Daniel Resents the General Staff
Daniel Resents the General Staff
Normally, Arman would have barked at a soldier who committed insubordination, demanding to know what kind of reward they expected, but he could not bring himself to do so now.
Because Daniel Steiner's battlefield achievements were unparalleled.
The fortress city of Lakedrapol lay adjacent to the Filoena Highlands, making it a constant thorn in the Empire's side.
If the enemy were to replenish forces and supplies at Lakedrapol and then continue their advance toward the Filoena Highlands, the Imperial Army would inevitably be swept into a one-sided war of attrition.
For the Empire, already fighting a two-front war, the news that Lakedrapol had been captured was equivalent to averting a war of attrition with the Republic and preserving its troops.
From a macro perspective, it was as if tens of thousands of Imperial soldiers had been saved, thanks to Daniel Steiner.
It was even more unbelievable because the city was captured with only minimal damage.
The same was true for Deputy Chief of Staff Cedric, who was in the control room.
"Honestly, it's difficult to believe Lakedrapol was captured with only light damage. But if the report is accurate, it seems only appropriate to grant a suitable reward. The Empire's founding ideology is to reward merit and punish failure, after all."
Arman glanced back at Cedric with a troubled expression.
"Of course, I respect the Empire's ideology as well. But we cannot simply choose not to discipline a soldier who committed insubordination. This is about the discipline of the entire army. If a soldier who commits insubordination receives only a reward instead of punishment just because he achieved military merit, who would ever follow their superiors' orders again?"
He had a point, so Cedric nodded.
"In that case, I believe it would be best to impose both punishment and reward. However, the severity of the punishment should be lowered to a level that Daniel Steiner can also accept."
"...Other commanders will also hear this news. Won't they become agitated?"
"If Daniel Steiner's battlefield achievements are true, he has accomplished something no one else could. Would they dare to try and become another Daniel Steiner?"
He was not wrong.
Because it was not a level of achievement that could be attained simply by wanting to imitate it.
"Furthermore, if punishment is still imposed even after achieving great merits like Daniel Steiner, it will make clear that insubordination carries a price, so discipline will not be undermined."
"So you are saying that even a small punishment is still a punishment."
"Yes."
Having secured Arman's agreement, Cedric continued speaking.
"Then I think it best to discuss an appropriate reward. If I may be so bold, an additional conferment of the White Dragon Medal of Military Merit would seem suitable."
"...An additional conferment of the White Dragon Medal of Military Merit?"
Arman was taken aback, and the staff officers began buzzing with commotion.
The White Dragon Medal of Military Merit was the Empire's first-class military merit medal and its highest battlefield achievement medal.
Throughout the Empire's history, those who had received the White Dragon Medal of Military Merit could be counted on one hand.
If an additional conferment were granted now, the existing White Dragon Medal of Military Merit would be returned, and a new one with a laurel wreath decoration added to the dragon-head-shaped medal would be awarded.
This had never been awarded in history.
Because no one had ever earned it.
If Daniel Steiner received an additional conferment of the White Dragon Medal of Military Merit, he would go down as the one and only soldier in Imperial history to have done so.
That was why the staff officers were so surprised.
"Isn't an additional conferment of the White Dragon Medal of Military Merit too unprecedented?"
"Of course, I know his merit is great, but I am worried it might be an excessive reward."
"Will His Majesty the Emperor approve this...?"
As the staff officers each voiced their opinions, Cedric let his eyes glide smoothly over them.
Meeting those albino eyes that resembled a snake's, the staff officers had no choice but to fall silent one by one.
Having silenced the staff officers, Cedric quietly spoke.
"Is there anyone among you who is confident they could capture Lakedrapol while sustaining only light damage? You all know that the Empire has taken several steps forward thanks to Major General Daniel Steiner."
No one refuted him.
Cedric, who had been glaring at them, shifted his gaze to Arman.
"Chief of the General Staff. The only thing we can give to soldiers suffering on the front lines is honor. Therefore, I believe it is right to bestow a reward befitting Daniel Steiner's dedication."
Arman, who had been idly tapping the armrest of his chair, nodded.
"Indeed. There is nothing to be gained by being stingy with rewards. The decision on the additional conferment of the White Dragon Medal of Military Merit will be made after discussion with His Majesty the Emperor. Furthermore, we should inspect the site before granting the reward."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I intend to send a liaison officer to confer the medal on behalf of His Majesty the Emperor. Through that person's eyes and ears, we should hear how Daniel Steiner captured Lakedrapol, should we not?"
The report received from the 14th Mixed Division was very brief and limited in scope.
It could not be faulted, as it reported only the results, out of consideration for the Chief of the General Staff and the staff officers who were processing numerous reports in the control room.
"We must also cross-verify the number of casualties and fatalities. And we need to know exactly what Daniel Steiner did during the capture of Lakedrapol. Who knows? There might be lessons worth including in future military manuals."
There was no harm in being thorough, so Cedric also agreed.
"The Chief of the General Staff's opinion is correct."
Having heard the reply, Arman turned his attention back to the staff officers.
"Now then, let us get to our work. I heard the 17th Infantry Division requested follow-up support. Brief me on the war situation in detail."
In his heart, he wanted to discuss Daniel Steiner further, but as Chief of the General Staff, he had far too much to do and could not afford to waste time.
"Yes. Your Excellency, Chief of the General Staff. Currently, the 17th Infantry Division is in a state of deadlock. The enemy self-propelled artillery unit is continuously shelling from the rear, causing our forces' battle line to..."
However, even as he listened to the staff officer's report, Arman's mind was on Daniel Steiner.
'Come to think of it again, it's absurd. Committing insubordination and capturing an enemy city...'
It was truly something you had to live a long time to see.
*
In the evening, Daniel returned to the city hall after completing his field patrol and entered his office.
"Adjutant. Wait till you see what I bought—"
Still holding the pancakes, Daniel saw that Lucy's seat was empty and could only trail off.
The documents she had been reviewing were left as they were, so she had probably gone to the restroom.
Thinking it couldn't be helped, Daniel walked to his desk and set down the box of pancakes.
Just as he was taking off his winter coat, there was a knock at the door.
"Come in."
When he answered indifferently, the office door swung open and an officer walked in.
He turned around to see who it was—Pelf, the intelligence staff officer.
"Division Commander! I came to see you because I have urgent news!"
Pelf snapped a sharp salute, and Daniel returned it half-heartedly.
"Urgent news? Did they find remnants of the enemy division or something?"
"Ah. No, it's not that. The thing is, a reply has come from the General Staff Headquarters."
"From the General Staff Headquarters?"
Daniel suppressed the corners of his mouth, which were trying to twitch upward.
He thought it best to pretend to accept it humbly, since it would surely contain the details of his punishment.
Because looking happy while being punished would definitely seem strange.
"...I am prepared. Go ahead and speak."
Pelf nodded at Daniel's words and began to speak.
"His Excellency Arman, Chief of the General Staff, expressed his regret over the Division Commander's act of insubordination. Furthermore, he stated that the crime of violating military discipline is by no means small."
Good. This felt good.
"Even if you achieved the military merit of capturing Lakedrapol while sustaining only light damage, military law is military law. He added that this is not something to be overlooked."
This was it!
Daniel desperately suppressed the laughter that kept threatening to burst out.
If an order came down to convene a military tribunal, entrust the management of the occupied territory to the Chief of Staff, and return to the Imperial Capital, that would be the icing on the cake.
Just as Daniel was anticipating this, Pelf gave a strange smile.
"However, based on the Empire's founding ideology of rewarding merit and punishing failure, it was judged that your merit could offset the crime to some extent, and it was decided that the penalty for the act of insubordination would be concluded with a simple pay cut."
The corners of Daniel's mouth, which had been about to rise, immediately dropped.
'What? A pay cut?'
Leaving the dumbfounded Daniel alone, Pelf continued.
"Also, regarding the great merit you achieved, as a result of discussions with His Majesty the Emperor, they will award you an additional White Dragon Medal of Military Merit. They said a liaison officer for the conferment will be sent here soon. Congratulations indeed, Division Commander!"
As things seemed to have worked out well, Pelf raised his hands and clapped.
He was sincerely congratulating Daniel, but Daniel's complexion was darkening in real time.
Daniel's hands had been trembling faintly. After taking a deep breath, he spoke.
"What on earth is the General Staff Headquarters thinking?"
Daniel threw up his hands and suddenly shouted.
"That was insubordination! Disobeying the order to hold the Filoena Highlands and instead advancing on Lakedrapol—that's clearly insubordination, I tell you!"
"...Division Commander?"
"And yet you're letting it go with just a pay cut? The General Staff Headquarters must be insane! I can't understand the Chief of the General Staff! Why leave a soldier who committed insubordination unpunished and then hand him a medal on top of it?!"
As Pelf looked on in puzzlement, Daniel suppressed his anger, turned around, and pressed a hand to his forehead.
After a long silence, Daniel muttered gloomily.
"Insubordination is a serious crime. It is clearly a serious crime, so why..."
Pelf, who had overheard Daniel's muttering, only then understood.
'Ah. How could he be so strict with himself.'
He must be displeased with the General Staff Headquarters for not strictly adhering to principles.
Truly, he was nothing short of an iron-blooded man.
It was a moment when Pelf's respect for Daniel Steiner rose even higher.
'Chief of the General Staff. Why are you really doing this to me?'
But the man himself was steeped in resentment.