Chapter 80
Chapter 80
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: Siege of Como City (5)
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The capture of Como City ended without a hitch.
Just as games hand out rewards upon quest completion, those who rack up major achievements in battle deserve their rewards too.
That's why I decided to hand out commendations to those who'd made the biggest contributions this time around.
There are limits to what a lowly acting regimental commander like me can do, but...
'The important thing is that the higher-ups remember my contributions.'
"Lieutenant Brown and the nine others who volunteered for the infiltration of Como City, step forward."
These were the ones who'd risked their lives to seize a city that couldn't have been taken even if everyone had died and come back to life using ordinary methods.
They'd volunteered for a mission where dying at any moment wouldn't have been surprising. How could I not reward them?
'Rewards are something that turn to shit the more you skimp on them.'
Brown and the rest snapped to attention and saluted crisply.
It was nice to see them keeping their excitement in check in this official setting...
But they couldn't hide the pride and joy beaming from their faces.
With smiles stretching from ear to ear, it was obvious.
"Loyalty!"
"At ease."
"You all did great work."
"We only did our duty, sir."
This world is full of idiots who can't even handle their own responsibilities properly.
Some department head dumps his work on a newbie to screw him over, or a politician blows my tax money on weird art projects...
Others just grit their teeth and shirk what they're supposed to do.
'How great would the world be if everyone just fulfilled their duties.'
"The acting deputy regimental commander hereby issues the following commendations to Lieutenant Brown and nine others who contributed to the Imperial Army's victory without regard for their own lives."
At those words, all ten of them fixed their gazes on my mouth.
Wondering how their achievements would be rewarded, no doubt.
I'm not some bastard who runs away at the first chance and rewards merit with exile and loyalty tests via torture.
No commander worth his salt would do that.
"To the three officers including Lieutenant Brown, I recommend immediate one-grade promotions for all, along with the 1st Class Iron Cross Medal. The same for the non-commissioned officers: one-grade promotions and 1st Class Iron Cross recommendations."
Calling it a 'recommendation' felt a bit off...
A lowly lieutenant colonel handing out medals and promotions like candy would be abuse of authority.
Competent or not, abusing authority is tantamount to treason.
If you don't want to die, you toe the line.
And if I write up those recommendations with care, General Staff Headquarters will approve them 100%.
They'd staked their lives on achieving one of the Empire's key strategic goals.
If they won't approve even that much, I might as well go kill myself.
"And to the soldiers who took part in this operation, I recommend the 2nd Class Iron Cross Medal and commissioning as non-commissioned officers."
At that, the other soldiers burst into applause.
They probably agreed it was only right to give at least that much to those who'd risked their lives charging into such a dangerous place.
But it wasn't over yet.
I still had the top commendation for the siege's MVP.
"Sergeant Wilhelm."
Wilhelm stiffened at the call of his name.
If even a company commander was scary, how intimidating must a regimental commander be—acting or not.
But I wasn't about to eat him alive.
"Sergeant! Wil!helm!"
"In this assault on Como City, you earned the greatest merit."
"Thank you, sir!"
"I promised the soldiers taking part in this operation that I'd get them commissioned as non-commissioned officers... but I felt your courage, dedication, decisiveness, and insight were too valuable for just that."
Tears welled up in Wilhelm's eyes at my words.
He must have caught on to what I was about to say.
"I will personally recommend you for the 1st Class Iron Cross Medal and admission to officer candidate school. Any objections?"
"None, sir!"
"Even after we win this war, I'd like to see you serve the Empire as a fellow officer someday."
"Thank you! I pledge my life to the Empire!"
When standing before someone of battalion commander rank or higher, soldiers naturally raise their voices.
Or rather, they scream until their throats give out.
I get that higher-ups are intimidating, but this seemed a bit over the top.
"I keep records of even the lowliest soldier's deeds. There will definitely be rewards for the brave actions and achievements you've shown. So dedicate yourselves to the Empire like these men here. The Empire will never turn its back on you. That is all."
For a soldier, honor matters more than money.
That doesn't mean money isn't important.
Good food is a given, and pay must be as high as possible.
But soldiers and officers alike must be beings worthy of respect from all.
'What we're doing is ultimately dying for the civilians, after all.'
If there's not even basic gratitude and respect for that, why fight?
Are we Jesus or Buddha or something?
And yet, this world is full of empty-headed fools who think military service is some vacation... plenty of people don't grasp a soldier's importance.
Even most Imperial nobles, who've experienced officer life, sometimes dismiss the dedication of enlisted men and NCOs.
"Long live the lieutenant colonel!"
"Long live the Empire!"
Amid the cheers, I decided to cap off the ceremony with one final flourish.
"Everyone except those on guard duty today: eat your fill of the city's stockpiled meat and drink as much as you want. Those on guard will get the same rest tomorrow instead. That is all."
A good boss knows the right moment to slip out of a drinking party.
That's why I quietly excused myself from the officers' gathering.
You can't linger too long if you don't read the mood.
'Handing out cards midway through and bouncing is the mark of a good superior.'
With no enemy forces around here now, heading back alone to my assigned room was no issue.
Time to sleep soundly and then write that report for headquarters tomorrow.
"Lieutenant Colonel."
"Lina, right? Why'd you come out in the middle of the party?"
"You're more precious to me than all the other officers. And even though there's no enemy nearby and the city's security is stable... Como is still a dangerous place."
"Escorting me?"
"Yes. And if I can chat with you a bit too, that'd be great."
Having Lina as an escort felt reassuring.
There were things I couldn't say in front of her, though...
'They say Lina fights like a berserker the moment she grips her sword...'
According to platoon leaders in HQ Company, she was like a berserker who drinks blood instead of water when thirsty...
What the hell had she been up to this time?
"Thanks."
Maybe it was the nice atmosphere with bonfires flickering everywhere.
Or perhaps because we both had a bit of alcohol in us...
A fresh, youthful vibe flowed between us.
No words, just a pleasant silence.
And that quiet was broken by Lina.
"Lieutenant Colonel, during the capture of Como City, I took the mayor prisoner."
"Thanks. I'm really lucky to have someone as reliable as you by my side."
"About that commendation... I have one request."
"You know a lowly lieutenant colonel like me can't just hand out rewards to officers on a whim."
That's why I'd framed the officers' and NCOs' rewards as 'recommendations'.
Actually promoting or medaling them on my own authority could even get me branded a traitor in the worst case.
"No, it's not... that... um..."
Lina's face flushed redder than a ripe apple.
She started mumbling more and more.
"W-well, you see. More than promotions or anything... could you pet my head a little?"
I was flustered.
Why ask for a head pat out of nowhere?
"......Why?"
"When I was little, if I studied hard or did something good, my father would pat my head. I'm not a kid anymore, so he doesn't praise me that way now... but I miss that touch from back then."
Of course. Everyone misses their childhood, especially good memories with parents that you can't relive.
"That's no big deal. Come here."
Lina approached and tilted her head toward me.
I stroked her hair carefully so as not to mess it up.
I couldn't see her face since she was bowed, but...
I petted her for a good long time to make sure she was satisfied.
"That's enough."
Lina looked at me with eyes full of regret.
"Your hand was big and warm, like my father's. It relaxed my heart so much I wished time would stop."
I felt embarrassed for a second.
Hearing it put so bluntly made my heart pound.
"Maybe because you're a man too, Lieutenant Colonel—your hand is big and warm like Father's. It felt great."
"Yeah?"
"Next time I do something praiseworthy, could you praise me like this again?"
Who'd turn down petting a beauty's head?
Of course I'd love to.
"If Lina's okay with it."
"Thank you."
Then Lina glanced toward the dark corner behind me.
She smirked, lifting one corner of her mouth.
Wondering who was there, I whipped around...
And there was Monica glaring daggers at Lina, looking furious.
Instead of bragging with a hundred words, Lina just puffed out her chest and smiled triumphantly.
Two weeks later, the main Imperial Army force arrived at Como City.