Chapter 5

Within the Imperial Army, several principles were strictly observed.

They were regulations for daily life during service such as rising at six in the morning, and unless granted a special schedule, every soldier was expected to return to the barracks by seven in the evening.

If anyone wished to engage in external activities or train outside of regulated hours, they first had to seek permission from both their captain and vice-captain.

As for leave, unless the Empire was at war, each soldier could take around five days off per month. It had originally been only three, but the moment Supreme Commander Veil assumed his post, he increased the allowance.

Beyond these rules were countless others; detailed guidelines for training, regulations during wartime, and more. It was said that for the first week after enlisting, recruits could hardly lay hands on their swords, spending all their time memorizing principles by rote.

But those were only the official rules. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] There were also the unofficial ones, the unspoken principles passed down among the soldiers. For instance, when requesting leave, it was only natural to time it according to the higher-ranked members. And another was…

“Hey, Philip. Where are you headed?”

“To the training hall. I was going to get in some personal practice.”

“You picked the wrong day, kid.”

An older soldier approached Philip, slung an arm around his shoulders, and steered him the other way.

“You can’t use the training hall right now.”

“Sir? Why not?”

“The captains, Luke and Theo, they’re going at it again.”

“Oh.”

Philip scratched the back of his head in understanding. With a sigh of regret, he muttered that his personal training would have to wait until tomorrow.

One of the unwritten rules:

When Captain Luke and Captain Theo are dueling, do not so much as set foot near the training hall.

Clang!

The clash of steel erupted like an explosion, the sound so violent it could have been mistaken for a bomb.

“Your movements seem a little sluggish today.”

Luke’s lips curled into a sly grin as he lunged for Theo’s right flank.

“Is your eyesight failing you?”

But Theo had already anticipated the attack. He retreated lightly, widening the distance. For a so-called sparring match, the murderous tension between the two was palpable.

Among the many training halls, the dueling chamber they used was built from reinforced materials, an alloy infused with rare minerals. It had been designed so even units wielding magic could unleash their full power without leaving so much as a scratch on the chamber walls.

Thus, anyone who did manage to scar those walls earned themselves a sort of badge of honor.  Yet around Theo and Luke, the place had already descended into chaos.

The walls were gouged and slashed, equipment lay strewn across the floor, shattered and overturned. This was precisely why the unspoken rule existed: to steer clear of their duels unless one wished to get caught in the carnage.

“Sorry to disappoint you, but my vision is a perfect 20/10. As sharp as a Saharan’s.”

Luke smirked again, readjusting his grip on his sword. But just then, Theo flicked a white towel to the ground. A silent declaration that he was done.

“What the—?”

Luke froze mid-step, staring at him with a deflated expression.

“Let’s stop here. It’s already been half an hour. We can’t afford to compromise this afternoon’s drills.”

By the book, as always. Luke shook his head, returning his training blade to its rack. What was the point of making such dramatic speeches about dueling at the opera house if he was going to end things so anticlimactically? Theo, unfazed, pulled out another towel and calmly wiped the sweat from his brow.

“Captain Luke.”

“What?”

“You’d do well to avoid getting too close with the heads of noble houses.”

Said the man who was himself a duke’s son.

“And why’s that?”

“You’re a soldier. And a highly placed one at that. Conduct yourself properly, don’t give people reasons to gossip.”

Luke tilted his head back and laughed softly, covering his mouth with one hand. No doubt Theo’s words had been prompted by seeing him earlier, looking rather friendly with Duke Raiden.

“What, are you worried I’ll ride on the nobles’ backs and crush the army beneath me?”

His grin widened into something dangerously charming. Theo said nothing, meeting his gaze in silence.

“Then you’d better push yourself harder. I intend to get what I want, by any means necessary.”

With that, Luke swept out of the chamber with light, almost carefree steps, leaving Theo staring after the spot where he had just stood.

“By any means necessary… intriguing.”

****

“Another transfer request?”

Luke stared at the crisp sheet of paper without a flicker of emotion. Before him stood Fael⁽¹⁾, a soldier from his Special Operations unit, fidgeting with nerves.

“Yes, sir. That’s correct.”

“What’s the reason?”

“Well, it’s… that is to say…”

Fael faltered, his unease all too transparent. Luke cut him off with a dismissive wave, scribbling his signature across the bottom of the form.

“Forget it. I already know. My way of doing things doesn’t sit well with you, does it?”

He handed the paper back with a careless smile, adding only, “Process it as requested.” Fael saluted stiffly before retreating from the room.

The Imperial Army’s Special Operations unit functioned separately from the main corps, operating autonomously and executing unconventional strategies; diversion tactics, double operations, even initial responses to monster outbreaks.

For that reason, its numbers were far fewer than those of other units. Under Captain Luke’s command were a handful of permanent operatives, but whenever necessary, he could coordinate with other captains to requisition additional soldiers.

“This makes three now.”

In the past two months alone, three permanent members had requested transfers to other divisions, including the one he had just signed.

“Well, I can’t blame them. Who’d want to serve under a captain like me?”

In truth, Luke preferred it that way. He wanted to avoid being responsible for others’ lives whenever possible. Strength was one thing; bearing responsibility for others was another entirely.

He rose from his chair and gazed out the window. The night sky had fallen, cloaking the Empire in darkness.

Villains were always meant to be alone. At the end, when villains met their downfall or were cast aside, no one ever stood by their side. In that sense, he was doing things exactly right.

“Time to call it a day.”

It was already late. From dawn drills to that unplanned duel with Theo, his body was heavy with fatigue. Best to rest.

Shoving aside the remaining documents, he left headquarters and headed toward the barracks, which were located beyond the storage facilities. Already, drowsiness tugged at his eyes.

As he passed the first warehouse, a faint rustling caught his ear. Luke’s gaze flicked instinctively toward the sound. Odd; there should have been a sentry posted at the door, but no one was there. Just as he thought this strange, a figure emerged from behind the building.

“C-Captain!”

The soldier snapped into a rigid salute the moment he spotted Luke. It was Fael—the very man who had brought him the transfer request earlier.

“You’re on sentry duty tonight?”

“Yes, sir. I just heard something behind the warehouse, so I went to check.”

He let out an awkward chuckle. “Turned out to be a cat, sir.”

Luke nodded once, told him to keep up the good work, and continued on his way.

****

He had slept, so why did he still feel so tired? These days, that was Luke’s first thought upon waking.

It was six in the morning. Normally, he would have risen even earlier for his dawn spar with Theo, but today was different; at seven, the unit captains had their regular reporting meeting. The duel could wait.

After dressing neatly, Luke left the barracks and headed toward headquarters.

The first light of dawn spread over the Imperial Army’s domain, giving it the stillness of some rural forest path. Hardly a fitting thought for a soldier, perhaps, but Luke didn’t dislike it.

There was a certain pleasure in savoring the air like this on the way to work; though of course, it was merely the idle sentiment of a man reluctant to face his duties.

“Bring the inventory list!”

“Did you check the other warehouses?”

Luke slowed to a halt. The sudden noise jarred against the morning’s quiet.

The commotion came from the supply storage area, where several soldiers were scurrying about.

“What’s going on here?”

“Ah, Captain.”

He approached, unable to ignore the racket, and stopped one of the soldiers bustling past.

“Well, sir, it’s just that—”

Before the soldier could finish, another came sprinting toward them from afar, shouting:

“Captain Luke!”

Luke tilted his head, brows furrowing.

“What is it now?”

“Sir… you’d better come see this at once.”