Chapter 7

After a long journey back from the Bardenplatz Plain to the Staff Headquarters, I expressed my exhaustion with my whole body as I got out of the car.

“I’m going to die….”

I had been on the move for almost three days, not counting meals and sleep. For someone like me, who had found the physical tests at the military academy particularly difficult, it was an outrageous forced march.

Therefore, I didn’t want to go inspect the eastern front if possible, but since they said oil had been discovered, I had no choice but to inspect it to confirm it with my own eyes.

As a result, the black substance discovered in the Bardenplatz Plain was indeed oil.

“Well… that’s to be expected.”

Unless the logistics personnel were fools, there was no way they couldn’t distinguish between sewage and oil. Nevertheless, the reason I went out for the inspection was to ensure that the headquarters would pay a little more attention to me.

It would seem more fitting to be bustling around to confirm whether it was real rather than merely sitting unusually in the Operations Staff Room, taking the discovery of oil for granted.

Though doing so wouldn’t diminish my achievements.

Letting out a sigh, I loosened my tie and made my way toward the headquarters building.

Feeling tired, I wanted nothing more than to lie down on the dormitory bed immediately, but as a soldier, I couldn’t skip the return report.

*

“Ah! Lieutenant Daniel Steiner! Welcome.”

As I entered the Head of Operations Staff’s office and saluted, Ernst greeted me with a friendly smile.

I shouldn’t be fooled by that friendly smile. Maintaining my salute, I opened my mouth.

“I report! After conducting an inspection at the rear line of the eastern front in the Bardenplatz Plain…”

“Oil was discovered, right? That’s something that not only the headquarters but also the people of the Empire know, so there’s no need to report it separately. Just relax.”

Having received permission, I no longer needed to salute. I gracefully lowered my hand and took a position of rest.

“Everyone has been praising the lieutenant recently. The upper ranks feel the same way. Discovering oil reserves is an achievement that not just I, but also the higher-ups could not accomplish.”

“That’s too much flattery.”

It truly was flattery; I hadn’t found it on my own. However, Ernst seemed to think I was just being modest, chuckling softly.

“There have been many opinions suggesting promoting you. I agree with that. However, due to some opposition, the process hasn’t gone smoothly.”

“…Opposition?”

“Yes. They’re claiming that it’s unacceptable to promote someone with no practical experience twice in such a short period. But I suspect it’s also due to some having a grudge against your background.”

Ernst was speaking indirectly, but it seemed that some figures in the military leadership argued that they shouldn’t give more power to someone like me, who was an orphan.

I understood. Although the Kingdom of Bavaria changed its name to the “Holy Bavarian Empire” and officially abolished discrimination based on social status, remnants of it still ran deep.

Currently, a majority of the prominent figures in the Empire’s politics and business were from noble families, and some regions were still referred to as baronial and countly territories.

Given that the law prohibiting class-based discrimination had mostly become nominal, it was natural that an orphan who amassed achievements wouldn’t be viewed positively.

If I were in a state of awakened memories from my past life, I might have flown into a rage, but now, they just appeared as kind people to me.

Are they planning to block my promotion? I’d almost want to prostrate myself in gratitude.

“If that’s the opinion of the upper ranks, I will comply.”

When I calmly stated an unaffected stance, Ernst looked at me with admiration.

“I thought you would get angry; it’s impressive. It makes sense why Major General Heinrich has such a high regard for you.”

With a hearty laugh, Ernst suddenly gazed at me seriously.

“It’s only right for a person of high evaluation to hold an appropriate rank. Isn’t it, Lieutenant?”

Feeling an atmosphere that suggested I shouldn’t refuse, I nodded.

“That is correct.”

“I’m glad my thoughts coincide with yours. In that regard, you should go to the northern front.”

…The northern front? What are you talking about all of a sudden? I hesitated briefly because it was so out of the blue, then hastily opened my mouth.

“You mean the northern front?”

“Yes. As you know, the tide at the northern front has shifted in our favor. It’s an opportunity to perform. Go there, accumulate results, and if the upper ranks want practical experience, then just provide it.”

While Ernst was subtly suggesting that he’d put in a good word for me, it didn’t resonate with me at all.

From the perspective of someone wishing for discharge, being told “You’ll go to the frontlines and fight a bit” would make anyone want to scream.

Still, given my position, I couldn’t show my displeasure, so I cautiously inquired.

“Is this a transfer of deployment? Am I going to be assigned to the northern front forces…?”

“Not at all. You’ll be supported as a direct unit of the headquarters. Experience actual combat and return immediately. Then both I and Major General Heinrich will push forward your promotion.”

Ernst leaned forward as if to say I could expect good outcomes.

“If that happens, you won’t just be a ‘deputy’ in the Operations Staff anymore. You’ll become a member of the Operations Staff. You will also have a deputy, making it much easier for you to work than it is now.”

In short, it meant they had prepared a stage for me, asking me to endure a little suffering and return.

Why are you proceeding with things on your own! I wanted to scream, but the wall of rank was just too high.

Still, there were some escape routes available.

“Head of Operations, what is the organization of the direct unit going to be?”

“Considering your current rank, it will be at the platoon level.”

“Then, may I choose the personnel to be assigned myself?”

Directly? Ernst blinked a few times in surprise and clasped his hands together.

“There’s no issue with that. Which personnel are you considering?”

“I plan to select mainly from the rear as frontline units are already suffering from personnel issues.”

“Do you have anyone in particular you’re keeping an eye on?”

“No. I will draft an announcement and receive applications, then select personnel from among them. The opportunity to perform on the battlefield should be distributed equally to everyone.”

Seemingly pleased with my words, Ernst nodded with admiration.

“That’s a good idea. Let’s proceed that way.”

“Understood.”

After saluting Ernst, I left the Head of Operations Staff’s office and made my way to my desk.

Immediately, I took out a fountain pen and began drafting the announcement.

“Recruitment Announcement for Reinforcements to the Northern Front”

“That’s done!”

What a masterpiece.

I emphasized death without a single word about survival, didn’t I?

Given that it’s human nature to want to sustain life, there wouldn’t be anyone who would want to die for the Empire.

Moreover, I explicitly noted that the commander has no combat experience, so which fool would apply?

It was clear that soldiers, who were likely living well in the warm rear lines, would scoff at this.

If so, the recruitment rate would plummet, and if I didn’t pick anyone from the meager few applicants with excuses, that would be that.

Then Ernst would have no choice but to retract his plan to send me to the northern front.

Promotion would be out of the question, and it would truly be a two-for-one deal! After that, I would just have to find a way to honorably discharge myself from the headquarters.

“Genius!”

With a satisfied smile, I headed to the Personnel Department with the announcement in hand.

*

The next day.

As I usually arrived at work and conducted my duties, a polite knock echoed, and the door opened.

When I looked up, a personnel officer approached me holding a folder of documents.

“Lieutenant Daniel Steiner? About the announcement you wanted to be relayed to the rear unit yesterday…”

Seeing that the officer carried nothing but the folder in his hand, it seemed there were either no applicants or the recruitment had been dismal.

Thinking it had gone better than I expected, I inwardly smiled, but I couldn’t show such emotions in front of the officer, so I feigned disappointment.

“It seems there are no soldiers willing to dedicate themselves to the Empire. What a letdown.”

“Um? No, just the opposite.”

The opposite? What does that mean? Just then, the personnel officer clapped twice.

“Come in.”

At that, five soldiers came in, struggling under heaps of applications.

“Congratulations. You’ve exceeded 2,176 applicants in just one day. Looks like there’s no need for further recruitment, so I came to find you. I thought it was a good announcement, but I didn’t expect it to be to this extent.”

Though the personnel officer praised me with a smile—

“No, why are they applying…?”

I could only feel bewildered.