Chapter 106: Francois Eastern Expedition (3)
Shortly after, the Military Police Lieutenant Colonel brought an officer holding a baron title in front of me, saluted, and left.
I carefully observed his face and posture while reading his personnel file in detail.
Head of a baron family for four generations, graduated 10th in the academy, tended to treat other officers well but was harsh towards soldiers due to their lower status…
Promoted to lieutenant at the age of 23, he seemed capable but possibly a garbage human being with a flawed character.
Despite my strict orders as a Major General, such scum, not forgetting the thrill of raping women in pillaged villages on other battlefields…
“Criminal, what is your name?”
At that, the offending officer in front of me trembled and said,
“Leon, Lieutenant Leon von Granz.”
“So, Lieutenant Granz. Do you know the crime you’ve committed, or shall I inform you?”
“I was caught attempting to rape a maiden in the village we just plundered.”
One must not misunderstand that even in modern warfare, where human rights were widely recognized, looting and sexual crimes were rampant in the aftermath of war.
Moreover, the civilization and social level of the Reich Empire I lived in were about that of Renaissance Europe, which was somewhat uncivilized.
During the wars I had fought, I had encountered several soldiers and officers beheaded for committing crimes like raping women they met in enemy territories.
However, those of even a slightly higher rank tend not to commit such acts, as getting caught would bring great shame to their family.
“You know how the punishment is carried out, don’t you?”
“…I know that under military law, I could be sentenced to beheading. But I genuinely love that woman. I promise to take her as my concubine and take full responsibility. Please show mercy.”
His face showed not fear of death or remorse for the victim, but annoyance at the inconvenient obstacle this created for his future.
I recalled a manga called “Prison Diary” where prisoners lament their predicament, blaming the victims rather than showing any repentance for their crimes.
This bastard right here was the perfect example of that.
Initially, I intended to execute him to maintain military discipline and justify the action, but now that it’s come to this…
I must extract every bit of utility from this despicable lieutenant to fortify my position.
Even though the damned law favored nobility, it should be applied as equally as possible to everyone, even in wartime.
He was trying to avoid punishment without any remorse just because he was a son-in-law to a count’s family and held a baron title?
“Mercy, indeed. Military law does have a custom of reducing punishment if a noble or officer who pillages and rapes a woman then takes her as a concubine and fulfills that promise.”
In this world ruled by the Deus faith, a woman who loses her purity drastically loses value, making it very hard for her to marry.
A woman who couldn’t marry and lived alone could only work in inns, serving drinks or food, or making clothes.
When a noble or officer would take a woman as a concubine, assuming responsibility in any form, execution was often avoided.
Moreover, someone with a baron title would likely serve in a minor position for about five years, and then be dishonorably discharged as a captain.
Of course, even that would practically lead to the downfall of his baron family…
“But damn you, if you were sane, would you expect to survive after muddying the cause of this important battle under the watchful eye of the Holy Pope of Deus faith? And what? You would take her as a concubine and expect a reduced punishment? That’s not even explicitly stated in military law. Defending yourself with such bullshit instead of showing repentance and seeking mercy. Do you even know the rank of the superior you serve?”
At those words, the color drained from the face of Lieutenant Leon von Granz, standing before me, and his composure vanished.
Had he just realized he could be facing death?
He foolishly started to speak as if trying to threaten me with his noble background.
“Major General, as you know, I am the head of the Granz baron family, carried on for four generations, and a son-in-law to Count Guderian. Killing me wouldn’t look good among the nobles. I promise to reform sincerely and take responsibility for Emilia, the woman I violated, by taking her as my concubine, please…”
At that moment, I was grateful once again for my rank as a Major General.
Because if I had encountered this bastard when I was still a 24th Regiment Commander, I couldn’t have legally executed him.
But with the sword and authority bestowed upon me by the Emperor himself, I could execute this sex offender right here.
Even though he didn’t rape a citizen of our empire, he tried to threaten me using his status, so I need to set him straight.
“In any other war, or if your superior wasn’t me, your defense might have worked, Lieutenant Granz. But I am a general loyal to the Crown Prince of the Empire.”
I then drew the treasured sword bestowed by the Emperor from its scabbard at my waist, a symbol of my authority for summary judgment.
“In addition, you’ve violated the will of Deus and the Holy Pope by raping a woman, trampling upon the justification for this war. I’d prefer to kill you cruelly, but it’s regrettable that I need your head alive right now.”
“Pl-Please, spare me.”
As I approached him, sword in hand, step by step, the lieutenant was so terrified that he wet his pants.
“Nevertheless, although you haven’t been excommunicated, you tried to defy the representative of Deus. I believe your soul, which insulted him, will fall into hell.”
Being a modern person reincarnated in this world, I generally believed in Deus as a mere existence, thinking one should live righteously.
Laura, other officers, and even His Highness the Crown Prince all believed in the existence of Deus and devoutly followed his faith.
So, the notion of falling into hell would be more terrifying to him than any form of death.
Thus, I raised the treasured sword high with both hands, aiming at him, and said,
“Moreover, if your father-in-law is a count, mine is the prospective marshal, Duke Benner. My supporters are His Imperial Majesty and the Crown Prince. This sword in my hand, a symbol of the Emperor’s authority at my age, proves it. You are worse than a dog. Revenge? Rather than that, the count, your father-in-law, would probably thank me for killing you and give me a gift.”
Of course, I would not accept that gift… Killing this man was closely related to the weakness the Minister of Military Affairs told me to create.
Because even if I let him off easily, it wouldn’t damage my reputation or make me subject to criticism.
If it became known that instead of flattering or accommodating other nobles, I personally executed a vicious criminal noble who broke military law, it was as if I were declaring my distance from the nobility myself.
“Die, you filthy spawn of Satan.”
In a world that believed in Deus, this was the worst curse, and I swung my sword mightily at him.
Blood splattered on my armor and sword, but that’s not important right now.
“Summon the head of the military police, bring the parents of the woman he raped, and before the villagers leave, show them the execution of this bastard and anyone else who committed rape, robbery, or murder.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Until that bastard’s head rots, I’ll use it to widely publicize as an example of the fate of those who commit unnecessary violence and rape in this righteous war overseen by Deus. I’ll take responsibility for this.”
Given the current situation, it was likely that this matter would be briefly discussed and then passed over during future commendations and evaluations.
There was no risk in taking responsibility. I wouldn’t face any difficulties with it.
After leaving these instructions, in order to create a positive image for the future governance of this area by the Reich Empire, I visited the family of the virgin who was raped by that Granz bastard, expressing my personal regret for the victim of this war crime and offering a sincere apology.
“I’m sorry. Our intention was to punish only the treacherous Francois Republic government and their army. It’s regrettable that an innocent young woman suffered at the hands of an officer of our Reich Empire.”
Along with appropriate compensation, I informed them that the perpetrator had been summarily judged and executed.
Afterward, we continued to pillage villages and fields on the eastern front without harming the peasants of Francois.
We made efforts to leave the citizens unharmed, striving to imprint the image of an army executing justice.
A month later, the entire eastern expeditionary force, including myself, reconvened at the designated place and time.
We were in a meeting to agree on the march route and to plan our pillaging strategy towards the eastern part of Francois when a messenger entered the tent where the operational meeting was taking place and shouted,
“10,000 Francois troops have entered the Chabenne Castle!”
This could greatly hinder our policy of pillaging and advancing through the territory.
Until now, we had been dividing into brigades to sabotage each village, but with 10,000 Francois troops right behind us, we would need to move in at least one division unit (8,000 troops) to fight them alone without reinforcements.
This would reduce the number of villages we could pillage at once by half.
Whoever was commanding their army here, it was quite a good strategy…
I’d have to properly turn the tables on them.
“Brigade Commander Peter Yaeger, I have a request.”
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