The Difference Is Like Between a Dog and a Cow

75 – An Unexpected Journey (2)

“Yes?”

“Not that different. Wasn’t there Count Pedro’s restraint among the people rescued in this operation?”

“It was… ….”

Bell Meyer nodded her head. She was the one who checked the health of the prisoners, so she was the one who checked the physical condition of Ekaterina Pedro as well.

“The Count is holding a celebration in return, and I will attend as the representative.”

“Good job, right? But with Battalion Commander Sonny Zeppelin and Chief of Staff Joseph Lewandowski there, why am I…….”

The daughter and family members who were kidnapped by bandits returned safely without a single wound. That alone deserves credit for it.

But if Bell Meyer had a particularly good job, that wasn’t it either.

She Of course, she directly participated in the attack operation and helped the first aid for the wounded, but actually, the rescue of Ekaterina Pedro was accomplished by Claude Lane’s 1st Platoon and Company Captain Enoch Levandel.

“That’s because they are aristocrats~”

“The battalion commander?”

“I came here to see the injured, but I didn’t expect the two of them to have a tryst like this.”

The hair reflected in the moonlight shimmers light purple. Sonny Zeppelin smiled as he approached the two of them.

“Does it really matter if I go?”

“Rather, I can go because Bell is the platoon commander. I recommended it to the company commander.”

“There was no need for the battalion commander and the chief of staff to give up such consideration… ….”

“No no no, it would be easier to think of it as being on the same level, not being considerate.”

The colonel snapped his fingers.

“Even if you say thank you and hold a banquet, you’re still a count. We also need to send someone with the right level. If you’re Platoon Commander Bell, don’t you know a lot about aristocratic culture?”

It was a theory. It is the son of a family that has once seized central power. The culture and etiquette of the aristocrats, who had been educated since childhood, were not easily forgotten even after several years.

Besides that, Belle Mayer was fully aware of how territorial the nobles were.

Aristocrats are merchants and engineers who have amassed tremendous wealth through the development of commerce—and those who are not properly treated even by the bourgeoisie.

For those who value honor and tradition, sending any officer or noncommissioned officer could be considered a strong disrespect.

“I’m busy preparing for the next operation right now. The difficulty and scale itself are different from the operation we did this time, infiltrating the borders of the Empire. I don’t have time to attend leisurely parties.”

“Well then, Chief of Staff Joseph… ….”

“Of course, the chief of staff has the same reasons as me. That’s why I decided to send the next highest rank, the 1st company commander. Isn’t it polite that two people usually attend a celebration like this?”

“Right.”

“Lieutenant Enoch Levandel, it’s the person the Prince directly gave a special evaluation to, and it’s true because he’s the one who rescued Lady Pedro. The other company commanders, well…… I don’t know how it will be received on the other side.”

Aristocratic society is complex. After laying down their power, all they had left was honor.

As much as they were obsessed with their previous territory, they placed great importance on the intangible value of honor.

No matter how much you are a soldier, an officer, or a meritorious person, if you come from a lower class such as a commoner or a merchant, it is clear that you will not be treated properly.

“Ah, so I… ….”

“First of all, the highest rank in our battalion is, unfortunately, the platoon commander Bell.”

No matter how much Viscount Mayer’s power is not as good as it used to be.

At one time, the central power was on his back, and even now, the governor is dispatched as an administrator in the vicinity of the capital.

Perhaps they will be regarded as a family with the same level of honor as the county in the outskirts. Having thought that far, Bell Mayer no longer had the right to refuse.

In the end, let’s convince her that she herself has no choice but to participate.

“So I picked out some banquet clothes. Would you like to go see it?”

As if she had been waiting for that moment, Sonny Zeppelin said with a broad smile.

***

Vyaltok, the northernmost region of the Ukrnian principality. Most of it is mountainous, so compared to the other 8 areas, the number of residents is small, and the infrastructure itself is very poor.

Nevertheless, thanks to the geographical feature that the Northwest is the closest to the three Balthor countries, it was an area where two or three trading cities existed.

Among them, ‘Subaki City’ was a much bigger and busier city than Cherno City, which had a similar feel to the northeast.

The banquet hall of the Pedro family, the honorary lord of Villatok, was also located in the city.

“I heard that a young lady was rescued after being kidnapped by a group of thieves who ran rampant near the mountain range.”

“Fortunately, nothing seems to have happened.”

“Then why are you so interested in unnecessary things…….”

The nobles gathered at the banquet hall of the Pedro family threw out one word at a time. It was a party to celebrate the safe rescue of Ekaterina Pedro, the daughter of Count Jacques Pedro.

From noble mtl dot com

For those who knew the circumstances, Ekaterina’s actions did not make much sense.

“Even Count Pedro must have a lot of worries.”

“Unfortunately, there is no deficit to inherit the family. This is always a problem with her daughter’s rich family.”

“But…… Wouldn’t it be nice to bring a good son-in-law? Then we can maintain the legitimacy of the family.”

“Huh, I guess that’s why soldiers and upper ranks are all there.”

“Maybe why not take the quantum?”

Nobility’s interest has always been in the prosperity of their heirs and families. Even though he was not as powerful as before, he still had a strong image that he could rise to a much higher position than a commoner, and that was the case.

“Come to think of it, those who rescued the young lady were also invited to this banquet. If it looks like something worthwhile, it’s okay to open a kite on this.”

“If you are a field officer, aren’t they pretty promising? I heard that she is also a mage.”

Around the time the guests were lightly clinking wine glasses and chatting.

“People from the Special Response Brigade have arrived!”

The door to the banquet hall opened, and a man and a woman slowly walked inside. One was wearing a military ceremonial uniform, and the neatly accompanying person next to him was wearing a jet-black dress similar to her hair color.

As the guests at the banquet said, they weren’t field officers, but they couldn’t take their eyes off their faces easily.

The two diamonds attached to the epaulettes make it look sophisticated and full of dignity. The sharp jawline revealed masculine beauty without filtering, and the gaze directed by the green eyes like boulder is cold and lofty.

The young aristocratic ladies who came out to enjoy a simple celebration and socializing all shut their mouths.

But are men different?

Their eyes were not looking at Enoch Levandel, but somewhere else, but the reaction they showed was no different from the other ladies.

In addition to the beautiful streamlined and emphasized lines, the breasts definitely catch the attention of many males. It was an alluring look that no one would have thought of as a soldier.

They entered the banquet hall and stood right in front of Count Jacques Pedro, who was also startled. They greeted each other with the manners of an old aristocrat.

“Nice to meet you, Count Jacques Pedro. This is Lieutenant Enoch Levandell of the Special Response Brigade. It is truly an honor to meet you.”

Lieutenant Enoch Levandell.

That name was enough to instill tension in the loosened aristocratic society.

***

“The rumored new officer was a lieutenant—! No wonder!!”

“A girl, I am just amazed by the passion and honor that you have dedicated to our country.”

“If you give me a separate address…… Wouldn’t you be willing to do that? No, it’s not like that!! I thought it would be good to make friends together…….”

Ugh, dudes and this.

As soon as the full-scale banquet started, it was an instant to be surrounded by women dressed in all sorts of dresses. When I was talking to Count Pedro, I felt particularly strong gazes…… Was it because of these people?

Of course, the situation was not different for Bell Meyer.

Unlike me, who is from an ordinary person with no roots, Bell is definitely from an aristocratic family.

As much as the reputation of the Mayer family was evident here in Villartalk, there were several men chasing after them.

Just like that, the atmosphere of the banquet is getting more and more ripe.

I managed to get out by the time the people to return were completely gone.

“Puha—! I’m really going to suffocate.”

As I was about to let out all the sighs I had stored up one by one, someone on the terrace burst into laughter first.

“Pu-huh.”

“…… Bell Platoon Leader?”

“It looks like you had a lot of fun.”

Bell Meyer said, slicking the wine she was holding in one hand.

“Don’t talk. Even if the platoon commander is a son of a very famous family…… Why was I so rushed? Actually, the Count couldn’t even have an audience.”

“Are you asking because you don’t know that? Or are you deceiving me?”

“I really don’t know.”

“…… Ugh, looking at it like this, it doesn’t seem like what you said last time was a lie.”

She slipped aside and gave me a seat next to her on the terrace.

“Where do you say there is a man as perfect as the company commander? Recognized by the prince, rescued the young lady of the count family from the thieves…… You would believe it if I said it was a prince who just jumped out of a fairy tale.”

“Your status isn’t like that, is it?”

“What is so important about a status that has nothing left but honor? To those kids, the company commander will almost look like a golden rope.”

“Is that so… ….”

I couldn’t understand it at all, but I just nodded and stood next to Bell Mayer.

Then the night view of Subaki City comes into sight. Even if it is a provincial city, is a trading city a trading city? Even at the time when the sun had fallen, the streets were full of life.

I was staring blankly at that scene for a while.

“Squadron commander.”

“Yes?”

“…… Thank you very much.”

Bell Meyer said with a soft smile. She has beautiful sparkling red eyes. Tears glisten slightly in her eyes.

“…… I didn’t do anything.”

“That’s not it. To be honest, I never thought I would be able to come back to a social church like this. Even the rest of my honor was lost.”

Bell Meyer said in a slightly trembling voice. A past so horrific that she loses her memory just by thinking about it.

I was just trying to help her overcome her past and rise up as much as possible.

“I just…… Didn’t it just provide Sergeant Bell with a small motive? The person who made it happen is none other than Bell Meyer, you.”

“That kind of consideration is what makes me breathe. Because I didn’t have that motivation, I was the one who fell to the bottom of my life.”

“…… As a comrade-in-arms and superior, it is natural. Don’t think too much of it.”

“Whoops, I can’t help but like that aspect of the company commander.”

I was in a hurry to continue talking.

The laughter of people not far away, the bells of a church steeple ringing out, and the dim echo of a contrabass coming from behind.

If I had to say a few more words here, something…… Because I felt that the string of rationality might be cut.

Bell Meyer is a seductive woman.

I could never deny that.

Both Rumia and Roxanna were beautiful women, but Bell Meyer was the one I felt “Rational” On first impressions.

“Enoch.”

She calls my name. She is not attached to a rank or title such as lieutenant or company commander.

A pure name.

“When it’s just the two of us, even if you call me by name…… Would it be okay?”

“Hasn’t he already called… ….”

“Then Enoch, please call me Belle.”

Her pupils are making eye contact with each other. Feeling like she was going to lose her mind, I finally vomited her name.

“Bell.”

The closer gaze slowly approaches.

The time when I was about to close my eyes.

“Both of you are here… ….”

A platinum-haired woman appeared through the slightly open terrace.

“Ah. Ah? Uh?”

Before I could hurriedly back away, Ekaterina Pedro reacted as if something were missing.

“Bang, sorry for disturbing you!!”

Boom! Isn’t it to close the door to the terrace and run away?

“It was a big deal.”

At the conversation that instantly cooled, I had to follow her in a hurry.

“Wait……!! Ekaterina Pedro!! It seems there is a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding!!”

Oh, my dear.