Chapter 127 (1/2)

Volume 2

Atelier Tanaka Volume 1 &2 Chapter 29 Part 4

Conflict

“I know a lot of people get confused when they first start learning about this system, so.”

The ikemen took a piece of paper out of his pocket and began writing something down.

After I waited for a while, he presented me the paper with a long list on it.

“First off, this is what the ranks of the military look like.”

Military

General Commander Major General First Captain Second Captain Third Captain First Lieutenant Second Lieutenant Third Lieutenant Warrant Officer First Non-Commissioned Officer Second Non-Commissioned Officer Third Non-Commissioned Officer Private First Class Private Second Class Private Third Class

“I see.”

“Private Third Class is a rank given to fresh recruits that have zero experience. Most who join the military will actually start at Private Second Class. Adventurer’s ranks are used to determine their rank in the military. A B rank adventurer would be equal rank to Private First Class.”

“Is it always decided so straightforwardly?”

“It may vary from person to person but this is just generally the case.”

I guess that makes me a warrant officer, but isn’t that surprisingly high? I might get myself into trouble if I don’t understand what my rank means. Will I really be okay? I feel uneasy just thinking about how I should act. I don’t want to get beaten.

“And here are the ranks of the Central Order.”

Allen had finished writing out a new list on the same piece of paper.

Knights

Grandmaster Vice Chief Captain Vice-Captain Squad Leader Common Knight

“Those ranked as Vice Chief or higher are members of the nobility. About half of those ranked Squad Leader up to Captain belongs to the nobility as well. These people are usually lower barons or baronesses that hold small parishes. A common knight is equivalent in rank to a warrant officer in the military. So if a common knight is serving in the military they may even be treated as a commander.”

The more I listen the more I feel like I’m in an advanced class at a prestigious university.

“Now if we’re talking about regional knights, their rankings usually fall down a little. A squad leader in a regional order would usually be equivalent in rank to a Second or Third NCO. On top of this, the power of the lord that the regional order serves also affects the rankings of the knights.”

“This seems to be the most confusing aspect so far.”

“Yeah, I agree. And this is the rankings of the imperial knights.”

Yet another list was added to the paper by Allen.

Imperial Knights

Supreme Knight Senior Knight Intermediate Knight Junior Knight

“Even though they’re knights they have different ranks than you, Allen?”

“The ranks of the imperial knights have various historical meanings to them. It doesn’t matter if you’re the highest rank or the lowest rank, each of these titles can only belong to a member of the nobility. There’s no way for any commoners to join their ranks.”

“No way.”

I dreamed of someday becoming the Princess’ personal guard.

However, this doesn’t mean I’ll just let that dream die. I’ll accept this challenge of becoming the Lucky Royal Lecher.

“When working with the military a junior knight would be the same rank as a second lieutenant, and this is why most of the military ranked second lieutenant or higher are members of the nobility. However, each imperial knights personal affairs can drastically affect their ranks, so there’s really nothing set in stone on their rankings.”

“I-I see.”

So Mercedes-chan is the daughter of a noble family?

Then what was she doing inside that prison? I don’t really understand. Well, it’s not really like I know anything about her background. This is actually a rather pointless thing for me to be thinking about so seriously, I should stop.

“By the way, Allen, you’re a nobleman, right?”

“No, I’m not.”

“Seriously?”

“But I don’t want to hide anything from you, Tanaksan, so I’ll tell you this: currently, I am a commoner. Depending on how some things play out, I may or may not be a commoner in the future.”

“I see.”

In the near future, there’s a possibility that Allen will become a member of the nobility.

Well, if he wishes to continue his relationship with Ester-chan, that’s something that has to happen.

Allen really is trying his hardest.

I’m a little impressed.

Aiming to reach the top in an organization that isn’t accepting of those born outside the nobility, it’s an admirable goal. If he fails, he won’t have anything left. To be with the one he loves, he’s willing to throw everything away.

“I think you may already know this, Tanaksan, but there are several factions that have formed within the aristocracy. Higher ranking members like Esthers father, the Archduke, lead these factions. Those below the rank of archduke such as marquis, earl, duke, baron, all aspire to reach a rank high enough to lead their own faction. And of course, only those that are the highest rank of their house are capable of becoming faction leaders.”

The ikemen then went on to say,

“The success of the nobility is due in large part to the success of these individual factions. As for the total number of factions, they hardly ever change unless there is an increase in the land the empire controls or in the number of titles. If there is ever a large scandal or a house that has failed to manage its territory properly, a new house will usually be formed to compensate for this.”

“That makes sense.”

“Members of the higher ranking factions are always trying to find new ways to control these newly formed houses. If the seat were left vacant, even a commoner would be able to fill it. They’d need to prove that they have the proper qualifications and receive support from other families to do this.”

“So that means there are ways for a commoner to join the ranks of the aristocracy.”