"The first thing I want you to do is train the soldiers."
Lieutenant Colonel Althea, commander of the brigade, gestured out the window with a sharp nod.
"The women in my company have completed basic training, but they've never seen real combat. That's not surprising. They weren't recruited for the battlefield in the first place."
"...Then why were they recruited?"
I asked, unable to hide my confusion. Colonel Althea responded with a quiet smile.
"Second Lieutenant Krombelts, you're not from a noble family, are you?"
"...My father was a drunk. My mother ran off with another man. I ended up on the streets."
She nodded, her gaze growing more serious.
"You survived. That alone is impressive."
"I got by thanks to an old man I met—former military. We scraped together money doing odd jobs. That old man... he looked out for me."
"And it was his recommendation that got you into the officer academy?"
"Yeah. That's right."
Lieutenant Colonel Althea let out a soft sigh, a faint trace of sympathy in her expression.
"For many former soldiers, their time in the military is all they have to look back on. Especially the ones without status. They glorify it. Or resent it."
She understood everything from just the mention of "ex-military." That man used to say it all the time—"The military's a noble calling. You'd make a good officer."
I wonder how he's doing now.
Still, what does this have to do with the female company?
Then Colonel Althea looked at me again. This time, her eyes held a different weight.
"But if you had been born a woman... what do you think would've happened?"
I froze. That was a tough question. In this empire, commoner women don't get into the Officer Academy.
I turned the thought over in my head before giving her my answer.
"There are really only two options. Become a tenant farmer tied to the church, or... sell your body in the brothels. No—there's one more."
"Yes," she nodded. "Sell your life on the battlefield as a line infantrywoman."
Her gaze returned to the training ground outside. Female soldiers lined up, practicing drills under the morning sun. Then she looked back at me.
"I wanted to give them another way. Becoming a soldier isn't a glorious life, but it gives them more freedom. Better treatment. If they fall ill or get injured, a regimental surgeon will treat them. It's not much, but it's something."
If I'd been born a woman, I wouldn't be here now. I wouldn't be a Second Lieutenant. Might not have even worn a uniform. That old man... I'm not sure he would've helped me. He wasn't exactly a saint.
Honestly, being born male in this world was pure luck. I never thought much about it—same deal in my past life.
Just then, Hannah whispered beside me.
"If the Commander hadn't taken me in, I'd be grinding a millstone until the day I die."
That wasn't one of the options we just listed, but... point taken.
Colonel Althea's intent was clear now. In a world with no concept of human rights or social support, she wanted to create options for women. That alone was admirable.
Many imperial nobles call us commoners "parasites" or "vermin." And while plenty of them love to parade their charity work, it's just a ploy to be seen as "virtuous nobles."
By comparison, Lieutenant Colonel Althea's actions carry real weight. It's not for all commoners, but she's changing something—starting with women.
I still couldn't read her true motives. But, at least for now, there was no reason to oppose her.
I looked her in the eye.
"I admire your resolve."
"Spare me the flattery, Lieutenant," she said, brushing her dark hair behind her ear. Her cheeks flushed slightly, the color standing out against her pale skin.
"Anyway, I want you to train my subordinates."
"...But Lieutenant Colonel, didn't you just say this was a non-combat unit?"
"You're not wrong," she admitted, scratching her head. "But the political situation is volatile. There's something suspicious going on near Duke Litreille's territory. I can't say much. I'm sorry."
"...Is it because you don't trust me?"
"That's part of it."
So she didn't trust me completely.
"But it's also because there are too many unknowns. Right now, I'd say there's a fifty-fifty chance things go south. My job is to prepare for the worst-case scenario. I need you to understand that."
"If it's an order, I'll comply."
I snapped into a salute, masking my unease. No point in making things harder for her.
Lieutenant Colonel Althea gave me a steady look.
"Then I'll give you your first mission: strengthen the First Women's Infantry Company of the 6th Special Task Brigade. Train them until they're reliable enough that you'd entrust your life to them as their company commander."
"...Wait, I'm the company commander?"
She laughed softly.
"For now, yes. I'm technically holding the position too, but it's odd for a brigade commander to double as a company commander, right? Problem is, there are no other officers."
"No officers? What about platoon leaders?"
"We have three corporals. Hannah leads the first platoon."
I turned quickly. This girl? She caught my glance and gave a sheepish shrug.
When there's a shortage of officers due to casualties, corporals can serve as temporary platoon leaders. It's only a stopgap measure. And since there are no female commoner officers, we have to make do with what we've got.
"I... I'm not really cut out for it," Hannah said, shrinking into herself. Even when she tried to look small, her presence was still strong.
I turned back to Colonel Althea.
"Am I really the company commander?"
"If another officer comes along, I'll pass the role to them. So don't get too comfortable. But... don't hold your breath."
I really hope someone else shows up. Being a company commander means handling every detail of daily life. It's not a role I want.
"In that case, I'll support you as a staff officer. I can be more useful that way."
"Very well. I'm counting on you. After all, we're the only two here with formal officer training."
Only two officers in the whole brigade. This was going to be a challenge.
"First, let's evaluate the company's condition."
* * *
So began my new role—acting as instructor for the women's company. It wasn't going to be easy.
"...Too slow. Way too slow."
I muttered under my breath as I watched them train. Hannah, standing beside me, tilted her head.
"What part's too slow?"
"All of it."
I let out a heavy sigh.
"It's taking them thirty seconds to reload. At least cut it down to twenty-five."
"But the barrels are long. Hard to handle for us. They're smaller than the men, you know."
True. The difference in physique between men and women was obvious. The muskets were the same model used by male infantry—long, heavy, and hard to load.
Muzzle-loading with gunpowder and ball, then ramming it down with a rod. If your arms aren't long enough, it becomes a struggle.
"I get it. But the enemy won't wait for you."
In combat, being slower than your opponent is a death sentence.
"If this doesn't improve, you won't last on the battlefield. We might need to update the gear."
"Understood. Thank you."
Adjusting the entire company's equipment to use shorter-barreled guns would cost both time and resources. But maybe... cavalry rifles? They're designed to be lighter and more compact for mounted use.
I'll talk to Lieutenant Colonel Althea about that.
"Also—the marching speed is too slow."
"Our strides are smaller..."
"And your formation changes are sluggish."
"We'll fix it," Hannah said with a bow. Her tone was apologetic, but her eyes were serious.
There's no way around the physical gap. Back in the era of swords and spears, it would've been worse. At least now, with firearms, raw strength matters less.
Still... a bayonet charge might be too much for them.
After thinking it over, I gave Hannah a command.
"Gather the whole company in the mess hall. I need to speak with them."
"Yes, Second Lieutenant."
Hannah gave a crisp salute, a bright smile blooming on her face.
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.
• 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.
• Duke Litreille - Female. Politician from the Litreille family, not a soldier. Beautiful woman around 20, wearing military uniform with a family crest. Described as suspicious and of high caution. Relationship: Rival noble family to the Medelin clan, encountered by Euner on his journey.