EP.89 The Officers of the Military Nation
The officer frowned to the point of rudeness, glaring at the golem without even acknowledging the salute.
Having missed the timing to lower his hand, the golem continued speaking while still maintaining the salute.
『I have heard much about you, Lieutenant Colonel. This unit was to assist you until you leave this place...』
"Yes. Captain. You're late to come find me. Even later than the laborers."
The sarcastic tone was sharp. Briefly hesitating at that hostile attitude, the golem belatedly added on.
『I will correct it. However, there are circumstances here.』
"Are you trying to make excuses right now?"
『...I will correct it.』
When the golem fell silent, the officer clicked his tongue and turned around. Without even showing his face to the golem, the officer spoke.
"I don't care how many of your golems were destroyed, signalman."
A lie. He cares a lot. Not out of worry, but as a means of criticism. The underlying meaning was: what did you do with all those golems?
"Likewise, I won't make an issue of the fact that this golem's condition is worse than a tin can of canned beans."
Let's not delude ourselves. He's making a huge issue of it. He almost told it to at least check its attire before saluting.
Even so, the officer who had turned around clasped his hands behind his back with dignity. Along with the chest beneath his uniform, two silver-shining medals swayed.
The officer, emphasizing his medals full of pride, raised his chin as high as it would go.
"However, if your duty is the surveillance and management of Tantalos, at the very least you should be faithful to that. Yet I, who arrived at Tantalos yesterday, have not heard a single report from you. Even now, at this moment when a laborer has brought you here."
『...I will correct it.』
"Your superior for the area you're in charge of has arrived, and this is the first time you're meeting them after a full day has passed. Is it a lack of ability, or a lack of will? The phrase 'discipline has become lax' cannot even begin to express it."
At the relentless criticism without a moment's breath, my body began to itch.
Endure it? Should I endure it?
No, I can't endure it. How can I just let this atmosphere slide?
『...Correc-』
Right before the golem finished speaking, I immediately bent down, hugged the golem fiercely, and shouted.
"Don't be so hard on our Captain Abby! What did our kid do wrong!"
What officers do is obvious. It's an intention to salvage their own face by tearing into an innocent subordinate.
About 10%, that is.
Of course, I won't let them.
Because it's no fun if I just go along with that intention as it is.
"That's right, it's actually all my fault! If only I hadn't been mischievous and torn off Captain Abby's legs! If only I hadn't ripped out the speaker from its mouth! Boo-hoo, I'm sorry, Captain Abby!"
『L-let... go.』
"There, there. It's okay. Don't cry. They say Santa Grandpa won't give you presents if you cry."
『....』
Having completely muddied the waters, I scooped the golem back up with a whoosh. The golem struggled frantically, but I patted its back as if soothing a child and turned around.
"Lieutenant Colonel Callis! I'm sorry for making you waste your dignity picking on a golem when you're so busy! Go do your work!"
"...Tch."
When it became an atmosphere where he couldn't scold anymore, all the officer could do was click his tongue. I quickly waved my hand before any other words could come out.
"Goodbye then!"
Leaving the officer behind, I stepped out of the instructor's office. The golem cradled in my arms had already stopped moving.
Just when I thought maybe the connection had been cut...
『...It is not particularly your responsibility. As the Lieutenant Colonel said, the fact that only one body remains is due to my negligence in management.』
A feeble voice flowed from the golem. I replied casually.
"Still, that's too much. I mean, you fell into the Bottomless Pit by mistake, and they're asking why you didn't come find them? That's so unfair."
『Do not mind it. I am used to it. If someone becomes a signalman without taking any tests like myself... If one becomes a Level 3 citizen like the cadets of the Senior Military Academy without any effort or competition... That would be no different from an insult to the cadets.』
A graduate of elementary citizen school is a Level 1 citizen.
If one has graduated up to middle military school, they are a Level 2 citizen.
The citizens who make up the vast majority of the military nation, the citizens who form its foundation.
However, a foundation fundamentally means the things trampled underfoot, and these people are oppressed, crushed, and rolled over, solidifying the soil of the military nation. Taking their blood and sweat as nourishment, the military nation grows thick and lush.
However, from Level 3 onward, it's completely different.
Officers, engineers, scholars, factory managers, etc.
If one stands out in some field and becomes a talent extremely difficult to replace, the situation changes from that point on. Facility access privileges expand, income increases, and one gains several priorities that lower-level citizens do not have.
An officer who has graduated from the Senior Military Academy is a Level 3 citizen from that moment, and they harbored great pride in that fact.
Enough to despise a signalman who became a Level 3 citizen simply by luck, without any effort...
...To think you'd pretend that's the case, Lieutenant Colonel Callis.
I read people's thoughts. When I quietly read their thoughts, I can hear the wishes they harbor in their hearts.
Wishes they've concluded are absolutely impossible, or shallow beliefs planned out of overconfidence.
Such things come to me with a strange sense of resignation, or in a state of utmost excitement.
And the attitude I usually take there is.
"Is Lieutenant Colonel Callis always like that?"
『This is also the first time I have met him in person. He is famous for being promoted to Lieutenant Colonel at a young age. In particular, the story of hunting the beasts of the Orc Valley after a three-day operation, and discovering and single-handedly subduing a Resistance base was spread as breaking news among the signalmen.』
"A person like that cursing out a signalman? Something's fishy, right?"
It's moving the situation in a direction no one expects.
『If it's someone like the Lieutenant Colonel who built up meritorious deeds through their own power, it's natural to dislike a signalman who works comfortably without any merit.』
"No, I'm talking about competence, Captain Abby. Why would someone so competent do something disadvantageous?"
The officer, Lieutenant Colonel Callis, had reprimanded Captain Abby. Well, he said he reprimanded, but acting like that from the first day is no different from saying let's fight.
Whether Captain Abby is obedient or rebellious. They wouldn't set foot near a Lieutenant Colonel who shows such an attitude.
"Coming into the Bottomless Pit by mistake, rudely cursing out a signalman. What a mess. Is that the true nature of the famous Lieutenant Colonel Callis?"
That is what Lieutenant Colonel Callis is aiming for.
"Captain Abby, as you saw, I've won over the Progenitor. Shea is an antisocial person who slices up every golem she sees. Among the people in Tantalos, her only ally is Aji, who is an ally to all humans. In other words, she has none."
Begin.
Persuasion starts from the same place.
Putting arms around shoulders, stating facts both know, walking side by side.
"Then why, on the very first day of assuming office, did they act so coldly toward Captain Abby, the only person in Tantalos who is favorable to them?"
Slowly, slowly.
Bending it so naturally that it goes unnoticed.
Turning the direction of thought to a completely different side from the original—that is persuasion.
"Because, to Lieutenant Colonel Callis, you are not an ally, Captain Abby!"
When I read the thoughts earlier, what I felt was unpleasantness.
It's clearly genuine that the officer dislikes the signalman.
However, a signalman, the only means of contacting the outside in this isolated Bottomless Pit, is an incredibly precious existence. Does it mean they don't even have the patience to set aside their feelings for a moment and not show their dislike?
If they were such a fool, they wouldn't have made Lieutenant Colonel.
『What do you mean by that?』
"Simply put, it means! That the Lieutenant Colonel has a reason to avoid Captain Abby's eyes! They want to be isolated once again even in this isolated Bottomless Pit! Don't tell me, are they a loner to about the same degree as me?"
『That's, what.』
"Oh, come on. Such poor taste. Even though you understand it all. Must I really say it out loud?"
Actually, they probably already understood. Signalmen are people who handle information, so they must have noticed anything strange.
I can't read the golem's thoughts, but I was confident my words had gotten through.
The reason truth has value is simple. Economic logic.
Because it's unique.
There are countless lies in the world, but truth is only one.
Therefore, real truth always gets through. I spoke of the fact I had read from Lieutenant Colonel Callis.
"It means they're plotting something fishy while avoiding the military nation's eyes!"
『Don't sow discord!』
The golem refuted out of duty.
『I will not fall for your sowing of discord! Between a petty criminal like you and an officer of the military nation! It's obvious whose words carry more weight! Where, the military nation's soldiers are bound by blood and iron! To such baseless slander... baseless....』
Each one by itself is a possible occurrence. Something that could be ignored and passed over.
But when looking back at everything, things that were so suspicious it's hard to believe they weren't noticed.
Normally, one doesn't notice. Someone's intentions are invisible, and there are too many things in the world to connect them to.
But if you know the answer, everything that exists becomes evidence.
『But, if what you say is true. This goes beyond disobedience of orders....』
Good. They've crossed over.
The signalman's duty is to report. Even if they don't believe my words, they'll at least report on the content that raised suspicions.
Then that's it. I just need to wait as is until the military nation deals with it.
At the same time, I'll claim my own benefit.
『...Then. Lieutenant Colonel Callis reprimanding me was just acting....』
"No, I think some of that was genuine."
The golem glared at me obliquely. Then, straightening its attitude, it faced me directly and spoke.
『...I will withdraw now. Please place this body in a safe location.』
"Leave it to me."
Flop. The golem's body went limp. It was because the sync was disconnected.
I carefully set the golem down in a corner of the dining hall, then sat in a chair for a moment, lost in thought.
I don't know what they're plotting, but I need to make the elite officer taste the bitterness of society. A life where everything goes your way is too boring, isn't it?
And because that's better for me.
If the startled military nation brings the officer in to verify the truth. Then it will surely become clear at that time.
A way to escape this Bottomless Pit.
Hmm. I've planted the suspicion for now. Should I read the officer's memories in my remaining time? At least if I know what they're plotting, it'll be easy to respond.
I came out of the dining hall again, turned the corner, and headed toward where the instructor's office was.
And there, I came face to face with the regressor who was about to break down the instructor's office door, having raised Cheon-aeng above their head.