My Desertion Would Be Faster Than Heros’ Obsession

To put it simply, being the youngest in the platoon is always hell.
Even though I had resolved to survive after the death of my comrades and had recently switched to training with firearms, nothing about military life had truly changed. The desire to desert was as strong as ever.

Not that I can actually desert because of this damned magic contract, but still…
The only thing I was genuinely grateful for in this life was that my memories of my previous one weren’t complete.
It’d be a disaster if I started missing family or something.

The only things I could recall from my previous world were vague details about “Earth,” the plot of this novel, Four Obsessed Madmen Cling to Me, and my original name.
Still, remembering even that much is a blessing.
If I couldn’t even recall my name, I’d probably feel like I’d completely lost my past self. That’s why my original name was a treasured memory.

On particularly awful days, I would silently recite it to myself as I drifted off to sleep. And let’s face it, every day in this world is awful.
"That’s it for the laundry?"
"Yeah."

I tossed the last of the wet clothes into Aquila’s basket. Once we hung these up, today’s laundry would finally be done.
"Hands."
Without a word, I extended my cold, red hands toward Aquila. He clasped them between his own, warming them instantly with his body heat.

Aquila liked it when I made requests like this. It reassured him that I was alive and well.
"Are you two done with the laundry?"
Isina’s voice rang out as he appeared in the laundry area. Aquila and I quickly let go of each other and stood at attention.

"…Looks like you are."
Isina, ever smiling, shot us a look that was far from innocent.
Ah, that’s the face of someone whose patience is boiling over but is barely holding it together.

"Yes, sir. We’ve finished."
"…My hands were cold, so…"
Before Isina could get the wrong idea, I hurriedly added an explanation.
"Right, of course… your hands were cold."

Still smiling, Isina cast a pointed glare at Aquila, who remained utterly unfazed.
"Let’s get these hung up," Isina said at last.
It had been two months since the dragon subjugation incident. Aquila and I had spent every day since surviving our hellish rookie life, clinging to the hope of eventual discharge.

In that time, we’d grown closer to Isina, our direct senior from the 89th cohort.
The cohorts from 86th to 88th were completely wiped out, leaving no survivors, and the only seniors left from the 85th cohort were utterly broken, likely due to this godforsaken military life.
Honestly, I could feel my own language getting harsher by the day. But seriously, how can anyone survive in this hellhole without swearing?

Regardless of his role as a cunning schemer in the original novel, where he manipulated the heroine Dalin, Isina was nothing like that in real life. He was diligent, kind, and never scolded his juniors.
"Now that I think about it, you two have been here for three months already."
"Yes, sir."

"Is anything giving you trouble these days?"
"Ha ha…"
I forced an awkward laugh, and Isina, dark circles under his eyes, laughed along with me.

Yeah… Isina wasn’t that much better off than us. Being just one cohort ahead meant he was practically a rookie too.
"Life in the army is always tough, sir…"
"Indeed…"

As Isina and I shared a tearful exchange, Aquila silently hung up the laundry.
"By the way, did you know you’ll be getting new recruits soon?"
Finally.

The news was so moving I nearly cried, and even Aquila, who rarely showed emotion, let the corners of his lips curve upward.
Let me emphasize: in this cursed military of NemiJip, the service period was a whopping eight years. Every three months, new recruits would arrive, which meant we’d been the rookies for a full three months.
"This is truly wonderful news…."

"Yeah, I just hope we get good recruits this time."
"What kind of recruits do you consider ‘good,’ sir?"
"Well, that’s obvious."

Isina’s green eyes softened as he smiled gently.
"Personality matters more than skill."
"But without skills, they’ll die, won’t they?"

"True, but if they have enough skill to survive, then personality is what counts. Imagine if someone like Winter joined as a recruit."
"Ah…"
I couldn’t help but nod in agreement.

Yeah, the epitome of "cool mint," Winter—who was also the second male lead in the original novel—would be a nightmare as a subordinate. A senior being intimidated by their junior? That’s a headache I didn’t want.
But truthfully, I already knew who one of the incoming recruits would be.
Or more accurately, I knew the one recruit who would definitely be there and definitely survive.

The fourth male lead of the original story: Karon.
Karon was your typical "cute younger guy" archetype among the four male leads.
Despite being senior to Dalin, he was always playful and charming, capturing readers’ hearts with his stark contrast between his sweet demeanor around Dalin and his ruthlessness toward anyone who threatened her.

‘He’s the type who acts harmless but goes berserk if the heroine’s in danger.’
And since Karon was one cohort below Aquila in the original story, that meant he’d be joining soon.
With his easygoing and mild personality, Karon was likely to be the "good recruit" Isina was hoping for. Dealing with him wouldn’t be hard at all!

Thinking about the end of this wretched rookie life, I practically hummed with glee while hanging up the laundry. Aquila and Isina exchanged glances, clearly amused by my unusually cheerful mood.
"Salvia, is the soap restocked in the bathrooms?"
"Yes, I checked it earlier!"

As I entered the barracks, Yuri greeted me with her usual icy expression.
But I knew by now that Yuri didn’t dislike me.
That frosty attitude was just her default demeanor. Besides, she no longer referred to me as "newbie" but used my actual name—Salvia.

"Hey, Salvia."
"Yes?"
For once, Yuri addressed me first, and I turned to her with sparkling eyes.

Her jet-black gaze, usually lifeless, now held a glimmer of interest. Leaning toward me, she looked as though she had something entertaining to share.
"You know why you haven’t had any trouble because of your face here, right?"
"What do you mean?"

I blinked in confusion.
"Your face. Why it hasn’t caused any problems in this place."