Chapter 48

When I entered the regimental commander's office, a girl on duty was clearing away cups. It seemed someone had been there.

"Sorry, should I come back later?"

"No, it's fine. I have important news."

"Actually, I do too. I'll sit down, then."

When I sat on the sofa, the girl on duty thoughtfully brought me a cup of tea.

"Here you go, Chief of Staff."

"Thank you, I appreciate it."

The girl then held the tray with a slightly embarrassed look.

"No, the guest left early, so there was extra tea left over."

"Is that so? Then I'll gratefully accept it to avoid wasting your effort."

After the girl on duty left, Colonel Altsa, who was small in stature, was crossing his arms with a pouting face.

"I believe opportunities should be equal, regardless of rank."

"What's this all of a sudden?"

"Why can't you read the situation when it matters?"

What is he talking about?

After a moment of thought, I understood what he meant. Ah, that's it.

"Sir, I think you're overthinking it."

"You are the only unmarried man in our regiment, kind, honest, and capable. You also look good."

"Look good?"

"Very good."

Why is he emphasizing this so much?

If this continues, the conversation won't progress, so I prompted the colonel.

"So, sir, what's the news?"

"Ah, yes, well, that's it. Should we start with yours?"

Colonel Altsa cleared his throat and sat on the sofa.

"Count Retrau's political maneuvers have intensified. She intends to divide the country."

"Divide...?"

I thought for a moment and suddenly realized.

"Is she planning to make the Jihotberg and Mildor families enemies of the empire?"

"Exactly. You catch on quickly."

This isn't a time to be pleased, Colonel.

The colonel continued.

"The Mildor family, who failed in the Bruges campaign, and the Jihotberg family, who suffered a major defeat in the Kionis expedition. She is strongly criticizing both families as 'the shame of the Five Royal Families' and 'enemies of the empire.'"

"Why is she saying such things after recommending the Jihotberg Duke as Marshal?"

"Because if we dig into that, the emperor's responsibility for the appointment will come to light. Even our Medilen family finds it difficult to counter."

The Jihotberg family, ranked second, and the Mildor family, ranked third, are being treated as villains. The remaining families are the imperial family, ranked first, the Medilen family, ranked fourth, and the Retrau family, ranked fifth.

"Sir, if this continues, the emperor will likely favor the Retrau family?"

"Yes. Although the Medilen family is ranked higher, we have done nothing up to this point. Our neutrality has reached its limit."

The colonel then chuckled.

"Perhaps that's why the current head of our family has been kind to me lately. He has always been considerate, but now he seems to rely on me."

"Because of our victories in the Bruges defense and the Kionis expedition, sir."

"My victories are not mine alone. They are due to your advice and dedication."

It feels good to be praised, but it's also a bit embarrassing.

"You are the only one who recognizes my proposals to this extent. To me, you are the best general in the empire."

"I intended to praise you, but I ended up being praised. However, I don't mind being praised by you."

The colonel smiled and then returned to the topic.

"Anyway, we have become pawns in the political struggle, contrary to our intentions. We cannot step down from this stage."

"Indeed."

From Count Retrau's perspective, we are merely tools that can be used again if we survive. However, we have stubbornly survived and become useful tools for her.

At the same time, we have become a presence that cannot be ignored by the Mildor family, the Jihotberg family, and the Medilen family. After all, even though we have lost in the war, our regiment alone has won.

"Sir, a single word from you can change the power dynamics of the empire."

"I don't find that pleasant."

The colonel scratched his head and then looked at me.

"Anyway, the message is that we will have more trouble. That's all from me. What about you?"

"Oh, right."

I reported to the colonel what Lieutenant Roz had told me.

"The Mildor family is planning a counterattack against Count Retrau. They seem to have caught wind of the big cannon incident during the Bruges invasion."

"Typical of the Mildor family. They won't just take it lying down."

The colonel crossed his arms.

"Who will win?"

"It's too early to say. Which side do you want to win?"

"I have no grudge against the Mildor family, and Lieutenant Steyer is an important subordinate. I don't want to see a future where Count Retrau wins."

That makes sense.

"Will we secretly support the Mildor family?"

"Yes... but wait."

Colonel Altsa smiled slyly. It was a bit scary.

"Our policy will be to support the Mildor family, but we will avoid direct interaction. Count Retrau will certainly be wary of that."

"I see."

Count Retrau is skilled at schemes to entrap others, so she is also sensitive to schemes that could entrap her.

The colonel continued.

"I will handle the political maneuvers directly. It's a highly political task... and not suitable for an honest man like you."

"Honest?"

I don't think I'm that honest, but it feels good to be called honest. Honesty is the best policy.

The colonel looked at me with an unusually gentle expression.

"You cannot act against your own sense of justice, can you? But I can. Please remain honest."

"Thank you, sir. I will continue to serve as an honest chief of staff."

Being an honest chief of staff doesn't sound very strong, but I don't want to reject the colonel's kindness.

A few days after this conversation, the colonel and I received orders to appear.

Not at the division headquarters or the army general headquarters.

At the imperial capital's Bioria Palace, the seat of the emperor and the center of the Schweider imperial family.

It was also a den of intrigue, a nest of plots.

What did I do to deserve this?

Colonel Altsa, who was accustomed to such situations, put on his coat and said,

"It's probably about the Kionis expedition. I hope it's not an inquiry."

"That's not funny. I don't understand why I have to appear."

The colonel smiled slyly.

"Would I have let you go alone if there was no order to appear?"

"Well, as a chief of staff, I should be by your side."

He always consults me about everything.

"Sir, you even ask me about the color of the ribbon for your hair."

"It's because you always think sincerely and earnestly. What do you think of this new coat?"

That's terrible.

I looked at the coat carefully and then answered.

"It suits you well. Sir, you look good in thick coats, especially those with fur."

"Really?"

The colonel chuckled.

Then he suddenly became serious.

"Wait, is that because 'you look like a child when you wear too many layers'?"

"Yes."

You look cute like a middle school student.

The colonel suddenly became unhappy and glared at me resentfully.

"Just because you think sincerely and earnestly doesn't mean you always give the answers I want."

"I'm sorry."

"Hey, stop laughing."

I find you cute.

* * *

We arrived at the imperial capital, Lotsmer, the heart of the Schweider Empire, located in the center of the imperial family's direct territory. A few reconnaissance cavalry and selected infantry marksmen accompanied us as guards.

As usual, Lieutenant Roz was left behind. It's helpful to have an officer on guard duty.

"The capital Lotsmer was the first territory acquired by the first emperor. He suppressed a rebellion, achieved military success, and received this land with five companions. It was a desolate village at the time."

The colonel was telling this story to the girls in the carriage, which was jostling along.

"He skillfully navigated various upheavals and built a great empire in just one generation. He granted vast territories to his five companions and made them kings. One of them was the first head of our Medilen family."

The upstart emperor relied on his five companions. They met the emperor's expectations and became the foundation of the great empire.

As a result, the emperor's trust in them was deep, and they were allowed to call themselves "kings" as allies rather than vassals, and were given the right to succeed to the imperial throne.

Although the Bruges family betrayed them a few decades ago.

Colonel Altsa is the legitimate child of the Medilen family's previous head. A real princess.

The regimental members accompanying the carriage seem to be smitten with such a colonel.

"You come from a prestigious family. Colonel, you're so cool!"

"Yes, yes."

"Your coat is also fluffy and cute!"

"Uh-huh... huh?"

Colonel Altsa, who was puzzled by the way she was respected, looked at me.

"From here on, it's unclear who is an enemy and who is an ally. And they can change quickly. Remember that."

"Understood."

I don't like it.