“First, you’ve defied your superior officer and disrupted military discipline, using your status as a cover. Ten lashes.”
“Gah…gaaah…”
“And despite repeated warnings, you’ve failed to use proper honorifics. That’s another 11 lashes for your casual speech.”
“No…that would surely kill him…”
The kindhearted Lei Fa interjected.
“It’s alright. I’ll use magic to heal you after every 3 lashes. That way you won’t die.”
“Eek…I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”
Lieutenant Mospitza groveled in apology, but was ignored.
“But…my time is valuable too, so I’ll ask the rest of the 8th squad to help.”
“Yes, sir!”
Their voices were in perfect unison.
“Lieutenant Mospitza, this is what I’m talking about. It’s really pathetic that you, as a superior officer, don’t understand this. Alright everyone, anyone who goes easy on him will get the lashes too.”
“Yes, sir!”
The 8th squad’s response was now crystal clear in its unanimous obedience.
“Bring him to my room after every 3 lashes. Drag him by a rope around his neck. And don’t stain the carpet with his dirty blood.”
“Yes, sir!”
The 8th squad was now absolutely subservient.
“But Hazen, even if his body is fine, his mind might not be able to take it…”
“Don’t worry, I have a good medicine. Alright, let’s begin.”
“…Ugh.”
And so, Lieutenant Mospitza’s agonizing cries echoed into the night.
That night, surprisingly, Hazen was troubled. Sitting in his room, he flipped through the documents he had procured, muttering.
“Hmm…this isn’t easy.”
“What’s wrong?”
Lei Fa looked at him with an astonished gaze. Why would he be troubled, of all people?
“Even I have normal worries, you know.”
“You only seem to worry when a continent-spanning war breaks out.”
“That’s not true. I’m troubled about Lieutenant Mospitza.”
“Ah, the one who sees you as an enemy.”
“Eh, is that so?”
“…The fact that you’re unaware of it is the really worrying part.”
Even after being told that, Hazen had thought he was helping to improve Mospitza’s abilities. He had assumed Mospitza would be grateful.
“Anyway, I’m looking for a new job for him right now.”
“…!”
“…?”
“Eh! Is that person quitting!?”
“Well, not exactly quitting, but I’d like him to leave.”
“Wanting and actually having the authority as a lieutenant are two different things, you know.”
“I suppose, but still…”
“That’s the most important part, isn’t it!?”
“I’m not a monster, you know. It’s become clear that he lacks the aptitude to be a soldier.”
Over the past 10 days, this soldier couldn’t even properly ride a horse. The situation was not good. No matter how many times Hazen told him, he wouldn’t improve, and every time Hazen had to spank his dirty rear. It was rather pitiful.
“I don’t think it’s right to just relentlessly torment someone who lacks ability in certain areas. But at the same time, I don’t want to just let this tax-stealing parasite continue as is.”
“…”
“He probably doesn’t want to be labeled as an ‘imperial pest’ either.”
“But you’re the only one calling him that.”
“Haha.”
“…That wasn’t a joke, you know.”
“Oops, got sidetracked there. Anyway, what do you think would be a good new job for him?”
!?
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“Absolutely not! Suggesting he become a slave is-“
“Well, however, based on an analysis of his abilities, personality, and future potential, that does seem to be the optimal solution.”
There are various types of slaves. In addition to the common enslaved servants, there are also professional slaves and high-level slaves. Lieutenant Mospitza has the air of [being a high-level slave, I wonder if it’ll work out].
“He will absolutely refuse! There’s no way he’ll accept that!”
“Don’t worry, I’m an expert on slaves. Remember how my step mother illegal slave trafficker before?”
“…Don’t talk about it like some old story.”
Back in school, when she was told so matter-of-factly like that, the shock she felt at the time was immeasurable.
“High-level slaves have magic power, but low abilities. They work as commoner-oriented medical mages or as low-ranking clerical staff in various government agencies – jobs that allow the use of magic, but are for criminals.”
“Huh, criminals?”
“They’ll be bound by a contract spell so they can’t act up too much. That way, he can still be useful to society.”
The biggest flaw in Lieutenant Mospitza is his arrogant and corrupt character.
In short, he is a person who cannot properly follow orders due to his high pride.
His past glory of passing the staff officer exam (which is likely due to connections) has only exacerbated his arrogant personality. But since then, he hasn’t made any real efforts, and his abilities are even below those of a non-commissioned officer.
“Even though he’s meant to be on the receiving end of orders, he tries to get on the giving end. This doesn’t benefit society at all, and it’s not good for him either. It would be better to bind him with a contract spell and forcibly keep him on the receiving end of orders forever.”
Häzen is completely serious.
“…But you’ve been saying all along that his own will is-“
“Well, in this case, that doesn’t really matter.”
“Huh? Why are you brushing that off so casually!? Isn’t the person’s own will the most important point in a job change?”
“Hmph…Lei Fa, you’re still a rookie who doesn’t know the ways of the world. It’s completely different.”
“But Häzen is in the same year as me, so he’s just as much of a novice.”
“…Right.”
It’s a bad habit of mine to include my previous life’s age as well.
“However, since there’s a difference in our abilities, I’d say there’s actually a gap of over 180 years. In other words, I’m a 180-year veteran of society.”
“…I guess that’s what it is. The reason Mospitza Lieutenant hates you is…”
“We’ve digressed. What’s most important for a job change is [the person’s aptitude], not [their own will].”
This applies not just to job changes, but to having a job in general. Holding a job means contributing to society. Whether the person has their own will or not, they are evaluated based on how much they’ve accomplished.
Therefore, it is self-evident that their aptitude is the most crucial factor.
“Lieutenant Mospitza has an extremely narrow perspective. He also lacks the ability to self-reflect, so he can’t analyze himself. That’s why someone else needs to evaluate his abilities and assess his aptitude for him.”
“…And that evaluation is ‘slave’, huh?”
“High-level, you know?”
“I wouldn’t be shouting ‘Yay’ about that. Come to think of it, my own career path was decided in a similar way, wasn’t it?”
“As a friend, I’m just doing what’s naturally expected.”
“…I’d rather you not say it in that kind of ‘Oh, it’s nothing’ tone.”
Lei Fa says this, “but I don’t really understand.” This female warrior can be useful if used properly. There are even unreasonable superiors out there. Given her combat-focused nature and kind heart, Hazen don’t think she can rise to a high position in the Empire. She needs a good advocate.
Of course, Häzen is convinced that he is that advocate.
“After Mospitza resigns from the Imperial military, turning him into a high-level slave and supporting him would be the best thing for him. Of course, I’ll do whatever I can. I’ll use my step mother’s connections to find him a good master.”
“…”
If he becomes a contracted private medical mage, he’ll likely be treated relatively well.
“Sigh…Employed military officers are such a hassle. I have to take care of the job placement of my incompetent subordinates as well. But I’ll just have to treat it as part of the job.”
“But isn’t that person a high-level nobleman? How can you turn him into a slave?”
“Since it’s voluntary, there’s no problem. I’ll even have him write a letter to his family saying he has a ‘special fetish’ and wants to become a slave.”
At that point, it’s probably best to cut ties with him.
“But I’m sure he’ll say he hates it.”
“Haha.”
“Why do you keep brushing it off so casually!?”
Lei Fa sighed for some reason.
The next day, in the room of the former Lieutenant Mospitza (now Häzen’s room), a meeting was held. Häzen carefully explained how Mospitza lacks the capabilities as a military officer.
“So, Lieutenant Mospitza, I’d like you to resign from the Imperial military.”
“Th-that’s absurd…Is that even allowed?”
“I’ll overlook your outburst this time since you’re flustered, but if you don’t use honorifics next time, I’ll have you flogged.”
“…Ugh.”
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