American Isekai - Chapter 161 (Patreon)

When I got the message from Polly early in the morning, I didn’t hesitate to launch myself out of bed and meet her in headquarters. 

She smiled a bit when I arrived, standing from her desk and dangling the insignia in front of her. 

I approached and saluted. 

“Good morning, madam.”

“Good morning, Cooper. Ready to become a Captain?”

“I’ve been waiting my whole life for this moment.”

“How dramatic.”

She rolled her eyes before reaching out and plucking off the insignia from my fatigues. She replaced my Officer rank with the rank of Captain, three silver bars going on my shoulder. 

“Congratulations, Cooper. You’ve completed the easy part. Now, you get to work through the bullshit. I know you’re looking to speed through the ranks and you’ve certainly demonstrated how smart you are. I didn’t find a single wrong answer on your test, and I’ve never seen someone cite the exact lines out of the books their answers came from. With those smarts getting to Lieutenant Colonel won’t be difficult at all for you.”

“I appreciate the praise.”

“But the issue is time. I’m a Colonel who parses Scourge activity in the region utilizing even the smallest details from reports that come in every day, from patrols to missions. I’ve been stationed here for 13 years, have seen thousands come and go from this base, and hundreds die on missions I’ve given them. By now I should be a Major General. And yet I still sit here as a Colonel, collecting reports and analyzing them, reporting to the Marshal whenever she calls. Do you know why that is?”

“No ma’am.”

I didn’t even try to guess. I really didn’t know why she was still in this position. 

Polly planted herself in her chair and leaned back. 

“It’s because summoners like to build ladders of overcomplicated regulation before kicking them out from underneath them. Being the weakest of the Magi, once they get a little taste of power and superiority in the military, they hold on to it with a death grip and never let go. They’re scared shitless of anybody coming in and intruding upon their slice of authority, giving excuses like how they’ve already filled all their positions and how introducing another Brigadier General will only create tensions that disrupt the harmony of the chain of command. And since the cowardly bastards never die off in battle and never retire, there’s no chance of things changing.”

“Oh…”

“Indeed. Intelligence is their one asset and they know how to use it. Anyway, my point in telling you this is that you’re going to have to prove yourself. I’ve talked to Pollux. I’ve seen your performance at your Magisterium tournament. I have a pretty good grasp on your attitude. And now you’ve proven how smart you can be. You’ve also got a Marshal on your side. All good things that can be used to your advantage, so long as you’re given the chance to exercise your abilities in the first place. And I’m here to say that I’m going to give you that chance. Follow.”

Polly stood and walked off. I followed behind as she led me to a big war room. 

There wasn’t anybody inside. The walls were plastered with maps, markers, and movements. There were dozens of reports scattered on the table, sparsely organized by date and location. 

“I’ve heard about you guys. The Calamity Class. It’s amazing to think that you actually came face to face with the King of Anarchy and survived. That day, we came under siege ourselves. Thankfully we had a Sovereign here. They’ve since been relocated due to reallocations, and we thankfully haven’t had a need for them. But the pressure had been increasing. We’ve had more activity in the past month than we had in the past year before Anarchy. I feel like you have a more intimate grasp on this than most, because either you’re very lucky, or you’re that skilled.”

“Hm.”

I hummed, recalling memories of that day against Anarchy. It was all so quick and yet every second was burned into my brain. 

Polly continued, looking toward the maps.

“Whatever it is, you’re going to start helping me. I have two other Colonels and a dozen intelligence personnel working almost everyday to help me collect information from reports. The Scourge is bearing down, getting smarter. So we have to step up. The war we fight here at Stronghold Charlie is a war of information. I’m frankly underequipped to be fighting such a war, but so far I’ve managed to maintain our victories. The Marshal knows this, which is why I’m the highest sitting Intelligence agent in this Stronghold. And now, you’re going to be another asset. Not just a thinker behind a desk like the rest of us, but one that can actually step onto the field and give us information from a perspective someone like Pollux can’t. But before doing that, you’re going to need to understand how our tactics work. Then, you’re going to have to study our recent history, understand the war as it was, and as it is now, before contributing to its future. Which brings us here.”

Polly reached out, setting an Orb in front of me on the nearby table. 

“This Orb contains four books. Memorizing them will technically be enough for you to reach Colonel. I’ll give them to you and then expedite you through to the rank of Colonel, given enough time. You’ll get the speedy promotions you want and you’ll get some preferential treatment around here. You’ll be one of mine, after all.”

“...And?”

I raised my brow. As I listened I realized that this was a deal being offered. I was quite interested.

Polly smiled. 

“And in exchange, everything you do here, all your contributions, your accolades, will fall under my name. This is my initiative. A new war is coming, and I don’t plan to remain a Colonel for much longer. I’m already primed to become a Brigadier General because there were a few that died at Purple Sky. I’ve been ready to take their place for a long time now. And Brigadier General is just the first step. However, I need to impress some people. Which is why my name has to be at the top. My other two Colonels already understand this. And if you help me as much as I think you can, not only will my job be easier, but I’ll know just who to take up there with me when I climb. Your promotions will come as easy as breathing with my name behind it. And barriers, like access to these books, will be a nonexistent issue.”

She twirled the Orb on the table, her proposition made clear. 

A mutually beneficial cooperation agreement. In exchange for all my achievements being tossed under her resume, including help that only I can give, I’ll be on the fast track to becoming a Colonel. I wouldn’t stand out nearly as much, probably fading into the background as Polly received all the praise for things I did. But promotions, things that often took years for intelligence personnel to get, would come as quickly as I could get them.

She had already done it with two others apparently. And my immediate thoughts weren’t opposed. But when I thought about my goals and whether this lined up with them, I voiced my concern. 

I looked her in the eye, no longer addressing her like a soldier, but on equal grounds. This was a negotiation, somewhat.

“I have one concern.”

“Yes?”

“You see, I made a deal with some friends, those of my prior squad, before we entered the military. We all plan on getting much stronger than we are, and to some extent our rise is almost guaranteed. They’re some of the most talented of the Magisterium, and although I often question it, I’ve come to realize that my talent and the foundations of my power will facilitate my growth well beyond the average. And if you know who the Marshal is behind me and why they’re there, then you know that my girlfriend is most certainly going to succeed her mother, dare I say surpass her.

“I assume as much, though you two seem to be closer than what a few moving pictures might suggest.”

“To the great displeasure of many nobles, we are. It also means that I never foresaw any issues getting the recognition I needed to come into contact with a certain group of people. And if you take all my accolades, then I’m afraid I may not fulfill my end of the deal with my squad, for I will remain unseen.”

“...And what group of people might that be?”

She asked curiously, making me smile.

“Special Operations.”

“Oh? You and your friends have quite the ambition.”

“A natural consequence of what we’ve been through.”

“...I understand. Good thing for you, I know some people.”

She smiled, picking up the Orb.

“I’ve been here for 13 years, and there have been no shortage of individuals who have come and gone from this place after being scouted by Special Operations. I happen to know the recruiter, since I chewed him out after he took a batch of my talented Snow Doves. So if thats your goal, I can certainly facilitate the transfer. Only after you’ve met his standards, of course. I can’t do anything for you if he simply refuses to take you.”

“That would be my fault for underperforming. So long as he’s made properly aware of my capabilities.”

“Which I can assure you of. Your performance in combat is yours alone. What I want from you is that strong mind inside your head, as well as the fruits it bears. And there’s no reason why I can’t help that recruiter understand your value beyond combat as well. So long as I get to where I need to go, I’ll promise that, as long as you’re capable, I’ll pave the way toward your goals. My contacts run deep, Cooper. Know that.”

“...”

I smiled. This woman, as unassuming as she looked, was quite the schemer. It seemed this was a glimpse of the world of summoners, a battlefield of cunning and subterfuge. 

I didn’t think I was quite cut out for that world. I didn’t like playing mind games. Which was why I wasn’t bothered by my intellectual achievements beind owned by Polly. My goals lay elsewhere. 

Once we managed to bring the squad back together, there’d be nothing to stop us. And who knew? Years down the line, Polly might turn out to be an important ally. 

This was a great opportunity, even if I had to sacrifice some things. Besides, if it really came down to it, there were some people I could call to get me out, and I’d just make my name big somewhere else. I seemed to be good at that. 

I put out my hand for a shake, Polly grinning and clasping my hand with hers, Orb between our palms. 

“You scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours.”

“That’s an interesting phrase, though metaphorically fitting. I’m not one to disappoint those who help me, Cooper. I need friends and allies, and the more powerful they are, the more we all benefit. Besides, the more power us summoners have, the more control we’ll have over the battlefield and the soldiers on them. I don’t plan to get overrun like Purple Sky, so this is both a war for benefits as well as survival.”

“Indeed. Have the recent battles here been that bad?”

“They’re escalating, and if we aren’t proactive, it’ll quickly get out of hand. Absorb the information within the Orb. Take the time to really understand it all. After that, I’ll start teaching you about the war we fight in here. Before all that though, go see Pollux. He’s has your Sergeant insignia. I heard you were particularly outstanding at the Treehouse. He told me to send you to him when you were ready.”

“Understood.”

I took the Orb, stashed it away, and then gave a salute. 

The deal was made. Now I just needed to deliver. 

After leaving headquarters I went to go find Pollux. He was in the rec room, enjoying a drink at the bar. 

I slipped in and sat down beside him, remaining silent as he took another sip. 

Once done, he set down the Sergeant insignia on the bar top, sliding over the three stripes. 

“Congratulations, Captain Cooper.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Keep this up and it won’t be long before I have to give you your own squad. I’ll give it three years for you to hit First Sergeant.”

“Hoh, I’m not sure, sir. My current goal is to hit Authority 7 in three years.”

“That’s awfully ambitious.”

“Well what about you, sir? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”

I plucked the insignia while asking, swapping out my corporal rank. 

Pollux just chuckled. 

“Heh, you ask that like I’m young.”

“Who said our elders can’t have goals and ambitions?”

“You calling me old, Sergeant?”

“Not a chance, sir.”

“Hm. Hopefully in 5 years I’ll still be kicking like I am now. This is an unforgiving place, and the war is escalating. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Scourge comes marching through those gates tomorrow with a million strong army.”

“Well that’s dreary.”

I muttered in a low voice, Pollux downing the last of his drink. 

“Pessimism, and generally expecting the worst, is how I’ve survived this long.”

“Well I can’t say I haven’t adopted a similar mindset. Hopefully I’ll get to the point where I can do something about it before that happens though.”

“If you can hide from Royals in plain sight, you’ll have a better chance than most.”

“Hm, speaking of, mind if I test out my stealth on you?”

“On me?”

He glanced over at me with a peculiar eye as I stood. 

I smiled. 

“Just sit down there and keep your focus on me. Don’t let me vanish in your eyes.”

“Alright.”

He nodded and swiveled to face me head on. Then, I let out a long breath. 

White fog spread out from my person, obscuring Pollux’s view, as well as the sightlines of all those around us in the rec room. I felt several eyes fall on me. 

And then, I disappeared with the fog. I saw Pollux’s eyebrows raise before I started slowly moving to the side. 

The entire rec room was silent, and I was able to move out of everyone’s line of sight. Although Pollux seemed to be able to follow me for a short time, once I distracted everyone with a glimmer of myself in another location, I was able to completely vanish. 

I moved behind the bar, grabbing a bottle before mixing something up and serving it in two glasses. 

“Can I interest you in a drink sir?”

“Hm?”

Pollux flipped around, eyes wide as he looked between the glasses and I.

At some point, he shook his head. 

“Ridiculous. My Aura was never exceptional but I didn’t think someone three Authorities below me could just vanish from my sight. Are all the Magisterium Elites like you?”

“No, otherwise I wouldn't have won the tournament. Plus, I’m a summoner, and that technique messes with your mind. Not many people have ever had to deal with summoners so I wouldn’t blame yourself for not knowing how.”

“Little in the way of an excuse. But at least I know now that you can keep yourself safe.”

“Mm.”

I downed my drink in agreement. Showing Pollux my skills like this would help when it came time to impress certain recruiters. Although I was sure I could rely on Polly, I wanted to keep my avenues open. 

I left the back of the bar and sat back down at a stool, hanging out for a bit longer.