Chapter 82
Chapter 82
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: Just One Step to the Stars
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And a month later, in the Reich Empire's military conference room.
The central generals, whom one could call the pillars of the Imperial Army—including Minister of Military Affairs Otto Moritz—had all gathered here.
They were discussing commendations and rewards for battles—not the massive wars shaking entire regions, but engagements involving thousands of troops.
"For the battle at the Bisocia provincial border where our division clashed with one of Chekovia's divisions, Colonel Chaplain's 4th Regiment defeated one of their regiments. We'll finalize the rewards like this: the Silver Knight's Sword Cross Medal and ten villages—three thousand serfs in Bisocia province—to Colonel Chaplain, with the rest handled per these documents."
"Colonel Lorelei has racked up merits against the Benikia bastards multiple times. He's a bit young, but I propose promoting him to brigadier general for His Majesty's consideration."
"Colonel Elfridel disobeyed orders like an idiot on the Swissirland Republic front and lost 200 men, so let's dismiss him."
Thus, appropriate rewards were handed out for the exploits of colonels who had served the Imperial Army for decades.
"Now, we'll move to the final item on today's agenda: commendations for Colonel Peter Jaeger, regimental commander of the Northern Army's 24th Regiment. His achievements include annihilating the Turner tribe and over twenty others below them, completely razing their villages, and rescuing more than 700 Imperial citizens—men and women—who had been taken prisoner. Furthermore, he killed all 4,000 barbarian males aged 15 and above, and captured over 12,000 prisoners alive."
At those words, Field Marshal Otto Moritz and the other generals began murmuring.
"Inflicting damage on the Turner tribe's army alone is a huge achievement, but the follow-ups are impressive too. Truly beyond expectations."
"Hard to believe these feats came from a regiment acting alone."
"Ha~ Looking at that kid makes all the other young ones seem like fools. Guys who've lived 20-30 years longer than him, and a 23-year-old brat..."
A few of the older generals, around twenty years Peter's senior, inwardly compared him to their own sons and felt a hollow ache.
Of course, those sons weren't wastrels or incompetents.
Some had even earned three or four stars by that age, proving superior ability to what their fathers had at the same point...
But the comparison was just on another level entirely.
On the other hand, Lieutenant General Banner—the one exchanging letters with his daughter every month, expressing her "love for the colonel"—
No, General Banner wore a genuinely delighted expression.
Not just because he cherished his daughter so much he didn't want to hand her over to any random guy, but because it was about time to arrange a fiancé for her.
And if that fiancé had the talent to rise to one of the empire's top military and noble ranks—field marshal even—then he figured it was fine to give her away.
"Isn't it wonderful that the Empire has such an outstanding talent, and we get to reward him? We should be generous."
"Agreed, General Banner. So, what do you have in mind?"
"Field Marshal Moritz, Captain Laura von Venner serving under him is my daughter—and his ball partner. Not engaged yet, but."
At that, some generals glared at General Banner and ground their teeth, while those aligned with the Second and Third Princes raced to shout.
"We acknowledge it's a great achievement. But general? That's too much for a single victory—no matter how big."
"He's only just turned 23—24 in a few days. Most noble officers that age are in their second year as lieutenants. Promoting too fast isn't wise."
"Instead, grant him a fief or handle promotions for his subordinates. We can ask His Majesty to expand the fief, and promoting his men fits equity."
Field Marshal Moritz found their scheming laughable.
They were generals serving the Empire, seething with envy and jealousy, unable to outright deny his merits—so they harped on his youth and tried to shunt the credit to his subordinates in a sneaky workaround to block his promotion.
At least they showed some backbone: as academy graduates, they didn't stray against national interests.
They kept it to reasonable checks.
"Here's the deal, then. Promote Captain Laura von Venner to major, and all officers below captain who fought in this battle one rank. Battalion commanders like Werner and Marco would then match knights, but since they lack fiefs, we'll request villages in good spots and Silver Knight's Sword Cross Medals. For Colonel Jaeger: Northern Pacification Special Medal, bonus pay, a suitable fief, and additional units under his command. Plus, bump his field command authority up one level."
The Minister of Military Affairs offered a compromise the Crown Prince faction and Second-Third Prince supporters could swallow.
The other generals nodded bitterly.
Then Otto Moritz recalled what he'd heard months ago from the Bismarck Staff College president about Colonel Jaeger.
Smiling, he placed the colonel's plan on the table and spoke.
"Also, this operation against the Turner tribe matches what Colonel Jaeger submitted via Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Nordenburk. Results were excellent, so next March's strike on the Ludwig tribe will reference his proposal heavily. Furthermore, command of the northern conquest war goes to you, General Banner."
The other generals—precisely, the Second and Third Princes' men, and even Crown Prince faction officers not close to Jaeger—were stunned.
Count Banner leading the pacification as a general made sense, but they hadn't imagined a mere colonel's ops plan guiding a strategy for 50,000+ troops.
And if it succeeded?
Jaeger would earn a brigadier general promotion just for planning—even with modest field results.
His track record already defied Imperial history, so a promotion plus massive rewards and titles...
He'd threaten the positions of lower generals here.
"Today's commendations end here. Dismissed—get some rest."
**
Northern Army 24th Regiment commander’s office.
"Salute! By order of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor, I, Administrative Officer Peter von Gaines, bring a letter praising the 24th Regiment's feats from the capital, along with documents on the commendations."
"I'll read the letter to the regiment later. Start with the commendations."
I bowed to the emperor's document listing them.
The officer read gravely.
"Emperor Ferdinand von Reich of the Reich Empire is deeply satisfied with the 24th Regiment's annihilation of the Turner tribe. Thus, battalion commanders from deputy regimental commander down each receive a Silver Knight's Sword Cross Medal and five villages as fiefs. Captain Laura von Venner is promoted to major. Furthermore, all officers lieutenant and below receive special one-rank promotions."
That makes Laura a battalion commander, and the rest climb a rank.
Those from officer academies or ambiguous backgrounds taste special promotion—they'll mostly follow me loyally now.
Especially the deputy regimental and battalion commanders getting fiefs and medals: they're nobles now, fully my allies.
So, am I finally building a real faction?
"Among them, Colonel Peter Jaeger's merits stand tallest. Thus, We grant him Chelsheim, the Northern Pacification Special Medal, one knight battalion, and one infantry battalion added to his command. Furthermore, recognizing his outstanding insight to date, his field command authority rises one level."
One level up in field authority, plus knight and infantry battalions—basically handing me a brigade, not a regiment.
Brigades usually go to brigadiers, so this is one-star treatment.
For political buildup and this treatment... it was plenty good.
"Convey my gratitude for His Majesty's grace."