Academy Genius Commander

20 – Stairway to Glory (2)

When I was studying Roman history in the past, I heard that Rome had such a tradition.

The commander-in-chief who made a big contribution in the war gets the honor of being the protagonist of the triumphal ceremony, which is the highest honor as a human being.

People of that era feared that the triumphant general would forget that he was human because of the victor’s arrogance and fall into the illusion that he was a god, so he told the slave behind him, ‘You are a mere mortal.’ It is said that he whispered

In addition, the soldiers under his command were given the right and duty to march openly ridiculing the general’s flaws.

In the case of the famous Caesar, he was a competent flirt and at the end of hair loss, so ‘The flirt, bald general is leaving! It is said that he was ridiculed

At the time, I thought it was just a custom to laugh, but now that I’m in the position of the main character of the improvement ceremony, I understand why.

Thousands or perhaps ten thousand people filled the streets, and flags made of colorful silk and various fabrics and banners with praises to the victors filled the capital of the empire.

The people inside gave enthusiastic applause and praise to us who came back after winning the war and shouted.

“Long live the Emperor! Long live His Highness the Crown Prince! Long live division commander Stefan!”

“Long live the Emperor! Long live the Imperial Army! Long live His Highness the Crown Prince!”

“Deus, protect the empire! Please protect His Majesty the Emperor and His Highness the Crown Prince!”

If you can stand at the center of a position that is highly praised by so many people, anyone will feel proud and arrogant.

It is not for nothing that the triumphal ceremony was called ‘the glory of mankind that even the gods would be jealous of’.

And when I listened to the sounds around me, in addition to the voices of praise for the division commander and the crown prince, there were also quite a few nobles admiring the majesty of our unit.

“Is that the Jaeger Company that played the biggest role on the Rhineland Front?”

“According to the story, the person who selected that unit and set it up at the vanguard was Major General Stefan. You were a student platoon leader, right?”

“I heard that he was from a commoner. Has a commander who can rewrite the history of the Imperial Army have appeared?”

I just listened to the mixed words of envy and admiration from the high-ranking people who came to see the improvement ceremony, and my heart started to rise like crazy.

The citizens who came to see the spectacle of the triumphal ceremony and the children who followed looked at us with longing eyes and said,

“Mom, I want to become a great soldier like those guys later!”

“Ha, I’m going to be drafted soon. Like that unit of the army that goes once, you have to win nicely and bring the division flag just right…”

“Wake up your dreams, kid. If you work hard for a hundred days, what will you become other than a sergeant?”

In my heart, I want to wave to those who say that our unit is cool, but according to the convention of the triumphal ceremony, it is impossible to answer the cheers unless you are the ‘supreme commander’ of the army holding the triumphal ceremony.

I looked straight ahead, managed the corners of my mouth that kept going up, and tried my best to maintain the soldier’s characteristic indifferent yet strong cool expression.

Also, looking at the other officers and soldiers around me, is it because they want to show their dignity and seriousness as cool soldiers as much as possible?

Everyone was staring forward with unwavering sternness, trying to hold on to the corners of their mouths that were rising.

When I was soaked in the various emotions I felt while participating in the triumphal ceremony.

The military band following our company made a loud trumpet and drum sound, and the crown prince on a white horse in front raised his sword and shouted.

“Raise the flag!”

As soon as I heard that order, I raised the division flag of the Francois Republic Division, and a soldier standing next to me also raised the division flag of the Imperial 7th Division.

Then, the eyes of the people around me were all focused on the flag I was holding and on me.

“Is that Peter Yeager? They charged the Francois division to save the division in crisis…”

“They said he was a student platoon leader, so he’s really young. To be promoted to lieutenant on the front line at that age, I think I’ll be insulted if I write a novel like that…”

“Ability is also ability, but the character is also quite good-looking. A woman will cry quite a bit”

After the triumphal ceremony, the emperor gathers nobles and holds a ball to give people who have made great achievements a chance to be noticed.

If I attend there, I wonder if the title of a commoner-born company commander will follow.

He will be the object of jealousy and envy among men, and among women he will be seen as a promising young man with no status or wealth, but with potential for growth.

Then, as in fantasy novels, there may be things that get caught by high-ranking ladies…

To think of this while sitting still not knowing what rewards and promotions he would receive from His Majesty the Emperor.

As I cut off the distracting thoughts as much as possible and continued the march with only my role in the victory ceremony in mind, I saw a wide open square in front of my eyes.

All over the plaza, various symbols and flags representing the emperor of the Reich Empire were showing off their grandeur.

Nobles in colorful silk dresses or suits and knights in silver glittering armor kept their seats.

The moment I was deeply moved by the sight, I heard the sound of the prince and the division commander dismounting from their horses.

“He is the sole sun of the Reich Empire and is eaten by His Majesty Fernando von Reich, the great Emperor. Let everyone be polite!”

Along with that, everyone including the prince got down on one knee and bowed their heads.

Soon after, the prince shouted in a determined voice.

“Everyone stand up and salute His Majesty the Emperor!”

When the order was given, all the soldiers, including me, saluted with the same motion.

Damn, can I one day become a general who can move thousands or tens of thousands of soldiers with my single command?

Regardless of my future wishes, the ceremony proceeded, and the Emperor looked down at me and the other soldiers with a solemn but benevolent expression and said,

“Crown Prince, I am truly proud of capturing Lezhin Castle. Thanks to your exploits, our empire has gained a bridgehead to the fertile plains to the east. Also, I commend the achievements of division commander Stephen, who annihilated the Francois division before the crown prince!”

At those words, the prince and the division commander bowed their heads even more deeply.

“Therefore, I intend to personally commend the Crown Prince, Stephen, and those who belonged to the 7th Division and made great contributions, and set them as models for the Imperial Army. Grand Chamberlain, read out their merits and awards so that all who live in Reichsburg can hear them.”

The principal of a high school also showed off his ability to raise such a student by giving a long speech, ranging from 5 minutes at the shortest to 10 minutes at the longest, when a student received an award at a national or regional competition.

To see the crown prince who had obtained Regin Castle and the large area around it, and finish it so quickly.

But rather, I thought that the emperor and the crown prince stood out more nicely because they didn’t say useless things.

“As a reward for this achievement, the Crown Prince is awarded the Countess of Brandenburg along with the Diamond Knight’s Cross and a Medal of Honor. Division commander Stefan von Bolton is given the Golden Knight’s Cross of Swords, the Silver Eagle Medal, and 5 villages next to the existing territory. In addition, he is promoted to lieutenant general and praises his achievements.”

Just as there is a medal in modern Britain where the actual ‘knight’ is awarded to those who have been awarded the medal, in the Reich Empire, there is the ‘Knight’s Cross of Swords’ above the Gold Cross, where knighthood is awarded.

Diamond is the highest among them, followed by gold and silver in that order.

Apart from the crown prince, Division Commander Stefan was actually awarded the highest medal a soldier could receive.

Because a diamond is a medal that can only be received by a hero level who was active in saving the country at the time of desperate situation.

After the grand chamberlain’s recitation paused, the emperor himself awarded medals to the two top ranks in the army.

Then, not only the aristocrats, but also citizens and soldiers watching the scene from afar all applauded and cheered.

In the next order, the Grand Chamberlain opened another scroll and shouted.

“Toward Peter Yeager, Acting Lieutenant, Company Commander of the Blancia Battalion!”

I expected to receive a big reward.

However, given my low status, I did not expect to receive a reward in this place where everyone can see.

So I walked somewhat hesitantly and stood next to the division commander and the prince.

The Grand Chamberlain and the Emperor looked at me with interest.

Then he declared loudly.

“Recognized as the 3rd prize in this battle in honor of the achievements of participating in the first battle as a student platoon leader, defeating and annihilating one battalion, rescuing a neighboring battalion driven into a corner, and turning the tide of battle with ingenious strategy and courage in a divisional crisis. do. In honor of this, the Silver Knight’s Sword Cross Medal and the Assault Medal of Honor are awarded, and the rank promoted to the previous rank is promoted to the rank of Captain. In addition, I will bestow the appropriate manor.”

The moment I heard that, I was so moved that I almost burst into tears of emotion at the awarding ceremony.

Even so, if a soldier cries in a place like this, not only everyone who is present here, but also a weak image can be formed in places such as the military and social gatherings.

I gnawed my molars to hold back the tears, and saluted the emperor with only a little bit of water in my eyes.

The emperor personally attached two medals and said.

“Get down on your knees and bow your head.”

As I followed, the emperor took out the jewel-encrusted sword that was wearing next to him, put it on my shoulders, and said.

“Fernando von Reich, the rightful Emperor of the Reich Empire, recognizes Peter Yeager for his exploits and bestows a knighthood on him.”

My head and heart were spinning with excitement at the sudden conferment of title, making me dizzy, but I tried to maintain my senses and squeezed out the knowledge I had learned at the academy before, so I was able to give an appropriate answer.

“I will offer my body and soul for the glory of the Empire.”

“Let’s look forward to Captain Jaeger’s performance in the future.”

After that, I performed the rest of the ceremony in a half-conscious state because of the ‘shock and joy of being a true nobleman from a goddamned orphan’.

And right after the improvement ceremony, around the time I was about to return to my assigned accommodation.

An attendant secretly approached me and said,

“His Highness, the Crown Prince, is going to visit Sir Jaeger himself at 10:00 tonight. Please prepare and wait.”