It seems Kanata’s infiltration rate and Nenshin Strength have skyrocketed.
“Hey, Kanata-kun. You went to Ligrit for the Officer Curriculum, didn’t you?” Dr. Hibiki asked, sighing as she stared at the numbers and graphs on the display.
“That’s right. After all that hard work, I passed without a hitch…”
“That’s not what I mean!! I want to know why your compatibility and Nenshin Strength have jumped so much!” Dr. Hibiki shouted, slamming her desk.
So it really did skyrocket. I mean, it’s a level of increase that I can feel in real life. I didn’t think it would be a mere one or two percent change. “How much did they increase?”
“My compatibility rate increased by 11%, and my Nenshin Strength by 6%. So your current compatibility rate is 77% and your Nenshin Strength is 1.08 million neurons. These are the stats of not just a top-tier soldier, but a super top-tier soldier. Soldiers with compatibility rates around 80% are only found among Company Captains and above, even in the elite Asura Unit. Natsume is probably the only exception.”
“Well, well. If your swordsmanship improves, you’ll be quite capable. Dr. Shijima would probably be overjoyed to see that data.”
“The clone experiments seem to be failing repeatedly, so it must be a rare piece of good news for your cousin. Honestly, what did you do to make your compatibility rate increase so much?”
“Apparently, you need to get caught up in a terrorist attack, then be deployed to suppress a riot, then get challenged by a named soldier and have a real battle, and finally get lost in the Witch’s Forest for about a week.” As I said it myself, I realized that my luck level was basically cursed.
Dr. Hibiki looked at me with a deeply, truly, deeply exasperated expression and sighed again. “…Listen, Kanata-kun. I’m not going to tell you anything bad, but why don’t you take a vacation and get an exorcism at a shrine in Terukyo?”
“Marika-san told me the same thing. But leaving aside compatibility, my Nenshin Strength also increased. I guess there’s no hiding it now.”
“Yes. We’ll discuss further plans after Iska returns.”
“Is the Commander absent?”
“Yes, it seems she’s flying around everywhere for some scheme.” Although Dr. Hibiki probably meant that as a joke, it’s just the plain truth.
After leaving the infirmary, I decided to head to the Logistics Department’s office. Himu-himu, or Major Himnon, should be diligently working as the head of Logistics and head of the Legal Affairs Office. We had only just returned to Garden late last night, so I hadn’t seen him yet. It would be good to greet him and congratulate him on his appointment. The Logistics Building should be next to the Commander’s Building.
Surrounded by new desks and cabinets, Major Himnon was working away with a fluid, blind touch. When I knocked on the door of his private room, separated by clear glass, he stopped and looked up. “Kanata-kun. It seems you went through a lot of misfortune, but I’m glad you’re safe. Please come in.” Major Himnon opened the glass door and welcomed me, expressing his joy at my safe return.
“This is a stylish office. Much more impressive than the Commander’s room.” Major Himnon began making coffee using a seemingly expensive coffee maker. “It seems the Commander’s policy is to make the office uncomfortable on purpose to speed up paperwork…”
“So you mean, since you’ll be dealing with paperwork all year round, you should use good equipment? It’s great to have a generous boss.”
“Absolutely. This coffee maker is also top-of-the-line. Please, have a taste.” A fragrant aroma wafted from the coffee the Major had brewed.
“It’s delicious! You’re using good beans. Speaking of delicious, the dried fish you gave me was exquisite. I already had it with my drinks last night.” Lilith’s dried fish, received from Major Himnon, should be put to good use again tonight. The menu for dinner is Lilith’s special dried fish curry.
“I thought so. That dried fish is a special recipe made by my mother.”
“You received a care package already? That’s a good mother.”
“No, my mother also moved to Garden. The Commander prepared the best welfare facility in the Mido Group, but my mother said she wanted to live with me. She said she’d be happier living in a six-tatami room with me. So, we’re living together in the married officer’s quarters.”
“That’s wonderful, Major. Oh? That insignia is for a Lieutenant Colonel…”
“Ah, I was promoted when I was appointed head of Legal Affairs. The Commander convinced Major General Hinkley.”
“So, from now on, is it Lieutenant Colonel Himnon? Or is he head of Logistics and head of Legal Affairs…”
“Please call me Director. I consider myself a professional in legal matters.”
“Then, Director Himnon, I’ve had my coffee, so I’ll be going now. I need to report my safe return to others.”
“Indeed. I’m counting on you from now on, Kanata-kun.”
“Likewise.” I shook hands with Director Himnon and left his office.
I also need to report my safe return to my Master, Shigure-san. At this hour, they should be having breakfast at the Rinsei barracks or cafeteria. I’ll try the cafeteria first. I also need to say hello to Isokichi-san.
In the cafeteria, Marika-san and Shigure-san were eating breakfast facing each other. Noticing me, Shigure-san waved. I waved back and headed to the counter to place my order. “Isokichi-san, one special morning set, please. Dashi-maki tamagoyaki with green onions and red ginger!”
“Oho! Kanata-san, I’m glad you’re safe! I heard you were dropped in the Witch’s Forest or something?”
“That’s right. That’s why I’m starving for proper food. Give me your master craftsmanship.”
“Leave it to me!” Isokichi-san, tying his hachimaki tighter to psych himself up, prepared a special morning set that looked incredibly delicious. Rice, dashi-maki tamagoyaki, miso soup with tofu and seaweed. Grilled horse mackerel, three kinds of pickles, and daikon salad. Yahoo! This is the meal I’ve been craving!
“Shigure-san, I apologize for making you worry. I managed to return alive.” I sat next to Shigure-san and reported my safe return.
“I wasn’t worried. I knew my disciple wouldn’t be killed by a place like the Witch’s Forest.” Shigure-san replied calmly while drinking bitter tea…
“Is that so? Who was it that was so worked up saying they’d go save Kanata?”
“Marika! I told you not to tell Kanata! My dignity as a Master is…”
“My bad, my bad. Kanata, eat while it’s still hot.” I took her advice and began to tackle the morning set. The rice, shining brighter than military ration rice! It’s Gigant Hikari brand rice! The pickled cucumber! The fluffy dashi-maki tamagoyaki! The warm miso soup seeped into my body! It’s wonderful to be alive!
“Warrant Officer! I was looking for you! Don’t just wander off, it’s troublesome!” Lilith came into the cafeteria as I finished breakfast.
“Sorry, my sweet foreign angel.”
“Don’t casually throw in ‘foreign’ words! What part of me is a fallen angel!”
“The whole thing, without a single flaw. You’re Kanata’s guardian, aren’t you?” Marika’s direct demonic assessment prompted Lilith to retort.
“I am his guardian, is there a problem with that? Marika, Kanata seems to be becoming a platoon leader, but I’ll be in Kanata’s squad, right?” The look on her face clearly said, “If I’m not, I’ll kill you.” She’s a dangerous 10-year-old.
“Well, sit down. First of all, you’re not a regular soldier…”
“Answer yes or no!”
“Lilith, asking someone to answer yes or no is like saying, ‘I’m bad at debating.'” Marika-san is right, I agree. Asking for a yes or no answer is the kind of statement made by those who can’t grasp complex linguistic intentions or underlying meanings. Besides, there’s no one who would actually answer yes or no when asked. Well, maybe if a gun were pointed at their head. In other words, it’s a phrase used by someone unintelligent, unfitting for Lilith. …Wait, weren’t there a lot of people in the Diet of my previous world who used that phrase, “answer yes or no”?
“Hmph! …You’re right. Then, may I ask for the Battalion Commander’s opinion regarding my status?”
“Before that, let me ask, do you intend to obey orders other than Kanata’s?”
“No! The only person who can order me around is the Warrant Officer.” She declared it clearly and without shame.
“Then there’s nothing we can do. Kanata’s platoon is a four-person cell, but let’s make it a four-person cell plus one.”
“A boss who understands is wonderful, Marika.”
“Kanata, you heard. Choose three members from my squad.”
“About the selection of those members, could you wait a moment?” Shigure-san, who had been silently listening, intervened. I wonder why?
“Why, Shigure?”
“I want to keep Kanata at Rinsei for a while. As a candidate to replace Asuna as Company Captain.” Huh?! Me, at Rinsei! I… I haven’t heard anything! How did this happen!
