Chapter 6: The Hanged Woman (Part 1)
As she let her battalion-owned riding horse walk, Lieutenant Krimine-shoui murmured from atop her steed.
“Lieutenant-dono, it’s cold. Very cold.”
“The Kavalaf Region is near the northern limit for cultivation, you know. I hear the fields and reservoirs freeze solid in winter.”
I replied, closing the front of my coat.
“Good thing it’s spring. However, the imperial decree is to capture the ringleader of the peasant rebellion before this year’s wheat farming begins in earnest.”
“I think that’s impossible, though.”
Lieutenant Krimine-shoui sighed, spreading out a map.
“Across the entire Kavalaf Region, there are thousands of villages and settlements. Even in the Humazov territory we’re heading to, there are over twenty settlements. If the peasants decide to hide them, they can do so indefinitely.”
“Indeed, it’s impossible.”
I forced a wry smile at Lieutenant Krimine-shoui as I started walking down the muddy road.
“But an imperial decree makes the impossible possible.”
“I’m telling you, it’s impossible.”
“I know. What’s important is the fact that ‘the order was carried out.'”
At my words, Lieutenant Krimine-shoui looked dubious.
“Um, don’t tell me…”
“We will supervise Yuo’s execution and confirm her death. We’ll report that her body was buried in her hometown. That’s all.”
Having grasped the meaning of our mission, Lieutenant Krimine-shoui now looked exasperated.
“Isn’t that just a sham?”
“Because across the entire Kavalaf Region, there are thousands of villages and settlements, and if they decide to hide them, they can do so indefinitely.”
“That’s what I just said.”
Indeed, her reasoning is sound.
Because it’s impossible, we’ll just pretend we did it. Even if the person herself pops up later, we can just claim she’s an imposter. There are reasons why that’s feasible, too.
“Well, that’s enough pleasantries. Let’s get down to business.”
“We were talking about business.”
I grinned, pulling out a top-secret memo from the Battalion Commander.
“The real business.”
“Well, well, uh… the Imperial Ceremonial Guard Battalion, was it?”
“It’s the Imperial Ceremonial Battalion, Lieutenant Makaran-shoui.”
I smiled at the young pup wearing the rank insignia of a cavalry second lieutenant. With his silky blond hair, he looked like an idol. Probably some noble officer’s pampered son.
Being amiable with these types is a life skill. My rank is higher, but he’s a noble and in the cavalry. The level of importance is different.
The cavalry second lieutenant, every bit the young master from some rural nobility, still saluted me. Rules are rules, after all.
“It is an honor to have the cooperation of the execution specialists.”
“Yes, when it comes to executions, leave it to us. We’ll take anyone’s head.”
I returned the salute with a beaming smile.
Behind me, Lieutenant Krimine-shoui was probably making a face like a freshly washed cat, but there was no need to check, so I ignored it.
Lieutenant Krimine-shoui and I, in our black, mourning-like military uniforms, stuck out like sore thumbs in the cavalry platoon’s billet, which was a commandeered private house. It felt like enemy territory.
The cavalrymen, sitting on chairs and taking a break, were whispering amongst themselves, their conversation not particularly friendly.
“So that’s the famous Headchopper Squad, huh…”
“What, a bunch of cowards who’ve never even seen a battlefield. That lieutenant over there is just a little girl.”
“She’s flat-chested, but she’s got a pretty face. Maybe I’ll try talking to her.”
“Don’t bother, don’t bother. The stench of death will rub off on you.”
Cavalrymen are popular with women, so this kind of talk always comes up. They certainly are cool, aren’t they? I like them too.
I decided to put in a little warning to prevent Lieutenant Krimine-shoui from being sexually harassed.
“The other day, I was ordered to kill a noble in a duel, which I did reluctantly. But this time, it’s just a peasant, so a simple execution by firing squad should suffice, I presume?”
The young second lieutenant serving as platoon leader looked momentarily surprised.
But he quickly spat out a reply.
“That’s your job. None of our business.”
“Lieutenant Makaran-shoui, use honorifics when addressing a superior officer.”
“I know that!”
The second lieutenant saluted, somewhat desperately. He’d probably get promoted soon and outrank me, but at this very moment, I was his superior. So I said this.
“Then, as the highest-ranking officer present, I, this humble officer, will decide the search policy. Of course, if you have any objections, please state them. You are, after all, the platoon commander.”
“Understood. I just want to get this over with quickly and go home.”
This cavalry second lieutenant… he’s probably in his early twenties. Normally, he’d still be at the military academy at that age, but nobles can become second lieutenants easily. The cavalrymen under him are likely his family’s private soldiers. In my previous life, they’d be what you call a samurai’s retainers.
Careful not to make unnecessary enemies, I smiled.
“Rest assured. If the mission looks like it will drag on, I’ll request reinforcements from the Ceremonial Battalion and take over your unit’s duties.”
“Th-that would be… a great help.”
Oh? Has his attitude softened a bit? Youngsters really are refreshingly honest. Though I’m still in my twenties in this life too.
The cavalry second lieutenant grumbled, leaning against the wall.
“These peasants here are openly hostile towards us. They’ve been digging small holes in the roads, rigged to make horses break their legs.”
Are there prairie dogs around or something? I’ll reserve judgment on whether it’s intentional.
“Then allow me, this humble officer, to break a leg in their stead. Unlike a horse, a human leg heals quickly.”
“You know about that?”
“When a horse breaks its leg, it weakens and dies, you see. Warhorses are particularly expensive, even among horses, and life is precious, whether human or equine.”
I seem to recall hearing something about their internal organs getting damaged by their own weight. In my previous life.
By showing consideration for the horses, the young cavalry second lieutenant seemed to open up even more.
“That’s helpful. The local lord here is apparently willing to cooperate, so it might be a good idea for you to greet him as well.”
“Thank you, Lieutenant Makaran-shoui.”
I gave him a bright smile.
The cavalry second lieutenant ordered his men.
“We will escort Lieutenant Fonkt-dono to the lord’s manor. Everyone, be on your best behavior.”
“Yes, Young Master!”
Just as I thought, these cavalrymen are indeed like this noble’s retainers.
The cavalrymen looked at me with some suspicion, but their ranks were those of common soldiers. I was an officer.
Following military discipline, they saluted me.
“We will guide you.”
“Thank you. Unlike your well-trained warhorses, ours are just cute riding horses. Please go easy on us.”
“Hahaha! Understood, sir!”
It seems I’ve been accepted by the cavalrymen as well. Good, good.
When I happened to glance back, Lieutenant Krimine-shoui was staring intently at me.
“Could it be, Lieutenant-dono, that you’re some kind of con artist?”
“Maybe.”
I gave a dismissive wave of my hand and started walking.