Becoming a Swordmaster by Reading

Chapter 138. Now It’s Not About Survival (5)

The next evening.

The main officers of the main battalion had gathered in Roden's office.

Unlike Olinto and Liviano, who looked relatively at ease.

The company commanders and deputy company commanders of the other units looked a little uncomfortable.

It was only natural since they knew why they had gathered in this place.

Roden confirmed the presence of Günter, who had been urgently contacted in Harschu yesterday and had arrived just in time, before opening his mouth.

“Honestly, I didn’t know you would feel hurt by this.”

“!”

Roden cut straight to the chase, needing no preamble.

The officers, who hadn't expected the discussion to proceed so quickly, were slightly flustered.

But Roden paid them no mind and continued.

“The reason I decided to stay with the Special Task Force Company even after this war is over isn't simply because we’ve been active together for a long time and have crossed the line of death. Of course, that reason played the biggest part, but it’s because two other conditions were also met.”

“...What are they?”

Heinrich asked Roden with a genuinely curious expression.

The other officers also focused on what words would come out of Roden's mouth.

“The first condition is that there must not be a single person among the soldiers of the unit who wishes to take an oath of loyalty that I do not know.”

“Ah.”

“And just knowing them moderately is not enough. Their origin, their family relationships, what they want to do most recently, what they want to do in the future. I think I need to know at least this much to decide to be with them, don't you?”

Roden, who had been speaking to the officers, suddenly looked at Olinto.

Then he continued.

“Peter, the Archery Deputy Platoon Leader. From Villiare, a small city in the Mediale Kingdom. The second of three sons and one daughter, his family has run a general store for generations. He is currently engrossed in learning Flash Sword, a secret technique of the Cittadini Swordsmanship. Because of that, he hasn't shot a bow in a few weeks, but his archery skills are still top-notch. His top priority is surviving this war, and his goal is to become a knight of a renowned family after the war and marry a beautiful woman. Am I right?”

Roden asked, and Olinto, who as the former Archery Platoon Leader knew Peter better than anyone, nodded his head as if possessed, his mouth half-open.

At that, exclamations of admiration erupted from among the officers.

But it didn't end there.

Roden looked at Liviano and spoke once more.

“Holger, the 1st Cavalry Squad Leader. From Alena, a commercial city in the Mediale Kingdom…”

And so, Roden recited the histories of the Special Task Force Company soldiers several more times.

And each time, the officers couldn't help but be impressed.

It was extremely rare for a battalion commander to pay this much attention to each and every soldier.

It was a part that showed just how much Roden cherished the Special Task Force Company.

At the same time, the company commanders and deputy company commanders of the other units felt resentful.

It had become clear from what had just happened that Roden didn't think of the other units as he did the Special Task Force Company.

But it was then.

“Yant, a member of the 3rd squad of the 2nd Infantry Platoon.”

Roden's gaze suddenly turned to Heinrich, and these words flowed out.

“From Glindia, an agricultural city in the Udira Kingdom. The eldest of two sons, he has a knack for pumpkin farming. He wants to learn the Heavy Sword, a secret technique of the Varese Swordsmanship, but he’s worried because it’s not going well.”

And as Roden's words continued, Heinrich's eyes widened.

“He earnestly hopes to not fall behind his fellow soldiers and become a knight in his own right. Am I right?”

Heinrich seemed to have a lump in his throat and couldn't speak easily, but he finally managed to open his mouth.

“...Yant recently succeeded in learning the Heavy Sword. Thanks to that, he’s gained confidence as well.”

“That's good. I was worried he seemed to lack confidence.”

That was right.

Roden had been paying attention not only to the Special Task Force Company but to all the soldiers of the main battalion.

The fact that he had just reeled off the history of Yant, a member of the 3rd squad of the 2nd Infantry Platoon, was proof of that.

Even after that, Roden had no trouble reciting the histories of other main battalion soldiers who were not in the Special Task Force Company.

In fact, for Roden, who had an excellent memory, this was not a difficult task.

It was something he could do with a little interest.

But this small act could not help but come as a great moving experience to the officers.

It had touched their hearts deeply to see how considerate their direct superior was and how much interest he had in his soldiers.

And on the other hand, a thought like this also came to them.

“But at this point, isn't the first condition met?”

The one who posed the question this time was Otto.

Roden nodded his head.

“That’s right. The first condition has been met. But because of that, the second condition could not be met. The second condition was whether this person could follow me given the objective situation.”

“The situation?”

“Yes. For example, Olinto, who is here, is the youngest son of the Colombo family. For that reason, it’s almost impossible for him to become the family's successor, and for that reason, he’s in a situation where he needs to find a family to pledge his allegiance to someday. In other words, there’s no obstacle for him to be with me even after the war. It's more of a mutually beneficial relationship.”

“Ah… that kind of situation…”

“That’s right. On the other hand, you who are here don’t have this kind of freedom, do you? That's why I couldn't bring up the topic of an oath of loyalty. I thought it might be a compulsion for you.”

“……”

At Roden's profound words, the officers could only remain silent.

This was even more so because they had confirmed how well Roden knew about them.

Moreover, Roden's story did not end here.

“Of course, even so, it's understandable that you would feel hurt. Not being offered at all and having to refuse an offer due to circumstances are worlds apart. I apologize for not considering your feelings.”

For him to even offer an apology.

At this point, they felt ashamed of themselves for feeling resentful without thinking.

The most decisive reason the officers had felt resentful was that they felt they weren't receiving the same attention from Roden as the Special Task Force Company.

But that wasn't the case, and he had actually been considerate of them.

Their cheeks burned with shame.

“In any case, everyone has their own circumstances, so I hope we can conclude this matter with my apology. I am happy enough that you all hold such deep affection for me.”

It was when Roden was trying to end the situation on a good note like this.

“What if we overcome the situation?”

Günter, who had been silent all along, suddenly brought this up.

Roden tilted his head and asked back.

“Overcome the situation?”

“The situation where we can’t take an oath of loyalty to you, Battalion Commander. I'm asking what would happen if we overcame that. For example, the position of head of the Adler family, which is the reason I can’t pledge my loyalty to you. What if I give up this position?”

“What? Are you serious?”

Roden asked in surprise, and Günter nodded his head with a faint smile on his lips.

“Isn’t it common for a small family to pledge its loyalty to a large family anyway? In that respect, I don't think following you is a bad choice, Battalion Commander. I am confident that you will one day become the master of the Glockner family or establish a family of no less.”

It was no secret in the main battalion that Roden was dreaming of independence.

He hadn't mentioned it directly, but such rumors had been circulating.

That was why Günter had added the last part.

“Hmm.”

Just as Roden's thoughts became complicated after hearing Günter's story.

Otto opened his mouth.

“That’s not a bad idea. I will pledge my loyalty to you for the same reason, Battalion Commander.”

“But you are only the successor, not yet the head of the Brandt family.”

“I’ll become the head eventually, anyway. Even if my father revokes my status as successor because of this, it’s not bad. I’ll be able to follow you with a more comfortable heart.”

“……”

And so, among the company commanders, only Heinrich was in a situation where he couldn’t pledge his loyalty.

Naturally, everyone’s gaze turned to Heinrich.

Heinrich thought for a moment before speaking.

“The Stahl family has only one child, me, so it is impossible to give up the position of successor. Also, the Stahl family is a major family in the Vaskar Kingdom, so it is difficult to pledge loyalty to the Glockner family or a new family that you will establish, Battalion Commander. So I’m saying, would it be alright to declare an eternal alliance? To never betray you, no matter what, and to help you whenever you wish.”

“I would be grateful if you did that. In any case, that would also mean gaining a reliable ally even after the war.”

And so, a new way to overcome the situation was presented, and with this, a way was created to make a pact with Roden without necessarily taking an oath of loyalty.

At that, the other officers present each suggested to Roden a way to overcome their own situations.

This time, it was Roden's turn to be surprised.

This was because Roden had originally intended to resolve this situation moderately.

But for them to show such a will to make a pact with him.

“...Why go to such lengths…”

Roden muttered to himself, and Chevalier smiled.

Then he answered.

“Because everyone here has received a great kindness from you, Battalion Commander.”

Everyone nodded their heads at Chevalier's answer.

Chevalier, who had confirmed this, continued in a much softer tone than usual.

“A superior who remembers the history and inner thoughts of each and every soldier, and listens to even the smallest problems. A person who is colder than anyone else in front of a battle, but warmer than anyone else in private. Is there anyone who wouldn't want to follow such a person?”

After Chevalier finished speaking, the other officers also opened their mouths and said a word each.

“To be honest, at first, I was jealous because I thought your interest in the Special Task Force Company was special. But after coming here today, I see that was a misunderstanding.”

“It wasn’t that you were taking care of us less, but rather that you were being more considerate.”

“There is no reason for us not to follow such a person.”

Words followed words, and in the end, Roden just looked around at the officers without saying anything.

A faint emotion flickered in Roden's eyes.

And his expression softened as if a corner of his heart had been warmed.

Only then did Roden quietly nod his head.

“...Thank you. Sincerely.”

A brief silence fell, and Olinto, who had been watching, opened his mouth.

“By the way, I think we need a little classification, don't you? Between those who will pledge loyalty and those who will pledge an alliance.”

***

A few days later.

All the soldiers of the main battalion had also officially made a pact with Roden.

It was the moment Roden became able to command a battalion-sized force as if they were his private army.