Chapter 35
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: Summer Offensive
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"Welcome to the 1st Cavalry Division, everyone from the Officer Department."
"Thank you, Division Commander."
I lightly clasped my brother's outstretched hand. I hope I wasn't smiling, was I?
Trying to keep a straight face in front of everyone felt downright strange.
Get it together. I'm here as a student, not as his little brother.
"Come on in, Enter Prize. And Ariete Clozen as well."
"Th-thank you!"
"Thank you for the warm welcome, Reinhardt Division Commander."
With greetings out of the way, he suggested we head inside for a cup of tea.
My brother led Enter, Ariete, and me to the division commander's office.
"...".
As we walked, I subtly glanced around, checking out the troops.
Fine, my brother was one thing, but to everyone else, this was like a bolt from the blue.
The Supreme Commander's son and the Victory Duke's daughter. They were walking explosive magic scrolls.
If Ariete or I said anything weird... Ugh. Better watch our mouths.
"You'll have a tough month ahead. You'll be temporarily attached to the 5th Cavalry Regiment."
My brother set down our tea and informed us of our assignment with a light smile.
5th Cavalry Regiment. Erwin was there. He'd just been promoted to company commander, right?
Perfect. My brother must have known about my connection to Erwin and pulled some strings.
"Before that, I have one request."
Enter and Ariete looked calm. They probably thought it was something like 'Don't act superior just because you're nobles'... Nah, not even close, guys.
"Koenihesen's movements are unusual."
Sure enough, the Empire had finally grasped the outline of their offensive in the endgame.
"The 3rd and 9th Infantry Divisions already in position have entered combat readiness. Unless otherwise notified, they'll maintain that state."
"Division Commander, in that case..."
"Once you're assigned, head straight to your units and prepare for deployment. I hope nothing happens... but wars always strike when we least expect them."
That was the point my brother was driving home.
Better brace yourselves, everyone. This means we're definitely fighting.
You'll be scared. You'll want to run. You're still green enough for that.
But don't. Since you've come this far, mount up and grip your swords—as officers, as Imperial soldiers.
"We'll do our best, Division Commander."
Tension, excitement, a mix of every emotion bubbling up into a laugh.
Some might call me crazy, but nothing captured the moment better.
And my brother, standing before me, knew that feeling better than anyone.
"Hang in there."
He encouraged Enter first, then Ariete, before coming to me.
And for me, he lingered a bit longer, slowly patting my shoulder.
"...Who would've thought we'd meet again like this."
"Yeah. Me neither."
Sorry. That's a lie. Truth is, I schemed a bit to make this happen.
I exchanged a quick handshake with Erwin and introduced the group.
"This is Enter Prize. And over there, Ariete Clozen."
"Ariete... Clozen? Hold on, Richi. No way? You don't mean..."
"It's probably exactly who you're thinking of, Company Commander."
"Whoa. The Victory Duke's own daughter, here?"
Erwin gasping—and everyone around him—was only natural.
Wait, but you guys barely reacted when I was introduced.
The Supreme Commander's son pops up, and you're all chill? What gives?!
"Word from above said you might come, Richi... but I didn't expect her."
Ah, got it. They already knew I was coming.
"That's enough of that, Company Commander. I'm not here as the Clozen lady. I'm just an Officer Department student here to learn and experience as much as I can."
Ariete spoke crisply, and Erwin snapped to attention with a gasp.
He replied 'Understood' and shifted to a businesslike tone.
"You must have heard the news on your way here."
"Over and over, from the regimental commander down to the battalion commander."
"The situation's tight. Frontline infantry divisions are all on combat alert. I don't get why HQ sent you all straight to my company instead..."
Ah, sorry again. That's on me too. I insisted.
Sticking the Supreme Commander and Victory Duke's kids at regimental HQ would make them uncomfortable.
They hate favoritism like that for their own.
Regimental and battalion commanders freaked and bumped us down to company level pronto.
Plus, there was that subtle order from above to pair me with Erwin.
"For now, I'll assign duties at my discretion. Enter, you'll be my adjutant and stick with me. Richi, take the vacant 3rd Platoon Leader spot in 3rd Company."
3rd Platoon Leader—Erwin's old spot before his promotion.
He'd rocketed up too fast to name a replacement.
Lucky break. Troops who've served with Erwin are solid.
NCOs are all pros too. They'll cover my lack of combat experience.
"Ariete's spot is a bit tricky..."
"If possible, I'd like to stay with Richi. Is that okay?"
"Then that makes her Richi—no, Platoon Leader Richi's adjutant."
Assignments set, Enter went his way, Ariete and I ours—getting to know our team for the month ahead.
Short, yet long enough.
"Glad to meet you all. I'm Richi Reinhardt, temporary 3rd Platoon Leader."
"Ariete Clozen."
"W-welcome! Glad to have you in 3rd Platoon!"
They were stiff as boards, clearly on edge.
Can't blame them. Supreme Commander's son, Division Commander's brother, Victory Duke's daughter.
They'd be jumping out of their skins. Guilt welled up.
"Please take it easy on us for the month. I'm green, so lots of advice. Your tips could save future Imperial soldiers someday."
Not lip service. Veteran know-how is priceless.
I might outrank them administratively, but they crush me in battlefield experience.
And right now, I'm headed to the front, not a desk. They're my seniors.
Noble honor, officer authority—vital for leading troops.
But I want the bare minimum qualifications too. Need their help for that.
"We'll do our best."
Thankfully, the troops and seasoned NCOs were receptive.
Moments like this, being a Reinhardt paid off.
"Take good care of me too. You don't hate knights on sight, right?"
"N-no way! Never."
Ariete tossed in some levity to loosen the tension.
But they needed more time to take it as a joke.
*
A week into our arrival. Academy's probably on break now.
Not much on my plate. First up: memorizing names.
"Good morning, Thomas."
"Gah! Sleep well, sir!"
"That enough for morning PT, Ricksen? Step it up."
"Y-yes, sir!"
Seems trivial. It is.
But names matter—a lot.
People are complex yet simple. They remember and follow those who call them by name, not 'Hey!'
New commanders don't memorize rosters for nothing.
Next task—
"Richi, you've gathered a ton already. Planning to stockpile more?"
"As much as I can."
"We have plenty of hay in reserve. Why...?"
I convinced Ariete there was good reason.
Truth: People can starve days and still fight—tough, but doable.
Horses? No. They drop out without proper feed.
Running all day, carrying riders. Obvious result.
Some think horses graze anywhere. Bull.
Like feeding humans raw rice and wheat—then expecting them to carry loads and run.
Hay's like oil. Run dry, mobility zero. Fatal here.
Didn't some world's Erwin win then retreat over fuel shortages?
"Sorry, Ariete, double-check other supplies?"
"Got it. Won't miss a thing."
Want to verify everything, prep more—but this is my limit.
So I took charge of easy-to-lose, fast-consume stuff.
Man, it's no joke. A single platoon like this—what about later...?
No. Cross that bridge later. Worrying ahead is dumb.
Focus: Do your best with what you can now.
Days later. The news we'd dreaded yet awaited hit.
"Enemy raid! Koenihesen attack!"
Their summer grand offensive had begun.