CHAPTER 160
The Commander-in-Chief of the Regular Army. Who would be chosen?
“That will be decided by a vote among the Lieutenant Generals.”
Surprisingly, it was a voting system.
I thought the 1st Commander-in-Chief, Rapha Hastel, would appoint his successor, but to think democracy would make an appearance here.
‘Then again, a system of inheritance could lead to a monopoly.’
It might be fine up to Rapha Hastel, but the Lieutenant Generals after him are a different story.
There was no telling if they would all dedicate themselves to the Regular Army as he had.
“Still, isn’t it pretty obvious who will become the Commander-in-Chief?”
When there’s an election, the candidates are usually narrowed down.
It’s the same principle as how the class president and vice president are roughly decided in school.
“Well, that’s true.”
Inferno didn’t deny it, offering a bitter smile.
“If someone is chosen, it will be one of two people.”
The ones among the Lieutenant Generals closest to the position of Commander-in-Chief.
“Lieutenant General Kandelhar from Central Command. He's a native of Astrape who, from the early days of the Regular Army, helped Astrapeans and Transferees coexist.”
A Lieutenant General from Astrape, a native of this world.
It was a curious position for someone in the Regular Army, which is filled with Transferees.
“You could say that all the current deals and matters discussed with the people of Astrape are his responsibility.”
“So there was someone like that.”
“Yes, and he also has the most support from the Imperial Family.”
He has the support of the Imperial Family.
Hearing those words, my expression changed slightly.
The Imperial Family was currently a vortex of chaos.
“In that case, couldn’t shifts in the Imperial Family’s power structure affect the Regular Army?”
If the Imperial faction that supported the Regular Army were to be ousted from power during this succession, the Regular Army itself could be shaken.
After all, the Regular Army operates with aid from the Gladion Empire and various other nations.
“Well, that’s true. Besides, how should I put it... he’s become more ambitious than before.”
Inferno said this, but then, thinking it might cause a misunderstanding, he added more.
“Ah, of course, when I say ambition, I mean for the direction of the Regular Army. He wants the Regular Army itself to be more firmly recognized as a global military force.”
“About that.”
I decided to frankly probe Inferno’s thoughts.
“Isn’t he hoping for a perfect army with absolutely no internal problems, one that also prevents problems from arising externally?”
Inferno silently turned his head away.
I’d hit the nail on the head.
To appear perfect to the outside world, it’s common practice to cover up internal noise.
For example, to maintain a slogan like ‘1,000 days without an accident,’ all accidents are kept off the books.
Of course, on the surface, it would look like a harmonious and perfect army.
But covering up and turning a blind eye to internal incidents is a process that rots an organization from within.
“Still, his support from Central is solid.”
“Of course it is. He’s the one who brings in the most aid from the outside.”
There’s no one with more influence than the person who earns the operating funds for the Regular Army.
Especially for finance and other executive officers, there would be no one more important to look good for.
His support from Central Headquarters would be guaranteed.
“Then, who is the other person?”
“It’s someone you know.”
“Lieutenant General Inferno?”
“Haha, thanks for the thought, but I’m not cut out to be Commander-in-Chief.”
I think he’d do well, though.
But since he said so himself, I couldn’t force the issue.
“It’s Lieutenant General Anastasia.”
“Right. Among the people on the front lines, she’s the only one.”
Anastasia always stands at the very forefront of the battle lines.
What’s more, she’s a regular Transferee, not a No-Named.
She’s a monstrous figure who fells her enemies through sheer physical training, without any special Ability.
The Queen of the Front Lines.
It was entirely possible for others to support her.
“The problem is that, compared to her support, she has little desire for the position herself.”
“Little desire? Do you mean she has no intention of becoming Commander-in-Chief?”
“It’s the same with Sir Rapha Hastel, but the position of Commander-in-Chief is, after all, a key figure in the organization. The number of times you can go to the front lines is bound to decrease drastically.”
Anastasia was someone who took pride in fighting on the front lines.
As such, it was unavoidable that she would be reluctant to take the position of Commander-in-Chief, which would mean stepping back from the front.
“She’s exactly as she appears.”
“She’d do a great job if she took it, though.”
Anastasia is a person with leadership.
She has the power to make her subordinates follow her, so she would do well.
In the first place, the position of Lieutenant General was created for that kind of work.
“It really is a situation where you don’t know who will be chosen.”
“That’s about the size of it.”

“I hope Lieutenant General Anastasia gets it.”
When I frankly declared my support, Inferno gave a short laugh.
“Why? Because she’s the one you’ve seen the most?”
“No. It’s because she would be the most aggressive in striking down Black Dawn.”
There is a big difference between someone who has fought on the front lines and someone who hasn't.
Right now, Rapha Hastel is investing his utmost to annihilate Black Dawn, but if a different Commander-in-Chief takes over, their priorities could change.
Of course, I don’t think the Regular Army would stop being hostile to Black Dawn.
But the possibility that support related to it could decrease did exist.
“From what I’ve heard, it seems Central and the Front Lines are divided in their opinions.”
“That’s right.”
Inferno let out a bitter smile.
If Central and the Front Lines were in agreement, this kind of situation wouldn’t have arisen in the first place.
It meant that, in the end, their opinions were at odds.
“In that case, I’d also prefer the Commander-in-Chief to come from the front lines.”
If Anastasia became Commander-in-Chief, her views wouldn't be much different from the current ones.
“That’s a valid reason.”
Inferno immediately understood what I was saying.
“So, in the end, do you have any intention of running for Commander-in-Chief, Sir Inferno?”
“I’ve told you several times, no.”
A real shame.
“Well, that’s all for this topic. Let’s go see Sir Rapha Hastel.”
The Commander-in-Chief, lying in his sickbed.
We were going to see him.

To meet Rapha Hastel, we left the Lieutenant General’s office and started walking.
My companions followed me without saying much.
It seemed they were being considerate, remaining silent so I could concentrate, given the gravity of the situation.
Looking at it this way, I could feel that I had risen to a considerably high position.
Compared to the days when I was first transferred, getting stabbed by thugs in an alleyway, things had really changed a lot.
‘In a way, my mind might have been more at ease back then.’
After all, I had no thoughts other than survival. As we walked, we arrived at the Commander-in-Chief's room.
“Sir Rapha Hastel, it’s Inferno. I’m coming in.”
As Inferno opened the door, the smell of a hospital room hit me.
Inside, along with Inferno lying on the bed, were Ririran and Rapiel.
“Harua.”
Rapiel greeted me with a nod, and I bowed my head in return.
Ririran was silently watching Rapha Hastel.
It must be difficult to watch the lover you’ve cherished for so long slowly die.
But even so, Ririran tried not to look away for even a moment.
“Commander-in-Chief Rapha Hastel.”
As I called his name, Rapha Hastel’s eyes slowly fluttered open.
He looked at me and gave a faint smile.
“It’s been a while.”
His voice was almost completely gone.
It was proof that his entire body’s lifespan was coming to an end.
I could tell at a glance that he only had a few days left.
His body had gotten smaller than before.
As his body weakened, it seemed his muscles were the first to be consumed.
When I looked at Rapiel, she also shook her head.
There was no improvement; he was meeting his end.
“So this day has finally come.”
Rapha Hastel’s face showed little concern about death.
Instead, he turned to me.
“Saint.”
At his call, I stepped forward.
“What is death like?”
“Well, it’s nothing special.”
As someone who revives every time, I honestly don’t think much about death anymore.
Because when I open my eyes, I’m alive again.
In the end, that probably isn’t a true death.
“Is that so.”
Rapha Hastel replied calmly.
His face showed he was not particularly afraid of the eternal sleep that awaited him.

But there was just one thing.
A hint of worry was visible on his face.
The Regular Army was a military force recognized in Astrape, but its history wasn't very long.
Many different demi-human races live in Astrape.
Their lifespans are far longer than humans, and thus, the history of their races was often much longer than that of other nations.
This was the result of power structures being maintained by a single individual for a long time.
As such, the Regular Army was nothing more than a newly established military force.
The Gladion Empire, being of the same human race, was manageable, but their influence on other demi-human nations had been minimal until now.
Transferees continue to flow into the world.
Bloody Crown said it was a hole in the sky opened by a Transcendent, so there was no way to stop it.
Rapha Hastel was worried about the Transferees who would live in this world in the future.
Truly, a remarkable man.
Rapha Hastel had been dropped into a hell far worse than what I experienced when I was transferred.

At that time, Astrape was at war with the initial No-Named group, Black Dawn, and hatred for Transferees was at its peak.
This was the man who founded the Regular Army in such a place and led them to victory in the war.
He had essentially built it from the ground up to the top with his own body.
If the Regular Army hadn't existed, countless Transferees would have lost their way and met futile deaths.
The fact that Transferees could live with their shoulders held high at all was entirely thanks to Rapha Hastel’s efforts.
There was no reason not to respect such a man.
And so, just once.
I wanted to receive help from such a man.
“Sir Rapha Hastel, may I borrow your ear for a moment?”
I quietly relayed my story to him.
This was something that could only be done if Rapha Hastel agreed.
A story to ask of him, for the day the Regular Army might no longer be able to function properly.

And with this knowledge, Rapha Hastel would be able to close his eyes in peace.
After I had told him everything, Rapha Hastel quietly nodded.
“I should be the one asking you.”
A man who had lived his entire life for the Regular Army.
Commander-in-Chief Rapha Hastel.
Carrying his final request, I quietly stepped back.
The remaining time was for him and the people who had built memories with him.
Black Dawn, Cruden Island, the Imperial Family, the Commander-in-Chief election.
None of it was something to be discussed with Rapha Hastel, who had strived his whole life.
To let him rest peacefully in his final moments.
That was the proper courtesy for a man who had dedicated his entire life.