9th Grade Civil Servant In Another World Chapter 129 - Another World Military Commander (1)

“It’s been a while.”

I greeted Johann awkwardly as he lay in the hospital bed.

He had been locked in the underground dungeon just like me, unable to drink even a sip of water, but though his complexion was pale, he looked quite well.

Here I am, three days later, still groaning and barely able to move. This must be what they call a hardware difference.

I suddenly raised my arm and looked at my fingers, where the bones stuck out prominently.

‘Severe muscle loss…’

Feeling depressed, I added a comment.

“You managed not to die.”

“Just the main point. I refuse pointless sentimentality.”

Johann’s voice was still cold and dry.

We had joined hands to face enemies together and overcome a crisis of death, so I thought he might have developed some affection or sense of camaraderie, but apparently not at all.

Yeah, this is Johann.

“Right, right, right.”

A sigh escaped my lips involuntarily.

“The main point—you know what it is, don’t you?”

Despite no one being around, my voice naturally became quieter.

“What are you planning to do now? Our contract is over.”

Originally, I had been able to join hands with Johann because I offered the White Raven Order as sacrifice.

When Johann tried to kill me, I persuaded him to let the White Raven Order grow bigger before capturing them to boost his performance record.

Was that already three years ago?

Ah, it feels like ancient history.

I cooperated with Johann’s work, and Johann did the same. However, our original justification was to fatten up the White Raven Order before devouring it.

“Now the White Raven Order is gone. I officially disbanded it. Right in front of the Supreme Leader.”

The irony of it made me chuckle, but Johann didn’t laugh at all.

“Now we have absolutely no means to keep each other in check. The fact that I was the leader of the White Raven Order, that you were backing me—the Supreme Leader already knew all of it.”

It was frustrating, but that was the truth.

Despite all our hiding and concealment, Kruger had already noticed long ago.

He had gathered fragments of information he possessed to reach an answer very close to the truth. Chillingly so.

Both Johann and I had merely been playing in that bastard’s palm.

“The reason for our alliance and its justification have disappeared. What will you do?”

At my question, Johann silently turned his head to look out the window.

Bright sunlight poured through the half-drawn curtains. The garden visible from the private room at Schufaben National University Hospital was quiet and green.

A summer that still felt foreign, with no humidity to be felt at all.

“Has the goal changed?”

Johann spoke after a long pause.

“You said you’d kill Kruger.”

“Yeah, it’s the same. But why?”

“Why? Wasn’t your goal to prevent war? Bringing down the Supreme Leader was just a means to that end. But the war has already broken out, and you’ll soon become a commander on the western front, killing countless enemies. So what are you planning to do now?”

I had already failed.

Long ago, when Kruger realized my hatred and killing intent and used them against me. The failure had been predetermined from then.

Knowing that, why am I still doing this?

“Aren’t you being stupid? Now the only way for me to survive is to keep harboring killing intent. Because the Supreme Leader wants such a person by his side. You were the same way. Before you went to kill Lieutenant General Kaiser.”

I cleared my throat and imitated Johann’s voice.

“The Supreme Leader likes bold people who can read his intentions. That was the secret to your survival.”

Johann made a displeased expression at that.

“Nonsense. That’s the Supreme Leader’s perspective. And mine. You’re different from me. Since when did survival become your goal?”

“Well, from the beginning…”

“That’s a lie.”

Those blue eyes turned toward me as if they could see through to my soul, making me uncomfortable, so I chewed on my lips nervously.

“Even if that were true, it’s not enough reason to genuinely try to kill the Supreme Leader.”

“Right, my goal isn’t survival. No, it was at first, but it changed.”

When was that?

“I’m just trying to stop that bastard before he brings an even greater catastrophe. Even though the war has already started, there’s still a chance. A chance to stop it before the casualties become uncontrollable!”

Johann shook his head.

“I can’t understand.”

“Of course someone like you who only cares about self-preservation wouldn’t understand. The world is full of values more important than life!”

“That’s not what I mean. I can’t understand that foolish stubbornness of lying and insisting even when everything’s been exposed.”

“Exposed? What’s been exposed?”

Johann rubbed his temples as if tired and said indifferently.

“Your reason for wanting to kill the Supreme Leader isn’t because you want to survive, nor because you want to do some noble good deed. It’s simply because you hate him. But you insist on wrapping it up, and watching you makes me suffer.”

“…Ha, shit.”

Without realizing it, I cursed and bit my lips.

“Right, I want to kill that bastard Kruger so badly I could go crazy. So I’m going to erase him from this world, and everything else is just justification. You know that, don’t you?”

I said with a rotten smile.

“I wanted to confirm how much you’d figured out. But what about you? Why are you digging this deep?”

Johann made an indifferent expression.

“I don’t care about your emotions. I just find it disgusting to watch you desperately pretend to be noble, so I’d like you to stop before my eyes rot. And.”

He asked.

As casually as if asking ‘Did you eat?’

“I just want to confirm one thing. You’ll use it, won’t you? This war as a tool for revenge.”

“Of course. Do I look like a hypocrite?”

Johann sneered.

“Have you ever looked virtuous enough to be called a hypocrite even once?”

“…No.”

“Then that’s settled.”

“Yes, yes. I’ve always been vicious and despicable. How terribly sorry about that. So what? What are you planning to do now?”

“Stupid fool. Do we have a choice?”

“We don’t, do we?”

Following Kruger’s intentions, climbing to high positions and keeping each other in check while spying and tearing at each other.

“Someone once said. We don’t know what lies at the end of this path, but we have no choice but to go and see. That’s how it has to be. We don’t know what the path looks like or where it leads, but what can we do if we don’t go?”

“That would be Daniel Hartmann.”

“Haha, really. Just how much have you been observing us? You must be tired too.”

I got up from my seat with a laugh.

“You won’t help me, will you?”

“Is that supposed to be a question?”

“Right, see you later then. If you’re alive.”

“If it’s you, you’ll come back alive.”

Johann muttered slowly, so I stopped and smiled.

“What great trust.”

***

The appointment ceremony and promotion ceremony were held modestly. No congratulations from unit members, no general’s speech.

‘Ah, this is ridiculous.’

I looked at Kruger, one step ahead of me, personally attaching the insignia to my army uniform, and laughed inwardly.

Four stars shining on my chest.

I’m a general!

A rank that in South Korea requires being at least fifty years old and accumulating advanced political skills, awareness, and achievements—I’m wearing those rank insignia now!

This country’s military system is a complete mess. Does it make sense to have such rapid promotion with just a word from the Supreme Leader?

And there’s no backlash either?

‘Everyone’s gone crazy.’

General is right below Marshal.

Since Marshal is an honorary position held only by Kruger, I’m practically the second-in-command of this country. Of course, there are other generals too.

I’m happy, hahaha!

“Here, have a drink. It’s a good day.”

After the ceremony roughly ended, Kruger, sitting casually in his armchair, raised a bottle.

“I refuse. My body hasn’t fully recovered yet.”

“Ahahahahaha!”

He burst into laughter at my firm refusal.

“So you’ve decided to stop hiding!”

“Since Your Excellency so wished for me to remove my mask, I’ve done as you desired.”

“Good. Now that you’ve removed that sickening flattery and false devotion, all that’s left in you is pure hatred toward me.”

Kruger held out a glass. I politely picked up the bottle and swung it without hesitation.

Crash!

Bang!

For a moment, it was as if a storm had swept through the splendid room.

The bottle didn’t hit Kruger’s head but struck a strangely rippling wall.

The bottle, repelled by the strong force, slipped from my hand and literally exploded. Similarly pushed back by the force, I flew several meters and crashed to the floor, hitting my elbow.

‘Damn, a barrier?’

While I writhed on the ground holding my elbow, Kruger, still leaning casually in his armchair, chuckled and bent down to look at me.

“You pour drinks with quite some spirit.”

“Urgh…”

“Why do such pointless things?”

I lay flat on the floor and glared at him. I had intended to turn that smiling face into a bloody mess.

“I’m someone who’ll die on the battlefield soon. I was just testing my last chance.”

Kruger smiled as if amused.

“No, General Redan. You didn’t think this was your last chance. Next time, try swinging harder.”

“Thank you, but I’ll fail next time too. Your Excellency is a legend among the knights.”

Pain crawled up from my hands. The bottle explosion must have torn my palms. I wiped the flowing blood on the carpet while responding.

Kruger opened a new bottle and poured it into his glass alone.

“Major Redan, no, General Redan.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

“You’ve lived a swindler’s life.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Your whole life has been filled with lies. Ever since you and that lover of yours staged that kidnapping incident to promote the White Raven Order’s name.”

“Yes, and while hiding my identity I received a medal from Your Excellency, and while I had recruited Ossel I pretended otherwise and condemned countless innocents as subversives, and I swindled money from Rubellia’s nobles with plausible bluffs, and above all, I disguised my hatred for Your Excellency as love. I am an unparalleled swindler in this world.”

“Ahahahahaha!”

At my calm words, Kruger laughed heartily, even hitting the table.

“General Redan. But you’re not a swindler. You’re just an eccentric.”

“What’s the difference?”

“A swindler doesn’t believe their own words, while an eccentric does. You really want to kill me, don’t you? What a crazy thought! Ahahahahaha!”

Groaning, I got up and lit Kruger’s cigar for him.

“Whether I’m an eccentric or a lunatic, what does it matter.”

“That’s true. Take this.”

Kruger handed me the stiff document that had been on the table. An appointment letter.

“You’ll become the 1st Field Army Commander and oversee the western front.”

“What should I do?”

“You have only one job. Follow my orders. Quite simple, isn’t it? Even an idiot could do it.”

“I shall obey your command.”

“Didn’t you promise before? That you’d prove yourself on the battlefield.”

“…”

I met Kruger’s eyes. Those beautifully sparkling pupils, the madness swirling within them was disgusting beyond measure.

“If I present Your Excellency with the entire continent, what will Your Excellency give me?”

Kruger replied without hesitation.

“Anything.”

—

The night before departing for the western front.

Ah, I’m not sure if the word ‘front’ is appropriate. To be precise, there isn’t a front line formed there yet. Though nearly 100,000 soldiers are stationed there.

Anyway, the night before boarding the train, we held a White Raven Order meeting at Erika’s house.

It wasn’t much different from usual.

We reviewed all the information we had gathered and discussed future plans. So things could run smoothly even without me.

The White Raven Order had been officially disbanded, but if it was just ‘private interaction’ rather than terrorism, kidnapping, or assassination, Kruger probably wouldn’t care.

“Brother, take care of yourself.”

“Make sure to eat your meals.”

“Send letters. If you don’t, I’ll assume you’re dead.”

After the meeting ended, Georg, Daniel, and Oscar threw words that could have been curses or well-wishes and left.

After the door closed, I collapsed on the living room sofa.

“Haa…”

“Are you planning to sleep here tonight?”

Erika brought a blanket and covered me while asking.

“Yeah, is that okay? I probably won’t be able to sleep anyway.”

“Why leave your perfectly good house and come here?”

“Too much trouble. And I don’t want to run into Ossel outside.”

These days I feel like I’m being followed wherever I go. While I’m somewhat grateful that they’re deliberately making it obvious, it’s also creepy.

“I see.”

Erika nodded and sat beside me, and silence flowed for a while.

Only the sound of me reaching out lazily to ruffle Colin’s fur and Colin happily wagging his tail and panting filled the air.

After a long while, Erika spoke.

“Lucas.”

“Yeah, what?”

“Don’t die.”

Startled, I sat up and looked at Erika, then met her serious gaze and collapsed back down.

“I won’t die until I kill Kruger.”

“Haa!”

Erika made an exasperated sound and sighed.

“Fine. Just sleep.”

“Yeah, you sleep too.”

***

The day I arrived at the 1st Field Army Command barracks.

Schufaben declared war against the entire continent.

It was a splendidly decorated declaration of war that appeared quite honorable at first glance.

At the same time, the armies in the west began to move.

Exactly two hours later, the declaration of young King Edvart Piast of Cortana hit the radio waves.

“Everyone, Cortana no longer has any mana stones.”

Once again, the continent’s political situation began to swirl into chaos.