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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: Assaulting a Superior
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This has to be my real discharge, right?
After adjusting my uniform and grabbing breakfast at the officers' mess hall, I headed towards the Chief of Operations' private office.
It was a routine day, just like any other.
The only difference was that some of the high-ranking officers I encountered in the hallway were starting to recognize me.
"Are you *that* famous Second Lieutenant? The one who supposedly screwed over the staff at the operations command center? Oh, don't misunderstand. I mean that as a compliment."
"Second Lieutenant. I know you're confident in your abilities, but don't show off too much in front of your superiors. Not if you want a long career in the military, that is. I'm advising you from experience."
"Wow! I thought the General Staff Headquarters was full of stuffy old farts, but I never expected to find talent like you! I'll be rooting for you, so keep up the good work!"
...They'd grab me every time we met and launch into a long-winded tirade, making my head spin.
I couldn't exactly ignore them, so I managed to escape by overusing the three magic words: 'Understood!', 'Is that so?', and 'Thank you!'
The problem was that I'd wasted so much time being held up by the officers that I couldn't make it to work on time.
Work starts at 8:30 AM, and it was currently 8:28 AM.
The staff offices were all clustered on the fifth floor, so even walking as fast as possible, it would take four minutes.
Officers of the Empire had to uphold their damned professional decorum, which meant I couldn't run unless I was in the field. Lateness was guaranteed.
'Karl, that bastard, he's going to freak out again.'
Let me reiterate: Karl Heimlich, my direct superior, was a complete basket case—neurotic about everything, overreacting to the smallest mistake.
If he at least had a good record, I might have felt some respect, but this basket case's only achievement was hiding in the rear, trembling during the defensive war with the Allied Nations seven years ago.
How could such a person be in the General Staff Headquarters of an Empire that espoused meritocracy?
They say if you question a superior's rank and title, look at their background.
Indeed. Karl Heimlich came from a prestigious noble family, and his father served as a diplomatic ambassador.
While it's true everywhere, even an Empire that championed meritocracy was, upon closer inspection, a complicated web of family ties, regional connections, and school affiliations.
And the one fully enjoying those privileges was none other than my superior, Karl Heimlich.
In my estimation, he was the epitome of incompetence and a personality disorder, a living piece of human garbage.
I even had proof. If I had to assign shares to the dark circles under my eyes, Karl Heimlich would undoubtedly be the majority shareholder.
Thanks to him, I wondered what kind of tantrum he'd throw today, but my mind was at peace.
'Anyway, I'll be discharged soon, so it doesn't matter.'
Since my goal was a dishonorable discharge, I no longer needed to pander to Karl.
Was this how an office worker felt, heading to work with a resignation letter tucked away? A faint smile even played on my lips.
With such light steps, I arrived at the Chief of Operations' office on the fifth floor and knocked on the door.
"Second Lieutenant Daniel Steiner, Aide to the Chief of Operations. Requesting permission to enter."
After stating my rank and name, I opened the door to reveal the office interior.
The first thing I saw was Karl, sitting at his desk in the sun-drenched room, clutching his head.
He was sweating profusely, as if he'd made some grave mistake, which struck me as odd.
He didn't seem to notice I'd entered, so I approached him and spoke.
"Major Karl Heimlich? You need to be at the Chief of Operations' office by 9 AM. You should start preparing now..."
I stopped mid-sentence and closed my mouth.
Because Karl, who had lifted his head in response to my voice, had eyes blazing with fury.
Could he really be reacting like this because I was two minutes late? Just as I felt bewildered, Karl shot up from his seat.
"You! Do you even know what you've done?!"
What had *I* done? Been two minutes late? I blinked, utterly confused, as Karl strode purposefully towards me.
"Who said you could convey your opinions to the Commander?! How dare a mere second lieutenant, an orphan no less, interfere in the meeting...!"
Reaching me, Karl grabbed my collar and roughly shoved me.
I almost lost my footing for a moment but managed to regain my balance by stumbling backward.
"Because of you, all my plans have gone up in smoke! Damn it! It's not just that they've gone up in smoke; my life is in danger, you son of a bitch!"
What was he talking about? He was always a pain, but today he was particularly strange—
Thud!
I hit my head against the wall and let out a low groan.
"If anything happens to me, I won't let it go. I'll drag you down to hell with me, no matter what it takes! Do you understand, you bastard?!"
...Had he truly lost his mind?
Normally, I would have swallowed my anger and let it pass, but not today.
"You started this, Karl."
"What? Are you talking informally to your superior...?"
Wham! I slapped Karl's hand away and immediately punched him in the face.
Startled, Karl tried to turn his head to dodge, but it was too late.
My fist connected squarely with his cheekbone.
"Aargh!"
I pursued Karl as he stumbled backward, screaming, grabbed him by the neck, and tripped him.
Thump!
Karl hit the floor, his face contorted in pain as he spat.
Mounting Karl, I drew my fist back.
I paused for a moment before striking, and Karl, trembling, opened his mouth.
"...You, you're assaulting a superior. There'll be a court-martial. That means your military career is over. D-do you know that?"
As if I didn't know. I shrugged once.
"No need to worry. This is exactly how I plan to end my military career."
"What? What do you mean—"
Thwack! Karl's words were cut short by the sound.
I looked down at Karl, who was unconscious with his jaw twisted, then stood up.
As I dusted off my hands, I heard rapid footsteps approaching from outside the door.
They probably heard Karl's scream.
I waited a moment, then the door burst open, and two soldiers entered.
"What in the world is all this commotion?!"
The soldier, who had yelled with such bravado, froze upon seeing the scene before him.
I understood. The Chief of Operations lying unconscious on the floor, and his aide standing over him? It would certainly be difficult to grasp the situation.
So, I decided to help them out.
"It's assault on a superior. I'm the perpetrator, so go ahead and arrest me."
Even with my helpful explanation, the soldiers merely hesitated.
Finding their hesitation pathetic, I sighed inwardly.
"Why are you just standing there, gaping? Do I need to compare my fist to Major Karl's bruises for you to arrest me?"
"Ah, no, sir!"
Only then did the soldiers move, pulling out ropes from their belts and approaching to tie my wrists.
I allowed myself to be bound with a blank expression, but inwardly, I smiled in relief.
'It was an impulsive assault on a superior, so the disciplinary action won't be too severe. Considering my past merits, it will probably just end with me being discharged.'
It was, quite literally, a discharge with no penalties whatsoever!
I inwardly cheered, then turned my head to look out the window.
The vibrant beauty of spring spread out before me. It was the perfect season for a discharge.
*
That evening.
Major Karl Heimlich's residence.
"Search every inch."
"Yes, Captain!"
At the command of Philip Bender, aide to Brigadier General Heinrich Schmidt, the soldiers dispersed in all directions.
Philip strolled leisurely through the living room, lost in thought for a moment.
'Today, Second Lieutenant Daniel assaulted a superior.'
When I first heard the news, I thought I'd misheard.
Someone who had just earned a commendation caused an incident?
Moreover, in Philip's eyes, Daniel was the epitome of a model soldier.
For Daniel to commit assault, there had to be a reason.
Heinrich, sharing Philip's thoughts, requested the military police, who arrived late, to conduct a detailed statement investigation.
During the process, Karl showed signs of anxiety, spouting nonsense like, 'The Allied Nations might kill me.'
Sensing something was amiss, Heinrich ordered Philip to search Karl's residence, which was why Philip was now leading soldiers to raid Karl's home.
"Captain! Could you come over here?!"
At the soldier's shout, Philip broke from his thoughts and nodded.
"I'll be right there."
As I walked closer, the soldier lightly tapped the wooden floor.
Thump-thump—
The sound from the wooden floor was surprisingly light. As if it were hollow inside.
"Only this spot sounds different."
"A classic trick. Pry it open."
"Yes, Captain!"
The soldier used a crowbar to pry open the floorboards, revealing a small box inside.
Philip knelt, picked up the box, and opened its lid.
Inside, several documents and a few letters came into view.
"These are..."
They were confidential Imperial Army documents that should never have fallen into enemy hands.
The letters promised a large sum of money in exchange for selling information to the Allied Nations... and recently, there was even a command to lure Imperial reinforcements into the hilly terrain.
"This piece of trash..."
Major Karl was a traitor to the nation. Major Karl was a slippery eel, blinded by money, selling secrets and sabotaging operations.
'In that case...'
Daniel's reason for assaulting Karl must have been his inability to contain his rage against this national traitor.
Therefore, Daniel was no shameless brute who assaulted a superior.
Daniel Steiner was, in fact, a national hero who had uncovered and captured a spy.
'It seems we've made a grave mistake, after all.'
They had to return to headquarters immediately, report this discovery, and correct the misunderstanding.
Having finished his thoughts, Philip closed the box and stood up.
"Soldier. I'm returning to headquarters. Report any additional information you find."
"Ah, understood. But may I ask why you're rushing back?"
Philip smiled, looking down at the soldier as he spoke.
"These documents have just proven Second Lieutenant Daniel Steiner's innocence. So, shouldn't we clear the name of a hero who dedicated himself to the Empire as quickly as possible?"
The soldier paused for a moment.
Because it was the first time he'd seen Captain Philip, known as the 'cold-blooded' one, capable of such a bright smile.