Chapter 181
Chapter 181
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 181
Chapter Title: Preparation for the Ostrica Invasion (1)
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Reich Empire's capital, Reichburg, in front of the door to His Highness the Crown Prince's office.
His Highness's office—no, His Majesty's office nowadays—often summoned me there as well, so you'd think I'd gotten used to it by now. But no matter how many times I get called by the truly high and mighty, the tension never fades.
As I mentally organized what to say first upon entering, the butler at my side spoke up.
"Your Highness, Lieutenant General Peter Jaeger has arrived."
At that very moment, the door opened, and His Highness the Crown Prince wore an expression that seemed oddly regretful for some reason.
I wondered if I'd made some mistake I wasn't aware of or if something had gone wrong, so I raised my tension level another notch and offered my salute.
"Come in, Jaeger Lieutenant General. And you lot, withdraw and ensure no one else approaches this room."
"Yes, sir."
The butler beside me swiftly exited and closed the door. His Highness placed a hand on my shoulder and spoke with a hint of regret.
"I understand public duties keep you busy, but from now on, visit more often. I know you don't care much for drink, but even just for private chats now and then would be welcome. Next time, bring your son Friedrich and Major Laura as well."
Ever since His Highness named him, he'd taken a special interest in Friedrich.
Right after Laura gave birth, he'd sent the finest ingredients supplied to the imperial palace, insisting she needed proper care. Claiming responsibility since he'd named the child, he'd followed up with toys, a pram, and even a crib for infants.
At the child's first birthday banquet in the capital, he'd attended in person and gifted an exquisite dagger showcasing his artisan skills. He'd even mentioned wanting to take him as a page for the imperial crown prince—His Highness's eldest son—once he reached the right age.
Still, one mustn't get the wrong idea: there were over ten other families His Highness doted on like this.
"If it pleases Your Highness, I'll bring Laura and Friedrich next month."
"Do that, by all means. What kind of bond do we share?"
"My thanks. I won't forget Your Highness's grace."
His Highness nodded in evident satisfaction and continued.
"Keep sending Louise letters now and then about the 7th Division's updates and your daily life. That girl truly cherishes the 7th Guard Division bearing her name."
"Yes, Your Highness. I'll write one tomorrow to share the latest news."
"No, I'll extend your leave by one more day under my authority. Go see her in person."
His Highness replied with a meaningful expression.
"That girl truly adores the 7th Guard Division you command. Unlike most royals who merely lend their name, she's different. She's even carved out special time to devour books on military science because she wants to understand the 7th Guard Division properly."
Imperial law did allow women to enlist as officers or soldiers if they met the physical, intellectual, and learning standards.
But in this stratified society, with the general aversion to women in the military, most noble ladies showed no interest—let alone knowledge—in military studies.
Yet those same ladies of the Reich Empire romanticized the dashing knights from bards' tales.
I'd known Her Highness the Archduchess paid us special attention, but I'd assumed it was just the typical princess idolizing knightly stories.
"As commander of the 7th Guard Division, I'll gladly go and share stories if that's what the lady desires."
"Just in case, don't bring Major Laura or Colonel Kergitz out of misguided courtesy."
"Understood, Your Highness. I hadn't anticipated Her Highness the Archduchess wanting to see me alone, but if you say so, I'll comply."
Anya or Laura, being fellow women, would surely be far easier for Her Highness Louise to deal with. But given her interest in military science—going so far as to seek out books—it seemed she wanted to meet me, the former staff college professor, in person.
"I'd love to chat more idly, but we'll save that for next month when you have time. I called you today because important intelligence came in from the Intelligence Bureau a few days ago."
If it was something worth His Highness summoning me for, it had to be about those majors I'd dispatched as spies to Ostrica.
Or perhaps the military reforms, or how the enemy was gearing up for war.
Maybe he planned to cover everything I'd been pondering.
"According to the Intelligence Bureau's Ostrica intelligence section, including Matthias, all five have safely enlisted as officers in the Ostrica military."
"Seems they're carrying out their mission well. That should make the Ostrica Archduchy campaign smoother."
"Wait till you hear the end. They've been in for a year, and Matthias is already a captain."
I'd thoroughly crushed their pride, and His Highness's soothing words had clearly worked wonders.
No matter that they were majors carrying sacks of second-level secrets—even with that baggage of dishonorable discharge and family banishment—rapid promotion in Ostrica wasn't easy.
"The agent who gathered this intel says they're quite trusted among Ostrica officers."
"Must mean they're acting the part with real venom. Probably racked up some battlefield feats."
"They joined the fighting between the Ostrica Archduchy and the Checobia Archduchy. Threw himself into the fray without regard for his life and got lucky, taking the Checobia regiment commander's head. And whenever the Reich Empire comes up, he grinds his teeth and vows revenge, they say."
His Highness and I shared a laugh at that.
Because those double agents, Matthias included, hated the Empire all the more convincingly—and burned ever brighter for Ostrica—the greater the shock when Ostrica got stabbed in the back.
"Haha, the Intelligence Bureau chief's report was even more amusing. According to staff under the Ostrica intelligence director, they see those men as a grave threat to the Empire and requested immediate assassination authorization. If they've fooled even our own forces perfectly, the Ostrica Archduke won't suspect betrayal for a second."
"When they return, instead of battalion command, I'll dispatch them briefly to the Intelligence Bureau as instructors—add some spy training experience to their resumes."
"Excellent idea. It'll boost the overall caliber of the Imperial Intelligence Bureau."
I held back out of deference to His Highness's fondness for them, but I'd already shared five foolproof ways to detect betrayal with His Majesty and my star-studded father-in-law, in case those five turned on us.
So even if Matthias and his crew tried to screw us over, we wouldn't fall for it.
And I'd already planned for the worst-case scenario, with approval secured.
"Intelligence also reports that Ostrica verified all the second-level Imperial secrets those men brought as genuine. From here on, their 'preparations' will just be flailing about blindly."
"Indeed. By the time Your Highness and I lead the expeditionary force, the Empire's doctrines on combat, tactics, and strategy will have completely transformed."
"I get why that Switchland Archduke bastard used double agents. Plant a few good ones right, and you can dupe the enemy endlessly. Plus, just imagining those fools falling for it is satisfying in itself. Isn't it, Jaeger Lieutenant General?"
An old Korean saying went that the world's greatest fun was watching a fire across the river—and I agreed.
Someone else's house—no, the enemy's—burning didn't affect me, and since it was across the river, no risk of the flames spreading our way.
Thinking about it was enjoyable enough; seeing it firsthand would be even better.
I nodded quietly in agreement.
"So, how go the preparations? No, the strategy must be solidly in place by now."
With those five majors deployed, every piece was effectively in position—save for one final move.
And that was...
"As Your Highness knows, my brother, Major Max, has barely escaped divorce and spent the last year in limbo without assignment."
His Highness's expression darkened slightly at that...
"Now we'll spread rumors through Major Max that the Empire plans to strike the Luxenia Duchy. He'll pretend to learn secretly that Matthias Major and the others defected and are thriving, then act the opportunistic turncoat seizing his chance."
Slipping another double agent into a nest already infested might seem foolhardy.
But with those five earning genuine trust through their exploits, my brother should slide right in.
"This is truly exciting."