episode_0026

Three months have passed since then. Bernitz and his relatives were charged with treason and sentenced to death. It was a fairly busy day. Those who stood out among the general soldiers or those who had studied in their own way were appointed as officers, and those who were already commissioned received significant promotions. It was something that could not be helped. This is because many high-ranking officers were executed and their positions were left empty.

To fill the vacant positions, numerous officers were promoted and new officers were appointed. Nevertheless, the Northern Army suffered from a chronic shortage of officers. Even so, the number of officers in this world was overwhelmingly insufficient compared to reality. In modern armies, the number of officers is well over 10% of the number of soldiers, whereas in this world, it was about 5% or so. In such a situation, many officers lost their jobs or even lost their lives, so the officers of the Northern Army became extremely busy trying to fill the vacant positions of the dead officers.

Lee Si-hyun also had a busy day. He had difficult days as he took charge of all the tasks that Deputy Commander Bernitz had been assigned to. Lee Si-hyeon was not a genius like Binet Franz. It was a workload that would have been easily completed by Vinnet Franz, but Lee Si-hyeon’s administrative skills were not that great, so Captain Chloe’s help was needed. Of course, it was illegal to receive help from non-soldiers in military affairs, but things would not work unless such methods were used.

Although the situation was extremely busy, Lee Si-hyeon took advantage of the free time and went to see Bernitz. That’s because today was Bernitz’s execution day. The atmosphere of the soldiers guarding the prison was unusual. As it was the day when a great figure like Deputy Commander Bernitz died, we had to be careful to avoid any accidents.

In such a situation, when the commander visited the prison, the soldiers guarding the prison felt like they were dying. However, they came to their senses as much as possible and saluted the newly defeated commander of the Northern Army.

“Glory to the Empire! What did you visit for?”

“Vice-Commander Bernitz… ”

Lee Si-hyeon, who was about to call him Deputy Commander Bernitz out of habit, stopped speaking. Bernitz was no longer second-in-command. He was a death row inmate.

“I came to see Bernitz.”

“Bernitz Ramen is inside. We will guide you.”

Lee Si-hyeon nodded and followed the soldier. The inside of the prison was surprisingly quiet. I thought the soldiers about to be executed would make an uproar, saying they didn’t want to be executed, but surprisingly, that didn’t seem to be the case.

After walking for a while, I came across the prison where Bernitz was being held. Bernitz, whom I saw for the first time in a while, was noticeably gaunt. Bernitz was sitting quietly reading a book. For a moment, I thought about what the person who would die today would do by reading the book, but I didn’t say it.

Bernitz didn’t seem to notice that Lee Si-hyeon had arrived. When Si-Hyeon Lee cleared her throat, Bernitz, who only then noticed Si-Hyeon Lee’s presence, closed the book.

“Are you here to laugh at the loser?”

Lee Si-hyeon shook her head at Bernitz’s sudden words.

“Then what did you come to do?”

I know. What did I come here for? Lee Si-hyeon thought. Today Bernitz dies. Since I thought I wouldn’t see Bernitz after today, I just thought it might be better to leave it for today. But I couldn’t say it in front of him.

“Indeed, you want to see the last look of the dying person.”

Bernitz laughed weakly.

And for a while, Bernitz and Lee Si-hyeon were silent. After a while of awkward silence, it was Lee Si-hyeon who broke the silence first.

“Deputy Commander.”

“What is it?”

“Is there anything you want to eat or do? We will provide you with as much convenience as possible.”

Bernitz looked visibly surprised at those words.

“Lastly? Hehehe.”

Lee Si-hyeon nodded quietly. But Bernitz did not look very happy.

“Commander. It’s good to be kind, but please also consider my position.”

“Admission?”

“To the soldiers, I am a corrupt second-in-command. If I were to enjoy wealth and fame until I left, how would the soldiers view me? At least when I go, let me go as I want.”

It was only then that Lee Si-hyeon realized. The fact that his thoughts were short. Bernitz was more concerned about how he would remain after his death rather than spending his last days thoroughly pursuing his desires.

“However, I will be grateful for your consideration. I will also give you one last gift.”

“Last gift?”

“There is a character named Lucas in the Covenant Corps. In terms of skill alone, he is superior to Might. The reason he couldn’t become the leader is because of politics within the Covenant Corps, so if you appoint him as the leader, you will be able to take control of the Covenant Corps. If in doubt, you can ask Captain Chloe.”

These were the words of the enemy. However, Lee Si-hyeon did not doubt Bernitz’s words. This is because I did not think that a person who cares about how he looks after death would lie right up to his death.

“Also, in a village called Melin, there is a retired soldier named Sloy, who is pessimistic about the corruption in the military and has resigned from the military and is now farming in the village. He is a capable officer, so if the commander recommends, he will be able to use him.”

Lee Si-hyeon nodded. After that, Bernitz’s advice continued. Bernitz conveyed his knowledge of the northern army to Lee Si-hyeon, as if handing over the handover. Lee Si-hyeon desperately kept that information in her head. He regretted not having brought a notepad. And after Bernitz’s handover was over, Lee Si-hyeon asked.

“Why are you teaching us this information? I am your enemy.”

“Because I admire the commander.”

“Admiration?”

“Actually, I also wanted to wipe out corruption in the North. But I thought it was impossible to fight convention. I surrendered to reality. Thinking that it is the natural and wise path… But you were different. I overcame custom. I wanted to support you a little bit.”

“… ”

Bernitz tried to kill Lee Si-hyeon. Bernitz dies because of Lee Si-hyeon. But at the last moment they were not enemies.

“I just want to rest. I die today. I need time to organize my mind.”

“… Excuse me.”

Lee Si-hyeon quietly left and Bernitz remained alone to compose his thoughts.

That night.

Bernitz met a miserable end, completely opposite to his last encounter with Lee Si-hyeon.

He died miserably, hanging on the gallows, being stoned by soldiers, and suffering all kinds of abuse and humiliation. This was the same for Bernitz’s subordinates.

Lee Si-hyeon did not attend Bernitz’s execution ceremony.

—–

“Are you Lucas?”

“Yep! Lieutenant Lucas. Glory to the Empire!”

Lieutenant Lucas playfully saluted. Lieutenant Lucas was the exact opposite of Captain Might. He was a muscular man with a height of about 185-190, but unlike Might, who had a strangely murderous look, his face was full of composure. He had a large double-edged ax strapped to his back, and it seemed like he would be very scary if he met him on the battlefield.

“They say he is a talented member of the Covenant Corps.”

“Yes. Honestly, in terms of skills, I’m better than someone like Might.”

He was a fairly honest type. Even so, it would have been difficult to praise myself.

“Specifically, in what way is it better?”

“First of all, the force is different. Might uses a one-handed sword and a shield, but if I hit him properly with an axe, he just flies away. Second, leadership is different. He often uses methods of sacrificing his subordinates, but I try to use methods that allow everyone to survive together whenever possible. Of course, there are times when you have no choice but to give up if things don’t work out. That’s very rare. finally… ”

“Finally?”

“I have a better face.”

What kind of bullshit is that?

“No, really. Might wasn’t the type that was that popular with women. So I went to a cheap window shop. But we are different. I share wholesome love with women in the North.”

“… Aren’t sworn soldiers supposed to hug women?”

“Who protects that? There are only those who are caught and those who are not. And there is less chance of me getting caught dating ordinary women than Might, who secretly goes to a brothel.”

It’s going to spin, really. When I solve one problem, another one comes. Is it really okay to leave the sworn corps to this guy?

“Can I see your skills?”

Then Lieutenant Lucas grinned.

“It’s a nice sound to hear.”

It was a very confident smile.