Chapter: 857
The last project of the Vice Commander, who had dedicated long years to the imperial family, empire, and military (or at least that’s what he thinks), is nothing short of monumental ambition: to create a new educational institution. Not just any institution, but a military-focused one.
To be honest, if it were anyone other than the Vice Commander dreaming this up, I would have tried to talk them out of it. But since he’s pushing forward with passion, it actually seems somewhat plausible. With the authority and achievements he has, plus the Emperor’s active support, we might just see something like an “Imperial Academy Military Division” spring up, even if it’s not quite on par with a proper military academy.
While it may not be as impressive as an actual military academy, it would still be a somewhat satisfactory outcome for the Vice Commander. It would be great to be fully stuffed after the first meal, but he also knows that such fortune requires a bit of luck.
So, I thought that the establishment of the military academy would be left to the Vice Commander, the Minister of Education, and the Minister of Defence while I figured out how to talk him out of retirement—
“Wouldn’t you consider being a teacher, Your Excellency?”
“Huh?”
I went to the lake because my father wanted to see my face for a moment. While we were fishing side by side, an unexpected comment popped out.
“A teacher?”
“Yes. Since he’s planning to create an academy to train soldiers, he wants you to take the role of a teacher.”
I fell silent for a moment. I knew the Vice Commander was serious about the military academy, but I would never have guessed he’d start assembling a teaching staff before securing a location for the construction site.
‘He’s really committed, huh.’
It’s clear that if the military academy plans fell through, a small educational institution would definitely pop up in Hablem. It might be hard to call it an academy or a military school, but the empire’s first and only military education institution would grandly open its doors. And it would be private rather than public!
Of course, even if the Duke is a Duke, a mere noble operating an educational institution, especially a military-related one, is a serious problem. The Vice Commander must be aware of this; so on the surface, he’d likely just promote it as a “passionate and loyal gathering of young people discussing military studies.”
However, while this may work during the reign of the Vice Commander and the current Emperor, the future is where the real concern lies. Family ties tend to fade over generations, after all. A Duke who has grown to be a literal stranger in blood is in charge of a military educational institution? That would be catastrophic from the royal family’s perspective.
Thus, I couldn’t quite grasp it. The Vice Commander couldn’t possibly be unaware of the issue I was concerned about, and he’s certainly not the type to sell out the future for his ambitions.
“It seems like he’s trying to promote support among future soldiers as well.”
My father cleared up the puzzling question that had seemed overly complicated.
“It’s a bit embarrassing for me to say, but I’ve made my mark in the military. I believe he’s also contacting other retired officers, so prominent figures who have significantly influenced the military will be becoming teachers.”
“So, Your Excellency is preparing a great gift for the future?”
“Just as you said. He’s gathering those elders, who you rarely get to see, in one place to contribute to education.”
The gathering of military elders, seasoned generals who’ve made contributions to wars through various experiences—the Vice Commander’s odd behavior suddenly made sense. As my father said, this is both a promotion and an appeal for support.
“Kids with aspirations in the military will have to choose one of two paths: plead with their parents for connections to be taught or form a study group with peers at the academy. Neither is an easy route.”
“If leveraging those connections could allow them daily teachings from elders they’d barely see, or from multiple sources…”
“They’ll be more than happy to support His Excellency. It’s not just the Vice Commander’s wishes, but also the broader support of the nobility, which would ease the process immensely.”
With that clear explanation given, I nodded involuntarily.
To receive teachings from people whose knowledge you could only experience with a slew of connections for three to four years would be immensely tantalizing. Who would turn down such a succulent opportunity?
It’s like seeing Handel, Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven all at a music university, or Neumann or Einstein at an engineering school! Anyone with even a hint of aspiration for the military would eagerly knock on the doors of that academy.
“Man, it hasn’t even been a few years since he retired, and now it feels like he might just end up taking the principal’s seat?”
“Principal? That’s much too grand for me. Just being offered a teaching position is already beyond my comfort zone.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle. Just moments ago, he mentioned that he’d made his mark in the military.
And it’s not just some exaggerated claim—he genuinely held considerable influence in the military. It’d be odd if the head of the noble Krasius family didn’t have some presence there, so it’s no surprise he was well-respected.
As a direct line of the Krasius family, he started at an advantageous position, had good rapport with both colleagues and subordinates, and earned merits during the Northern Wars. In addition, the people he called ‘superiors’ were actually comrades of my grandfather, so their evaluations were undoubtedly positive.
He’s truly the complete package! Had my father not left the military to serve in the imperial council, he would surely be holding a significant position as a regional commander or as a key staff member in the Imperial Military Headquarters by now. Given how my father was appointed as a lord, it’s clear that respected generals were acknowledged.
‘He might’ve been a candidate for vice commander.’
Thinking that gave me a swell of pride. My father as vice commander, my eldest brother as a minister, and my second brother as a member of the imperial council. Our family is far from any entanglements.
Being from the Krasius family, serving as an imperial count, and having my father as the patriarch of that family is such a stroke of luck.
“Anyway, I never expected to become a bureaucrat again in the form of teaching, but isn’t His Excellency putting in the effort for the future? I can’t just sit idly in the territory while he’s on the move.”
“Your Excellency will understand even if you refuse, as you’ve already fulfilled your service and duty.”
“If it were anyone else asking, I would have turned them down. But this is a request from someone who’s dedicated half a lifetime to the military—of course, I won’t decline.”
It was a simple and clear reason, so I accepted it without question.
Just as I thought I would have turned down anyone else discussing the academy, my father could not bear to dismiss the Vice Commander’s request either. Whether it’s due to the disparity between a Duke and an imperial count or the respect and reverence owed to the Vice Commander as a warrior, or even the connection between the Vice Commander and myself—it’s safe to say that nothing would have happened if it weren’t for him.
“…And Teresa said her big brothers are playing outside, so why are you just at home, Dad?”
“Oh.”
I couldn’t help but sigh at my father’s somewhat bitter tone.
Of course, Teresa was just expressing joy that she could see her dad every day compared to her rarely seen big brothers. But to my father, being called out by his daughter as being a ‘bum’ must have stung a bit.
Thus, it makes sense that my father would consider reemployment. No father would want to be told by their precious late-born daughter, “Dad’s just a bum?”
‘Is this my future?’
In that instant, my heart sank. Am I going to have to hear my kids say something like, “Why is Dad just at home?” in the near future?
If such a tragedy were to occur… what would I do?
I have no idea. It’s such a terrifying future that I can’t even begin to imagine how to deal with it.
The Vice Commander’s ambitious plan to establish a military academy became one of the empire’s hottest topics.
Meanwhile, the notion of the military academy being the Vice Commander’s so-called “Last Dance” was notably absent. He probably didn’t spread the word about his retirement, but the Emperor is definitely tightening the reins. It would be a headache if the Vice Commander’s resignation became public knowledge.
‘As soon as news of his retirement spreads, it’s clear there’ll be a conflict.’
Thanks to the Vice Commander serving as a sort of stabilizing force, the quiet rivalry among commanders and staff persists. The moment he enters a lame-duck phase, the long-silent discord will surely raise its ugly head again. Such a thing cannot happen for the sake of the Empire and the Imperial Army.
Thus, even as I received additional news about the academy, and while messages from other nobles flew in over the communications channel, I pretended to remain oblivious, nodding along. I most certainly didn’t want to accidentally slip that “the Vice Commander is considering retirement,” as that would set the whole empire ablaze.
Yet, this nonchalant meta took a momentary jolt.
“Florence is aiming for the teaching position.”
The Minister of Finance, making a rare noon visit to our residence, stated this immediately after greeting the kids with enthusiasm.
Once he plopped into the reception room, he dove right into the main topic.
‘Florence?’
I pondered briefly at his words. Who on earth is Florence?
‘Ah.’
But the contemplation didn’t last long. Referring to someone by their name, rather than their title, means it’s someone he and I both know. In fact, Florence was someone I’d spent roughly two years getting to know.
Florence Rotid of Helron, the regional commander of the Central Sector. He’s among the heroes who injured Kagan during the Great Hunt War and earned himself a promotion to regional commander for his valor. He went from being an ordinary noble in a count’s house to acquiring the title of baron (with land attached).
That person is apparently vying for a teaching role. It must surely be for the academy, as it wouldn’t make sense for him to want a place at the Imperial Academy!
“No, wait, how can he be saying that? The site hasn’t even been chosen yet for construction, and he’s still a current commander!”
“He said he’d like to retire since he’s already achieved enough as a commander. He wants to take it easy and teach the next generation.”
“Take it easy?”
Wasn’t he just the sort who wouldn’t fit that description at all?
“I’ve heard there are quite a few folks aiming for teaching positions. Mainly those who are tired of military life and don’t care about promotions anymore… and you know those are usually the most fearsome types.”
Nodding along to the Minister’s words, I couldn’t help but agree. Those kinds are typically stagnant.
“Anyway, your close relationship with the Vice Commander is well-known in the military, so expect some outreach coming your way soon. Keep that in mind.”
I chuckled dryly at the Minister’s sincere warning.
Looks like the communication channels are going to be buzzing for a while.
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