“All right, so this is how today’s platoon training is going to go. Got it?”
“Yes, sir!”
“Yes, sir!”
The platoon leader finished rattling off the day's training plan in the barracks, checking for understanding from the soldiers while standing in full field gear, weapon in hand. Standing out from the rest was Jinseong, who sat in a corner wearing combat pants, a PT top, and gloves.
Knock, knock.
Even though the barracks door was open, a man with the rank of sergeant major knocked once before stepping inside. He was dressed similarly to Jinseong, but the insignia on his field cap made his rank unmistakable.
“Ah, Platoon Leader. As I mentioned earlier, I’m going to take Jinseong with me for a bit.”
“Oh, you’re here, Sergeant Major? Yes, yes, go ahead.”
“Jinseong, come on out~”
“Coming~”
As soon as the administrative supply sergeant left the barracks, Jinseong got to his feet. Envious glares immediately followed him from the other soldiers.
“Ah... getting pulled out of work detail... Haven’t we already finished most of the chores?”
“Hey, do you think I’m taking him because there’s actually something for him to do? I’m taking someone who’s useless even if he trains. If you’re that jealous, I’ll call you up near the end of your service too~ How many months do you have left, huh?”
The platoon leader chuckled, while one soldier covered his eyes with his hand. He was the same guy who had wanted to join the Navy after seeing the shipgirls.
“Ah! It’s black as night! Just like my military life! Half a year? Does six months even count as time passing?!”
“You’re losing it... There are plenty of guys here with over a year left, and that’s what you choose to complain about?”
The mood in the barracks plummeted in an instant. Jinseong snorted and stepped fully out of the building.
“Sergeant Major! What am I supposed to do today?”
“You brought your gloves, right? Good. We already went over the rest once before... We’re doing maintenance around the unit. Tomorrow’s training will involve trenches, so just go around and clear things out.”
“Ah... don’t we have to climb the hill behind the unit?”
“Of course we do. What, did you think 'work' meant it would be easy?”
Jinseong followed the administrative supply sergeant away from the barracks. Just then, a convoy of blacked-out cars began passing along the road ahead.
“Whoa... what is that? I heard the Navy was bringing something, but what did they haul in?”
What stood out among the vehicles was a large cargo truck in the center. It was black all over, looking more like a giant safe than a vehicle; even the door handles were perfectly flush, as if they didn't exist.
“The Navy? Wait, don’t tell me that’s carrying the Cube aptitude test machine?”
“Ah~! Right, that must be it. So that’s what’s going on. They said it wasn’t exactly classified, but I guess there’s a Cube inside.”
“Huh?! I heard those things can’t be traded for money, so why would they bring one here...?”
“It’s for the Cube aptitude test, so obviously they need a Cube! Not our problem. Come on, let’s go!”
Well, that was true. Did this mean he’d actually get a chance to see a Cube in person?
Jinseong watched the cars grow smaller as they headed toward the medical unit, then followed the administrative supply sergeant up the mountain.
-------------
Knock, knock.
“Colonel, may I come in?”
“Hm? Adjutant? Come in.”
The office was fairly large. A typical display cabinet, a sofa, and a work desk all gleamed with neatness. The man who entered was an officer wearing the same uniform as the colonel seated at the desk.
“Colonel... we have a visitor...”
The colonel wondered why he was speaking so cautiously and waited. The adjutant quietly closed the door and continued.
“Major General Samuel has come to visit. However... as you asked to be informed in advance if anyone came regarding this sort of matter, the major general...”
“I see. Azur Lane... So he’s come knowing that the Eagle Union commander position is vacant.”
“....”
The adjutant gave a small nod. The colonel immediately rose from his desk and headed for the guest sofa.
“Show him in at once. And bring us two coffees.”
“Understood.”
“Ah, and the coffee... make it cold.”
Not long after the adjutant left the room, a broad-shouldered man in a uniform adorned with medals strode in with a hearty laugh.
“Oho~ How long has it been, Colonel Dylan Code! Have you been well?”
“Welcome, Major General Samuel.”
“Oh, come now, no need to be so formal. Sit down and let’s talk.”
Dylan and Samuel sat facing each other on the guest sofa. Then, as if on cue, the door opened and the adjutant brought in two cups of iced coffee, setting them on the table in front of them.
“Hm? Some kind of tea I’ve never seen before...? What is this?”
Just as Samuel was about to wave the adjutant over, Dylan beat him to it and nodded, dismissing the adjutant.
“This is coffee. Iced coffee. I never used to drink it like this, of course... but apparently, it's very common in Korea.”
“Ah, ah... Hmm...? Really?”
Samuel scratched his stomach and picked up the coffee, which was already beading with moisture and radiating a cool chill.
“After I was assigned to Azur Lane’s personnel administration, I ended up encountering so many new things... I got exposed to all sorts of youth culture, and I happened to try it once. It was actually quite good.”
At Dylan’s words, Samuel took a sip of the iced Americano. The disappointment was immediate and obvious on his face.
“Ooh...! Gah-hm! Uh... why is coffee so... bitter? Hm. I see.”
“It’s a drink that’s perfect when it’s hot. It’s refreshing, and the watered-down taste makes it feel like you’re getting a little less caffeine, doesn’t it?”
“...That doesn’t sound like praise.”
Dylan downed half the cup in one go, then shifted his posture on the sofa and looked at Samuel.
“It doesn’t seem to suit your taste. I’m sorry. I’ll have them bring you something warm instead.”
“Ah, no, no. It’s fine. The coffee may be disappointing, but the main point matters more.”
“....”
When Dylan fell silent and waited for him to continue, Samuel leaned forward with a smile.
“I’m very interested in Azur Lane, you see! So I keep up with the news. I’d heard the Royal Navy was a little uneasy too, but... right now, we’re the ones with the problem. I heard the Eagle Union’s commander was dismissed.”
“For about a month, we controlled outside information and even regulated the news until things were sorted out... As expected of you, Major General.”
“Exactly, exactly! Which is why I’d like to introduce you to a promising candidate for the next commander.”
“I appreciate the offer. But since the vacancy came about through such an unfortunate dismissal, I need to get a sense of what the Eagle Union shipgirls think before I can make a decision.”
“What’s there to think about? They’re ships, plain and simple. They changed the course of our Navy, and they’ll keep changing it! If there’s a vacancy in command, you should fill it with the right person immediately and get them adapted to the role. That’s how you keep up appearances!”
Suppressing a sigh, Dylan finished the rest of his coffee.
Samuel seemed to have no intention of waiting for him to finish and continued immediately.
“The promising candidate I want to introduce is my son, Matthew. He’s already highly capable, which is why he’s serving as my deputy commander! And unlike those people who just sit at a desk and get promoted once enough time passes, he’s someone who’s actually been on ships and built up experience one step at a time. He’s on a completely different level from the other candidates I’ve recommended! I’m sure he’d handle those shipgirls very skillfully!”
He was really laying it on thick with the bragging. Dylan thought that if Matthew were truly that outstanding, there was no way he wouldn’t have heard of him already.
When commander appointments were in full swing, there were days when he had interviewed dozens of Navy personnel and lost count. Most of them were like Samuel, dragging in family members or acquaintances from the same service branch. Others came carrying bribes.
There were so many people desperate for a shot—as long as their Cube aptitude test score was over 10 percent—that it was becoming exhausting.
“I’m sure Matthew’s name has spread quite a bit. His Cube aptitude test score is 17 percent, after all!”
It was a rare aptitude score, yes, but not even enough to qualify as a reserve commander candidate. Furthermore, when generals recommended family members like this, even the aptitude score itself was hard to trust. There had already been serious problems caused by falsified scores.
The reason so many people were enthusiastic about becoming commanders was the power and the rewards. Once you became a commander, regardless of your previous standing, you could exercise authority equal to or greater than Dylan’s own rank as a colonel, and your housing, finances, and overall welfare were all guaranteed.
And that wasn’t all. The base was packed with beautiful women—and only women. It was a legally sanctioned way to step into a women-only zone. For any man in a military full of men, it was a position worth dreaming about. And to be the superior of every single one of them? ...No wonder so many incidents kept happening.
“...Understood, Major General Samuel. If your deputy commander submits his paperwork along with his Cube aptitude test report, I’ll review it.”
“I knew you’d say that, so I already brought the paperwork. The adjutant outside will hand it over.”
There was already a mountain of documents for people he still had to look through, and now this guy wanted to cut the line too? Rank really was everything...
“Then~ I’ll be counting on you, Dylan Code, head of Azur Lane personnel administration! I hear that since this is an alliance of several factions, including the Royal Navy, you’re also supposed to receive reports on commander issues from other factions first... That must be a heavy burden, eh? If you need anything, I can get you something good. Hahaha!”
Having said everything he came to say, Samuel stood up, gave Dylan’s shoulder a few pats, and headed for the door.
“Have a safe trip back, Major General.”
Samuel waved as he left the room.
Before the door had even fully closed, the adjutant caught it and stepped back inside, holding several sheets of paper.
“...Is that it?”
“Yes, sir, Colonel. It’s the Cube aptitude test report and related documents that the major general left behind.”
“Haah... If he were really the right man for the job, I would’ve found him long ago... I just hope the aptitude score of 17 percent on that report isn’t a lie.”
The adjutant set the documents on the work desk, then glanced at the empty cup left with only ice and the other cup of coffee that looked like it was about to overflow from all the melted ice, before moving to clean them up.
“If an unwelcome guest comes by, are you really going to keep asking for that Korean iced Americano... thing to be brought out?”
“Hm? Why? These days it actually suits my taste. It’s the best.”
“Oh, dear....”
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