Chapter 8

Not long after, the news spread like wildfire throughout the Imperial Army.

What had been spoken only within a meeting of captains was, in a matter of hours, known by nearly every soldier in headquarters. Word had it that Captain Luke had embezzled military supplies to curry favor with nobles and secure backing from them, and that he himself was flatly denying the charges.

As always, ill rumors traveled faster than any other. Luke now felt that bitter truth keenly in his bones.

“Wow, incredible. How could he dare do something like that?”

“Maybe he thought that, as a captain, even if he were caught, it would all blow over?”

“That, or he planned to dump the blame onto one of his subordinates if things got bad.”

“He’s trying every trick to topple Captain Theo and snatch the Commander-in-Chief’s seat.”

And just like that, Luke had become the hottest topic in the Imperial Army. It wasn’t new for him to be at the center of attention, but this time it was particularly severe. Since the rumor broke, the soldiers’ reactions were unanimous.

‘Of course. I knew you’d pull something like this.’

Not one voice rose to defend him with a ‘Luke would never do such a thing.’ He had already been branded a villain, a man who committed a crime and tried to shove the blame onto his subordinate. In truth, much of that was a consequence of his own past behavior, so he wasn’t overly bothered.

“But if it turns out Captain Luke really did it, what happens then?”

“No one knows. It’s rare for someone of captain rank to make such a mess. But since Captain Theo is the investigator, we can trust him and wait, can’t we?”

Some even whispered that it would be best if Luke were expelled outright. Hearing such things, Luke found himself thinking only one thought:

“When I think about it… maybe being forced off the stage around now wouldn’t be such a bad thing.”

After the meeting, Luke was confined straight to his quarters. He had been told to refrain from going out as much as possible. Though phrased as a “recommendation,” it was unmistakably an “order”, one that could not be disobeyed.

“Well, Theo seems like he’ll manage just fine without me anyway.”

With the matter blown up to this scale, his motivation had drained away strangely fast.

He had sworn to fulfill his role as the villain to the end, but being accused of something he hadn’t done, and worse, betrayed by a subordinate, hit him harder than expected.

The current Commander-in-Chief, Veil Winium, had little time left in his term. He was also of advanced age, making reelection virtually impossible. The position would soon be passed to someone new, and among the officers, several candidates were already being named. Chief among them were three.

First: Captain of the 7th Division, Leo Luit. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] He had graduated the military academy with respectable grades and enlisted immediately. As the heir of the Marquis Luit household, his lineage was filled with prominent military figures of the Empire.

But Leo’s free-spirited personality left him lacking the authority expected of a soldier. Many argued he was unfit to command the entire army. He himself had often claimed he had no ambition for higher rank. At first, he had been a strong contender, but for those reasons, his prospects had recently diminished.

Second: Captain of the Special Unit, Luke. Like Leo, he had graduated the academy at the top of his class. His most distinctive trait, however, was that he was of common birth. Despite his humble background, he had risen at lightning speed after enlisting, earning his captain’s insignia as the youngest ever to do so. His appointment as head of the Special Unit, a role unattainable for all but the most capable, instantly made him a leading candidate.

Lastly, Theo Redrick. Unlike Luke, he had graduated second in his class at the academy. During their cadet days, the two had fought fiercely over first place, trading the position back and forth. If one counted the times each had come out on top during the semesters, Theo actually had more victories.

Theo was also the current head of House Redrick. With his father, the Duke, ailing and away for convalescence, the young lord had taken up the title of acting Duke. He was a leading candidate not only because of his family’s prestige, but also because of his undeniable strength and character.

It was said that even in battles where the odds were heavily stacked against them, the tide shifted the moment Theo appeared on the field. Above all, his reputation within the Imperial Army was sterling. Though not sociable like Leo, and rather taciturn, everyone knew of his steady kindness and how deeply he cared for his soldiers.

“If I’m cast out over this, Theo will become Commander-in-Chief without a hitch.”

Luke sank into thought. With Leo drifting out of the race, the contest had naturally narrowed to him and Theo. The two had long been famous as rivals, making the prospect all the more fascinating for those watching from the sidelines.

“…No. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] If I’m expelled as a criminal, what becomes of my future then?”

He shook his head vigorously. Besides, until he witnessed with his own eyes Theo ascending safely to Commander-in-Chief, he could not leave. Not the slightest element of uncertainty could remain. For now, he would have to see this incident through to the end.

“Captain Luke, it’s time for you to move to the interrogation room.”

A soldier knocked on his door and delivered the message. With a deep sigh, Luke rose from his seat.

******

“Are you really serious, Theo?”

“What exactly do you mean?”

Theo was seated in his office, sifting through documents. Standing before him, Mile was eagerly trying to persuade him.

“I mean the matter of being Luke’s investigator.”

“Mile, I believe this is the third time you’ve asked me that. I’m afraid I’m serious.”

“You never do things like this. In the past, whenever something came up, you always handed the case to another captain or vice-captain.”

Indeed, misconduct among soldiers occurred now and then; mutiny, bullying, and the like. Whenever such matters arose, Theo would consult with the other captains and recommend a suitable investigator, but he never stepped forward himself. Having seen this, Mile had assumed Theo would simply assign him the task without protest.

“…This case is different. Most of all, because it involves one of the captains.”

Theo deliberately avoided Mile’s gaze, turning back to the documents.

“Are you sure you can handle it? You already have more than enough work…”

“Mile.”

Theo closed the file he was holding and rose to his feet.

“I appreciate the concern. But if you press any further, it will only become needless worry.”

With that, Theo strode past him and left the office. Alone, Mile clicked his tongue and scowled.

“Captain Theo, Captain Luke has just been taken to the interrogation room.”

“I see.”

Theo gave a small nod and made his way there. When he arrived, he noticed something unusual: two soldiers stood squarely in front of the door, blocking the way. Both wore armbands marking them as guards.

“What are you doing here?”

“As you can see, sir, we’re guarding the interrogation room.”

Theo’s brow furrowed slightly. Luke might be a prime suspect, but he had not yet been proven guilty. This wasn’t a criminal interrogation, merely an inquiry. Guarding him like a convict seemed excessive.

“This feels a little over the top.”

“Excuse me, Captain, but according to military law, once an investigation has been formally initiated, all witnesses and suspects must be accompanied by at least one guard.”

Theo blinked, caught off guard. The soldier was right. Even if Luke’s guilt wasn’t confirmed, he was undeniably tied to the case. Military law was second nature to Theo; he could recite it in his sleep. How had he forgotten something so basic? It was an uncharacteristic slip.

“…You’re right. I momentarily forgot. My apologies.”

“No apology necessary, sir!”

Passing the soldiers, Theo entered. Inside, Luke sat with an indifferent, perhaps slightly weary look on his face.

“Hello.”

Luke even lifted a hand in casual greeting. Theo met his eyes briefly, then took a seat opposite him and laid the investigation documents on the desk.

“You’re the subject of an inquiry. Try to show a little tension.”

“Well, I don’t see why I should be nervous over something I didn’t do.”

“You still intend to deny the charges, then?”

“Of course.”

Luke gave a faint smile. Theo studied his face for a moment before opening the file.

“But tell me, Captain Theo, aren’t you busy? Should you really be wasting your time on an investigation like this?”

In other words: don’t squander your time on nonsense.

“Or is your plan to drag me down completely and climb to the top alone?”

“I only deemed this matter grave enough to handle myself.”

Theo’s eyes remained fixed on the papers. Then, noticing the silence, he looked up, only to see Luke awkwardly rising to his feet, reaching across the table.

“…?”

Startled, Theo stiffened his neck. As he tried to lean back, Luke’s hand shot out faster.

“What the—”

Theo’s own hand instinctively reached toward the sword at his waist. But Luke merely brushed at his hair and then withdrew.

“A thread.”

Luke held up a small white strand of lint, waving it with mock triumph.

“And the soldiers outside didn’t even tell you about it? How cruel of them.”

“…Enough. I already told you, you’re the subject of an investigation.”

“Yes, yes.”

Luke answered lazily. Truly, there wasn’t an ounce of humor in him. Rival or not, Luke often thought that, in terms of personality, he and Theo had not a single thing in common.

Clearing his throat briefly, Theo finally spoke.

“First, there was something unusual in the materials I reviewed.”