Chapter 15

“Have you called for me, Commander?”

Theo bowed slightly as he stepped into the commander’s office. His face was a little flushed from coming immediately after morning training at a sudden summons.

“You could have come more slowly,” came the gentle reply.

“Could I, when it’s the commander’s call?”

“You’ve always had that steadfast personality, haven’t you?”

Veil smiled kindly and guided Theo to one side of the table.

“Is there something you need?”

Veil rarely summoned subordinates unless it was truly necessary. Unlike the elders of the imperial army, who sometimes brought their troops along like servants for their own hobbies, Veil’s humanity was exceptional. So, for him to call Theo alone and sit face to face, there had to be a reason.

“It seems the opinions among the army elders regarding the recent incident are quite divided.”

The elders were composed of those who had achieved notable military accomplishments in the past. They held no power in the current imperial army; their influence was purely honorary and largely symbolic. Yet, quietly, they would intervene and meddle in internal military matters whenever they pleased.

“But the corruption case involving the Hanus family has already been fully investigated. Punishment for Captain Luke was decided by you, Commander, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, but those old foxes who only know how to sit quietly and raise their voices wouldn’t stay silent.”

Veil’s words were unusually harsh, a rare departure from his normal tone. Clearly, he was stressed by the elders’ excessive interference.

“Apparently, apart from the Hanus family case, they were most upset that Luke touched military supplies. They seem to think it tarnishes the army’s image.”

If so, the one-month suspension given to Luke likely didn’t satisfy them either. Were they thinking of increasing the severity of his punishment? Theo’s hands tightened slightly on the neatly arranged table.

“But I have no intention of reversing the punishment I decided.”

Theo let out a small sigh, mixed with a faint sense of relief he hadn’t realized he felt.

“But, to at least appear attentive to the elders, I’ve decided to assign a temporary monitor to Luke during his suspension.”

Theo nodded. It seemed like the best decision he could make under the circumstances.

“Good idea.”

“Then, Theo, you’ll select an appropriate soldier…”

“I’ll take that monitoring duty myself.”

“Ah… what did you just say?”

“Captain Luke has a rather peculiar personality; most soldiers would find him difficult to handle.”

Veil blinked in surprise. True, Luke could be sensitive, but for Captain Theo to personally take on such a role? It was unexpected for the commander.

Then Veil nodded thoughtfully, a small smile appearing.

“Good. If you’re taking it on, there’s nothing to worry about.”

“I will obey the order.”

Theo saluted sharply before leaving the commander’s office.

“That guy… looks unusually excited.”

******

“It’s me.”

Clang!

Luke dropped the fork he had been holding under the table. Had he just heard correctly?

“It fell.”

“Oh… right.”

Luke, coming to his senses, nodded blankly and bent over to pick up the fork. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] As he tried to straighten, Theo reached out subtly, brushing near the back of Luke’s head, then withdrew as if nothing happened.

“No, wait! This isn’t right!”

Luke slammed the fork on the table, making a loud noise. A staff member cleaning nearby jumped, staring at them.

“What did you just say? [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] You’re going to be my monitor?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Normally, such tasks were assigned to mid-level soldiers. And Theo was the captain of the First Unit, the one with the most soldiers under him. How could he suddenly be assigned as a monitor?

“…Theo, aren’t you busy?”

Finally, after weighing his words, Luke blurted out what he most wanted to know.

“Normally, wouldn’t a mid-level soldier do this?”

“Normally, yes. But think about it, do you think there’s anyone in this army capable of handling your personality?”

“What?”

Theo spoke casually but with a sharp undertone.

“Anyone assigned to monitor you would struggle to keep up. You could easily evade them and act freely, so I’m the one assigned instead.”

Luke pressed his lips together. He hadn’t intended to harass any monitor, but he had already considered how to evade surveillance. Sometimes Theo’s insight was astonishing.

“I won’t. It’s an order from above, right? I’ll comply quietly. Change it if you want.”

“Why?”

“Why…? Because it’s uncomfortable, obviously.”

Luke asked the café staff for a new fork and resumed eating his salad.

“You’re busy enough. Let me focus on my work instead.”

Luke thought: now would be the perfect time to gain more glory and move closer to the position of Supreme Commander. While his rival was temporarily side-lined, this was his chance. Why would Theo waste time monitoring him unnecessarily? Perhaps he wanted to observe his rival closely and gather information?

“I’m not as busy as you think. And Luke, as you may have heard, the Membern Kingdom is considering a peaceful agreement. If that happens, our imperial army need not exert excessive force as before.”

After Luke single-handedly defeated an enemy unit previously, and the illegal dealings with the Hanus family were exposed, Membern’s morale had significantly diminished.

“Besides, there’s also preparations for meetings… and other things, plenty of things to do.”

What Luke thought would be a peaceful lunch had turned into a strange negotiation with Theo.

“I can handle my tasks, whether few or many. I won’t tolerate unnecessary interference.”

Theo seemed equally unyielding.

“Fine, do it. Do everything.”

“I will, anyway.”

Even the café staff watched their bickering with interest. Everyone knew that Luke and Theo were famous rivals, and watching two high-ranking officers clash was entertaining even to outsiders.

“I’ll be monitored. But what now? I’m not stepping out of the dorm at all.”

“That’s perfect. Monitoring will be easy.”

Luke grunted, pressing his salad with frustration.

He remembered Theo saying the surveillance was temporary. One month didn’t necessarily mean he’d be stuck with Theo the entire time. But there was no guarantee Theo would leave early either. Could he make Theo quit instead?

Luke set down his fork, staring at Theo.

“Why the sour look?”

“Hey, what exactly does a monitor do?”

Luke clasped his hands and rested his chin, face serious. Theo narrowed his eyes.

“A monitor follows the subject, observing words, actions, and whereabouts.”

“Exactly.”

Luke suddenly clapped, standing from his seat. Theo stared at his plate, still holding plenty of food.

“You eat as much as a bird.”

“Enough. Stand up.”

Luke straightened and smiled at Theo, the same smile he had recently shown often, during one-on-one interrogations or when revealing unknown facts in court, asking for strict punishment.

“I’m going out. Outside headquarters.”