Chapter 59: The Emperor Dispenses Rewards (3)
The war with Chekovia had ended, and two months had passed.
Including myself, the officers and soldiers of the Yaeger Battalion had returned to the capital of the Reich Empire and were earnestly enjoying a brief respite.
Specifically, after we had entered the capital, our unit received complete rest orders, excusing us from all guard duties and even regular shifts.
Except on special occasions, such as formal dinners, everyone was allowed the freedom to drink and feast from morning until night.
While non-commissioned officers brought the soldiers to brothels to relax.
That wasn’t to say the academy graduates maintained their dignity. They enjoyed nightlife at more upscale places.
Meanwhile, I, an unmarried man, didn’t even think about going to such places to avoid unnecessary trouble.
Instead, I roughly handled the miscellaneous tasks that other officers should deal with at night, along with Laura.
The chores were merely writing ‘Soldiers, NCOs, and officers are resting well and living a healthy life.’ on the roll call register, finishing everything in an hour.
That day too, officers, indistinguishable from local rowdies, were boisterously drinking when an administrative officer in sophisticated attire appeared in our battalion headquarters.
By his appearance here, his rank was probably lower than mine, but the circumstances made me guess that he brought the documents of merit awards from His Majesty the Emperor.
“Attention to the Administrator!”
With my command, the rowdy officers immediately formed a sharp salute, just like in their training.
“I am Helmut von Groger, an administrative officer affiliated with the military. I was ordered to deliver the merit awards to each unit that has rendered distinguished services, as of 12:00 today.”
Having an administrative officer from the military deliver documents seemed too high a level just for reading and directly delivering documents related to merit awards.
An administrative officer was equivalent to a Colonel in military rank.
Thus, the soldiers maintained an even more stiff posture, fearing that they’d make the slightest mistake.
Even I, the battalion commander, became as stiff as a wooden mannequin before the one-star officer.
The high-ranking officer, seemingly accustomed to such scenes, approached me nonchalantly.
“Lieutenant Peter Yaeger, Battalion Commander of Yaeger Battalion, receive the award command from His Majesty.”
At his words, I kneeled on one knee and bowed my head in front of the administrator as if I were in the presence of the Emperor.
The administrator unrolled the scroll with a rustling sound and read it aloud so everyone could hear.
“Emperor Fernando von Reich of the Reich Empire is deeply moved by the actions and loyalty of the Yaeger Battalion and wishes to reward your dedication generously as your sovereign.”
Honestly, each time the Emperor gives a reward, it was always accompanied by such words, whether it was 1 gold or 1 copper (1/10,000 value of gold).
Considering that the merits of our battalion were comparable to a division of about 8,000 men, he should give at least 16 times more per unit size, shouldn’t he?
“Firstly, each soldier in the Yaeger Battalion will receive 4 gold. Those who were in the special forces or pursuit squads will receive an additional 4 gold. If they had been enlisted in both squads, they’d receive an extra 8 gold.”
Considering 4 gold could buy land sufficient to feed a family with citizenship, and 12 gold could purchase respectable land in the countryside, it was a massive reward, which could make one wonder if the Emperor was insanely eager to lavish us.
“NCOs will receive an additional 2 gold each more than the soldiers and a bonus of 6 gold each. Everyone will be promoted by one rank, and NCOs above Sergeant will be granted entry to the Officer Candidate School.”
Usually, just graduating from Officer Candidate School was a massive status uplift for NCOs, who were mostly commoners or wealthy citizens.
Even for units with significant merits, the reward was typically a preference in admission reviews, not a direct entry qualification.
Furthermore, such rewards increased proportionally up the ranks.
Therefore, the officers in my battalion were all clenching their thighs to suppress their rising excitement, imagining the rewards that would be bestowed upon them.
Ordinarily, mumbling while the Emperor’s message was being read was a violation of the law, but the administrator seemed lenient, pretended not to hear anything, and continued reading.
“Knight Company Commanders, although they are officers by commission, will specially receive staff college entry qualifications, 50 gold, weapons, and armor. 1st Company Commanders and Mage Company Commanders will be awarded staff college entry qualifications, 40 gold, weapons, and armor crafted by the Royal Blacksmith, and military horses. 2nd and 3rd Company Commanders will receive the Golden Cross Medal, 35 gold, and horses. Each Platoon Commander will be promoted by one rank and, depending on the merit, will receive 10~30 gold.”
Hearing this, I couldn’t help but feel internally shocked.
Because in just a single war, three individuals from one battalion were proclaimed to be bestowed with stars in the future.
Especially Knight Company Commander Werner, who had joined both the special forces and pursuit squads, had dramatically rolled around like a dog and achieved remarkable merit.
He never imagined he would receive the qualification to enter the staff college, changing his fate in one fell swoop.
Also, judging by the horses granted to the 1st Company Commander and Mage Company Commander, they would likely be promoted to Lieutenant Colonel officially after graduating from the staff college.
The rest also gained a stepping stone to ascend to a higher position beyond their limits through this merit.
The company commanders and officers were barely holding back their tears of emotion, even before the administrator finished speaking.
Werner, in particular, was biting his lip so hard that it began to bleed.
“In the case of Lieutenant Laura, given her capture of Colonel Mikhail from Chekov, her exceptional performance in the special forces, and her significant contribution to the lieutenant colonel’s decapitation operation, she is exceptionally permitted to enter the staff college. However, no reward money will be given.”
They weren’t even giving a single gold coin to Laura… After all, she was the only daughter of the Count of Benner, and unlike us, she was not in desperate need of money.
Instead, the reward seemed to reveal Count Benner and the personnel manager’s intention to promote her even one day faster by sending her to the staff college.
Attending the staff college was mostly for Majors and Lieutenant Colonels, but by law, Lieutenants could also enter, so there was no issue with the procedure.
Given her ample merits, would she be promoted to Major during her first year at the Staff College?
When it was time to announce my reward, the Colonel-level administrator, as if tagged with stern, grave, serious subtitles, read from a much more lavishly decorated scroll with a very solemn expression and a serious voice.
“Lieutenant Peter Yaeger is promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and appointed as a professor at the staff college. Additionally, 3,000 gold will be granted. The territories of Salzheim, Reiner, and Schwaltz are bestowed along with the title of Baron, recognizing him as a high noble of the Empire.”
…..Damn? This was like a “the boss has gone mad” level of generosity in Korea.
Although it could be explained at length, serving as a professor also counts as a central duty experience advantageous for promotion, according to the staff college’s two-year mandatory attendance.
Furthermore, having the experience of being a professor at the staff college was recognized as a general principle, allowing one to ascend to Lieutenant General just by breathing among the officers.
Moreover, with the title of Baron and three territories, even after surpassing the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and earning a star, there would be no lack of wealth and influence, preventing me from being pushed around in political battles.
Wouldn’t it be inevitable for rumors of the Emperor going mad to spread?
Meanwhile, the administrator who delivered the news of my promotion changed his attitude to sincerely congratulate me and spoke with flattery.
“I sincerely congratulate you, Baron. To receive the title of Baron at the age of 21 is an honor. I am privileged to deliver this news. I look forward to working with you.”
In the military, rank was prioritized over titles, but when affiliations differ, titles become much more important.
So, among administrators, this gentleman, equivalent to having a star, was flattering me.
Having said this, the administrator swiftly departed.
Although I, the battalion commander, was appointed as a professor at the staff college, resulting in the dissolution of the Yaeger Battalion, everyone’s faces were still beaming with smiles.
Then I shouted to perform my last duty as a battalion commander.
“Gather the battalion members. Let’s make the most of our last day together. Rent several inns and drink as much as you want by company unit! Bill me for the expenses! Dismissed!”
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