NOVEL NEXT Chapter 33
“Alright. Let’s dig into the memories of my past life when I always had my back.”
So, what’s really needed to comfort the soldiers?
If I go by my memory, the first things that come to mind are, of course…
“Rewards. Vacations. Promotions. And morale-boosting performances. That should do it.”
I could mention discharge and military leave, but that’s incomparable right from the get-go, so let’s skip that.
Anyway, that’s about it. But those aren’t things you can just sprinkle around freely.
So as a backup, our high-ranking folks often choose to come visit personally.
They think showing up out of the blue and saying, “Ha ha ha! You’ve done well!” while shaking hands and patting backs is enough.
Then they foolishly assume the soldiers will be moved and work harder!
“Really? If you actually believe that, you’re deep in delusion.”
One of those memories that still grinds my teeth—cleaning with toothpaste all week long.
And then there’s the shoe polish, which I applied to the faded parts of the hallway.
And that brat, well, he had an appointment and didn’t bother to show up? Damn it.
Here’s the key point: this is a memory from my past life.
In that place, it was the era of democracy, so it didn’t matter whether the high-ups came or not.
But this isn’t that world. Here, there’s an Emperor and Nobles.
Ordinary Imperial citizens might very well be moved by the visit of such individuals.
Even in our Bertier Duchy, the territory folks greatly respected my father.
It wasn’t just for show or flattery; it was sincere.
Some may have been touched by my father’s wise governance of the territory.
But for others, it might just be the normal treatment expected of an Imperial citizen toward a Noble.
“Indeed, when we returned after concluding the conflict with Nobogord, the soldiers were all abuzz with excitement about the presence of the Princess.”
Someone living in a completely different world, a being entirely unlike themselves.
A noble, special entity deemed worthy of respect.
If such an individual were to suddenly show up and comfort them, the effect would be monumental.
Especially not in a relatively safe place, with the battlefield right at their doorstep.
Moreover, the ones receiving the comfort had just experienced defeat not long ago?
“…that’s what has brought me here. Prince Kael.”
The Princess, who had just arrived secretly and is now donning an apron.
Seeing the skepticism in her expression, I decided to explain again.
“I heard that Your Highness the Princess was comforting the public in the East.”
“That’s true.”
“It’s no different here. I just want to tweak it a bit for a more dramatic and immediate effect.”
“Just think about it. The great Imperial family, respected by all citizens.”
That precious Princess of theirs came all the way to this battlefield.
With her delicate hands and tender body, serving meals to at least hundreds of people.
And even the recipients are from a Legion that just suffered a defeat!
The military, after all, is a group that cannot help but become simplified. No intention to belittle here.
When things get complicated and opinions start piling up, it becomes difficult to maximize military efficiency.
As such, soldiers often regress back to their boyhood days.
Smiling over a delicious meal, shedding tears for a stranger who has perished.
Getting fired up over too cliché speeches while their morale takes a hit over odd occurrences.
This sudden visit by an awe-inspiring figure might just lift their weary bodies.
“If you’re still skeptical, a few days of doing this will show you how significant the mental comfort combined with material rewards can be.”
Regardless of the reasons, those folks are ultimately the soldiers who lost to the alliance.
They may put on a brave front, but everyone surely bears wounds to their pride.
They’ll feel it’s an insult to the name of the elite Legion. They’ll think they’ve tarnished that history.
In such a situation, for the Imperial Princess to personally come and comfort them?
Not just a quick wave before zooming off.
Staying for several days, sweating profusely, striving to lift their spirits?
“I get it, Prince Kael. That’s enough. I was just curious, not trying to complain!”
“Ha ha ha! Of course. I know better than anyone that Your Highness the Princess wouldn’t grumble about work for the Empire.”
“…How can you be so sure?”
“If you were the type, you wouldn’t have even joined the military during the conflicts with Nobogord, would you? You wouldn’t be here to soothe the public in the East.”
And don’t worry, Princess.
I still have a bit of a conscience in me.
I’m not the kind of nefarious advisor who leaves the Princess to do all the work while I lounge about!
*
The three-nation alliance. More precisely, the 7th Legion, driven back by the Burgai and Kaden’s forces.
They inflicted some serious damage to the enemy but ultimately suffered defeat.
The Legion Commander and his subordinate commanders worked tirelessly to comfort the soldiers.
“This is a meaningful loss. We’ve done our part too.”
They shouted that this small defeat now would lay the groundwork for the Empire’s future victory.
But from the soldiers’ perspective, all they could see was their own powerless retreat.
The empty seats beside them. Those who shared laughs and chatter just yesterday are now nowhere to be found.
The once orderly march now comes with significant fatigue.
The Legion flag flutters weakly in the wind, looking even more pitiful today.
What troubles them most is the scratch formed on the belief of the Empire’s invincibility.
What will other Legions, Imperial citizens, and high-ranking folks think of them now?
The ones who returned alive couldn’t help but feel more anxiety than relief.
Word spread that a second Imperial force was approaching soon from the Empire.
Normally, this would be splendid news, but not this time.
Discomfort and embarrassment and a peculiar sense of shame weighed heavily on them.
“The honor of the 7th Legion. No, more importantly, we’ve sullied the honor of the Imperial Army.”
“Meanwhile, the 12th Legion is achieving great results over in the Pavilion.”
“Damn. I wonder if I’ll be pointed at when I return home.”
As the 7th Legion slowly began to sink beneath the surface, a voice rang out.
“What’s this? I was expecting something from the renowned spearhead of the Empire, the 7th Legion.”
“Y-Your Highness?!”
The last person they could have ever imagined, suddenly intruding upon the camp.
The Second Princess of the Empire, Isabelle Heldenberg. She had unexpectedly appeared right before the 7th Legion.
From the Legion Commander down to the soldiers, everyone froze in disbelief.
They hadn’t heard a whisper of her impending visit.
Naturally, they were completely unprepared to welcome her.
“Wait, why was there no word from the higher-ups?!”
“This is trouble! Real trouble! We’ve already gained the label of a defeated Legion, and now this…”
Gloomy futures unfolded in everyone’s mind.
It felt as if any moment, the Princess’s lips would utter, “I’m truly disappointed.”
This isn’t just a ‘visit from the Princess’ scenario. She’s the eyes and ears of the Emperor.
It could be that she was sent to personally verify the situation before issuing punishment!
“It’s over….”
“We’re screwed….”
As the Legion Commander, commanders, and soldiers around him all fell into despair.
—Clap!
With a light clap, the Princess continued, “Everyone!”
“I’ve heard that if you stab with a spear once and the opponent falls, that’s actually quite weird. It seems the first thrust tends to break easily. Instead, you have all caused substantial harm to the enemy, even if the weapon was somewhat damaged—what an impressive feat you’ve accomplished.”
With that, the Princess graced them with a beautiful smile.
The sight was truly angelic, almost as though she descended from the heavens.
Her already beautiful figure paired with her words brought relief.
She was not there to punish or scold them.
No, she had come to comfort them in the name of the Emperor and the Imperial Family.
“Well. Seems I’ve arrived just in time. Prince Kael?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
A young man who had been standing respectfully at her side stepped forward slightly.
“Is it lunchtime in the Imperial Army right about now?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Then go find an apron or something.”
Everyone stood speechless, staring at the Princess, caught off guard by how sudden this was.
Not only had she come to a defeated Legion, but she also intended to serve food herself?
“No, Your Highness, you really don’t have to do this.”
“Please. To the soldiers who have fought valiantly for the Empire. Even if it’s not much, I want to serve each of them a bowl of hot soup with my own hands.”
No matter how much they tried to dissuade her, she wouldn’t listen anymore. And at this point, they couldn’t stop her either.
At mealtime, the entire Legion finally learned of the Princess’s visit.
“Hey. Is it the same watery soup and rock-hard bread again today… What the—?!”
“What’s this? Why the sudden bizarre reaction—cough! cough!”
Standing at the soup distribution spot was an incredibly beautiful woman.
That sight was more than enough to rattle the hearts of the soldiers, disheveled from their battles and defeat.
An angel. Yes, it must be that an angel had come down to comfort them!
“Now. It may be the same meal as yesterday, but eat well and let’s get back on our feet.”
“Your Highness.”
Hearing the whispers of the junior commanders beside them, they thought in awe, it truly is the Princess.
It’s astonishing that such a noble, beautiful, and elegant person has come here.
She wouldn’t even glance at them usually, yet here she was, personally filling their soup.
Sweating profusely, even with her lips tightly sealed!
“You can stop now. We…”
“No. I will serve everyone here, including those waiting in line after.”
Even as she was being discouraged, she pressed on and continued distributing soup.
With a bright smile for the soldiers, she said, “Thank you for your hard work. Hang in there.”
It’s a remarkably simple act. It may even seem too conventional.
But that simplicity is what saves them on this battlefield.
It was utterly natural for a significant change to come upon the Legion, which had been floundering in defeat.
After the meal was served, the Princess didn’t take a breather, continuing her next steps.
Checking on the injured, personally attending prayers for the fallen, and mingling with the soldiers to share casual chats.
In that very sight, the commanders and soldiers gained one firm conviction.
The Empire wouldn’t just look at them as mere defeated ones.
Therefore, they had to rise to meet that expectation.
*
The Princess must be doing well. I trust her.
But this alone isn’t enough. Since we’ve started, we must stoke this flame even more.
“If we stop at simply a morale visit, it wouldn’t be satisfactory.”
Not far from the 7th Legion’s encampment flows a stream.
It’s neither too big nor too small. Just right.
Seeing it made an anecdote pop into my head that I simply couldn’t hold back.
“I just hope I don’t get scolded for wasting oil.”
Fewer people knowing is always better.
For that reason, I’ve been oiling the stones for over two hours all by myself.
This, throwing them into the river later on will be a task too…