FMRV | Chapter 15

“Did you call for me, Commander?”

Theo entered the commander’s office and bowed his head. After finishing his morning training, he had rushed over upon the sudden summons, leaving his face slightly flushed.

“I told you, you could take your time.”

“How could I, when it was a call from the Commander?”

“That upright nature of yours never changes.”

With a kind smile, Veil gestured for Theo to sit at one of the tables.

“Is something the matter?”

Veil rarely called his subordinates to his office unless it was something important. Unlike the old-timers in the Empire’s military who treated their subordinates like servants for their personal whims, Veil stood apart with his character. For him to call Theo alone like this, there must be a reason.

“There’s quite a lot of debate among the military elders about the recent incident.”

The elders were composed of former soldiers who had achieved great feats in their careers, but they held no official power in the Empire’s military now. Their only remaining asset was their honorary status—at least publicly. Behind the scenes, however, they frequently meddled in military matters when it suited them.

“But wasn’t the corruption of the Haners family already fully uncovered? And the punishment for Commander Luke decided by you, sir?”

“Yes, but those old foxes who sit and do nothing but raise their voices weren’t about to let it go quietly.”

Uncharacteristically harsh words slipped from Veil’s mouth. It was clear that he was most stressed about the elders’ excessive interference.

“Although the Haners corruption case is resolved, Luke’s mishandling of military supplies seems to have struck a nerve with them. They seem to think it has tarnished the military’s image.”

That likely meant Luke’s one-month suspension wasn’t enough to satisfy them. They must have been pushing for harsher penalties.

Theo’s neatly folded hands tightened slightly.

“However, I have no intention of overturning the punishment I’ve already handed down.”

Theo exhaled a small sigh—a breath laced with relief he hadn’t even realized he was holding.

“But I do need to at least pretend to heed their words. That’s why I’ve decided to assign a temporary observer to Luke during his suspension.”

Theo nodded. It was probably the most sensible decision Veil could make in this situation.

“That sounds like a good idea.”

“In that case, select someone suitable from your division to—”

“Then I’ll take the role myself.”

“Alright… What? What did you just say?”

“Commander Luke’s personality can be quite… unique. Most soldiers might find it hard to manage him.”

Veil blinked, taken aback. It was true that Luke had a somewhat prickly personality. But for Theo, a division commander, to volunteer for such a task—it was naturally bewildering.

After a moment of thought, Veil gave a small nod and a faint smile.

“Very well. If you’re the one watching him, I’ll have no worries.”

“I’ll carry out your orders.”

Theo gave a sharp salute and exited the commander’s office.

“That guy… He seems unusually enthusiastic about this,” Veil muttered.

“It’s me.”

Clatter—

The fork Luke had been holding slipped from his fingers and fell beneath the table. What did I just hear?

“You dropped something.”

“Oh, right.”

Still a little out of it, Luke dumbly nodded and bent down to retrieve the fork. As he rose, Theo reached out, his hand brushing against the edge of the table just as Luke’s head was about to hit it. Acting as though it was nothing, Theo quickly pulled his hand back.

“This isn’t right. Hold on!”

Luke slammed the fork onto the table, producing a loud noise that startled the staff cleaning in one corner of the restaurant. They turned to look at the two men.

“What did you just say? You’re going to be my observer?”

“That’s right.”

“Why?”

Seriously, why would someone of Theo’s rank do such a thing? He wasn’t just any commander; he led the 1st Division, which had the largest number of soldiers in the Empire. With all the meetings and tasks he must already have, why would he suddenly volunteer for this nonsense?

“…Theo, don’t you have a lot to do?”

After deliberating, Luke finally voiced the question he was most curious about.

“Isn’t this the kind of job you assign to a mid-tier soldier?”

“Normally, yes. But think about it. Do you think there’s anyone in this entire Empire’s army capable of handling your personality?”

“What?”

That was a roundabout way of insulting me.

“Even if I assigned someone, you’d probably make their life miserable, or you’d easily shake them off and go about your business. That’s why I’m doing it.”

Luke pressed his lips together tightly. He hadn’t intended to bully any assigned observer, but he had been plotting ways to dodge surveillance. Theo’s sharp insight was almost unsettling at times.

“Fine. This is an order from above, right? I’ll behave and let myself be observed. So just pick someone else.”

“Why?”

“Why? Because it’s uncomfortable having you do it.”

That much should’ve been obvious. Luke requested a new fork from the staff and focused on stabbing at his salad.

“Besides, you’re busy. You have a mountain of work. Just focus on your tasks.”

For instance, like building more achievements and advancing one step closer to becoming the Commander in Chief. With Luke sidelined, this was the perfect opportunity for Theo to gain ground. Instead, he’s wasting time on an unnecessary chore. Could he be trying to spy on his rival up close and gather information?

“Sorry, but I’m not as busy as you think. You’ve probably heard that the Kingdom of Memvern is considering a peace treaty after this incident. If that happens, our Imperial Army won’t need to exert as much force as before.”

Luke’s solo rampage in the last skirmish had decimated an enemy battalion, and the exposure of the Haners family’s illegal ties had significantly dampened Memvern’s momentum.

“But there are meetings to prepare for, or, I don’t know—there’s just so much!”

What was supposed to be a peaceful lunch had turned into a bizarre scene of Luke trying to persuade Theo.

“Regardless of how much or how little I have to do, I’ll manage it all. Spare me your interference.”

Well, I’d love to spare you, Luke thought. But no matter what excuses he came up with, Theo remained unwavering.

“Fine. Do whatever you want.”

“I intended to.”

The café staff were now watching the two with interest. The fact that these two famous commanders—known rivals—were bickering like this was already common knowledge in and out of the army.

Luke sighed. “Observe me all you want. But I won’t leave the dormitory.”

“That’s music to my ears. Makes you easier to watch.”

Luke groaned, stabbing his salad with unnecessary force.

Wait, Theo had said the observation would be temporary. That likely meant it wouldn’t last the whole month. But there was no guarantee he’d give up quickly either. Then, maybe I can make him quit instead.

Leaving his unfinished salad, Luke put down his fork and stared directly at Theo.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Hey, what’s an observer’s job?”

Luke leaned forward, resting his chin on interlocked fingers. Theo narrowed his eyes and answered.

“What else? To follow their subject and monitor every word, action, and movement.”

“Exactly.”

Luke clapped his hands and stood up, prompting Theo to glance at the still-full plate in front of him.

“You barely ate a thing.”

“Doesn’t matter. Get up.”

When Luke stood, Theo gave him a puzzled look from his seat.

“You’re heading back to the dorm? Then I’ll—”

“No.”

Luke grinned at Theo—a smile Theo had seen often lately. During interrogations, at trials where Luke would reveal unexpected truths and call for severe penalties, that was the same sly grin.

“I’m going out. Outside headquarters.”