#07 – Gold Lion
After checking in to the hotel, we separated from Ms. Iria, who was going to meet her father, and we headed to a certain place.
It was the Imperial East base, one of the three in the capital.
But in spite of being called that, it was surrounded by impressively sturdy walls that didn’t seem typical for a mobile base.
And waiting for us beyond the walls was a familiar face.
“Hello, instructor Daniel.”
He was now wearing a black military uniform. It suited him well.
“No, today, I am not here as an instructor. I will be your guide, as a second lieutenant of the imperial army.”
“Understood, Second Lieutenant Daniel.”
I nodded and looked behind me.
Sigurd stepped forward and saluted Daniel.
“Thank you, lieutenant!”
The sounds of shoes. The others saluted together. Their expressions serious.
Seeing them like this, you were reminded how they were basically being raised to be soldiers.
“Understood. Now I will give you a tour of the premises first.”
Daniel said with a smile, and then he gestured for us to come inside.
It was more of a base than a camp. Four thick walls surrounded it, and there were rows of tanks. But in reality, if there was a battle, then everyone here would be dispatched, and the camp would be empty.
“We of the second division are primarily assigned defensive tasks. As well as supporting the front lines by securing supply routes.”
In fact, their main role was to prepare for a revolt.
Alekheim was the heart of the empire. And so the strongest and most loyal were gathered here.
And so this post was considered to be quite an honor for soldiers.
“Here is the mess hall. You can use it freely.”
Huh. I looked at the room. It was surprisingly normal.
As it was not meal time, it was currently empty.
“The imperial base is famous for its curry.”
“Curry…!?”
Sigurd’s words surprised me.
Curry in the army? Not the navy?
Well, I suppose they didn’t have a navy here.
It was something that I learned recently, but in this world, maritime trade was very underdeveloped. The open seas served as a breeding ground for massive monsters. And the farther away from land, the greater the risk.
On the other hand, you could say that the empire was able to grow this much because they controlled the roads on land.
Anyway, that wasn’t important.
What was important was whether or not I could eat the curry.
Lieutenant saw me and laughed.
“Well, there is still some time left until dinner. So let us continue.”
“Uh, yes.”
Was it really showing on my face that much…
Lieutenant Daniel guided us around the camp, and we greeted the major who was in charge. And then we were finally brought to this place.
“This is where the soldiers train. You can use it during your stay.”
“Thank you.”
Yes. This was the reason that we came.
To prepare for the tournament.
We had been trying to figure out which training ground to use, when instructor Daniel settled things for us.
It seemed quite a luxury, training in a base.
But it showed how high their expectations were for us.
I stepped inside of the training ground and paused.
“Teacher Yukito?”
Daniel followed my gaze.
Someone…was there.
And I could tell at a glance that he was not a soldier.
The bulging muscles were one thing. But the air about them was abnormal.
He was in his fifties, I suppose. He was in uniform, and turned as he noticed our arrival.
“…Ge-General McClain…!?”
Lieutenant Daniel and all of the students saluted at once. They were nervous, and sweat dripped from their foreheads.
“At ease. Lieutenant Daniel. Students of the Viskinel officer academy.”
“Sir! Uh, what brings you here today…?”
“Well, you could say that I was curious.”
…What was it?
Every wod had weight. There was incredible pressure.
“You must be Yukito then.”
He walked up to me and offered his hand.
“I am McClain Barrows. I was bestowed with the title of Imperial Army General by His Majesty.”
My eyes widened. Even though there was a lot I still didn’t know about this world, I did recognize that name.
“It’s nice to meet you. I am Yukito.”
I shook his hand.
It was hard like steel. I could tell just how much he had swung swords. A first-rate fighter.
My lips curled into a smile.
And then he smiled as well.
“I see. So it is you…”
“?”
“I hope that we can talk later. With drinks.”
“…It would be an honor.”
I let go and took a step back. Then he turned to the students.
“Well, I have heard a lot about you, students of Viskinel.”
Their faces were flushed. Clearly they had not been expecting to meet someone so important.
While standing still, they croaked, ‘yes, sir’ in unison.
“Regardless of which path you eventually choose, your training will support you. The tournament is almost upon us. I look forward to seeing you fight.”
“Sir, yes, sir!”
The general nodded and patted me on the shoulder.
“They have been trained well. Because of your teaching. I almost want you to come and train our soldiers as well.”
“…Surely you exaggerate?”
“Am I? I don’t think so.”
His eyes were definitely serious.
And he didn’t seem the type to flatter others.
“I am looking forward to your fight as well. Lieutenant Daniel. I leave the rest to you.”
“Yes, sir!”
He smiled and then turned away. Everyone sighed with relief.
“Th-that was amazing, Teacher Yukito… You were able to talk to him so boldly.”
“Also, the general said he has high expectations for us! Us! That’s incredible!”
“Ah…”
As the students talked excitedly, I looked down at my palm.
(General McClain Barrows, huh…)
Also known as the Gold Lion.
In the past Yugrile war, he had been selected by the previous general, in spite of being a low-ranking noble, and brought overwhelming victories for the empire.
In the empire, one could only become a five-star general during war-time, and it made him the total commander of the entire army. While it had been a shock, his achievements were unquestionable, and he was a hero of his time.
How did such a person know about me…
“He must have been serious. About having you train the soldiers. And I agree with him.”
“…You are too kind. But thank you. It’s just that…”
“Yes, I understand”
Lieutenant Daniel turned to the students.
It was right before the tournament. And I would focus on what I had to do now.