Epilogue
1
“Good work. Let’s get straight to the point.”
“Yes, please go ahead.”
“Well… In recognition of your achievements during the recent defense battle, it has been decided to award you a medal and officially promote you to Second Lieutenant. Additionally, you’ll receive a special bonus that students normally can’t get. The details will come later, but the bonus has already been deposited. Check your account later.”
“…A promotion, decoration, and a special bonus?”
This happened one day in August, about a week after returning from Kyushu.
I was summoned by the boss, Major Kuga, and these were the first words I heard when I reported to the staff room early in the morning.
The special bonus is what we’d generally call a bonus. I don’t know how many months’ worth it is, but it’s hundreds of times better than not getting one, so I’d like to be genuinely happy about that.
The decoration is probably like the old war medals. Some come with bonuses, so this is also something that can’t hurt to receive.
However, I can’t be straightforwardly happy about the “promotion to Second Lieutenant” mentioned afterward. After all, I attracted quite a bit of attention when I became a Special duty Second Lieutenant. If this becomes an official appointment, I’ll probably attract even more attention than before. It’s already troublesome at this point.
What’s more problematic is that I’m still a student who hasn’t completed regular education.
It’s common sense that you shouldn’t promote a child without knowledge or experience to a position of responsibility.
Even I, who’s being promoted, think it’s questionable. Wouldn’t veteran soldiers find this personnel decision infuriating?
Honestly, I’d be troubled if a situation was created where I could be shot in the back, but I wonder how that’s being handled?
“Ah, of course, even though you’re officially becoming a Second Lieutenant, we won’t entrust you with a platoon since you haven’t completed sufficient education. You can rest easy on that point.”
“I see…”
So, there won’t be any poor soldiers led by a student who’s barely been educated, or any students shot by such soldiers. Is that okay then? No, not yet.
“I have one question. You said the reason for the appointment was ‘in recognition of achievements during the recent defense battle,’ but is this the consensus of the higher-ups?”
“Of course it is. Do you have some doubt?”
“It’s not so much doubt, but I wonder if that alone is enough reason for my promotion?”
“Huh?”
The boss gives me a look like “Is this guy sane?”, but did I say something strange?
“Well, Major, you mentioned ‘achievements’ earlier, but the previous incident was just a field test of the prototype machine against a horde of monsters that landed in North Kyushu, thanks to the kindness of the 2nd Division. Of course, I’m not saying that defeating large and medium-sized monsters single-handedly doesn’t count as an achievement, but those were accomplished thanks to the performance of the test machine. Considering that premise, isn’t it unnatural for me, who was just coincidentally the test pilot, to receive special treatment?”
“Ah, I see…”
Right. What’s amazing is the machine built by Mogami-san, not me.
Extremely speaking, anyone could do the same thing with that machine.
Considering that, if we promote pilots every time they do the same thing I did, won’t we end up with an overflow of commissioned officers?
As common sense in the military, it should be a nightmare to mass-produce commissioned officers without proper education.
“Of course, I’m not saying I have no merit in being the first to operate a machine generally considered eccentric and achieving decent results. But is that enough to officially appoint a student with no backing?”
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Isn’t it questionable to easily promote someone for something anyone could do if they had the machine?
Will everyone who does the same thing as me in the future be promoted?
If they’re not promoted, won’t they harbor ill will towards me for receiving special treatment?
Specifically, people like Kasahara-kun and Obata-kun who are already hostile towards me.
“So, I humbly think that it would be fine to just give me the medal and special bonus, or rather, not doing so might cause problems later.”
“Hmm. I understand what you’re trying to say. Putting aside the military system, I also think it’s reasonable that we should consider the possibility of ill will being directed at you personally.”
“…I’m glad you understand.”
Yeah. I feel like all the formalities were ignored, but actually, all I want to say is “Please consider not directing ill will towards me,” so if they can manage that somehow, I have no complaints.
“I understand. I’ll keep it in mind and also advise the higher-ups to be considerate of your position. Is there anything else you’re concerned about?”
“Yes. No. Nothing in particular.”
“I see. That’s all then. You’re dismissed.”
“Yes, sir. Excuse me.”
Despite everything, I’ve succeeded in getting cooperation from the boss, who is a nobleman and an active field grade officer after my promotion. It would be extravagant to hope for more than this at this point.
I think problems will still occur even after doing all this, but I’ll have to leave future issues to my future self.
That aside.
“I wonder how much bonus I got?”
Should I just check the balance before going home, or should I go home once and bring my bankbook?
That is the question.
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