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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: Don't Apply!
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Returning to Staff Headquarters from the Vardenplatz Plains after a long journey, I exited the car, my entire body screaming with exhaustion.
'I'm dying...'
Aside from brief stops for food and rest, I'd been on the road for nearly three full days.
For someone like me, who'd found the physical exams at the academy unusually grueling, this was an absurd forced march.
That's why I'd preferred to avoid inspecting the eastern regions, but with news of an oil discovery, I had no choice but to go and see it with my own eyes.
As it turned out, the black liquid discovered in the Vardenplatz Plains was indeed oil.
'Well... of course it was.'
Unless the quartermaster staff were idiots, there was no way they couldn't tell the difference between crude oil and sewage.
Nevertheless, the reason I went on the inspection was to try and dampen the General Staff's interest in me, even if just a little.
Rather than sitting unremarkably in the operations staff office, acting as if the oil discovery was a given, bustling about to confirm whether it was real or not would make me seem more like a diligent newcomer.
Not that it would diminish my achievements, of course.
Sighing, I loosened my necktie and walked towards the headquarters building.
I was so tired I wanted nothing more than to collapse onto my dormitory bed, but as a soldier, I couldn't skip my return report.
*
"Ah! Lieutenant Daniel Steiner! Welcome back."
As I entered the Chief of Operations Staff's office and saluted, Ernst greeted me with a benevolent smile.
I mustn't be fooled by that benevolent smile. Maintaining my salute, I began to speak.
"Reporting, sir! As a result of my inspection of the Vardenplatz Plains, located on the rear line of the Eastern Front..."
"Oil was discovered, wasn't it? That's a fact known not only to headquarters but to the Empire's citizens as well, so there's no need for a separate report. That's enough; you may stand at ease."
Having been granted permission, there was no need to maintain the salute.
I lowered my hand with precision and assumed the attention-at-ease posture.
"These days, everyone is full of praise for the Lieutenant. The higher-ups as well. To have found an oil deposit... This is a feat that even I, not to mention those in higher positions, have yet to achieve."
"You flatter me, sir."
It wasn't flattery; it truly was excessive praise. It wasn't as if I had sought it out intentionally.
However, Ernst seemed to take it as humility, letting out a low chuckle.
"Regarding this, many opinions have been raised to give you a special promotion. I, too, agree with this stance. However, due to opposition from certain individuals, things haven't progressed smoothly."
"...Opposition, sir?"
"Indeed. On the surface, they claim we cannot grant two special promotions in such a short period to someone with no combat experience, but from my perspective, it seems they harbor resentment towards your origins."
Ernst was speaking in euphemisms, but it seemed clear that certain figures in the military high command were arguing that someone of my orphaned background shouldn't be given any more power than this.
I understood.
Though the Kingdom of Bavaria had abolished discrimination based on status when it changed its name to the 'Holy Bavarian Empire,' the remnants of it still lingered deep within society.
Currently, the majority of political and economic figures in the Empire hail from noble families, and some regions are still referred to as baronies and earldoms.
In such an era, with a 'Law Against Status Discrimination' existing only in name, it was only natural that an orphan who had accumulated merit would not be viewed favorably.
If I hadn't awakened my memories of my past life, I might have bristled, but now, they simply seemed like people I should be grateful to.
They're preventing my promotion? If I had my way, I'd bow to them in gratitude.
"If that is the will of the higher-ups, then I shall comply."
As I, completely unfazed, spoke calmly, Ernst subtly scanned me with an expression of admiration.
"I expected you to be angry, but you are truly remarkable. Indeed, a model soldier, it seems. I can see why Brigadier General Heinrich holds you in such high regard."
Ernst chuckled, then suddenly looked at me with a serious expression.
"In a just society, an individual with high appraisals should hold a rank befitting them, wouldn't you agree, Lieutenant?"
Sensing an atmosphere where refusal was not an option, I nodded.
"Yes, sir."
"I'm pleased that our opinions align. In that vein, I'd like you to go to the Northern Front."
...The Northern Front? What is he suddenly talking about? It was so out of the blue that I paused for a moment before quickly speaking.
"The Northern Front, sir?"
"Yes. As you know, the tide of victory on the Northern Front has turned in our favor. It's the perfect time to distinguish yourself. Go there, achieve a combat record, and return. If practical experience is what the higher-ups desire, then we shall simply provide it, won't we?"
Ernst was subtly implying that he had pulled some strings for my benefit, but it didn't resonate with me at all.
From the perspective of someone who wanted to be discharged, hearing 'Go fight on the front lines for a bit' out of nowhere would make anyone want to scream.
Still, I couldn't show my true feelings, so I cautiously asked.
"Is this a reassignment, sir? Am I to be attached to a unit on the Northern Front...?"
"Nonsense. You will be deployed as support for a unit directly under Headquarters' command. Gain some combat experience there, and then return immediately. Then, Brigadier General Heinrich and I will push for your special promotion."
As if to say I should look forward to it, Ernst leaned forward and whispered.
"Once that happens, you won't be merely the 'Acting' Chief of Operations Staff any longer. You'll become the Chief of Operations Staff. You'll even have an aide, making your work much easier than it is now."
In short, he was saying he'd set the stage for me, so I just had to endure a little hardship and then return.
I wanted to shout, 'Why are you proceeding with this arbitrarily?!' but the wall of rank was far too high for that.
Still, there wasn't absolutely no way out.
"Chief of Operations Staff, sir. I'm curious about the composition of the direct command unit."
"Considering your current rank, it will be a platoon-sized unit."
"In that case, may I personally select the personnel for the unit?"
Personally? Ernst, who had blinked a few times with wide eyes, intertwined his fingers.
"There's no reason not to, is there? Where are you planning to requisition personnel from?"
"The front lines are already suffering from manpower issues, so I intend to select primarily from rear-echelon units."
"Do you have any specific individuals in mind?"
"No, sir. I will draft a public announcement and, after receiving applications, select personnel from among them. After all, opportunities to distinguish oneself on the battlefield should be equally available to all."
Whether my words pleased him or not, Ernst inwardly admired me and nodded.
"An excellent idea. Proceed with that."
"Understood, sir."
Saluting Ernst, I exited the Chief of Operations Staff's office and sat down at my desk.
Immediately afterward, I took out my fountain pen and began drafting the announcement.
『Public Notice for Recruitment of Northern Front Volunteers』
Hear ye, soldiers!
A fierce struggle to defend the noble soil of our homeland is currently underway in the North!
Therefore, I desire those who are willing to sacrifice their lives for the Empire!
You, who are called! Do not covet the Empire's grains in life, but become the fertile ground that adorns the Empire's glory in death!
Join me and, until death, destroy, ravage, and eliminate the enemy!
We shall desire nothing but the death of our foes!
Recruitment Quota
• Northern Front Volunteers: 20 personnel
Eligibility Requirements
• Those willing to readily offer their hearts for the Empire.
• Those who do not wish for survival in combat.
• Those who desire to be of use to the Empire, even if they die tomorrow.
Commanding Officer
• Lieutenant Daniel Steiner, Operations Staff
• Possesses no combat experience, but is more dedicated to the Empire than anyone.
Glory to the Empire!
Holy Bavarian Empire
General Staff Headquarters, Frontline Volunteer Recruitment Office
'Perfect!'
It was a masterpiece.
It emphasized nothing but death, with not a single phrase about survival!
As long as the essence of humanity is to preserve life, no one would willingly wish to die for the Empire.
Furthermore, by explicitly stating that the commanding officer has no combat experience, what fool would apply?
Any soldier living comfortably and well-fed in the warm rear-echelon units would surely scoff upon seeing this.
Then the application rate would plummet, and I would simply have to decline the minuscule number of applicants with various excuses.
Then Ernst would have no choice but to withdraw his plan to send me to the Northern Front.
My special promotion would also be off the table, truly killing two birds with one stone! After that, I would simply bunker down in Staff Headquarters and find a way to secure a dishonorable discharge.
'Genius!'
Smiling contentedly, I took the announcement and headed to the personnel department.
*
The next day.
As I arrived at work as usual and reviewed my daily tasks, a polite knock sounded, and the door opened.
I looked up to see the personnel allocation officer approaching me, holding a single file.
Seeing only one file in the officer's hand, and nothing else, it seemed there were either no applicants at all or very few.
Thinking the effect was even better than expected, I smiled inwardly, but unable to show such an expression in front of the officer, I outwardly displayed disappointment.
"It seems there are no soldiers truly willing to dedicate themselves to the Empire after all. How disappointing."
"Hmm? No. Quite the opposite."
The opposite? Just as I wondered what he meant, the officer clapped his hands twice.
"Come in."
Then, five soldiers entered, groaning under the weight of mountains of application forms piled high in their arms.
"Congratulations. In just one day, the number of applicants has exceeded 2,176. It seems there's no need to recruit any further, which is why I came to find you. I thought it was a good announcement, but I never expected it to be this effective."
The officer smiled, praising me, but—
'No, why on earth are they applying...?'
I was utterly dumbfounded.