Shadow Court Magician Chapter 64: Promotion

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　Victor is in charge of training the Libra Division. He is a veteran warrior and a skilled officer.

　He is good at disciplining the new recruits and encouraging the veterans.

　Victor taught the new recruits how to wield a sword. He was a greatsword user, and when he wielded his greatsword, he could go faster than the eye could see. The recruits were astonished and respected Victor, but he said,

“This is a privilege. You have to be a master to do this.” (Victor)

　He swings it slowly this time.

　Still, the wind is cut with every swing.

“This one uses almost no muscle power. In other words, anyone can learn to swing at this speed as long as they keep their form intact. Form is important. Don’t neglect the basics in everything you do.” (Victor)

　The new recruits tried to imitate Viktor’s form, but they were all too reluctant to do so.

“It is a pity to compare themselves to Victor, who has been training for decades…”

　As I was mumbling to myself, an officer walked by me.

“Captain von Almarsh is quite tough.” (Libra Officer)

　It was a boy with flaming red hair who said that. No, a young man. He’s one year younger than me.

　His name is Nine Snipes.

　He’s a sorcerer who recently joined the Libra Division after solving the frame-up of a series of library arson cases.

　Nine has submitted his resignation to the Magician’s Guild and has become a member of the military.

　His ability is somewhere between a strategic and a battle-class magician.

　Strategic class mages are hard to come by, but a talented magician like him is also hard to come by.

　So he was going to lead the few magicians of the Libra Division.

　—But I was curious about his tone, so I asked him.

“What is with the ‘von Almarsh’?”

“It is the surname of Sir Military Strategist. Did you forget it?” (Nine)

“No way, your tone is different from usual.”

“I have heard that once you become part of the military, you must never go against the orders of your superiors.” (Nine)

“You’re absolutely right, but I don’t expect you to have the discipline of a soldier.”

“Puha, yeah, that helps. Then, can I call you Brother Leon as usual?” (Nine)

“Sorry but no.”

“Then, Leon-san?” (Nine)

“It’s only one change. You can call me that.”

“I’ll change it every time. Captain Leon.” (Nine)

“What?”

“I just addressed you.” (Nine)

“Are you some kind of troublesome woman?”

　The red-haired, petite, long-haired Nine could not help but look like a woman.

“Well, aside from that useless conversation, can I really lead a squad of magicians?” (Nine)

“Who else but you would be leading it?”

“Thank you for your words, but I’m just a newcomer.” (Nine)

“The Libra Division is a meritocracy, and everyone recognizes your abilities.”

　Speaking of which, magicians came from behind us.

“Nine-dono, I have something to ask.” (Magician)

　They were all eager to learn more about Nine’s fire magic.

　Apparently, he had just won their respect and trust by setting a training golem on fire.

　Nine embarrassedly scratched his head and walked back to the training facility with them.

　It seems that he is quite well-liked.

　Now, I’m going to start training the strike force like this, but there’s one problem.

　That was the fact that my rank was too low.

　The leader of the Libra Division, Sicily, is Major General. This was natural, as the division commander was a Major General or higher.

　Victor, for example, had risen to the rank of Major because he was in charge of a Regiment within the division.

　He had risen from Second Lieutenant to Major.

　For the same reason, Nine was also a Major.

　But I was still a Captain. I hadn’t advanced in rank since I first joined.

　There are two reasons for this: the princess and I are not particular about our ranks. Neither of us originally wanted to be soldiers, and our attitudes did not change based on rank.

　However, in the military, this was an insane way of thinking. The military is a class society. The orders of the higher rank are absolute.

　So if my rank stagnated, the chain of command would become troublesome, I was told.

　The person who proposed this idea was Victor, but he too was not particular about his rank. He had been in the military longer than me and the princess, and he must have noticed our weaknesses.

　This was not so much Victor’s tactfulness, but rather the fact that the princess and I were too particular.

　So, the princess immediately told the military office that she was going to promote me.

　The military bureaucrats in the Military Office cynically asked why such an unaccomplished one. Because all the achievements of the division are with the princess.

　However, the princess is said to have firmly stated.

“I, as Major General, have the right to make personnel decisions within the division. I would like to appoint him as the Chief Strategist, so I will promote him to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.”

　It is said that she dared the military bureaucrats not to say a word about it.

　When I heard about it later, I was reaffirmed of her stubbornness.

　I was the one who made up the plan behind the scenes, but I realized once again that it was because of her that everyone came along.

　Now, the personnel affairs that had been stagnant like this were renewed, but at the seat to celebrate it, Victor said with a glass of wine.

“I’m a major. The future of the Ernia’s Military looks bleak.” (Victor)

　In his previous division, he had been disgraced by his superiors and had not been able to rise to the top.

　Aside from his military prowess, his self-evaluation of his abilities as a commander was not high, and he was seriously worried about it.

　Nine, on the other hand, seems to be honestly pleased with his status as a Major.

“It’s better than what I was paid when I was in the Magician’s Guild.” (Nine)

　I’m a bloodhound, so I should get paid at least this much, he said, though he also leaked a harsh opinion.

　For me, I’m honestly happy that my salary has been increased by becoming a Lieutenant Colonel. I can buy whatever books I want at my leisure.

　However, now that I’m a Colonel, I have to start thinking about the job as a librarian for the Royal Library.

“Please take your time to think about it. I’m sure it will be difficult for you to do both when you become a commander.” (Sicily)

　I was very grateful for that kindness, so I told my boss at the library about it, and he agreed in a rather indifferent tone.

　However, when he leaves, he says:

“The Salary Thief, Leon, is a Lieutenant Colonel. Will the future of Ernia be okay?” (Chief Librarian)

　It was the same thought as Victor’s, which made me chuckle, but I didn’t laugh or get angry, because I felt the same way.

　Besides, my boss was surprisingly kind.

“I’ll consider you for the same kind of work as before. You’re good with rare books, and I don’t want to lose you.” (Chief Librarian)

“Thank you.”

“Don’t die until you raise a successor. This is an order from your boss.” (Chief Librarian)

“…………”

　I couldn’t tell from his usual mean face whether he was being sarcastic or encouraging, but I decided to take it as the latter.

　After giving an informal salute, I sat down at the library counter and went about my business.

　I don’t take my work seriously, though.

　As I looked through the books I wanted to read and served the customers appropriately, I relished the coziness of the library.

　It was a feeling that I would not be able to experience for a while once I left for the battlefield.

　After enjoying it to the fullest, I went about my duties as a librarian in a “serious” manner until I had to leave.

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