Chapter 286
Chapter 286
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 286
Chapter Title: Assassinate Me? You're a Hundred Years Too Early (1)
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Imperial Palace, Audience Chamber.
"Peter Jaeger, Commander of the Reich Empire's forces, comes before the Empire's sole sun, His Imperial Majesty the Emperor."
As per protocol, I dropped to one knee and bowed my head in greeting. His Majesty, as always, descended from his throne to where I knelt and helped me to my feet.
Normally, at this point, he would look at me with a bright expression, asking about my recent affairs—whether something good had happened or if there was trouble.
If it was good news, he would share in my joy and give me a gift as a token of congratulations. If it was bad, he would offer comfort and any help I needed.
For example, the last time I casually mentioned that Friedrich had caught a slight cold, His Majesty immediately sent the imperial physician, who treated him far beyond what was necessary.
But today, thanks to that damned militarist Lieutenant General Manstein, His Majesty seemed to have a lot on his mind. Even seeing me didn't brighten his face.
"I would love to ask how you've been lately and hear your stories, but given the circumstances, I'll skip that for now. So, what brings you to me?"
"I've come to report rumors I've heard about recently retired soldiers forming a dubious gathering."
His Majesty nodded, his expression saying he already knew all about it.
"According to the Minister of Intelligence, Baron Pietro and some retired officers, along with a few active-duty soldiers and nobles with titles, have banded together to impeach Peter Jaeger. Those rotten bastards—where else can you find a general who's done as much for the Empire? They gather just to spout nonsense. They're so incompetent that their jealousy of your talents has driven them mad."
Humans are like that: their own abilities fall short, and when they see someone more capable rising above them, jealousy creeps in.
Those who use jealousy positively channel it into self-improvement, striving to match or surpass that person by honing their own skills.
But those dominated negatively by jealousy try to drag their target down to their level—or lower—through words or actions.
So to His Majesty, it might look like these inferiority-complex-ridden fools were scheming politically...
But to me, having studied modern warfare and history before my possession, this gathering screamed preparation for an assassination—the kind militarists love.
That's why I looked at His Majesty and spoke carefully, in a gravely serious tone.
"In my view, they've gathered for more than just impeaching me."
His Majesty gave me a puzzled look.
"Think about it, Your Majesty. If they impeach Commander Peter Jaeger, how would the Imperial Parliament react? At best, they'd say something like: 'Commander Peter Jaeger has been impeached by X nobles with titles, retired officers, and active-duty officers, but our investigation found no wrongdoing, so the motion is dismissed. However, as a caution for future conduct, he is placed under house arrest for X days.' It wouldn't damage my position as they hope."
Speaking so boldly before the Emperor about how solid my standing was could, in the worst case, be interpreted as boasting that I had enough power to check imperial authority.
But with the unbreakable trust between His Majesty and me, and the absurdity of active-duty and retired officers forming a political group, it was fine.
His Majesty vented his displeasure—not at me, but at that accursed Baron Pietro.
"Impeachment is usually attempted only when you're certain it will topple the target, and you're right. The Imperial Parliament and most nobles are glad the Imperial Army is growing stronger with each victory report, but they know their territories are suffering from the war surtaxes. If they sided with those pushing for more war, they'd have to raise taxes again, weakening not just their lands but the entire Reich Empire. They're thrilled with your call to pause the war, let the Empire recover, and build up our strength. No way they'd back those idiots trying to impeach you."
"Then let me ask again: If, in this situation, they stubbornly push for my impeachment before you—what would you do?"
His Majesty clenched his fist, a flash of anger in his eyes.
He took a deep breath, then spoke.
"I wouldn't accept it. A renowned general who saved the Empire—with abilities beyond even that—shouldn't be... ahem, I mean, I'd help you devote yourself further to the Empire. I'd dismiss it outright and round up every one of those fools spouting such drivel. Then I'd harshly punish them for active-duty and retired officers conspiring in politics."
Strictly speaking, a retired Imperial officer was just Civilian A, with only their noble title to their name.
Upon retirement, they could take a quick administrative exam for ex-officers and become bureaucrats at a rank similar to their military one, or use their title to enter the Imperial Parliament.
In other words, retired officers could dive into politics right away.
But if active-duty officers with command authority over troops got involved, policy debates could turn into civil wars by dragging in their soldiers.
So no matter the reason, any political participation—or even statements—by active-duty officers was high treason, warranting immediate execution. That's why he said that.
"From this angle, their gathering to impeach me is just an excuse. Impeaching cabinet ministers, undersecretaries, or generals happens all the time in Parliament, so they can frame it as legitimate without drawing suspicion. Even you, Your Majesty, couldn't punish them arbitrarily until they sign an impeachment document as active-duty officers."
The Emperor nodded in agreement.
"As they gather under that pretext and vent their grievances, someone will surely say: 'There's only one solution. Assassinate Peter Jaeger. Impeachment petitions are useless— we have to kill him.'"
His Majesty waved his hand to deny it, but I pressed on.
"They're claiming that purging Lieutenant General Manstein's faction and keeping the Imperial Army from fighting—and winning—the next battle is all due to my schemes. So they think if I die, you'll expand the army, and they can pin on stars and claim glory in my place. Unless their brains are completely rotten, staff officers wouldn't ignore the Empire's internal situation to talk such nonsense."
I could think this way because a friend who majored in Japanese once told me how many idiots and fools were in the Imperial Japanese Army.
Up until the very early 1930s, Japan had been reading the international situation shrewdly.
So when they took Manchuria, with the US and great powers likely to complain, the cabinet—led by Prime Minister Inukai Tsuyoshi—proposed controlling only the Manchurian economic sphere while pretending to co-govern with China.
If that had stuck, Japan might have avoided joining the Axis—their biggest blunder.
But the mad militarists in the Imperial Japanese Army, thinking no territorial expansion meant no rice bowls for officers—or out of deranged patriotism—simply assassinated the prime minister.
The result? Japan properly ruined itself.
Of course, the lack of a supreme authority to control Japan after the PM's death was the biggest factor.
In the Empire, even if I died, His Majesty would personally wield the iron rod to stop any pointless army expansion.
The problem was, if those bastards succeeded in assassinating me, it wouldn't just be Louise, Laura, Charlotte, and Anya grieving.
Enemy nations would swarm to carve up Empire territory like mad.
So I wouldn't yield to their assassination threats. I'd survive for sure, uproot those bastards, and burn them to the core.
"I'm certain. Those gathered plan to assassinate Peter Jaeger."
His Majesty's face turned gravely serious at the word "assassinate" from my mouth.
"Very well. What do you plan to do?"