The new recruit, Second Class Private Naridome, who got a muzzle pointed on his head, clicked his tongue and raised his hands.
Perhaps it was just my imagination, but I sensed unusual malice in his gaze.
[Don't you move. Touri-chan, come here.]
[Thank you.]
I, who had been straddled by him, crawled on the ground and got out.
...When I got up, I found that my clothes had been disheveled. My shirt had been pulled up to my neck, and my trousers and my underwear had been shifted.
How long have I been asleep?
[Explain what you were doing, Private Naridome.]
[....Geez, it's always like this. ...Isn't it fine, having some good time at my final moments...]
[Oi, answer properly!]
I moved behind Grey-senpai, staying behind him.
Nonchalantly adjusting my shifted clothes...
[Please calm down, Private Grey. For the time being, as the superior officer here, I'll take charge of this situation.]
[Ah, Corporal Verdi.]
Instead of Grey-senpai, who was shouting in rage, the decent-looking newcomer Corporal came out and began to take charge of the situation.
After glaring at Second Class Private Naridome, Grey-senpai stepped back with his arms wide in front of me, protecting me behind his back.
[Well then, we ask you again. Naridome-kun, what were you doing just now?]
[...Nothing much.]
If you touch a female soldier, you will be severely punished. If it's rape, you can even be punishable by death.
And so, if things had gone wrong, I might have been raped and then killed to cover up the evidence.
In a plain, subdued way, my life was in danger.
[Naridome-kun. If you continue to keep silent any longer, we will have to take you into custody.]
[Ahh... Yeah, yeah, I did it... I was so horny... that I touched that girl's body...]
[You understand that this is against military regulations, right?]
[...Isn't it all good if I hadn't gone until the end... Even a Corporal like you goes off and buys girls on your day off...]
[Hiring prostitutes isn't against military discipline. You are now under questioning for obscene acts towards a female soldier.]
[Tsk... I just touched her...]
Second Class Private Naridome... The man who assaulted me answered without any remorse to Corporal Verdi's questioning.
Ahh, I see now, I understand. This man...
[Ahh, that's right. I got invited by that girl...]
[Huh?]
[That just now was consensual. In that case, I'm not guilty, right? Errr.... What's your name again, Medic-chan?]
This man has already given up on life.
[Medic-chan invited me yesterday evening, right? You invited me to do erotic things with you.]
[No such facts exist.]
[No, no, you did invite me. Ahhh, d*mn it, so you had set me up huh. Telling me to do it when I felt like it, and then cutting me off when it actually happens, that's just the worst.]
[Second Class Private Naridome. I confirmed that she went to bed as soon as she got back from training. False reports will get you executed.]
[Tsk...]
Judging by his current attitude to the interrogation, Second Class Private Naridome isn't in his right mind.
He must have succumbed to the malice and fear of the battlefield.
That's why he had been doing such self-abandoning actions.
[And as First Class Private Private Grey testified, Naridome-kun, did you make a false report to your superior?]
[...Even though she's playing it safe and slow in the rear until yesterday... Freaking playing the victim just because she just got touched a bit by us who're struggling out here.]
[No excuses huh. In that case, you are to be detained, and we'll await the Platoon Leader's decision tomorrow morning.]
[Ahhh, I'm gonna get killed. I'm gonna get killed because of you.]
As he began to be restrained, he didn't resist at all, just looking at me with resentment.
...I don't really think he has any reason to look at me like that though.
[...I wouldn't have to be killed if you had just matched my worst. Ahhh, just the worst... Hey, how does it feel... killing someone even when you're a Medic?]
[Don't listen to him, Touri-chan. He's just a lunatic.]
[In the first place, coming to the front lines even though you're a woman and then telling us not to make advances on you, that's just strange... In fact, what's the point of having women on the front line except for comfort...]
It seems like he was venting his frustrations at me in a somewhat sarcastic and spiteful manner.
Well, it is true that he's gonna die because I didn't back up what he said.
However, if I were to corroborate his excuse, I would be punished for inviting a man, so I don't feel much guilt about doing otherwise.
[You murderer... If you had taken my intentions into account, this wouldn't have happened...]
[Oi, Naridome, you b*stard! If you speak any more, I'll shoot you dead right here and now!]
[Arehh———? An execution without even checking with the superior huh...? That's a violation of military regulations, you know...?]
[Haahhh... A new recruit turns out like this again huh. Touri, don't worry about it.]
[Yes, thank you.]
Allen-senpai and Grey-senpai were looking out for me.
I can feel their sympathy, thinking that a young woman would have been quite hurt by an incident like this.
But at this time, for some reason, I was surprisingly unsympathetic.
To be honest, I had been told about "sexual harassment against female soldiers" by Head Medic Gale, so I was somewhat prepared for this.
Because of my previous gender, being touched by a dude does feel gross, but I don't really care that much.
[...Murderer.]
[...]
My only thought from all his curses was that he was reaping what he sown.
[If I get killed, I'll hold a grudge...! I'll become an evil spirit and curse you for the rest of my life, you murderer!]
[Idiot, murderers are the best at the front line.]
[————–!]
As he, who had been restrained by Grey-senpai and the others, continued to hurl insults at me...
Without warning, a giant figure emerged from the darkness and grabbed his face, leaving him speechless.
...Ahh.
[This is the idiot who disturbed my peaceful sleep?]
[P- Platoon Leader...]
[Ahh, how should I say this... You're beyond saving.]
It was, as I thought, Sergeant Garback.
It seems that the Platoon Leader, perhaps awakened to the commotion of me getting assaulted, came down into the trench in a very bad mood.
[G- Good morning, Platoon Leader.]
[It's still late at night.]
[U- Ummm, errrr, Platoon Leader, I'd like to give a status report.]
[Don't need it, I heard what's going on here.]
Grey-senpai was about to timidly give his report, but he was silenced with a thunderous roar.
Ahh, this won't do. That's the eyes of a murderer.
The eyes of Platoon Leader Garback, who had just been woken up from his sleep, are a hundred times scarier than the eyes of Private Naridome when he straddled and threatened me.
[Oi, Naridome.]
[Ouch, ouch... Can you please let go of my...]
[Say your last wil now. In 10 seconds, I'll cut your head off.]
[Hyiihh!?]
And the Platoon Leader pulled out his sword without hesitation.
Ahh, this time, he's being for real. If you do such a thing in the Garback Platoon, with its military discipline, you'll be executed.
[No, you've gotta be kidding me, what about military trials———-]
[That's your last will then? I will tell your family every word of it.]
[D*mn it, you freak...!!!]
Grabbing him with one hand, Sergeant Garback held his sword straight up to his neck.
Soon, his head would be chopped off. I have no sympathy for him though.
[I'll put a post-it note on your death notice saying that you "came to the front line only to be killed for nothing, causing trouble for your comrades-in-arms, and brought no benefit to the country".]
[Stop———–]
I didn't want to see anyone killed, so I quietly turned my face away.
I don't think he was a bad person from the start either. I think his personality must have been distorted in this place.
What if my encounter with him wasn't on a battlefield like this, but in a normal day-to-day life?
How different would our relationship have been...
[P- Please wait, Platoon Leader. In the current war situation, it would be a waste to needlessly reduce the lives of our soldiers.]
[Ah?]
And when none of the platoon members stopped and only watched the Sergeant's actions.
One of the platoon members, perhaps out of a sense of justice, dared to challenge the Platoon Leader.
[Corporal Verdi, what did you say?]
[Like I said, Platoon Leader, you didn't have to kill him. This matter ended as an unsuccessful attempt, and he was also just under pressure.]
[Dunno what you're talking about. Military regulations are military regulations, and in this case, execution is appropriate.]
Corporal Verdi———— The new senior officer who has been transferred to this platoon.
[However, if one attempted to plan a violation of military regulations and it ended in an unsuccessful attempt, the sentence can be reduced at the discretion of the immediate superior.]
[And why should I reduce his sentence?]
[Because we don't have enough front-line soldiers. It would be in the army's interest to educate and rehabilitate him rather than kill him here.]
[Incompetent allies are worse than enemies.]
...He's saying this ended with an attempt, but I've probably been touched to a great extent.
Judging by the way my clothes are disheveled, that is.
[You have too much disregard for the lives of your men, Sergeant. This is only his first offense, so you must instruct him well.]
[I don't trust someone who takes actions that harm their allies to have my back. There's a possibility that that b*stard's gonna shoot me from behind.]
[The guy has only given in to his lust once. If you still persist on cutting his head off————]
Corporal Verdi is very aggressive with Garback.
I honestly don't know why he has the guts to do that.
I have chills running down my spine just being stared at by Platoon Leader Garback, who is in a foul mood right now.
[I will inform my uncle of the details of this matter.]
[...….]
At those words from Corporal Verdi, the Platoon Leader stopped moving.
...Inform his uncle?
[His Excellency Renvel is very concerned about our current lack of forces.]
[And?]
[We've heard rumors about Platoon Leader for some time. Good rumors... and bad rumors.]
Those words seemed to weigh heavily on Garback, as he stopped moving.
He released his grip on Naridome's face and turned to Corporal Verdi with a blank look on his face.
[If you really were just as stated in the bad rumors... If it is true that you have continued to act with such disregard for the lives of your men, then we will have to reassess your status as a Platoon Leader accordingly.]
[Hmph, in short, you're a watchdog. How pointless.]
[Executing a subordinate who, according to military regulations, should be eligible for a reduction in sentence, can't be described as anything other than a disregard for life. Please amend your decision at once.]
Corporal Verdi's words clearly deviated from his status as a subordinate.
He struck Garback with words almost in a commanding tone.
[...You've said that much. That means you'll take responsibility for your words and properly guide him, right?]
[Of course.]
[The next time he does something wrong, as the one responsible for guiding him, you shall be given the same punishment as him.]
[...Yes.]
The Sergeant's voice at that point was cold enough to send chills down my spine.
However, without another word, Platoon Leader returned to his own tent.
[Fuuu. Well then, let's get on with the sermon then, Naridome-kun.]
In other words———— he had successfully restrained that Platoon Leader Garback.
[Lt. Colonel Renvel is my uncle. In other words, I'm the nephew of the frontline commander.]
[So that's why even Platoon Leader backed down...]
The next day, before the briefing...
When they heard of Corporal Verdi's background, the Senpais' eyes opened wide from surprise.
[Sergeant Garback's achievements are impressive, but at the same time, there were unceasing dark rumors about him using his subordinates as disposable pawns.]
[Ehh, ahh, well.]
[All of such rumors may have been true. However, there were no soldiers in a strong enough position to report it. That's why I was incorporated into this platoon to investigate the authenticity of this matter.]
From what I heard, it seems that Corporal Verdi is also a new recruit, having been admitted at about the same time as me. However, he was promoted because of his military education (or rather, perhaps because he's got connections), he entered the war at the rank of Corporal.
He is apparently piling up experiences, and will eventually become a General Staff Officer.
[If in the future, there are clearly questionable or punishments from the Sergeant, please consult with me. In some cases, we may be able to impose penalties appropriate for you.]
[…..That would be appreciated but...]
[Naridome-kun, please follow me for a while. I will guide you well.]
Hearing Corporal Verdi say such things with a smug look on his face, the Senpais of the platoon looked at Corporal Verdi with an indescribable expression on their faces.
To be honest, I feel the same way.
In other words, it's the fear of not knowing what the Platoon Leader is thinking after being made light of.
[Ah, Corporal? Well, you know, let's keep things moderate, okay?]
[...? What are you talking about?]
With the Platoon Leader just backing down right then and there, I can't help but feel that unimaginable and terrible retribution will befall him.
Is Corporal Verdi's danger-sensing sensor buggy, that he is so unconcerned in the face of such a terrifying Platoon Leader Garback's murderous intent?
[Second Class Medic Touri too, please forgive him as well. What just happened is like a common bomb that all men carry, so to speak.]
[...H- Huh...]
[He's a comrade who will be fighting with us from now on, he's family. Please don't hate him and keep your distance from him in the future, and maintain a solid relationship with him in the future.]
Oblivious to the stares of my Senpais, Corporal Verdi said that to me with a smile.
...Not like I plan to exclude Second Class Private Naridome though, as I don't intend to befriend anyone.
[Well then, let's head to the briefing. We don't want to be late.]
Corporal Verdi, I thought at first he was a decent man.
However, at that moment, I felt that he too was a guy with a unique personality.
[...Grey-senpai, I'm sorry for, well, kicking you yesterday. And thank you for saving me.]
[Hmm? Yeah, it's fine. Rather than that, it was scary, wasn't it?]
And then...
[No, I wasn't scared. It was very reassuring to hear Senpai's voice.]
[Oh, really? ...Mhmm. Could this be an invitation from Touri-chan to me———–]
[If this becomes a daily occurrence, I think even Corporal Verdi won't be able to protect you, so please take care.]
[Yeeees.]
I properly gave my thanks to Grey-senpai.
While I don't intend to be friendly with the platoon members, having proper decorum is important.