Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: At the Richthofen House (2)
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Time passed, and evening arrived. A small party venue had been prepared behind the mansion.
Perhaps because it was a gathering of nobles, the atmosphere was subdued overall, with a particularly large number of soldiers in attendance.
Gentle waltz music played softly, and in the center, several couples were dancing.
I donned Manfred's dress uniform and approached the guests to greet them.
"Hello. I'm Erwin Rommel."
"Well! So you're that famous Rommel."
"I've heard your name from Manfred. I'm Hugo Junkers."
"I'm Manfred Albrecht, Manfred's uncle."
The mood was generally positive toward me.
I had no idea what they might have been thinking deep down, but on this formal occasion, treating a guest of the Richthofen family rudely would amount to insulting House Richthofen itself.
Of course, there were clear boundaries. The ladies' subtle avoidance, plainly signaling not to ask them to dance, was obvious at a glance.
"Long time no see, Manfred oppa. You got my letters even after starting at the cadet school, right?"
"Oh, sorry, but Manfred promised to dance with me... Why don't you come back later?"
"Manfred... Won't you leave these little girls and take a short walk with me?"
"Haha, ladies. Calm down."
…Life.
Time to work…
I deliberately ignored Manfred's side and struck up conversations with the mustachioed gentlemen instead.
"So, as you probably know, this synchronized gear is a groundbreaking invention that could turn the skies into another battlefield."
"Reconnaissance planes could provide precise artillery firing data. That would make it essential to shoot down enemy recon aircraft and protect our own, creating a pressing need for fighters."
"Precisely. It's already a matter of the near future, and as aircraft advance, dominating the skies will only grow more critical…"
"Let's call the state where we control a sector of airspace through air power superiority air superiority (Luftüberlegenheit)."
"Air superiority… air superiority."
Mr. Junkers mulled the term over thoughtfully.
I continued feeding him ideas.
"Air superiority can be secured when our fighters outnumber the enemy's and score more kills. This synchronized gear will play a pivotal role…"
"Fighter performance will need to improve as well. Engines are another matter we can't address right away, though…"
"For fighters to attack without getting attacked, they'll have no choice but to chase each other's tails. That won't just lead to endless circling?"
…Something comes to mind. But first, I'll need your patent."
I suppressed a grin and pulled a simple contract from my pocket.
"I'll negotiate on favorable terms. Let's borrow a suitable room."
By changing things one step at a time like this… I could reach ultimate victory.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"He's working hard."
"He really is."
Albrecht and Kunigunde tilted their wine glasses as they murmured absently.
At the focus of their gaze, Rommel was bustling about, diligently conversing with the guests.
They had kept a close eye on him, ready to intervene if any nobles treated him rudely… but their worry had been unfounded.
Rommel was a polite and sharp young man who left no room for criticism.
"What was I up to at his age…"
"Chasing skirts, you said?"
"Kuh, ahem. Not in polite company…"
Kunigunde's sharp barb made Albrecht break out in a sweat.
But rather than dwell on it, she shifted her target.
"Elise. Isn't there anyone who catches your eye?"
…
Elise von Richthofen merely stared blankly into the distance, offering no reply.
…Oh?
Kunigunde followed her gaze to a certain young man, her eyes sparkling with intrigue.
She leaned in and whispered urgently to Albrecht.
"Dear, take a look at her."
"Hm?"
At her words, Albrecht glanced at Elise.
Reflected in Elise's eyes… was Rommel, deep in conversation with the guests.
Albrecht's brow furrowed momentarily.
"Elise… a mismatch in station… mmph."
"You just can't hold your tongue, can you? Don't worry her."
…I know.
Kunigunde laughed and quickly covered Albrecht's mouth.
But Elise's eyes had already grown misty.
"It must be tough for her."
…
…
Something in her calm tone hinted at unshed tears, softening the couple's resolve.
Manfred had sent many letters home. Half of them were about Rommel—a fact that had earned the Richthofen family a favorable view of him.
Elise, in particular, bored and lonely out in the countryside, had immersed herself in those letters.
Rommel's tales of unleashing a storm on the cadet school and the military with his exceptional talents felt like the prologue to a modern heroic epic.
His brilliant life stood in stark contrast to her own, stirring admiration in Elise…
[I'm Erwin Rommel.]
…Rommel.
Love at first sight.
His serious, charismatic presence was more than enough to make her fall.
But she soon bowed her head.
Unlike the free-spirited Rommel, who wielded his talents at will, Elise—noble though she was—could choose nothing for herself.
Dark clouds gathered in her heart from the pitiful contrast with her object of affection.
"Elise…"
"Umm."
Especially seeing their beloved youngest daughter so downcast, Albrecht and Kunigunde were at a loss.
Telling her to follow her heart… was easier said than done in an era where the gap in status loomed so large.
The Richthofen house might be modest by noble standards, but they were Junkers all the same. A match with Rommel could draw sharp criticism from other nobles—and bring shame on the family.
…Sigh.
From afar, watching the hesitating couple, Elise's older sister, Elisabeth Therese Elfriede von Richthofen, approached with light steps.
…Sister?
"Get up. What's with the moping?"
"Just leave me be… I'm not in the mood—"
Therese seized Elise's face and forced her to meet her gaze.
Then she spoke, each word weighted with conviction.
"Love is…"
…?
"Something you seize."
With that, Therese grabbed the stunned Elise's hand and yanked her to her feet.
Laughing at Elise's awkward stance, Therese turned to the couple.
"Mind if I take her?"
…Elise.
Catching their surprise for a moment, Kunigunde smiled warmly at Elise.
"Follow your heart, dear. We'll support you no matter what you choose."
"Mother…"
Tears welled up in Elise's confused eyes, brimming with new life.
Albrecht remained silent for a beat before gruffly patting her shoulder.
"No crying now. You've got to charm that blockhead—not with a soggy face."
"Dear… is that the best you can do for encouragement?"
"Ahem."
Elise swallowed her tears and murmured firmly, if softly.
"I'll… give it a try."
"Go on, then."
"You've got my blood in you. You'll do fine."
…Dear, a word with you.
Leaving the couple behind, Therese led Elise forward.
Toward Rommel, conversing amid a throng of gentlemen.
"So you're saying cavalry is finished?"
"No. The key is that cavalry will evolve."
Before Manfred Albrecht, cavalry captain and Manfred's uncle, Rommel spoke with conviction.
"Once trench warfare breaks out, there will be all sorts of attempts to breach them, but they'll all boil down to one thing in the end."
"How so?"
"Mount guns on masses of steel safe from machine-gun fire and advance them into the trenches. I propose calling them Panzers. Infantry follows in their wake to suppress the trenches."
"Quite the flight of fancy. You think some machine will replace cavalry?"
"Austria-Hungary has already experimented with…"
"Um…"
Therese stepped forward cautiously amid the debating gentlemen.
"My sister has something she'd like to say."
She took Elise's hand and led her right up to Rommel.
Rommel and the cavalry captain turned, their conversation halting.
…
Elise's cheeks flushed crimson as her eyes met Rommel's, and she fidgeted nervously.
Therese stepped back and gave her a gentle push.
…
…
A peculiar tension hung between the pair, prompting the onlookers to tactfully withdraw alongside Therese.
Yet it drew even more attention. Nearly the entire party now watched them.
As Elise hesitated to speak, Rommel asked politely first.
"Is something the matter? Miss Elise?"
…With me.
Her cheeks burned hotter at the sound of her name, but Elise finally found her voice.
"Would you dance with me?"
Rommel's pupils dilated for an instant.
To the anxiously awaiting Elise, he replied with a quiet smile.
"Of course."