Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Commissioning and Engagement (1)
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"Ha, you came later than us, but you're leaving faster than anyone."
"Congrats."
"No matter what post you get, make sure to write. Let us know how the outside world's spinning so we can keep up."
"Yeah, I will."
My classmates laughed and patted my shoulders at the talk of me leaving first.
The farewell was brief, but it was precious time that showed my cadet days hadn't been wasted.
Even the ones with a bit of elitist nonsense in them pretended not to notice rather than dare insult me. I'd definitely won over most of my classmates.
"Erwin."
"Manfred."
Manfred grabbed my outstretched hand with a rare serious look on his face.
He seemed to be carefully reviewing his memories.
"You're really something... It's only been a little over a year. I could never keep up."
He stuck out his tongue in amazement, and I chuckled.
"What can you do? Looks like I'll just have to rot here."
"Repaying praise with curses—what a trashy guy, heh."
We grinned at each other for a moment. They say fools are happy just seeing each other's faces, and that's exactly us.
"By the way, you okay with this? Leaving after just drill practice?"
"Better this way. Better to go down as the cadet who graduated in record time than the drill representative, right?"
"Well, if you're good with it, I'm happy. Means I get to be the cadet rep thanks to you."
Manfred's grades were top-notch, and he was handsome to boot, so he'd make a fine pick for drill leader.
I could picture it: the cadets in perfect formation, Manfred striding proudly at the front.
"I really want to see you leading the march, but not sure if I can."
"Nah, don't watch. If I see you sucking honey while I'm goose-stepping through hell, my face'll crumple for sure."
There wasn't a hint of joke in Manfred's firm tone. Pure, 100% sincerity.
It was so funny I laughed again. Manfred's lips curved up seeing me.
"You're heading to the Rechlin flight school after graduation, right?"
"Yeah, I hear you can become a pilot there... Instructors are trying hard to talk me out of it, though."
Manfred shrugged at my question.
"I'm just too good, right? Why would a guy like me waste time on something hopeless like airplanes?"
"Hm."
"But like you said, if war breaks out soon, it'll all flip. Bottom line, I'm trusting you and going for it."
I carefully chose my words before speaking.
"...Yeah. Play it right, and you might write new history. Steel yourself."
"Got it."
"Cadet Rommel!"
A voice called from outside the room.
Manfred clapped my back.
"Guess it's time."
"Faster than I thought."
"You said your goodbyes. Out with you."
At Manfred's urging, I grabbed my bag and the doorknob.
One last farewell.
"...Stay healthy."
"You too—score a good post."
I turned away, nodding to Manfred one final time.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The cadet school's graduation and commissioning ceremonies were strictly separate.
"Graduation representative, Erwin Rommel. Recite the oath."
I went through a simple graduation and commissioning with some seniors who'd missed the regular schedule.
"I swear."
Even simplified, we invited family and did the full oath.
Thus, I was commissioned as a lieutenant and received my saber.
Everything wrapped up smoothly... but there was one tiny snag.
"Pleased to meet you."
"Son... who... is this?"
...My father had run into Elise.
Elise coiled around my arm like a snake and said,
"Your son's fiancée—future daughter-in-law Elise von Richthofen."
"Fiancée? Daughter-in-law? Von Richthofen?"
"No, we're not engaged yet..."
"Oh? So you're saying you won't marry me? You're all I have besides brother."
"That's not what I—"
"Erwin, what's going on? How'd you end up courting this... lovely Junker lady?"
"Wait a sec."
"Then what is it? Speak up."
"Shouldn't you have written about something this important?"
"Hah, one at a time! Let's talk one by one, alright?!"
When I came to, I was backed against the wall under interrogation.
Weird? Today was my commissioning day. Wasn't it supposed to be my day?
I couldn't withstand the barrage and dragged them to a café.
"...First, this is my girlfriend, Elise von Richthofen."
"Nice to meet you."
"And this is my father, Erwin Rommel Senior."
"...Pleased to meet you."
"Let's order first and talk."
I called the waiter and got three milk coffees.
They arrived soon, but Father didn't touch his and asked first.
"So, how'd you meet this young lady?"
"Manfred's little sister. We started hanging out after I visited their estate when invited last time."
I downplayed the story as much as possible. Dancing at the party, midnight picnic with drinks...
Stopped right there.
Even the toned-down version made Father's face grow paler by the minute.
Then he spoke gravely.
"Erwin, and... Miss Elise. To sum up, you met once and started dating?"
"Yes."
"...Yes."
Objectively, it sounded dizzying. How do you start dating after one day?
My mouth went dry. Father's serious face said this wouldn't blow over easy...
Meanwhile, Elise beamed innocently, making me wonder what she was plotting.
Thinking he could convince us, Father targeted Elise first.
"Hm, Miss Elise. Young lady."
"You can call me daughter-in-law—or sweetie."
"...Young lady."
I could feel Father's mind blank for a second.
Elise... not your average girl.
"You two met once and started dating. I'm old, don't get youth culture... but it's young folks' business, so maybe."
...Not really youth culture. Even from a 21st-century view, this romance felt pretty open and progressive.
Ahem. Father cleared his throat and continued seriously.
"But aren't your statuses worlds apart? Son graduated top military school, but he's common blood through and through. Won't your parents object?"
"No? My family all supports our relationship?"
"...I, is that so?"
Looked like Elise had him on the ropes already.
And all support it? Albrecht hadn't seemed thrilled—
Elise winked at me.
...Aha.
'Elise is no ordinary girl. Scamming her first meeting with my father-in-law?'
I nearly stuck out my tongue but held back. Didn't want my girlfriend slapping my back on commissioning day.
"Ahem, still. Mismating of classes means His Majesty the Kaiser's approval is required for marriage."
"..."
"Without it, you'll have to part from Erwin."
Father regained his composure and pressed Elise fiercely.
"Harsh on my son, but it'd leave you with just 'dated a commoner'—a chain on your marriage prospects."
It poked at the heart, but the words rang true.
Germany was hypersensitive to class-mixing marriages. Commoner-noble unions needed the Kaiser's nod.
Without it, I'd be the chain keeping Elise from marrying. Seemed minor, but nobles cared about that stuff.
But... well.
I'd kinda already become that chain...
"Please reconsider."
"Our house is handling the Kaiser's approval. And..."
Elise smiled brightly, and my heart sank.
...Wait, no way.
"Elise? Hold on. Wait—"
"Heehee, brother and I are already each other's unbreakable chains?"
Father blinked, not getting it.
Elise kept giggling, heedless of my paling face.
"We consummated our first night... I can't marry anyone but brother now, heehee."
"..."
"..."
Screeech—like a broken doll, Father slowly turned to me.
I couldn't meet his eyes and just gulped coffee.
"...You, have you lost your—"
"Oh, no misunderstanding. I lured brother into the trap first."
"...Huh?"
"Strictly speaking, I chained him first."
Father's torso swayed.
...Poor father-in-law. Reminded me of Albrecht.
Thus, Elise toppled my father after Albrecht for a two-win streak.