Chapter 13

The communication crystals used by the Imperial Army expanded their transmission range the more mana was poured into them. But once the allowable threshold was exceeded, the crystals grew fragile and could easily shatter, which was why most avoided overcharging them.

Now, however, Luke was channeling mana to the very brink of that tolerance. When faint cracks began to creep across the crystal’s surface, he stopped the flow at once.

“I had already infused a small portion of my mana into the crystals sold to the House of Hanus,” Luke said evenly.

“And with this crystal, I’ve now tracked the location of that mana. Look. See for yourselves where the crystal has gone.”

All eyes riveted on the glowing shard. The place it pointed toward was none other than the Kingdom of Memburn.

Before handing the merchandise over to the Hanus steward, Luke had prepared five crystals in advance, marking each one with traces of his mana.

Bang!

The crystal in his hand split clean along its crack lines and burst into fragments from the excessive charge. But everyone had seen it: undeniable proof of where the Hanus family had smuggled the crystals.

“What… what does that have to do with you embezzling supplies?”

It was then that Mile, pale with agitation, slammed the table and shot to his feet.

“I acted because I sensed the Hanus family’s treachery,” Luke said coldly.

“Ordering my subordinate to divert the crystals was a calculated move to build rapport with Hanus, to draw them out and obtain hard evidence of their crimes.”

Fael’s guilt, he would shoulder alone. He would not deny the charge that his subordinate had embezzled military supplies at his command. He would accept the punishment himself. But he would not stand there as nothing more than a condemned criminal.

This was the solution Luke had devised in the scant time he had.

“Yes, Commander,” Luke said, bowing slightly.

“The crime of diverting supplies and acting without authorization lies with me. I will not excuse it. I have no face left to show you.”

But just because he was cast as the villain did not mean he would suffer like a fool. Not when he could not afford to be driven out yet.

“I ask that you deliver me the strictest punishment, as I deserve.”

His lips curved faintly as he lowered his head, words spilling out smoothly; words he did not believe in his heart.

******

Not long afterward, the full extent of the Hanus marquisate’s corruption began to spread across the Empire.

It became known that they had leaked classified Imperial documents to Memburn, handed over military supplies, and fattened themselves on the profits that followed.

At first, the current marquis, Lumein Hanus, denied everything, claiming a handful of retainers had acted independently without his knowledge. But before long, multiple pieces of incriminating evidence were discovered within his very estate.

The Heinen Empire controlled half the trade routes of the Rotelli seas, and the Hanus family had monopolized maritime commerce as a royal subcontractor. Yet the Empire imposed strict regulations every year, and as the marquisate’s income and standing declined, their motive was laid bare: they had turned to Memburn, which held the rest of the routes.

“Look at this. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] A single noble house, utterly ruined.”

Luke sat in the dormitory lounge, laying a newspaper on the table. Across from him, Fael peered hesitantly at the page.

[House of Hanus, Doomed to Extinction]

One of the Empire’s most reputable papers condemned the scandal in merciless detail, finishing the report by crediting the Imperial Army’s cooperation as crucial in exposing it.

“Quite a satisfying ending, isn’t it?” Luke asked.

“…C-Captain…”

“What.”

“Isn’t there something else you should be saying to me?”

Fael’s eyes wavered in turmoil. Luke stared silently at the face of his shaken subordinate.

“The one who embezzled the supplies, who delivered them to the Hanus family, that was me…”

Before Fael could finish, Luke placed a finger on the newspaper and burned it to ash in an instant. Fael flinched in shock, words caught in his throat.

“Even when no one is around, there are always ears somewhere. Remember that,” Luke said.

“C-Captain…”

“Fael, from this point forward, I will say nothing about this case. Neither will you. In the end, it all worked out, didn’t it?”

“How can you say that! Because of me, you—”

“All I received was a slap on the wrist. Stop exaggerating.”

During the trial, the only ones who could determine Luke’s punishment were the participating captains and the Supreme Commander. He himself was barred from that council. After a long deliberation, the verdict reached was suspension. For one full month, Luke was stripped of all authority as commander of his special detachment; unable to give orders, his rank frozen.

To outsiders, it might have seemed lenient. But to a soldier who prized honor above all else, the stain of disciplinary action cut deep. And the shame of being rendered powerless for a month was no small thing.

Yet Luke felt relief. Had matters turned differently, he might have been expelled from the Imperial Army entirely. Diverting supplies was a grave crime in such a rigid, hierarchical force.

The council had acknowledged three points: that his intention had not been corrupt, that he had acted out of necessity to expose Hanus’s treason, and, above all, that he had produced flawless proof of their guilt.

“Just suspension…” Fael muttered, anguished.

“And yet I received no punishment at all…”

From the outside, Fael was a victim, and so there was no reason to punish him.

“Captain… why? Why go so far for me?”

A flicker of confusion passed across Fael’s face. Perhaps he could not reconcile this side of his captain with the man he thought he knew.

“Sorry, Fael,” Luke said with a faint smirk.

“Do you actually think I did this for you?”

“…What?”

“I used you, that’s all. I wanted the Hanus family’s corruption exposed and the credit for myself. And besides, every good play deserves a bit of drama, don’t you think?”

“…Ah.”

Fael dropped his gaze to the floor.

“Well then, I’m going,” Luke said, rising.

“If this detachment doesn’t suit you, look for another unit. Administration work might suit you better, don’t you think?”

“B-but… on that pay, I could never cover my mother’s medicine…”

Luke looked down at him, expression unreadable. He wanted to offer words of comfort, but that was not who he was.

“I see. Well then… ah, Fael.”

“Yes?”

“Stop by the investigation office later. You need to personally sign off on your testimony. The sooner the better. Don’t put it off.”

“Yes, sir.”

As Luke left the lounge, Fael gave him the most solemn salute he had ever made. Luke’s lips curved faintly.

“Sorry, but I’m not a soldier right now. I can’t return that salute.”

With that, Luke strode away.

******

After parting with Luke, Fael went straight to the office where the investigation corps was stationed.

“Excuse me. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] I’m Fael, attached to the special detachment.”

“What brings you here?”

An officer from another unit approached, recognizing him.

“I was told I need to personally sign the statement I gave in the supply-embezzlement case.”

“Ah, wait here a moment.”

The officer fetched a set of papers and set them before him.

“Sign here.”

“Yes.”

Once the procedure was finished and Fael prepared to leave, the officer stopped him.

“Good timing. Take this with you. Headquarters sent down a reward for your testimony.”

“Ah… thank you…”

But should he really accept such money? Refusing might look strange, so Fael sighed softly and took the envelope. It was surprisingly heavy. Out of reflex he peeked inside and froze.

“S-sir, this must be some mistake. The amount is far greater than the standard reward…”

Normally, army bonuses were modest, drawn from the Imperial coffers. But this was several times the maximum Fael knew possible.

“Oh, that? It’s not just for your testimony. The Hanus scandal was exposed, after all. Some of it must be from the palace.”

“Still… this is far too much.”

It was enough to pay for his mother’s medicine for months, perhaps even to afford direct consultations with a physician.

“Is that so?” The officer shrugged. He only knew he had been told to hand it over.

At that moment, another soldier sorting papers nearby walked over.

“Actually… it probably includes Captain Luke’s share as well.”

“What? They gave him a reward too? Even though he committed a crime?”

Fael bit his lip. He wanted to protest, but Luke’s words from earlier flashed through his mind.

“Yes. From the palace’s perspective, the case was resolved. He played a pivotal role, so I hear they allocated him a substantial reward.”

“T-then should I deliver this directly to Captain Luke?” Fael asked hesitantly. The sum was far too great. Surely Luke did not know about it.

“No, Captain Luke declined it. Said he wouldn’t take it. Haven’t you heard?”

“…No, I hadn’t…”

“When an officer rejects a reward, army law dictates it passes to the next eligible party. In this case, that’s you, Fael. That’s why the amount’s so large.”

Fael clenched the thick envelope tightly in his hand.

“Ha! To think he’d turn down a palace reward. But of course, pride like his can’t bend so easily. In any case, it’s all yours. Lucky you, eh? Even your reckless captain can be of use sometimes.”

“…Yes.”

They could laugh easily, ignorant of the truth. But Fael understood. Luke knew exactly where the reward would go if he refused it. He had told Fael to visit the investigation office before leaving the lounge precisely for this reason.

He had wanted Fael to claim it without delay.

“…Hey, what’s this? Why are you crying, boy?”

“Ah… it’s nothing…”

“What, crying from happiness? Hah, a soldier shouldn’t have such weak tears.”

“I-I’m sorry…”

But Fael could not stop them. For the first time, his tears flowed hot and unrestrained.