Chapter 72: The T?ner Tribe Suppression (1)
In the Director’s office of the Staff College.
“Salute! As of this moment, Professor Peter Yaeger of the Staff College reports the honorable completion of his tenure as a professor!”
Upon hearing this, the Director in front of me responded with a curious smile.
“You’ve truly worked hard these past two years.”
“Thanks to you, Director, I was able to fulfill my role as a professor despite my inexperience. I am truly grateful.”
“On the contrary, now that the time has come to part ways, I regret not having assisted you more.”
To be precise, the Director had been aware from the start that I would leave the college for another post two years after my appointment. Although he hadn’t directly or indirectly helped with my promotion or duties as a professor, he had recognized the value of my strategic report on suppressing the uprising of the Ludwig tribe in the North.
By passing this report directly to the military representative, he facilitated a revolutionary change from a supply system based on local conscription to one where supplies were constantly transported from supply bases to the front lines. Additionally, by adopting the policy of inciting internal conflicts among the northern tribes, the Ludwig tribe wasn’t able to amass as much power due to their internal wars.
Through this process, the Director and I had become quite close.
“Truly, you’ve been a great help.”
“Thank you for putting me in a good light. Let’s end the pleasantries here.”
I was about to make my final salute and leave when the Director took some official documents out of his drawer, which looked like transfer orders.
“Your transfer order is for me to deliver. Please wait a moment.”
He then unrolled a parchment with a gilded border and began to read.
“Imperial Year 223, December 24th, Order No. 2485. As of today, the tenure of Professor Peter Yaeger, Lieutenant Colonel of the Staff College, is hereby terminated. In recognition of his distinguished service and accomplishments during his term, he is promoted to Colonel and is ordered to assume the role of the 24th Regiment Commander in the Copenhagen Peninsula.”
The likelihood of promotion upon retirement for performing well as a professor at the Staff College was almost certain, but the actual news of becoming a Colonel overwhelmed me with emotion.
The privileges and treatment that accompanied the rank of Colonel were vastly superior to those of Lieutenant Colonel. Just one more step up, and I would become a Brigadier General.
In the north, where the size of the tribes was so great, it was common for a regiment commander to take charge, directly planning and executing battles.
Unlike before, I wouldn’t be fighting the enemy under someone’s interference and permission, but planning and executing the battles on my own.
My eyes sparkled with anticipation, and I felt heat rush to my face.
The Director chuckled.
“It’s amusing. At just 23, becoming a Colonel, you look as stoic as if you wouldn’t bleed even if stabbed, but upon hearing the news, you’re as joyous as my grandson receiving a toy.”
“It’s only one more step to becoming a General now.”
“Yes, indeed. Also, Lieutenant Werner, Lieutenant Marco, Mage Lieutenant Dennis, and Lieutenant Laura, all your former subordinates, will be reassigned to your regiment. I pulled some strings for that.”
I had expected Laura to be reassigned to me due to the influence of Count Benner, but the reassignment of the other three, all former Majors, under my command came as a surprise. The Director and I spoke for about 10 more minutes, and then he handed me the official transfer order.
“You should deliver this personally. They’ll appreciate it more that way.”
“Yes, Director.”
That evening, I indulged in drinks with my subordinates, who had become and would continue to be part of my regiment. Here’s an interesting tidbit: ever since their admission to the Staff College, the three of them, except for Laura, would only drink to the point of near unconsciousness. Each time, they left with the parting words,
“Professor, please rest comfortably tonight.”
… But why?
The borders of the Reich Empire and its neighboring countries almost corresponded to those of modern-day Europe. However, there were often significant discrepancies in climate and special products.
For instance, the Francois Republic, situated where France would be, wasn’t renowned for wine, in contrast to the Reich Empire, which boasted a favorable climate and environment conducive to vineyards and agriculture.
Moreover, the northern region of the Reich Empire, analogous to where Germany was on Earth, experienced incredibly cold and harsh conditions, akin to those of Siberia or Manchuria.
And I mentioned this because…
“It’s really freezing. It’s only late autumn, yet the weather here is worse than the capital’s in January. It feels like my nose might fall off from the cold, and yet it keeps running. It’s incredibly discomforting. Ah-choo!”
I had traveled north to report to the commander of the Northern Army, and we were nearly there.
“Colonel, you’re just as cold as we are, right? That’s why I suggested we buy fur coats like the nobles wear in the capital.”
“We’re almost there. Besides, furs are cheaper up north. Perhaps I should get one.”
“A wise decision.”
While chatting with my subordinates, including Lieutenant Werner, a massive, snow-covered castle loomed before us.
On the castle walls, soldiers stood guard, while others, whom I recognized from my army days, cleared the snow with spades and wooden pushers.
“Form a line with your shovels and push the snow off the wall!”
“Damn, why did I listen to that recruiter? ‘The north is livable,’ he said. I didn’t think I’d have to do this much hard work.”
“Sergeant Randel, although you complain, deep down you’ve always wanted to become a non-commissioned officer. I know it.”
While the scene felt unfamiliar to Werner, Marco, and others, it resonated with me, who had reincarnated from Korea. My older brother had nearly died clearing the notorious snow, which he called ‘trash from the sky’, during his military service in Cheorwon.
Looking around, I saw pine trees and other coniferous trees that mainly grow in cold regions. Sounds of wild animals echoed from various directions.
Perhaps foxes or wolves? If we ventured deeper into the forest, wouldn’t there be larger beasts like bears or Russian deer?
“It’s a rough place.”
“I lived near the north, and this is nothing. This place is better since it’s near the Northern Army Headquarters. In the forests next to the nearby villages, foxes are common.”
“Lieutenant Werner, you said you served in the north. What should we be most cautious of here?”
“Dress warmly to avoid freezing, Colonel. Also, the soldiers here are quite rough. Sometimes you might need to discipline them personally.”
Usually, officers, especially those at the rank of major and above, didn’t physically discipline soldiers.
What kind of place was this that didn’t adhere to such common practices?
Inside the Northern Army Commanding Officer’s office.
“Salute! I am Peter Yaeger, appointed as the Commander of the 24th Regiment of the Northern Army. And these four officers with me have been assigned under my command.”
“Alright, salute. I am Major General Matthias von Nordenburk, Commander of the Northern Army. All officers, except Colonel Yaeger, please wait outside for a moment.”
Usually, a Division Commander would at least greet a major or above…
With such thoughts, but knowing that the highest rank here was the Division Commander, Laura, Werner, Marco, and Dennis quietly left the office.
The Commander looked at me, sighed, and said,
“Normally, I would offer words of encouragement, but there’s no time for that now. I’ll cut to the chase. That damn Ludwig is wreaking havoc like a mad dog. Listen closely; I’ll briefly explain the situation.”
Ah! This wasn’t a regular situation; it was really critical.
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