Major Himnon, having resolved to turn his life around after his downfall, seems to have decided to take a gamble.
I shake Major Himnon awake and explain the situation.
“Wh-what, right now?! Isn’t that a bit sudden? I-I need some time to prepare…”
“Strike while the iron is hot! Come on, activate the ‘Nomuzo-kun’ and remove the alcohol from your system. Once you’ve tidied yourself up, let’s go for the showdown!”
“R-right. Okay, I’ve steeled my resolve. Now it’s just a matter of doing it, doing it.”
“Exactly, life always presents you with moments where you either rise or fall. If you falter when you should advance, a man is finished!”
Major Himnon, now determined to aim for the top once more, even if he had to bite a cat to do it, quickly got ready and headed with me to the penthouse on the top floor.
We were escorted into the penthouse by a dedicated female concierge.
It’s amazing, so spacious it’s like a gymnasium, with a glass ceiling, and there’s even a pool in the center.
And the Commander is swimming! In a high-cut swimsuit!
Major Himnon also seemed surprised to see the Commander swimming, his face frozen in astonishment.
The Commander reached the poolside with a stylish butterfly stroke and received a towel from the concierge to dry herself.
As soon as the Commander finished drying, the concierge quickly draped a robe over her.
This is the world of celebrities, a world I’ll likely never experience.
The Commander sat down at a table set by the poolside and gestured for us to sit.
Major Himnon and I obediently followed her command and sat in the chairs.
“Is swimming your morning routine, Commander? I recall the Rose Garden also had a heated pool.”
“Not exactly, but I’m having trouble waking up today, so I decided to swim. Kanata, you’ll have strong coffee, won’t you? Major Himnon, what will you have?”
Doesn’t she use a wake-up app? It’s so convenient.
Major Himnon replied, but his voice was stiff. Is he nervous, or just pumped up?
“I’ll have the same. I seem to have drunk a bit too much yesterday, so I’d like some strong coffee.”
When the Commander snapped her fingers, the concierge retreated to a waiting room and returned shortly with a tray bearing our coffees.
While we enjoyed our coffee time… it was time for the showdown. Good luck, Major Himnon!
“I’ve skimmed your military record, and you have quite an impressive career.”
“I wouldn’t have been promoted to Lieutenant Colonel without success on the front lines. I believe my expertise in military law and logistics would be of use to the Asura Unit.”
The Commander’s face grew cold, and she began to jab with her words.
“However, it seems you fell from your rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Your promotion was likely due to the backing of Major General Shimon, wasn’t it? Just because Major General Shimon cut you loose, you think you can just switch your allegiance to me? That seems rather presumptuous.”
“I understand it may seem presumptuous. However, I believe the crucial point is whether or not I can be of use.”
That’s the spirit, don’t back down! The reborn Major Himnon mark II is a capable man!
“You, who were the first to flee the battlefield out of fear for your life, dare to say that? Hmm? What are your thoughts on that?”
“It is true that I fled out of fear for my life. I am a timid person who wants to live, and I also have a sickly mother to care for. Commander Midou, tools have their appropriate uses. It is wrong to send a civilian like myself to the front lines. Would a road roller be able to perform in a race?”
“You mean to say that a road roller is meant for paving circuits, while racing cars are for competing in races?”
“Yes, not to flatter, but the Asura Unit is undoubtedly the alliance’s finest collection of racing cars. However, for racing cars to perform at their best, a well-paved road is essential. Wouldn’t you agree that a road roller is needed?”
The Commander grabbed Major Himnon’s chin and peered into his face.
…I was subjected to the same thing when I joined the Asura Unit. How nostalgic.
“Kanata described you as a hedgehog that gained the grit to bite a cat… and it seems he was right. You used to have a gaunt face of a dried fish, and now you’ve become a cornered rat with a gaunt face. Truly, humans are not beyond redemption… Very well, Major Himnon. I shall look forward to your work as a road roller.”
When the Commander released his chin, Major Himnon stood up and saluted from a rigid attention stance.
“Yes! I, Orbrich Himnon, shall devote my meager abilities for the sake of the Commander and the Asura Unit!”
“Pave the road for me and the thugs of the Asura Unit! …We will lead you to the glorious goal together.”
The Commander is truly skilled at inspiring people. A renowned actress on par with a magician of words.
“Your words are most appreciated! I shall pave the road to glory with my life!”
“I have heard about Major Himnon’s mother. As the daughter of Midou Asura, I swear that no matter what happens to you, I and the Asura Foundation will never treat you carelessly. Rest assured.”
And her way of bestowing rewards is also exquisite; she’s an ideal benevolent dictator.
“I am truly grateful. Without such a worry, my life is not so precious.”
“Cherish your life. However, when the lives of your comrades in the Asura Unit are at stake, do not hold back. That is the one and only rule I have established for the Asura Unit.”
“Understood, I will keep that firmly in mind!”
I wonder if that rule also applies to Tozen-san and the others in the Rahu.
Sorry, I heard Tozen-san’s answer.
“There’s no way in hell! Do you think we look like amateurs who need someone to clean up after us, huh?” I understand.
“Major Himnon, you may be dismissed. Kanata, remain behind. I have something to discuss.”
Major Himnon bowed and headed towards the penthouse exit.
Before leaving the penthouse, he turned back to me.
“Thank you, Kanata-kun. I appreciate your help. And don’t be late for the Officer Curriculum.”
I stood up, saluted, and saw Major Himnon off.
“Commander, thank you for recruiting Major Himnon.”
“It’s not something you need to thank me for. I am using him because I’ve judged him to be useful. I may need to borrow Uncle’s help to bring Major Himnon into the Asura Unit.”
…First asking for a large helicopter and a land battleship, and now asking for a person?
Lieutenant General Shinonome will likely need stomach medicine again. Poor thing.
“The Lieutenant General must have a lot on his plate. What did you want to talk to me about?”
“I remembered something Marika asked me to do. Have you mastered the use of Wolf Eye?”
“Not completely, but I’m mostly there.”
“Then try directing it at me with restraint. It’s good for you to know firsthand what kind of effect it has.”
Come to think of it, Marika-san did mention something like that.
“Then I won’t hold back.”
I stare at the Commander.
“…Kanata, look with your eyes, not your chest.”
I had unconsciously been staring at the Commander’s bare chest in her swimsuit.
“Ah! My eyes just wandered… What a terrifying trap!”
“Don’t make it sound like I orchestrated it. You just stumbled into it yourself.”
“I apologize. I have a personality that’s drawn to beauty.”
“I’m not denying that it’s beautiful, but if you do it again, I’ll gouge your eyes out.”
The Commander would probably do it. At the very least, she’s the type to happily gouge someone’s eyes out with her fingers.
“Alright, let’s refocus… here I come!”
I unleash my Wolf Eye and lock gazes with the Commander.
The Commander’s eyes change, becoming a mirror reflecting my pupils. This must be her Mirror Eye!
Her eyes, shining golden just like my Wolf Eye, reflect my Wolf Eye’s power back at me!
Gah! This… this is incredibly painful! And this is with minimal power!
I can’t help but avert my gaze and clutch my head.
I immediately activate my adrenaline control to dull the pain, but it still hurts.
“How does it feel to be on the receiving end of your own Evil Eye? You look like you’re in a lot of pain.”
“It’s effective. It’s like… like my brain is being sliced by a searingly hot, sharp blade. If I were to unleash its full power, I think I’d die of shock from the intense pain before my brain could be destroyed.”
“The Wolf Eye is the strongest Evil Eye in terms of lethality. It’s particularly effective against multiple opponents. Even enemies that are merely annoying in groups can be killed with a single glare. Heh heh, it was worth the effort to snatch you from the Laboratory, Kanata. I will make sure that power is used for me and the Asura Unit.”
The characteristic of killing fodder, hmm. I have no objection to using the Wolf Eye for the Commander.
The generous Commander will surely pay me handsomely for its use.
“I’ve already issued a warning to the Mechanist Army. If they still stand before me, I have no reason to hold back.”
“‘As long as you stand before me with the will to fight, I will consider you to have accepted your death.’ That was quite a line. That’s all, you may be dismissed.”
“Before I go, may I ask one thing?”
“What is it? Go ahead and ask.”
Upon arriving at Ligrit, there’s something I’ve become certain of. I should confirm it.
Buying a small refrigerator has increased my alcohol consumption (lol).
I want a wine cellar too, but I only drink occasionally.
