Side Character Who Became the Pseudo-Protagonist

Chapter 51: Welcomed With Open Arms

"Maybe I bit off a little more than I can chew..."

Staring at the enormous military base in the distance definitely wasn’t helping my confidence. If anything, the urge to turn around only grew stronger the closer I got.

After everything that happened yesterday, I had taken the first train that morning toward the coast of Midgard territory.

Brynn Military Base—one of the largest and most formidable military installations in the Empire—sat just on the edge of the cozy little coastal town of Brynn.

It was known for training some of the finest soldiers the Ygg Empire had to offer.

More importantly, after calling one of my father’s associates yesterday, I had been assured that I would be welcomed with open arms.

So why the hell was I being refused entry right now?!

As luck would have it, I had accidentally left my identification card at home this morning, which was why they were refusing my entry.

But come on...it’s not that hard to tell that I was a Midgard, could it?

’Well I guess it makes sense...spies using a [Distort] Spell Sequence would probably say the exact same thing.

Begrudgingly, I pulled out my phone and prepared to make yet another call. But before I could even open my contacts, a voice called out from behind me.

"Nolan? Is that you, boy?"

"Who...?"

If I had a silver for every contrasting image I’d seen today, I’d have two silvers.

Which wasn’t a lot...

But it was weird that it had happened twice.

A man in a blue military uniform decorated with various medals approached the gate. He was gigantic, towering at least a whole head over me. With his completely straight posture, fiery red hair, and long white half-cape draped over one shoulder—

Anyone would’ve cowered in his presence or bowed in respect.

Well...

If not for the bright grin on his face saying otherwise.

"General Solaris...!"

"It really is you, chap!" His grin widened. "How have you been?"

Before I could answer, an affectionate slap that was more akin to being rammed by a car arrived on my shoulder.

THUD—!

"G—Good...!" I answered through gritted teeth.

The General laughed heartily before turning toward the soldiers stationed at the gate. "Is there a problem here?"

The guard who had refused me entry immediately straightened. "Sir! He was unable to provide any identification or proof of authorization..."

"Ah, that?" the large man glanced my way. "Don’t worry, it’ll be fine. I can personally vouch for his identity."

After a moment of hesitation, the guard simply bowed before running to communicate the order to another person inside the nearby security tower.

And in mere moments after, the enormous gates opened.

...

’So much for national security...’

"Come!" Solaris threw an arm around my shoulders and practically dragged me inside. "I heard about your escapades at the Academy! Tell me along the way!"

Ahh...the urge to turn around just got even stronger.

Walking through the military base was certainly a sight to behold. All kinds of vehicles and military technology were scattered throughout the facility.

Tanks, jets, and various other combat vehicles sat out in the open while soldiers and engineers moved busily between them. I wouldn’t have called myself a military fanatic or anything, but seeing it all in person really put some things into perspective.

"I haven’t managed to thank you yet for saving my daughter during that attack." The general said in a more casual tone as we were walking.

"No no," I denied the praise. "Anyone in my position would do the same thing. And besides, Cecilia is a strong Operator. She was more than capable of defending herself and her fellow cadets."

"Ha!" General Solaris laughed softly to himself. "You really are your mother’s son. She always had the same habit of brushing aside anything she did. Really was quite the troublemaker back then."

That caught my attention.

"You knew my mother?"

"Quite well, actually." The large man nodded. "We attended Asgard together, along with your father after all."

He leaned closer, lowering his voice despite there being no one nearby who could reasonably overhear us.

"Don’t tell your father I told you this, but your mother was the one who courted him. Not the other way around."

I tried to reconcile that description of Nathan Midgard with one of him standing inside Mimir’s Database with complete control over local reality.

"Really? Are we talking about the same person?"

"Your father was quite the introvert back then."

’Maybe that explains how Namie got her personality from...’

As for me, aparently, I had been unfortunate enough to inherit everything from the other side. Both the good and bad.

"Now that I think about it..." the general leaned back up straight once more. "What are you doing here, son? Just to visit? Or..."

"Oh..." I hesitated, looking at a group of soldiers who were busy doing push-ups nearby. "I felt that I was quite lacking after the incident. So I had contacted the Lieutenant in order to...you know, get myself a bit more in shape."

"Hoh..." the man simply stared at me, unable to decide whether to be impressed or scared for my wellbeing. "It’s a bold plan, are you sure you’re up to the task?"

"Well, I was sure until you just started making me question it..."

"Hah! Don’t worry about it. I feel like someone like you would do fine under his regimen. He’ll make a diamond out of you."

’Yeah, assuming I don’t break first.’

We both stopped in front of a large building entrance that looked more like a warehouse instead of an actual building.

"Well, this is my stop," General Solaris nodded before putting a hand on my shoulder. "If you survive the regimen, swing by and we can have a proper talk!"

"And Nolan?"

"Yeah?"

"I’m sure your mother would’ve been proud at what you did at Asgard."

He said it casually, without realizing I had no idea what the woman whose son I had become would’ve thought of me.

I didn’t really have a response, simply watching the man enter the building before disappearing onto the other side.

’Now that I think about it...why is General Solaris here? He’s usually away in other countries, either as an ambassador or inside an Ygg consulate.’

Ahh...another mystery that I wasn’t sure if I should sink my teeth into.

I turned over to stare at the rest of the military base, which was still just as huge as I remembered it from the game, and decided one thing...

Come back out stronger than before.

"Nolan Midgard?"

Once again, someone called my name from behind me. At least I was now hypothetically two silvers richer.

I turned around, only to find a man standing several meters away, dressed in plain camo pants and a white tank-top.

Unlike General Solaris, he wasn’t particularly large or imposing. If anything, he looked almost disappointingly ordinary.

Then I noticed the soldiers around us. Every single one of them had stopped what they were doing, before standing up and getting into a salute.

’This has got to be the Lieutenant...’

"You’re more of a brat than I thought? This is going to be hard."

"Excuse me—?"

"Run."

He simply pointed toward the perimeter of the base. "Twenty laps. If you aren’t back before noon, you can take the train back home."

I stared at the enormous seawall stretching around the military installation, protecting it from the harsh coastal waves.

Then at the morning sun already climbing above us.

...

"Ahhh...I already regret my decision."