The Return of the Iron-blood Sword Hound
chapter-398

Chapter 398: Dead Man Walking (3)

As the box opened, a silvery pillar of light emerged from within.

It was a badge, representing the rank of Mid-level Captain.

“…What’s this?”

When Vikir raised his head, Head Captain Bastille opened his mouth with a friendly smile.

“The progress on the construction has consistently exceeded 100% each time. And last month, we finally achieved 200%, didn’t we?”

“It’s all thanks to my colleagues.”

“Hahaha, modest to the bone, aren’t you? It’s good to see such camaraderie. Anyway, can we simply leave a capable subordinate who consistently achieves double or triple the output compared to others as just a junior-level officer?”

The ability to manage and lead prisoners is the criterion for evaluating a guards.

Vikir was recognized for both his skill and diligence.

Head Captain Bastille is a direct subordinate riding on Major D’Ordume’s line. Major D’Ordume is currently focusing all his attention on the massive construction project of Nouvellebag

Therefore, Head Captain Bastille was also staking everything on this colossal expansion project.

Not only could Vikir safely eliminate disturbances to the work, but he also consistently exceeded the workload compared to others. It was inevitable that Vikir would receive Head Captain Bastille’s favor.

“You’re not just someone who can handle a mere 12 low-level prisoners. Even the great generals who unified half of the country during the era of chaos began their careers guarding warehouses loaded with military provisions.”

“…”

“I have high expectations. How many remarkable results will the numerous guards under your command, and the many prisoners beneath them? Do you have any idea? Let’s see if this promotion will expedite the project or not..”

Head Captain Bastille was a seasoned politician.

He saw Vikir’s extraordinary potential at a glance and deemed him the key to advancing the Level Ten project ahead of schedule.

And it was also beneficial for Vikir.

“I’ll stake everything I have to transform Nouvellebag.”

From the moment Vikir entered this place, he had honestly laid out his plans.

And this made Head Captain Bastille wear an exceedingly satisfied smile.

…Thud!

The badge inside the box hung on Vikir’s chest.

And thus, Vikir was promoted from ‘Garam Nord, Rookie Captain’ to ‘Garam Nord, Mid-level Captain’.

Excluding the time spent as a junior officer, this all happened within just one year.

“Hahaha. Even during my time as a junior guard, I didn’t get promoted this quickly. Except for Major D’Ordume and Major Souare, there aren’t many people who were promoted at this speed. Except for those two cases from a long time ago, this is probably the first time in decades.”

“I will work even harder.”

“Of course, of course. You should work hard. Now that I trust and observe you, how frustrating and suffocating it must have been not to have had the opportunity to showcase your abilities until now? Thinking about it, that pest who disturbed your work was actually lucky for you in the end.”

“No, I didn’t think like that.”

“Hahaha! Well, that’s my thought. That’s how I see it. He was lucky for me because he helped me find a competent subordinate like you.”

Vikir looked down at the medal hanging on his chest.

The insignia, crafted with silver on a bed of bismuth, had considerable value as a sculpture. But what mattered most was the symbolism it carried, namely the various privileges associated with the rank of Mid-level Captain.

Firstly, from Mid-level Captain onwards, one is recognized as the end of a junior officer and the beginning of a senior officer.

After promotion to Mid-level Captain, even with a slight increase in seniority, one receives the treatment of a senior guard, along with the privileges that come with it:

1. Within the limit of Level 3, they can discretionarily recruit up to 108 prisoners and impose forced labor at their discretion.

2. Within the limit of Level 7, they can summarily execute a prisoner who commits severe offenses such as refusing forced labor or causing serious harm to a guards.

3. Without separate instructions or reports from superiors, they have unrestricted access to the entire “labor camp” regardless of time.

4. With permission from superiors, they can access the “breeding ground,” “execution ground,” and “punishment room.”

Vikir paid attention to points 1 and 3.

He could recruit prisoners discretionally and impose labor at his discretion. Moreover, he could inspect the labor camp at any time without being bound by time.

“…It’s the optimal condition for activating Poseidon.”

There was no need to be promoted beyond Mid-level Captain.

Being a Mid-level Captain granted him all the essential authority for escape, and being a Mid-level Captain, relatively less noticed and with more mobility, was the ideal rank Vikir had desired all along.

Head Captain Bastille advised Vikir with a solemn expression.

“Just as there are authorities to enjoy as a Mid-level Captain, there are, of course, responsibilities to fulfill.”

Responsibility accompanies authority.

Various tasks are imposed on guards of Mid-level Captain rank, such as a certain amount of construction progress, the number of times prisoners have instigated riots, the time taken for suppression, evaluations from superiors and subordinates, and so on…

But Vikir paid no attention to any of these things.

“There’s not much time left anyway.”

Countdown. The moment of escape was approaching closer and closer.

Vikir was gradually putting his secondary plan into action.

Then came a remark.

“Right, now that you’ve been promoted to Mid level Captain, we need to appoint new lieutenants for you to follow. How about it? You can appoint up to three officers at the rank of lieutenants.”

Head Captain Bastille said.

At that moment, the eyes of the junior guards around him all lit up.

Those who once dismissed Garam as a fool were no longer there.

But Vikir, seemingly indifferent, shook his head as if he had little interest.

“Kirko Grimm, will suffice.”

Instantly, a slight silence hung in the air.

“…?”

Vikir turned his head puzzled at the sudden change in atmosphere, but all he could see was Kirko, her cheeks flushed, and her head bowed deeply.

Then, Head Captain Bastille chuckled.

“Hahaha, workplace romance. Good. Just be cautious of a few factors.”

After finishing his sentence, Head Captain Bastille looked at Kirko, who stood beside Vikir, with a peculiar gaze.

“…Workplace romance, hmm. A curious fate indeed. Truly mysterious. In the end, the child resembles the parent.”

A voice tinged with a hint of pity for some reason.

And in the next moment, he lowered his head as if questioning when he muttered such words.

“Lieutenant Kirko Grim. The rank of Mid-Level Lieutenant is lacking to assist a Mid-level Captain as a subordinate.

“I will work hard to overcome any shortcomings!”

“You are already working hard. You consistently achieved excellent results in monthly evaluations, bravely sacrificed for your colleagues during the Level 8 prisoner riot last month, and even during this execution ceremony, you assisted Mid level Captain Garam Nord remarkably.”

Head Captain Bastille patted Kirko’s shoulder and said,

“I’ve also prepared your reward.”

Eventually, he handed a box to Kirko as well.

Inside was a badge symbolizing the rank of High-Level Lieutenant.

“You must have gained considerable experience and learned a lot from the recent riot incident. It’s heartening to see a great leader paired with an excellent subordinate. Both of you, keep up the good work. And always remember how extraordinary your promotion is.”

“Yes, sir!”

Both Vikir and Kirko replied firmly to Head Captain Bastille’s words.

Mid-level Captain Garam Nord.

And High-level lieutenant Kirko Grimm.

The two of them, receiving promotion after promotion, earned the envy, admiration, and longing gazes of all their junior guards’ peers, progressing through the ranks one by one.

It was at that moment.

“…Um, Head Captain Bastille.”

One of the guards of Mid-level Captain rank standing nearby spoke up hesitantly.

Head Captain Bastille turned his head with a puzzled expression.

“Yes? What is it?”

“Well, you see. An order has come from above.”

“From above? From Major D’Ordume? Or Major Souare?”

“…Neither of them.”

In an instant, Head Captain Bastille’s expression hardened upon hearing the guards’s report.

“Could it be a commendation for the recent promotions?”

“That’s correct. Major Black Tongue has shown interest.”

Head Captain Bastille ran his hand over his face.

“…What whim has that lunatic had now?”

“Don’t they say misfortune always follows good fortune?”

“True. There’s nothing irregular in military law. It’s customary for commendations to follow exceptional promotions.”

The conversation between Head Captain Bastille and the subordinate was growing increasingly serious.

Meanwhile, Vikir, who was watching from the side, thought to himself.

“…Black Tongue.”

Major Black Tongue. A figure known by the unpleasant nickname rather than a name.

He is one of the five pillars representing Nouvellebag and is a member of the “Audit Team.”

However, despite being called a team, the Audit Team is essentially composed of just one person, Major Black Tongue.

Another nickname for Major Black Tongue is “The Guard Hunter.”

Since the laws of the surface world do not reach Nouvellebag, it has its own legal and punitive system, which applies not only to prisoners but also to guardss.

Major Black Tongue, oddly enough for a guard, punishes guards instead of prisoners.

He holds a terrifying reputation among Nouvellebag’s guards, as he investigates internal inconsistencies, abuses of military power, and various other corruptions, doling out punishment at his discretion.

However, as lower-level guards who have yet to commit wrongdoings, they rarely have any direct encounters with him. Thus, among the five pillars, he remains more of a mystery than even Lieutenant Colonel Flubber, whose identity is less known.

Vikir pondered for a moment.

“…Major Black Tongue. He’s someone I’ve been wanting to meet personally. This might be a good opportunity.”

Unlike with BDISSEM or Flubber, there was no direct business with Major Black Tongue for Vikir.

However, Vikir’s desire to meet Major Black Tongue was purely personal.

At that moment.

Thunk-

There was a faint but distinct thudding noise.

It was the sound of footsteps.

Vikir turned his head upon hearing it.

There stood Kirko, looking nonchalant and composed.

“…”

However, judging by the faint veins standing out on her neck and jaw, it seemed likely that Kirko was the one who had just done it. Just as Vikir was about to inquire what had happened, Head Captain Bastille spoke up again.

“Captain Nord, Lieutenant Kirko. We should go to the audit room right away.”

“It seems that your promotions have raised some suspicions within the Audit Team. You both have clear backgrounds, clean records, and solid accomplishments, so there shouldn’t be any issues. However…”

His voice carried a hint of concern.

“Major Black Tongue. ‘Personally,’ he’s someone to be very cautious of. Just keep that in mind.”

The atmosphere shifted from congeniality to a chilling seriousness in an instant.

All the guards who had been sending envious glances just moments ago now looked at Vikir and Kirko with a mixture of sympathy and apprehension.

But Kirko’s gaze, confronting this overwhelming seriousness, remained as composed as ever, like that of a hunting dog.

“We’ll be on our way then.”

Or rather, she seemed to be shining with ‘personal’ interest.