Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Stairs to Glory (2)
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I once heard a story from Roman history while studying it.
The supreme commander who achieved great feats in war would earn the honor of being the protagonist in a triumph, the greatest glory a human could attain.
People of that era reportedly had a slave behind the triumphant general whisper, "You are but a mere mortal," to prevent the victor’s arrogance from making him forget his humanity and fancy himself a god.
Moreover, the soldiers under his command were granted—and obligated to—openly mock the general’s flaws during the march.
In the famous case of Caesar, a capable playboy in the late stages of baldness, they jeered, "Here comes the playboy baldy general!"
Back then, I thought it was just a humorous custom, but now that I’m the star of the triumph myself, I understand why.
The streets were packed with thousands—perhaps tens of thousands—of people. Silks dyed in vibrant colors, flags of every kind, and banners praising the victors filled the capital of the Reich Empire.
And the people within that throng showered us, returning victorious from the war, with fervent applause and cheers.
"Long live His Imperial Majesty the Emperor! Long live His Highness the Crown Prince! Long live Division Commander Stefan!"
"Long live His Imperial Majesty the Emperor! Long live the Imperial Army! Long live His Highness the Crown Prince!"
"Deus, protect the Empire! Safeguard His Imperial Majesty the Emperor and His Highness the Crown Prince!"
Anyone placed at the center of such overwhelming praise from so many people would inevitably swell with pride and arrogance.
It’s no wonder triumphs were called "the glory of man that even the gods would envy."
And as I tuned my ears to the voices around me, amid the praises for the division commander and the Crown Prince, there were plenty of nobles marveling at our unit’s prowess.
"Is that Jaeger Company, the one that performed the greatest feats on the Rhineland Front?"
"I hear Division Commander Stefan himself picked that unit and placed them at the vanguard. Weren’t they led by a student platoon commander?"
"From what I’ve heard, he’s a commoner. Has a commander emerged who could rewrite the history of the Imperial Army?"
Just hearing the envy and admiration from these high-ranking spectators who had come to watch the triumph made my chest swell with uncontainable emotion.
The citizens out to see the spectacle, along with the children tagging along, gazed at us with eyes full of longing and said things like:
"Mom, I want to grow up to be a cool soldier like those uncles!"
"Ha, conscription’s coming up soon. If I have to go, I’ll win big like that unit and bring back a division flag..."
"Get real, kid. No matter how hard you try, you’ll be lucky to make corporal."
I wanted to wave to those shouting how cool our unit was, but by the customs of the triumph, only the supreme commander of the marching army could respond to the cheers.
So I kept my eyes forward, fighting to control my rising smile and maintain the stoic, resolute expression unique to a soldier.
Looking at the other officers and soldiers around me, they seemed to be doing the same—struggling to suppress their grins, staring straight ahead with unwavering solemnity.
As I immersed myself in these various emotions during the triumph,
the military band following our company blared trumpets and drums, and His Highness the Crown Prince, mounted on a white horse up front, raised his sword and shouted,
"Raise the flags!"
At that command, I hoisted the Franco Republic division flag, while the soldier beside me raised the 7th Imperial Division flag.
All eyes from the crowd immediately locked onto the flag I held—and onto me.
"Is that Peter Jaeger? The one who charged the Franco division to save the division in crisis..."
"They said he was a student platoon commander, but he really is young. Promoting to lieutenant on the front lines at that age? Even novels would get flak for that."
"Not only talented, but quite handsome too. He must break a lot of hearts."
After the triumph, the Emperor would host a ball for the nobles, giving those with great merits a chance to shine.
I suppose attending that would earn me the title of "handsome commoner company commander."
The men would envy and resent me, while among the women, I’d seem like a promising prospect—lacking status and wealth, but full of potential.
I might even get approached by highborn ladies, like in those fantasy novels...
Here I was, entertaining such thoughts when I didn’t even know what rewards and promotions awaited from His Imperial Majesty.
Shaking off the chain of idle fancies, I focused solely on my role in the triumph and continued the march. Soon, a vast plaza opened up before us.
Throughout the square, symbols of the Reich Empire’s Emperor—flags and emblems—displayed their grandeur.
Nobles in silk dresses and tuxedos of dazzling colors stood alongside knights in gleaming silver armor.
As I inwardly marveled at the sight, I heard the Crown Prince and division commander dismounting.
"His Imperial Majesty, the one true sun of the Reich Empire, the great Emperor Ferdinand von Reich, arrives! All pay homage!"
With that, the Crown Prince and everyone else knelt on one knee and bowed their heads.
Moments later, the Crown Prince called out firmly,
"All rise and salute His Imperial Majesty the Emperor!"
At the order, I and all the soldiers snapped to attention and saluted in unison.
Damn, could I ever become a general one day, commanding thousands or tens of thousands with a single word?
Regardless of my future aspirations, the ceremony proceeded. The Emperor looked down upon us soldiers with a stern yet benevolent expression and spoke.
"Crown Prince, I am truly proud of your capture of Lezin Castle. Thanks to your merits, our Empire has gained a bridgehead into the prosperous eastern plains. And I commend Division Commander Stefan for annihilating the Franco division ahead of even you, Crown Prince!"
The Crown Prince and division commander bowed even deeper.
"Thus, I shall personally commend those who greatly contributed to the Crown Prince, Stefan, and the 7th Division, making them exemplars for the Imperial Army. Grand Chamberlain, read aloud their merits and rewards so all in the capital Reichsburg may hear."
Even high school principals would give five- or ten-minute speeches boasting their own prowess when a student won a national or regional award.
Yet here, even for the Crown Prince who had seized Lezin Castle and its vast surroundings, the Emperor kept it brief.
But that very restraint made the Emperor and Crown Prince stand out all the more impressively.
"To the Crown Prince, for these merits: the Diamond Knight's Sword Cross Medal, the Honor Medal, and the County of Brandenburg. To Division Commander Stefan von Bolton: the Gold Knight's Sword Cross Medal, the Silver Eagle Medal, five villages adjacent to his existing lands, and promotion to lieutenant general in commendation of his feats."
Just as in modern Britain, where certain medals come with an actual "knighthood," the Reich Empire has the Knight's Sword Cross Medal above the regular Gold Cross that confers a knight title.
Diamond is the highest, followed by gold and silver.
The Crown Prince aside, Division Commander Stefan had essentially received the highest military honor possible.
After all, the Diamond was reserved for national heroes who shone in moments of absolute crisis.
After the Grand Chamberlain paused his reading, the Emperor personally pinned the medals on the two pinnacles of the army.
Nobles, citizens, and soldiers watching from afar erupted in applause and cheers.
Next, the Grand Chamberlain unrolled another scroll and called out,
"Acting Company Commander, Lieutenant Peter Jaeger of Blancia Battalion, step forward!"
I had expected significant rewards.
But given my low rank, I hadn’t anticipated receiving them in front of everyone.
So I hesitated a bit as I walked forward and took position beside the division commander and Crown Prince.
The Grand Chamberlain and Emperor regarded me with intrigued gazes.
Then he proclaimed loudly,
"In his first battle as student platoon commander, he routed and annihilated one battalion, rescued the adjacent battalion in dire straits, and with ingenious tactics and courage reversed the division’s crisis. In recognition, this is deemed the third greatest merit of the battle. Thus, the Silver Knight's Sword Cross Medal and Assault Honor Medal are bestowed, along with special promotion one rank beyond his prior advancements to captain. Fitting lands shall also be granted."
Hearing those words, I was so overcome with emotion that I nearly burst into tears right there at the medal ceremony.
But a soldier crying in such a setting would earn a weak image not just among those present, but in the army and social circles forever.
Clenching my teeth, I barely held back the tears, my eyes glistening slightly as I saluted the Emperor.
The Emperor personally pinned the two medals and said,
"Kneel and bow your head."
As I obeyed, he drew a gem-encrusted sword from his side and tapped both my shoulders, declaring,
"The lawful Emperor of the Reich Empire, Ferdinand von Reich, recognizes Peter Jaeger’s merits and bestows upon him the Knight Title."
My head spun from the dizzying shock and joy of the sudden ennoblement—from damn orphan to full-fledged noble—but I clung to my wits, dredging up academy lessons for the proper response.
"I offer my body and soul for the Empire’s glory."
"I look forward to Captain Jaeger’s future exploits."
After that, in a half-dazed state from the impact of becoming a true noble, I completed the rest of the ceremony.
Right after the triumph ended, as I headed back to my assigned quarters,
a servant approached me discreetly and said,
"His Highness the Crown Prince will visit Sir Jaeger personally at 10 o’clock tonight. Please prepare and await him."