Chapter 101
Chapter 101
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: His Highness the Crown Prince's Interest and the Weight of the Stars (1)
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And two months later, near the eastern border of the Reich Empire.
Here, the Crown Prince—who had personally pulled Brigadier General Jaeger into his own faction, thereby solidifying his position as the next emperor—and his entourage were hurrying along the road.
Crown Prince Michael von Reich chuckled to himself inside his carriage as he reminisced about the events that had unfolded while he served as an envoy.
He usually kept such emotions hidden, wary of the maids in his chambers or other servants who might be watching.
But perhaps because the only person in the carriage with him was Karlus Martel, his closest aide since childhood and the current Foreign Minister?
"Brigadier General Jaeger, Brigadier General Jaeger... He truly is a blessing sent by Deus himself to make me the greatest emperor the Empire has ever seen. Isn't that right, Karl?"
At those words, Karl thought inwardly of his own glorious future—rising to the rank of Prime Minister when the Crown Prince became the Empire's greatest emperor—and the prosperity it would bring his family.
His son, an academy graduate officer whose achievements placed him in the top 2% among his peers, was no genius but often praised as a talented prodigy.
It was all but certain that his boy would earn his own stars, but comparing him to Brigadier General Jaeger—a mere commoner orphan—left Karl feeling his son fell woefully short.
Resolving to push his son harder and provide more support, he replied.
"How could there be any doubt? Had Your Highness not elevated Count Venner and Brigadier General Jaeger, the Empire—already beset by many enemies—would have plunged into even greater chaos by now, thanks to this new foe in the north. That's why Grand Duke Ostrica couldn't hide his regret."
Hearing this, the Crown Prince burst into loud laughter before responding.
"What can he do about it? If he's envious, he should open the doors of his academies to commoners and orphans like we do and cultivate talent of his own."
"I never imagined the founding Emperor's edict would prove so invaluable to the Empire."
"Especially when Viscount Topler, our ambassador to Chekobia, told me how their emperor would rage, lamenting, 'Why don't I have an heir as brilliant as the Reich Empire's Crown Prince? Why are all my generals dimwits who can't even match a tenth of Brigadier General Jaeger's strategy?' It nearly killed me laughing."
And so the two continued chatting about the amusing incidents from their diplomatic tour of the Grand Duchy of Ostrica and the Principality of Chekobia.
Gradually, the conversation shifted to Brigadier General Jaeger, the cornerstone of the Crown Prince's cunning and capabilities.
"That said, I was truly startled when His Imperial Majesty's sealed edict arrived so suddenly on our way back from Chekobia. And to think it ordered us to travel to the Latina Papal States, meet with His Holiness the Pope, and request excommunication for the Franco Republic..."
The Crown Prince shook his head vigorously at the memory.
Everything had worked out in the end, but even seasoned diplomats dreaded visits to the Papal States.
Every single matter involved haggling over political and financial interests as a baseline, plus pandering to the popes' absurd sense of privilege—that they, as Deus's proxy, outranked even emperors.
And even after flattering them through all that, the pope was merely the figurehead elected by the cardinals.
Which meant persuading him wasn't enough; you had to win over every faction among the cardinals as well—a tiresome ordeal.
"Still, it was fortunate that His Holiness and the cardinals, initially hesitant, ultimately moved according to the justification Brigadier General Jaeger provided. Or rather... at first, they demanded 50,000 gold in 'private donations' as a bribe before they'd even consider it..."
"Indeed. Brigadier General Jaeger argued that excommunicating the Franco Republic's pitiful citizens and foolish nobles would awaken them to their errors and spread His Holiness's prestige across the continent. And they accepted for just 20,000 gold."
"By now, the excommunication decree should be arriving at the Franco Republic and every other nation. While we're disciplining them in Deus's name, no other empire or kingdom will dare attack us."
After all, any nation punishing an excommunicated state in Deus's name was seen as an army of the divine.
And if some fool attacked or declared war on such a righteous nation, the pope—offended by the slight to his authority—would promptly excommunicate them too.
Beyond the terror of losing Deus's protection and damned to hell upon death, excommunication provided legal grounds to void any treaties with the heretics, regardless of prior commitments.
"Exactly. Thanks to that, we no longer have to fulfill the contract where we took 50,000 gold upfront from the Franco Republic two years ago in exchange for supplying 20,000 suits of armor and 40,000 swords. Now we can use that money to bolster the army that will crush the Franco Republic."
"Considering that, the excommunication decree saved us a fortune. I couldn't attend Brigadier General Jaeger's wedding due to the overseas tour, so as his lord, I should send generous wedding gifts as both an apology and a token of gratitude."
With that, the Crown Prince ordered the carriage to halt.
"Summon Aide-de-Camp Max von Venner and have him board my carriage. I have urgent matters to discuss with him. Foreign Minister, return to your own carriage."
The Foreign Minister stepped down, and in his place, Max von Venner—the heir to the Venner Marquess family—climbed aboard.
"I am honored, Your Highness."
"No need for formalities. We used to play together often as boys, didn't we? Loosen up a bit."
"That may be true, but I am now Your Highness's aide-de-camp."
The Crown Prince invoking their old friendship to foster goodwill, and his aide knowing just how to demur politely.
Anyone could see it was a remarkably harmonious lord-vassal bond.
"By the way, you're entering the Staff College next year, right? Promoted to major at 27, Staff College at 28. Even Marquess Venner has raised an impressive adopted son."
Even for the scion of a noble house with a title, promotion to major typically came after 30.
This rapid rise proved his exceptional talent, so Max had every reason to feel proud.
But 'My uncle, the family head, hasn't changed the succession just to avoid stirring up trouble. He could make Brigadier General Jaeger the heir and pass him the marquessate anytime...'
Facing this reality head-on, he felt no room for complacency—only constant tension and the need to give his all.
Specifically, he could never give Marquess Venner any cause for complaint, and he had to secure as much of the Crown Prince's favor as possible.
"I wanted to ask about something. Didn't Lieutenant Colonel Laura marry Brigadier General Jaeger? You're the only officer around my age, so I thought you might know what he'd like."
"Officers our age tend to enjoy indulgences. Top-shelf wine or tickets to concerts, operas, or plays would thrill him. Especially as newlyweds, something they can enjoy together would be ideal. No matter how exceptional Brigadier General Jaeger is, even he will want to savor his honeymoon..."
The Crown Prince nodded, pleased with Max's response.
"I knew asking you was the right call. Thanks for the advice. We've got a long road ahead—care to share some stories from the diplomatic tour? Oh, and tales of back-alley flings with women are welcome too. Brigadier General Jaeger is such a bore, like a stone statue. He's only interested in politics and military matters."
The Crown Prince had several reasons for paying such close attention to Max and engaging in this banter.
First, their childhood playmateship made him psychologically closer than other subordinates.
Second, as Crown Prince, few could converse with him so casually, and he knew such intimacy would one day yield unwavering loyalty, even unto death.
Third, building a strong rapport with the Venner Marquess family's heir would further solidify ties to the next Field Marshal, Marquess Venner.
"I shall obey Your Highness's command. Actually, Aide-de-Camp Leon and I..."
And so, two weeks later.
The Crown Prince formally invited his sword—Peter Jaeger, now officially promoted to brigadier general—to his residence.
When Brigadier General Jaeger saluted, the Crown Prince raised him up and gave him a light embrace.
"I always knew you'd rise high, but to seize a vast territory like the Copenhagen Peninsula for the Northern Army in just two years after your posting... With a retainer like you, I'm the happiest Crown Prince—no, emperor—in the Empire!"
It was the highest praise a vassal could hope to hear, but Brigadier General Jaeger was so stunned that he let out a hiccup on the spot.