“Loyalty! Master Sergeant Hanna Meyer, you’re working hard today as always!”
Staff Sergeant Gunther gave Master Sergeant Hanna an exceedingly proper salute.
“You’re working hard as well, Staff Sergeant Gunther. Is the brigade supply work manageable?”
Under a flood of gazes, Hanna lightly returned the salute. In just one year, the noncommissioned ranks had been reversed.
Normally, one might be jealous…
“Haha, speak casually to me! Master Sergeant! Aren’t you the brigade’s greatest treasure?”
Gunther treated Hanna as if she were some noble young lady.
Well, since all power in the brigade ran through me, there was no reason for anyone to be dissatisfied.
This place was right in the middle of the skyrocketing “Jaeger coin.” Ever since the Ashen Forest, the ones who had clung tightly to my back had all been promoted at ridiculous speed.
Pride? Seniority?
In the Jaeger line, those were irrelevant.
In the midst of all that, that bastard Kurt kept chattering.
“Insane… I know she’s directly under the colonel, but going straight from corporal to master sergeant in one year is crossing the line, isn’t it?”
“Corporal Kurt… no, Sergeant. Watch your mouth.”
Klaus beside him calmly warned him. But Kurt paid him no mind.
“You idiot, I’m not complaining, I’m moved! Did you see that? As long as you hold tight to our colonel’s line, rank insignias get duplicated!”
“That’s… because she suffered that much.”
“Well, sure. Ever since the Ashen Forest, with that special ability of hers……”
At that moment, Gunther glared fiercely with a grim face.
“Ahem, quiet! Master Sergeant Meyer’s mission is a military secret! If the colonel says keep it shut, then you keep it shut. Your tongues are too long!”
Outwardly, everyone kept it hush-hush, but they had all more or less caught on.
The reason Hanna had been the first among the Jaeger Family to be promoted.
It was because she had been the first to receive my affection in abundance…… not. It was none other than because of [Mana Detection].
“Ahem.”
“Ehem.”
Klaus and Kurt let out awkward coughs. Everyone had some idea. Even if they didn’t know exactly what Hanna’s [Mana Detection] was, the fact that she served as a ghostly “human radar” who could see through the battlefield remained an open secret among my closest aides.
Hanna naturally stood behind me, in the position of my dedicated adjutant.
“Colonel, I brought the brigade organization documents you ordered.”
“Good work. Put them down there.”
‘Status Analysis.’
[Name: Hanna Meyer]
[Status: Loyalty exploding, subtle showing off]
[Emotion: The colonel is the best! I want to crawl under that desk and serve him right now…!]
Since it was an official setting, she was clearly holding herself back, but her face was already brimming with a smile dripping honey.
The soldiers kept chattering even then. It felt as though we had returned not to brigade headquarters, but to the 3rd Platoon in the Ashen Forest.
“What’s the next promotion after master sergeant? Are you becoming a second lieutenant next year?”
“No, you moron. Above master sergeant is sergeant major, sergeant major. The one with a star above the chevrons.”
“A star? Wow, awesome. Then is Master Sergeant Meyer getting promoted to sergeant major next year?”
“That’s not it either, you idiot. Ugh, this is so frustrating. Can’t you tell by looking? Master Sergeant Meyer is obviously warrant officer material.”
“Warrant officer?”
“Yeah. For a specialized technical post like that, warrant officer, a special occupational category, suits her better than sergeant major, the final boss of noncommissioned officers. Don’t you think?”
It was then.
Clack—!
The office door opened roughly, and the core commanders of the Jaeger Brigade appeared one after another. The air in the room instantly pulled taut.
“Infantry Battalion Commander, Major Seraphina von Reinhardt. I have returned upon the brigade commander’s summons.”
A cold and lofty voice befitting the Ice Witch. Seraphina, dressed in uniform, saluted. Behind her, Walter, Erika, Franz, and the other company commanders under her lined up. They had quite the proper bearing now.
And beside them.
“Armored Battalion Commander, Major Frederica von Kessel. Reporting as ordered.”
A short figure whose crown only reached my chest, with youthful beauty. A faint scar on her nose. Frederica, displaying her distinctive elite dignity, saluted me.
Last was the medical unit.
Elise, her honey-sweet blonde hair neatly braided over one shoulder, gave me a gentle smile and saluted.
“Medical Policy Inspector, Major Elise von Kleist. I will assist you, Colonel… and inspect the army’s medical conditions.”
‘Status Analysis.’
[Name: Elise von Kleist]
[Status: Sense of duty, affection]
“It’s reassuring to have the inspector with us. I look forward to working with you, Major Elise.”
“It is my duty, Colonel.”
With this, the new brigade’s leadership—the major-rank commanders—had gathered in one place ahead of the landing operation.
“Everyone’s rank insignias are shining brightly. Welcome, all of you.”
At my greeting, the three majors’ eyes gleamed.
If there was one regret, it was that I hadn’t been able to secure promotions for the three of them this time. Well, they had only been promoted less than half a year ago, so promoting them again right away would have been impossible. Even as it was, their ranks were far higher than normal for their age.
I had arranged separate rewards for them.
“Major Seraphina. I’ve set aside a generous bonus in your personal account.”
“……Thank you, Colonel.”
She answered dryly, but a faint trace of relief passed through Seraphina’s blue eyes.
[Name: Seraphina von Reinhardt]
[Emotion: Thank goodness. I’ll be able to repay the family’s debts and help Father.]
“Major Frederica, you may look forward to yours as well.”
“……?”
“The initial production run of the next-generation tanks has been assigned to the armored battalion first. There are other items besides that, too, so there should be a mountain of new weapons for you to test before the landing operation.”
Frederica’s shoulders twitched. She was trying hard to act composed, but I witnessed the corners of her mouth quivering.
“The same goes for you, Major Elise. I’ve stocked the medical unit with ample supplies.”
“My, thank you for your consideration, Colonel.”
Perfect.
The atmosphere and morale were at their peak.
But in truth, one fatal blind spot remained.
Starting with me, the brigade commander, down to the subordinate battalion commanders, everyone was a painfully young officer.
Innovative tactics, a flood of new weapons, a new medical system.
It looked perfect on the surface, but an organization called an army would not function without oil to keep its gears meshing.
The presence of an experienced practical administrator who could directly take charge of supply and administration was essential.
Bang—.
At that moment, the office door opened, and a figure walked in with posture that did not waver by so much as an inch.
Click, click, click.
“Loyalty.”
A ponytail of jet-black hair tied up. Cold gray eyes.
“Chief of Staff, Major Helga von Strauss. I have joined under orders for your brigade appointment, Colonel.”
It was Major Helga, former direct adjutant to the 7th Brigade commander, Karl von Dietrich, and the one who had overseen all administration and logistics since the days of the 7th Regiment.
In the Ashen Forest, she had seen my lowest days as a second lieutenant as my superior, and when we subjugated the orcs, and when we defended against Lieutenant Colonel Zwinger’s inspection, she had always suffered alongside me.
‘Honestly, it is a bit surprising.’
That she came here like this, I mean. Given Brigade Commander Dietrich’s personality, I wouldn’t have expected him to ever let go of such prime talent.
From what I heard, the moment news of my brigade’s establishment reached her, Helga herself strongly requested a transfer. I didn’t know the detailed circumstances, but it seemed she had her own thoughts on the matter.
‘I’m curious… Shall I take a look? Status Analysis.’
[Name: Helga von Strauss]
[Status: Focus, ambition, fatigue]
[Emotion: I’m sick and tired of being under Brigadier General Dietrich.]
‘Oh-ho.’
[Hidden Desire: I want my abilities to be recognized and to rise to a position befitting them.]
So she has some ambition?
It seemed she had decided there was no need to remain under old Dietrich any longer. Given his age, the man was close to retirement, and he was also a master at swallowing his subordinates’ achievements.
……If I hadn’t felt that at all, it was because I was the odd one.
From my perspective as a hacker-like cheat user, there was no issue with roughly sharing my achievements with that old fox, our ever-so-likable superior Dietrich. In any case, my accomplishments were usually overflowing enough for us to be promoted together, and since I had happened to properly catch the eyes of Marshal Ludwig and Emperor Ferdinand, I ended up on a rapid promotion route.
When the need arose, it was also easy to manipulate the board with [Charming Speech] or [Status Analysis].
But what about Helga, who had no such cheat skills and was Dietrich’s direct adjutant?
Compared to her abilities, she may have taken quite a loss—no, an enormous one. It was obvious without even looking how unbelievably well that sly old man must have sucked up his subordinates’ achievements.
That was why Helga had been keeping an eye on me all along.
On the dream blue-chip stock that was rising without knowing how high the sky was—the Jaeger coin.
‘It’s only natural she’d be disgusted with cleaning up after that old man.’
I slowly looked over Helga as she stood at attention with her hand raised in salute.
She looked young. There was a saying that “once a woman passes thirty, she’s an auntie,” but… well, Helga had no wrinkles on her skin, and perhaps because of her well-trained soldier’s body, her posture was straight and her uniform fit her impeccably.
Of course, compared to Frederica or Hanna, who were in their early twenties, she definitely had an air of maturity, but even that came across as a kind of voluptuous charm.
She was still attractive as a woman, and in the military as a whole, she belonged to the younger blood.
Of course, even so, she was in her early thirties.
Compared to the young pups in the brigade command staff, myself included, she was roughly a full ten years older. In terms of academy class, she was an incredibly distant senior.
If we were upstarts who had duplicated our rank insignias like mad through luck and tricks in wartime, Helga was the exact opposite. She had entered as a noble child, completed orthodox elite education, and steadily built up real combat experience. She was the real deal.
In other words, she was in a different league from an upstart colonel like me who had ridden the winds of war to skyrocket.
That was also why, despite being two ranks above her, I had to treat her with due courtesy.
“Welcome, Chief of Staff Strauss. As it happens, we needed an expert to manage the brigade’s household. As you can see… all of us lack experience.”
I rose from my seat and offered her a handshake.
“You flatter me, Brigade Commander. Though my skills are lacking, I will do my utmost to ensure the brigade runs smoothly.”
After finishing the handshake, Helga immediately turned toward the other battalion commanders.
“Major Seraphina. The infantry battalion’s firearms organization chart is still incomplete. Please report it before the end of today’s work hours.”
“……Understood, Chief of Staff.”
“Major Frederica. I revised the fuel supply plan. The one you submitted was an ideal figure that did not account for the limits of our current supply network. Please review it again.”
“Ah, yes. I’ll check it.”
“Major Elise. I’ve assigned the temporary medical tent site next to the supply unit so that the lines of movement won’t become tangled. Please consult me on the other minor matters as well.”
“My, thank you. Chief of Staff.”
Yes, hah.
This was exactly it.
A smile slowly spread across my lips. The sight of things running smoothly on their own without me having to step in.
Of course, detailed adjustments would still be necessary, but in the end, it was only a matter of time. Later on, even if she merely met my eyes, Helga would probably run the unit on her own.
That much would allow me to focus on my true duties.
Focusing on more advanced tactics, or loafing around in the lounge set up behind my office.
Or calling in Hanna, who had just been promoted to master sergeant and whose eyes dripped honey whenever she saw me……
Ahem. In any case, it was a perfect picture.
*
A few hours later.
I made my way onto the platform of the brigade headquarters parade ground.
Before me, the core forces of the newly established “207th Brigade” were lined up in orderly rows and columns.
The parade ground was swept by a chilly sea breeze. Thousands of gazes were fixed solely on me.
I lightly tapped the microphone.
‘Charming Speech.’
[The skill ‘Charming Speech (Lv.3)’ has been activated.]
“All units, attention.”
My low, heavy voice spread through the loudspeaker. The soldiers’ shoulders instinctively stiffened.
“Over the past few weeks, you have rolled and rolled again on this coastal training ground until your bones nearly broke. Your soles must have blistered, and you must have crawled through mud while swallowing curses.”
The soldiers’ eyes wavered. It was because of the memories of their hellish landing training.
“But you are still far from ready.”
The atmosphere of the parade ground sank heavily.
“The place you are heading to is not a calm sandy beach. It is the heart of hell, where enemy machine guns and anti-tank guns pour down, and shells rain from the sky!”
I gripped the podium and shot my gaze across their faces one by one.
“You must be able to leap from the landing craft and run across the beach even with your eyes closed! Train until you dream of infiltrating enemy trenches in your sleep! If you don’t want to fall into the sea and die like dogs, then pour every last drop of blood and sweat you have onto this parade ground right now!”
[The effect of the skill ‘Charming Speech’ is maximized.]
[The morale and concentration of all brigade members rise explosively!]
“If you want to return to the Empire alive, obey my orders and move without end. The moment we land, the enemy will realize that what is approaching them is not a wave, but death!”
“Waaaaaaaaaaaaah!!”
The soldiers’ thunderous cheers shook the parade ground all at once.
Thus, the 207th Brigade.
No, the Jaeger Brigade was established.
There were only two weeks left until the mainland landing operation.