010: Soldier's Job 5

April 17, 2022 – 4 minutes read – 695 words

“What exactly has happened?” Officer A

“What has happened, Colonel Reedon?” Officer B

“Well, it was fine until I ordered a company to investigate, but what did Second Lieutenant Scott think when ordering a forest assault at night? Normal doctrine is to camp in front of the forest and investigate at sunrise the next morning.
Who would enter? A night battle in a dark forest? Tantamount to suicide.
Bring me his service history.” Colonel Reedon

“This is all goblins… it was a different company that took out the orcs.
Did he think trolls were just large goblins?” Officer A

“Sorry, was it my fault to give him a sortie order?” Officer B

“No, wasn’t it was simply that he had the first available company? Rather, the bigger issue is how was he raised up to Second Lieutenant.
Well, we should move on to interviewing some of the soldiers that were present.” Colonel Reedon

“Perhaps he misunderstood immediately?” Officer A

Testimony 1

“The Second Lieutenant said that since a single platoon could defeat a troll, so a company with a ballista couldn’t lose, even against two!” Soldier

Testimony 2

“When I asked, ‘Are you serious about starting a night battle in a forest?’ he replied ‘They’re just big, slow bastards! Anyone can just outrun them! How can the ballista miss a target so big and slow! It’s easier than an all-you-can-eat buffet!’” Soldier

Colonel Reedon rubs his forehead while listening to the testimonies.

A slender man with long golden hair and green eyes, dressed in an immaculate military uniform walks down the hall.
Second Lieutenant Scott has an arrogant expression as he walks to hear the good news from his Colonel.
Last night, he annihilated two trolls, sure some soldiers were injured, but that’s normal for a fight, right?

“Perhaps, I’ll be promoted to Lieutenant” 2nd Lt.
Scott smiles to himself

“Second Lieutenant Scott Pagenou! What have you to say for yourself?” Colonel Reedon

Second Lieutenant Scott looks taken aback.

“But I defeated the enemy?” 2nd Lt.
Scott

“You’re a blithering idiot! How can you say that with 15 injured and three dead.
Why are you acting like you couldn’t help that?!” Colonel Reedon yells

It seems the seriously injured did not survive.

“Injuries and deaths happen regularly when fighting monsters! The most critical part is dispatching monsters quickly!” 2nd Lt.
Scott

“Where did you learn to rush into battles without a strategy? Don’t act a fool! Your orders were suicide!” Colonel Reedon

“They were just green soldiers who were inexperienced, I can’t be held responsible! Those injured people, they were stupid soldiers who couldn’t keep their footing and fell! They need more training!” 2nd Lt.
Scott

“If you fight in a forest at night, obviously soldiers are going to slip and fall.
That’s why you should have the presence of mind to not start a night battle in a forest!” Colonel Reedon

“But I didn’t fall, I remembered my training.” 2nd Lt.
Scott

“You just happened to be lucky!” Colonel Reedon

“No, I made sure not to fall so I wouldn’t get injured or die!” 2nd Lt.
Scott

“Stop talking! Get out of my sight!” Colonel Reedon

“So, who recommended that idiot to Second Lieutenant?” Colonel Reedon

“Ah, Major General Jonathan Newgarden.
It seems Scott is a relative of the general’s.” Officer A

“That pig is a Major General?” Officer B

“What are you going to do?” Officer A

“Contact Lieutenant General Penske and have him handle the demotion.
If we continue with that idiot, we’ll run out of soldiers! Demote him to sergeant!” Colonel Reedon

“Damn! What’s with that Colonel! Even if he wasn’t there, it looked great! Such useless subordinates, who cares how many die or are injured? Even if the soldiers are a few less today, we can find more soon, commoners are everywhere! How dare they hold me back, someone who is fated to become a Major General!” Sergeant Scott

The Next Day

“Master Sergeant Patrick Riggsby has been promoted to Second Lieutenant, five gold coins will be awarded.”

“Sergeant Wayne Kimble is promoted to Master Sergeant, three gold coins will be awarded.”

“Second Lieutenant Scott Pagenou is demoted to Sergeant”