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[Translator - Tangrine ]
[Proofreader - Seeker ]
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Chapter 16 - Transfer Orders (1)
"So basically… this young lady didn't even attend the military academy, doesn't know a thing about the army, and just played around with a sword at home?"
"……."
"Oh? Now you don't even feel like answering?"
"N-no, that's not it."
Eres stammered, sweat dripping down his face.
With his forehead pressed to the ground, he could only listen as Clyden casually smoked and kept firing off questions about Lydis.
"A girl who's probably only ever seen military men when they visited her house—why the hell did she join a platoon?"
"W-well, that's…"
"Eh, I can guess. It's because she couldn’t stand watching her one and only little brother get bullied by a foul-tempered temporary platoon leader. She came to protect you, didn’t she?"
"Well… I guess that's true."
Eres reflexively agreed, only to immediately regret it.
Seeing that, Clyden gestured to a nearby soldier.
"Bring me a cup."
He took the cup and set it down right in front of Eres' face.
"Stay like that until you fill this cup with sweat."
"Tch… this is too much! If you have a problem with my sister, deal with her directly! Why are you taking it out on me?!"
"What kind of guy do you think I am?"
"Huh?"
"I'm petty as hell. Short-tempered too. If I get annoyed, I have to get it out of my way. And since I can’t exactly pick a fight with the platoon leader, I gotta take it out on you instead.“
“Makes sense, doesn’t it?"
"Tch! How the hell does that make sense?!"
"What, you want me to yell at a noble lady? Do you even realize who's responsible for turning my peaceful army life into a damn circus? You think I'm going down alone?”
“If I'm suffering, we're all suffering! Haha! Get ready for a hell of a time, Eres. Your military career is officially doomed."
"…Tch."
Even as sweat poured off his face, Eres gritted his teeth and endured.
Maybe it was because he had trained in mana; he had impressive stamina.
Clyden had to admit, the kid had guts.
By the time the cup was about halfway full, Lydis stormed into the guard post.
"What the hell is going on here?!"
Her face twisted with fury as she glared daggers at Clyden.
He just smiled lazily and replied.
"Well, as you can see, I'm straightening out the discipline of a thoroughly undisciplined soldier."
"H-how dare you treat a member of the Duke’s house like this?!"
"Whether he's from the Duke’s house or even the Imperial family, he's my subordinate now. Isn't that right, Platoon Leader?"
Clyden grinned slyly, emphasizing her rank.
Because of Clyden’s little stunt—running straight to Azelus to tattle on her for ignoring the military chain of command—Lydis had been severely reprimanded.
She wanted nothing more than to smack that smug grin right off Clyden’s face.
But she held back, saving her revenge for another day.
"Hmph. I think that's enough. Let him go."
"Yesss, ma'am. Who am I to disobey an order?"
Lydis seriously considered whether she should just punch Clyden in the face and leave Eres to his fate.
Just then, Hunty entered the room.
"Assistant Platoon Leader, some kid is looking for you."
"Hmm? Someone came looking for me?"
When Clyden stepped outside, he saw Lina cheerfully chatting with the platoon members.
"Whoa, Lina! Skipping school in the middle of the day? You missed me that much? But ditching class just to see me—now that’s not good."
"Ugh! As if! And today’s a field trip day, dummy!"
"Heh, Platoon Leader, who's this adorable kid?"
Rex approached with a teasing grin. Clyden smirked and ruffled Lina’s hair.
"Listen up, everyone! This here is Lina, She wants to be my future wife. Treat her with respect!"
[PR\N: It’s just a brother-sister taunting, ‘Big bro, when I grow up. I will marry you.’]
"You idiot! Stop talking nonsense!"
Lina flailed, her face turning bright red as she struggled to escape Clyden’s grip.
The other soldiers immediately played along, gathering around her.
“Oh, sister-in-law!”
Lina’s face burned even redder.
"What’s all this commotion?"
Lydis and Eres had just stepped out of the post and saw the group of soldiers gathered in excitement.
"Aah! You’re Lady Lydis Hugh Iron, aren’t you?!"
The moment Lina spotted Lydis, she ran straight to her, her eyes sparkling with admiration.
Taken aback by the sheer intensity of the girl’s gaze, Lydis reflexively nodded.
Lina practically bounced in place with excitement.
"Ahhh! Coming here was worth it! I can’t believe I got to meet you!"
"Uh… um…"
"Hello! I’m Lina Kudrow, a seventh-year student in the composition program at Raisen’s Primary School!"
"O-oh, I see."
"Your violin concerto was incredible! How did you even come up with something like that? I really respect you! Can I call you sister?"
Overwhelmed by Lina’s intense enthusiasm, Lydis looked around for help, but the soldiers all conveniently found something else to do and scattered.
"H-hang on! Where is everyone going?!"
"Brother! Can I talk with Lady Lydis for a bit?"
"Of course! Take your time."
Clyden laughed and ushered Lydis and Lina inside the post.
Caught off guard, Lydis stammered.
"W-wait! What?!"
Lina had already latched onto her and dragged her inside.
"Heh. Look at that—Lady Lydis is completely at her mercy. But hey, I didn’t know she composed music."
"My sister is considered a genius in the music world. There isn’t an instrument she can’t play, and her compositions are highly acclaimed."
"Tch. Must be nice being born into such a ridiculously talented family."
Since Clyden had no interest in music, he stayed by the gate.
He casually chatted with Eres instead of following them inside.
It wasn’t until hours later that Lydis and Lina finally emerged from the guardpost.
Lyidis looked utterly exhausted as if she had been through a long battle.
“Big Sis! I learned so much today! I’ll be back again soon!”
“Huh? Oh, uh… yeah.”
Lydis forced an awkward smile, clearly drained.
Lina bowed politely before running off, and Lydis weakly waved back at her.
Seeing this, Clyden snickered as he approached.
“Heh, looks like you had a rough time. Lina gets completely absorbed in things she likes—there’s no stopping her.”
“I-Is that so?”
“She’s the daughter of the family that runs my boarding house. Her father died in the war, but she’s a bright and lively kid.”
“…It’s my first time having someone call me ‘Big Sis’ like that.”
“Heh, so you liked it, huh?”
Lydis blushed slightly and gave a small nod—just as a sudden scream rang out.
“Kyaaah!”
They all snapped their heads toward the sound.
Lina was on the ground, surrounded by a group of men.
Clyden’s eyes widened, and he immediately sprinted toward her.
In the center of the group, a noble-looking man was shouting at her.
“You wretched commoner! How dare you step in my way?! You should die for this insolence!”
“Are you insane?!”
At the noble’s words, one of his men drew his sword.
Without hesitation, Clyden launched himself forward, kicking the man square in the chest.
The man flew backward, crashing to the ground.
“W-Who the hell are you?!”
The rest of the noble’s guards immediately drew their swords, but Clyden’s platoon had already arrived, matching their aggression by unsheathing their weapons.
A tense standoff formed.
Unfazed by the hostile glares, Clyden ignored the noble and knelt beside Lina.
“B-Brother…”
Tears welled in her eyes as she looked up at him, her cheek red and swollen from a slap.
Clyden gently picked her up, holding her protectively in his arms as he turned to Lydis.
“Please take care of her for a moment.”
“Sergeant?”
“This isn’t something she should see.”
Lydis hesitated, about to say something, but when she saw the dark look in Clyden’s eyes, she closed her mouth.
Instead, she took Lina from his arms and carried her inside the guardpost, whispering reassurances.
“How dare you draw your sword against me! Do you even know who I am?!”
Clyden turned his gaze toward the shouting noble.
The man had delicate, refined features—clearly someone who had never known hardship.
His arrogance was written all over his face.
“And who might you be?”
“Hah! You stand before none other than the Third Prince of the Rostin Kingdom—an eternal ally of the Empire! You dare draw steel against royalty?! Kneel and beg for your life!”
One of the knights beside the prince shouted, his chest puffed with self-importance.
Clyden suddenly bowed deeply, his voice dripping with mock humility.
“Oh dear, a prince! I sincerely apologize for not recognizing Your Highness.”
The prince and his men smirked, thinking they had already won.
Meanwhile, Clyden’s platoon members braced themselves, tension rising in the air.
They knew exactly what was about to happen.
Clyden was about to cause one hell of a scene.
"And what brings Your Highness to this humble place?"
The platoon members exchanged puzzled glances.
That’s not like him… what is he up to?
"Hmph! I heard that Lord Eres was stationed here, so I came to pay my respects. I’ll inform Lord Eres of your disgraceful behavior!"
At the knight’s indignant declaration, Eres flinched.
Clyden shot him a look that screamed, This guy is the real problem.
Clyden put on an exaggeratedly servile tone.
"Oh dear! I shall fetch him immediately! …Or so you thought, you arrogant bastards?"
“W-What?!”
The prince and his knights stared at him in disbelief.
Clyden straightened up, rolled his neck a couple of times until it cracked and bared his teeth in a predatory grin.
"I'm a man of my word. And as I recall, I promised that if I ever ran into scum like you, I’d gut you, rip out your intestines, and snap your damn necks."
"Y-You dare?!"
Clyden ignored the prince’s outrage and barked out a command to his men.
"Arrest them for attempted murder of a civilian! If they resist, shoot to kill!"
"H-Hold on! He’s a foreign prince! This could turn into a diplomatic crisis—"
Eres' panicked protest was cut off by a sharp, resounding smack.
His head snapped to the side as Clyden’s palm connected with his cheek.
Clyden growled.
"The Imperial Army exists to protect the Empire's citizens. And you hesitate just because some foreign noble waves his title around? Do you even deserve to wear that uniform?!"
His words struck like a whip, making the platoon members tense.
Any hesitation they had vanished as they leveled their swords at the prince and his knights.
"Y-You insolent dogs! Pointing your blades at a prince—you court death!"
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[Translator - Tangrine ]
[Proofreader - Seeker ]
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