Chapter 96
Chapter 96
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 96
Chapter Title: Dragged Away with Stars (2)
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Reich Empire Imperial Palace, Grand Conference Hall.
Here, the Emperor along with the military's top brass and the heads of each administrative department were seated at their places, preparing for the meeting.
What set this apart from the usual merits and rewards conference was that a glass of the finest wine sat on each person's desk.
"That Ludwig is finally dead. Our Treasury Department nearly broke our backs preparing for war, but now we won't have to worry about money pouring out because of those barbarians anymore. What a relief."
"Banner Count, that man pulled off a massive feat. We expected victory, but to slaughter 35,000 barbarians with just around 5,000 casualties and capture 10,000 warriors as prisoners?"
"And on top of that, over 400,000 prisoners—not to mention livestock too numerous to count! A historic triumph that'll go down in the annals!"
Not a single person here had drunk enough to get tipsy, and with mountains of agenda items and the meeting not even started, the atmosphere was already warm and jovial.
"The sole sun of the Reich Empire and vicar of Deus, His Imperial Majesty Ferdinand von Reich arrives!"
At those words, everyone attending the conference rose simultaneously to pay their respects, and the Emperor, maintaining his dignity with a voice brimming with joy, spoke.
"Everyone, take your seats."
With that, all returned to their seats, and at the Emperor's signal, the Imperial Chancellor struck a wooden gavel three times to commence the merits and rewards.
"By His Majesty's special decree for this war, merits ranked 1 through 3 will be rewarded regardless of rank. We shall begin with the first honoree, Heinz von Banner. Your Majesty."
"Proceed."
"First, Northern Army Commander Banner General ensured uninterrupted supplies for an expeditionary force of 70,000. He achieved victory in the great war to subjugate Ludwig, securing hundreds of thousands of prisoners and the entirety of the Copenhagen Peninsula. The rest need not be belabored and shall be omitted."
At those words, everyone from the Emperor on down wrote down their proposed rewards before submitting them, followed by about thirty minutes of discussion.
"To Count Heinz von Banner, we grant the entirety of the Alsace County, a reward of 50,000 gold, the right to incorporate the Imperial golden lion into his house crest, the Diamond Knight's Sword Cross Medal, and the Northern Pacification Medal. Furthermore, considering the contributions he and his house have made to the nation thus far, he is elevated to Marquis."
The Diamond Knight's Sword Cross Medal was the final step before ascending to the Reich Empire Army's top rank of Field Marshal, and Alsace County was among the top ten richest territories in the Empire.
Moreover, the Marquisate was the highest rank a noble house of the Empire could attain, with only seven such houses among hundreds holding the title.
This was a situation where voices of concern to the Emperor might have arisen regardless of factional strife.
But since Banner had established the great merit of preventing a potential disaster—where failure to subjugate Ludwig in the north could have jeopardized the Empire's already precarious diplomatic and military position, surrounded by multiple nations—no one dared object, merely clearing their throats awkwardly.
"Next, the second honoree: Colonel Peter Jaeger, commander of the 24th Regiment."
At those words, an invisible political skirmish began among those supporting the other imperial princes.
Those aligned with the Crown Prince's faction thought thus:
'That bastard's a commoner anyway, so if we make my boy look bad by comparison, he'll be the fool. Better to boost him sky-high and strengthen His Highness's position. That way, my own son benefits too.'
Meanwhile, those backing the Second and Third Princes thought:
'His Majesty is already in poor health. We must delay that Jaeger upstart's promotion by any means, without harming national interests. If he becomes a Major General and division commander this time, who knows what absurd feats he'll pull off next.'
"While Ludwig and the Imperial Army clashed fiercely, he mobilized his subordinates to masquerade as a division and struck the enemy's central infantry, turning the tide. When Ludwig's cavalry formed a wedge and charged toward the beleaguered 12th Division 7th Regiment on the verge of annihilation, he rallied 200 retreating knights, combined them with his own knight battalion for a force of 300, and blunted the momentum of Ludwig's cavalry."
When those words rang out, every minister inwardly wondered, 'Why can't my son in the army do something like that?'
Then came the announcement of what everyone already knew.
"Per the General Staff's battle report analysis, the Colonel's judgment caused the enemy to completely miss their chance at a reversal, minimizing Imperial casualties by at least 4,000 and up to 10,000. And as 24th Regiment commander, he personally took up his sword to slay the Khan."
Once the report concluded, Emperor Ferdinand, as sovereign of the Reich Empire, showered praise on the man who had slain the Khan—a figure who, if left unchecked, would have plagued the Empire for decades.
The rest of the ministers and military leaders could do nothing but applaud in agreement—no, they had no choice but to.
Frankly, even the General Staff had mobilized 70,000 troops thinking that if Ludwig's new nation took root in the north...?
With the Franco Republic to the west, Chekovia and the Warsaw Kingdom to the east, and the Napolia League and Archduchy of Ostrica to the south already encircling them...
It would mean one more formidable foe.
Conversely, the Emperor was pleased by Banner General and Jaeger Colonel's feats, which prevented a potential enemy state from forming to the north.
Moreover, with these two—the swords of the Crown Prince—paving the way, the Prince's reign promised the overwhelming imperial authority that many past Emperors had dreamed of. The Emperor's face showed deep satisfaction.
"Discuss rewards for Colonel Jaeger."
The Minister of Military Affairs moved to reply, but the Chancellor, aligned with the Second Prince's faction, raised his hand first and pondered.
'At this point, citing precedent to slow his promotion is the limit. He beheaded the Khan, after all... And anyway, he'll grab massive lands, wealth, and power regardless.'
"Since the Empire's founding some 200 years ago, no man under thirty has risen to general—excluding those inheriting ducal houses."
Of course, those rare ducal exceptions had transcended birth to be hailed posthumously as the Empire's greatest commanders and heroes.
"Even compared to them, Baron Jaeger's merits are in no way lacking. Moreover, he has repeatedly prevented near-defeats or massive losses in advance. Thus, it is fitting to break with precedent."
All eyes focused on him, and the Chancellor continued.
"Promoting him to Brigadier General serves the Reich Empire. However, a rapid rise for such a young man from a single battle is ill-advised. Please keep that in mind."
It was irrefutable common sense, and everyone, including the Emperor, had no choice but to agree.
After all, Peter Jaeger had already shattered the unbreakable precedent—barring ducal heirs—merely by being considered at all.
"The Chancellor speaks wisely. Then, Colonel Jaeger is promoted to Brigadier General. Recognizing his slaying of the Khan, his title is elevated to Viscount. We grant the baronies of Tournay, Grasten, and Rosenheim in full, along with 30,000 gold in reward. And exceptionally, for beheading the Khan, the Golden Knight's Sword Medal."
The Emperor granted a promotion, vast lands, a title, and gold, yet no one could object.
Any further argument would just get shot down with, 'Then what of the commander who personally killed the Khan and led the war to victory?'
"Otto Moritz, Minister of Military Affairs, with a request for Your Majesty."
The Emperor gazed at his favored Minister of Military Affairs—the man hailed as the Empire's guardian deity in his active service days.
"Speak."
"The Franco Republic, learning we were tied up with Ludwig, has been provoking us steadily since April last year. We lost many border villages, fields, and serfs in the east as a result, did we not?"
As he said, while attention was fixed north, the relatively lesser threat of the Franco dogs had inflicted heavy losses.
At least the flimsy excuse of shared faith in the Deus Church prevented outright serf massacres.
But the number of vagrants stripped of all possessions neared hundreds of thousands, and had the northern campaign failed, securing land to resettle them would have been impossible—they might all have become brigands.
They had of course retaliated to some provocations, but proper revenge remained undone...
"Come to think of it, it's time we crossed swords even with those nobles who can only huddle and debate."
"We must settle with the Franco Republic. And lately, Brigadier General Jaeger's lecture at the Staff College, 'What is War?', struck me deeply. Please assign Jaeger to the General Staff to assist in planning the Franco invasion."
Hearing this, the Emperor replied.
"An excellent idea. So be it. Now, let us proceed to the next merit. Let's see... For the third honoree, Northern Army Deputy Commander Lieutenant General Nordenborg, we grant the baronies of Cheils and Tolene, along with 15,000 gold..."
Thus, on that day, Banner Count ascended to the ranks of next Field Marshal candidates, while Jaeger Brigadier General wrought the miracle of breaking Imperial precedent.