Lancer personally quite liked the dark-red and white color scheme of the Hermitaur Armor. However, upon joining the Imperial Guard, even his armor had to be repainted. Back then, he had merely been a rookie, and being allowed to keep his personal gear was already generous enough. Now, that silver-white armor was stained red once more.
"Who the hell are you people? Talk!"
"Executioner… you'll burn in hell!"
The black-clad attacker in Lancer's grip spat out one last, bitter curse before his eyes rolled back. Only then did Lancer realize something and quickly pulled off the attacker's mask, revealing a trickle of black blood. Clearly, the man had taken a fast-acting poison.
Lancer was indeed skilled in combat, but General Budo was right—he was still "too inexperienced" in many things.
With the suicide of the captive attacker, the sudden battle came to an abrupt end. Yet no one present felt even remotely relieved.
Half the guards had been murdered in their sleep. Those on watch had been swiftly eliminated at the onset. Even the survivors had suffered severe casualties in the short, brutal skirmish. If not for Lancer's presence, these soldiers, who'd long since let down their guard, would've all had their heads taken while dreaming.
Beyond the human losses, a significant portion of their supplies had also been destroyed—particularly food. Who knew whether the remaining provisions had been poisoned? Inevitably, they would all have to be discarded.
After hurried discussions, the survivors hastily buried their fallen comrades and departed immediately for their destination in the few intact transports.
Lancer suggested heading to a nearby noble's territory to report the attack, but the others unanimously protested, insisting there was no need to burden him further. They'd been terrified enough by the ambush; who could guarantee they wouldn't be attacked again once Lancer left?
Unsurprisingly, after this incident, most of these soldiers would either retire or request transfers to other units.
Over the next few days, the group traveled nonstop towards the Western Border Army base. A trip originally planned to take three days was rushed through in little over a single day.
...
Without question, their transport mission had failed. But given their heavy losses, the Western Border Army officials didn't have the heart to overly criticize them.
An investigation was inevitable. Strangely, by the time border personnel reached the site, the attackers' bodies had vanished. Even the few corpses Lancer's group brought back yielded no meaningful clues.
What Lancer truly hadn't expected was for the incident to officially be blamed on "foreign tribes."
What?!
When he heard that conclusion, Lancer was utterly dumbfounded.
Foreign tribes? They look like this?
Shortly afterward, he and the others received a gag order. Given Lancer's status as an Imperial Guard, however, the messenger privately added a few cryptic words.
"You'll understand why tomorrow."
And sure enough, Lancer understood clearly during the public announcement the next day.
"Just yesterday, we lost over twenty brave brothers to those savage barbarians! The supplies scheduled to arrive today will now take at least a month to replace…"
"Therefore, I hereby order: Everyone carry three days' rations! Our objective—the Western Desert!"
"Yeahhhh!"
Observing the fervor gripping the soldiers around him, Lancer almost had the illusion they were heading to a carnival rather than a battlefield.
After the frenzy subsided, the officer who delivered yesterday's gag order approached Lancer once more—though this time, far more respectfully. The Western Border Army's commander wished to "meet" him, an invitation Lancer naturally accepted.
"Apologies, Second Lieutenant Lancer. Yesterday's attack left me with no time to greet you properly."
"No need, General. Military affairs naturally come first."
Though the general seemed polite enough, Lancer knew better than to take such courtesy at face value. Responding arrogantly to politeness was foolish. Thankfully, the general simply nodded, dropping the matter smoothly.
"General Budo's letter has already been verified, but I'd still like to confirm your personal preference."
"My preference?"
"Indeed. Generally, the personnel who come here for short-term training are already earmarked as 'talent' for the Imperial Guard. Since they lack the trials of the lower ranks, they come here to fill that gap. Usually, you have two choices: join a regular unit under my command, or operate independently as part of a 'Special Operations Team.' The first is safer, while the second is far more dangerous, separate from the main force. Which will it be?"
If Lancer intended to climb the ranks toward becoming a general, the first option would clearly be wiser. After all, what general lacked command experience?
But Lancer planned to leave after just two years. Compared to learning leadership, improving his personal strength mattered far more.
"I choose the second option."
"Very well. Report directly to my deputy afterward."
Lancer never imagined the first "plot character" he'd encounter after coming to this world would be General Budo—nor that the second would be Liver.
Unlike Lancer's memory of the cool older man dressed in black tactical gear, Liver currently still had mostly black hair and no beard. Were it not for the man's killing of Bulat making a deep impression, Lancer wouldn't even have recognized him by name alone.
"Is something wrong, Second Lieutenant Lancer?"
"No! Nothing at all!"
"Good. Allow me to introduce your teammates. I look forward to a fruitful cooperation."
"Yes, sir!"
Though Liver appeared to be around thirty, his meticulous nature hadn't changed at all—every step he took seemed precisely measured. Despite his seriousness, he showed surprising tolerance toward others, making him not only likable but trustworthy.
Thus began Lancer's life in the Western Border Army.
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A/N:: Everyone knows what Akame ga Kill! is modeled after. Remember one point clearly—the protagonist is neither from the Empire nor from the foreign tribes. His sympathy is entirely based on his own values. I doubt I'd personally accept something like slavery immediately if thrown into the medieval era; at the very least, I'd need an adjustment period. Lancer hasn't experienced war yet—he may have faced "monsters" like Ghouls, but he's yet to realize humans can be far more monstrous. That's why I chose Akame ga Kill! for this volume.
Only through war can one truly appreciate peace. Only through witnessing cruelty can one appreciate humanity's brilliance. I hope "Lancer" ultimately becomes a true "hero," but he's just begun his journey.
Don't overlook the hints provided: The first volume is titled "Choice," and the second is "Corruption." My titles aren't just there to sound cool. As I've repeatedly said, Lancer is still immature—at least until Volume Three, he's growing.
T/N: i havent translated this in a while the previous batch of chapters were all drafts and stored up, so there might be some differences in translations lemem know