Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: Petty Factional Dispute
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East Prussia, a quiet farmhouse.
Our battalion's temporary headquarters.
"The captain demonstrated outstanding command in the battles of Stallupönen, Tannenberg, and the Masurian Lakes, making a significant contribution to the Empire's victories."
An unexpected guest had arrived here.
"Therefore, by His Majesty's order, I bestow the Pour le Mérite upon Captain Erwin Rommel. Congratulations."
Click—amid the applause from my subordinates, the Emperor's herald handed over a small box.
I took out the deep blue enameled cross inside and carefully hung it around my neck.
"Thank you. Long live His Majesty the Kaiser."
"That concludes the ceremony. I'll take my leave now."
With that, the herald hurriedly departed from the headquarters.
We were left standing there dumbfounded.
"...Is that it?"
"...Seems like it."
I gave a hollow response to my adjutant's hollow question.
The adjutant frowned in bewilderment.
"When awarding a prestigious medal like the Pour le Mérite, there's usually some equally prestigious ceremony, right?"
"Yeah."
"But... what was that? Not even a simplified version..."
"Hmm."
Well, strictly speaking, it wasn't an entirely exceptional procedure.
The Western Front was a mess, so the Emperor must have been busy.
It was wartime, and even in peacetime, this place was practically the front lines—
"They say when Excellency Hindenburg received his, His Majesty the Kaiser came in person."
"Did you really have to emphasize that?"
"..."
I reasserted my authority by shutting down one oblivious subordinate who had cheerfully opened his mouth.
I cleared my throat and asked my adjutant,
"Anyway, has our battalion received everything it's due?"
"Yes, from the Iron Crosses to the battalion commander's Pour le Mérite—we've got it all."
"Then we're good."
I shook off the lingering unease.
What mattered was that we'd received it, right?
Ceremonies and such... who cares?
"..."
"..."
"...What are you staring at? Get back to work!"
The pitiful looks from my subordinates staring at me got on my nerves, so I yelled.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
A storm was brewing on the Western Front.
The 'Race to the Sea' had begun from northern Paris, an area neglected in the race to outflank each other.
"From now on, you will take command."
"Understood."
Moltke had been dismissed, and Falkenhayn had taken the seat of Chief of Staff.
However, while Falkenhayn enjoyed the Kaiser's favor, he was a polarizing figure in the military.
It wasn't just his personality; public opinion held that the supply issues during the Battle of the Marne, which led to defeat, were due to Falkenhayn, who was then the War Minister.
Thus, those beginning to challenge Falkenhayn emerged.
"We must end the Western Front to win the war."
"Wrong. We must end the Eastern Front to win the war."
Tannenberg's two heroes: Hindenburg and Ludendorff.
As defeats in the west intertwined with victories in the east, the two factions' opinions ran parallel.
Their conflict began over something very trivial.
"Oh, a new personnel order?"
"Is the battalion commander's post changing?"
"Let's see... Promoted to major and assigned as a supply staff officer to the Supreme Army Command (OHL)."
"A fine promotion. Congratulations."
My adjutant's beaming smile and blatant emotions made my face sour involuntarily.
Congratulations my ass—his expression said I should be the one congratulating him.
I threw back a response laced with annoyance.
"Happy I'm leaving, huh? Yeah? You like that?"
"Oh come on, what are you saying?"
Beam—the adjutant grinned without a shred of subtlety now.
"I'm so happy I could ascend to heaven. Best day of my life."
"Tch, and you don't even appreciate all I've done for you. Should've worked you harder."
I clicked my tongue at his expression, like he'd just relieved severe constipation.
Betraying me the moment he heard about the transfer—should've seen it coming from the start.
I glared at the adjutant discontentedly and grumbled,
"Anyway, until this battalion is done with, I'm still the commander."
"Of course."
Crunch—as the adjutant kept smirking, I grinned back.
"Hahaha, but it's such a shame."
"...What is?"
"I've got to prepare to go to Luxembourg, and the deputy battalion commander is busy with work."
"...Hahaha."
Sensing danger instinctively, the adjutant tried to pull a strategic retreat.
"I'll just step out to the bathroom for a—"
"Oh man, what to do?"
No chance. After rolling under me, all he had was that level of mobile defense?
"No helping it. Handle battalion commander duties until I go."
"...Won't that undermine the battalion commander's authority?"
"What kind of battalion commander is he?"
Glint—the Pour le Mérite on my chest gleamed blue.
Who am I? Pour le Mérite recipient.
Would my authority drop just because the adjutant handled some tasks? Realizing that, the adjutant's face, who had seen me as an easy mark, began to rot.
"Kukukuku, it's all for your own good. Who knows? Maybe it'll get you a good evaluation later for having been my adjutant and acting battalion commander."
"I don't need it; I just want to rest now."
"Nah, no can do~"
I replied with a laugh and stood up.
"Just handle the administrative stuff. I'll take care of the rest."
"How about I do the other work and you handle admin..."
"Nuh-uh, no can do~"
"Damn it."
This guy, trying to play me for a fool.
Everyone wants to dodge it, but admin work is especially tedious and headache-inducing.
Brain-dead drudgery, you know? Anyway, I'm free!
"Alright, time to start packing, so get out."
"Sigh..."
Kukuku, meanwhile, someone else had become a slave to administration.
At my eviction order, the adjutant sighed complicatedly and slowly moved to leave.
Clunk—
"Hey, Rommel! You in th..."
"Whoa!"
"Whoa!"
But before the adjutant could open it, someone burst through the door.
Not Pat and Matt, but the two shouted at each other and stumbled back.
Absurd and ridiculous situation left me speechless, so I approached them.
"Who... Oh, Major Hoffmann?"
"Yes, it's me!"
"What brings you here?"
Forgetting the brief comedy with my adjutant, Lieutenant Colonel Max Hoffmann rushed in.
What was this guy, who should be working—er, rolling—at 8th Army HQ, doing here?
...Ah! He must've heard I received the Pour le Mérite!
"I'm grateful you came in person..."
"Did you get that thing?! Huh?!"
"The Emperor's herald? Pour le Mérite? Both..."
"Not that!"
Lieutenant Colonel Hoffmann bellowed and approached me like he was about to grab my collar.
What? Then why are you here? He looks really anxious now.
Though puzzled, I tried to calm him first.
"If it's not the medal, I have no idea what you mean. Sit down, have some coffee..."
"The personnel order!"
Huh? Personnel order?
Flick—I glanced at my adjutant at Hoffmann's shout.
I'd hoped a bit, but the adjutant shook his head, clueless too.
Is there a problem with my personnel order?
A creeping unease rose, but I kept my composure.
"Is there an issue with my personnel order? Shall I show it to you?"
"Heavens...!!!"
"Ow, explain already. What's going on?"
Why's he freaking out over my personnel order?! Scary!
Not theatrics—as Hoffmann trembled like an aspen, I couldn't hold back my curiosity.
But ignoring my question, Hoffmann shook violently before glaring at me with fiery eyes.
"You! No, wait! My dear... reserve staff officer protégé!"
"Have you been drinking?"
"Absolutely not!"
Ignoring my serious question again, even I was starting to get heated.
"You absolutely cannot go to Luxembourg! Got it?! The General Staff is full of trai..."
"Hey! Explain properly! What the hell is it!!"
"Falkenhayn is trying to kidnap you from our 8th Army!"
I yelled back, only to get a dizzying answer.
Kidnap? What, am I a kid?
Frustrated by my lukewarm reaction, Lieutenant Colonel Hoffmann explained at length.
"You're Excellency Hindenburg's protégé, and the 8th Army's idol... no, treasure, symbol!"
"And?"
"Taking you to the General Staff is like stealing a flea's liver! It violates all propriety!"
"What the..."
Ridiculous explanation, but I was starting to get it.
So, with the Hindenburg-Ludendorff combo and Falkenhayn's power struggle becoming evident,
[Hey, I've heard your Rommel guy's pretty tasty; mind if I take a bite...?]
[NO!!!!!!!!]
That was the situation in a nutshell.
...Aren't they fighting over something too petty?
"So leave the packing and wait a bit! The 8th Army will somehow..."
But hold on.
Something's off?
"So the personnel order itself is legitimate, right?"
"NO!!!!!!!"
Argh, my ears.