Shadow Court Magician Chapter 65: Subordinate

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　There is a big difference between a Lieutenant, or Second Lieutenant to Captain, and a Colonel.

　A Lieutenant has command of a squadron or a small company, while a Colonel has command of a battalion or a regiment. Also, if you become a Colonel, you may be entrusted with a brigade.

　In short, the scale of soldiers you can command increases, but there is also a benefit.

　When you become a lieutenant, you are sometimes assigned a subordinate.

　A subordinate is a junior officer who takes care of the personal affairs of an officer or general.

　A sergeant or corporal is selected for the position, but sometimes those who have attended the military academy are hired as corporals.

　This is why I was immediately assigned a subordinate, but the subordinate assigned to me was not a “cute” or “dainty” guy.

　He was a rugged-looking man with a face that looked like it had been chiseled out of granite.

　It was hard to imagine him as anything except a soldier, and yet he was one.

　The reason why he was chosen was apparently based on his ability to save his boss’s life, but this man was good at shutting me down with his overly loyal or overly motivated attitude.

　The first time I met him, he was incredibly intense.

“Sir my name is Petty Officer Corporal Bulmash, sir!” (Bulmash)

　He looked like he was about to start spitting and sweating.

　He was also overly enthusiastic about his work.

　In the morning, I woke up in the military quarters and opened the door to find him right in front of me.

　At night, when I opened the door before going to bed, he was there.

　At noon, I casually looked out from the dining hall and there he was.

　He is always staring at me like a statue of Niou from the East. He was giving me a fierce glare. [T/N: Niou or 仁王 are two wrathful and muscular guardians of the Buddha standing today at the entrance of many Buddhist temples in East Asian Buddhism in the form of frightening wrestler-like statues. This is according to Wikipedia-sensei.]

　I knew right away that he didn’t mean any harm, but when he came to the restroom to guard me, I had to pry open my mouth, which was pinched to a line.

“Corporal Bulmash, you are fired.”

“Why, sir?” (Bulmash)

　Bulmash did not hide his astonishment. He was sweating even though he was a big man.

“In a word, you are annoying and suffocating.”

　I also made a crude military joke about how small I looked when I pissed next to him, but he didn’t laugh.

“I respect Lieutenant Colonel Leon. Please let me stay at your side. Sir.” (Bulmash)

　I heard that he had been watching me since my first battle, but I couldn’t remember.

　However, when such a statement is made, other emotions welled up.

　And since he didn’t seem to be convinced by the mere mention of being fired, I made a plan.

“Well, Corporal Bulmash, you’ve been assigned to be my bodyguard, right?”

“I take care of you, and basically that’s it, sir.” (Bulmash)

　I’m good at cleaning and laundry, he said, throwing his arms up in the air.

　Certainly, my room is very clean because he cleans it while I’m gone.

　He even washes and starches all my robes with care.

　He is also probably a very good bodyguard. His muscular body is obviously strong.

“I’ll admit that your ability to clean and wash is good, but I honestly don’t need that.”

“Why, sir?” (Bulmash)

“I’ve been single for a long time. I can take care of myself.”

“Your robe was full of wrinkles, sir.” (Bulmash)

“That’s fine.”

“You won’t be liked by women, sir.” (Bulmash)

“I don’t want them to like me.”

“Then I’ll be your bodyguard, sir.” (Bulmash)

“I don’t even need a bodyguard.”

　I said and left the military quarters.

　Bulmash follows me in silence. He never lets go of his beloved flail.

　I walk out into the yard and look at the trees in the yard.

“Corporal Bulmash, can you see the big tree over there?”

“Yes sir, it’s an oak tree sir.” (Bulmash)

“Yes. Can you destroy that?”

“Are you sure you want me to cut it down sir? It’s possible, but the dormitory manager may get angry sir.” (Bulmash)

“It’s all right. He says there are insects nesting in the roots. We’ll have to cut it down anyway.”

“Yes sir.” (Bulmash)

　Bulmash said and put his strength into his flail. The muscles bulge and the military uniform stretch.

　He swings his flail in a very intense and vigorous manner, and the spherical object connected to the chain smashes the tree at an unbelievable speed.

With a “crackling” sound it buries itself in the giant tree.

　The giant tree then collapses with a deafening thud.

　It looked like a giant chomping down on a baked cake. It was magnificent, but I was not satisfied with his strength.

　When I mentioned it, he changed his expression and asked me why.

　I would like to say that he is quite suffocating, but I will tell him the truth.

“Because you are not strong enough to become my bodyguard.”

“I broke the giant tree as ordered you ordered sir.” (Bulmash)

“I didn’t say break it. I said destroy it.”

　When I say that, I stared at the fallen giant tree.

“Destroy… sir?” (Bulmash)

“Yes. Destroy it. I’ll show you a trick.”

“A trick sir?” (Bulmash)

　When Bulmash murmured this, I created a small lump of magic power on my thumb.

“This is a magic called [Finger Bullet].”

“[Finger Bullet] sir?” (Bulmash)

“It’s beginner magic. It’s entry-level magic, where you solidify magic into a small ball and release it. They are used in mock battles because they have low killing power. It’s also used when you don’t want to kill your opponent or when you’re trying to catch them.”

“I understand sir.” (Bulmash)

“However, even the weakest [Finger Bullet] spell is powerful when used in the right way. I’ll show you now.”

　I explained as I cast [Finger Bullet].

“I’ll show you how to use it. …… Normally, you can only create one Finger Bullet spell. It’s a hassle to use the same magic multiple times at the same time, and if you can do that, it’s better to master the spell [Fireball].”

“…………” (Bulmash)

“But when I was attending the Magic Academy because it was boring, I researched and improved upon [Finger Bullet]. As a result, I could make 124 [Finger Bullet] at the same time.”

“…Umm, 124 sir?” (Bulmash)

　Bulmash has an astonished look on his face. Even he who is not familiar with magic seems to be overwhelmed by the amount.

“It’s a hassle today, and if I just want to crush a tree, maybe 256 of them are enough…”

　That said, if I make 256 [Finger Bullet] in the palm of my hand, it will look similar to Bulmash.

　The 256 finger bullets that emerged in the palm of my hand were quite powerful.

“…*gulp*”

　I showed it to Bulmash, who gulped.

“Bulmash, do you know what a shotgun is?”

“Of course sir. I’m a soldier. It’s a gun, right?” (Bulmash)

“Yes, that’s right. A shotgun can disperse small bullets over a wide area. The range is shorter, but the accuracy and destructive power are superior. I got the idea for my finger bullets from shotgun shells.”

　When I say that, I say the original name of the spell I thought of.

“[Scattering Finger Bullets]!”

　When I shouted this, the Finger Bullets on the palm of my hand were all unleashed and headed for the broken tree.

　The power of the bullets was so great that they turned the tree into shards of wood.

　Literally, it turned the huge tree into a pile of wood chips.

　When Bullmash saw this, he let out a voice that didn’t fit his huge body.

“… Wow. This is the power of Lieutenant Colonel Almarsh.” (Bulmash)

　This is what Corporal Bulmash had to say after seeing my shotgun shells, and he was right on target.

　When Bulmash saw that I didn’t need an escort, he saluted and became a normal soldier.

　After that, he will make a name for himself as a brave subordinate and another one as my adjutant, but that’s another story…

　What I needed to focus on now was the southern part of Ernia.

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