Chapter 198
Chapter 198
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 198
Chapter Title: Jaeger Lieutenant General, Recipient of His Imperial Majesty's Favor (3)
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Three months after the war ended, in the imperial palace's dining room.
A vast dining table laden with dozens of dishes—each one probably worth several gold coins at minimum—surrounded by all sorts of luxurious, expensive furniture and decorations.
I was enjoying the rare honor of a private meal with His Imperial Majesty here.
That said, while I felt immensely proud of myself for having risen this far, dining with the Empire's highest authority also felt terribly burdensome.
The food set before me tasted neither salty nor sweet; I couldn't taste a thing.
"Haha, eat up. I specially ordered them to prepare these since you were coming, so don't hold back."
...
No, honestly, His Majesty's favor felt so heavy that I thought I might choke on it.
I didn't need any of this; I just missed the meals made by Charlotte or the cook back at my mansion.
"For treating me to such fine food, I don't know where to put myself, Your Majesty."
"Heh heh, is this too much for the Empire's treasure like you? Eat without restraint."
"Your words alone make me feel full already."
We traded empty formalities like this for a full hour—no, nearly two hours, thanks to the multi-course formal dinner.
During that time, I heard in detail about His Majesty's life at my age, what he studied, and the things he closely observed while raising Crown Prince Michael.
Even when he spoke of married life, he offered strict, solemn advice with a deeply serious expression.
He was giving such earnest counsel because, entering his mid-to-late fifties, he seemed to speak out of genuine affection for me, a mere 28-year-old.
"It's truly a pleasure to dine like this with you. Shall we have some tea and continue the rest? Chief Butler, two cups of strong tea, please. And the rest of you may withdraw for now."
With that, the chief butler set down two cups of intensely aromatic tea, and dozens of servants—everyone except him—filed out of the dining room in unison.
"First, Lieutenant General Jaeger, I'm sincerely grateful for your valor in the battle against Ostrica. Thanks to you, Michael has fully regained his political footing."
"I merely did what was proper. And we won because Your Majesty placed complete trust in this unworthy subordinate, and because Crown Prince Michael bravely charged the enemy knights."
"Thank you for saying so. Having you in the Reich Empire is undoubtedly a blessing from Deus. We must increase our tithes in gratitude for His grace. By the way, have you heard anything about the rewards for this expedition?"
By the rank of general, one usually receives a rough outline of the rewards through the personnel department before the official announcement.
But since this was an expedition personally led by Crown Prince Michael, His Majesty had ordered no disclosures until after the triumphal procession—so even I knew nothing.
"I haven't heard a thing."
"That figures. I issued an edict for everything to be announced at once after the Crown Prince's entry. But what are we between us? No need to keep much from each other."
...
Though I'd never been dragged into direct political infighting as a non-civilian, non-administrator, I knew this old adage.
'Be wary when a political heavyweight gets chummy, asking "what are we to each other?" Something's about to explode.'
True to that lesson, I pulled myself together and replied.
"It's embarrassing to be held in such high esteem by Your Majesty."
"Excessive humility can be a fault. Without you, Michael might be a disgraced prince stripped of his succession rights by now. And if the other ministers were here, how their stomachs would ache."
"Then I'll live with pride, staying short of arrogance."
The Emperor nodded, pleased, and spoke.
"That said, I have some regrettable news for you. Are you prepared to hear it?"
"I'll gladly accept any order."
"For your merits in the Ostrica western and northern expeditions, six active generals from General Staff submitted recommendations for your promotion to general. But the Noble Council opposed it. I had no choice but to deny permission."
Normally, promotion to general requires a recommendation from an active field marshal and at least five from active generals to even qualify for review.
Since my father-in-law is the field marshal, the six generals' letters stood in his stead.
And they wrote them not just recognizing my abilities, but urging swift promotion now that I'd earned the Twin Dragon Medal.
Well, honestly, with achievements like these, there's only so far you can leap over years of service and hurdles to general...
This time, I'd have to be content with clearing the first hurdle: recommendations from six active generals.
"I see, Your Majesty."
At my response, the Emperor sighed and pressed on.
"But the rewards haven't been officially announced yet. If you wish, I can approve your promotion to general. There'll be some opposition, but no noble of the Empire would deny Lieutenant General Peter Jaeger's abilities and merits—it'll blow over soon enough."
...
Truth be told, the rank of general—commanding tens of thousands and leading wars firsthand—did hold appeal.
But eat too hastily and you'll choke; climb too fast and enemies multiply.
Even if my military record could shield a promotion without issue, the backlash might hit Crown Prince Michael.
"I'm only 28. Rising to lieutenant general at this age satisfies me fully. That said, please reward my 7th Guard Division and the brave soldiers who fought this time generously. That will showcase Your Majesty's grace and Crown Prince Michael's magnanimity clearly."
"With your talents, general wouldn't be an issue at all, but very well. Take the slow path. In exchange, one question."
"Ask away."
A moment later, His Majesty asked in a grave tone.
"You visited Louise often before the expedition. Why so frequently?"
Hearing this, an inexplicable dread gripped me.
To be precise, the moment His Majesty posed the question.
Even with his trust, perhaps my visits—made at Her Highness the Imperial Princess's request as official business—had irked him.
Those visits would naturally have been reported to him, though he'd never mentioned it before.
"Her Highness the Imperial Princess graciously showed great interest in the 7th Guard Division. Whenever I passed through the capital, she asked for updates on training or amusing anecdotes, so I visited personally when time allowed, per her orders."
"I see. That explains why she squeezed in time to read military studies books, trying to grasp even a bit about the 7th Guard Division."
"I hesitated to bring it up, but Her Highness's special attention greatly boosted the 7th Division's morale. She spent her own funds on liquor and meat for the troops, and they trained with eyes ablaze."
Thanks to that, I always scheduled the toughest drills for the day after Her Highness personally rewarded them.
And the soldiers pushed through situations that would normally see stragglers.
"So you must hold considerable fondness for her too."
"I revere her deeply. While repaying His Highness the Crown Prince, I intend to do my utmost for Her Highness the Imperial Princess as well."
"Heartening to hear. But here's the problem."
...
His Imperial Majesty's face hardened noticeably, his voice weighted as if urging me to steel myself.
"No, though it's official business, rumors are swirling inside and outside the palace that Louise is often chatting amiably with a handsome, capable 28-year-old man. Time to take responsibility, wouldn't you say?"
...
Ah, damn it. Her Highness Princess Louise is a wonderful person and all, but looks like getting a new father-in-law is set in stone.