Chapter 46
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Why So Many Seekers Already
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Why are there so many people looking for me?
Originally, I figured I'd at least pay a visit to Father. His son had nearly botched things up big time but came back safe and sound, so showing him that much seemed only right. But judging from the situation, it felt a bit iffy.
We'd barely repelled Koenihesen's massive offensive and were just starting our counterattack. The high command had to be insanely busy right now. Naturally, Father would be swamped without a moment's rest.
Sorry, Father, but now's not the time. Later, once things settle down a bit, then I'll come see you.
Going to see someone who can't even clock out early would just mean a quick greeting before parting ways anyway.
Besides, I was only temporarily attached to the army as an Officer Department student. With that mission done, it was time to head back where I belonged.
So, after swinging by home to show Mother her son was hale and hearty, I planned to return to the academy. That's why Ar, Enter, and I were heading straight to the capital—
"Richi Reinhardt. His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince wishes to see the hero who saved the nation."
The moment we neared the capital, someone from the Crown Prince's entourage snatched me right up.
And "hero who saved the nation"? Couldn't they skip that embarrassingly flashy nickname?
The real hero was Erwin, surrounded by soldiers at the front lines, basking in their cheers.
Part of me wanted to bring Enter and Ar along. They'd worked just as hard.
But the summons was for me alone. And what those two needed wasn't praise from on high—it was rushing home to crash and recover.
"Catch you later, Richi. I'm beat."
"You too, Enter. Thanks a ton this time—really."
"Good, you know it. What the hell was all that anyway? Blame it on hanging with weirdos like you!"
That punk—griping like that, yet he'd handled everything without fail.
Erwin had told me Enter was damn good at his job.
Not just paperwork—he excelled at command, operations, combat, everything above average.
A rare all-rounder you don't see every day. He more than lived up to his reputation.
"Richi."
I sent Enter off first, and Ar sidled up beside me.
Uncharacteristic for her, she seemed hesitant. I had a pretty good guess why.
"You kissed me first, so why the sudden jitters?"
"U-Ugh! Do you have to phrase it like that?!"
Yeah, that's exactly why I say it that way. Your reaction's even more fun than I expected.
Thanks(?) to Koenihesen's summer offensive, Ar and I had grown a lot closer.
It was tough, sure, but leaning on each other showed just how reliable we both were.
"No need to worry. After all this, you think I'd dodge you?"
"Right? Some nobles actually pull away if the girl's the one approaching first."
"Sounds like they just aren't into it."
"So you're saying you are into me?"
Obviously. If I wasn't, I'd have turned away the second you kissed me.
Hell, if I'd heard you weren't coming back, I'd have gone to rescue you... No, wait—not that. I was just saving our troops. Yeah, that's all it was.
"Richi."
Ar called my name again. Before I could respond, she threw her arms around me.
A sweet scent tickled my nose. A strange warmth filled my chest.
"See you soon."
Soon, huh. With less than a month left in break, yeah, soon enough.
After bidding those two farewell like that, I headed straight to meet the Crown Prince.
*
"Your Highness. This is the full report from Allied Forces Supreme Command."
"After Koenihesen's offensive, some forces beyond the collapsed lines put up organized resistance, playing a decisive role in halting their advance."
"The on-site commander was a 1st Cavalry Division officer named Erwin, with Richi Reinhardt and Ariete Clozen confirmed present as well."
This was intriguing news. A new war hero emerging to save the Empire again in this perilous time—and right beside him, none other than Richi.
Coincidence? Sure, probably. But his contributions alongside? No way that was coincidence.
I'd already seen what Richi was capable of. Impressively so, for his age.
Suspecting more, I ordered deeper investigations. Was he just there, or did he do what only he could?
"Investigations confirm Erwin handled on-site command, tactics, and strategy."
"Hmm."
"However, reorganizing remnants, securing supplies, managing morale, training status, and more—those were handled by Richi Reinhardt alongside fellow Officer Department students Ariete Clozen and Enter Prize."
I knew it. That guy's a doer. No way he'd sit quietly as window dressing. If he were that type, he wouldn't have shone in the joint training either.
On-site command, tactics, strategy—crucial stuff. Without Erwin, our Empire and allied non-humans might've needed another month to counterattack.
The manpower and material losses in that time? Horrific. A nightmare.
But the one enabling that stellar commander—our new war hero—to fight freely? Equally impressive. Visible merits might rank lower, but factoring in the unseen? Arguably higher.
And pulling it off with no rear support, just limited troops and supplies to buy maximum time? Astonishing. A performance worthy of the Reinhardt name.
"Your Highness. Richi Reinhardt has arrived."
Already here. He could've taken his time, but looks like he hurried.
Good attitude. Means he doesn't dawdle once tasked.
"Come in, Richi."
"I greet Your Imperial Highness."
I stopped him from kneeling. That wasn't why I summoned him.
Ideally, he should've stayed at the front to claim his due. Especially with Father heading there personally to honor the heroes.
A new Reinhardt war hero emerging? Staying put would've been far better for him than returning.
But Richi just came back. No hidden motives or anything.
Mission done, time to resume normal life—that was it.
Thanks to him, I could set aside those nagging worries.
Regrettably, this battle wasn't a flawless Imperial victory.
We took a brutal early hit, and the damage was the worst imaginable given recent events.
We'd prepped to push into Koenihesen territory with our counterattack, but countless casualties and wounded had already mounted. The Empire's proud sons had suffered dearly.
Koenihesen's surprise assault, relentless violence across the front, the army's initial defeat, command's failure to foresee it all—everything tangled together.
In times like these, trotting out the usual war hero risks skewing public sentiment oddly.
What we needed was a fresh face. Not a noble, but a common soldier like those who gloriously fell—yet rose to officer on pure merit.
"Erwin, was it? The officer who fought with you."
"To be precise, he fought alone while I just helped a bit from the rear."
"I've not seen much frontline action myself, but I know what matters. How vital rear supply is. Without you, Richi, this victory would've been far tougher."
Richi shrank back further, saying less. Amusing sight.
Praise makes him squirm. Shy about the spotlight?
Doesn't add up. If so, he never would've stepped up to begin with.
"Erwin's the hero of this battle. That's enough."
I couldn't help but admire that response. Sharp political instincts too?
He clearly grasped that one hero—Erwin—was sufficient, nay, ideal in this situation.
"Not disappointed at all?"
"I'm deeply grateful for Your Highness's consideration. As for repaying it—I'm just getting started. Opportunities will abound; no need to hang myself on one."
Brimming with confidence. Baseless arrogance, and I'd scoff inwardly.
But he'd proven it. What he could do—not leaning on family prestige, but thriving without it.
"Right. Quite so. You're spot on."
Suddenly, I felt like teasing this cocky kid just a little.
Normally, someone else would relay it, but what if I did?
"That said, the navy sees things differently."
"...Your Highness?"
The Empire's army wasn't the only one fighting. Koenihesen struck by sea too.
Aiming to seize seas, trade routes, and choke maritime transport in one go.
But the Imperial Navy claimed a heroic victory. Heavy losses—ships sunk, sailors dead—but they repelled the enemy.
And rumor had it a certain item greatly boosted navy morale. None other than a proposal from this very Richi Reinhardt.
"The Navy Marshal was saying he ought to pin a medal on you at least."
A flush briefly colored Richi's face before fading. Angry, maybe?
The Reinhardt Marshal had decent ties with the navy, it seemed—but this kid hadn't inherited that much.