Chapter 17
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Seeds for the Future
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“Supreme Commander. This is the 1st Cavalry Division Commander.”
“Come in.”
The door opened, and Douglas saluted sharply from beyond it.
Supreme Commander William acknowledged the salute and gestured to the seat beside him.
“How have you been?”
“Yes, sir. Doing well.”
It was a greeting exchanged as father and son, and at the same time as commander and subordinate officer.
After a brief exchange, they delved into the matters required of their respective positions.
“How goes the preparation status?”
“Yes, Supreme Commander. The 1st Cavalry Division has completed its reorganization...”
Normally, this would be something to confirm through the legion commanders under him.
That was the legion commander's duty, and the Supreme Commander was meant to oversee the whole from above.
But the 1st Cavalry Division was among the Empire's most vital forces.
Especially as the 'Empire's Spear', ready to thrust at any moment, it demanded extra attention.
Thus, it was no surprise for the Supreme Commander to inquire directly.
“Excellent. Very good.”
“Thank you, Supreme Commander.”
“Indeed. If you could just get married soon while things are going well, that would be even better.”
“...”
He also took the opportunity to chide his eldest son, who was frustratingly single.
Honestly, it was exasperating. Why was this fine man still a bachelor?
It was so bad that horrific thoughts like 'Does he hate women?' had even crossed his mind.
“My apologies.”
Douglas had already weathered one storm of nagging from his mother.
He had no desire to get caught in another from his father.
So, he quickly decided to change the subject.
“Lately, the Koenihesen bastards have been unusually quiet.”
“We've experienced their cycle of war and rest enough times to be sick of it.”
War, truce, war again, halt, peace treaty, tension, war, another truce, war once more.
They fought when it was time to fight. Otherwise, they focused on internal affairs and war preparations.
The Empire and Koenihesen had been repeating this for ages.
From as short as three years to as long as a decade, a ridiculous mix of war and peace.
Early on, Koenihesen had charged like they would annihilate the Empire right then.
And indeed, the Empire had been pushed to the brink, barely clinging to life.
That was when Joseph Reinhardt appeared—the hero who saved the nation, Imperial Army Field Marshal.
His feats repelled Koenihesen, laying the foundation for the 'Alliance'. The Empire, Koenihesen, and everyone caught their breath, awaiting the next war.
In the following war shone the current Supreme Commander. Then time passed, and now the 1st Cavalry Division Commander.
War heroes who smashed enemy skulls each time conflict resumed after brief truces.
After that, Koenihesen had only sporadically engaged in skirmishes, maintaining silence.
They'd always been like that, but this silence was especially prolonged. Unsettlingly so, for far too long.
“Intelligence is pulling out all stops, but nothing concrete yet.”
“Two possibilities, then. Truly nothing... or—”
“They're hiding something big, not even a leak.”
Douglas wondered if that was even possible.
Intelligence always leaks. You can't just block it.
Better to distinguish what must be hidden from what can be released strategically.
That sows confusion in the enemy, leaving them unsure what to believe.
If they were preparing something massive, there should be no total information blackout like this.
Some sign should have been caught. How tightly were they clamping down?
“It's worrying. We haven't lost in ages, and no major battles for years—everyone's starting to relax. This won't do.”
“Maintaining readiness wears on the troops' fatigue.”
They'd be better off showing some suspicious movement, or even sending an envoy.
The unease grew precisely because these habitual stabbers were so quiet.
'On top of that, voices inside the Empire are starting to say we can't keep going.'
No matter the truces and peace periods, fully recovering the Empire's losses was nearly impossible.
Healing magic at least eased manpower concerns.
As long as it wasn't instant death and they clung to life, survival odds were high.
“Until solid intel comes in, we'll have to keep reaching out, regrettably.”
If Intelligence failed, they'd rely on elves and beastkin.
Experts at sneaking into Koenihesen for intel.
With their absolute shortage of manpower compared to the Empire, they favored victories in other arenas, yielding spoils instead of frontline rotations.
But the Empire kept urging their elite combat forces to join the main battles.
They couldn't keep spilling imperial blood forever—that was the main reason.
In turn, the others cited heavy projected losses and offered alternative aid.
Undeniably an alliance against the monstrous evil of Koenihesen.
Yet internal frictions were inevitable.
Constantly begging like this put the nonhumans in a strong position for troop mobilization negotiations.
“Let's leave it there. We've covered business with the legion commanders.”
He had something personal to discuss, so he'd summoned his busy son.
Just calling would prompt 'I'm swamped with work', so he'd attached a Supreme Commander order.
“Is it true? That Richi finally has his heart set on the military?”
Now it was a question from a father, not Supreme Commander or Imperial Marshal.
Curiosity and faint hope about his inscrutable second son.
Douglas answered not as subordinate, but as son.
“In my view, it's certain. His name was right there on the new army march from the War Ministry. Undeniable. He's made up his mind.”
“Hmm... The propaganda office's take makes sense, but isn't it a stretch?”
Knock knock—
“Supreme Commander. May I enter?”
“What is it?”
“I have news to relay.”
With permission, the aide entered cautiously.
He politely handed a note to William.
“...”
The aide left, and Douglas waited quietly as William read.
Finally confirming the note's contents, the Supreme Commander—
“Richi, huh. He really takes after your mother.”
“Pardon?”
It was an out-of-left-field remark from Douglas's perspective.
“What do you mean suddenly?”
“You know your mother. Says she hates it, gets sulky if you don't, swears never but does it anyway. Even when I proposed...”
“Father. I'll hear that story a thousand times over if you start today.”
No joke— he'd truly heard the proposal tale a thousand times.
Mother rejecting the proposal outright. Father taking it at face value and despairing. Then Mother rushing over like 'That's not it?!' to belatedly accept...
'Wait. That's not the point right now.'
Douglas shook his head to clear stray thoughts and pressed on.
“What's got you like this?”
“See for yourself.”
William handed the note to his son.
Douglas took it, scanned the contents slowly—
“...Has he lost his mind?”
For the first time in ages, a curse slipped out about his brother.
It was unavoidable. The note's contents were too staggering.
[Richi Reinhardt. Double major aspiration: Administrative Department & Officer Department]
Is he sane? Administrative Department alone would crack anyone's skull.
Half the bureaucrats walking around looked like zombies.
And he planned to tackle Officer Department courses on top?
“Your brother's dead set on going all out. Heh heh heh.”
“Not funny, Father. Double majoring is hell.”
“Is it?”
“It is.”
“Heh heh. So what? It's Richi who has to overcome it.”
He nearly muttered it wasn't that simple, but shut his mouth.
As Father said, it was Richi's problem. ...Whatever, fine!
He'd decided himself—let him handle it!
After Douglas left, William sat staring at the note.
Administrative Department. Officer Department. Only one conclusion.
“Rear support, then.”
Some might say a soldier's first duty is fighting.
But I disagreed. Those saying that were total greenhorns.
They pontificated on strategy without knowing war.
Anyone who truly understood war discussed 'logistics' first.
And Richi had grasped that perfectly.
“Supreme Commander. His Excellency Victory Duke has arrived.”
“Bring him in.”
The door opened, and a uniformed man entered.
Damn. This guy hadn't changed a bit. Same age as me, yet his physique rivaled my aide's? Maybe I should start managing mine...
“Welcome, Victory Duke.”
“Good to see you, Supreme Commander.”
By title, Victory Duke ranked higher—one of the Empire's three dukes.
Militarily, though, William held superiority.
Others might clash over it, but not them.
Battle comrades from the last great war—their bond wouldn't waver over rank.
“Tea?”
“Can't refuse if the Supreme Commander brews it himself.”
Head of the Imperial Army. Spiritual pillar of knightly special forces.
Their talk as paramount leaders was mundane.
“Still giving you grief?”
“Don't ask. Seems I'll die alone.”
Mostly about kids.
Douglas, that fool. His son and daughter already have grandkids, and what are you doing?
This father wants to hear 'Grandpa' once, you know.
“...Ah, Supreme Commander. One thing to ask.”
“What is it?”
“That promise—is it still valid?”
Promise? Which one? He racked his brain.
Business overload made recall tough.
Mount issues? Extra manpower promised?
“Not military.”
“Then...”
“About the kids.”
Victory Duke smiled broadly.
“How about in-laws?”