NOVEL NEXT Chapter 7
After a long journey, I returned from the Bardenplatz plains to the General Staff Headquarters, my exhaustion evident in every part of my body as I got out of the car.
“I’m dying…”
I had nearly been on the road for three whole days, not counting food and lodging.
This was an absurd forced march for someone like me, who struggled with physical fitness tests back at the officer academy.
So, I really didn’t want to go on an inspection in the eastern region, but with news of oil discovery, I had no choice but to verify it myself.
As it turned out, the black liquid found in the Bardenplatz plains was indeed oil.
“Well… Naturally.”
The logistics staff were not fools; they could differentiate between dirty water and oil.
Yet, the reason I went on the inspection was to keep the headquarters’ interest in me from waning even slightly.
It was more fitting for a newcomer like me to be moving around to confirm whether it was real rather than sitting in the Operations Staff Office as if I took the discovery for granted.
That wouldn’t diminish my achievements, of course.
Sighing, I loosened my tie and made my way towards the headquarters building.
Feeling tired, I wanted nothing more than to collapse onto my dormitory bed immediately, but as a soldier, I couldn’t skip my return report.
*
“Ah! Lieutenant Daniel Steiner! Come in quickly.”
As I entered the Head of the Operations Staff Office and saluted, Ernst welcomed me with a kind smile.
I shouldn’t be deceived by that gentle smile. I maintained my salute and began to speak.
“I have something to report! As a result of my inspection of the rear line of the eastern front in the Bardenplatz plains…”
“Oil was discovered, right? That’s already known both by the headquarters and the citizens of the empire, so there’s no need for a separate report. Just relax.”
Having received his permission, I didn’t need to salute anymore.
I lowered my hand and took the at-ease position.
“Everyone has been praising you lately, Lieutenant. The higher-ups, too. Finding an oil deposit… That’s an accomplishment not even the esteemed people have achieved.”
“That’s too much of a compliment.”
It truly was an overstatement. It wasn’t something I sought out.
But Ernst, thinking I was being humble, chuckled softly.
“There have been many discussions about promoting you for this. I agree, but the process hasn’t gone smoothly due to some opposition.”
“…Opposition?”
“Yes. On the surface, they say that a rookie with no real combat experience shouldn’t be promoted twice in such a short time. But I think they have some biases against your background.”
Ernst was speaking indirectly, but it seemed some individuals in the military hierarchy were arguing that they shouldn’t give too much power to an orphan like me.
I understood.
While the Kingdom of Bavaria had changed its name to the ‘Holy Bavarian Empire’ and abolished class discrimination, remnants of such biases still ran deep.
Currently, most influential figures in the empire’s political and economic circles came from noble families, and some areas were still referred to as baronies and earldoms.
In such times, it was natural that an orphan who had built achievements wouldn’t be viewed favorably despite the nominal ‘Law Against Class Discrimination.’
Had I not awakened my memories of my previous life, I might have reacted angrily, but now they simply appeared as grateful individuals.
They want to prevent my promotion? I somewhat felt like I wanted to bow to them.
“If that’s the opinion of the higher-ups, I will comply.”
With my calm response, Ernst looked at me with surprise and admiration.
“I expected you to get angry; you’re impressive. Is this what it means to be an exemplary soldier? I can understand why Major Heinrich has a high opinion of you.”
Ernst, chuckling, suddenly turned serious and looked at me.
“In a proper society, esteemed individuals should hold ranks that match their abilities, shouldn’t they, Lieutenant?”
There was a sense that refusing would be inappropriate, so I nodded.
“Indeed.”
“I’m glad we see eye to eye. In that sense, let’s send you to the northern front.”
…The northern front? What the heck is he talking about? Startled by the abruptness, I quickly asked.
“The northern front?”
“Yes. As you know, the momentum on the northern front has shifted in our favor. It’s the perfect time for you to make a mark. If the higher-ups want you to gain combat experience, then let’s provide it for you, shall we?”
Ernst was subtly implying that he was making arrangements for me, but it didn’t resonate with me at all.
Anyone in my position would want to scream at suddenly being told, “Go to the front lines and fight.”
Still, I had to keep a straight face, so I cautiously inquired.
“Is this a transfer? Will I be assigned to a unit on the northern front…?”
“Of course not. You’ll be going as part of a direct support unit. Gain some combat experience there and come back. Then Major Heinrich and I will push for your promotion.”
He leaned in as if to say I could look forward to it.
“If that happens, you won’t just be a Deputy of the Operations Staff anymore. You’ll become the Operations Staff Officer. You’ll have an aide, which will make things much easier than they are now.”
In short, he was saying the stage had been set for me; I just had to endure a bit of hardship and then return.
Why are you taking matters into your own hands! I wanted to shout, but the gulf of rank was too tall to cross.
However, I still had some hope for an escape.
“Head of the Operations Staff, what will the composition of the direct support unit be?”
“Considering your current rank, it’ll likely be at the squad level.”
“Then may I choose the personnel personally?”
Personally? With eyes widened, Ernst blinked a few times, then clasped his hands together.
“There’s no objection to that. Who do you plan to select?”
“I’m thinking of selecting from the rear since the front lines are already struggling with manpower.”
“Do you have any specific individuals in mind?”
“No, I’ll write a notice and gather applications, then select from among those. Everyone should have an equal opportunity to prove themselves in battle.”
Ernst seemed to like my response as he nodded with admiration.
“Good thinking. Let’s proceed with it that way.”
“Understood.”
Saluting Ernst, I left the Head of the Operations Staff Office and sat down at my desk.
Immediately, I pulled out a fountain pen and drafted the notice.
“Recruitment Notice for the Northern Front Support Troop”
“Attention all personnel!
A fierce battle is currently ongoing in the northern region to protect our homeland’s noble soil!
Thus, I seek those willing to sacrifice their lives for the empire!
You! Do not covet the empire’s food while alive; instead, be the foundation that will adorn the glory of the empire in death!
Come with me to destroy, ravage, and eliminate the enemies until we perish!
We shall wish only for the deaths of our enemies!”
Recruitment personnel
• 20 members for the Northern Front support troop
Eligibility
• Those willing to sacrifice their hearts for the empire
• Those not expecting to survive in battles
• Those who wish to benefit the empire even if they were to die tomorrow
Commander
• Operations Staff Lieutenant Daniel Steiner
• No combat experience but more dedicated to the empire than anyone!
“Glory to the empire!”
Holy Bavarian Empire
General Staff Headquarters Support Troop Recruitment Office
‘Done!’
It was a masterpiece.
There was no mention of survival, only the emphasis on death!
As humans are inherently inclined to survive, no one would want to die for the empire.
Moreover, stating that the commander had no combat experience, who would be foolish enough to apply?
If the soldiers who are feasting in comfort in the rear read this, they would surely scoff.
This would cause a drastic drop in applicants, and if I didn’t select from what few applied using various excuses, then that would be it.
Then Ernst would have no choice but to withdraw his plan to send me to the northern front.
The promotion would also slip away, truly a win-win! Afterward, I could just hide in the General Staff and find a way to achieve an undignified discharge.
‘Brilliant!’
Smiling contentedly, I headed to the Personnel Department with the notice in hand.
*
The next day.
I arrived at work as usual and was going through my duties when a polite knock sounded, and the door opened.
Looking up, an officer from the Personnel Department approached me with a folder of documents.
“Lieutenant Daniel Steiner? About the notice you wanted sent to the rear units yesterday…”
Seeing that the officer was carrying only a folder and nothing else, it appeared that there were either no applicants or a very low number.
Feeling my plan was more effective than I had expected, I inwardly smiled, but I couldn’t show such a response to the officer, so I feigned disappointment.
“Seems there are no soldiers willing to dedicate themselves to the empire. I’m quite let down.”
“Um? No, it’s the opposite.”
The opposite? I wondered what he meant, just as the officer clapped twice.
“Come in!”
Then, five soldiers entered, struggling under the weight of an enormous pile of application papers.
“Congratulations. We’ve surpassed 2,176 applicants in just one day. It doesn’t seem necessary to continue recruiting, so I came to inform you. I thought your notice was good, but I didn’t expect it to yield such results.”
While the officer was smiling and complimenting me—
‘No, why the heck are there applicants…?’
I was utterly baffled.