Chapter 14
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Seed for the Future
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"If you were gonna apply for a double major to switch to the Officer Department, you could've at least told me!"
"Gaaack—"
"When I said I wanted to transfer to Officer Department, you tried to talk me out of it, and now you pull this behind my back?"
"Uwaaack—"
"Answer me properly, you traitor!"
This is so unfair. No, how am I supposed to answer when you're grabbing my collar and shaking me like this?
After that, Enter kept at it for nearly two full minutes, threshing me like some kind of grain harvester.
Why do all my friends have this burning need to devour me whole?
"Hoo... So, what made you change your mind all of a sudden?"
"I wanna get ahead in life."
"That's it?"
Yeah. That's it. What, do I need some other reason?
Grab!—
"Why grab my collar again? Please spare me, Sir Enter."
"That's 'cause it sounds like bullshit. Get ahead? You've always hated even going near anything military. No one who wants to climb the ranks would act like that. And now you're talking about success out of nowhere?"
I'm starting to get scared a second threshing session might happen.
If I don't explain quick, I swear I'll end up seeing that lunch again—by force.
"Truth is..."
The military's fine and all, but I have zero intention of doing frontline command.
I don't have any confidence in leading soldiers, so that doesn't feel right.
Instead, I'll handle from the Administrative Department stuff, but in the military.
You know, rear support duties? That seems perfect for me right now!
"...So, to sum up, you're still too cautious for frontline command, but the military's the best for getting ahead, so you picked rear support since it fits you best?"
"Spot on! So, could you let go of my collar now?"
"Hmm."
Enter's eyes flicker with that "should I let him go or not?" look, then he slowly steps back.
I'm saved. Enter's number one when it comes to grabbing collars and shaking.
"Rear support, huh. You mean logistics?"
"It's not just supplies. It starts with materials and weapons, then conscription, training those soldiers, transporting supplies, weapons, and troops... and even planning larger war operations. There's a ton to do from the back."
"Couldn't other departments handle that without the military?"
"Sure, but the military's business is best handled by the military. It's more efficient that way."
Enter strokes his chin, lost in thought after hearing me out.
I have no idea what he's thinking, but I decide to finish explaining anyway.
"Above all, budgets are key. You know I wanted Finance Ministry. I'm confident in numbers and such. If there's someone in the rear coordinating with them, the front lines can focus purely on the fighting ahead, right?"
"...Fine. I get it. I understand, Richi."
Enter, deep in contemplation, finally speaks up.
"Still, if you're gonna be a military officer, you need frontline command experience or achievements from the front. Otherwise, even in rear support, people will look down on you or take you lightly. Starting straight in the rear will just bring more headaches, don't you think?"
"Uh... yeah. You've got a point."
But hey, Enter, my friend? Haven't we known each other for almost ten years now?
After all that time, you don't know me? No way you didn't think of that.
"No worries, buddy. That'll sort itself out in time."
"Sort itself out? What'll sort out? Nothing sorts itself out!"
Yeah. No. Everything will sort itself out. You don't get it, Enter, but I do.
By the end of the first semester, the Koenihesen bastards will rally every soul they have for a massive counterattack.
The Empire won't lose, but it'll be a brutal fight, leaving junior officers in short supply.
To fill the gaps and give greenhorns real combat experience, command will decide to pull Officer Department students from the academy and send them to the frontlines.
Of course, they'll pair them with seasoned senior NCOs.
I did think about warning him of the counterattack.
But on what grounds? How would I know? What do I say to that?
Even the War Ministry's intel barely has a whisper of it.
I want to be the Empire's ace through skill, not some prophet.
Besides, our protagonist Erwin's set to shine big in that counterattack.
My loyal right-hand man needs to stand tall at the military's heart.
No way I'd ruin that with my own hands like some fool.
If the Empire were truly in crisis, maybe. But with Dad and big bro there, that's a pass too.
"Hey now. Tsk! Enter, don't you trust your big bro here?"
"Big bro? You're just two days older. Don't get cocky, little bro."
Damn. Being born two days earlier doesn't make me 'big bro' material.
"Anyway, enough of that. What about you?"
"Huh? Me?"
"Yeah, you. You said you wanted to transfer to Officer Department."
Enter dreamed of being an imperial bureaucrat not long ago.
That's why I freaked and tried talking him out when he brought it up.
But now that I'm switching first, no reason to hold him back.
"You still thinking that?"
"...Yeah, kinda. But like you said, I'm not fully sure."
"Then apply for double major like me."
I thought it was solid advice, but uh-oh, why the face?
"You don't wanna die alone, huh?"
"What're you talking about?"
"Double major? That's doubling the hell! You go to hell alone—that's fine. Why drag me in?! I'll just transfer instead!"
"Whyyy! What's friendship for, huh? Let's hold hands and head to hell together!"
"You're crazy! Listen to you—hell from your own mouth! Save the hand-holding for your wife later! Why grab mine? Get lost! No way! Don't even ask!"
Ah, why not! No fair! Please! I can't die alone! Let's die together!
I did apply for double major, but alone's too lonely!
"C'mon, big bro! Bro! Do it with me!"
"Only calling me bro now?! No! Scram!"
Of course, fat chance. I spent a full hour convincing him, and the result—
"Sob sob... you bastard..."
"Ohohohoho!!"
Enter's name made it onto the double major applicant list too.
Gulp—
Erwin. Belonging to the 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division of the Imperial Army.
The unit every Imperial soldier dreams of—the Empire's proudest spear.
Now a platoon leader there, he kept swallowing dryly.
Anyone would tease if they saw: "Got a girl intro tomorrow?"
His platoon mates sure did: "Have fun on your date, sir! Pfft!" giggling away.
Erwin barely held back a scream.
"You free the day after tomorrow?"
The Empire's young war hero, future Imperial Army Marshal, Douglas Reinhardt.
Erwin's idol, and he asks point-blank.
What do you say? "Let me check my schedule"?
Nah—"Yes, sir! Division Commander! I'm available!"
"Good. I'll give you a day off. Step out of base for a bit. It's not dispatch duty, so relax. Just something simple."
Simple task. Does 'simple' even exist in this army?
From his experience, simplest was mucking stables.
"Go meet my little brother."
"Your... little brother, sir?"
For a split second: Does the Division Commander have a sister?
Quick mental scan: Nope.
"He wants to see you. Freshman at the academy, but I think he's the best little bro out there. If he picked you, there's gotta be a reason."
Some guy points at a mere platoon leader for a meetup.
'Should I bolt?' flashed through his mind, but no dice.
Soldiers go where superiors send.
Thus, Erwin got a real day off and left base.
'Why me? Why? Why???'
If it were a girl, he'd dream happy thoughts.
A guy? Nothing but storm clouds.
Heard some nobles prefer their own gender... no way...
"Platoon Leader Erwin, sir?"
"Hup! Corporal Er... no! Third Platoon Leader Erwin!"
Tense as hell, his rank and name slipped out naturally.
Pathetic, even to him.
And her eyes—total confusion at the weirdness—
"Yeah, nice to meet you. Sir."
Nope, not weirded out. Way too calm, even.
Erwin inwardly reeled: 'Who is this?'
"Sorry first off. For dragging you out like this outta nowhere."
"N-no, it's fine! I..."
"You're so stiff. Hmm, we're about the same age, right? Drop the formalities."
"You can, but I'm more comfortable this way..."
It's the Division Commander's brother. Wait, if that were all, lucky.
Grandson of the once-in-history Imperial Army Field Marshal. Son of the Allied Forces Supreme Commander.
What officer goes 'Sure, casual!' on first ask?
If one did, Erwin would crack his skull open to see inside.
"I'm not comfy with it. Problem?"
"I'll go casual."
Though if he smiled and said 'No repeats. Casual it is,' then yes.
"Ahem. Then, Erwin. Nice to meet ya. I'm Richi."
"Yes. Uh, yeah. Nice to meet you."
Awkward greetings and handshake to break the ice.
'Why me...'
Erwin's inner thought.
'Time to become my loyal slave—no, partner. Kehihit!'
Richi's—no, the slave master's.