Controlling the Commander-in-Chief (1)
Controlling the Commander-in-Chief (1)
Five years ago, when Hildea opened the Balckenhardt family territory, she was the hero of the domain's people and a benevolent lord.
"The lord is recruiting soldiers! They say you fight without fighting, just farming and raising livestock! Daily commute, and one day's pay is a 2kg sack of flour!"
"Is that true? They give you 2kg of flour a day? Then what do the soldiers even eat?"
"Lieutenant Piel of the Anbelrum family is that rich, they say!"
"The Anbelrum family? Aren't they one of the top three wealthiest territories in the kingdom?"
"This recruitment is real! I've got to apply right now!"
No combat, no training.
Daily commute, 2kg of flour per day as pay.
The impoverished residents scrambled to volunteer, and Piel ultimately selected 175 more people.
The supply cheat budget comes in according to the number of troops.
In his heart, Piel wanted to take them all.
But.
【Total forces have reached 200 personnel (including yourself).】
【The maximum unit size a lieutenant can command is 200 personnel.】
【If you wish to increase troop numbers, get promoted.】
【Captain: 500 personnel】
【Major: 1,500 personnel】
【Lieutenant Colonel: 2,000 personnel】
【Colonel: 6,000 personnel】
【Brigadier General: 10,000 personnel】
【Major General: 15,000 personnel】
【Lieutenant General: 60,000 personnel】
【General: 150,000 personnel】
【Marshal: 500,000 personnel】
【Secretary of Defense: 2,000,000 personnel】
Perhaps because the supply cheat is rooted in the 'US Military Integrated Logistics System', the maximum army size was capped at 2 million.
'To remove the limit on unit troop numbers entirely, would I have to become the supreme commander of the armed forces? I don't see the unlock condition yet.'
From the residents' perspective, it would have been better if all the young people were employed by him and received a sack of flour every day.
But Piel was temporarily blocked by the 200-man cap.
As a result....
"Hanson! You really brought home flour! Damn, I am so jealous of you, you bastard!"
"When did they say the next recruitment would be? Haven't you heard anything?"
"Isn't Lieutenant Piel hiring any maids for menial chores? My daughter is still a virgin and quite pretty...."
A mood was created where the residents who hadn't been selected were craning their necks and looking north.
***
The Barcos Merchantry.
A large trading company that distributes supplies to the front lines by royal order.
The Barcos Merchantry doesn't travel alone; it gathers small merchant groups and peddlers to travel together.
I had a meeting with the head of the trading company.
'Why is this all the trade goods? Especially the food supplies are far too scarce.'
"Why is this the only food? With this amount, the army cannot maintain sufficient combat power. Does the central government mean to say it doesn't matter if the front lines collapse?"
"That's not it...."
"Do you know that a few days ago, the 4th Army of Rebecca Carlton Marquis was nearly annihilated by an assault of a million corrupted tree spirit legion commanded by those wicked elf spawn?"
"I-I heard."
"If the 4th Army had collapsed, then in a chain reaction, our 3rd Army, and ultimately the entire Ainshuvan Front, would have collapsed. Then what do you think would have become of our Leodis Kingdom's future?"
I mercilessly pressed the head of the Barcos Merchantry, who was sweating profusely.
"We are truly sorry."
"Why in the world can you only bring this much? Is the kingdom's production insufficient, or is someone playing tricks in the middle?"
"Production is lacking, but also the amount the military consumes is far too great. Even His Majesty the King eats only two meals a day."
"...."
The truth of a medieval fantasy army is cold.
The productivity of this era, without nitrogen fertilizer, is obvious.
On top of that, the army's food consumption is monstrous.
Not-so-great agricultural output, a war that drags on longer than anyone wants.
Yet they cannot stop the war and let the kingdom be subjugated by the elf legion either.
"The central government is also squeezing out every last bit to send food and supplies to the front lines.
But as you know, Lieutenant, the territories in the rear are reluctant to sell food."
A prime example is the Anbelrum family.
Where even a nth bastard son like me lived a luxurious life eating only full-course formal dinners every day....
"What is the situation of the 1st and 2nd Armies?"
"It's even more serious there."
My concern about whether it was okay to treat the kingdom's hero, a Sword Master, this shabbily was my misunderstanding.
She was receiving 'this level' of preferential treatment precisely because she was 'at least' a Sword Master.
Even the King is setting an example by eating only two meals a day.
'All of this is because of the elves.'
In summary, the absolute amount of food itself is insufficient.
And since the lords are also unconditionally trying to stockpile for the future, even the merchants find it hard to secure enough quantity.
'This is why they say war ruins five generations. But since this is a defensive war, there's nothing we can do about it.'
【Flour: 100kg / 100 budget】
I considered selling bulk flour to the civilian sector but quickly dropped the idea.
Right now, with such a small budget (800,000/month), I must prioritize maintaining the combat power of Hildea's army.
'Ah, I want a promotion.'
The fact that I achieved the rank of lieutenant in four months, which takes others eighteen, doesn't matter.
I want a promotion.
Even faster!
***
'Will they really give us flour?'
They trusted Lady Hildea, but food shortages were a chronic illness the army suffered from.
Hanson, a resident who came to his first day of work half in doubt, diligently cultivated the farmland with his neighbors and fellow new conscripts.
"10-minute break!"
"50-minute work period, begin!"
"10-minute break!"
50 minutes of labor, then a 10-minute break.
The routine ran like a machine.
"Lunch break is 1 hour! After finishing your meal, rest on your own!"
The eyes of the non-combat new recruits, who had each packed their own Brick Biscuits or small rice balls, shook as if in an earthquake.
'They give us lunch even though we're not combat soldiers?'
Though it was called soldier recruitment, the work itself was just corvée labor.
They didn't even have proper uniforms; they were just given a single rank insignia.
So they hadn't even dreamed of meals, yet lunch was provided.
Moreover, it was a food they had never seen before.
"W-What in the world is this?"
As the farm soldiers rolled their eyes in surprise, the cooks giggled.
"This is called Corn Combat Soup. It fills your stomach up solidly."
"Just one bowl of this and you'll feel so heavy digesting it until dinner."
It was true.
It was so hearty that all afternoon, it felt like their stomachs were completely packed with food.
Finally, the day's work ended.
And the farm soldiers had to be surprised once more.
"What? You're giving us dinner too?"
"Yes, you worked hard today, so eat plenty. Don't be late tomorrow either."
Dinner was the same Corn Combat Soup.
Even though what he ate at lunch hadn't fully digested, Hanson crammed it into his stomach anyway.
"Everyone, bring your sacks! It's 2kg of flour per person!"
Seeing the flour being handed out, Hanson and the farm soldiers' eyes went wide.
"This is the first time I've seen flour this white and fine."
"I-Isn't this the top-quality flour that only nobles eat? They're giving this to us?"
"There's no sawdust mixed in at all! No sand either! It's pure flour!"
The new farm soldiers collected their first day's pay and went home, their shoulders puffed with pride.
Their wives, whose faces had been full of worry about what to eat for dinner tonight, opened the flour sacks and were so shocked they nearly fainted.
"I-Is this really just one day's pay? You're saying we get this much again tomorrow too?"
"That's right. I ate my fill there, so I don't need any. You and the kids eat."
A new hope began to blow on the front line, which suffered from food shortages more severely than any other region.
***
I can't neglect my duties as a duty officer either.
Because it's a matter of Hildea's favor, which determines my promotion.
After Rebecca gave me the Subspace Bracelet, I pretended to store 'supplies sent from my maternal family' in the bracelet.
Thanks to that, receiving supplies from the supply cheat in front of others became convenient.
Today was the day a junior officer social gathering was held at Hildea's Official Residence for the first time in a while.
"You've all worked hard lately."
My young peers all had their uniforms pressed sharply and attended dressed up in their own way.
Still, they're just Diamond 1 scrubs.
No matter how much they polish themselves, they look shabby in front of my splendid Diamond 2 rank insignia.
Hildea also faced us with a smile, wearing her perfectly angled commander's uniform.
"I thank you for the dedication you have shown. Thanks to you, the supply situation of our field army has improved dramatically. Especially, Lieutenant Piel's achievements were very significant."
As Hildea clapped, everyone quickly smacked their palms together.
Admiration, envy, adoration, jealousy, aspiration.
Receiving this round of applause mixed with various emotions, I can feel the strength in my shoulders.
This must be the taste of power.
"Commander, this is a wine sent from my main family especially for you. May I open it?"
"Oh, that's wonderful."
"Commander, this is a wheat liquor made using wheat from our Durendal territory as the main ingredient. Please try it."
"What, you brewed alcohol with that precious wheat? The Durendal Marquis family is truly remarkable."
"Commander, this is salted herring sent by my mother."
"Herring? I, the commander, have only ever eaten seafood once besides the royal banquet...!"
Oh dear. I mustn't forget to taint Hildea's mouth with a splendid fish dish later.
'I can cure the salted herring with brining salt in a smoking dryer, then treat it with whole peppercorns, bay leaves, and white wine, and serve it with chopped egg yolk and herb sauce.'
Hildea's mouth and tongue are under my domination.
I can't concede this.
***
Piel was the object of awe, admiration, rivalry, and jealousy for the newly commissioned second lieutenants.
'The cunning bastard who deliberately acted weak from his first day of commissioning to stimulate the commander-in-chief's maternal love and snatched the duty officer position.'
'The bastard who deliberately got us to lay all our cards on the table before bringing out his Snack Bar, Barracks Coffee, and Corn Combat Soup to maximize the impression he'd make on the commander-in-chief.'
'The bastard who bought the hearts of the senior officer knights with Snack Bars and Barracks Coffee.'
Hildea was a stunning beauty who would monopolize love and attention even if she were placed at a royal palace ball.
With such a being serving as the commander-in-chief of a field army, the hot-blooded newly commissioned officers competed fiercely to win her favor.
For this day, the second lieutenants had pressured their main families to acquire and present all sorts of delicious food and alcohol.
'That bastard Piel isn't bringing out anything.'
'Are you saying he's already so favored that such things no longer matter?'
'No. It's because even he doesn't have any food worthy of presenting at a party like this. No doubt about it.'
Everyone forcefully denied in their hearts that even Milk Salt Snack Bars and Barracks Coffee alone were good enough flavors to put on a noble's table.
Piel stuck close by Hildea's side the entire time.
Hildea also found it natural and took it for granted.
"Commander, I've sliced the salted herring for you, so please eat this."
"Oh, thank you, Lieutenant Piel."
"Your glass is empty. Allow me to pour you another."
"I'll pour you a glass too."
"It is an honor."
With Piel clinging closely to her side, there was no room to lay siege to the commander-in-chief's favor.
The second lieutenants changed their strategy.
"Lieutenant Piel, congratulations on your special promotion. Here, accept a celebratory drink from your peers."
"Oh, thank you, everyone."
"Isn't this, in a way, a party to celebrate a peer's special promotion?"
They all set out to force-feed Piel alcohol.
He quickly became tipsy and started drunkenly rambling to Hildea.
"Commander-in-Chief! This Lieutenant Piel dares to humbly make a suggestion from the depths of his loyalty!"
"Hmm? Wh-What is the suggestion?"
"That grilled beef! Don't just eat it plain; dip it in this A1 Steak Sauce and try it!"
The Subspace Bracelet (or rather, the supply cheat, not the bracelet) pulled a certain glass bottle out of thin air.
Drunk and staggering, Piel splattered a thick brown viscous mass onto one side of Hildea's beef plate.
'Crazy bastard, he's telling her to dip her meat in that weird stuff?'
'Finally, that bastard got drunk and made a mistake!'
'If he gets cut from the duty officer position, that spot will be mine...!'
"It's delicious! What on earth is this sauce?"
"It's a special sauce made for beef steaks."
"Everyone else, try some too. It really goes wonderfully with beef."
The second lieutenants who half-doubtfully dipped their meat in the A1 sauce and ate it fell into a great shock.
'This can't go on. We can't let that bastard Piel monopolize my Hildea's favor any longer!'
Simir Second Lieutenant of the Durendal Marquis family eventually stepped forward.
"Lieutenant Piel, but didn't you prepare any alcohol separately?"
"It is tradition for officers to each prepare a specialty liquor from their main family to the best of their ability for these social gatherings. Why have you prepared no liquor at all?"
"What a shame. I thought I'd get to taste the specialty wine of the Count Anbelrum territory this time...."
***
Look at these guys?
I, a Diamond 2, graciously stepped back with a generous heart to grant them the commander-in-chief's attention, and this is how they scratch at my concession?
'These little shits, how do they know that I scratch back even better when I'm drunk?'
Fine, I'll gladly let myself get scratched.
【Requesting supply of 10 bottles of Valentine 17-Year 700ml.】