Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: War on Terror (8)
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The corps commander—Lieutenant General Zeppelin—had summoned me.
I didn't think I'd done anything to particularly get on his bad side.
Yet every time he saw me, his expression soured.
Maybe I should seriously request a transfer to another unit from the General Staff Headquarters.
This was the army and all, but I had no desire to serve under a superior who disliked me.
"Have a seat."
"Yes, sir."
I took my seat.
It stung a bit to see a three-star general eyeing me with such wariness.
At this rate, I might actually end up with indigestion.
"His Majesty the Emperor has sent you a personal commendation. Along with it comes an unprecedented promotion—one rank ahead of schedule. For your injuries, you've been awarded 150 million marks, and for preemptively thwarting the assassination of imperial royalty, the First-Class Guard Knight's Medal has been bestowed upon you."
"I can hardly believe I've already made major."
"Indeed. There's no precedent in imperial history for such a rapid rise... but..."
Lieutenant General Zeppelin suddenly broke into a warm smile.
"For a talent as capable as you, a little exception is warranted. Not everyone at General Staff Headquarters is thrilled about your promotion, mind you. But I, as corps commander, sincerely congratulate you."
"Thank you, sir."
"And as a personal gift to mark the occasion, I'll give you something."
The general pulled a bottle of what looked like extremely expensive liquor from his desk drawer.
The lustrous amber hue made it clear this was no ordinary vintage.
I wonder how much it fetches?
At least 200,000—no, probably 250,000 marks?
"Imperial 25-year reserve. One bottle runs about 300,000 marks."
"300,000 marks?"
"The finest brandy. A fitting gift to celebrate your promotion."
300,000 marks was two months' wages for an average city laborer.
Even undervalued, it was a several-million-won treasure of a bottle.
To receive something like this as a promotion gift...
I wasn't much of a drinker, but it put me in high spirits all the same.
'Is Lieutenant General Zeppelin a tsundere type?'
You know, the sort who acts grumpy to your face but sings your praises behind your back.
"Anyway, do you have a fiancée? Or a girlfriend?"
"No, sir."
In our empire, everyone and their dog gets married.
As long as you've got arms and legs, you're expected to tie the knot.
People who don't marry are looked at like bugs.
That's why it's common in the Imperial Army for company or battalion commanders to play matchmaker for newly arrived lieutenants.
Is he about to set me up with someone...?
'It's not that I hate the idea of marriage itself...'
"No one you're fond of, then?"
"No, sir. And as an orphan, I've been at the officer academy and in the service ever since—no woman's hand have I even held."
A smile crept across the general's face.
That flag was unmistakable.
It was the look a department head gives their star employee when plotting to introduce them to a friend's daughter.
Damn it, now I've got a blind date I never wanted.
"I see. No one you're fond of. Hard to know what words of comfort to offer..."
"I'm starting to worry I should get some dating experience soon myself."
As a kid, I was an orphan; once I grew up, it was all army life. Dealing with women feels a bit daunting.
It was starting to make me wonder if I'd end up a lifelong bachelor wizard or something.
"Attend some social balls. You'll have women lining up... Why go it alone? You'll end up with a nagging ache in your side you can't ignore."
"I'll keep that in mind, sir."
"That's how I met my wife—quite by chance at a ball. You're a touch less handsome than I was at your age, so the ladies probably won't leave you be."
"Noted, sir."
As I prepared to take my leave, Lieutenant General Zeppelin grinned and said,
"Return to your battalion now. I've sent a little gift ahead—go check it out yourself."
"Thank you, sir."
"You've done well, Major."
It had been nearly three months since I returned to the battalion.
I'd worried the unit might have fallen apart without a battalion commander for so long...
But fortunately, nothing of the sort had happened.
And the battalion's table of organization had changed.
What was once four infantry companies had become three infantry companies and one cavalry company.
"Sir! Lieutenant Monica Dorthea, newly assigned."
"Welcome, Lieutenant."
"It's an honor to serve under the major who rooted out the empire's vermin in one fell swoop. I won't let you down, sir!"
Where Lina had an ice princess vibe, the woman before me—Monica—burned like fire, passionate and intense.
Total opposites in personality.
"A lieutenant commanding a cavalry company. You must be quite the equestrian."
"I'm from Lichten, sir. Like our brave ancestors, I've ridden since childhood, and by ten, I was hunting on horseback."
Put nicely, from a horse-riding folk; less kindly, nomadic horse-lord stock.
About a century ago, the empire conquered the region, taming much of their barbarism...
But it was still known as a wild, fearsome land.
In exchange, the empire's elite cavalry hailed mostly from Lichten—their riders renowned for grit and strength.
"And in the last war with the Dolce Republic, I pursued the enemy and luckily took a general's head. For that merit, I made lieutenant, and my record earned me this cavalry company command."
"Impressive."
"It's an honor to serve with you, sir. That makes three female officers in our battalion now."
Lina and Monica, and the last one...
Honestly, her presence was so faint I barely registered her.
The Imperial Army accepted men and women alike, but ground them down regardless of gender or role...
One was basically an admin officer stuck in the office.
"Tell me about Dolce sometime. I'll share stories from my service days in return. You're dismissed."
Lieutenant Monica latched right on.
"An honor to hear your war stories, sir. When might you have time? Anytime works—I'll come to you."
My head spun for a second.
I mean, I'd share those tales eventually...
But this was like Koreans saying "let's grab a bite sometime" as they're parting ways.
Horsefolk blood running hot—no turn signal, just charging in.
Lina stepped in with a hint of displeasure instead.
"The battalion commander is always busy, Lieutenant Dorthea. As company commander of the headquarters company and his aide, I can't say when he'll have time."
"I wasn't asking you, Lieutenant Chaplin."
"I manage the battalion commander's schedule."
Invisible sparks flew between them.
A battle between the ice princess and the warrior maiden...
Lina had red hair and eyes, while Monica boasted snow-white skin and blue eyes—appearances that seemed reversed.
"I've heard the battalion commander makes time for his subordinates' growth. I just want to treat him to our traditional cuisine to thank him for sharing his wisdom... Isn't that a bit sensitive, Lieutenant Chaplin?"
"Lichten regional specialties must be delicious. We could gather all the officers and share sometime. Looking forward to it—Western food's new to me too."
They kept glaring.
I intervened before it escalated.
They might actually fight.
"That's enough, both of you."
At my word, they stepped back.
And I thought of the most effective way to mediate.
Lieutenant Monica wanted my Dolce exploits.
So, share them over her traditional food with the other officers.
In the 21st century, group dinners with subordinates were frowned upon...
But here and now, battalion officers gathering was something even the lieutenants welcomed.
Nothing much to do after work anyway.
Plus free booze and meat.
"As Lieutenant Lina says, we'll all share your hometown dishes later. Don't nobles in Lichten cook too?"
"Yes, sir. We prepare our own game after hunts."
"Show us your skills then. Tough to make time now—head back and rest."
"Sir!"
Monica left the office promptly.
As soon as she was gone, Lina fixed me with a steady gaze.
"You've never been with a woman, have you, sir?"
"No. Why do you ask?"
"Women are all foxes."
"Is Lieutenant Dorthea that type? And who would fancy a major like me..."
Lina cut me off, pleading earnestly.
"Don't trust any woman but me."
"Understood."
Not long after returning to the battalion, a new order came down from General Staff Headquarters.
A fresh deployment command.