Ding!
A sharp warning tone rang out, and a new system message appeared.
[Persuasion has failed!]
[The difficulty of the request directly conflicts with the target’s core values. The target’s resistance has offset the skill’s effect.]
Gunther snapped his head up.
“…I cannot do that, Lieutenant.”
His voice was low and firm.
“Back in my hometown… I have a sick mother and younger siblings. My wages are… their medicine money and bread money. Even if it is your order, Lieutenant… I cannot give you that.”
I swallowed a groan inwardly and activated a skill.
‘Status Analysis.’
[Status: Extreme internal conflict ended, resolved]
[Emotions: Deep disappointment, sense of betrayal, wariness toward superior officer]
Gunther’s state had changed dramatically. Where there had been “vague loyalty” just a few minutes ago, disappointment, betrayal, and wariness now filled the space.
‘Damn it, did I go too far?’
It was a clear failure. I realized both the limits and the danger of the skill at the same time. This was not omnipotent. If used incorrectly, it was poison that could ruin relationships.
There was still a chance to recover. I rose from my chair and took a step toward Gunther.
“I’m sorry.”
Gunther’s eyes widened at the unexpected words.
“…Sir?”
“I said I’m sorry, Sergeant. Just now, I clearly crossed the line.”
I activated [Captivating Speech] once more.
[The skill ‘Captivating Speech’ affects Sergeant Gunther.]
[Your apology and sincerity are conveyed persuasively.]
The wariness in Gunther’s eyes wavered. The skill’s effect was seeping in. I did not miss the opening and continued speaking.
“That order just now was a test, Sergeant. I wanted to see whether my noncommissioned officer was a puppet who blindly obeyed orders, or a true soldier who knew his own convictions and what he had to protect.”
I placed a hand on Gunther’s shoulder.
“You passed the test splendidly. Even in the face of an unjust order from your superior, you did not bend your will to protect your family. That kind of steadfastness is exactly what I want from you, and from the entire 3rd Platoon. I want to fight alongside soldiers like that.”
It was a lie. But [Captivating Speech] gave weight to that lie. My gaze, my voice, every gesture of my hand was melting away his doubt.
Ding—
[Sergeant Gunther has begun to trust your words.]
[His internal conflict has been resolved and has transformed into deep respect and loyalty toward you.]
‘Status Analysis.’
[Status: Relief from cleared misunderstanding, moved]
[Emotions: Trust and loyalty toward superior officer, deep emotion at having his convictions acknowledged]
The status window had changed another 180 degrees. Disappointment and betrayal were nowhere to be found, replaced by loyalty and trust.
“I… I’m just an ignorant fool. I only knew how to use my strength. I never dreamed you had such a profound intention.”
I let out a sigh of relief inwardly. I had successfully gotten through the crisis. Then I sent Gunther away.
Left alone, I slumped down into my chair. If not for the [Tenacious Mind] skill, cold sweat would have been pouring down my back. [Captivating Speech] was certainly powerful, but the risk of failure was also great. If used clumsily, it could instead earn irreversible antipathy.
‘I’ll have to use it carefully.’
*
News of our victory spread throughout the entire regiment in just a few days.
“Did you hear? About the 3rd Platoon. Those trash-heap bastards.”
“Ah, the ones who were always causing trouble? What did they do this time?”
When I went to the mess hall and waited in line, I could hear soldiers from other companies whispering.
“It wasn’t trouble. They hit the jackpot. Apparently, they smashed an orc altar in the Gray Forest and even rescued the missing scouts in one piece.”
“What? Those guys? Don’t lie. Even the elites from our company hate going in there.”
“I’m telling you, it’s true! And you know what’s even more ridiculous? They all came back without a single death.”
The soldiers listening nearby were shocked by those words.
“…Insane. What the hell happened?”
“They say the newly assigned platoon leader is no joke. He supposedly took the lead alone, found the shaman’s altar, and launched a surprise attack.”
“Does that even make sense?”
The doubtful soldier was soon convinced.
“Turns out he’s someone who got a special promotion and even received the Iron Cross Medal just six months after being commissioned.”
“Really? He must be an incredible man. I’d have no regrets if I could serve under a commander like that.”
“Shh! Watch what you say. You never know where our unit’s officers might be listening.”
I pretended not to hear and focused on my meal. There was some exaggeration mixed in, but it was mostly true. That was how rumors worked. I soon finished eating and returned to my barracks. I was walking quickly while going over the training plan in my head when, the moment I turned a corner, I bumped into someone.
“I-I’m sorry!”
It was Corporal Hanna.
“It’s fine. What is it?”
“L-Lieutenant! Um…”
She stood in front of me, not knowing what to do, only fidgeting with her fingers. Without a word, I activated a skill.
[Using the skill ‘Status Analysis (Lv.2)’ on ‘Hanna Meyer.’]
[Name: Hanna Meyer]
[Race: Human]
[Rank: Corporal]
[Status: After the mission, continuously conscious of her own senses]
[Emotions: Deep gratitude toward the lieutenant, confusion over an unknown sensation]
[Hidden Trait: Magic Detection (On the verge of awakening)]
‘On the verge of awakening, huh…’
It seemed that the experience from that day had helped in some way. As if she had finally gathered her courage, Hanna opened her mouth.
“It’s about what happened in the Gray Forest last time. Do you remember when I told you… that I felt some strange energy?”
“Of course I remember. It was very important information.”
At my words, color returned to her face.
“Really? I kept worrying that I had only been talking nonsense, that I might have confused you, Lieutenant.”
“No. Thanks to you, we were able to complete the mission without any friendly casualties. That was your achievement, Corporal Hanna.”
When I called her by name and lightly patted her shoulder, her cheeks turned as red as carrots.
“N-no! I merely… because you believed me, Lieutenant…”
She lowered her head deeply and could not continue speaking. Looking at her, I spoke gently.
“That was not simply your imagination. It may be a special talent of yours that others do not possess. If you feel that kind of sensation again in the future, report it to me without hesitation. I will help you refine that sense through training.”
“Yes, sir! Understood, Lieutenant!”
Hanna saluted with an expression full of emotion. Her eyes were shining brightly. After sending her off, I headed back toward the barracks. But before I could get far, another soldier came running toward me.
“Lieutenant Jaeger! The company commander is looking for you. She said to come to the command tent immediately.”
‘Damn, already?’
I turned and headed to the company command tent. When I knocked on the door, a voice as cold as ice flowed from within.
“Come in.”
Inside the tent, Seraphina stood alone, looking at the operation map. Without even turning around, she spoke.
“I read the report. Lieutenant Jaeger. It was an achievement beyond my expectations.”
“I was merely fortunate.”
“Fortune? Do not pretend humility in front of me.”
“…I will correct myself.”
She turned and faced me. Her blue eyes, shining coldly like gemstones, swept over me from head to toe.
“You saw through a spatial transfer trap, completed the mission against a platoon-sized enemy force that included an orc shaman, and suffered only two minor injuries. You even rescued the missing scouts. Is this truly the command of a lieutenant who was commissioned only half a year ago?”
It was a sharp question. I brought out the answer I had prepared in advance.
“It was not an achievement accomplished through my command alone. There was a subordinate who provided decisive information.”
“Information?”
One of Seraphina’s eyebrows rose ever so slightly.
“Corporal Hanna of the 3rd Platoon. During the reconnaissance mission, she complained of nausea and discomfort for unknown reasons. She said she could feel an especially unpleasant energy coming from a certain direction.”
I paused for a moment and gauged her reaction. She said nothing and waited for me to continue.
“At first, I thought it was simply due to nerves, but enemy traps were invariably discovered in the direction she indicated. She even sensed the energy coming from the shaman’s altar at a distance. Thanks to that, we were able to avoid all enemy ambushes and launch a surprise attack on the core.”
When my explanation ended, Seraphina’s gaze became incomparably sharper than before.
“…An unpleasant energy. I feel as though I’ve heard of those symptoms somewhere.”
“As do I, Captain.”
I mixed in a suitable lie and fabricated a story.
“It reminded me of a collection of rare case studies I read in the Imperial Central Academy library. The reactions shown by those innately sensitive to magic when exposed to faint flows of mana or the remnants of evil sorcery. They matched exactly with the initial symptoms of what is known as ‘Magic Detection.’”
A faint trace of surprise appeared on Seraphina’s icy expression. I did not miss it and secretly activated a skill.
‘Status Analysis.’
[Name: Seraphina von Reinhardt]
[Status: Deep contemplation of Max Jaeger’s report, wariness and surprise toward his insight]
[Emotions: Extreme surprise and strong suspicion, bewilderment toward a subordinate who exceeds her own knowledge]
“…Are you saying you immediately identified such a rare talent in the field and even utilized it in an operation? And you expect me to believe that?”
Seraphina’s voice was full of suspicion.
‘Captivating Speech.’
Borrowing the power of the skill, I spoke in a voice that did not waver in the slightest.
“The situation was urgent, and I had no choice but to bet on the possibility.”
I came up with the most plausible words I could.
“Her reactions were far too similar to the descriptions I had read in that book. They were signs too clear to simply ignore. If it was true, I judged that the survival of our entire platoon depended on that information.”
Seraphina’s blue eyes narrowed. Her suspicion had not yet completely disappeared, but the intensity of the wariness contained within them was growing fainter.
“What was the title of that book?”
She asked as if firing a shot. It was a question I had expected. A clumsy lie would not work here.
“I do not remember the exact title. During my academy days, it was part of an old collection of theses I found by chance in the underground stacks. I remember it having a crude title along the lines of ‘Case Studies on the Manifestation of Supernatural Abilities on the Battlefield.’”
I glossed over it as plausibly as possible. By using keywords like underground stacks and old theses, I made it impossible to trace precisely. She stared at me for a moment as if trying to see through me. A cold silence flowed between us.
[Emotions: Strong suspicion is shifting into rational inference. Beginning to focus more on the practical value of the information than on whether the information is true or false.]
‘It worked.’
I cheered inwardly. Instead of questioning the truth of my words, she had begun weighing the practical value of the information. Just as expected of a capable commander.
“Very well.”
At last, Seraphina opened her mouth.
[The skill ‘Captivating Speech’ has been successfully applied.]
[Captain Seraphina trusts your explanation.]
[Her suspicion has transformed into a positive evaluation of your capable insight.]
The taut air shifted subtly. I did not miss that fleeting moment and activated another skill.
‘Status Analysis.’
[Status: Intense strategic contemplation, reassessment of subordinate’s value complete]
[Emotions: The strong suspicion that remained has shifted into practical interest and faint academic curiosity]
The way she looked at me changed slightly. The wariness gradually faded from her blue eyes, which had been glaring at me as if interrogating me. Seraphina leaned back slightly in her chair and relaxed her stiff shoulders. Then she addressed the main point.
“If that soldier’s talent is real, this is a serious matter that could go beyond being a mere tactical asset for a single company and alter the strategy of the entire regiment. An official confirmation procedure is necessary.”
“What kind of procedure do you mean?”
“Send Corporal Hanna to the regimental infirmary at once. The military physician there should be able to conduct a mana reaction test.”
She added,
“You will personally escort her. Maintaining security is essential.”
“Understood.”
I saluted and left the tent.
And the next day, I visited the infirmary together with Corporal Hanna.