Chapter 281
Chapter 281
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 281
Chapter Title: No Militarism in Our Empire (3)
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Humans, unlike pufferfish that drop dead at the slightest stress, possess the remarkable ability to overcome any environment or situation and carve out a life within it.
This exceptional adaptability allows soldiers like me to keep our cool on battlefields where death lurks around every corner, even enabling us to crack a smile and share a drink while enemy soldiers drop dead right beside us.
It's a truly grateful trait, but this human strength can sometimes turn into a weakness.
For instance, if you're constantly surrounded by people who treat you well, you start taking their kindness for granted, treating it as the most natural thing in the world.
Or like the kid who's always ranked first in the entire school and feels no thrill even when they claim the top spot again.
And why am I dwelling on this nonsense right now? Because I've just overheard the kind of monumental bullshit from Staff Headquarters that should never escape those walls—it's rotting my ears.
"Haha, the Reich Empire Army has pulled off another win. Even before the war started, Lieutenant General Manstein said that with Colonel General Peter Jaeger as commander, victory was guaranteed. Isn't it just great news?"
"Who knows when the next war will kick off, but just like always, we'll score another big victory. This time we grabbed the Warsaw coast and the Königsberg region..."
"Your staff tour ends next year—what do you think? If another war's on the horizon, how about volunteering for a frontline battalion command? We'll all need a Knight's Cross to make lieutenant colonel anyway."
"We might not measure up to Colonel General Jaeger, but if we chase after him, hitting lieutenant colonel in our early thirties isn't just a pipe dream."
The guys chatting like that snapped to attention the moment they spotted me striding by, my four stars gleaming in their vision, and stood ramrod straight.
Following protocol, they snapped off perfectly angled salutes.
They looked a year or two younger than me, but wearing major's insignia meant they'd earned their spots in Staff Headquarters around 28 or 29—recognized for talent and exploits.
That typically placed them in the top 0.5% to 1% of academy graduates: elite officers.
"Loyalty!"
Normally, I'd return the majors' salutes half-heartedly and hurry off to other business, but since I had something to ask, I stopped in my tracks.
"Loyalty. Good work out there."
"Not at all, sir!"
"No need to downplay it. After graduating from the Staff College and pinning on major, you land in Staff Headquarters—and suddenly you're sweeping floors and mopping up, pulling all-nighters on top of it. How could that not be tough?"
At my words, the young majors seemed overwhelmed with emotion, thrilled that their idol, Colonel General Jaeger, recognized their hard work.
The one on the right especially looked like one more word from me might bring tears of joy.
Their fanboy admiration weighed heavy, but since I needed to ask something anyway, I was glad they were on my side.
They liked me so much they'd answer just about any question honestly.
"Not at all, sir! It's an honor to serve, even as a lowly staffer, in Staff Headquarters—the Empire's most vital command. I'll learn as much as I can during my tour and strive to become a soldier who can protect His Imperial Majesty and the Empire."
I patted the tense guy's shoulder reassuringly.
"Sorry for eavesdropping, but among you young folks lately—is there a lot of talk that the Empire will win if another war breaks out?"
Their eyes lit up as they replied.
"Yes, absolutely! Studying the new military doctrines you proposed as a professor at the Staff College, compared to foreign ones, makes it clear the Reich Empire Army is far superior."
"The 7th Guards Division you commanded was infantry-heavy. Yet it held off knights outnumbering us by over two-to-one in the Archduchy of Ostrica!"
"Since you commissioned, the Reich Empire has fought five major wars over ten years—and won them all decisively. Five or six years ago, maybe not, but now even young officers from noble houses idolize you and want to be like you."
I had no intention of bragging in front of these guys, but the truth was, I'd never lost a single battle.
In the Duchy of Switchland, we strategically withdrew, but holding the Reichen Hills with the 7th Guards—ready to die—secured a tactical victory.
We lost around 10,000, but inflicted about 20,000 casualties—45,000 if you count His Highness the Crown Prince's night raid. A clear win for us.
With that track record, it wasn't surprising these youngsters wanted to emulate me. Unfortunately, their staff officer mindset was deeply disappointing.
The so-called Greater Japanese Empire and Nazi Germany collapsed because of that damned optimism.
Good riddance for Korea, the Jews, and the world at large—but if the Reich Empire fell to the same idiot optimism, wouldn't that be a spectacle?
So, let's see how far this optimism has spread.
"I see. As staff officers, what strategies do you think the Empire should pursue going forward? There's debate between focusing on domestic consolidation or maintaining offensive expansion. I'd like your thoughts."
I recalled a scene from that old show I watched in my past life, where a 10-year-old boy becomes a wizard flying through the skies—after his interview with the 'Staff Headquarters Brigadier General,' his rank shoots up vertically.
But I wasn't asking to boost these guys up the ladder.
If anything, it was to gauge whether they belonged in Staff Headquarters, the heart of the Empire Army's collective intellect.
Even if the army was strong, if they wisely noted our logistics were tapped out and we needed a war hiatus—that'd be the 'right answer.'
I'd even recommend them to Minister of War Keitel, who's always griping about talent shortages in supply.
As I pondered, the blond major with striking hair steeled himself and spoke.
"The Empire Army's combat capabilities far outstrip foreign armies. Brigadier General Schrast at the Staff College rates our corporals superior in combat, skills, and unit management to their sergeants. But no fool stays behind forever—they'll catch up in 4-5 years."
"It's classified Empire Army Level 2 secret, but spies could glean the basics easily enough. Spot on."
"We must exploit our edge now, crushing enemy will, forces, and territory—so the Black Eagle can spread its wings and soar toward hegemony over the Europan continent."
"You must've paid close attention in my lectures."
The blond major grinned sheepishly, flattered.
But I felt hollow—and pathetic.
We'd ground the 7th Guards to save what was then the Crown Prince—now His Imperial Majesty—in Reichen, and sunk Timo's fleet three times our size off Warsaw through sheer grit.
Why the hell were these lunatics viewing the Empire's situation optimistically instead of realistically?
Seeing their smiling faces spout that crap made them look like dim-witted little brothers.
If they'd had stars—or even been colonels in front of me—I'd have flagged their evals for medical retirement due to 'declining health.'
Not that I should talk, but they were young—time to straighten them out.
"What about you, standing there?"
"I agree! The Empire must spread its wings and fly on this military superiority until it claims Europan hegemony!"
Since I'd ship them off to dead-end postings soon anyway, I flashed my brightest smile.
"What's your names?"
The fools beamed even wider.
"Major Zeke von Freim, sir!"
"Major Chris von Schmidt, sir!"
I jotted their names in my notebook, adding beside them:
'Send to backwater postings to cool their heads.'
Even in dead-end jobs, they'd climbed to Staff HQ once—if they wised up, they could return to the fast track.
But with my mark, best case—family connections or not—they'd retire as colonels.
"Unless you have urgent duties, round up everyone under me in Staff Headquarters to the main conference room—now."
They saluted sharply and vanished.
"That bastard Manstein—what the hell has that lieutenant general idiot been pumping into these kids? Greater Japanese Empire or Nazi Germany-style optimism?"
Fuck, spies from Warsaw, Chekovia, or the Franco Republic?
Should I call in Intelligence for torture right now?
Still, if I just ousted the lieutenant general unilaterally, the other ministers—already griping about my 'imperial favoritism' and power grabs—would riot. Better to debate him into the ground, trash his reputation, and sink him socially.
I'll make him howl like a dog—so that horrific war optimism from those moronic Japanese Army self-proclaimed 'Greater Empire' days never rears its head in the Reich again.