Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: War Preparations (1)
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The day after the mock battle concluded, I, Peter Jaeger, departed for Bruno Territory with my 500 subordinates.
Returning on foot with the 500 troops took a full month, but we arrived back safely nonetheless.
Then, two months later, three pieces of good news came my way.
The first was that, with the year-end personnel shuffle announcement, my status as a major-select was officially upgraded to major.
No sooner had I received that order than 12 wizards from the wizard company and 12 knights from the knight company were placed under my command.
At the same time, my command baton and scabbard were fitted with gold ornaments, and as a battalion commander's perk, I received a warhorse on par with those ridden by knights.
The second was that the people of Bruno Territory, following my instructions to the letter, reaped such a bountiful harvest that everyone could pay their required taxes in grain.
Even after tributing grain to me, enough food remained stockpiled to last the territory's residents through next year. Reports flooded in of widespread praise for the new lord.
The third was... I was mulling that over when a knock came at the door, followed by a voice from the other side.
"My lord, Second Lieutenant Laura von Venner has arrived."
Sure enough, there she was—the star of my third stroke of luck, Second Lieutenant Laura von Venner.
"Send her in."
With that, the door to my office swung open. Laura entered, clad in the Empire's black uniform, and snapped off a salute with the flawless precision of a textbook illustration—or a video recording.
"Loyalty! As of today, Second Lieutenant Laura von Venner reports for official assignment under Major Peter Jaeger. I look forward to your tutelage."
Personally speaking, her assignment was an unexpected windfall.
Laura von Venner was a talent I desperately wanted to secure, willing to pull every string at my disposal if needed.
That said, even in the original novel, she was the top student across all years at the Academy—a prize many high-ranking officers coveted. I figured I'd need to be at least a lieutenant colonel, maybe a colonel, before I could snag her as an adjutant.
I never dreamed Count Venner would volunteer her services under me.
Given those circumstances, I couldn't hold back the grin bubbling up from pure delight inside.
Naturally, the corners of my mouth shot up to the ceiling.
"Loyalty! Welcome aboard, Lieutenant Venner. This'll likely run long, so take a seat up front."
"Yes, sir."
Before settling into the chair I indicated, she handed me a luxurious wooden box trimmed in gold.
Inside, just as I'd anticipated, was the Academy diploma awarded for my successful mock battle performance.
A quick skim revealed a detailed account of my exploits—from student platoon leader to clinching victory on the Rhineland Front—capped with recognition of those feats by granting me the honor of top-of-class graduation.
If I were still a second lieutenant or first lieutenant, it might've been useful, but for someone like me who'd rocketed to major before even graduating? Not so much.
Laura, however, seemed to take it in a different light. Her eyes shone with genuine emotion as she offered congratulations.
"Sincere congratulations on your honorary top graduation from the Academy, Major."
"Thanks for the well-wishes, Lieutenant Venner. Now, let's dive into the real talk."
Her eyes lit up. She fished a small paper notebook and pen from her pocket, ready to jot down notes.
Seeing that, I couldn't help thinking, 'To claim top spot in an Academy teeming with prodigies, does she have to be that meticulous?'
I shelved the thought and launched into a thorough rundown of her upcoming duties as adjutant.
To sum it up briefly: an adjutant's role is to support the commander in everything except personal matters—sleeping, toileting, bathing, or private family time.
For an unmarried commander or lord like me, such personal carve-outs are few and far between, meaning we'd be stuck together most hours of the day.
As I outlined the job, my mind wandered to spending nearly 24 hours a day glued to a beauty my age.
Under normal circumstances, commanders eligible for adjutants—majors and up—are married men in their forties or older, while their second lieutenant aides are 20 to 23. No issues there, even opposite genders.
Thanks to my breakneck promotions, though, this snag cropped up.
Not that spending 24 hours with a silver-haired stunner to my tastes was a bad deal for me.
Laura, seated before me, replied without a hint of hesitation, eyes sparkling.
"We covered officer assignments at the Academy, including some training on adjutant duties. My father, Count Venner, advised me: 'As a green officer short on experience, shadow an outstanding commander relentlessly—with the resolve not to miss so much as the blink of an eye—and learn thoroughly.' So, the more time I spend at your side, Major, the more opportunities to absorb."
A textbook-perfect response, straight out of the Academy lectures on positional traits, pros, and cons.
That shut down any stray non-work thoughts on my end.
Laura offered a faint smile.
"I'm not sure how long I'll serve as your adjutant, but barring promotions or reassignments, it'll be you I serve. So please, call me Laura from here on, and treat me casually. Looking forward to it."
I extended a hand for a shake. She clasped it firmly in reply.
"Looking forward to it, Lieutenant Laura. Perfect timing—the mansion's chef should be bringing food any minute. Let's eat and keep chatting."
"Sounds good. If something piques my curiosity midway, may I ask?"
"Anything short of too personal."
From there, Laura and I covered Bruno Territory's current state and the army's readiness, our preparations for the Chekovia Front, the troops' training levels, and the like.
Before long, the chef arrived and set our meals on the table.
Bread, cream stew, steak, and a glass of milk—a classic fantasy-world spread.
As we dined, I stuck to basic etiquette, but she sliced her meat with elegant poise and asked,
"On the Rhineland Front, when Division Commander Stefan was cornered by the Franco Republic's forces... didn't you lead one company and about ten wizards straight into the enemy HQ?"
"Spot on. Looking back, it was downright reckless of me."
"Father called that raid a game-changing call. What was really going through your mind? Were you confident it'd succeed?"
I nodded.
"Naturally. I was dead certain the raid would land. Otherwise, what business would a fresh field-promoted first lieutenant—mere company commander deputy—have pitching an op to a titan like the division commander?"
Laura shed her usual cool, impassive demeanor. Her eyes sparkled with pure admiration as she gazed at me.
For someone who'd volunteered here out of awe for my record, this tale had to be catnip.
"Here's why: wars run on common sense. Fewer troops? Expect defensive plays. Stefan's division mood back then was rotten—most pushed retreating to Weinberg Castle for a siege. The enemy spies would've fed them that intel, convincing them a preemptive strike was impossible."
"Makes sense—with slim numbers, minimizing losses while maneuvering is key to any shot at victory."
"Exactly. So the enemy slacks off on that assumption. Hit 'em at midnight—when guards are weakest—with 100+ arrows and a magic barrage all at once? They'll freak, convinced it's a regiment-plus assault. Why? That firepower screams regiment scale."
Laura halted mid-slice on her steak, staring at me in a daze.
I rather liked this chink in her ice-queen perfection.
"Thus, the Franco Republic troops hustled to reform against what looked like a regiment. Jaeger Company's chaos-buying kept their whole division scrambled, buying precious time. Stefan's boys exploited the gap, smashed the enemy's left flank, and clinched the win."
Regaling my exploits let me polish off my plate.
Laura? Ears perked, too rapt to eat—just listening.
That vulnerability was adorable, but adjutants must match their superior's eating pace.
"Lieutenant Laura, I'll spill more once business wraps. Eat up first."
I nudged gently.
Her cheeks pinked. Watching, I mused that commander life with Laura von Venner promised more than just smooth ops from a stellar aide—these delightful moments, too.