I Became a Genius Commander at the Academy

Chapter 21: Stairs To Glory (3)

Walls adorned with luxurious wallpaper featuring a checked pattern, a soft bed adorned with delicate cloth dyed in a deep red, a desk and chair with an antique ambiance, and even a sophisticated fireplace often seen in European movies and a bell to summon servants if needed.

Despite having the privilege to stay in such a well-equipped room, I couldn’t rest peacefully. The excitement and afterglow from when the yoke of a cursed commoner was removed from my mind and I received the Silver Knight Sword Cross Medal from the Emperor hadn’t faded. Additionally, in about five minutes, it would be time for the meeting that His Highness the Crown Prince promised.

I checked my newly received uniform attire for the award ceremony and the subsequent ball several times, but due to my nervousness, I stood in front of the mirror to check again for any discrepancies. When meeting someone of high status, the first impression was crucial, and if you couldn’t score here, it was evident that it would hinder future advancements.

As I was waiting nervously, I heard a man’s voice from beyond the door,

“Are you Major Peter Yaeger? If the night is lonely, should I call a beauty to relieve your loneliness?”

It might seem like a discreet and courteous offer from a servant treating a distinguished guest, but sensibly, no sane servant would bring women to someone who’s come from the battlefield and was tired after a tense ceremony unless ‘explicitly wished for.’

So, this was likely a signal to hide the fact that the Crown Prince had called me, but I should ask in a way that mixed different meanings just in case.

“Can I also meet a noble person?”

“The most noble person also comes here. He wants to meet you personally. He has been eagerly waiting to entertain you, so please do not refuse.”

Mentioning ‘the most noble person’ confirmed he was undoubtedly sent by the Crown Prince.

“Understood. I’ve changed clothes, so let’s go. I’m looking forward to the hospitality.”

Opening the door, I saw an old man wearing a butler’s uniform and smiling meaningfully.

I showed him enough respect that I wouldn’t feel inferior. He laughed and said,

“You’re the student sub-lieutenant from the Raintlant front that the Crown Prince spoke highly of. It was fun asking playful questions mixed with entertainment, and you responded flexibly and well. Haha! A treasure of the Empire! Let’s hurry. If someone catches a glimpse of you meeting the Crown Prince, it will be troublesome for both parties!”

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After that, we walked swiftly towards where the Crown Prince was waiting without uttering a word.

Upon entering the room, guided by the old man, there awaited the Crown Prince of the Reich Empire.

Beautiful blond hair, shining blue eyes, clean white skin, and tall stature. Wasn’t it cheating to have wealth, power, and good looks altogether?

I knelt and saluted him. Then the Crown Prince smiled warmly, tapped my shoulder, and said,

“So, you’re the student sub-lieutenant from the Raintlant front. Nice to finally meet you. I owe you a big debt. I’m really grateful.”

If I hadn’t acted, the Emperor’s first stage set for the Crown Prince would have been a mess. If I hadn’t intervened, the 7th Division would have been defeated severely and retreated to Weinburg Castle due to the selfish dominance of some student sub-lieutenants, just like in the original novel. Then the Crown Prince would have lived his whole life with the title of ‘an incompetent person who lost the territory from his first expedition.’

In that sense, it was natural for the Crown Prince to thank me. However, whether in Korea or in the Reich Empire, superiors rarely tell their subordinates they owe them a debt.

Because acknowledging a debt of gratitude to someone lower in status was like declaring them as their benefactor.

“It’s nothing, Your Highness. I just did what I had to do as a commander of the Reich Empire. Please refrain from saying more than necessary.”

“No, it’s not formal. It’s what I truly feel. But let’s stop such talk and start the real conversation. Please, sit on the sofa.”

I sat on the sofa as told, and the Crown Prince, full of expectations, said,

“I’d love to praise your background and various merits more, but I have to go to the ball soon. So, let’s have those talks some other time and discuss important matters now.”

“Please speak.”

“To be a respected Emperor, one needs to accumulate achievements step by step from the time of the Crown Prince. So they can govern the nobles like counts, marquises, and dukes without being swayed by them.”

Unless in the absolute monarchy era of France, even if a monarch couldn’t be expelled for incompetence, just like a useless senior soldier could be overshadowed by a junior soldier, a parachuted Emperor couldn’t exercise much power in front of various high nobles.

No, if the Crown Prince became Emperor without proper achievements…

“The first step was this Rejin Castle strategy. So, I trusted the most reliable Stefan among the generals following me and gave him the 7th Division…

“…I sent him to the Raintlant front… If it weren’t for you, the outcome would have been truly horrific.”

I said nothing in response.

As the Crown Prince said, if Weinburg Castle had been breached, the Francois Republic, following the original novel, would have used it as a strategic point to devour the Reich Empire.

Under such circumstances, refuting with modesty could unnecessarily aggravate the situation.

“If the result of the Crown Prince’s first expedition had been nearly the annihilation of the 7th Division of the Empire, losing a city of over 30,000 people and nearly 220,000 citizens in total, including the surrounding areas, it would have been horrific just thinking about it.”

Then the Crown Prince extended one hand to firmly grasp mine and pointed to the medal on his chest with the other, saying,

“However, thanks to you, the damn Francois divisions were annihilated. No, they suffered the loss of a colonel and three lieutenant colonels. Despite the loss of 3,000 soldiers due to mismanagement, we were able to seize the Rejin Castle and earn this Diamond Knight Sword Cross Medal.”

“Your praise is too generous. And it was possible because Division Commander Stefan trusted me. And it was Your Highness’s wisdom to appoint him to that position.”

Hearing that, the Crown Prince looked at me as if he were angry.

However, it was clear that his anger was not at Peter Yaeger but at his own situation and the opposing nobles.

“Do you think so? But there are already some high nobles trying to replace me with their puppets. They are focusing on the fact that Stefan, whom I personally appointed, could not control his subordinates properly and lost 3,000 soldiers. Some doubt my ability because of this incident. So, to overcome this situation, more military merits are needed.”

Then the Crown Prince placed a document in front of me, saying,

“Stefan recognized your abilities and stamped his approval, recommending you to me. I was looking for a young and capable commander who could work for me. I have prepared a generous advance for you, Major Yaeger. I will support Bruno Castle, located near the border of Chekovia, with six villages and 10,000 gold. Of course, the operation cost of the regiment will be separately provided. Just make sure you achieve outstanding merits in the war next year and elevate my name so that no one can overshadow my position. Can you do it?”

Hesitating or refusing his offer here would not only make me the fool who earned the enmity of the future supreme power but also label me as an ungrateful, capable brute even if I switched to other forces.

“Absolutely. But I have one request. Could Your Highness kindly look after the soldiers, non-commissioned officers, and officers in my company who wish to retire?”

To this, the Crown Prince smiled meaningfully, responding,

“I understand what you mean. It’s not difficult. Also, I have an important piece of advice you need right now. Pretend to be ill and stay in your room for the next few days. If not, nobles trying to pull you to their side might hassle you, and it might put you in a difficult position.”