Chapter 9
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: You! Come to the Military!
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"Nice to meet you, Richi."
"Ah, yes. Nice to meet you too..."
Where am I? Who am I? What the hell am I doing on this golden weekend?
"I heard from Wagner in the Music Department that you were the one who inspired the first-year Knight Department piece. He said you just polished it up a bit."
Traitor. Traitor. Traitor...! He knows I hate military stuff as much as he does!
How could he do this? At least give me a heads-up before stirring up trouble!
Candidate for prior action? Turns out you're a spy planted by the military?!
The man sitting across from me was the chief of the Public Information Department in the Ministry of War.
That's right. The Ministry of War. The military. The very place I've been avoiding like the plague!
The evaluation I'd get from even brushing up against them, and the one thing I'd hear, is crystal clear.
"Oho, Reinhardt. Reinhardt! You'll be a war hero in no time!"
No. No way. War hero? That's no joke.
Grandfather, Father, and Brother are war heroes, but that doesn't mean I can be one too.
A possessed soul without a status window can't do a damn thing!
"No, sir. I just hummed something that popped into my head on the spot. The overall structure, the fine details—Senior Wagner did all of that. I really didn't do anything."
I'm not dying alone. No way. If I'm getting dragged into the military as tasty bait, you're coming with me, Wagner!
"Hahaha. Wagner mentioned that too. He said you're so humble you'd never take credit for it."
"But..."
"He also said this: In music, inspiration is the beginning and end of everything. And you, Richi, who provided that inspiration, are the heart of the piece."
Th-this... Wagner! Are you seriously doing this?!
Even if you begged a soon-to-graduate senior, this is too much!
"As expected of Marshal Excellency's son. Humility isn't something you pick up easily at your age."
"Haha..."
"Come to think of it, the 1st Cavalry Division Commander said something similar once. He called himself the spear that charges the front lines, while his little brother is the steadfast support from behind."
Brother... even you... Don't overhype me like that...
"Well, I shouldn't take up too much of your weekend. Let's get to the point. About using that first-year Knight Department piece..."
"If you're asking me to compose something similar, I'm afraid I'd have to decline. As a freshman, I plan to focus on my studies. I want to show my passion as a future imperial civil servant. And as you said, inspiration is key for that sort of thing, but mine hasn't fully recharged yet."
Ten seconds. That's how long it took me to say that.
To survive, you really can't skip the dirty work. Sob sob.
Anyway, after laying it out like that, even the Public Information Chief can't push further.
I want to work as an imperial civil servant! Inspiration on cooldown! What are you gonna do about it?!
If he keeps nagging here, that's overstepping. Hey! You're in big trouble! So just leave already!
"Ah? Looks like there was a misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding... sir?"
"I just came to ask if the military could use the Knight Department's first-year piece."
"For that, you should talk to the Knight Department, not me..."
"They said Wagner's opinion matters, and Wagner said yours does. So here I am."
...This feels familiar.
Ah, we don't have the authority! Sorry, try another department!
Seeing it this way, the chief must have jumped through hoops to get here too.
"I did consider asking for something similar like you mentioned... but this piece is already perfect. The Knight Department said there's no greater honor than the military using it, and Wagner will follow your lead. What do you say?
"By all means, use it freely. It's not like I did it for personal glory."
"Really? Thank you so much for understanding."
No problem. So please don't come sniffing around anymore. And don't ask if I have other pieces.
Just meeting military folks makes my head throb and my hands shake.
Scared they'll pop up out of nowhere yelling 'Hey! Join the army!' Damn it.
After that, I chatted lightly with the chief.
About my family's well-being, then his family's, and even the current situation.
Truth be told, I had zero interest in the situation part and didn't want to hear it.
But he was so excited, I couldn't cut him off.
If you hit me with 'Mind helping with some strategy?' I'd be seriously pissed.
"By the way, Richi. You entered the Administrative Department, right?"
"Yes? Ah, yes, that's right."
"Do you have a specific path in mind?"
It sounded like, 'Why dodge the military for the administrative side?'
Straightening up, I replied in my most duty-bound voice.
"I want to serve as an imperial bureaucrat of the future. I know I'm lacking compared to Grandfather, Father, and Brother, but I think I have a talent for calculations."
"Ho ho."
"So, if possible, finance..."
"A fine idea, worthy of Reinhardt's second son."
"Finance... yes?"
What the hell? Why drag Reinhardt into this out of nowhere?
"Field Marshal Excellency, Marshal Excellency, and even the 1st Cavalry Division Commander. With those on the front lines covered, you're aiming to support from behind, right? I get it. The military can't focus only on external enemies, after all."
Um, excuse me? I have no idea what you're talking about.
Are you spinning some wild fantasy on your own?
"The military is a consumer, not a producer. We have to be sensitive to the 'budget,' and even Field Marshal Excellency struggled with that. For you to think about military budgeting... Truly brilliant, a Reinhardt through and through."
"..."
I just stopped thinking altogether.
Anything I say now will just sound the same to him.
'Ah! I want to support the military from the rear, not the front lines!'
"Very commendable. The imperial council has been discussing budgets lately..."
Someone come smack me on the back of the head and knock me out, please.
"Fuck..."
I finally escaped. My heart's still pounding.
The conversation veered into everything under the sun.
Military budget issues, disarmament worries, and even my future.
The chief already sees my dream as military budgeting or logistics.
The outcome of war isn't just beating the enemy on the battlefield.
The support from behind—who provides it and with what skills—matters too!
He gave this grand speech, but the trap is that he's the Public Information Chief.
He even said the Honor Guard is important, and they'd welcome me there.
Military songs and marches are crucial, apparently.
If I joined, it'd be a huge boost?
Get lost. Please. Don't tie me to the military.
I'd rather wrestle paperwork all night hugging my desk.
Empire! Use me like a slave, I beg you!
"Looks like it's over."
As I stepped out of the Ministry of War, Brother greeted me with a smile.
He must be thrilled. Thinks I've finally changed my mind about the military.
Deep down, he's always wanted me to join.
"I told you you didn't have to come. Brother."
"I had some business here anyway. Thought I'd check on you while I was at it."
Family meetups are fine. No problem.
But if one of them is an imperial war hero and the youngest division commander...
And the other is a fresh academy newbie? That's a different story...
Look at them now. The officers glued to Brother, the soldiers waiting behind.
Even the seasoned Ministry of War staff.
All gazing at him with eyes brimming with admiration.
Lucky I'm his brother, a Reinhardt. Otherwise, one casual remark and I'd be half-dead.
"How's Mother?"
Once in the carriage, Brother asked about home first.
Unlike Father, who visits occasionally as the Kenes Marquis, Brother commutes from the 1st Cavalry Division. Of course he's curious about family news.
"She's healthy. No issues."
"Good. The head maid worried she's eating less lately."
"She said her appetite's down. Because of you."
No joke. Mother's lost appetite is genuinely Brother's fault.
Think about it. Most men in their early-to-mid twenties marry and have kids.
Father and Mother did right around then.
But Brother, next in line for the marquis title, hasn't even dated, let alone married.
"She said please bring home a decent girl."
"It's not that easy."
"Easier than for me, at least?"
I handed over the stack of love letters I'd collected.
Wonder if he knows how my shoulders nearly gave out carrying these.
"...You brought a ton again."
"Brother. Please, if you want me to quit this delivery boy gig, just get married."
"Ahem."
"You said before turning thirty. You're past thirty now. Why not? Mother asks every time we talk via communicator. 'When's your brother getting married?'"
"Richi. Aren't you making any opposite-sex friends at the academy? At your age, it's perfect timing for..."
"Don't change the subject. Brother. I'm dead serious."
I want out of this damn love letter courier service. Brother, marry already...
Guy could star in a harem story, yet zero interest in women.
"We'll talk about that later. Later. Something else first."
"No time later! Right now—"
"Finally taking an interest in the military?"
...Wow. Counterattack out of nowhere. War heroes aren't made just anyone!