The next day, Heisen returned to the fortress, nursing a slight hangover and a pounding headache. He desperately wished he could stay in bed, but reporting in person was a fundamental military protocol.

He made his way straight to Lieutenant Mospizza's office. The nervous superior was seated there, casting stern glances at him.

"You haven't reported to Captain Lorenzo?" Mospizza demanded.

"Yes. I was ordered to report to you first," Heisen replied.

"Are you willing to stake your life on this?"

"...Yes."

Mospizza's incompetence was growing increasingly frustrating. He had previously suggested to Captain Lorenzo that Mospizza should be removed, but now it seemed like he might be left to deal with this fool.

Well, this was the fate of a hired soldier, and Heisen could only lament deeply.

Heisen reported the results succinctly. "I've secured a ceasefire agreement. Here is the treaty, written in both Cumin and imperial languages."

Mospizza's eyes widened in disbelief. "Unbelievable. Did you really negotiate a ceasefire?"

"Yes. Queen Basia will soon visit the fortress for the formal and ceremonial confirmation of the treaty. It would be best for Colonel Zilba to attend."

"The queen herself?"

"Yes."

"...Unbelievable. Alright, understood. This is a significant achievement. It's the first major success since the Fourth Squadron was formed."

Mospizza's behavior was unsettling to Heisen. Despite having done nothing, Mospizza was eager to claim credit for the achievement. Heisen found his actions increasingly aggravating.

"A special achievement... I considered that, but I still think it's appropriate for the Fourth Squadron to receive it. The Eighth Platoon has a notorious reputation for unacceptable behavior."

"If that's the case, then wouldn't it imply that the entire Fourth Squadron is also problematic? The Eighth Platoon is a unit within the Fourth Squadron."

"Huh?"

Lieutenant Mospizza, who had been in a positive mood until now, stiffened and returned to his usual surly tone. Heisen felt a sense of relief; if Mospizza's syrupy voice continued, he might have lost his temper.

"It doesn’t mean the entire Fourth Squadron is bad. The behavior of the Eighth Platoon was poor, not that of the entire Fourth Squadron."

"If you’re recommending a special achievement, it should be limited to the Eighth Platoon."

"Huh? Did you hear what I said?"

"Yes. According to your reasoning, that is correct. Given the current principle of ‘the big do not cover the small,’ we should apply the same standard here."

"..."

"The Eighth Platoon alone achieved this feat. The rest of the Fourth Squadron did not contribute."

"You! Are you trying to hog all the credit?"

"I have no intention of doing that. However, I don't want to divide credit among those who didn’t contribute. If credit is to be given, it should be to the Eighth Platoon."

The squadron had pushed its members hard with investigations and pre-planning. Naturally, they wanted to reward them. However, Lieutenant Mospizza had been impeding Heisen’s progress from the start. It was also a waste of time to explain this.

"Then I won’t recommend it as a special achievement. Is that okay?"

"Please do."

"Of course. If you don’t recommend it, there will be no rewards. Isn’t it clear which is better?"

Mospizza spoke with a false sweetness, but Heisen shook his head.

"It's wrong to claim credit when you haven’t done anything."

"Isn't that customary?"

"It’s a harmful custom. If we don’t eliminate such practices, the empire will decline."

"Are you speaking of the empire as a lieutenant?"

"Yes. As an imperial soldier and a citizen of the empire, I always consider the future of the empire in my actions."

"Are you saying I don’t think about the future of the empire?"

"I haven’t said that explicitly, but it does seem that way."

"You!"

Lieutenant Mospizza tried to slap Heisen, but Heisen dodged and swung his sword. A strong gust of wind grazed Mospizza’s cheek, causing him to collapse in fear.

"Ga... Gagaga."

"Excuse me. There was a bug on your shoulder."

Heisen smiled as he displayed a large bug he had prepared in advance. Of course, this was also a waste.

"You! Were you trying to kill me?"

"No. I was simply removing the bug."

"Don’t lie."

"It's not a lie. I killed this bug. I will eliminate pests, whether they’re bugs or those that undermine the empire."

"Hi..."

Heisen gave Lieutenant Mospizza a piercing look.

"Then I won’t recommend it! Are you really okay with that?"

"Yes."

"...Really. Are you okay with that?"

"Excuse me, are you deaf? I’ve said ‘yes’ several times."

"Then, please be brief. After this, I need to report to Captain Lorenzo."

"Uwoooo!"

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Lieutenant Mospizza screamed again.

Mospizza’s face was twisted in disbelief. Heisen couldn’t understand why. He couldn’t grasp his superior’s intentions at all.

"You... are you suggesting reporting directly to Captain Lorenzo?" Mospizza questioned.

"Yes."

"I am your superior! You’re bypassing me?"

Captain Lorenzo had given Heisen direct instructions.

"But I didn’t receive any such reports!"

"No."

"Why didn’t you report?"

"I wasn’t instructed to report."

"You would normally report anyway! It’s standard protocol!"

Mospizza pounded the floor with his foot, his frustration evident.

"Is that true? But expecting me to deduce everything is unreasonable. Clear instructions, or their inclusion in the notes, are necessary."

"Argh, important matters should be discussed!"

"Yes."

"So why didn’t you report?"

"I didn’t perceive it as important."

"It should be important! It is important! It’s important!"

"Is that true? Then I will do so next time."

"It’s too late! Too... late!"

"I see."

Heisen replied calmly, and Mospizza shot him a look of disbelief.

"W-wait! Hold on!"

Mospizza rushed to the door, physically blocking Heisen from leaving.

"Um, please refrain from giving conflicting instructions. It causes confusion."

"Argh, saying ‘it’s enough’ doesn’t mean ‘go away’! It means ‘I’m disappointed in you’!"

"I see."

"Don’t you understand? Normally, when your superior says they’re disappointed, you stand there silently."

"Is that so?"

"Do you not understand something so basic?"

"Perhaps it’s better to avoid ambiguous statements. It could disrupt the unit’s operations."

"Gr...!"

"..."

"..."

"Alright then, excuse me."

"W-wait! Wait!"

Mospizza rushed to the door, blocking Heisen’s path.

"Yes?"

"Why are you leaving?"

"I judged the conversation was over."

"It's not over! When I said, ‘I’m disappointed in you’..."

"Yes. In response to that, I said, ‘I see.’ So I thought the conversation was over."

"You didn’t! Typically, you should remain silent when your superior expresses disappointment."

"Is that so?"

"Do you not understand something so basic?"

"Perhaps it’s better to avoid ambiguous statements. It could disrupt the unit’s operations."

"Gr... then I said, ‘wait’! I said ‘wait’!"

"Yes. However, please be brief. Captain Lorenzo is waiting."

"Leave him waiting! He’s free, so he can wait as long as he needs! This is more important!"

"...I understand."

"How are you going to explain this to Captain Lorenzo?"

"I will report what I reported to you."

"And?"

"If asked, I will answer."

"What about the special commendation?"

"If asked, I will answer."

"Answer! What will you say?"

"Um, what specific question are you referring to?"

"I'm asking about the special commendation."

"What specifically about the special commendation?"

"Argh... which squad do you think should receive the special commendation?"

"I believe the 8th Squad should receive the special commendation."

"What?!"

"Yes."

"Why didn’t you say that earlier?! I mentioned that the 4th Platoon was appropriate."

Mospizza stomped his foot in frustration.

"Yes."

"Why didn’t you state that clearly?"

"I am not a lieutenant."

"But you are superior!"

"Yes."

"Do you intend to challenge my decision?"

"If the lieutenant declines the special commendation, will that be the final decision?"

"What?!"

"Of course, if it’s a matter of importance for the Empire, I will accept any reprimand. However, I report only to the lieutenant."

"...What?!"

"Yes."

"Then it’s too late to bring this up now!"

"I see."

"Wait! Don’t leave! Wait!"

"Yes. However, please be brief. Captain Lorenzo is waiting."

"Let him wait! I said he could wait! Someone like him, who’s always smiling, can wait as long as needed! So, let him wait!"

"I-I understand."

"Alright then, if asked, will you accept or decline?"

"I would like to accept, but the lieutenant said he would decline."

"Wait! Why?"

"Because I don’t believe so."

"It’s an order!"

"I understand."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"State it clearly! If asked, which squad do you believe should receive the special commendation?"

"I don’t think so, but the lieutenant said, ‘I think the 4th Platoon should receive the special commendation.’"

"What?!"

"Yes."

"Why does it turn out this way?! Are you doing this on purpose?"

"I am following instructions."

"Instructions weren’t given! I didn’t provide any!"

"Is that so?"

"Listen! From now on, we’ll rehearse this dialogue. Don’t miss a single word; don’t add, subtract, or change anything! Understood?"

"However, Captain Lorenzo is waiting."

"I'm saying he’s fine! He’ll smile and forgive anything! So, if necessary, let him wait for hours. I’ll make you repeat this until you get it right!"

As Mospizza shouted, a voice came from outside the door.

"This is troublesome."

"Huh?"

Captain Lorenzo had been listening.

Lieutenant Mospizza’s shock was so intense that he seemed to foam at the mouth.

"C-C-Captain Lorenzo."

"I’ve heard everything. Twisting your subordinate’s reports to fit your own convenience is not commendable, you know."

"No, that’s not it! Um, I’m terribly sorry if I’ve been disrespectful."

"I’ve heard about your rudeness, Lieutenant Mospizza, but there was nothing disrespectful towards Ensign Heisen."

"Eek, how much did you hear?"

"From the beginning."

"Huh? From the beginning?"

"From the very start of your conversation with Ensign Heisen, I was standing outside the door."

"Gah, what’s going on?"

Mospizza’s mouth gaped in shock. His tongue seemed tied as he struggled to respond.

"I received a report that the fortress had returned, so I was waiting for Lieutenant Heisen. Of course, I wanted to ask right away, but Captain Lorenzo firmly instructed me to wait outside until Mospizza was finished, out of respect for both the lieutenant and yourself."

"H-He... Ensign Heisen, you...!"

"........."

Heisen played dumb. Despite his meticulous planning of the situation, he displayed an unexpected nonchalance. For him, it was enough to let one or two mistakes be clearly communicated to the higher-ups.

However, most of what Mospizza had said were mistakes, and they were so refreshing they didn’t even sound like mistakes anymore. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Lorenzo looked increasingly dissatisfied with Mospizza.

"You're misplacing the blame, aren’t you? Trying to steal someone else's achievements, no less by force. How shameful!"

"Eek..."

"Perhaps you were promoted to lieutenant prematurely. I’ll suggest to the higher-ups that your achievements be recognized and that you be demoted to ensign."

"But then, who will be the lieutenant?"

"Well, I suppose we should recommend Ensign Heisen based on his achievements."

"What...!? That’s outrageous, Captain Lorenzo! I will root out the vermin that corrupts the empire."

Heisen glared at Lieutenant Mospizza, then split the insect in half with his palm, dropping the pieces on the ground and grinding them with his foot.

"Pfft..."

Seeing the powdery remains on the bright red carpet, Lieutenant Mospizza clung to Captain Lorenzo’s pants, pleading desperately.

"H-H-Help me, please, please, please..."

"Ensign Heisen. This situation is temporary. It may take time for the center to officially communicate. For now, you can interpret it as having the authority of a lieutenant, but at the rank of an ensign."

"I understand. Understood."

This implied an instruction to "keep it moderate." Captain Lorenzo seemed to be a man of mild and flexible character who didn’t want to severely punish someone weak.

However, Heisen was different. Whether someone was weak or strong didn’t matter. He would deal with his enemies as enemies.

"Captain Lorenzo, I have one request."

"What is it?"

"May I recommend Lieutenant Mospizza join my 4th Platoon?"

"What!?"

"Why?"

"The lieutenant has a habit of bullying non-commissioned officers within the squad. Assigning him to another squad would be disheartening. If their actions catch my attention, I can immediately address them thoroughly."

"...Understood. But don’t retaliate."

"Of course not. I’ll just eliminate the rotten core thoroughly."

"Eek... eek... eek..."

Lieutenant Mospizza fell to his knees, crying and foaming at the mouth, with both hands on the ground. Captain Lorenzo watched this scene with a wry smile.

"But that’s quite something. He rose to the rank of lieutenant in just one month after his assignment."

"Rather than that, I think we should take the next step immediately."

"The next step?"

"The war with the Dioldo Principality. They haven’t realized the ceasefire agreement with the Cumin tribe yet. Should we capture the enemy's fortress in the meantime?"

"Even higher-ups have discussed such matters. But now is not a favorable time. We simply don’t have enough provisions to mobilize a large army."

Normally, border security wouldn’t initiate an attack. Food supplies were also limited, and the northern snow would slow transport from the center.

"In that case, let’s do it ourselves."

"...Ourselves, meaning?"

"Let’s capture the fortress with only the 4th Platoon."

"Isn’t that too much for even Lieutenant Heisen?"

Captain Lorenzo expressed surprise. The enemy fortress had at least 5,000 soldiers. He had anticipated at least 30,000 troops.

To say they would attack with fewer than 400 soldiers was almost like a fairy tale.

The following units would undoubtedly be ready for the capture of the fortress. However, until the gate opened, they would handle all the arrangements themselves.

"Let’s discuss this with the military once."

"I think we should hurry. Otherwise, this ceasefire agreement could have a negative impact."

"Don’t speak so lightly. The stalemate has lasted for ten years."

"But the ceasefire agreement has changed the situation. It’s different from when we both lacked attackers."

"I’ll have to think about it."

Captain Lorenzo left.