Chapter 284
Chapter 284
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 284
Chapter Title: No Militarism in Our Empire (6)
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Just like the saying that an extremely angry person can't utter a single word, Lieutenant General Manstein's face had turned as red as a boiled octopus, yet he remained utterly speechless.
His eyes brimmed with murderous intent, as if he wanted to kill me right then and there, while his fists were clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms, drawing a few drops of blood.
Anyone who hadn't experienced the battlefield and killing might have been terrified just by seeing that glare and fury from Lieutenant General Manstein.
I could understand why he was acting that way.
Not only had his entire life as a lieutenant general who'd devoted decades to the Reich Empire's army been denied, but as the head of the Count Manstein family as well.
The humiliation of having his rank insignia torn off would haunt him until his dying day, and it would stain the Manstein family name for his children, grandchildren, and relatives, making their future military careers all but impossible.
On top of that, the generals and officers close to him could end up branded too, suffering the social fallout. It would be weirder if he wasn't furious.
That said, for a bastard who'd spewed nonsense that nearly doomed the Empire, it was exactly the right punishment. I felt zero guilt.
"No matter what, is it really okay to treat a lieutenant general who's served the Empire for over thirty years like that? You should've just issued an dishonorable discharge notice. Tearing off his rank insignia in front of everyone?"
"After hearing what Commander Jaeger said, doesn't it make sense that he'd react that way? You can tell just by looking at the strategic map in the General Staff Headquarters. The Empire loses everything with a single defeat. For a lieutenant general not to know that and spread bullshit about 'aggressive expansion policies' to churn out enemies endlessly? If the army had followed that plan, we'd be finished."
"......If I hadn't realized it, I'd have turned right around and filed an impeachment petition against Commander Jaeger. Even if it's the Commander—no, even if it's His Majesty—there's no justification for subjecting someone to such a humiliating and disgraceful act without proper cause, sir."
To a soldier, rank and honor are more precious than their own lives.
That's how they're raised from childhood, and those who lose them are despised by society almost as much as serious felons.
And naturally, that disgrace extends to their families too.
A prime example is the five majors, led by Matthias, who nearly got the then-Crown Prince Michael—now His Majesty—killed in the Duchy of Switchland battle.
Wherever they went in the Empire, they were mocked while drinking by paupers who wouldn't have dared look at them before.
Some who went too far got hauled in by the Imperial Guard and roughed up, but insulting and humiliating the dishonored was no crime—they only got a year in prison for 'assault.'
If those paupers had any honor, they'd have lost their heads to the executioner's sharp axe within weeks on charges of insulting nobility.
Well, Lieutenant General Manstein only spouted 'nonsense,' so his treatment is better than that. Still, I'd effectively ended his social life...
Listening to the staff officers whispering below, it seemed worth gathering them all and explaining. Thankfully, no one was badmouthing me—only debates on whether it was too harsh.
And right by me, amid applause, rose the twin pillars leading the Imperial Army: His Excellency the Minister of Military Affairs and my father-in-law the Field Marshal.
"Lately, these young hotheads have been blind to everything, drunk on victory and spewing nonsense that the Imperial Army will keep winning forever—it had me worried. As expected of my son-in-law! You shredded that absurd war doctrine so thoroughly no one could agree with it. Plus, with a bit of polish, your breakdown of the strategy and situation could make for a university lecture!"
"I'd warned Count Manstein often as Minister of Military Affairs, but he never listened, so I was concerned. All he spouted was spiritual nonsense like 'the Imperial Army is strong, so the Empire can't lose'—even showing him Foreign Ministry intel didn't help. It was necessary to weed him out like that, Commander Jaeger. Thank you."
Then the two turned to the younger staff officers among them.
Anger etched their faces, and the young staff officers froze stiff as stone statues.
"I beg you—never bring up that aggressive expansion plan or whatever 'aggressive enemy-making' nonsense Manstein pushed. Anyone basing operations on it goes straight to the Nuremberg garrison, where they'll hit mandatory retirement without promotion. I swear it on my Field Marshal rank."
"The Minister of Military Affairs is deeply disappointed in the General Staff officers who endorsed such absurd plans. I'd appreciate it if you ensured I never feel that disappointment again. The next time will be rough for everyone, so let's keep things amicable, shall we?"
Working in General Staff HQ exposes you to so many high-ups that salutes get sloppy up to two stars.
But that power they wield isn't eternal.
Get on the wrong side of the Minister of Military Affairs and the Field Marshal, and your military career is over that day—no twists, just done.
Why? His Majesty handles commissioning and discharges, but promotions, merit opportunities, and reassignments are all in those two's hands.
With those two backing me, even those who'd subtly nodded along with Manstein now completely ignored the man before me.
Noticing the chill in the room, Lieutenant General Manstein realized his position. The anger had drained from his face.
He'd simply sunk into such profound despair that you could almost see the words 'My life is ruined' written across it.
Gathering his will to somehow survive, he forced the words out like squeezing a rag.
Tears pathetically trickled down his face.
"Commander, for the sake of all I've contributed to the Empire until now, please show a little mercy. At least let me retire with some dignity. I haven't committed treason, have I? Please, do something—anything!"
His eyes held the desperate sorrow of a man pleading with his girlfriend not to break up.
But there's no grave without excuses, and a General Staff officer who spews nonsense that could doom the Empire should just shut up and live out his life in quiet reflection.
If His Majesty later grants a 'pardon,' fine—but begging me now only strips away what shreds of honor he had left.
Considering his past service, I decided to grant him minimal mercy.
"No one below the rank of major may enter General Staff HQ without His Majesty's permission! Escort Lieutenant General Manstein out politely!"
At that, two young majors prepared to grab the bastard and drag him out.
I leaned in close to his ear as they did.
"It's not a dishonorable discharge, so you'll get your officer's pension and privileges after retirement. Keep reflecting and atoning from here on out, Count."
The face of the man who'd gone from lieutenant general to plain Count Manstein drained of color, turning ashen blue.
I gestured to the majors, and Manstein was dragged away.
No one here pitied him as he went. My father-in-law approached, asking in a worried tone.
"I know how you must feel doing that. But kicking out an active lieutenant general—even with His Majesty's tacit approval—is risky. Are you prepared?"
I appreciated his concern, but I'd only done what I had to.
So there was no hesitation or fear—just forging ahead.
"I only did what needed doing. And I'll keep doing what needs doing."
"If this forces you out of your post, I'll never forgive you. So watch your back against those noble council idiots' impeachment. I've got three and a half years left in my term—after that, it's your turn."
"How could I sideline all those distinguished figures?"
At that, my father-in-law shrugged as if to say no more jokes were needed here, ordered everyone to wrap up, and left.