Chapter 83: The Results report (1)
Marcellus piloted the fire breathing war chariot and followed his superior as they entered the construction site of a fortress deep within the camp. The headquarters of the Imperial Army, along with the accommodations for the highest-ranking officers, were given priority in construction. Therefore, the recipient they were waiting to report to was inside the fortress.
Upon entering the fortress, a mild commotion ensued. The fortress was encompassed by multiple walls, with several gates simultaneously under construction. By chance, the area they intended to traverse was amidst the installation of a gate. While the superior sought to halt the work, Marcellus insisted that it was unnecessary and persevered in maneuvering the fire breathing war chariot.
Those who witnessed it must have been astonished. Marcellus skillfully used the chariot’s four legs to walk up almost vertical walls. Whether they were the workers installing the gate or those looking down from the top of the walls, everyone could only stare in awe, their mouths agape.
“I apologize for the inconvenience. I know the construction work is tough, but please do your best.”
Opening the door of the fire breathing war chariot and sticking his body out, Marcellus thanked the soldiers working there before descending. He could have easily made the chariot jump down, just like he did when escaping, but he deliberately chose not to.
The workers below would be in danger, and the carefully leveled ground would be marred if he leaped down. Marcellus knew that the consequences could be dire. With careful precision, he maneuvered the chariot, ensuring it wouldn’t damage the walls or the ground as he made his descent.
“Da…Dam…”
“What’s the matter, Commander? Let’s hurry and make our report.”
“Ah, yes. Indeed, let us proceed.”
Marcellus urged his stunned superior to move forward. Despite the fact that the superior was usually prone to making snide remarks, he was overwhelmed by the performance of the fire-breathing war chariot and had no choice but to agree with Marcellus while offering a casual response.
Once the senior officer reported their arrival at headquarters, they were immediately instructed to enter. The headquarters was a sizable building, but it was impossible to bring the fire-breathing war chariot inside. Therefore, Marcellus stepped out of the chariot… with the captive woman slung over his shoulder.
“Hey! What is that?”
“It’s a prisoner captured by my subordinate.”
“Y-you never told me that!”
The superior exclaimed, but instead of listening to their report, he cast doubt on their achievements. Although Marcellus attempted to provide a report, the superior showed no interest in hearing it previously.
However, Marcellus knew it was pointless to point out such matters. Even now, he could feel the lingering resentful gazes directed his way. Surely, his commander believed he had brought shame upon himself. Marcellus inwardly sighed, sensing his superior’s thoughts.
“What are you doing? Enter the room.”
“Y-Yes! Right away! Let’s go!”
Just as the superior was about to reprimand Marcellus, a composed male voice resonated from within the headquarters. Though the voice carried a calm and gentle tone, there was an undeniable force behind it. The superior immediately straightened his posture and briskly made his way into the headquarters.
Marcellus, while feeling exasperated by his superior’s actions, followed suit and entered the headquarters building. Despite being referred to as the headquarters, it was hastily constructed, lacking any interior design. The stone flooring, walls, and visible wooden beams showcased a stark contrast to the invading army’s buildings, which they had infiltrated just the day before. That was Marcellus’ honest impression in various ways.
Awaiting them at the entrance of the headquarters was an elderly man with black hair mixed with a touch of gray and slicked back. Both Marcellus and the superior recognized him by his voice, so they instinctively saluted him.
“Your Excellency, Chief of Staff! I am from the First Division….”
“Ah, greetings will suffice. You’re the soldier who returned from the infiltration mission, right? Well then, I’ll borrow you for a moment. You may return to your duties.”
“Eh…? Y-Yes! I apologize for the intrusion…”
The superior had assumed that he would remain with Marcellus, but he was swiftly told by the Chief of Staff to leave. The superior was momentarily stunned, but he couldn’t defy the Chief of Staff’s orders. With a dissatisfied expression, he turned on his heels and quickly exited the headquarters.
After bidding farewell to the departing superior, the Chief of Staff let out a deep sigh, his face showing signs of exhaustion. Marcellus sympathized, understanding the burden weighing on the Chief of Staff’s mind.
“Ah, you’re Orox, right? You have it tough as well.”
“Ha, Ha Ha Ha.”
“I could see through his desire to make a good impression on his excellency, the general. Those types tend to have high ranks but lack competence. That individual was a prime example. Well, that aside… come with me. Can you guys… transport that captive for us?”
“”Yes, sir!””
The Chief of Staff instructed two guards stationed nearby to transport the captive. The guards, looking resolute, responded energetically, and Marcellus handed her over to them.
However, he knew that this captive was no ordinary soldier. During the ride back in the fire breathing war chariot, he had asked Mika about her true identity. Therefore, he didn’t forget to warn them to be cautious.
“Wait a moment. This captive is a white armored soldier. You have to be absolutely vigilant.”
As soon as Marcellus uttered those words with a serious expression, the guards froze in their tracks, as if they had turned to stones. Others who overheard looked at the woman with shocked expressions. Marcellus himself couldn’t help but chuckle, thinking that he would have the same reaction if he were told the same thing.
However, the chief of staff was different. With clear joy shining in his eyes, he raised the corners of his mouth. Although the Chief of Staff always wore a gentlemanly expression, those close to him knew better. Whenever he wore that face, it meant that the Chief of Staff was plotting something cunning, a devilish scheme.
However, the Chief of Staff tightened his expression, controlled by reason. He turned to Marcellus and questioned the veracity of the information.
“Orox, are you certain about this?”
“Yes! Although there were no higher-ranking officers at the scene of the capture, judging by the capabilities of the person that apprehended her, it seems possible.”
“Someone powerful enough to capture a white armored soldier… Ah, so you’re talking about one of those demons? I heard they played a significant role in the counterattack operation. They were taken on the infiltration mission too. Did they prove useful?”
“Yes! Without them, I would have already perished in the occupied territory.”
That was Marcellus’s genuine sentiment. Without Rinne’s illusion arts, he would have been captured immediately. Without Mika’s scouting abilities, he wouldn’t have been able to detect any danger. And without the Hades Scorpion Demon, he would have been struck down during the pursuit. If any one of them had been missing, he wouldn’t be here now.
Perhaps understanding Marcellus’s emotions, the Chief of Staff nodded slowly. He then ordered the guards to bring a few members from the elite force. The guards responded with an unnecessarily loud affirmation and swiftly left the headquarters.
“A demon, huh? I had my doubts, but if the soldiers on the field are speaking highly of them, then it’s a different story.”
“…Your Excellency, may I express my opinion regarding the demons?”
“Go ahead. Like I mentioned earlier, the opinions from the field are important.”
The Chief of Staff was a man who placed immense value on firsthand experience and the voices resonating from the battlefield. Consequently, he had reservations regarding the supposed effectiveness of these so-called demons, who had yet to be witnessed fighting on the front lines. Moreover, he maintained skepticism toward the records claiming that the demons had subdued white-armored soldiers, who could hold their ground against the imperial guardians.
However, if the soldiers on the field held them in high regard, then it changed the situation. After listening to Marcellus’s account, the Chief of Staff realized that he needed to reconsider his own perception.
Yet, it was Marcellus himself who valued the demons more than anyone else. It was impossible not to hear what he had to say. The Chief of Staff encouraged him to speak.
“Allow me to explain. The strength of the Demon Unit lies in the superior skillset of its original members. Merely transforming ordinary criminals or low-ranking subjects into demons would only result in soldiers who are sturdier than typical humans,” Marcellus began.
“I see. That is precisely the concern I had. It means we must investigate the individuals who were used as materials, as doubts regarding their effectiveness as a fighting force linger,” the Chief of Staff responded.
Since demons were a synthesis of humans and other organisms, their overall strength as a single entity would undoubtedly be enhanced. However, their exceptional physical capabilities are meaningless if they cannot be utilized effectively. The current performance of the Demon Unit in combat can be attributed to their preexisting powerful fighting abilities.
The Chief of Staff had already speculated on what Mika had observed. Hearing the confirmation from Marcellus, someone he had fought shoulder to shoulder with, reinforced his conviction in the accuracy of his assumptions.
“And… there has been intentional tampering with some of the information we received regarding the Demon Unit. It appears that there were individuals involved who were not related to Atonement Soldiers,” Marcellus continued.
“Hmm… Auricus, indeed, that does seem suspicious. However, precisely for that reason, let me advise you as your senior. It would be best not to delve too deeply into it. The plan to mass-produce demons as a military force is being pursued with His Majesty’s approval,” the Chief of Staff cautioned.
Marcellus pointed out the discrepancy between the information he gathered from the documents and what he had heard from the demons, speaking in a hushed voice that only the Chief of Staff could hear. He sensed a hidden agenda behind these differences.
However, the Chief of Staff was quick to advise him against getting involved. Even if it was evident that something was being concealed, the fact that the Emperor was backing it changed the game. In the Empire, a strictly hierarchical society, the Emperor’s decisions reigned supreme and took precedence above all else.
Anyone who was a citizen of the Empire knew what would happen if they dared to voice anything that contradicted this. Therefore, Marcellus had no choice but to keep his mouth shut if he valued his own life and the lives of those around him. He could do nothing but clench his fists tightly and bow his head.
The Chief of Staff gently placed his hand on Marcellus’ slumped shoulder. In the Empire, anyone who excelled would inevitably experience feelings similar to Marcellus’s. The Chief of Staff, too, was one of those who had agonized in the past, so he understood his feelings all too well.
“Don’t look so gloomy. I will personally inform His Excellency the general about this matter. Don’t worry, with him, things won’t turn out badly. Oh, it seems our long-awaited visitor has arrived,” the Chief of Staff said.
When their conversation reached a pause, the guards brought in with them ten imperial soldiers. Each of them possessed abilities surpassing Marcellus and were capable enough to monitor the prisoner effectively. Two of them locked her arms, while the rest formed a perimeter, ensuring there was no chance of escape.
The Chief of Staff uttered a single “let’s go” and started walking towards the command room, where the general awaited. Marcellus couldn’t help but release a sigh, a medley of emotions swirling within him. He straightened his posture, tightened his expression, and followed closely behind the Chief of Staff.
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