Chapter 8

After a long journey, I returned to the command headquarters from the plains of Vardenplatz, expressing exhaustion with every fiber of my being as I stepped out of the car.

"I'm done for…"

Apart from meals and sleep, I had spent almost three days traveling non-stop.

For someone like me, who found the physical fitness tests at the military academy particularly grueling, this was an absurdly strenuous march.

That's why I had hoped to avoid inspecting the eastern region as much as possible. But when oil was discovered, I had no choice but to inspect it myself to confirm the find.

As it turned out, the black liquid discovered in the Vardenplatz Plains was indeed oil.

"Well… of course."

The personnel from the logistics division weren't foolish enough to confuse sewage with oil.

Still, the reason I personally went out on the inspection was to somewhat dampen the headquarters' intense focus on me.

Rather than remaining in the operations staff room, exuding an extraordinary air while seated, it seemed more like something a rookie would do—running around to confirm whether the find was genuine.

Not that this would diminish my contributions in any way.

Sighing, I loosened my necktie and began walking toward the headquarters building.

Although I was so exhausted that I wanted to collapse into my dormitory bed immediately, as a soldier, I couldn't skip the duty of reporting my return.

"Ah! Lieutenant Daniel Steiner! Welcome back."

When I entered the operations staff chief's office and saluted, Ernst greeted me with a kindly smile.

I mustn't be fooled by that kind smile. Maintaining my salute, I opened my mouth.

"I'm here to report! Following an inspection of the Vardenplatz Plains behind the eastern frontlines…"

"Oil was discovered, wasn't it? That's something not only headquarters but the citizens of the empire already know, so there's no need to report it separately. Relax."

With his permission, I no longer needed to maintain my salute.

After lowering my hand smartly, I stood at ease.

"These days, everyone is singing your praises, Lieutenant. Even the higher-ups. Discovering an oil reserve—this is an achievement neither I nor our esteemed leaders could have managed."

"You flatter me, sir."

And it really was just that—a flattery. It wasn't as though I'd intentionally sought it out.

However, Ernst, mistaking my response as humility, chuckled softly.

"There are many proposals to promote you because of this. I'm of the same mind. But a few individuals have voiced opposition, so the process hasn't gone smoothly."

"…Opposition, sir?"

"Yes. Officially, it's that someone without combat experience shouldn't be promoted twice in such a short period. But from what I see, they seem to harbor animosity toward your origins."

Ernst was beating around the bush, but it seemed some of the military leadership were against giving more power to someone like me, who was an orphan by background.

I understood their reasoning.

Though the Kingdom of Bavaria had renamed itself the "Holy Bavarian Empire" and abolished discrimination based on social class, remnants of the old ways lingered deeply.

Even now, most figures in the imperial government and economy came from noble families, and some regions were still referred to as baronies and counties.

In such an era, where the "law prohibiting discrimination based on social class" was merely nominal, it was natural that those in power wouldn't view an accomplished orphan like me favorably.

Had I not awakened memories from my past life, I might have been incensed, but now I could only feel gratitude toward them.

Trying to block my promotion? I felt like bowing down to thank them.

"If that's the opinion of the higher-ups, I will follow it."

Since I wasn't particularly affected, I spoke calmly, and Ernst looked at me with a face of quiet admiration.

"I thought you'd be furious, but you're remarkable. Truly an exemplary soldier. Now I see why Brigadier General Heinrich has such a high opinion of you."

Ernst, who chuckled heartily, suddenly turned serious as he looked at me.

"A capable person should hold a rank appropriate to their ability, don't you think, Lieutenant?"

Sensing that rejecting this would not be wise, I nodded.

"Yes, sir."

"I'm glad we're in agreement. In that spirit, I'd like you to head to the northern frontlines."

…The northern front? What was he saying all of a sudden? The statement was so unexpected that I froze momentarily before hastily replying.

"The northern front, sir?"

"Yes. As you know, the tide of battle in the northern front has turned in our favor. It's the perfect time to make an impact. Go there and gain some achievements. If the higher-ups want combat experience, we'll give it to them."

Ernst was subtly suggesting that he had worked behind the scenes for my benefit, but I felt no gratitude.

For someone aiming to retire, hearing "go to the frontlines and fight for a while" would make anyone want to scream.

Still, I couldn't let my true feelings show, so I carefully asked, "Am I being reassigned, sir? Am I to be permanently stationed with a northern frontline unit?"

"Of course not. You'll be attached as part of a headquarters detachment. Go, gain some combat experience, and return immediately. Then Brigadier General Heinrich and I will push for your promotion."

Leaning forward, Ernst whispered as if inviting me to expect great things.

"In that case, you'll no longer be an 'acting' operations officer. You'll be a full operations officer. You'll even get a personal aide, which will make your work far easier."

In short, he had laid the groundwork for me, and I only needed to endure some hardship temporarily.

Why are you making decisions on my behalf?! I wanted to shout, but the gap in our ranks was insurmountable.

Still, there was a small chance for me to maneuver.

"Chief of Operations, may I ask how the detachment will be composed?"

"Given your current rank, it will likely be at the platoon level."

"In that case, may I personally select the personnel?"

Personally? Ernst blinked in surprise a few times before clasping his hands together.

"No reason why not. Where do you plan to draw the personnel from?"

"Since the frontlines are already struggling with manpower issues, I intend to focus on the rear."

"Do you have specific individuals in mind?"

"No, sir. I plan to draft a notice and select personnel from among the applicants. Opportunities to serve on the frontlines should be fairly distributed to all."

Evidently impressed by my reasoning, Ernst nodded with approval.

"A fine idea. Proceed as you see fit."

"Understood."

After saluting Ernst, I left the operations staff chief's office, returned to my desk, and began drafting a notice with my fountain pen.

『Recruitment Notice for Northern Frontline Support Troops』

Hear me!

The fierce battle to defend the noble soil of our homeland is raging in the north!

Thus, I am seeking those willing to gladly sacrifice their lives for the empire!

You! Do not seek to feast on the empire's bounty in life; become the foundation of its glory in death!

Join me and annihilate, ravage, and destroy the enemy until your dying breath!

We desire only the deaths of our foes!

Recruitment Quota:

20 volunteers for the Northern Frontline Support Troops

Eligibility:

Those willing to wholeheartedly offer their hearts to the empire

Those who do not hope to return alive from battle

Those who desire to benefit the empire even if they die tomorrow

Commander:

Operations Lieutenant Daniel Steiner

No combat experience but utterly devoted to the empire

Glory to the empire!

Holy Bavarian Empire Headquarters Support Troop Recruitment Office

'Perfect!'

It was a masterpiece.

The notice mentioned nothing about survival but solely emphasized death!

Since self-preservation is intrinsic to human nature, who would willingly want to die for the empire?

Moreover, by stating that the commander lacked combat experience, who in their right mind would apply?

Soldiers enjoying the comforts of the rear would surely scoff at such a notice.

That would drastically reduce the number of applicants, and I could simply reject the few who did apply under various pretexts.

This would force Ernst to abandon his plan to send me to the northern front.

The promotion would fall through, making this a win-win! Afterward, I could hole up at headquarters and devise a way to retire disgracefully.

'Brilliant!'

Smiling with satisfaction, I took the notice to the personnel office.

The next day.

As I reported for duty and reviewed my daily schedule, there was a polite knock, and the door opened.

Looking up, I saw the personnel officer walking in with a file folder.

"Lieutenant Daniel Steiner? About that notice you asked us to post for rear units yesterday…"

Seeing the personnel officer carrying nothing but a single file folder, I assumed the response had been either nonexistent or minimal.

Pleased by the apparent effectiveness of my plan, I smiled internally but outwardly displayed disappointment.

"As expected, it seems no soldiers are willing to dedicate themselves to the empire. Disappointing."

"Hmm? No, quite the opposite."

The opposite? What did he mean? As I began to wonder, the personnel officer clapped his hands twice.

"Bring it in."

Then five soldiers entered, struggling under the weight of mountains of application forms in their arms.

"Congratulations. In just one day, the number of applicants has surpassed 2,176. There's no need to recruit any further, so I came to inform you. I thought it was a good notice, but I didn't expect this much."

The personnel officer praised me with a smile, but—

'Why on earth are they applying…?'

I was utterly dumbfounded.