scolded until now, looked at me with a puzzled expression.

“Teacher, what…”

“You go inside and wait with the other members.”

I was planning to endure as much as possible, but it’s a different story if it’s an area where I can intervene.

I quietly patted the instructor’s shoulder and spoke softly as I moved towards the exit.

“Quietly follow me out.”

If you don’t want to die.