Chapter: 855
The nominal head of the Imperial Army is the Commander-in-Chief. However, since the Commander-in-Chief position is automatically held by the Emperor, the practical leader is the Vice Commander, the Vice Captain.
And it’s been quite a while since the Vice Captain held that position. Back when my father-in-law was beating up the Eastern kingdoms, the Vice Captain was just one among many commanders. But at some point, once he became the Vice Commander, he started ruling as a symbol of the military.
Even the War Minister, the head of the Imperial Army, wouldn’t dare provoke the Vice Commander. He is respected and revered by a million Imperial soldiers—the Vice Commander who brought glory to the Imperial family and Empire by winning two Northern Wars.
So, the retirement of a Vice Commander isn’t a topic for some thirty-something whippersnapper to casually discuss. The Vice Commander has been serving as a soldier since before I was born, and he has been active as a Vice Commander since before I became a bureaucrat.
“Your Grace’s achievements will be remembered by everyone, and the will shall be cherished by the future Vice Commanders.”
Thus, I cautiously opened my mouth to offer the customary—and sincere—encouragement.
It might sound cliché, but the Vice Commander did leave behind truly enormous achievements. While we can’t predict who the next Vice Commander will be, the senior commanders and staff of the Imperial Army hold him in deep respect. If he left behind any legacy, it would be cherished dearly.
So, even if the Vice Commander might become a jobless wanderer, he won’t become a forgotten figure. While he may not reign as the head of the military, he will certainly receive all sorts of respect as an elder statesman.
“If it turns out as you say, I couldn’t wish for anything more. A human’s life is finite, but if one’s legacy remains eternal in the memories and records of everyone, what could be more joyous than that?”
“I plan to go to the Elf Residential Area soon, and at that time, I will fervently promote Your Grace’s achievements.”
“Haha! If the Elves know my name, it could last a thousand years!”
My jest seemed to hit the mark, as the Vice Commander burst into hearty laughter.
“Though given the mood, it’s not something to mention, I’m not stepping down just yet.”
“Eh?”
“I feel a bit wistful. Are you secretly hoping for me to retire quickly, Count Karl?”
“N-no, that’s not it…!”
“Just kidding. I did say something that made it sound like I would step down immediately. It’s natural to misunderstand.”
Seeing the Vice Commander nodding with satisfaction, I couldn’t help but smirk wryly.
Now that I think about it, while the Vice Commander mentioned he’s considering retirement, he said he wouldn’t submit his resignation today. After all, a position like that can’t just be swapped out in a few days.
My father-in-law transferred titles at lightning speed, but that was possible because he had been preparing for retirement for years. A significant amount of his real power was already in my older brother’s hands.
‘If he still holds real power, stepping down is a job in itself.’
On the other hand, the Vice Commander is a bureaucrat who still holds real power as of yesterday and this moment. Unless there’s some legal or customary term for the Vice Commander position, a real power holder changing out quickly is impossible.
“However, since I’m prepared for retirement, I intend to do what I haven’t done until now. Spending time with such good relationships, creating the ideal world I’ve dreamed of—what a wonderful thing that is.”
“Ideal world… you mean?”
“Yeah, ideal world. In fact, being in my twilight years as a bureaucrat, it’s the right time to prepare something like that.”
The moment the Vice Commander said this, his expression brightened rapidly. His eyes began to shine brightly enough to make one forget his age momentarily.
Perhaps that’s why I felt a surge of curiosity. What kind of ideal world is this Vice Commander, who is known as the “under-the-radar Duke,” dreaming of? What exactly is he trying to create that would make him look so joyful like a child?
“If you don’t mind, may I hear about Your Grace’s envisioned ideal world?”
The Vice Commander’s smile deepened further.
“An academy for soldiers. That’s my ideal world.”
“…An academy?”
The word that seemed so mismatched with the Vice Commander popped out.
“A place where systematic education is provided for youths aspiring to enter the military. Rather than learning broad and shallow topics at the Imperial Academy, it would be a place for deep and focused learning about the military. That’s the kind of place I desire.”
To summarize, he wants to create a military academy, not just an ordinary comprehensive university. Lost in thought and feeling somewhat dazed, I nodded.
Certainly, if such a place did exist, it would be nice. Currently, graduates from the Academy knock on the military’s door, hoping for a spot, but honestly, it’s not exactly an efficient method. The number of aspiring soldiers fluctuates every year, and they’re only somewhat better than ordinary graduates, making them insufficient for actual military service right away.
Of course, newbies are always welcome, and the Imperial Army is nurturing those who dare to knock on their door with compassion, thinking, “Where would one start out doing it perfectly?”
In such a situation, establishing a dedicated military academy? Graduates with steady numbers, who have acquired military knowledge over three years would show up?
‘That would be good.’
When weighing whether it contributes to national interests and military strength, the former wins hands down. To exaggerate a bit, the advent of the military academy could double or triple the talent pool.
As long as it’s successfully built, that is.
‘Turning nothing into something isn’t an easy task.’
If there already exists a place fulfilling the role of the military academy in the Empire and plans to overhaul it on a grand scale, then I could cheerfully support it. With the Vice Commander’s prestige and the Emperor’s backing, reforms could surely be resolved in no time.
However, if they planned to build a military academy from scratch, that’s a different ballgame. Introducing a concept that never existed before is difficult, even with authority and the formation of a consensus.
Although I lived in a world where the military academy was an obvious existence before my rebirth… I’ve never even been near one, let alone attended. I don’t even know what the front gate of a military academy looks like.
“It’s truly a beautiful ideal world, even just imagining it. You leave behind a great will for the Empire and military until the very end; how could one not admire that?”
Still, for now, I supported the Vice Commander’s ambitions.
From his words, it sounds like establishing the military academy has always been a long-held dream of the Vice Commander. How could I brush that off with, “I don’t think that will work out?” Plus, there’s no way the Vice Commander would be oblivious to the issues I conjured up in my mind.
He must have the confidence to create a military academy, so even if something seems a bit strange, he’d be willing to take that first step forward. He’ll shoulder the enormous difficulties of creating something from nothing and leave the modification of it for the successors.
“Is there any way I can assist Your Grace?”
“Hmm?”
At my proposal, the Vice Commander looked surprised, as if it was an unexpected suggestion, and his eyes widened.
“That’s alright. Count Karl, you’ve stepped down from your minister position. It’s not right to make someone who should be fully enjoying their vacation take on work.”
He then let out a small chuckle, shaking his head.
Those words ignited a blaze of determination within me. After all, it’s only right to help with the Vice Commander’s undertakings, and hearing him say such makes my desire to assist even stronger. Just as the Vice Commander mentioned, being unbound from the minister position provides me time to lend a definite hand.
‘You should be able to fully enjoy your vacation, huh.’
I nearly shed tears of gratitude at the Vice Commander’s words. There’s some dirty yellow guy in the palace who orders people around even during their vacation, yet here’s the Vice Commander who is refusing my help to consider my rest.
Yeah, this is what character is—this is adulthood. When someone treats you this way, you can’t help but want to step in and help, vacation be damned. That brat of an Emperor doesn’t understand this.
“Please don’t say that. Even though I’m on leave as a bureaucrat, my dedication as a noble for the Empire remains unchanged. If a long-time comrade of mine has a grand dream, how could I turn away from it? If you also had a long-held dream, wouldn’t you lend a helping hand, Your Grace?”
“Now that you put it that way, I have no retort.”
Facing the Vice Commander, who smiled with a slight chuckle, I also returned the smile.
Although I got caught up in work during my vacation again, I don’t regret it at all. Considering the kindness I received from the Vice Commander, helping out with something like this is something I can easily do.
The Vice Commander then gracefully returned to the Commander’s headquarters.
Unlike me, the Vice Commander isn’t on vacation and merely came to visit the mansion for a short time. We decided to discuss the topic of the military academy again next time.
“Your father-in-law is retiring?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. He seems to have made up his mind.”
The next day, I visited the Emperor and explained what had happened yesterday.
I felt like I might be snitching, but I couldn’t help it. The fact that the Vice Commander of the Imperial Army is deciding to retire is something the Emperor, as a ruler, must know.
Of course, the Vice Commander would likely tell him in due time, but it’s always better to hear news like this a day early—
“That’s quite a troubling matter.”
‘Huh?’
The Emperor’s reaction was far from ordinary.
It was more than just lamenting the retirement of his father-in-law; it wasn’t merely sorrow at the departure of a renowned general who has led the Imperial Army for so long. It was the kind of reaction from someone who witnessed something that should never have occurred.
“Count.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Please speak.”
“Count, can you… talk him out of it? I plan to best try and dissuade him myself, but if I do it in person, there’s a risk he might misinterpret it as ceremonial gestures from a sovereign.”
At that, my head tilted instinctively.
‘Why?’
Why was he looking so desperate? While I also regretted the Vice Commander’s retirement, given the stability of the imperial family and Empire, wouldn’t that be for the best?
An Emperor who holds military power, both father-in-law to the Vice Commander and future grandfather of the next Emperor. No matter how loyal the Vice Commander is, there’s likely considerable room for doubts or misunderstandings among the other nobles should this happen.
“I also appreciate the Vice Commander’s will. I understand well the feelings that prompted such a decision.”
“Then why…?”
“Count, do you know how the military is running?”
“I do not.”
I shook my head firmly at the unexpected question.
While I have experience in the military, ties with the Vice Commander, and nearly transitioned to the military department once, I’m not well-versed in the intricacies of internal affairs.
“Oh? That’s somewhat surprising. I thought someone with your status would know.”
The Emperor’s reaction made me feel a surge of irritation.
You jerk. If you hadn’t stalled my promotion to the head of the Information Department, I would’ve been clued into the military’s inner workings better than anyone else.
“Well, it’s natural that someone like the Count, belonging to the Administrative Department, wouldn’t know.”
I sensed that the Emperor finally recognized that point when he awkwardly cleared his throat and changed the subject.
Damn brat. You reduced my historical moment of promotion to mere passing events for you.
“The military has a fairly intense opposition between commanders and staff members.”
However, I suppressed the rising anger at his next words.
“It’s a rather historically deep-rooted opposition; it’s quite the headache.”
As the Emperor pointed out, it was indeed a very troublesome issue.
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