Lucy's instincts screamed a warning.
The woman standing before her was dangerous.
Those eyes, as if peering straight into her soul, carried a hint of madness.
But Lucy didn't lose her composure.
So what if she was being suspected? Nothing would change.
"Be clear about what you're trying to say, Cadet Frien. Are you implying I've committed a crime? Or perhaps that I'm lying?"
Frien's pupils quivered.
She had only been fishing for a reaction but hadn't expected Lucy to respond so calmly.
Straightening up, Frien forced an awkward smile.
"Lieutenant, I was merely sharing a personal anecdote. And based on my experience—"
"I see. Experience is important in all things. It helps establish a framework for judgment. But what kind of 'experience' teaches someone to accuse others without any basis or evidence?"
Though polite, Lucy's words bristled with thorns.
She was questioning whether Frien's rudeness toward a superior officer was also based on her so-called experience.
In doing so, Lucy had insulted Frien's upbringing and subtly belittled her character.
Frien understood Lucy's intent all too well.
Her forced smile twitched ever so slightly.
Tick—
The clock's ticking filled the suffocating silence.
The tension in the room was so thick, it felt like something could snap at any moment—
Then came the sound of familiar footsteps, the sharp click of boots approaching.
Frien instinctively turned toward the door just as Daniel entered the office.
"Captain!"
"You're here."
Frien brightened as she saluted, and Lucy rose to her feet, mirroring the gesture.
Daniel returned their salutes, ready to deliver Cedric's message—but hesitated.
'What's this…?'
The atmosphere in the office felt unnervingly heavy.
'Is it just my imagination?'
Though unsettled, Daniel decided it wasn't the time to dwell on it.
"Cadet Frien, I've discussed your situation with the Deputy Chief. Normally, cadets aren't deployed to active battlefields, but this time they're making an exception as part of your training."
Frien showed little surprise.
She had already anticipated this outcome, knowing the personnel office had approved it beforehand.
Still, hearing Daniel confirm it in person wasn't unpleasant.
"I'll do my best, Captain Daniel!"
Frien spoke with enthusiasm, but Daniel only looked at her with mild reluctance before turning to Lucy.
"And Lieutenant Lucy, your assignment to the Northern Front as my adjutant has been finalized. Both of you should pack your belongings and prepare to move out immediately once the unit is assembled."
The two women saluted sharply in acknowledgment.
After returning the salute, Daniel watched as Frien slowly shifted her gaze toward Lucy.
"Well, it seems we'll be spending quite a bit of time together, Lieutenant Lucy."
Lucy didn't flinch. She met Frien's gaze and narrowed her eyes.
"Yes, it seems so. Quite the coincidence."
The palpable tension between the two made Daniel break into a cold sweat.
'What the hell is wrong with you two?'
He had no idea why they were practically baring their teeth at each other like predators.
As soon as the company gathered at General Staff Headquarters, I gave a brief speech, introduced myself to the junior officers who would be under my command, and immediately set out for the Northern Front.
…To be honest, I had been worried about Lucy and Frien getting into fights along the way, but fortunately, they managed to avoid any direct clashes.
Of course, there were occasional minor disputes, but I kept a close eye on them and stepped in whenever necessary to prevent their bickering from escalating into something more serious—like a firearm incident.
The real issue, however, was that even after a month of marching toward the northern outpost, the tension between them showed no signs of easing.
"If you're tired, why don't you get some rest? I can handle Lieutenant Lucy's duties well enough."
"I must commend you for attempting to imitate a swan despite being born a sparrow."
Seated in the passenger seat of the officers' vehicle, I glanced at them through the rearview mirror.
Despite the barbed words, both wore calm expressions.
Frien even had a gentle smile on her face.
But just hearing their conversation was enough to make my chest tighten.
Even the driver beside me kept sneaking glances in the mirror, his face clearly asking, 'Why are they even fighting?'
'This is hopeless.'
I was already growing tired of playing mediator.
Sighing, I looked out the window and noticed the sun beginning to set.
"Stop here."
At my command, the driver hit the brakes.
"Are we camping here for the night, sir?"
"Yes."
The officers' vehicle gradually rolled to a halt.
Stepping out, I surveyed the area.
Surrounded by clusters of bare trees, I spotted a clearing large enough to accommodate about 200 soldiers.
There was even a nearby stream, making it a good spot for resupplying water.
More than that, though, the chill in the air pierced right through my winter officer's coat.
I exhaled, my breath already visible in the air, and furrowed my brow.
'It's summer, yet it feels no different from winter here.'
The only difference from my last trip to the North was that some of the snow had melted.
No wonder High Command wanted to end the war before summer was over.
If it was already this cold, the soldiers would freeze to death before even encountering the enemy once winter hit.
'Even among my own troops…'
Two soldiers had already nearly collapsed from the cold during the march.
They were fine for now, but still—
Turning my head slightly, I saw 200 soldiers in Imperial uniforms standing at attention behind the vehicles.
The driver relayed my orders to the platoon leaders, who then barked commands to the troops.
In perfect unison, they began moving and filed into the clearing.
Once inside, they dropped their gear and began setting up military tents.
Several soldiers unloaded rations from a transport truck-turned-mobile-pantry to prepare dinner.
With my hands clasped behind my back, I watched until two platoon leaders approached me.
Perfect timing—I had some instructions to give.
"Lieutenant McCall, take two fast-footed soldiers and scout the surrounding terrain. There's a tall hill nearby—climb it and survey the area."
"Yes, sir!"
Lieutenant McCall saluted sharply, called over two nearby soldiers, and disappeared into the woods.
I was just thinking about how to pass the time until his return when Sergeant Glendy approached.
"Captain, isn't it a bit early to be setting up camp?"
Judging by his youthful appearance, he'd been promoted recently.
He still looked like a boy—his features hadn't fully shed their innocence.
Despite his discontent, I answered as calmly as I could.
"Sergeant, don't you know that preserving soldiers' stamina is the most important factor on the battlefield?"
"I understand that, sir, but… we were originally supposed to reach the forward outpost five days ago. We're already behind schedule, and I'm not sure we can afford to be this relaxed."
I gave him a slight nod, signaling him to continue.
Glendy hesitated, then clenched his fists and spoke.
"I couldn't understand why we were delayed, so I checked our coordinates. This area isn't directly on the path to the outpost. I believe, Captain, that you've been deliberately taking detours."
Of course, I had been.
Even when we could've taken the main road, I led us through rough back routes.
The reason was simple—
'The later we arrive, the later we get thrown into the frontlines.'
The sooner we reached the battlefield, the sooner we died.
Wasn't it obvious?
Then again, Glendy was the type to willingly die for the Empire.
Not as fanatical as Frien, but close.
I couldn't help but laugh at the thought—which made Glendy bristle.
"Captain! Do you think this is funny? I wasn't going to bring this up, but the men are already doubting you! They're saying you're just some desk jockey from HQ who's too cowardly to face the battlefield!"
That was the best thing I'd heard all day.
The lower my reputation, the less likely HQ would assign me to critical missions.
Of course, I couldn't say that aloud.
"People who focus too much on the trees can't see the forest. No matter how much I explain the forest to someone fixated on a single tree, they won't understand. That's your limitation, Sergeant Glendy."
"What does that even—?"
Before Glendy could finish, McCall returned from the woods, visibly flushed with excitement.
He approached and spoke urgently:
"Captain! We—we've found them! An enemy supply unit is setting up camp nearby! From what I know, Intelligence hasn't even identified their supply routes yet… You were circling the area deliberately, weren't you? You were looking for this!"
…What?
An enemy supply unit? Here?
I was stunned, but before I could react, Glendy's eyes lit up.
"Is that true? Captain, don't tell me you've been planning this from the start…"
The resentment on his face melted into awe.
"I—I'm sorry! I've spoken out of line!"
Watching Glendy bow his head in apology left me completely dumbfounded.
Things were spiraling out of control.
To make matters worse, I locked eyes with Frien, who was standing nearby.
The reverence in her gaze was suffocating.
Even the two platoon leaders were staring at me like I was some kind of tactical genius.
It felt like I'd crossed the Rubicon.
If I told them not to attack now, this pack of nationalist zealots might actually beat me to death.
Reluctantly, I adjusted the brim of my cap.
"Relay this to all units."
I pulled the cap low over my eyes and sighed quietly.
"Prepare to exterminate the rats..."