Chapter 103


    Naturally, the battalionmander didnt respond immediately to the summons. He didnt appear to be paying attention to what was being said on this end either.


    So, are you nning to go in directly now?


    Yes, I must.


    Raciel moved forward with long strides. Demian followed him and inquired,


    Will you be okay?


    Hmm?


    What does he mean by that question?


    Raciel nced back at him.


    Youre undercover right now, are you?


    Ah. So, technically, Im just a military officer, and theres no reason for the battalionmander to listen to me obediently?


    Unfortunately, yes.


    Its alright.


    Raciel shrugged his shoulders.


    I have a side of me that believes.


    Demian appeared bewildered. Leaving him behind, Raciel continued his brisk pace. Fortunately, locating the battalionmandersmand tent proved to be quite straightforward. All one needed to do was find thergest, most ornate, and best-preserved tent.


    Its practically a pce.


    To exaggerate a bit, it was a tent the size of a two-room apartment he had lived in while in Korea.


    He entered.


    <strong>p!</strong>


    Excuse me.


    He greeted those inside warmly, but there was no warm response. Instead, a noticeably irritated gaze met his.


    Are you the new military officer assigned today?


    A middle-aged man with a ck mustache sat on a makeshift bed. He seemed to be the battalionmander. Had he just woken up?


    It seemed likely.


    A smile formed on Raciels lips.


    Yes, I am Military Officer Rihan. But didnt you receive the message I sent through the private earlier?


    I received it. You said for me toe right away, didnt you?


    Thats correct, but


    Do you realize how unusual that request was?


    In what way?


    Proveng Zajak, the battalionmander, openly questioned him. However, Raciel didnt falter. He calmly replied instead.


    The battalionmanders mustache twitched.


    I am the highest authority andmander of this medical camp. Are you suggesting that you, a mere military officer, can order me around?


    Ah. So you were displeased.


    Of course. I may respect a military officer, but dont expect any special treatment from me.


    The tone of the battalionmander grew stern. Had he misunderstood his authority here? It appeared so.


    How insignificant.


    Raciel wore an even more pronounced smile.


    Special treatment? Isnt that what the wounded should receive?


    What?


    The battalionmander hesitated.


    Raciel said to him,


    I saw it on my way here. No, I saw it as soon as I arrived. I witnessed how the wounded in this camp are treated.


    Treated? What are you talking about?


    Theyre not receiving timely treatment. Many are perishing due to what can only be described as neglect. Yet, Mr. Battalion Commander, you were enjoying ate sleep until just now. So, I want to ask. Is this truly a medical camp for the wounded?


    Of course it is. If there are wounded, its a medical camp.


    It felt like he had just heard an incredibly absurd answer.


    Raciel doubted his ears as the battalionmander continued to defymon sense.


    If there are injured soldiers gathered, then isnt that an infirmary camp? And I am the one managing those injured soldiers. I provide them with a ce to sleep and food and water so they wont starve to death. Isnt that enough?


    What did you say?


    Am I wrong? To be frank, theyre injured soldiers. Theyre weak and frail; thats why they couldnt withstand the battlefield and got hurt. If they were stronger, faster, and smarter, they wouldnt have gotten hurt like idiots or ended up dead. Right?


    So why should I go out of my way for these weak and foolish individuals? If they can sleep and eat, that should be enough. They should be grateful and recover on their own, shouldnt they?


    Am I wrong? And if they dont recover? Thats not a bad thing either. It reduces the number of useless mouths to feed. These guys cant even return to the battlefield; theyre just consuming food. Its better if theyre gone, isnt it?


    So, lets just tolerate each other for a while, shall we? I am busy, and Im tired. Im sick of handling the daily disposal of the dead here. I want to get out of this godforsaken job and go back to the battlefield. To reim my honor by cutting down enemy heads, you know?


    So, Ill be focusing on facility management for a few months, earning merits, and then Ill return to my rightful position up the chain. So, you should also take it easy, okay? You look like a neer to the battlefield. Lets not make life difficult for each other with pointless enthusiasm, alright?


    Ah


    Raciel chuckled. His initial inclination was to think of insults he could hurl.


    <em>This guy is outrageously trashy and authoritarian.</em>


    After listening to a few sentences, he grasped the situation. He had encountered simr individuals in Korea, especially during his military service.


    <em>Old-guard officers were just like that. With a bit of care and effort, we could have improved the situation. We could have eradicated various injustices. Everyone could have benefited. But they chose not to. Why? Because it inconvenienced them. Because it didnt directly benefit them.</em>


    That was the problem.


    They prioritized only their convenience, regardless of whether their subordinates suffered or not. And it might have been tolerable if it ended there.


    <em>The worst part they obstructed anyone attempting to bring about change.</em>


    Time and again, they crushed the desire for reform. They wanted to preserve the status quo, even if it was filled with injustice and irrationality.


    Why?


    Because it suited them. It was advantageous for them. So they did.


    <em>Ive observed this pattern in society too.</em>


    He recalled a pharmaceutical sales representative who used to visit his clinic. She had shared her grievances about her simrly authoritarian boss.


    With this in mind, Raciel quickly grasped the battalionmanders motives.


    <em>Hes cut from the same cloth. His sole objective is to preserve the status quo, no matter how dire the current situation is.</em>


    This was problematic.


    He needed to save the injured soldiers to earn more bonus life.


    <em>And to think the manager of the ce I was assigned to is solely fixated on maintaining the status quo. Well, lets give him onest chance.</em>


    Raciels gaze turned icy, but his lips maintained a smile. He spoke.


    Causing unnecessary friction with excessive enthusiasm, you say I understand what you mean. Therefore, I have a few requests.


    Requests, you say?


    Yes.


    Ah, tell me, what are these requests?


    Firstly, please rece the tents where the injured soldiers are staying with higher-quality ones.


    What?


    As I mentioned, I noticed that the tents used by the injured soldiers are in terrible condition. They dont appear capable of effectively shielding against the cold or rain, and thats a problem. The injured soldiers need to rest asfortably as possible to conserve their energy.


    What absurdity is


    Its not absurd. Additionally, I will enlist the assistance of the regr soldiers in the camp.


    The regr soldiers? Why?


    To organize the injured soldiers.


    Organize?


    Yes. Im contemting the implementation of a triage system. Given that we have a mix of patients with varying degrees of injuries, from severe to mild, we need to differentiate between patients requiring immediate treatment and those who can wait. We must establish treatment priorities since we have many patients and limited manpower.


    We also need to pay more attention to personal hygiene and supplies. I observed the condition of the food provided to the wounded earlier, and it was


    Stop!


    Raciel locked eyes with the battalionmander. Themanders face reddened.


    Heh, didnt you hear what I said earlier? Lets not exhaust each other. And now, what? Recing all the tents? Sorting patients? Hygiene? What about the food? Whats your game?


    Im trying to save the wounded.


    Heh. Youre just wearing everyone out. Do you think youre the first medical officer Ive encountered whos like you?


    Was there more?


    Of course, there were more. Plenty, in fact. They all arrive at the wounded camp with naive faces full of enthusiasm like yours. They talk about changing the environment and saving more lives.


    All they do is tire people out. I used to cooperate with them because, after all, saving even one more wounded person isnt a bad thing. But the end result? They all run away in less than a month. No exceptions.


    The battalionmander clenched his teeth.


    So, I dont want to cater to naive folks like you. People who have never touched blood or cared for dying people, but think they know everything because theyve read books. Its exhausting for both of us. Are you any different?


    Why arent you answering? Then lets make a bet.


    What kind of bet are you talking about?


    Save a wounded man right in front of me. Then Ill acknowledge your skills and cooperate fully. How about it?


    Is the battalionmander insane?


    While Raciel was thinking that, themander summoned a soldier and issued some orders. The soldier hurried out, and soon after, the area outside the tent became bustling with activity.


    And then


    Weve brought the wounded man as ordered.


    Soldiers carried the wounded man into the tent on a stretcher. It was evident that his condition was critical. The battalionmander pointed at the wounded man and said,


    Look, weve brought the wounded man you care so much about. Now, save him right here. Lets see your skills.


    The battalionmanders tone had progressively grown more arrogant. Did he believe he could intimidate Raciel? Did he hold him in such low regard?


    Augh escaped Raciels lips.


    Heh heh heh.


    He was the one who established a clinic. He was still the director of Star Pce Clinic.


    Anyway, seeing the attitude of the battalionmander, he became sure.


    <em>The negotiations have broken down.</em>


    To be honest, he had intended to give him onest chance. He had tried to cooperate as amicably as possible, which would have also made things easier for themander.


    <em>The operational status of this camp, the supply state of various goods, the condition of equipment, the personnel trends of each units medical staffI assume that person knows it all.</em>


    After all, he was the battalionmander.


    He was themanding officer.


    By cooperating, he wouldnt have to concern himself with such trivialities, allowing him to focus solely on treatment.


    So, he had evaluated the situation for cooperation and given themander onest opportunity. But just now, themander had squandered his chance.


    Now, the conclusion was clear. The course of action was also clear. Raciels gaze grew colder.


    Demian.


    He called out to Demian beside him and signaled towards the battalionmander.


    Restrain and detain him.


    Understood.


    Themand and execution urred simultaneously. As soon as he issued the order, Demian unsheathed his sword. The battalionmanders eyes widened. In the blink of an eye, Demian moved.


    <strong>Whoosh, bang!</strong>


    Ugh!


    Demians sword swung low, striking the battalionmanders ankles. His legs shot up into the air, and hended t on his back.


    Argh!


    The battalionmander writhed in pain.


    The nearby soldiers recoiled in shock.


    But they didnt have a chance to react. Demians drawn sword was already pointed at the fallen battalionmander.


    What in the world is going on?!


    The battalionmander yelled with a flushed face.


    Are you out of your mind? Huh! This is my camp, and Im themander here! Do you think you can get away with this, just being a mere military officer?


    He raged at him, spewing anger with his words. Raciel couldnt help but chuckle.


    Enough. Lets put an end to this.


    What? You think Ill stop just because you say so?


    Especially after you see this.


    He had heard enough of themanders tirade. He had no intention of following his lead any longer. He pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and disyed it to the fallen battalionmander.


    Do you see this?


    What is this?


    Its an authorization for theplete delegation of authority over the wounded soldiers camp, directly granted to me by the heir to the throne, Princess Adeline Boarne Anbouaz.


    And what now? Will you cooperate if I save the wounded? Will you acknowledge my abilities? Are you daring to assess me?


    Uh, well, thats


    Thats precisely why when I kindly requested you toe forward, you should haveplied. You should have willingly cooperated when I asked for it.


    Uh, I, thats


    Demian. Take him away.


    He had been patient enough. There was no need to listen to any more excuses.


    He gave Demian the order, and the battalionmanders flushed face turned dramatically pale.


    (To be Continued)


    To read ahead


    Patreon Subscription Tiers$5/month8 chap ahead + 5 chap/week$30/month30 chap ahead + 6 chap/week