"Yes, sir."
Colonel Dickson left without another word.
The only person remaining in the room was Lieutenant Fren.
She wanted to join the battle despite having no real combat experience. To me, it felt like handing a rifle to a child and sending them into a warzone.
"Yes, Miss Fren?" I asked while sitting down in my chair.
"Sir, please."
I sighed and rubbed my forehead.
"What does 'no' mean?"
"'No' means not to do something," she replied quickly. "But I want experience. And the only way to gain experience is during war."
She looked directly at me.
"Please, sir. Let me learn from you. You're an expert."
I let out a quiet chuckle.
"Really? I thought I wasn't an expert."
"N-No!" She shook her head immediately.
"Very well," I said calmly. "Five hundred push-ups."
"F-Five hundred?" she stuttered.
I wanted her to give up on her own.
"What happened? Cat got your tongue? I suppose you cannot do it."
I leaned back in my chair.
"If you complete them before midnight, you pass."
A knock interrupted us.
"Come in," I said.
The door opened.
Colonel Kavira Sten entered the room. She carried herself with elegance and discipline, her uniform pressed as sharply as armor.
"Sir, I received your message. The 202nd Infantry Battalion is prepared for departure."
"Good. We move at 1000 in the morning. Ensure all supplies and transport trucks are ready by nine."
"Yes, sir."
She saluted. I returned a small nod.
Then suddenly, Lieutenant Fren spoke.
"Do you prefer women like her? Muscles with no brain?"
The question came completely out of nowhere.
The veins on Colonel Sten's forehead immediately became visible.
"Why, you little—"
My voice became sharper than before.
"Lieutenant Fren."
She instantly moved behind Colonel Sten for cover.
Unfortunately for Colonel Sten, she was now standing directly between the two of us.
"Miss Fren," I said coldly, "either complete the five hundred push-ups or forget about joining the operation."
"Yes, sir!"
"And you clearly require additional lessons in respect."
Colonel Sten sighed.
"Commander, please forgive her. I do not mind."
I looked at her quietly.
"Really, Colonel?"
"Yes." A faint smile appeared on her face. "She reminds me of my younger sister. If I am not mistaken, she should be around nineteen years old."
Lieutenant Fren immediately brightened.
"Yes! I'm nineteen!"
Colonel Sten lightly struck her head with a fist before looking back at me apologetically.
For a moment… I envied them.
Especially Colonel Sten.
She still had family waiting for her somewhere beyond the battlefield.
"Sir?" Colonel Sten called.
"Get out," I said calmly. "And Colonel Sten, you will supervise her training until dusk. I will inspect her progress personally."
Both saluted before immediately leaving the room.
Silence returned.
Envy…
When people envied something deeply enough, it often turned into betrayal… or something worse.
I walked toward the window.
Outside, I could see the two of them talking and laughing like sisters.
"That is good," I murmured quietly.
Eventually, exhaustion overcame me once again.
I walked to the couch, laid down, and drifted into a short sleep.
Dong. Dong. Dong.
The bells of the clock tower echoed across the base.
Sunset.
I slowly opened my eyes before heading toward the training grounds.
Soldiers immediately saluted as I passed. I acknowledged them with brief nods while continuing forward.
Soon, I spotted Colonel Sten and Lieutenant Fren.
Lieutenant Fren was completely drenched in sweat.
Colonel Sten saluted the moment she noticed me.
"Report," I said, still slightly sleepy.
"Two hundred and twenty-five push-ups completed, sir. Two hundred and seventy-five remaining."
"You are dismissed, Colonel Sten."
"Yes, Commander."
She saluted once more before leaving.
After Colonel Sten departed, Lieutenant Fren looked at me with exhausted eyes. Her breathing was uneven.
I stopped her before she could continue.
"Sit down."
She looked confused.
"Rest for thirty minutes," I ordered calmly. "Otherwise, you will injure yourself."
"S-Sir…" she breathed weakly.
"I will return shortly."
She nodded.
I made my way toward the makeshift cafeteria.
Laughter and conversation filled the air — one of the few remaining signs that these soldiers were still human.
The moment I entered—
"ATTENTION!"
Every soldier immediately stood upright.
The laughter vanished instantly, replaced by heavy silence.
"At ease," I said.
Everyone sat back down, though tension still lingered in the room.
General Vex and General Kael quickly approached me, likely trying to understand why I had suddenly appeared there.
"Commander," General Kael asked carefully, "what brings you here?"