Chapter – 104
Swoosh—Carlyle lightly dodged the 1st Company scout captain’s punch and frowned.
“What is it? You know me?”
“Oh, I know you. I know you very well. I’m Sena’s older brother.”
The 1st Company scout captain’s eyes rolled wildly, a crazed smile twisting his face.
“Sena? Who’s that?”
“Heh!”
The scout captain let out a hollow laugh.
“You’re saying you don’t know Sena?”
“How would I know? First time hearing the name.”
“Sure, of course you’d say that. To you, Sena was just one of countless women. You’ve probably played with hundreds of them.”
“…Right. Hm.”
Only then did Carlyle realize why the scout captain was hostile toward him.
‘So this is karma, huh.’
Of course, that karma belonged to the real Carlyle von Sigmund, not the current one.
But from a third party’s perspective, no one would know such circumstances. It was only natural for someone to demand payment for that ‘debt.’
“Sigh.”
Carlyle let out a long breath.
“To be honest, I don’t really remember, but if you say so, I’ll apologize. I’m sorry.”
He meant it—at least as much as he could—but it had no chance of working.
“Keukkeuk!”
The scout captain laughed as if it was absurd.
“After you threw Sena away like trash, she cried for three whole months, barely ate, barely slept. She gave you her body and her heart, and you moved on to another woman within days!”
“…Sorry.”
“Shut up! You think a simple sorry makes this go away?!”
The scout captain lunged at Carlyle again.
“Hah.”
Carlyle sighed in frustration, casually avoiding the attacks left and right.
“You cowardly bastard! All you’re gonna do is run like a rat?!”
“Run? I’m not running. I’m sparing you because I’m sorry.”
“If you’re sorry, offer up that handsome face of yours! I’m going to smash it to pulp!”
“Sorry is sorry, but—”
“You shameless bastard! You just want to protect that pretty face of yours, don’t you?!”
“Not really. I just don’t want to get hit.”
“If you won’t offer your face, then at least offer down there!”
“That’s a bit…”
“DIE, DIE, DIEEE!”
The scout captain aimed relentlessly at Carlyle’s face and that place.
But no matter how skilled a company scout captain was, a normal soldier simply couldn’t land a meaningful blow on Carlyle.
He was now strong enough to cut down a 4-star barbarian warrior.
To even stand a chance against him, at the very least, a company commander would have to step in.
‘I just come back from my first leave and the moment I return to the unit, it’s chaos. Seriously…’
Carlyle dodged lazily, even having the luxury to think about other things.
He glanced around—and what a sight it was.
Thud! Thud thud thud!
Smack!
“You bastard!”
“Come on then! You sons of bitches!”
“Argh! Did you just bite me?! You cheap bastard!”
The scouts of each company were tangled in a full-on brawl—punching, biting, scratching, clawing at each other.
Meanwhile, the 1st and 2nd Company scouts who had picked a fight with 3rd Company were now fighting each other as well.
Tsk. What a shitshow.
With a shake of his head, Carlyle suddenly lowered his stance and hooked the scout captain’s leg.
Thud!
“Let’s stop.”
Carlyle placed his foot lightly on the man’s precious area.
“You said her name was Sena, right? About your sister—I’m sorry.”
“You cowardly bastard!”
“I said let’s stop.”
Carlyle pressed down just a little with his foot.
“H-hngh!”
“You want to stop, or should I keep going?”
“Grrr…!”
“You know I’ve been holding back a lot.”
“Sh-shut up!”
“So you do want me to continue?”
Carlyle was starting to get irritated when—
“What in the world do you think you’re doing?! Stop this at once! Immediately!”
“How dare you start a brawl inside the unit!”
“FREEZE!”
Helen—along with the 1st and 2nd Company commanders—rushed over, roaring at the scouts.
“3rd Company! Freeze! I SAID FREEEEEZE!”
Helen’s icy scream immediately froze the 3rd Company scouts in place.
“All of you—assemble right now!”
Her expression as she issued the order was terrifying.
* * *
Captain Kravel, who had been bedridden from the aftermath of the rucksack march, sprang up at the report.
“What did you say? The company scouts got into a brawl? For f**k’s sake!”
Despite barely being able to stand, Kravel forced himself up and headed to his office, summoning the company commanders.
Bang!
His fist slammed the desk.
“Do you have brains or not?! What kind of garbage leadership leads to a brawl between scout units?!”
“Apologies, sir!”
The commanders shouted in unison.
“I could tolerate a stain on my reputation, but this is too much! Do you still call yourselves officers—call yourselves leaders?!”
“Apologies, sir!”
They had no room to argue.
Whatever the reason, a brawl had broken out. The responsibility belonged to the company commanders.
“This is beyond disgraceful. Expect penalties on your service evaluations. Something like this cannot be brushed aside.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And 3rd Company Commander.”
Kravel glared at Helen.
“I hear your scout operation failed.”
“Yes, Battalion Commander.”
“What a sight. A failed mission wasn’t enough, now a brawl too.”
“I have no excuses.”
“It’s your poor leadership that led 3rd Company to such rot. Even an E-rank private dared talk back to the battalion commander!”
“…My apologies.”
“This won’t do.”
Kravel smirked—cruel, delighted.
“For the time being, 3rd Company’s leave will be restricted. No exceptions. That includes you, company commander.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And every morning and evening, I will personally inspect 3rd Company’s discipline and performance.”
“B-but, sir—”
Helen’s face flushed red.
“Maintaining company discipline and training is my responsibility as company commander. Even as battalion commander—”
“Shut your mouth!”
“……!”
“How pathetic must your leadership be for your men to end up like this?! The mission failure alone proves it!”
“My apologies.”
“3rd Company is suspended from operations until further notice. Expect intense physical training and corrective instruction until I am satisfied.”
“…Understood.”
“And that Private Carlyle—I’ll be watching him especially closely. If he shows even the slightest misconduct, I will hold you directly responsible. Are we clear?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Get out of my sight. I’m sick of looking at you.”
“Sir!”
“You others, dismissed as well.”
“Sir!”
Even after they left, Kravel massaged his temples to calm his fury.
But only for a moment.
“Heh.”
A pale, predatory smile spread across his face.
“I was waiting for this. And now I have the perfect excuse. That Sigmund brat… I’ll fix him properly.”
Kravel ground his teeth, envisioning Carlyle.
He had already planned to reform Carlyle, earn favor from Grand Duke Guntram, and use that to rise socially—but now he had a legitimate basis to apply pressure.
If he succeeded in reforming Carlyle, he could become a retainer of the Sigmund family—and even gain a noble title.
To Kravel, Carlyle was a stepping stone to a life-changing promotion.
* * *
Late at night.
Helen visited the scout barracks to find Carlyle.
Like the others, he was writing a reflection paper due to the brawl.
“Private Carlyle.”
“Yes?”
“We need to talk. Outside.”
“I still have to finish this write-up.”
“You can finish it later.”
“But then it’ll be too late…”
“I’m asking nicely. Outside.”
“…Yes, ma’am.”
Knowing better than to push her, Carlyle followed Helen outside.
“You haven’t slept yet? You look exhausted.”
“I want to sleep too.”
Her voice was hoarse.
“Private Carlyle.”
“Yes.”
“Do you know why I look exhausted?”
“Hmm. Because the unit is a mess?”
“You know, so why ask.”
“Huh?”
“Sigh…”
Helen let out a deep, heavy sigh.
‘Can’t blame her.’
Carlyle understood.
With Kravel breathing down her neck, a failed operation, a massive brawl—not to mention having to babysit the disaster of a mage, Lieutenant Melvin—no wonder she was stressed to death.
“Private Carlyle.”
“Yes.”
“Battalion Commander said he’ll be personally watching your conduct from now on.”
“That guy still hasn’t come to his senses?”
“The battalion commander enlisted as a common soldier, earned his knighthood, and rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel. Rumor says his skill is quite formidable.”
“Yeah, probably.”
“He wouldn’t give up over losing a rucksack march.”
“True enough.”
“So please—I’m begging you—just behave for a while.”
“I am trying my best, you know.”
“I acknowledge that.”
Helen didn’t deny it.
“You’re different from the rumors and your past behavior. You’ve been serving sincerely. Up to now, at least. And that alone is commendable. If you were still the old you…”
A shiver went down her spine.
The old Carlyle—he would have deserted on day one, fled during battle, bullied others using his noble status, harassed female soldiers—everyone knew it.
“But that’s only our view. The battalion commander sees it differently.”
“You want me to tuck my tail, is that it?”
“Do you think I enjoy asking you this? I hate it too.”
“…Hmm.”
“You’ve been trying, I know. But could you try just a little harder? For the sake of the company?”
“Urgh…”
“If the battalion commander gives an unreasonable order or treats you unfairly, I will step in.”
“…Really?”
Carlyle blinked.
He didn’t expect Helen to say she’d take his side.
“Of course. You’re under my command. I won’t stand by if you suffer injustice for something you didn’t do. I promise—if that happens, I’ll fight with you, even if it costs me my uniform.”
“…Hmm.”
“I know it goes against your nature. But can’t you endure a little? For your comrades?”
“…I’ll try.”
Since Helen had gone this far, Carlyle wasn’t going to be stubborn.
“You must have a lot on your plate. If I can help even a bit, that’s good for all of us, right?”
“Thank you, Private Carlyle. Truly. And also…”
Helen bowed her head slightly.
“Thank you.”
“Again?”
“You returned safely with all our men on the last mission.”
“Oh.”
“If not for you, I would have lost my entire scout team overnight. If that had happened… I wouldn’t have been able to continue serving. I wouldn’t have forgiven myself.”
Carlyle could clearly feel the emotion behind her words.
‘So this is what a real commander is.’
Once again, Carlyle thought that Helen was, without question, an exceptional leader.
