Academy Genius Commander

21 – Stairway to Glory (3)

A soft duvet with a fine fabric dyed in rosy red, an antique desk and chair, and a luxurious checkered wallpaper on the wall.

Even though I had the privilege of staying in a room with a stylish fireplace and a bell to call servants if needed, I couldn’t rest comfortably.

Because in my heart, the emotions and lingering feelings of the time when I was given the Order of the Cross of the White Silver Knight’s Sword in front of the emperor after the bridle of being a damned commoner was removed are still not gone.

It was because about five minutes from now would be the time when His Highness, the Crown Prince, promised to meet me.

I checked the new uniform I received several times for the purpose of wearing it to the ball that would follow the triumphal ceremony.

Because of my nervousness, I stood in front of the mirror again to check if there was anything strange.

Because when you meet a high-ranking person, the most important thing is how you look in the first impression.

It’s obvious that if you don’t get a score here, there will be a hindrance to your future career.

While I was waiting in such a nervous state, I heard a man’s voice from beyond the door.

“Are you Captain Peter Yeager? If the night is quiet, shall I call a beauty to soothe the loneliness?”

If you just listen to the words, it might seem like a servant’s kind and secret consideration to treat a distinguished guest.

Common sense tells us that no crazy servant would hire a woman to attend the night ‘unless he openly wishes’ for a man who has left the battlefield to attend the tense and exhausting event of the triumphal ceremony.

So it’s very likely that it’s a signal to hide the fact that the prince is calling me, but just in case, I’ll have to ask with a different meaning.

“Can I meet a noble person?”

“This is where even the Most Exalted One comes. He wants to meet Sir Jaeger in person. I have come to treat you firmly, so please do not hesitate.”

Judging from the mention of ‘the noblest person’, that guy must have been sent by the crown prince.

“All right. I changed my clothes, so I’ll follow you. I look forward to your hospitality.”

When I opened the door, I saw an old man wearing a butler’s uniform and smiling meaningfully.

When I showed an example that did not feel incongruity toward him who had a higher status than me, the old man smiled and said,

“You are the one that His Highness, the Crown Prince, highly praised. I asked a playful question for entertainment, but it was fun because he answered it flexibly and well. hahahaha! A treasure of the empire! Hurry up, but if someone finds out about the scene of meeting His Majesty the Crown Prince and spreads rumors, we’ll both get annoyed!”

From then on, without saying a word, we quietly walked towards the place where the prince was waiting.

**

When I entered the room the old man guided me to, the Crown Prince of the Reich Empire was waiting for me there.

Beautiful blonde hair, shining blue eyes, fair skin and tall height.

Isn’t it a scam no matter how much you think about having wealth and power and a beautiful appearance?

With that thought in mind, I knelt down on one knee and bowed.

“You are that student platoon commander on the Rhineland Front. Nice to see you like this I owe you Jaeger a lot, and I really appreciate it.”

Certainly, if it had not been for my performance, the first stage prepared by the emperor for the crown prince would have been ruined.

If I hadn’t intervened and played an active part, the 7th Division would have suffered a major defeat and retreated to Weinberg Castle because some of the student platoon commanders ran solo as they did in the original novel.

Then, the crown prince would have had to live with the title of ‘incompetent person who lost his territory from the first march’ for the rest of his life.

In that sense, it could be said that it was natural for the prince to express his gratitude to me.

However, high-ranking people in Korea or the Reich Empire do not often say that they owe a lot to their subordinates, even if they say thank you.

Because being so grateful that high-ranking people say, ‘I owe you’ is the same as declaring that you are my benefactor.

“No, Your Highness the Crown Prince. I just did what I had to do as a commander of the Reich Empire. Withdraw the undeserved words.”

“No. It’s not a greeting, it’s my sincerity. But let’s stop talking about this and let the real story begin. Sit on the sofa over there.”

Following those words, I sat down on the sofa, and the prince looked at me full of anticipation and said,

“I’d like to praise you more for your personal appearance and various achievements, but I have to go to a ball soon. So, I’ll see if I can talk about that next time, and I’ll talk about something important right away.”

“Please tell me.”

“In order to become a respected emperor, you have to build up achievements step by step from when you were the crown prince. That way, you can rule as emperor without being swayed by great nobles like counts, marquises, and dukes.”

As long as it is not during the era of absolute monarchy in France, there is no need to be kicked out for being an incompetent monarch.

Just as there are cases in which incompetent corporals are eaten by private soldiers in the army, it is said that there are many cases in which a person who became an emperor by parachute is unable to exert great power in front of various nobles.

No, even further, if it seems that the crown prince will become emperor without making proper achievements…

“The first step was the attack on Lezhin Castle. So, I entrusted the 7th Division to Stefan, the most trustworthy of the generals who followed me, and sent it to the Rhineland front… Without you, the results would have been really disastrous.”

I heard that and said nothing.

Because if Weinberg Castle had been breached as the crown prince had said, the Francois Republic would have used it as an important strategic base and ate away at the Reich Empire like a moth.

If you deny that you’re not just pretending to be humble in a situation like this, that’s going to be more f*cked up.

“If the result of the prince’s first campaign was the loss of 220,000 citizens if the Imperial 7th Division suffered near-annihilation damage, including cities and surroundings with over 30,000 people. Just thinking about it would have been terrifying.”

Then the prince reached out and held my hand tightly with one hand, pointing to the medal on his chest with the other and said,

“But thanks to you, the f*cking Francois division was annihilated, no, three lieutenant colonels from the colonel-level commander died. Thanks to that, I was able to take Lezhin Castle even though I lost 3,000 soldiers due to mistakes, and I was able to get this Diamond Knight’s Sword Cross Medal.”

“This is an undeserved compliment. And that was possible thanks to division commander Stefan’s trust in me. It is also the insight of His Highness, the Crown Prince, who appointed him to that position.”

When I said that, the prince looked at me and made an angry expression.

However, at a glance, his anger was directed not at Peter Yeager, but at his situation and the nobles who opposed him.

“Do you think so? But already, there are some other great nobles who want to replace me with a puppet they can handle as emperor. That’s because I’m paying attention to the fact that the one I personally selected was Stefan, and he lost 3,000 soldiers because he couldn’t properly control his subordinates. There are people who question my abilities because of it. So, to overcome this situation, more military and air force is needed.”

Then, the prince put a document in front of me and said,

“By the way, Stefan recognized your abilities and recommended you to me by stamping them as mine. I was looking for a reliable and capable young commander to work for me. Captain Yeager is my man. I have prepared a generous advance payment for the stamp. I will support Bruno Castle, which borders Czechia, and 6 villages, and 10,000 gold. Of course, the operating expenses of the battalion will be paid separately. However, I hope that my name will be raised so that no one can take my place by making outstanding achievements in the war next year. can you do it?”

If I hesitate or refuse here, I will become an idiot who will be hated by the future supreme power.

Even if you go over to another faction, you will only be marked as a bastard who has the ability but does not know grace.

“of course. Instead, there is one request. His Highness the Crown Prince, please use some strength and take good care of the soldiers in my company who wish to be discharged, as well as noncommissioned officers and officers.”

At those words, the prince said with a meaningful smile.

“I see what you mean, it is not difficult. And I’ll give you one important piece of advice you need right now. For a few days from today, pretend to be sick and lock yourself in your room. If you don’t, the nobles who try to win you over to their side may be cold-blooded and put you in a difficult position.”