Chapter 97: Dragged Along With A Star (3)
From the day after I was called by Count Benner, all members of the 24th Regiment, including myself, were given a rest.
This was because, excluding the Commander-in-Chief, my father-in-law, our unit had made the greatest contribution to the Northern Army.
Until the next personnel assignments and merit distribution orders were issued, Count Benner, the Commander of the Northern Expeditionary Force, instructed…
…that all soldiers under my command stayed within the unit and ordered the supply department to provide unlimited beer, wine, whiskey, meat, and various foods.
Since each member of the entire unit was secretly given a month’s leave certificate and a proper amount of money, regardless of the merit distribution, all soldiers, non-commissioned officers, and officers of our unit were enjoying the greatest pleasures available.
Therefore, it was normal for officers to bring alcohol and meat to my office, expressing regret before leaving for promotion or transfer to enjoy a good time.
“Laura, could you please get off my lap for a moment?”
“No, if I get down, you’ll just go drink with the Deputy Commander and other officers. You may not go out with prostitutes at night like them, but still, it means less time alone with you, Colonel, which I don’t like.”
Saying so, Laura, perhaps having received some instruction from Count Benner in the last few days, showed no intention of leaving my side.
Even when I was sleeping, she left reluctantly but would come to my side and wake me up in the morning.
This gave me the feeling, not quite a feeling, that a mere kiss would no longer be enough for her.
“That may be so, but it’s soon time to part with the officers of the regiment.”
“I know. But my father said that if you, Colonel, get promoted, other opportunists will keep making advances. Thinking of that, I want to spend more time with you…”
Seeing the look in her eyes as she said this, I could sense that my retreat was completely blocked.
Moreover, a beauty like Laura, I honestly think, was more than I deserved.
Of course, considering my position and status, a political marriage with a woman of Laura’s beauty might be possible.
But someone with the halo of a count’s family, beautiful appearance, excellent combat ability, and insight, harboring pure and faithful love for me for years, even after my success, was truly more than I deserved.
Additionally, influenced by the implicit pressure from Laura, the officers left words of support for the love of the young couple and were enjoying unlimited alcohol and meat in the hall beneath the officers’ quarters.
Since we were ordered to rest until the emissary announcing the merit distribution arrived, except for minimal office work…
“Laura, although it’s still day, I’m going to prepare to bathe and go to bed.”
Although I didn’t say it directly out of embarrassment, Laura seemed to understand my intention, nodding with her face flushed red.
“Understood, Colonel.”
Just as I had made a big decision, someone knocked urgently on the door.
“The emissary of His Majesty the Emperor has come directly to the 24th Regiment to announce the merit distribution! Other officers are getting ready to receive the emissary, so please hurry, Colonel!”
This completely broke the romantic atmosphere between us, but… it couldn’t be helped.
Ignoring the Emperor’s emissary was tantamount to confessing treason, so I had no choice but to postpone the time I could have spent happily with her.
“Let’s change into formal uniforms then.”
“Yes, Colonel.”
After saying that, Laura got off my lap and moved to the room assigned to her.
It’s said that important events happen on the busiest days, and just when I had steeled my heart for a significant event…
Why, now of all times, was I going to be notified of the promotions and rewards? Couldn’t it be just three hours later?
I sighed, checking that no one was around.
“Damn it. What kind of country is this?”
After changing into my uniform and going outside to receive the imperial edict, only moments ago, the officers were drinking liters of beer and wine, their faces so red it seemed they were on fire, but when the Emperor’s messenger arrived to announce the merit distribution, they snapped to attention with the discipline as if going to war.
Before formally announcing the merit distribution, the middle-aged man in his forties holding the imperial edict approached me with a suddenly friendly voice,
“Haha, isn’t this Colonel Yaeger, the Khan Slayer, who killed the barbarian Khan and brought peace to the north? It’s truly a pleasure to meet you.”
“You must have had a hard journey getting here, Emissary.”
“No, it was my duty to quickly convey the good news, as per His Majesty’s command.”
Seeing his unusually friendly demeanor, unlike other emissaries who usually just confirm my identity and start the merit distribution, I was sure of it.
The fact that the news he brought was filled with good tidings beyond all our imaginations.
“I, Miller von Bayer, the emissary, will read the document concerning the merit distribution ordered by His Majesty the Emperor.”
Then the emissary unfolded the scroll and said,
“Listen, Colonel Peter Yaeger, commander of the 24th Regiment. Due to the great merit you have established, the Empire has prevented the emergence of a new formidable enemy in the north and saved numerous soldiers’ lives. Particularly, the direct subjugation of the evil Khan Ludwig is an achievement so great that it is hard to find a precedent in the history of the Empire.”
My father-in-law had hinted at my promotion to Major General, and although there were a few instances in the history of the Empire of someone receiving a star before the age of 30, it was only possible for the head of a ducal family, who were collateral imperial relatives, to succeed to the title and make significant contributions at a very young age.
I had heard there were no other cases of someone under 30 receiving a star, including the young heads of other major noble families, such as counts and dukes.
So, this must be a prelude to ignoring such conventions.
“Moreover, considering the times he turned imminent imperial defeats into great victories, it’s undeniable that he has served the Reich Empire and the Imperial Household in a way unprecedented in imperial history. Therefore, Colonel Yaeger is exceptionally permitted to be promoted to Major General, surpassing the usual conventions.”
After saying this, two knights behind the emissary placed a sword bearing the imperial family’s crest, symbolizing a general, in front of me.
This symbolized the ability to execute the Emperor’s authority in times of need, a power rarely exercised, but it also signified the authority to execute officers below the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and soldiers without a military court-martial in wartime.
Of course, even if one used this to achieve victory and overcome crises, since he was acting on the Emperor’s authority, immense scrutiny followed, and the discovery of even a minor flaw could lead to various disadvantages, so it was seldom used.
“Additionally, his title is elevated to viscount, along with the territories of T?ner, Grasten, and the entirety of the Rosenheim barony, along with a reward of 30,000 gold.”
30,000 gold was equivalent to the annual living expenses of 30,000 common households. T?ner and Grasten, being northern territories, are currently undervalued.
Excluding the stones, with just a bit of development, they were practically real estate with potential equal to that of a typical empire’s baronies.
Moreover, the predecessors of the Rosenheim barony from about 100 years ago boasted wealth incomparable to that of typical barons, informally known as grand barons…
Acquiring that territory meant I would have much less to worry about financially in the future.
“Lastly, the Golden Knight Sword Cross Medal will be bestowed. Ordinarily, this medal is awarded to commanders who have led and won a battle, but how can we say that a regiment leader who personally beheaded Khan is less deserving than a commander who led and won with an entire division? Therefore, as a special case, the Golden Knight Sword Cross Medal will be awarded to Major General Yaeger.”
Moreover, this was a decoration that, among officers with stars, was only attainable by those who had been promoted to division commander or higher.
This serves as evidence that the Emperor promised me promotion to division commander, as long as I didn’t commit treason or any absurd acts, regardless of how long it might take.
However, since the promotion to major general was also a bit of a stretch, it would take ten years to become a division commander unless significant accomplishments were made…
“In addition, the deputy commander of the 24th Regiment is promoted to colonel and given the entire Puckerhoun territory, and to Laura von Benner, a lieutenant, the Bronze Knight Sword Cross Medal and the Pasau territory…”
Thus, the officers who served under me received promotions of at least one to two ranks, along with territories varying in size but all generous.
The non-commissioned officers were all offered the privilege of attending officer training school if they wished, effectively a push towards noble status.
Even the ordinary soldiers, often overlooked, were given the choice of either receiving a large sum of money upon discharge or applying for NCO status and committing further to military life.
As everyone rejoiced, the reading of the imperial edict finally ended.
Then the emissary whispered secretly in my ear,
“The Minister of Military Affairs has appointed you, Major General, as the practical and planning overseer for the Fran?ois Republic expedition. Congratulations. The official orders will arrive in a week. You’ll be the ‘Third Chief of the General Staff for Operations’.”
After saying that, the emissary hurried off as if he had other places to be, and I received congratulations from everyone that day.
During the first day of the week-long feast with unlimited alcohol and meat, I briefly attended only the beginning to share in the joy and then had to leave.
Because shortly after the feast began, Laura whispered in my ear,
“Major General, I don’t want to sleep alone tonight.”
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