Plain Girl Hero of Darkness
Under the Lion Banner - (5)

After leaving Cornelius' office, the two of them walked along the hallway in the courtyard. Claudia suddenly stopped.

「There is wrong?」

Olivia looked back and saw Claudia's face was more serious than usual.

「Your Majesty, I will go first.」

「Ehh? It's noon, let's eat together at Mess Hall.」

Olivia took out a silver pocket watch and showed Claudia that both of her hands were pointing upwards. He ate a little snack, but it was different from eating. If he does not eat properly, the orchestra in his stomach will start playing.

「My apologies. I'd like to accompany you, Madam, but with the establishment of the Eighth Army, there's a lot of work to be done. I don't even want to waste time on lunch.」

(Start skrg, I'm-You' yes.)

Claudia's words made Olivia tilt her head, she could not understand how being able to prepare the Eighth Army was more important than food. Both the book and Olivia herself strongly believe that troops cannot fight on an empty stomach.

(I mean there's a book that says troops can't fight on an empty stomach.)

As she thought about it, Claudia who turned her gaze between Major General Olivia's new badge on her collar and Olivia's face, she laughed happily.

—— Frightening.

That's Olivia's honest feeling.

「A-I understand. I'll go to Mess Hall alone.」

Judging that she must not stay, Olivia leaves immediately. Claudia saluted with a serious expression—— maybe it was just a psychological effect, but her back looked more upright than usual.

「Ya Mdm! Enjoy your lunch. I'll beg you to resign now, Your Majesty.」

「Y-Yes. See you around. 」

Olivia sent Claudia with a stiff wave. Claudia murmured 「ini will be busy」, and go with her spring steps.

After watching Claudia leave with a fearful face, Olivia obediently headed to the Senior Officer of Mess Hall. He had already visited a few times, so he did not get lost.

(Hm ... By the way, he emphasized on the term 'Your Majesty'. Claudia always calls me based on my rank, so it doesn't feel too strange ... Your Majesty, yes ... Should I 'put on the water'? General Paul and Lord Cornelius were friendly, but others were haughty ..)

(Put on water: the real meaning is song. Tp referred to Olivia, dy take into account the matter of being as a superior to the subordinates, the attitude ky so usually intended to maintain 'authority'nya as a superior.)

Noticing her reflection in the window, Olivia crossed her arms with a dignified posture. She did not pay much attention to her uniform, but felt that the dark green uniform was suitable for her and matched her silver hair.

Unfortunately, he did not look dignified at all. The troubled Olivia tried various poses, but all of them lacked something.

(Put on water is not suitable for me at all. Anyway, I didn't know how to do that from the beginning ... But I still want to try it once!)

With a random thought in her head, Olivia stepped forward once again. At this moment, a man with a serious face and walking with straightforward steps that seemed to be carefully calculated appeared—— an old acquaintance of Olivia, Otto.

(Aha! The rank of Major General will soon be useful. This must be the guidance of the Goddess Citresia!)

Flicking the gold-ranked badge on her collar happily, Olivia made an arrogant gesture. He put his hands behind her to act like a big person.

Otto who watched Olivia swiftly stepped aside to the wall and saluted.

(Vivile! The Uwah! Otto's aide saluted me! This is big news!)

Olivia tried to hold her smile in the midst of her shock. It seemed that the news of his promotion reached Otto's ears.

「Ara ara! Adjutant Otto, long time no see.」

Going of her will, Olivia used a very majestic tone. He takes references from the Dominique traitor he met at Fort Glacise, as he was the most pretentious person he had ever met.

But Otto was not bothered.

「Yes, it has been a long time since our last meeting, Major General Olivia.」

He uses formal words as well.

「Pfft!」

「...... Did I say something funny, Your Majesty?」

Otto looked at Olivia who could not help but laugh in surprise. She was used to it now, but she still hated the formal sayings of—— but to Olivia now, it sounded like a bird chirp.

「No, don't mind me. It's been a long time, you seem to do well.」

Olivia, who was getting arrogant, tried to pat Otto on the shoulder. Usually, he would attack her. If there was a table nearby, he would slam it hard. Because Otto likes to slam tables.

Otto looked at his right shoulder without saying anything special.

By the way, I heard that when a subordinate suddenly becomes a superior, the former superior will show a sour face—— thought Olivia while staring at Otto's emotionless face.

Olivia was not at all concerned with hierarchy, and was happy to minimize the use of formal sentences. But that wasn't the only reason he accepted this promotion.

Olivia had no idea what Otto was really feeling, but she did not look at all sad, as if Olivia was her superior from the start. As expected of 『Iron Mask』.

「Yes, I'm always excited—— I mean, I'm always in good health. Are your wife and kids okay? If I remember correctly—— they live in the capital, right?」

「... Yes, they are residents of the capital as you said, they are good and healthy.」

Otto frowned, perhaps feeling something strange. Olivia did ask that, but not because she was interested in her Otto. Or rather, who is interested in a person they don't even know his name and face? He was simply imitating the rant about the family he had heard from a previous bureaucrat.

「Hmm, that's amazing. You haven't seen your family in a long time, aide Otto, that's gotta make you happy, right? 」

「... Yes it is true.」

Olivia nodded excessively.

「And of course, I also want to meet Z again. Then work hard on your duty. 」

When the giggling Olivia was about to leave, 「Major General, please briefly?」 —— words that could freeze her blood stopped her. Olivia looked back like a rusty gear.

「A-What's up?」

Major General higher than Senior Colonel, Major General higher than Senior Colonel—— he keeps repeating in his heart.

「... Your ranking emblem is crooked. Your uniform is a little unkempt, the clothes are not neat will also make your heart shaken. As a commander, you must be a role model for the troops. Especially for the army chief. Please remember that. 」

Otto reached out to Olivia's collar and quickly straightened out her insignia.

「Thank you very much.」

Olivia said in a formal tone, and it was too late when she covered her mouth in panic. Otto's expression turned stiff as he stared at Olivia.

「... It will not work, the boss should not use formal sentences to their subordinates.」

「My deepest apologies.」

He used the formal greeting again with a polite bow.

Although he hated formal chatter, it came out naturally. Is this the curse Otto gave me? Olivia groaned in her mind——

「Oh? Right after I gave my humble opinion, Your Majesty spoke formally again? This is disturbing, Major General Mdm, you must be more resolute in your attitude to issue orders to your subordinates.」

Otto began his merciless talk. He keeps raving about 「importance of self-discipline」 「Respect your subordinates more than ever」 without any signs of stopping. This was no different from before, and the reason for his promotion to Major General became disguised by the incident.

While continuing, Otto even mentioned about the cleanliness of his room. No, no, no, it had nothing to do with this—— Olivia wanted to protest loudly, but it would definitely invite a worse fate, so she gave up.

(How long will he be.).

Otto seemed to have forgotten how to close his mouth. Even though Olivia had already thrown a pleading gaze at the attendant walking through the corridor, they did nothing but salute the ——, they only looked at her with compassion and sympathy.

(Why didn't anyone save me? If Ashton is here, no, Ashton is no good to face Otto's aide. Claudia, Claudia will definitely save me.).

I should have dragged Claudia forcibly to Mess Hall—— Olivia was sorry, her good mood was completely shattered.

After all, this was his own deed, so he had no right to complain to anyone.

「As I said-」

「Pomf」 suddenly takes Otto's eyes off Olivia. Someone had dropped a bunch of documents in the hallway, and frantically picked them up.

(I don't know who you are, but it helps a lot! This is a great opportunity!)

Utilizing the momentary gap in Otto's words, Olivia immediately thanked him. If he continued to listen, his mind would become muddled.

「... Thank you for listening to my simple advice. It's a bit late, but allow me to congratulate you on your promotion to Major General, and your promotion as commander of the Eighth Army. 」

「Y-Yes. Goodby. 」

Otto smiled wryly at Olivia who spoke senselessly, then saluted again. In order to escape quickly, Olivia saluted as she walked away. A voice behind him said, 「Please walk slowly in the corridor!」.

Olivia ran away with all her might.

(Cok.. Stone pen dia wkwkwkwkwk)

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...To Be Continue's...