[Scum]
Leaving Algeid Fortress, Major Simant walked in silence for a while before breaking into joyful jumps.
“I did it! Heck yeah, I did it!!! I even managed to give up fewer territories than expected! The territories are worthless to us, too!”
“……”
The Empire governed its territories autonomously. Koriaote and Nasefuyu—formerly belonging to the Cumin tribe—were under Colonel Jilva’s faction.
But on the other hand, Manayata and Gordia were under Lieutenant Colonel Kenneck’s faction.
“But wouldn’t it have been better to think about it a little more?”
“Haa?” Major Simant arrogantly shot Yan an irritated look. What? Now that he no longer needed her, he gave her attitude? Yan was a bit annoyed, but she decided to treat it as part of the job.
“I-I mean, I was wondering why they picked those territories specifically. If we don’t understand the other party’s true intentions—”
“What does a brat like you know?! I paid 10 large gold coins for you and am giving you wages just like that bastard. If you don’t want to be kicked out onto the streets, you better keep your opinions to yourself and just do your job.”
“…Yes, sir.”
Yan didn’t want to end up on the streets, so she had no choice but to comply.
Major Simant decided to stop by the city, saying, “I’m off to the brothel to have some fun,” and with that, he skipped away, paying no attention to Yan’s disdainful gaze.
Returning to the imperial fortress, Yan walked down the hallway, sighing, when Hazen happened to cross paths with her.
“That scum was even worse than you expected, huh?”
“……”
Yan unconsciously turned her attention to him, finding Hazen grinning at her. He hit the nail on the head. He was so spot-on that it irritated her.
“Thought you’d seen the worst of humans through your little trading business, didn’t you? I’m sorry to tell you, but nobles are the worst of the worst. You can’t compare their kind with commoners or businessmen—they have, let’s say, an abnormal sense of values.”
“…Since he’s a major on the front lines, I thought he’d be more reasonable.”
“Don’t blame yourself. That’s what I thought before I came here, too. But the situation in this fortress is kind of unique.”
“What do you mean?”
“There has been constant fighting in this land for a long time, there’s no doubt about that. But it results in a stable stalemate.”
“Stable…”
The concept of stable front lines seemed odd. However, Hazen’s explanation was strangely convincing.
“The battles around here are basically just skirmishes. They’re not really looking to invade the principality; they’re just stealing the Cumins’ lands to meet the quota of territorial expansion. Even then, only the NCOs fight. They mistake this stability for peace, causing them to lose their sense of tension and become corrupt.”
“……”
“Though to be fair, Lieutenant Mospizza and Major Simant are the worst of the lot. You can always find scum everywhere you go, but those two are on a whole other level.”
“…But Lieutenant Mospizza managed to get promoted to lieutenant.”
“That’s mostly because he is a ‘Reirei’, the 16th rank of high nobles. Major Simant, on the other hand, is a ‘Gasai’, the 7th rank, the highest-rank in the fortress. Even if doesn’t have the ability, with some motivation and connections, it’s not difficult for him to earn the rank of major.”
“I-is that really the case?”
“It is. In the first place, those in the commanding position will have their subordinates’ achievements credited to themselves. So, it is difficult to evaluate them. Especially, general officers, as they start out as second lieutenants. Considering both of their personalities, I’d imagine their subordinates have no choice but to follow them at their beck and call.”
“……”
They sure have. I know from experience, Yan agreed.
“High-ranking noble. Middle management. Incompetent. Rotten personality. They tick all the boxes for what I’d call Wonder Scum.”
“……”
Wow, that’s… harsh. But it fits perfectly, Yan thought.
“Then again, since you’re bound by contract magic, you should do your best to keep supporting Major Simant despite his incompetence.”
“I-I know.”
Major Simant might be an incompetent boss, but Yan was prohibited from doing anything that went against his interest. In other words, she had to go beyond Hazen’s expectations.
“Oh, right. Master (hiss), do you happen to have some books on geography in your room?”
“…Yeah, I do, but you’re not going to ask me to lend them to you, are you?”
“P-please! I’ll return them before you even notice.”
“Haa… Asking for my help to defeat me? I’m shocked.”
“I’m not asking for your help. I just want to borrow some books.”
It shouldn’t breach the contract magic to borrow something from Hazen. After all, she did it to help Major Simant.
“Haa… your audacity reminds me of a certain someone. Fine, come with me.” Hazen sighed, and they both headed to his room.
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