Chapter 26
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Why Occupy the Hill?
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Why occupy the hill?
The academy gave our team five days for the training.
But the time it took Richi to end it was just four days.
At first, I thought he was simply targeting their supply lines.
I figured he'd pressure Team B that way and reclaim the hill without much effort.
But no. Richi was way ahead of what any of us expected.
"Ariete. Does a hill occupation battle really require us to occupy the hill?"
"What are you talking about?"
"No, I was just thinking... what if we make it so there's no enemy left to occupy it against?"
That was when I realized exactly what Richi had been aiming for.
That guy planned to wrap everything up in one go!
He exploited the fact that the enemy team was overestimating him, making them obsess over the hill as the objective.
If they'd had more experience, they might have seen the bigger picture, but he figured they didn't and cut their supply lines first.
Then he kept attacking and harassing the hill, planting the idea that 'we want to retake the hill.'
Team B's classmates got completely swept up in it. All their options were cut off.
On the first day, they hesitated to decide right away because they hated losing the hill they'd just captured.
On the second day, they panicked at the unexpected situation and wasted time scrambling for a response.
By the third day, everyone was exhausted and started interpreting events to suit their own tastes.
'The Knight Department classmates, the Officer Department classmates, even Galen. They all assumed Richi wanted the hill just like they did.'
But Richi had no interest in the hill from the start.
Cutting the supply lines, putting on that constant show of trying to retake it...
All of it was just setup for the grand finale.
"He's coming down? Then we should go welcome him. Come on, let's head out!"
Our team members who'd eaten well, drunk plenty, and slept warmly every night for three straight days.
Versus their team, battered in body and spirit, pushed right to the brink.
The outcome when those two sides clashed was obvious.
"Kuh!"
Galen Carlyle. If we're talking pure skill, he's a knight aspirant even better than me.
Yet he stumbled and fell from my single strike, completely off-balance.
A blow that would've been easily blocked in a normal spar went through without a hitch.
"Ha."
Galen, who'd dropped his sword, let out a sigh full of disbelief.
"You caught me off guard."
Now that he'd lost, his head had finally cooled. His reason had returned.
All the things he'd been too caught up in the moment to see properly before.
Obsessed with the hill goal, he'd failed to grasp what the enemy really wanted.
It all finally dawned on him.
The match was already over. I extended a hand to him as he lay there.
"Good work out there, Galen."
"Lady Ariete, you too..."
He's still treating me like the duke's daughter here.
How many times do I have to tell him we're just fellow students, fellow classmates?
"Ahem. Sorry... no, my bad."
Galen took my hand and stood, looking around.
The other classmates had long since been subdued and were now drinking water our team handed them.
You'd think there'd be anger over the defeat, but they'd been hit so hard...
Everyone just looked relieved, like 'We're alive! It's over!'
Of course. Three days without food or water—they must've been exhausted.
Still, the fact they fought a full battle after that shows how impressive they all are.
"Richi was aiming for this from the beginning?"
"...Probably, yeah."
"Ha. Unreal. They even announced it as a hill occupation battle. We were all laser-focused on that, and he was looking at the whole picture."
Right? I'm still baffled too. Honestly, I can't believe it.
We took it pretty seriously ourselves, but to Richi, it must've been nothing.
He thoroughly manipulated both enemy and ally alike to drive the point home.
This was just kids' play. If you don't see bigger, you'll just die more.
"...He's really something."
The words slipped out before I knew it. Luckily, Galen didn't hear.
Anyway, Richi. You're one hell of a guy. You say you hate the military, but you've got more of a soldier's mindset than anyone.
Suddenly, I felt great. My judgment was spot on.
That man... I want him. If I could, I'd make him mine.
At the same time, I'm worried. To keep up, I'll have to work my ass off too.
"Greetings, Your Imperial Highness."
Play it smart, Richi. The man in front of you is your future superior.
Or maybe not a superior—more like your lord? Either way.
The five-day training wrapped up in just three.
It was supposed to be a hill occupation battle, but one team was completely wiped out before fighting over the hill.
Right there, I piped up: 'Isn't this over? No enemies left?'
The academy probably didn't get the picture they wanted.
Honestly, even I was a little worried while pulling this off.
They're still rookies, and we took the training too seriously.
Starving them for three days and nights felt bad. Hope they don't get punished or something.
I'd been thinking about how to handle the fallout if they made an issue of it—
"No need to continue the training, right? The outcome's already decided."
The Crown Prince even clapped as he backed me up.
It might not be the picture they wanted, but it was impressive enough.
For first-years, this was plenty—no complaints.
When the Crown Prince, future Emperor, says that—who's gonna argue 'But the picture's off'?
Even my father would salute and bow.
And so, the training ended in victory for Team A.
Instead, I'd been summoned by the Crown Prince for a private audience.
"Glad to meet you like this, Richi Reinhardt. Your grandfather the Field Marshal often spoke of you when he saw me. Said we'd make a fine lord-vassal pair. Even joked we could be brothers in private."
Grandfather. I know you dote on your youngest grandson, but in front of the Crown Prince...?
No, wait. Grandfather's got every right to say that.
After all, he's the one the Emperor—who values imperial authority above all—personally granted the unprecedented title of Field Marshal.
Even in retirement, there'll only ever be one Field Marshal.
He's had multiple audiences with the Emperor, so being chummy with his grandson-age Crown Prince makes sense.
"Hm, mind if I just call you Richi?"
"Not at all."
I waited politely for the Crown Prince's next words.
"First off, let me thank you."
"Your Highness?"
"It was impressive. This training. The upperclassmen were good, but the first-years stole the show."
"I'm deeply honored."
"Especially since most were noble sons, yet you showed no mercy for three days and nights—no food, not even a drop of water. Couldn't help but be amazed."
"..."
Crown Prince. Your Highness, you bastard. You're enjoying this, aren't you?
How the hell is that something to be 'amazed' over?
I was worried sick about the aftermath myself while doing it.
"Worried about the fallout? If you were, you shouldn't have started in the first place. From what I saw, you're not the type to overlook that."
"...Your Highness speaks truly."
Fine. I confess—I worried for about 10 seconds.
But I've got the ultimate excuse: 'It's training, what'd you expect?!' Roll around whining that, and you're golden.
If nobles want to cling to their privileges, go join an easy department, suck honey there, and head back to your estates.
But the moment you choose Knight or Officer, you're a noble and the Empire's sword.
Guys who want it easy? Out. Naturally.
"I was supposed to check other trainings, but after seeing your approach, the rest won't measure up. Haha."
Your Highness, please—for the love of god—don't say that at the upperclassmen's training grounds.
Next day, they'll all swarm me: 'Junior Richi! Teach us too!' No thanks.
"One thing I want to ask, Richi."
"Please, ask away."
"I hear you're in multiple departments."
Multiple departments, huh. I answered yes to the Crown Prince's question.
"Officer Department and Administrative Department."
Here comes the 'Why'd you choose that?' any second.
I was prepping an answer when the Crown Prince's next words blindsided me.
"The Empire's proud soldiers have high morale and strong loyalty. Their experience is ripe, and they'll rise fiercely for the Empire's safety anytime. They've prepared plenty based on past lessons—never lacking."
Sudden self-praise? No. That's not what the Crown Prince means.
—With all that prep, Administrative Department? Is there something wrong with our army's rear echelons?
Asking a mere academy student that much means he's rating me highly.
Feels like that damn 'Reinhardt' name pulled weight again.
This is why I didn't want military gigs. Expectations too high. Damn it...
"All for His Majesty's and the imperial family's fortune. A joyous matter. Thus, I humbly seek to contribute in my small way."
—No big issues. But not none either—some concerns I want to address.
The Crown Prince stared at me steadily.
Wondering what he'd say next, he finally spoke.
"Impressive. I'm moved by your loyalty."
Weird. Why does that sound like 'Oh. Found a slave.' to me?