The Company Commander has returned

Chapter 29 - Anaconda

"Mago, how certain are you?"

Captain Shimenna rested his chin on her hand, murmuring thoughtfully.

The situation had been engineered to point to vampires as the culprits—100% certainty.

Yet, he couldn't let that show.

"This is merely speculation. However, I think investigating it wouldn't hurt."

"You seem very confident. Almost as if you've prepared for this."

"That's not it…"

"Fine. Being prepared is a good habit. I'll authorize a solo mission."

Captain Shimenna appeared nonchalant as he agreed.

"But are you sure about this? It'll delay your assignment to the Special Forces. Next time we meet, you'll be in a black uniform. Isn't this a bit hasty?"

"I believe it'll be worth the wait."

"Smooth talker."

"Thank you."

"That wasn't a compliment. And one more thing—there's still something you need to answer. Your plan involves working undercover at the tavern to gather intel and confirm it's a vampire den. Correct?"

"Yes, that's correct."

Shimenna tapped his desk lightly with his index finger.

"You're a soldier. Not officially yet, but an elite candidate for the Imperial Special Forces. Do you think you can handle working at a tavern? Can you control your strength?"

"Until last year, I lived as a slave. I'm better at chores than anyone. I'm confident."

"To think that would count as experience… So, when do you plan to resolve this?"

The question was posed casually, like asking the price of goods.

Too short a timeline would make him seem unreliable.

Too long, and it would look like he lacked confidence.

The answer had to be just right.

"I believe two weeks should suffice."

"Two weeks, understood. Mago, one last question—what if you're wrong?"

This was the crux of the matter.

"If you misuse your Special Forces status during wartime to investigate an innocent citizen, can you take responsibility for it?"

"How should I take responsibility?"

"That depends on the victim. But if it's up to me, I think resigning from the army would be the best option. Think it over."

"Before even putting on the black uniform…"

"Too hard?"

"It'll be difficult, but I'll complete the mission."

***

Commander Shimenna lined up the five recruits of the 66th class from the First Training Center in a row.

"Louis Murphy, Oscar Cita, Amon Coster, Bell Red. And finally, Kinjo Shua."

He called their names one by one.

"It's good to meet you all. Given the current wartime circumstances, volunteering for the Special Forces must not have been an easy decision. I commend your courage."

Then, starting from the left, she handed out black uniforms to each recruit.

"Captain Shimenna, I have a question."

Kinjo spoke in a trembling voice.

"Where is Mago? He was the top of the 66th class at the First Training Center and also applied for the Special Forces. By protocol, he should be standing next to me…"

"Kinjo Shua."

"Yes, sir!"

"You've been with Mago since before you both joined the training center. In your opinion, what's his biggest flaw?"

"Flaw, sir?"

Kinjo hesitated, debating whether to mention Mago's phobia. Before he could decide, Shimenna continued.

"Mago's actions and the personal evaluations from the training instructors reveal one thing."

"What is that, sir?"

"He's excessively independent. Whether it's a sense of duty or responsibility, I can't tell. But he tries to solve everything on his own, and his confidence borders on arrogance. That's why I sent him on a solo mission—to fail."

His words were unexpected.

"Excuse me…?"

"The Special Forces must operate as one. If Mago doesn't change his independent nature, it'll hinder future missions. There's only one person in this unit capable of solo missions—Marcello Arnis. This mission is meant to fix Mago's personality before he officially joins the Special Forces. He's an outstanding talent, but with you all, he's a liability."

"Then, even if Mago finds the culprit…"

"The death of an instructor is regrettable. But are they enemies of humanity? I'm not so sure yet."

Captain Shimenna observed the new recruits quietly.

"Mago must learn this well. You can't do it alone."

Before him stood five recruits, each with talents worth boasting about.

What they needed was a leader who could harness their abilities to the fullest.

"The position is vacant, Mago. All that's left is for you to be ready."

We are one.

Captain Shimenna was likely saying something along those lines now.

And yet, he had sent me, a new recruit to the Special Forces, on a solo mission.

It was an absurd decision.

Shimenna valued teamwork more than any other commander.

He believed in moving the unit as if it were a single entity—an essential yet challenging feat.

And he had achieved it repeatedly, earning his position as commander.

So why would he send me on a solo mission?

"To teach me that I can't do it alone…"

It almost felt like he'd be open to supporting me if I requested assistance.

I couldn't make sense of his motives.

The Special Forces comprised Units 1 through 41 until last week. With the deployment of the 66th class from the First and Second Training Centers, it expanded to 43 units.

The unit numbers reflected combat capabilities.

Shimenna and Marcello Arnis were Unit 1.

I could vividly recall the Unit 1 insignia on their chests.

"I need to join them soon…"

Completing this mission successfully was imperative.

It was all for rapid promotion.

Higher authority meant accelerating my plans to eliminate the enemy officers.

I was given dozens of puzzle pieces for this case.

But before placing them together, I had already seen the completed puzzle in my past life—a picture of the bigger scheme.

All I needed was to use what I knew to produce results.

But if I failed despite knowing, it would all be for nothing.

I had to give it everything.

"Two weeks."

One, I must prove the tavern I identified is a vampire den.

Two, I must prove that vampires are enemies of humanity.

Three, I must send in the Special Forces and annihilate them.

The demon king's officers were his swords—dangerous weapons of destruction.

I knew their forms and their lethality.

There were only two ways to nullify the demon king's power: either seize the swords or break them.

Handing them back to the demon king was never an option.

***

I rode the carriage southward.

Two full days.

Two days of the two weeks allotted were already gone.

The moment I stepped off the carriage, I purchased some casual clothing.

A white tunic and brown trousers—simple garments that made me look like an ordinary commoner.

It had been a long time since I last took off my military uniform.

Now, dressed in new clothes, the street beneath my feet felt oddly unfamiliar.

It didn't suit me.

"Why does it feel suffocating...?"

It was my first time visiting an entertainment district, and it couldn't have been more uncomfortable.

Even amidst the ongoing war, the liveliness of this place showed no signs of fading.

From what I could see, it seemed completely detached from the war.

People drinking until they vomited and brawling in the streets painted a picture of extravagance.

This was a luxury only the privileged could afford, but one thing was certain—the heartbeat of the entertainment district hadn't stopped.

The people of the south, untouched by the war, lived in blissful ignorance.

I realized I had never loosened the reins of my own mind, not even once.

Perhaps, once the war ends, I'll have my chance.

With that thought, I turned my gaze ahead.

A four-story brick building stood tall before me.

Its name:

Anaconda.

A conspicuous and memorable name.

It was a tavern run by an ancient vampire—the Vampire Lord.

Each floor had wide-open terraces, and amidst the lively district, Anaconda was especially packed with patrons.

I scanned the building's walls.

Job postings were neatly arranged.

After picking one at random and reading it briefly, I entered the establishment.

"Welcome!"

The moment I opened the door, a staff member greeted me.

A woman with black hair and red eyes.

"Are you here with anyone?"

Behind her, I could see a bar counter lined with round stools—perfectly positioned for chatting with the bartender.

"No, I came because of the job posting."

"Oh, I see! Umm... could you wait over there for a bit? I'll be with you shortly!"

She left me waiting as she bustled away.

The place was chaotic and noisy.

Music mingled with the chatter of patrons, creating an overwhelming din.

Whether by design or accident, the dim lighting on the first floor consisted of only six ceiling fixtures, casting a faint orange glow.

A bartender shaking a drink.

A musician playing a ukulele.

Men and women with flushed faces.

"This feels like a whole other world."

Did these people see the war as someone else's problem?

Or were they deliberately trying to forget it?

The scene before me was incomprehensible.

Yet somehow, I felt that even this bizarre atmosphere was connected to the vampire.

A little while later, the staff member returned.

"Sorry for the wait! Follow me, please!"

She led me upstairs.

"You're handsome."

"Pardon?"

"We hire based on looks, you know. Oh, by the way, about Anaconda—our first floor is for patrons who want a quiet drink."

"It didn't feel particularly quiet."

By then, we'd reached the second floor.

The noise was deafening, enough to make my ears throb.

I immediately wanted to cover them.

"Guess it was quiet, after all."

I quickly corrected myself.

"The second floor is for patrons who want to drink noisily. The third floor is for those looking to escape reality."

"And the fourth floor?"

"For those who don't want to drink at all."

"What does that even—"

"This way, please!"

She cut me off mid-sentence and led me to the second-floor kitchen.

Inside, staff in white uniforms were busy preparing dishes.

Navigating the narrow kitchen hallway, we arrived at another room—a small one.

She explained it was the staff break room.

"Deputy Manager! This guy's here for the job."

She addressed a man lounging lazily inside.

The deputy manager glanced at me briefly and said,

"Start today."

It was a straightforward response.

"I appreciate the simplicity, but... what should I start with?"

"Didn't you read the job posting? We're hiring servers."

"Tell me what to do, and I'll do it."

"No, no, serving will do for now. I'll assign you something else if needed."

He looked me up and down.

"Got any strength? Not that I expect much with your build..."

Strength, huh?

I couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity.

"You'll only work on the first and second floors. And just in case, don't go to the third or fourth floors. Ever."

His words sounded more like a challenge—an invitation to investigate.

***

"The new guy carried two oak barrels at once."

"Two oak barrels?"

"Full of wine, no less."

"Wow..."

"Who knows where he worked before, but I bet he was worth every penny."

"Order for Table 5 on the first floor!"

I handed the order slip to the second-floor kitchen staff, silencing their chatter.

It was my third day at Anaconda.

Ten days remained until my rendezvous with Captain Shimenna.

"Mago, take this."

The head chef pointed to two plates.

"Which table?"

"Table 18 on the second floor. You've memorized the layout, right?"

"Of course."

Balancing the plates in both hands, I left the kitchen.

From the first to the second floor and back again, I ferried food tirelessly.

The staff at Anaconda seemed to like me.

I hadn't made a single mistake so far.

Earning their trust, little by little.

I had to gather evidence and report back to Captain Simena.

I reminded myself repeatedly: work hard at Anaconda, but never forget the true purpose.