「Rain, huh. Just my luck.」
I tilt my black military cap slightly, shielding my face from the cold rain.
Come to think of it, the day I left my previous life, I feel like it was raining like this too.
「Let’s hurry. If we don’t finish Lord Grien’s execution today, the Captain will scold us.」
「Yes, First Lieutenant.」
The one who nodded so earnestly was a young woman in a black uniform with black bobbed hair. Second Lieutenant Risha Crimine of the Ceremonial Battalion.
If she were a Second Lieutenant of the Infantry or Artillery, that would be respectable enough, but the Ceremonial Corps is a little different.
In our Empire, “Ceremonial” basically means executions by imperial edict.
The official name of this country is “The Legitimate Empire of Zain=Warden, at the same time Warden=Zain, chosen by God.” Just from the name, you can easily imagine there were some messy circumstances at its founding.
But everyone just calls it “the Empire.” Because there aren’t any other empires.
In this Legitimate Empire, the Emperor’s power is immensely strong, and even nobles or clergy are executed rather casually.
But when it comes to executing someone of high rank, there must be proper ceremony and consideration… and so a special execution unit was established. Rational or not, it’s hard to tell.
We of the Imperial Ceremonial Battalion are called things like “Death God Battalion” or “Assassin Battalion,” but unlike grim reapers or assassins, we are a lawful public institution that abides strictly by the law. That only makes our troubles more complicated.
To go over that point, I speak to Second Lieutenant Crimine.
「This time, the execution target is a bit tougher. Just another rebel, but politically, he’s a special kind of criminal.」
「The Captain told me. Something about not being able to execute him except by duel…」
「That’s right. It’s a privilege personally granted by the Emperor. Twenty years ago.」
「I wasn’t even born then.」
Since my junior nodded with a serious face again, I nodded seriously too.
「Me neither.」
「Is that so?」
「I’m joking.」
I gave a wry smile. Come to think of it, this girl doesn’t get jokes.
Second Lieutenant Crimine stayed perfectly serious, thinking it over.
「But we are executing him as a rebel, right? Wouldn’t it be better just to strip him of such rights?」
「A privilege that can be stripped away at any time has no meaning. If the nobles think the Emperor’s word can’t be trusted, they won’t follow him anymore. This charge of rebellion is just a pretext for purging, after all.」
The nobles swear loyalty to the Emperor, and then if anything happens, they get executed. If the Emperor’s promises become untrustworthy, then that’s just rule by terror. Rebellion would break out immediately. And in fact, there are already suspicious movements everywhere.
Recalling the history of my previous world, I carefully step through the muddy mountain path.
「It’s simple. We execute him in duel format. The one who demands the duel is us. In that case, the method of duel is chosen by Lord Grien. And the tools are prepared by us.」
「Imperial Dueling Law, Article 3, Clause 1.」
Since Second Lieutenant Crimine answered immediately, I was a little impressed.
「You know it well.」
「I am semi-noble, after all.」
「Sorry for being a commoner.」
「Yes, keep your head down.」
I glare at my younger junior.
「In the army, rank is absolute. Disrespect toward a superior officer is grounds for punishment.」
「Apologies, First Lieutenant.」
She snaps a perfect salute.
…Somehow, I feel like she’s teasing me.
In this life, I was born the son of a farmer. With ninety percent of the population being farmers, it’s only natural. Still, I wish the reincarnation lottery had given me a noble.
Meanwhile, Second Lieutenant Crimine’s family is a wealthy merchant house. They apparently bought semi-noble rank for the entire clan. A major source of the Imperial Household’s finances, but it makes this country dangerously unstable.
Anyway, let’s keep explaining.
「Our opponent is an old fox nicknamed “The Tactician.” Our Battalion has already lost twice to Lord Grien in duels, costing us officers. If we lose again, the number of execution targets might even increase.」
「Uwah.」
Soldiers, like nobles, have their rank guaranteed by the Emperor. Depending on his mood, he might bestow a command for suicide.
The reason I volunteered for this mission was because I didn’t want to die as collateral damage in someone else’s mess.
But that wasn’t the only reason.
「First Lieutenant Meinen, who died in the last duel, was my friend. Cleaning up after that incompetent drunkard is a friend’s duty. He’s been nothing but a nuisance even after death.」
Second Lieutenant Crimine looked momentarily surprised, then gave a small smile.
「So that’s why you volunteered… you really are kind, First Lieutenant.」
「A kind man wouldn’t be working in the Ceremonial Battalion. Our rank insignias are just decoration, and we’re despised by every layer of society.」
After all, we’re the Emperor’s personal executioners. To the anti-Emperor faction, we’re a symbol of hatred. To the pro-Emperor faction, we’re an abominable threat that might someday turn the blade on them.
「Our political position is very precarious. At the first sign of trouble, we’ll all be strung up on the fences of Battalion Headquarters.」
「At that time, I request the spot next to you, First Lieutenant.」
「Are you sane?」
She’s a good kid, but sometimes she says things that are completely unhinged. Well, that’s the kind of person who gets assigned to the Ceremonial Battalion…
Female officers are rare, so usually they’re given priority for the Empress’s Guard or similar posts.
I quicken my pace slightly, just enough for Second Lieutenant Crimine to keep up with me through the rain.
「Let’s pick it up. Even if I am “Laundry Man,” I have no hobby of washing the clothes I’m wearing.」
「I think it’s a cute nickname.」
「The Captain apparently found it amusing that I always do laundry when off duty.」
With my previous-life sense, I compulsively wash my body and clothes whenever I have time. To people of this world, it seems bizarre. They think I’m a germophobe eccentric. Which is basically right.
Since in our line of work we’re very easy to hate, we often use false names and codenames. The Captain is the one who gives us those codenames. A real nuisance.
「By the way, what’s the story behind your “Baker” nickname?」
「My maternal grandfather was burned at the stake. If my mother had been implicated, I wouldn’t have been born.」
「…Sorry I asked.」
The Captain’s sense is brutal.
＊ ＊
After much struggle, we finally arrived at a noble’s villa deep in the forest.
It was originally used for hunting or secret meetings, but now it served as a detention site for criminals.
Guarding the gate were men in green uniforms. Infantry of the Army. They’re Imperial soldiers too, though they probably don’t see us that way.
「Halt! Who goes there!」
Bayonets were aimed at us, so I answered curtly.
「First Lieutenant Fonkt, Vice-Captain of the Imperial Ceremonial Battalion, Third Company. You’ve been informed, haven’t you?」
「Our apologies, sir!」
The bayonet points were swiftly lowered, the soldiers snapping into rigid salutes.
Not that they seemed respectful.
Well, of course. Despite being called a company, we have no soldiers — just a handful of officers and clerks doing desk work. Only on paper do we exist as a company.
Our rank insignias are practically decorations, but since we execute nobles, we have to at least look the part of proper officers. Such is our cursed trade.
The iron gate opened, and the officer in charge here emerged. His insignia showed First Lieutenant. But since he was Infantry, he outranked me in practice.
I saluted and presented the documents I had brought.
「Here are the Emperor’s order and the duel covenant.」
「Let me see them.」
Even though we shared rank, the actual weight of it was different. So I used polite speech; he did not. As always.
They’re the ones who risk their lives on the battlefield, so that’s fine. If people like us held real authority, the world would be doomed.
After carefully inspecting both papers, the Infantry Lieutenant signed off on the covenant.
Then he ordered his men.
「The prisoner is on the second floor. Guide them.」
「Yes, sir. This way, please.」
The soldier gave a blank salute and set off briskly.
We followed, but from behind, I heard someone mutter under their breath.
「Hurry up and die already.」
Now then… I wonder who exactly that was meant for.