Lieutenant Colonel Althea turned another page of the report, her expression unreadable.
"You always manage to make waves wherever you're sent. Yet you're still a Second Lieutenant... why is that?"
"Because I'm a commoner," I replied, a little too flatly.
At this point, the explanation had grown tiresome.
Althea gave a faint smile, not unkind. "Indeed. A commoner has no ties to the Five Royal Houses. In our grand Imperial Army, lacking that pedigree becomes a heavy chain."
The Five Royal Houses—ancient bloodlines tracing back to the founding of the Schweidel Empire—were said to descend from the five knights who first brought the continent under imperial rule. Their names still echoed with reverence.
Among them, the Medelin and Litreille families stood especially tall. The head of each main family held nominal succession rights to the imperial throne—though in truth, no one had seized the crown in generations.
But in terms of power, their reach was absolute.
No matter how vast your lands, how deep your coffers—without blood ties to the Five Royal Houses, you were never truly considered nobility. For that reason, every noble family clung desperately to those lineages, forming five great noble clans centered around each house.
Still, there were paths upward. A commoner could rise—through marriage or adoption. Several of my fellow civilian officers from the same intake had already married into noble families. They seemed content, and had all been promoted to lieutenants with surprising speed.
"Speaking of which... you're not married, are you?" Althea asked suddenly.
"I'm not."
I had received a few proposals—arranged, strategic—but had turned them all down.
Marriage meant becoming a tool for the bride's family. That idea made my skin crawl. Within my own bloodline, I was barely acknowledged. Just that commoner. The idea of tying myself to another house's ambitions... no thanks.
So I gave the honest answer.
"I'm not good with that kind of trouble."
"I see. Then rest easy—your new post in the 6th Special Task Brigade is far removed from all that political nonsense. You'll be left alone here."
"That's... actually a relief."
As if waiting for that moment, Hannah stepped forward quietly, leaning in close. Her voice was a soft whisper by my ear.
"Brigade Commander... your family belongs to the Ring Finger. The Medelin house."
I froze. "The main house!? Not just some branch with the same name!?"
I shouted before I could stop myself. Lieutenant Colonel Althea responded with a wry smile.
"Yes. Unfortunately, I have inheritance rights as well. My rank may be low, but I'm still of the main bloodline."
What a surprise.
The Five Royal Houses were often compared to the five fingers of a hand, each with a symbolic order. The Medelin family, the Ring Finger, was fourth. But even as fourth, they commanded dozens of vassal clans and branch families. Their influence stretched far and wide.
"I was born from the previous main wife," Althea said calmly. "The current head is my nephew. He's forty-four. For the record, I'm twenty-two. So don't misunderstand."
"...Understood."
A twenty-two-year gap with her nephew... no wonder the family tree was tangled.
Still, the previous head must have lived quite the life. I couldn't help but think it.
Althea sighed lightly.
"I keep my name quiet so as not to burden the current head. But... perhaps it's time I considered using a noble title, too. Or maybe not. I'm honestly not sure."
Seeing her expression, I asked without thinking.
"What's your sacred name, Colonel?"
She gave me a sharp look, then turned her eyes away with faint resentment.
"Don't laugh, okay? It's... Knightzer."
Althea Knightzer.
A snort broke the silence. But it wasn't me—it was Hannah, biting back laughter.
Althea shot her a glare. "I said don't laugh. Even with a name like 'Althea,' they didn't have to rhyme it with 'Knightzer.' It sounds like something out of a children's poem. Curse that damn Archpriest..."
I almost lost it, too. But since I'd first read it in Japanese, maybe I had a bit more emotional distance. Such was the fate of a reincarnated soul.
Still, in this empire, the Five Royal Houses controlled vast fortunes and power. A single careless word could end a life. The Nobility Directory had far too many entries marked by "mysterious deaths."
No wonder Colonel Althea kept her distance from it all.
Althea scowled. "Hannah, you know my sacred name. Why do you laugh every time?"
"I-I'm sorry! Hahaha..."
Even as she saluted, Hannah was shaking with restrained giggles.
Althea sighed again and stood. For a moment, I blinked.
...She's shorter than I expected.
Among the Schweidelians, body size often reflected status. Members of the Five Royal Houses were known for their imposing physiques. But Althea was under 150 centimeters—barely average for a commoner woman.
In contrast, I'd clawed my way up during my street life days, prioritizing food high in protein. I now stood just under 180 cm. Hannah, surprisingly, was even taller—by a few centimeters. Both of us were freakishly tall for commoners, considering the average man rarely passed 160 cm.
Althea glanced between us with narrowed eyes.
"...What?"
"Nothing."
"My small frame comes from my mother. My father liked petite women."
That explained that. The previous head of Medelin really had done whatever he pleased.
Despite her size, Althea strode toward me with composure. She looked up, and even from below, her gaze carried a noble's unmistakable pressure.
Then, in a tone that brooked no argument, she said:
"You've been conveniently discarded. Regardless of your work, a Second Lieutenant is still a Second Lieutenant. There is no path to glory here. And I won't be letting you go."
"I figured as much," I replied.
"You're... truly fine with that?"
Althea blinked, faintly surprised.
"This brigade is nothing more than an empty name. A brigade should command multiple regiments, but here we have just one company—150 female infantry soldiers."
So it really was a ghost unit. A 'brigade' in name alone, propped up under the shadow of the Five Royal Houses.
Honestly? I loved it.
Althea seemed puzzled by my lack of concern. She probed further.
"You'll be managing female troops until retirement. For a male officer, that should be... humiliating."
Actually, it sounded like paradise.
A dream job, really.
I snapped a salute, eyes shining.
"No, ma'am. It was worth every struggle to get here. I'll devote myself fully to the mission."
Althea blinked, visibly thrown off.
"...Are you serious?"
"Absolutely."
After all, being reincarnated in another world had its perks.
Althea studied my face like she was peering at some strange and exotic animal.
Then—unexpectedly—she chuckled.
"...It seems I've finally hit the jackpot."
"...Excuse me?"
Still smiling, she continued.
"I've been searching for someone like you. I would like to formally ask—will you serve as my Staff Officer?"
I wasn't entirely sure what I'd done to deserve it—but it sounded like a welcome.
Snapping to attention, I saluted with conviction.
"Yes! I'll serve with all my heart!"
"Thank you. I'm counting on you. There's something I'd like to discuss soon—something that draws on your experience and perspective."
"Whatever you need."
It finally felt like the tides were beginning to turn.
Notes:
• Althea - Colonel Althea Medelin. Female. Brigade Commander of the 6th Special Task Brigade. Young woman in her twenties with long black hair. Noble from the Medelin family, a rival to the Litreille clan. Professional and disciplined, yet approachable. Holds a high rank despite her age, indicating exceptional ability. Relationship: Superior to Euner Krombelts, welcomes him to the brigade.
• Schweidel Empire - A once-powerful empire that has lost much of its territory after more than a century of war. It is located in a continent where absolute monarchies are at their peak, and colonies are being established. The empire is currently fighting to restore its lost lands. It is surrounded by neighboring countries that are heretics and long-time enemies, despite being different sects of the same religion.
• Hannah - Hannah Heiden. Female. A Corporal in the 6th Special Task Brigade. Her appearance is tall with broad shoulders and a reverse triangle athletic build. She has a confident and assertive demeanor. Her relationship with Second Lieutenant Krombelts is initially formal but becomes more respectful after recognizing his rank. She is strong and capable, easily carrying heavy luggage.