A War Hero With No Regrets

10 – The Uninvited Guest in Black (2)

Branverk, where the Eastern Military District Headquarters was located, was a vast stretch of wheat fields. Truly befitting of an area known as the rich granary, all sights from above were of farmland. Countless wheat plants gently swayed with the wind. Karin Mavyn, having apparently awoken from her sleep, gazed in wonder at the landscape beyond the window.

“Is this your first time seeing such a view?”

“…Yes.”

Werner recalled Karin’s personal details. She was definitely from a mountain village in the southeast. Since the southeast had no notable plains, this must feel quite unfamiliar to her.

“40% of the empire’s wheat production occurs right here in Branverk. Essentially, a single administrative district feeds nearly half the nation.”

Having finished organizing the documents, Werner approached Karin and explained.

“That’s impressive…”

“It’s not called the Golden City for nothing. In the fall, the horizon sparkles with golden wheat ready for harvest.”

At that, Karin momentarily envisioned the scene. It was certainly beautiful now, and it would undoubtedly be even more so then.

“I’ve also heard the food is incredibly tasty. There’s a pasta restaurant that I, or rather my alias, is fond of.”

He naturally learned about the restaurant while researching the area. Although he hadn’t tried it himself, the consistently long waiting line guaranteed its flavor.

“Really?!”

As expected, Karin’s eyes sparkled at the mention of pasta, and her voice tone lifted. While she generally lacked enthusiasm and was timid, she distinctly expressed her emotions when it came to enjoying delicious food.

“Ah…”

Her attitude shifted starkly, and as Werner smiled, Karin hastily turned her head. Her ears, turning a bright red, indicated embarrassment at having her emotions exposed.

“If we have time, let’s dine there together. I’ve wanted to try it myself.”

“Yes…”

At Werner’s words, Karin nodded slightly. Engaging in such small talk, the helicopter pilot eventually spoke up.

“Director, we will be arriving at the headquarters soon.”

Werner turned his head to look forward. A massive castle had quietly approached. The castle, standing tall amidst the plains, was the Eastern Military District Branverk Headquarters. The military had purchased a castle that once belonged to a ducal family to use as their headquarters. Given the fertile granary land it owned, the duke must have held significant power and influence. The majestic and beautiful castle was felt even from the air. Of course, Werner didn’t think particularly positively about it.

‘Being cooped up in a place like that probably leads to all those pretentious noble-like talks.’

Throughout his nearly forty recurrences, he had never left the battlefield. Even when he held the position of supreme commander, he ate and slept at the supreme command post set up near the Graveyard. As Werner, distant from desk administration, found such formalities all the more irksome, he was intent on thoroughly undermining the absurdly self-proclaimed nobles through this mission.

—-

“This is the assigned accommodation?”

“Yes, that’s correct. Other places are already taken by generals and other VIPs…”

“Hmm.”

The room assigned by the Eastern Military District was shoddier than expected. It was a 3-star hotel, meeting the bare minimum conditions to be called a hotel. Perhaps thinking Werner’s response was somewhat cold, the hotel staff hastily explained.

“Well…, actually, this is quite a convenience. Other military personnel staying here are mostly of colonel rank.”

In other words, they were treating him with the courtesy afforded to a rank higher, a colonel. Considering he held a position equivalent to a manager of a peculiar agency like the Security Strategy Department directly under the supreme command, they lumped him together with the colonels. It gave a sense of how many heavyweights were attending this banquet. At the same time, it reaffirmed the Eastern Military District’s penchant for rank distinction. If this is how lieutenant colonels and colonels are treated, where would junior lieutenant colonels and majors be staying? Werner merely smirked in response. Of course, Werner, a field soldier by nature, had no reason to complain about his sleeping quarters. But the hotel staff seemed thoroughly intimidated by Werner’s uniquely stiff expression and the aura emitted by his peculiar black uniform.

“Oh, and! The interior is quite nice once you check it! The hallways and lobby have an antique-style interior, but the inside is very modern!”

“Don’t worry about it. I don’t really have any complaints. However…”

Werner took several bills from his pocket and handed them to the staff. The amount was excessively generous for a tip. The staff, recognizing the implication in the substantial cash, immediately bowed deeply to Werner.

“W-what can I do for you?!”

It was a somewhat silent expression used when requesting something privately from a staff member. At the same time, it implied that during his stay, the staff should prioritize his requests.

“During the event, do not clean my room. Also, tell the other staff members not to enter for any reason.”

“Oh! Don’t worry about security

! I will manage it thoroughly for you, lieutenant colonel!”

“Um, and my adjutant may come and go frequently. Can you also provide a separate access card for her?”

The staff looked at the cash, then Werner, and finally at Karin, nodding vigorously.

“Understood! The access card will be ready by this evening! Please rest well until the banquet!”

The conversation ended, and the staff, cash in hand, quickly disappeared. The upturned corners of their mouth were visible even from behind. Werner, having confirmed the staff was entirely gone, entered the room with Karin. The staff wasn’t entirely wrong. Despite the stale hallway that seemed decades old, the room was quite well-decorated. The bed was not a single but a queen-size, perhaps indicating a slightly higher-grade room.

“Phew… My shoulders are a bit stiff after that long flight.”

Werner muttered to himself, tossing his luggage into a corner. However, rest was not yet possible. The banquet started tomorrow and ended the day after tomorrow. Therefore, all preparatory work had to be completed today. Unlike him, Karin Mavyn seemed somewhat fatigued. After a moment’s hesitation, Werner spoke to Karin, who was idly standing by the entrance.

“Karin, you rest here.”

“…Yes, huh?”

Karin’s red eyes began darting around.

“W-what do you mean…? S-sleeping…with Director…? Together…?”

Karin Mavyn, her tone even more guarded than usual, shrank back. She lifted her hands to shield her chest. Simultaneously, she recalled the conversation Werner had with the staff earlier. A room where no one else enters. A large bed. She’ll be coming and going frequently, so she needs an access card…? Initially, she thought it was merely for official reasons, but gradually, her thoughts tilted towards something more impure.

“No, that’s not what I meant. You look very tired, so I was suggesting you rest here.”

“…Oh.”

“Would I, having been shot in the head, sleep with my subordinate? I’m not that kind of despicable person.”

“I… I never thought that…”

Karin responded in a whisper, her head hung low. After all, it’s better to rest in a comfortable place if you’re going to rest. The safe house where she was initially supposed to stay – a small inn owned by a local collaborator – was not even nominally decent.

“I’ll stay here…”

“If I come back late or have to leave due to some urgent matter, use this phone to contact me.”

Werner handed Karin a communication device he had prepared earlier. This device was purchased by Werner specifically for this operation. It was a new model he bought at a much lower price than the cost price during a commemorative super sale. Holding the device, Karin fiddled with it, her eyes reflecting a bit of astonishment.

“And if you’re okay with it… you can stay here in the safe house instead.”

“But what about you, Director?”

“I’ll stay there. It’s not a big deal. No one will care what a lieutenant colonel does. You can tell by the staff’s reaction.”

Including those from the Eastern Military District and senior personnel from the adjacent military districts. Also considering the local elites of Branverk, the banquet gathered prominent individuals from various sectors. All the good luxury hotels would be entirely taken by them, so no one would find it odd if a mere lieutenant colonel stayed in a shabby inn. In contrast, moving around where the colonels are staying might unnecessarily draw attention. His black uniform was conspicuous enough as it was. Karin, who probably won’t go outside the room much and who probably won’t be noticed even if she moves around inside the hotel, would simply be seen as someone’s adjutant.

“Just rest for now.”

Werner closed the door. To obtain an access card for Karin by evening, he needed to be back here at least two hours beforehand. It was just as Werner quickly moved outside the hotel.

“I’m looking forward to such a large-scale banquet.”

“…!”

The familiar voice coming from the lobby made Werner instinctively hide his presence.

“Indeed. But are all the colonels staying here?”

“It seems so, since there are also many generals.”

Two women conversing amicably. Cautiously confirming, he saw an unfamiliar female officer wearing a colonel insignia and a lieutenant, seemingly her adjutant, with reddish-brown hair. Her side ponytail and shimmering yellow eyes gave Werner a stifling feeling. His body involuntarily stiffened. It was Leia Giliad, the supply unit captain of the Graveyard and his other fiancée.