Chapter 28
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Title! The Man Who Starved the Nobles!
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“Take good care of things from now on, Company Commander Erwin.”
“3rd Company Commander Erwin reporting! Thank you, sir!”
What the hell? What in the world is going on here?
I can't figure it out. I have no clue what's happening.
Just a little while ago, I was a platoon leader. So why am I a company commander starting today?
“Ah, Company Commander Erwin.”
“Yes, sir!”
“I have high expectations for you.”
This is driving me crazy. The pressure is so intense it's suffocating me.
Even the battalion commander makes me nervous, but the one standing in front of me now is the division commander.
Does this make any sense? The division commander personally attending a company commander's commissioning ceremony?
I heard that usually just having the battalion commander show up is a blessing.
And even then, most send deputies because of work.
So I naturally assumed our unit would be the same. What a bolt from the blue.
“Uwaaaah!!”
“Why the hell is the division commander coming to our battalion?!”
I can still vividly see the battalion commander and regimental commander screaming.
For them, it was like a meteor crashing from a clear sky. No, more like an asteroid.
Sorry, Battalion Commander. Regimental Commander! I really have no idea why!
After bringing that massive storm with him, the division commander finally left.
Well, precisely, he went off to attend another company commander's commissioning.
Everyone figured he just loves the 1st Cavalry Division that much.
But I knew better. Him going to the other ceremonies was just a smokescreen.
“Do your best. I told you not to say stuff like this, but keep it up and you're guaranteed a fast track to promotion.”
The young master Reinhardt I met not long ago... no, wait. Can't go calling him that or I'll hear it later.
Words from my unexpectedly new friend, Richi, quietly come to mind.
The division commander said he has high expectations for me. That I'm sure to become a great commander.
Him showing up this time is probably connected to what Richi said. High chance.
It'd look weird if he only came for me, so he went to the others too.
What a strange thing. Even if the division commander knows about me somehow, what did Richi hear to have such near-certain expectations?
Let me think back on my life...
First off, I enlisted in the Imperial Army as a private before even becoming an adult.
Did I want to rack up merits and climb the ranks? Well... yeah, kinda.
But the biggest reason was the urgent need to make a living.
Once you're in the army, at least you don't have to worry about food, clothes, or shelter.
That one reason was enough for me to enlist and reduce one mouth to feed at home.
Of course, at first I got chewed out for lying about my age and stuck doing menial chores.
Then, whether by luck or whatever, I racked up some achievements.
From Erwin the chore boy to corporal in a flash, then platoon leader.
It took less than a few years to reach a rank others couldn't even dream of.
I thought that used up all my luck for life right there.
Now I could even send money home with plenty left over; no more scraping by.
Having commissioned as an officer, maybe I'd climb even higher someday.
But I never imagined I'd go from platoon leader to company commander in just a month.
'I'm worried people might start looking at me funny.'
Human envy is a scary thing. Especially in the military.
People get jealous even when family succeeds; imagine if it's someone else.
I don't want to fight or clash with folks I was getting along fine with. Worrying.
“Oh! Company Commander Erwin, you've arrived!”
“This platoon leader humbly greets you! Loyalty! Loyalty!”
“You footing the bill for a big dinner tonight to celebrate the promotion?”
“I bet silver she'll go drinking tonight and lose again.”
...Yeah. Worry about what? This is how it should be. This is the 1st Cavalry Division.
Thinking about it, they've all been like big brothers, uncles, and old men looking out for me since my grunt days.
We're bonded tighter than family—comrades in arms.
“Attention. Company Commander broadcasting: drinks are on me tonight.”
“Woooooo!!”
“Hey! Eat till you puke, drink till you puke today! Company Commander's buying!!!”
H-hey, brothers? Could you hold back a little? This company commander isn't rich yet!
“Wooooah! Dinner time!!”
No use. Damn. Sorry, my paycheck. Can't protect you this time either!
Suppressing my sorrow, I fiddled with the insignia on my shoulder.
I need to work even harder. For the ones who believe in me.
And for these guys who now have to believe in me and fight.
“Tonight, the company commander's wallet is ours!”
“Kiyoooooot!!”
“...”
And for my wallet, which slimmed down in an instant.
“So, any complaints or weird looks?”
The division commander asks, one eyebrow slightly raised.
He's not after a canned response. He wants my honest take.
So I recall what happened earlier and speak.
“A few seemed to catch on.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. But those few are all from the company—er, the unit—where Platoon Leader Erwin, now Company Commander, is posted.”
“So if that guy had kept his nose clean from the start, they'd be allies, not enemies.”
The division commander nods, looking satisfied.
“You look like you have a question, Adjutant Kreighton.”
“No, sir.”
“Don't give me that. Go ahead and ask.”
Maybe he's been around the division commander too long.
He picks up on even the slightest different thought like a ghost.
No point denying it here.
“Truth be told, I'm curious why you're putting so much stock in this young Erwin fellow.”
“Jealous? Worried I'll replace you with him?”
“At least for adjutant duties, I'm the best in the division.”
Obviously. How many years have I been at the division commander's side?
I can proudly say I'm the best in the Empire at this job, no question.
“Simple reason. Potential. I guarantee it—that kid will be the Empire's next sharp spear and keen sword to succeed me.”
“Really?”
“Don't believe me? Wanna bet?”
“No, sir. I'm good.”
No way! I'm not betting! You know how much paycheck I've lost to those bets?!
The division commander keeps tempting me into bets, and I just keep losing.
No more. Unless it's an order, no way on invitations!
“Doesn't work anymore, huh.”
The division commander chuckles and fiddles with a cigarette before putting it away.
He's not a heavy smoker, but he does indulge sometimes. Why stop now?
“Anyway, it's not just my opinion. Richi thinks the same.”
“Your brother said that?”
“Yeah. I've said it a few times, but that kid's sharp as hell. He denies it, but you can tell from the side. There's a difference between truly hating something and pretending to.”
I know he has immense affection and trust for his brother.
At first, I thought since he loves his troops, naturally he loves his family too.
Family gets endless praise, right?
Until I heard the news.
“I heard about the academy training incident too. Quite... impressive.”
I was floored. Stranding noble students on a ridge and starving them for three days and nights?
No sleeping bags or blankets—not even water. Total control.
And when the enemy team retreated, he didn't stop at the ridge; he smashed their main base.
Two thoughts hit me: impressive, and 'why bother?'
What do first-year noble academy kids even know?
Especially freshmen—they're just starting to learn.
But our Young Master Richi apparently had no intention of going easy.
“That's my brother for you. Once he sets his mind to something, no one takes it more seriously. And he asked me to look after Erwin. What do you think that means?”
“...I get why you're doing this, sir.”
“Right?”
The division commander laughs heartily, but his expression turns serious.
I tense up too, bracing for the incoming question.
“Any new intel on Koenihesen movements?”
“War Ministry Intelligence and Special Affairs are still checking, but nothing solid.”
“Hmm? That's odd. Those bastards aren't the type to stay quiet this long.”
Tap tap—
The division commander drums the table. That's what he does when deep in thought.
“Should I send someone to Intelligence or Special Affairs again?”
“...No. Let it be. No reason for them to hide info from us, and nagging won't create intel out of thin air. We just focus on doing our job thoroughly.”
War hero, high rank, guaranteed future—he could afford to slack a bit.
But the division commander shows no such gaps.
“On that note, Adjutant. Sorry, but looks like overtime tonight too.”
“...”
But overtime... that's just too sad, sir.