The Tribal Wars

Since then, ten days have passed, and there has been no movement. The military high command decided to postpone a full-scale war with the Diordo Principality until after the winter. Captain Lorenzo called Lieutenant Heisen to his quarters to inform him of the situation.

"Sorry, I was persuading the higher-ups, but during that time, new information came in. General Gisarl has recently been assigned."

"General Gisarl?"

"Don't you know? General Gisarl, also referred to as the Thunder General, is an exceptional individual. He's a genuine powerhouse."

"How capable is he?"

"He uses a lightning attribute wand... Does that ring a bell?"

"I see."

Among attribute wands, lightning attributes are the rarest and most powerful. High-level magic users can transform their bodies into lightning to enable high-speed movement.

"General Gisarl is said to be as strong as a grand general. To counter such a powerhouse, we need a magic user of equal strength."

"I see."

In essence, Karina's northern fortress lacks anyone who can oppose him. While Diordo Principality is a mid-sized nation, when it comes to grand generals, they need someone of major general rank.

"We expect Countess Mi-Sil to arrive in the spring. Her abilities are considered superior to General Gisarl's. It's crucial not to fall behind, though."

"I hope our intentions haven't leaked to them."

"They're well aware of how reckless it would be to wage war in the winter. Furthermore, rumors have been circulating that 'Countess Mi-Sil is being sent here to suppress the Cumon tribe.'"

"I see."

Heisen decided it was futile to argue further against the high command's decision. However, the situation had clearly taken an unexpected turn.

After leaving the command room, Heisen returned to his quarters. Private Edal was on the verge of a breakdown due to Yang's rigorous education.

"Al-Manaha Lalapara Dema Rohalio."

"That's not right. Please understand the context properly. Also, your intonation is a bit off. Are you listening carefully to each word? This language uses intonation to change meanings, so you need to get that right."

"Ugh, ughhh! Uwahhhhh!"

"Come on. Act your age and stop acting like a spoiled child. Let's continue."

"..."

Heisen genuinely thought she was a terrifying girl. The sight of a grown man freaking out and shouting didn't faze her.

It seemed that learning this language was quite challenging. Recently, Private Edal's sleep time had dropped below an average of thirty minutes.

"Yang, did you manage to complete your assignments?"

"I did it already. I'm so busy teaching Edal."

"I see."

Despite muttering complaints, the girl consistently submits perfect answers to Heisen's tests. She mastered the basics of linguistic systematics, biology, medicine, and business administration. She's truly terrifying.

"Is trading going smoothly?" He whispered to Yang. Heisen doesn't trust people. Therefore, he keeps information from Private Edal. Even if it leaks out, he's theoretically armed with a low risk. It would be best if the risk was as low as possible.

"Yes. Nandal has wholesaled a large quantity of seeds and is selling them in the market. Next time, he said he would bring me something of excellent quality."

"I got it."

He nodded and didn't ask any more questions. It's okay to trust Yang because she signed a confidentiality agreement. At first, we could observe her reaction.

Heisen left his quarters and headed towards the training grounds. He was currently a lieutenant and was responsible for overseeing the unit's operations, riding his horse to inspect each squad.

The 4th Squad consisted of approximately 40 members, divided into 10 teams. Heisen's departure entrusted Lieutenant Mospizza with the 8th team but Acting Lieutenant Baz had effectively delegated operational control.

Heisen was dismayed when he assessed Lieutenant Mospizza's combat capabilities. First and foremost, his horsemanship was severely lacking, a critical skill for inland officers. However, the simple act of "riding a horse" seemed awkward for him.

Moreover, his wizarding skills were abysmal. As far as abilities go, he might not even be fit for a junior lieutenant.

In disbelief, Heisen asked Captain Lorenzo why such an incompetent person was a lieutenant. It turned out that Lieutenant Mospizza's parent was a senior aristocrat who ranked ninth in the hierarchy.

In essence, he was a pampered brat from a privileged background.

Lieutenant Mospizza had remarkably low intelligence, had a mean-spirited personality, and was lacking in ethics and magnanimity. Thus, Heisen had expected his magical abilities to be at least above those of a senior lieutenant, but he was thoroughly disappointed.

After inspecting each squad, Heisen finally arrived at the 8th team. Acting Lieutenant Baz, as expected, was effectively commanding the squad, as Heisen had anticipated. The members moved with more refinement compared to other squads.

Turning his attention to the problematic Lieutenant Mospizza, Heisen sighed heavily.

"Lieutenant Mospizza, why haven't you improved your horsemanship? It's been ten days already."

"I am trying my best."

"Hey, use respectful language."

"..."

Lieutenant Mospizza stared at Heisen as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. What on earth was wrong with him?

"You're a general, right? People expect you to put forth effort, and it's your responsibility to deliver results. Leading people means just that. Surely, you've read the general's principles?"

"Speaking is easy, but in practice..."

"Next time you don't use respectful language, you'll receive a caning."

"..."

Lieutenant Mospizza looked shocked, his mouth opening and closing. It seemed Heisen's kindness and consideration had gotten through to him, much to Heisen's relief.

He had been lenient enough to allow up to three failures, which was overly generous, even for himself.

Well, Captain Lorenzo told him to be "gentle," so he had no choice. That was the fate of a hired soldier.

"Do you understand why I'm trying to make you use respectful language?"

"No..."

"A general must always act in a manner that sets an example for subordinates. Otherwise, it has an impact on military command. This requires a culture of strict hierarchy and respect. Therefore, you must always use respectful language with superiors and strive to maintain the hierarchy."

"But there's also seniority. Ensign Heisen is twenty years younger than me, isn't he?"

"Is that true? You've lived that long, and with your abilities, surely it's a waste of military life."

"..."

"Oops, I've digressed. You're the type of person who requires explicit explanation. Soldiers are all about rank. We must exclude seniority, gender, status, and all other distinctions and discriminations from consideration. It's never for personal reasons."

"..."

In frustration, Lieutenant Mospizza looked down. Heisen was worried about whether he really understood.

"So, it has nothing to do with my age. Instead, you'll receive a promotion to lieutenant, even at that age, due to your lack of understanding."

"..."

"But Ensign Heisen wasn't a loyal officer to me!"

"Is that because you're incompetent?"

"..."

Lieutenant Mospizza glared fiercely at him. Why was that? But Heisen was simply stating facts.

"At the core of command, a superior officer must have superior insight and judgment to lower-ranking officers. We should exclude incompetent individuals who use language that stimulates personal profit."

"..."

It's frustrating when you can't understand what you're saying. To be honest, it's a difficult mission to reform this man. Heisen, however, was a soldier. Naturally, training subordinates was also his duty, so he had to do his best.

"You might think it's contradictory, but I actually believe it's fine to have disagreements and objections. Free discussion makes judgment flexible. However, maintaining discipline is essential for a soldier. In simpler terms, it's a matter of settlement. Understand?"

"..."

"If there's no response next time, it'll be a caning. Understand?"

"Ye-yes..."

"Hey, Kakuzu, restrain Lieutenant Mospizza."

"!?"

"Y-you answered! You answered!"

"I didn't hear it..."

"Wh-what... hii!"

When he hit his buttocks with a wand, a red stain began to ooze out of Lieutenant Mospizza's pants. Shadow Fang sighed at the thought of using such an unpleasant method.

"You see? If the person you're speaking to doesn't hear the answer, it becomes meaningless. It's because it conveys intent. I never thought I'd have to explain something so basic to a general, but well, that's the duty of a soldier."

Heisen sighed heavily.

"Hii, hii, hii."

"So, stop crying and get on the horse quickly."

"But there's blood on my buttocks..."

"It's your own fault. Endure the pain."

"Kuh... hiiii!"

Lieutenant Mospizza wept as he mounted the horse, causing its standing hair to turn a dark red color.

"Ah, the horse got dirty. I'll clean it properly later."

"Hii... hii... hii..."

"Hey, Kakuzu, restrain Lieutenant Mospizza."

"Yes! Yes yes! I answered! I just did!"

"Too slow."

"Th-th-that... hiiiii!?"

When Shadow Fang hit Lieutenant Mospizza's buttocks with a wand, blood sprayed out. His face was pale, and a little foam came out of his mouth.

"If you can't even answer correctly, there's no such thing as a general." Such torture will overwhelm even a weak soldier. Lieutenant Mospizza, understand? I'm not saying anything difficult. I'm just telling you to answer properly."

"Y-yes!"

"Then, get on the horse."

"Y-yes! Hiiii!"

Lieutenant Mospizza cried as he straddled the horse, its standing hair dyed bright red.

"Ugh... Aguuuu"

Lieutenant Mospizza's sobbing elicited a deep sigh from Ensign Heisen.

"Don't cry so much. You won't survive the upcoming training if you continue like this."

"Y-Yes!"

"...Sigh."

He was utterly ineffective. Despite being a skilled soldier, he proved to be worthless.

"Should I just kill you?"

"Huh!?"

"Oh, sorry. I was just thinking aloud. Pay me no mind."

"...W-What?"

Lieutenant Mospizza's face was visibly contorted.

"Didn't you hear me? I was speaking to myself. Nothing more."

"But... are you seriously considering doing that to me?"

"Hm."

"Are you serious?! You know, I'm a senior noble."

"Oh, right. You were a senior noble. I remember now. Ensign Heisen, weren't you born a commoner?"

"Hey, Kakuzu. Detain him."

"What--? Let go... Agh, stop it!"

A small piece of Lieutenant Mospizza's flesh fell to the ground.

"You really don't get it. I told you to use respectful language. Well, I'll answer your question. Yes, I was born a commoner."

"I-I see. That's right. Heisen, you were just a commoner!"

"Hey, I'm talking to you! Stop this!"

His eyes reflected madness.

"You hurt me, a senior noble! Under the Empire's law, this is a crime that deserves capital punishment."

"..."

Heisen's words halted. A drop of sweat trickled down his forehead, his expression darkening.

"Heh heh... Hehehe, do you finally understand?! Do you get it!?"

A crazed smile spread across Lieutenant Mospizza's face.

"Terrifying..."

"You think so? Because it's a capital offense? But it's too late now. Ensign Heisen, you've hurt me, a senior noble! It's too late for regrets!"

"Unbelievable. Truly terrifying. Your lack of learning"

"Wha--!?"

"Of course, if you weren't in the military, it might be different. In the military, rank is everything. We must disregard all distinctions and discrimination, regardless of age, gender, or status. Even the Empire's law states this."

"..."

"Just five minutes ago, I tried to drum that into you. And now this. Your incompetence chilled me."

"Uh..."

"All the training I've given you so far has been pointless. For an efficiency-oriented person like me, this is quite a setback."

"Even if it's true in the military, my family won't remain silent. If this comes to light, they'll definitely execute you!"

"Is that so?"

"W-What...?"

"Lieutenant Mospizza, as the fifth son, you naturally have no inheritance rights. Moreover, despite being a senior noble, you're over 40 and only a lieutenant. Quite a failure, wouldn't you say?"

"..."

"Perhaps your family has already disowned you? So, your identity is heavily based on your rank as a lieutenant."

"..."

"You likely passed the general's exam by using your connections. But lacking essential skills, you swaggered among us, enjoying military life while currying favor with superiors. I see you now; I understand your incompetence."

"..."

"As a disgrace to your family, no one listens to your gripes, do they?"

"That's not true!"

"Or are you about to face disownment?"

"That's not true at all!"

"..."

Everyone, not just Lieutenant Mospizza but also the eighth squad and Kakuzu, swallowed hard. Though they only said what everyone was thinking, something must have tasted bad.

"Objectively speaking, you haven't returned home once since your assignment here."

"Why do you know that?"

"Planning a subordinate's vacation is also a superior's duty. I had planned to prioritize the planning of long vacations based on the history of previous holidays and returns home, but to my surprise, it was none other than you."

"..."

"Anyway, you must face punishment regardless of the actions you take."

"Wha--!?"

"Firstly, as a superior, you disturbed military discipline with your noble status. That's ten strokes of the cane."

"G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G

"However, Heisen, if you do that, he'll definitely die."

"Don't worry. Every three strokes, I'll heal him with magic. He won't die."

"I-I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

Lieutenant Mospezza made desperate apologies and prostrations, but to no avail.

"But Heisen... Even if his body holds up, what about his spirit?"

"Oh, don't worry. I have just the remedy for that. Let's begin."

"..."

And so, Lieutenant Mospezza's cries of agony echoed deep into the night.

"Mu, it's really hopeless."

"What's wrong?"

Kakuzu turned a surprised gaze. Why would he be so shocked just because he's troubled?

"Even I have my own problems, just like everyone else."

"It seems like you wouldn't have any worries unless a continent-wide war broke out."

"That's not true. I'm disturbed by Lieutenant Mospizza."

"The guy who has a grudge against Heisen?"

"Huh, is that so?"

"It's concerning that he's not aware of it."

Even if you say that, from our perspective, I thought I was contributing to Lieutenant Mospizza's improvement. I thought he was grateful.

"Well, never mind. Right now, I'm searching for his new job."

"..."

"..."

"What!? Is he quitting!?"

"Well, it's more like I want him to quit."

"You think so... Because he's an imperial military officer, he doesn't have the authority to do that."

"Well, that's fine."

"Isn't that the most important thing!?"

"I'm not a demon. It's because I discovered that he doesn't have the ability to be a military officer."

In these ten days, a military man who can't even ride a horse properly is lacking in talent or effort. The situation is not good. No matter how many times I tell him, he won't fix it, and it's a pity for the Shadow Fang that I have to slap his dirty ass every time.

"I think it's not good to just blame and corner someone who lacks ability in a specific field. But it's not my intention to allow tax thieves like him to walk around."

"..."

He must also reject the label of "empire's pest."

"Almost only Heisen calls him that."

"Haha."

"It's not a joke."

"Oops. The story deviated. So, I was looking for his new job; which slave do you think is good?"

"Absolutely not! Please don't recommend it."

"No, but. Calculating his future potential based on his abilities, personality, and age is the optimal solution."

There are several types of slaves. In addition to general slavery, there are occupational slaves and senior slaves. Lieutenant Mospizza feels like he's "just a senior slave."

"You are absolutely not going to accept that!"

"No, but. I'm investigating slaves too. Hey, hadn't your stepmother trafficked illegal slaves before?"

"Don't say it like an old story I heard a long time ago."

When he uttered those words during his academy days, the young Kakuzu's shock was immeasurable.

Senior slaves, despite their magical power, primarily receive treatment as incompetent individuals. Various ministries and agencies employ professional magic doctors for civilians and underlings, while criminals with magical abilities also pursue these professions.

"Criminal?"

"They use contract magic to bind them, preventing them from being too clumsy." If that's the case, there's no room for error. This way, he can contribute to society."

Lieutenant Mospizza's biggest problem is his arrogant and corrupt personality.

In short, he has a great deal of pride, so he cannot listen to people's instructions properly.

It seems that the past glory (probably high connections) of passing the general officer exam is also encouraging his arrogant personality.

But since then, he hasn't made much effort, and his ability is below that of a non-commissioned officer.

Despite being under the guidance of incompetent individuals, I am striving to embrace instruction. If this is the case, it is not beneficial for either society or the individual. Therefore, it would be more effective to bind him with contract magic and compel him to remain on the instruction side until his death.

..."

Heisen is serious.

"But I've been saying this since a while ago."

"Well, it's this time."

"Why don't you let me go casually? The biggest point in career change is confirmation of the person's will."

"Huh. You may think so because you're new to society for the first year, but it's different."

"Because you and I share the same friendship."

"..."

"That's right."

It's a harmful habit to include even the age before reincarnation.

"But I believe there is a difference in ability between you and me that spans more than 120 years. In other words, I think I've been a social worker for 120 years."

"..."

This is not the appropriate place to express such sentiments. Why does Lieutenant Mospizza hate you?

The story has deviated. The most important thing in changing jobs is "the person's will" rather than "whether there is aptitude or not."

It's not just a story about changing jobs. Having a job means contributing to society. Therefore, regardless of an individual's inclination, the evaluation of success is crucial.

It is clear that this is the most important thing.

"Lieutenant Mospizza has a dramatically narrow perspective. I am unable to analyze my abilities to such an extent that it prevents me from looking at myself. So, instead, someone has to analyze his abilities and evaluate his aptitude."

"..."

Is that an evaluation of a slave?

It's a senior, isn't it?

"Yes, I'm reluctant to speak about it." So, you made that decision regarding my career.

friend a trustworthy understanding.

Of course, I'm convinced that it's me.

"Sigh... Being a mercenary is difficult. I have to take care of incompetent subordinates until they find new jobs. But, ah, I have no choice but to treat it as a job."

“But if that person is not a high-ranking noble, how can he turn someone like that into his slave?”

“There was no problem because he was willing to do it. I'm planning on making him write a letter at his parents' house saying, "I want to become a slave because I have a special tendency.''

In fact, you can anticipate that at that point, your relationship with him will end.

"I thought you'd say you absolutely hated it."

"Haha"

“Why do you accept it so easily!?”

For some reason, Kakuzu lamented.