Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Have You Heard of Total War? (4)
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Count Schlieffen shook his head.
"That habit of yours won't be fixed by someone else telling you off. You have to realize it yourself."
"What do you mean?"
Hindenburg blinked at the implication that Prussian discipline, steeped in tradition and history, wouldn't cut it.
"You have to let him know there are countless people in the world who are just as brilliant as he is. Once he commissions, you'll need to pit him against peers of equal rank..."
Schlieffen trailed off, eventually cracking a wry smile.
"As if there's anyone among the cadets who measures up to him. Even among junior officers, it's the same. Where else are you going to find another supernova who can shake the entire War Ministry with a single report?"
"..."
"Good grief. It'd be easier for me to reincarnate than to find someone better than that kid. Got anyone in mind?"
"Hm."
Hindenburg pondered Schlieffen's question for a moment before cautiously speaking up.
"Not quite on that level, but... one name does come to mind."
"Oh?"
It was unexpected. Hindenburg, of all people—the man who cared nothing for others?
Schlieffen widened his eyes and stared at him.
"You, remembering cadets and junior officers? Heh, time really is merciless. You've changed too."
"..."
"Weren't you the one who never gave a damn about anyone around you, calling yourself a 'work machine' every day? Looks like you've finally got the urge to take on an apprentice!"
"..."
"Time heals all, as they say..."
Hindenburg subtly averted his gaze from Schlieffen. Whatever it was, it clearly wasn't what the count imagined.
Oblivious, Schlieffen pressed on eagerly.
"So, who is it? This talent you've got your eye on?"
Hindenburg's lips twitched before he answered.
"...My nephew."
"..."
Silence blanketed the room in an instant.
Nephew? His nephew? Sure, in the Imperial Army, praising family was commonplace...
But there was a time and place for everything.
Schlieffen's eyes gradually cooled, while Hindenburg flushed with embarrassment.
The count forced a smile.
"...Ha. Ha. Ha. You've changed, all right. Well, in your old age, doting on family more—"
"It's not like that. I'm serious."
Hindenburg hurriedly cut him off.
"He didn't top the cadet school rankings, but he graduated with top marks. He's currently in the general staff course, earning rave reviews under Colonel Carl von Leinsdorf."
"Of course he'd get rave reviews. Who'd dare report to you that your nephew's a screw-up?"
"No, it came from someone reliable. From what I hear..."
"Come on, think about your rank. Your rank. Would anyone tell the Prussian infantry commander—who could fill seas and level mountains—something like that?"
"..."
Make some sense, at least.
Despite Hindenburg's explanations, Schlieffen responded indifferently, adding that remark.
"My nephew... well... he hasn't done anything standout yet, but..."
Hindenburg looked wronged, his blood pressure rising but with no real counterargument.
Sighing at his demeanor, Schlieffen relented.
"...Sigh. Fine, no harm in trusting you on this. It's all about Cadet Rommel anyway—odd for me to care this much. Let's just get it over with."
"He's truly exceptional."
"Yeah, yeah."
Schlieffen waved him off irritably, frowning as he asked,
"Fine, let's hear it. What's your nephew's full name and rank?"
"Adjutant to the Fusilier Battalion of the 3rd Guard Infantry Regiment..."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Hindenburg continued slowly.
"Lieutenant Erich von Manstein."
* * *
"Damn it."
I messed up. Big time.
Playing backroom games and getting burned right away? Isn't that overkill?
I had to work hard to defuse the bomb Count Schlieffen had suddenly lobbed.
[Pardon? How could a mere cadet contribute to a plan crafted by countless experts?]
[But the count himself...]
[Haha, you know the count loves his jokes. He was a bit cheeky this time, though.]
[Tch... Is that so?]
[Of course, of course.]
I had no idea what they really thought, but outwardly, most were convinced by my words.
It was convincing enough.
Tinkering with the Total War plan demanded expertise far beyond a single cadet. Not something a 'mere' cadet could meddle in...
Unless that cadet had a general's pedigree.
"Still, I think I've been marked."
Anxious, I paced the temporary room I'd been given.
"Humiliating me openly in public, rubbing it in... that's a clear show of displeasure, no matter how you slice it."
Especially in front of Hindenburg, who had about a year left before retirement but was still the infantry commander. That was a pretty political signal.
If my guess was right so far, the next part was obvious.
"They're telling me not to pull strings from the shadows using him as a stepping stone..."
Obviously. I knew I'd been pushing too far.
What could I do? Germany's fate might hang in the balance—I couldn't half-ass it.
Anyway, with the pressure on, it was time to quit playing shadow power broker.
"...Time to head back to cadet school. The direction's set, and I've done all I can."
I shook off the regret.
Through the count, I'd debated with the experts, laid the groundwork, and set the course. I'd minimized derailment risks—no need to touch it further.
Sure, I didn't know how efficient it'd be, but...
They'd figure it out. They were experts from a great power, after all. Besides, I had my own tasks.
"I told Manfred to distribute the contraband, but I'd better do it myself... and study... Ugh, finals this time?"
Grumbling, I stopped pacing and approached the desk.
Maybe jot it down in a notepad. Rummaging through the desk, a densely written sheet caught my eye.
I carefully picked it up so it wouldn't crumple.
'To dear brother Rommel.' It started that way. A soft smile crept onto my face unbidden, and I reread the familiar contents.
[Life in Berlin is just as I imagined. Seeing all the countless buildings and the gentlemen and ladies strolling the streets, I couldn't resist my morning walks. But as I walk, I suddenly feel my right hand and arm aching for something missing...]
[Let me be a little more honest. I miss you.]
"Elise..."
The lively handwriting and words evoked her personality perfectly. She wrote three or four times a week.
In this era without modern comms, exchanging letters like this was everyday, unembarrassing romance.
Setting aside the embarrassment, receiving, reading, and replying to these love letters felt... quite romantic.
Good? Yeah, it was good. I owned it.
'Pfft, so what? Deal with it.'
"Maybe swing by on the way back."
Thinking of returning to cadet school brought tasks flooding back.
I just needed an excuse to leave...
Knock knock. Someone rapped on the door mid-thought.
"Yes? What is it?"
"A message from Count Schlieffen."
I flung the door open.
A stern, upright old butler stood waiting.
"Count Schlieffen's orders: Cadet Rommel is to return to cadet school immediately and resume his studies."
"...Got it. And thank you for everything up to now."
"Understood."
The butler replied curtly and turned away.
I watched him go, then shut the door.
'Hm... it worked out, but it feels off.'
This made it look like I was being booted out, not leaving on my own.
My status being what it was, and the secret meetings, others wouldn't think much...
"Feels off."
Muttering, I packed my scant belongings and left the mansion. Not much to sort anyway.
At the gate, the knight and car from before waited.
The count had prepared ahead. Lingering another day would've earned me another scolding.
"To Gross Richthofenfeld?"
"...No, one stop first. This address."
"Very well."
I handed a small note from the back seat; the count's knight nodded agreeably.
It was around 5 p.m. By the time I reached Elise's, the sun would have set.
...Tch, no helping it.
'Gotta stay the night at Elise's.'
Ahem. No other option.