Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: The Ballroom is Politics (1)
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During her time at the academy, Laura von Venner hadn't mingled much with others, even for a cadet from a high-ranking noble family.
If Lieutenant Colonel Jaeger heard this story, he would think:
'As expected of a character described as a genius in the novel—there were no cadets on her level, so she went around alone?'
But the real reason she had gone around alone was the guys who had been pestering her since her first year.
After departmental classes, once they finished studying with their study group mates to some extent, there were always plenty who suggested going to a café for coffee separately or grabbing a meal at a nice spot near the academy—hitting on her like that.
So, with the goal of completely cutting off contact with those clingy guys, she had strictly gone around alone at the academy.
Count Venner, who knew her situation, had called her in a few days ago and advised her that since these were people verified enough to attend the Staff College, she should get along with them here.
She was inwardly pondering how to fit in among the people around her who were diligently studying.
"Lieutenant von Venner, if you don't have another lecture next, how about joining us to discuss what we've learned so far? Over at that desk on the left, they're analyzing the war in Checovia using the theory the professor taught."
The young captain who had invited her to join the discussion like this remembered that the senior major in their group had specifically signaled to bring her along, so he invited her once more.
"Weren't you looking for people to study with? If you share your experiences from Bisocia, we can recommend some great lectures in return."
Lieutenant von Venner gazed at the group gathered in the direction the captain pointed.
"What do you think was the reason those villages in the Bisocia region scheduled for food requisitions just handed over their provisions to the lieutenant colonel pretending to be a requisition officer?"
"It was probably possible because more than twenty soldiers threatened the villagers, right? And they used forged Checovian official document formats from the Empire, so even more so..."
"On the flip side, that means our own requisition system could be looted using the exact same trick."
A study group delving into deep analysis and seeking alternatives, as befitting the outstanding officers of the Staff College.
Lieutenant von Venner thought that if she enrolled in the Staff College, she wanted to join people like this for discussions and information exchanges. Recalling her academy days when she had gone alone due to a lack of information, missing good lectures while picking up useless ones in general education...
"May I join you?"
"Of course. We're grateful if you'll share your experiences from the Bisocia campaign with us."
With that, as Lieutenant von Venner joined the group, everyone quickly introduced themselves lightly and asked:
"You just mentioned the time in Bisocia when the lieutenant colonel was requisitioning enemy food supplies, but it's hard to tell from the reports alone. How exactly did he pull it off?"
"He went to the village head and showed the official document format, then naturally demanded it as if he were a standard requisition officer. Since requisitions are handled by officers who are nobles, a mere serf or village head wouldn't dare question it."
"So he didn't threaten the villagers or seize it by force?"
Laura, who deeply respected Lieutenant Colonel Jaeger in her heart, answered proudly as if it were her own achievement.
"That's right. When I later asked why he didn't threaten them, he said, 'If a requisition officer carrying out the duchy’s orders threatens serfs, wouldn't that seem more suspicious?' If I were in the village head's position, requisitions are a given, but if they issued the order with threats despite bringing the document, I would have suspected even then."
"True enough. The act of threatening alone could make it look suspicious."
"But even if he had threatened them, since it was just serfs living there, there was no worry of backlash—so was there another reason?"
The group members had already acknowledged the lieutenant's point that 'acting naturally leaves no room for suspicion.'
But it was a question born from the rote education that war requires considering countless variables.
Normally, if they kept probing with more questions after a clear answer, she would look flustered.
"Threatening raised the chance of suspicion, but he also said it would waste time if the villagers resisted. With twelve knights and a wizard, there was ample force, so no risk of backlash, but fighting serfs would consume stamina and time, lowering operational efficiency."
"Makes sense. With mounted knights mobilized, if combat broke out, crushing a few as an example would subdue them instantly—but it would delay and exhaust them that much."
"Furthermore, just looting the food would plummet the enemy's morale limitlessly once they found out. But if villagers died resisting, the Checovian army would rage over it and strengthen their will to fight," he said.
Before they knew it, Lieutenant von Venner and the other Staff College students were mixing formal and informal speech, but...
Despite the one-sided learning from the lieutenant, they weren't uncomfortable; they quietly jotted down her precious real-combat experiences and insights on the papers they brought.
And so, they discussed the Checovia war for hours in the empty lecture hall, researching better tactics.
Before long, despite the age and rank differences preventing true friendship, a sense of camaraderie had formed as members of the same group.
As the final bell signaling the end of today's classes rang, everyone stood, and the major who was the group's de facto leader smiled and said:
"Hearing your stories made me envious, Lieutenant. Aren't you lucky to have such a great superior? Young in age, but with so much to learn, serving right by his side and observing directly."
At those words, Laura smiled brightly as if she herself were being praised.
"I think so too. Serving alongside the lieutenant colonel will be the greatest experience of my military career."
The way she looked when praising the lieutenant colonel like this seemed, to the major and the other members, just like a girl in love.
Back in their bachelor cadet days at the academy, seeing a pretty girl like her act this way would have irritated them.
But now, already married to women from their families or met at socials, and fathers themselves, they just found her cute.
Major Pindolf, the group's leader, made a big decision to help this girl.
"By the way, won't our professor be getting married soon? Back then, as a commoner orphan, he had no women approaching, not even friends. But now it's different. At 21, Staff College professor, lieutenant colonel, and even granted a barony with lands."
Laura froze momentarily at those words, but the others caught the major's intent and chimed in.
"Thinking back, I got introduced to a woman by my family and married in my first year as a second lieutenant—by age, he's actually late."
"Usually, people marry after introductions as lieutenants. You were hanging around a girl you fell for at first sight at socials from your fourth year at the academy and got caught by your father..."
"I heard our father is the Chief of Staff, and after the Rhineland War ended, quite a few families targeted the professor at the social. But since he fell ill and couldn't attend, it fizzled out."
Now Laura's face stiffened, unable to hide her true feelings, turning serious.
Because imagining not herself, but another woman standing beside the lieutenant colonel she admired, and instead of teaching her strategy and tactics after work...
Spending time with that woman made her chest ache with intense displeasure.
"B-but... the lieutenant colonel doesn't converse much with women outside work or show interest."
Major Pindolf, thinking of this fellow study mate who was about his niece's age, resolved himself.
It wasn't entirely selfless—he hoped the girl, having received their advice, would share more knowledge and experience as the lieutenant colonel's aide.
"I've been an officer for over ten years, and young officers who haven't dealt with women like that can't resist the ones approaching at socials. A few of my friends got married just like that, struck by lightning."
With that, Major Pindolf and the other officers suddenly remembered urgent business and left.
Meanwhile, left alone, Laura felt fear and urgency creep into her heart at the thought that some other woman might claim Lieutenant Colonel Jaeger at any moment.
Meanwhile, in the office of Count Venner, Operations Director of the General Staff.
"I'm sorry to call you here at this hour after a full day of classes."
"Not at all. I'm grateful you made time for me amid your official duties."
Such words were usually just formalities, but for someone at the Operations Director level, working late five days a week was routine.
So it was never empty talk.
"His Highness the Crown Prince had a message he insisted I pass on: Are preparations for the ball going properly?"