Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Surrounded on All Sides (5)
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Is it because the Empire is a pre-modern society nation?
They really love putting on a show.
No, they stake their lives on flaunting it.
Parades might be great entertainment for the citizens of this era, but the officers, soldiers, and NCOs down below must have died in droves.
"Lost in such deep thought in this prime seat—what's on your mind right now?"
"I'm just wondering if it's really okay for someone like me to be sitting here in the VIP section at the triumphal parade."
This war holds great significance.
After all, it's the war where we gave a bitter lesson to those brutal villains from the Ortz Kingdom who dared to assassinate our royalty.
And the people in the VIP seats are high-ranking figures who receive top treatment wherever they go.
I count as one of those high-and-mighty types too, but...
'By military standards, at least a major general. By bureaucratic standards, some director-level position or higher.'
Lieutenant colonels are only made from the exceptional ones.
"If not you, then who else could sit here?"
"Am I not just a mere lieutenant colonel?"
"You prevented the assassination of royalty in advance, turned what could have been seen as my blunder into an opportunity for reversal, crushed enemy morale, and opened the gates of Obern City without spilling a single drop of blood. So your rightful place is..."
The commander pointed at me, sitting to his left.
"Right here, wouldn't you say? Your seat outranks even Lieutenant General Chaplin's."
If I'd been tucked away in some corner, there'd be no cause for this stomachache.
Even if it's for political reasons, I never imagined I'd be elevated quite like this.
As my thoughts grew tangled, the Emperor finally wrapped up his speech after droning on for over an hour from the podium.
"Expeditionary Force Commander General Wilhelm Werner, step forward."
The commander gave me a quick gesture of greeting, then strode up to the podium with firm steps.
The crowd showered him with applause.
"We greatly commend the merit of delivering justice upon the filthy, vile Ortz Kingdom for daring to trespass against the Empire."
"I am eternally grateful, Your Majesty."
"We hereby promote you to Field Marshal, bestow upon you 500 million marks in prize money and the Silver Eagle Medal. Continue to serve the Empire with utmost loyalty."
This must be the pinnacle of the commander's career.
Delivering righteous judgment upon the wicked Ortz Kingdom that plotted against our royalty, and being promoted to Field Marshal before everyone's eyes.
The greatest honor an Imperial soldier—no, a noble—could ever receive.
"Next, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Schumacher, step forward."
As I took my first step forward, the entire crowd erupted in applause.
Even if it's more custom than anything, receiving such praise in front of over ten thousand people...
My heart is pounding.
The Emperor smiled at my rigid stance and offered words of encouragement.
"When our Empire suffered humiliation at the hands of those Dolce Republic bastards, you alone upheld the honor of my Imperial Army amid that disgrace. I have never forgotten your devotion."
"I am eternally grateful, Your Majesty."
"This time as well, you thoroughly crushed the evil schemes of the Ortz Kingdom scum and rendered great service in saving the Imperial Army from a dire pinch. I hold very high expectations for you, Lieutenant Colonel."
Every word from a politician carries tremendous weight.
If the president declares that a certain industry must thrive, even mid-sized companies see floods of massive investments.
How much more so when the Empire's absolute ruler, the Emperor, shows interest in something?
The Empire's trends shift entirely.
He could turn bizarre foods like eel jelly or mint chocolate into national staples overnight.
For such a powerful figure to praise me publicly on a stage like this...
Even more people will start sucking up to me from now on.
"I will do everything in my power to meet those expectations, Your Majesty."
"We bestow upon you 200 million marks in prize money and one of my prized steeds."
I hadn't dared hope for a promotion.
My years of service aren't even that long, and I've climbed this far by ignoring every convention thanks to my merits.
Promoting straight to colonel again would stir up problems.
"I pledge my unwavering loyalty."
As I stepped down from the podium, the applause rang out once more.
And today's triumphal parade dragged on until late into the night.
All while I listened to endless chatter from the commander—now Field Marshal—seated beside me.
"Commander—no, Field Marshal now? You look just like a school principal gripping that mic..."
He started from his days as a second lieutenant and went on endlessly about everything up to now, with no end in sight.
Usually, someone who talks this much has at least interesting stories.
But no—it's just nonstop bragging about how he confessed ten times to his now-wife back as a lieutenant and finally got her to date him. Persistence is key!
Grumbling under my breath, I headed toward the plaza hosting the parade celebration festival.
Right on cue, Lina approached me.
"To bypass all the other generals and receive personal words of encouragement from His Majesty himself. Truly impressive, Battalion Commander."
"Thanks."
"But aren't you going to offer congratulations to Lieutenant General Chaplin?"
"If I go now, I'll get snagged by all the others around Father and have to mingle for hours. They won't push drinks on a woman, but... I don't fancy listening to blessings until the wee hours."
"I get it completely."
Elders usually mean well with their blessings.
From our side, it just sounds like endless nagging.
No, sometimes it goes beyond nagging and turns your stomach.
Marriage troubles, dating woes, job hunts, that sort of thing.
"Anyway, I've got a little worry on my mind."
"What is it?"
Imperial officers are nobles too.
In other words, it's a job where maintaining appearances costs a fortune.
That's why young officers without backing, like me, marry into wealthy merchant families to cover upkeep expenses.
'I'm the exception.'
I already have 300 million marks on hand.
In Korean terms, enough to buy three apartments with a Han River view.
Plus an annual pension of 100 million marks.
No in-laws to bow and scrape to, plenty of cash, and a hugely promising career ahead.
'People keep gunning for me.'
"Never mind. Forget I said anything."
Lina gave me a deeply disappointed look after hearing that.
Then she asked cautiously.
"I've owed you so much up to now. If there's any way I can help, I want to do it to the fullest. Please, tell me anything."
"Lately, elders keep lining up to introduce me to their daughters. It's driving me insane."
"Really?"
"Writing all these rejection letters is a chore in itself."
Lina let out a sigh after hearing me out.
"Nobles usually write that they already have someone they're seeing."
"Isn't that just a lie?"
"You don't have to name names. After I commissioned, I wrote a rejection letter saying I already have someone I like."
"Did it work?"
"After sending that, no one ever sent me those kinds of letters again."
That's some incredibly useful intel.
As expected of a noble lady born into nobility.
Solves my problem in a flash.
"To think one letter saying 'I have someone I like' takes care of it."
"The downside is, if you're actually single, it can make marriage harder later. But among nobles, there's a tradition: if you declare you have someone you like, no one sets you up with matches for that person."
"Good to know. I'll write the same."
I don't have to name anyone I like, or even tell them.
In other words, zero risk—the perfect rejection method.
"One less thing to worry about. How about those donuts from the street vendor over there? My treat."
"Sounds great."
Back at the base, a very welcome face greeted me.
"Second Lieutenant Yurgen, reporting for assignment to HQ Company, 1st Platoon."
"Welcome aboard, Second Lieutenant Yurgen."
"Thank you, sir!"
He was my deputy platoon leader back when we fought together during the Dolce Republic war, under orders to hold the rear.
Seeing him return as an officer lifts my spirits.
"Your reputation precedes you at the academy, Battalion Commander."
"You're embarrassing me."
"Battalion Commander, I'm getting married next month."
"Congratulations. Who's the lucky one?"
"Locked eyes with a noble lady during academy days... and we had a little mishap."
Yurgen scratched his head sheepishly as he said it.
Getting hitched over an "accident" is definitely a bit awkward.
"Father-in-law beat me half to death..."
"You had it coming."
"Would you possibly stand as officiant at my wedding? You're the only one I can ask."
"I'd be honored."
Nothing quite matches the pride of a subordinate asking you to officiate their wedding.
"Guess I should start thinking about marriage myself."
"No girlfriend yet, sir?"
"Nope. Not into arranged marriages."
I hate arranged marriages, but I don't want to stay a bachelor forever either.
Pursuing a natural romance is easier said than done.
Come to think of it, I've got someone right here I can comfortably vent to about this.
"Second Lieutenant Yurgen, you seem pretty savvy when it comes to romance."
"Yes, sir."
"Give me some straight-talking advice on love. Be as blunt as you like."