NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 7 - Don't Apply!
Chapter 7
Don’t Apply!
After a long journey back to the General Staff Headquarters from the Bardenplatz Plains, I stepped out of the car, my body aching with exhaustion.
‘I’m dead…’
Excluding the time spent sleeping and eating, I had been traveling for almost three days straight.
It was an absurd forced march, even for me, who had always struggled with physical fitness tests back in the academy.
That’s why I wanted to avoid going on inspections to the east as much as possible, but with the news of the oil discovery, I had no choice but to see it with my own eyes.
As it turned out, the black liquid found in the Bardenplatz Plains was indeed oil.
‘Well… that’s to be expected.’
The logistics personnel weren’t fools; they could distinguish between dirty water and oil.
Nevertheless, I went on the inspection to try and deflect some of the headquarters’ attention from me.
It would seem more fitting for a newcomer to be running around trying to confirm the truth, rather than sitting smugly in the Operations Staff Office, treating the oil discovery as a matter of course.
Not that it would diminish my achievements, though.
Sighing, I loosened my tie and walked towards the headquarters building.
I was so tired that I wanted to collapse onto my bed in the dormitory immediately, but as a soldier, I couldn’t skip the 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 kind smile.
I mustn’t be fooled by that kind smile. Maintaining my salute, I began my report.
“Reporting for duty! As a result of the inspection conducted at the Bardenplatz Plains behind the Eastern Front lines…”
“Oil was discovered, yes. That’s something not only the headquarters but also the citizens of the Empire are aware of, so there’s no need for a separate report. At ease.”
With permission granted, I no longer needed to hold my salute.
I lowered my hand smartly and assumed the at-ease position.
“These days, everyone is full of praise for you, Lieutenant. Even the higher-ups. Discovering an oil field, that’s a feat that neither I nor those above me could achieve.”
“You’re too kind.”
It was indeed excessive praise. I hadn’t found it intentionally.
However, Ernst must have thought I was being humble, for he chuckled softly.
“There have been many voices suggesting your promotion in relation to this. I agree. However, some individuals are opposed, so things haven’t proceeded smoothly.”
“…Opposition, sir?”
“Indeed. Outwardly, they say that someone with no combat experience cannot be specially promoted twice in such a short period, but in my opinion, it seems they harbor prejudice against your background.”
Although Ernst spoke indirectly, it seemed some members of the military leadership argued against giving an orphan like me any more power.
I understood.
Even though the Bavarian Kingdom abolished discrimination based on social status when it changed its name to the “Holy Bavarian Empire,” remnants of the old system still lingered deep within society.
Currently, most of the Empire’s political and economic figures hailed from noble families, and some regions were still referred to as baronies and counties.
In such an era, with the “Anti-discrimination Act” existing only in name, it was natural for them to disapprove of an orphan achieving merit.
If I hadn’t awakened the memories of my past life, I would have been furious, but now I was simply grateful to them.
They were trying to prevent my promotion? I felt like bowing down to them in gratitude.
“If that is the opinion of the higher-ups, I will comply.”
Seeing my nonchalant response, Ernst looked at me with admiration.
“I thought you might be angry, but you’re quite impressive. Truly an exemplary soldier, I see. I understand why Brigadier General Heinrich thinks so highly of you.”
Ernst chuckled and then suddenly looked at me with a serious expression.
“In a proper society, those with high evaluations should hold positions that match their abilities. Don’t you agree, Lieutenant?”
In an atmosphere where it felt impossible to refuse, I nodded.
“Yes, sir.”
“I’m glad we agree. In that sense, you should go to the Northern Front.”
…The Northern Front? What was he talking about all of a sudden? I was momentarily stunned by the unexpectedness of it all, then hurriedly spoke up.
“The Northern Front, sir?”
“Indeed. As you know, the tide of the war on the Northern Front is turning in our favor. It’s the perfect opportunity to make a name for yourself. Go there and gain some achievements. If what the higher-ups want is combat experience, then we’ll simply provide it for them.”
Ernst was subtly implying that he was pulling some strings for my sake, but it didn’t resonate with me at all.
Anyone would want to scream if they were suddenly told to “go fight on the front lines” when they wanted to leave the military.
However, I couldn’t express my true feelings, so I asked cautiously,
“Is this a transfer? Will I be assigned to a unit on the Northern Front…?”
“Of course not. You’ll be dispatched as a headquarters unit. Gain some combat experience there and return immediately. Then, Brigadier General Heinrich and I will push for your promotion.”
As if telling me to look forward to it, Ernst leaned forward and whispered,
“Then, you’ll no longer be the ‘Acting’ Operations Staff Officer. You’ll become the Operations Staff Officer. You’ll also have an adjutant, so it’ll be much easier to work than now.”
In short, he was telling me to go and endure a little hardship, as he had set the stage for me.
I wanted to shout, “Why are you doing things as you please?!” but the wall of rank was too high for that.
However, it wasn’t a completely hopeless situation.
“Chief of Operations Staff, I’m curious about the composition of the headquarters unit.”
“Considering your current rank, it will be a platoon-sized unit.”
“In that case, may I select the personnel myself?”
Personally? Ernst blinked his eyes in surprise and then clasped his hands together.
“There’s no reason why not. Who are you planning to recruit?”
“The front lines are already suffering from manpower shortages, so I intend to select personnel mainly from the rear.”
“Do you have anyone in mind?”
“No, sir. I will create an announcement and accept applications, then select personnel from among them. The opportunity to serve on the battlefield should be given equally to everyone.”
Ernst seemed impressed with my words and nodded in approval.
“That’s a good idea. Proceed as you see fit.”
“Yes, sir.”
I saluted Ernst and left the Chief of Operations Staff’s office, returning to my desk.
Immediately, I took out my fountain pen and drafted an announcement.
————————-
『Recruitment Notice for Northern Front Support Troops』
Attention, soldiers!
A fierce battle to protect the precious land of our homeland is currently underway in the north!
Therefore, I seek those who are willing to sacrifice their lives for the Empire!
O soldiers! Do not covet the Empire’s grain in life, but become the foundation for the Empire’s glory in death!
Join me and destroy, ravage, and eliminate the enemy until your last breath!
We shall desire only the death of our enemies!
Recruitment Quota
• 20 soldiers for the Northern Front support troops
Eligibility Criteria
• Those who are willing to dedicate their hearts to the Empire
• Those who do not wish to survive the battle
• Those who wish to be of service to the Empire even if they die tomorrow
Commanding Officer
• Operations Staff Officer Lieutenant Daniel Steiner
• No combat experience, but more dedicated to the Empire than anyone else
Glory to the Empire!
Holy Bavarian Empire
General Staff Headquarters Frontline Support Troop Recruitment Office
————————-
‘Perfect!’
It was a masterpiece.
There was no mention of survival, only emphasizing death!
Since it’s human nature to cling to life, no one would want to die for the Empire.
Furthermore, I clearly stated that the commanding officer had no combat experience, so what fool would apply?
It was obvious that the soldiers, living comfortably in the warm rear, would scoff at this notice.
That would lead to a drastic drop in applications, and I could simply reject the few applicants with various excuses.
Then, Ernst would have no choice but to withdraw his plan to send me to the Northern Front.
My promotion would also go down the drain, killing two birds with one stone! After that, I could just stay put at the General Staff Headquarters and find a way to get a dishonorable discharge.
‘Brilliant!’
Smiling with satisfaction, I took the announcement and headed to the personnel department.
***
The next day.
As I was going through my usual work routine after arriving at the office, the door opened with a polite knock.
Looking up, I saw the personnel officer approaching me with a file in hand.
“Lieutenant Daniel Steiner? About the announcement you asked us to deliver to the rear units yesterday…”
Seeing that the personnel officer was holding only a file and nothing else, it seemed there were either no applicants or very few.
Thinking that the notice was more effective than I expected, I smiled inwardly, but I couldn’t show that in front of the personnel officer, so I feigned disappointment.
“As expected, there seem to be no soldiers willing to dedicate themselves to the Empire. I’m disappointed.”
“Hmm? No, it’s the opposite.”
The opposite? Just as I was wondering what he meant, the personnel officer clapped twice.
“Come in.”
Five soldiers entered, groaning under the weight of a mountain of application documents 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, so I came to find you. I thought it was a good announcement, but I didn’t expect this kind of response.”
The personnel officer praised me with a smile, but—
‘No, why are they applying…?’
I was dumbfounded.
—————
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