“Yes?”
“The other one is not it. Among those rescued in this operation, wasn’t there a relative of Count Jacques Pedro?”
“That’s right……”
Bella Meyer nodded her head. Since she had checked the health condition of the prisoners, she had also confirmed the physical state of Yekaterina Pedro.
“Count Jacques is hosting a celebration banquet in gratitude, and I have been selected as the representative to attend.”
“It’s such good news, isn’t it? But if Major Sony Chepelin and Chief of Staff Joseph Lebandovsky are attending, why should it be me…”
The daughter who was kidnapped by bandits and her family returned unharmed and uninjured. That alone was enough to commend her.
However, Bella Meyer did not make an outstanding achievement.
Of course, she participated directly in the attack operation and helped with emergency treatment for the wounded, but the actual rescue of Yekaterina Pedro was accomplished by First Platoon led by Claude Rain and Third Platoon commanded by Enok Revendale.
“That’s because they are nobles~.”
“Major?”
“I came here to check on the injured, but I didn’t expect these two to be having a secret meeting.”
Her hair shimmered a lavender hue under the moonlight. Sony Chepelin approached them with a smile.
“Is it really okay for me to join?”
“On the contrary, you can go because you’re the company commander. I recommended you.”
“There was no need for Major and Chief of Staff to give up their consideration for me like this…”
“No, no, no. Think of it as ‘matching levels.'”
The major snapped his fingers.
“Even if they say they’re throwing a banquet to express gratitude, it’s still the Pedro family. We need to send someone at our level. Wouldn’t Commander Bella know about noble culture?”
That was true. As a descendant of a house that once held central power, the education in noble culture and etiquette she received since childhood would not easily fade away even after years.
Moreover, Bella Meyer clearly knew how severe the arrogance of the nobility could be.
People who didn’t treat merchants or craftsmen—who accumulated wealth through commerce—properly were the nobles.
For those who valued honor and tradition, sending any officer or non-commissioned officer indiscriminately could be seen as a serious breach of etiquette.
“I’m busy preparing for the next operation right away. It’s different from the infiltration into the empire’s border we just conducted in terms of difficulty and scale. I don’t have time to leisurely attend a party.”
“Then, what about Chief of Staff Mr. Joseph…?”
“Of course, the Chief of Staff has the same reason as me. So, we decided to send the highest-ranking platoon leader after us. Usually, it’s customary for two people to attend such celebrations, isn’t it?”
“That’s right.”
“Enok Revendale, being promoted directly by His Highness the Co-King, and being the one who rescued Miss Pedro, can be understood. But for the other platoon leaders… I wonder how they will be received.”
The noble society is complex. After giving up power, all they have left is honor.
They cling to their previous territories as much as they value the intangible value of honor.
No matter how much they are soldiers or officers who have achieved something, if they come from a lower class like commoners or merchants, they won’t be treated properly.
“So that’s why I…”
“In our battalion, Commander Bella is the highest in rank by coincidence.”
Even if the power of the Meyer baronage is not what it used to be,
having once relied on central power and now with the current lord serving as an administrative official near the capital,
they might be considered a family with honor comparable to that of a border baron. With such thoughts, Bella Meyer found herself with no justification to refuse.
Finally, she accepted the fact that she had to participate.
“So, I picked out some formal attire. Would you like to take a look?”
As if waiting for this moment, Sony Chepelin smiled widely and said.
In Biyaltock, the northernmost region of the Okhraine Duchy, although most of it is mountainous terrain and has fewer residents than eight other regions, and its infrastructure is far behind, due to its geographical proximity to the Walter Tri-Countries, it is a region that exists as a trading city.
Among them, the city of Subaki is much larger and more bustling than Chernov City in the northeast.
Therefore, the Pedro family, the honorary lord of Biyaltock, holds their banquet in this city.
“The young lady who was kidnapped by a bandit group active near the mountain range has been rescued.”
“Luckily, it seems nothing serious happened.”
“Why do you care so much about something trivial…”
The nearby nobles gathered at the Pedro family’s banquet commented. This was a celebration for the safe rescue of the noble daughter, Yekaterina Pedro, but those who knew the details found her actions somewhat incomprehensible.
“Count Jacques must be quite troubled.”
“Unfortunately, there is no heir to continue the family line. This is always the problem with wealthy daughters.”
“Still… wouldn’t it be fine to bring in a suitable son-in-law? Then, the legitimacy of the family line can be maintained.”
“Heh, they would probably only be soldiers or merchants.”
“Perhaps they won’t accept either option?”
Nobles always cared about succession and the prosperity of their families. Although their power is not as great as before, they still have an image of reaching higher positions compared to commoners, and indeed they do.
“By the way, those who rescued the young lady were invited to this banquet. If they seem promising, wouldn’t it be a good idea to establish connections now?”
“If they are captains, they must be quite promising individuals. I heard they are mages too.”
As the guests lightly clinked their wine glasses and chatted.
“Special Response Brigade members have arrived!”
The doors to the banquet hall opened, and two men and women slowly walked in. One was dressed in military ceremonial uniform, while the other, wearing a deep black dress similar in color to his hair, accompanied him gracefully.
Although they were not captains, the guests couldn’t tear their eyes away from the two.
Two diamonds on his epaulettes contrasted sharply with his experienced and dignified appearance. The sharp jawline revealed masculinity without restraint, and the cold, proud gaze of his jade-green eyes made everyone fall silent.
Young noble ladies, who came to enjoy the social event, were stunned.
Did the men react differently?
Their eyes were not on Enok Revendale but elsewhere, yet their reactions were no different from the other ladies.
With her beautiful, accentuated curves, she captured the attention of many male eyes. Her captivating beauty made it hard to believe she was a soldier.
They entered the banquet hall and stood directly in front of Count Jacques Pedro, who looked equally surprised, greeting him according to old noble etiquette.
“Greetings, Count Jacques Pedro. I am Deputy Enok Revendale of the Special Response Brigade. It is truly an honor to meet you.”
Deputy Enok Revendale.
His name alone brought tension to the relaxed noble society.
“Could it be that the new trusted officer you mentioned is Deputy Enok Revendale─! How unexpected!!”
“As a girl, I can only admire the passion and honor with which he serves our country.”
“Would you consider giving me your address? No, it’s not like that!! I thought maybe we could get to know each other better…”
Oh, you guys…
The moment the main banquet began, I was instantly surrounded by all sorts of dressed-up women. I had felt particularly intense gazes when talking with Count Pedro, and it was because of these people.
Of course, it wasn’t different for Bella Meyer.
Unlike me, who has no background, Bella is a legitimate noble offspring.
The reputation of the Meyer family is well-known here in Biyaltock, and several men followed her around.
As the atmosphere of the banquet grew livelier,
when everyone finally settled down, I managed to slip out.
“Puffah─! I almost suffocated.”
Just as I was about to let out a sigh, someone on the terrace laughed.
“Puhu.”
“…Commander Bella?”
“You seem to be enjoying yourself.”
Bella Meyer spoke while swishing the wine in her hand.
“Don’t mention it. Even though Commander Bella is from a famous family, why was I the one swarmed by so many people? I couldn’t even properly pay my respects to the Count.”
“Are you asking me because you don’t know? Or are you mocking me?”
“I really don’t know.”
“…Hmm, looking at you now, it seems what you said last time wasn’t a lie.”
She moved slightly to the side and offered her seat on the terrace.
“Where would there be a perfect man like the company commander? Even if he was recognized by the Co-King and rescued the noble lady from bandits, he would seem like a prince from a fairy tale.”
“His status isn’t the same.”
“But what does status mean when all that’s left is honor? To those girls, the company commander is like a golden lifeline.”
“Is that so…”
I couldn’t fully agree, but I nodded vaguely and stood beside Bella Meyer.
Then, the night view of Subaki appeared before my eyes. Even though it’s a provincial city, it’s still a trading city. Despite the sun setting, the streets were full of vitality.
As I stared blankly at the scene,
“Company Commander.”
“Yes?”
“…Thank you very much.”
Bella Meyer said with a faint smile. Her red eyes sparkled beautifully, and a few tears glistened at the corners of her eyes.
“…I haven’t done anything.”
“That’s not true. Actually, I never thought I’d ever experience something like this again. I’ve lost even the remaining honor.”
Bella Meyer said with a slightly trembling voice. Just recalling it made her memories blur.
I only tried to support her as much as possible so she could rise above her terrible past.
“I merely provided a small motivation to Sergeant Bella. The person who achieved it is none other than Bella Meyer, you.”
“That motivation is what keeps me alive. Without it, I would have fallen to the bottom of life.”
“…It’s what a comrade and superior should do. Don’t think too much of it.”
“Hehe, your admirable qualities make sense.”
I couldn’t continue speaking hastily.
The laughter from people nearby, the church bell ringing loudly, and the faint sound of a double bass coming from behind.
If I said a few more words here, I felt like my rationality might break.
Bella Meyer is a captivating woman.
There’s no denying it.
Both Lumina and Roxanna are beautiful women, but Bella Meyer was the first person who stirred an “intellectual” feeling in me.
“Enok.”
She called my name. A pure name, without any rank or position attached.
“When it’s just the two of us, is it okay to call you by your name?”
“You already did…”
“Then, Enok, please call me Bella.”
Her eyes met mine firmly. Feeling dizzy, I finally let out her name.
“Bella.”
As our gaze drew closer,
just as my eyes started to close,
“S-Sorry to interrupt…”
A platinum-haired woman appeared through the slightly open terrace door.
“A-Ah? Huh?”
Before I could step back, Yekaterina Pedro seemed confused and said,
“I-I apologize for intruding!!”
And she slammed the terrace door shut and ran away.
“Oh no.”
My heart chilled instantly, and I hurriedly chased after her.
“Hold on…!! Miss Yekaterina Pedro! There’s a misunderstanding!!”
