297 – Splendid Vacation (1)
When I heard His Majesty’s words, the scene of being demoted in rank or title as a disciplinary action came to mind and I swallowed.
I thought there would be little chance of that happening, so I went wild, but since I can’t directly touch the empire’s political scene, I could face severe punishment due to variables other than what was expected.
I’m still young, so I can definitely get my rank and title back.
It’s normal for people to be reluctant when asked to give up something they’ve already acquired.
When the emperor saw my expression, he smiled softly and nodded his head, and I sighed when I saw that.
“Originally, all matters pertaining to military generals or higher are executed according to the decisions of the Minister of Military Affairs and myself, but in this case, since it is related to suppressing a rebellion, you are aware that the National Assembly also participated in the disposition, right?”
“Yes, I know.”
From noble mtl dot com
“The factions in Congress were divided exactly in half. There are those who say you should be severely punished, and those who say that this is part of the legitimate performance of duties, so let’s take it lightly. After discussing it for quite a long time, it was decided to impose a rather heavy punishment on you this time.”
Seeing as his expression is not that serious even though he said it was quite heavy, it is probably a punishment at a level that will not actually cause much harm to me.
“Abuse of power. No, to be exact, it is a 3-month suspension and a 50/6-month pay cut due to excessive use of power. Manstein, I can’t give you a big reward for defeating that traitor and saving the empire from a potential crisis. It breaks my heart to think that I have to deliver such punishment. But please understand. Those who are opposed to it are so stubborn that if there is a precedent for excessive use of power without being disciplined, it could be misused later. You are my subjects, and they are also my subjects. “This time I had no choice but to listen to their opinions.”
“Justifiable discipline is within Your Majesty’s authority, so why do you feel sorry? Now that this has come to an end, I will rest comfortably and think that my vacation has been extended because of my honesty.”
His Majesty made an apologetic expression and sighed full of regret.
It’s not that I don’t understand that feeling.
Because if an ordinary Imperial Army officer were to receive a 3-month suspension and a 6-month pay cut while serving, it would be such a severe punishment that he would have to give up receiving any stars.
However, in my case, I already have 4 stars at the age of 30, so even if I don’t get promoted for 20 years, there is no problem in becoming a marshal and rising to the rank of Minister of Military Affairs.
Even if the salary is cut, there will be little damage to our family since we have income from the estate and the huge amount of rewards we have received so far.
No, considering that I will be serving in the military for several more decades, I need to be treated harshly by the opposition and give them a mental victory in order to be able to serve in the military for a long time.
When I think about it that way, I don’t feel too bad because it feels like I was given unpaid leave even though it was disciplinary action.
For the first time in a while, I took my whole family to eat delicious food, see the circus, and enjoy the festival to the fullest… Ah! I should go on a trip too. I should have fun without thinking about money.
However, as a professional office worker… No, I used the facial expression management skills I gained while serving in the military for nearly 12 years and answered with a smile as if I had been liberated.
The reason I did that is because no matter how much I was disciplined, if I laughed out loud, I could get kicked in the face for shame.
“I have been lucky enough to have been favored by His Majesty so far.”
The emperor patted my shoulder.
“Thank you for understanding. Instead, I would like to give you a special gift as a reward for your achievements in these peace negotiations and in clearing out the Manstein faction. “This is consistent with the request I am making to you.”
When I heard that, I don’t know why, but I remembered a famous anecdote about a monk from my hometown.
The man, starting with Mr. Hwang, had to work tirelessly under King Sejong until he was over 85 years old.
I had an ominous premonition that would make me work like that person.
“As you know, there is a tradition in the empire that when the crown prince is over 10 years old, he is made to tour various parts of the empire every two years until he turns 25. “Do you know why?”
“Isn’t this to give His Highness the Crown Prince the opportunity to experience first-hand what kind of empire he will rule, and to let nobles from all over the empire know that this person will become the sun of the empire in the future?”
“That’s right. And my first son, Albert, is just 10 years old.”
…… Oh, please. Does it make me feel like I committed some crime in my past life and that I need to go on a trip with the emperor’s son, I don’t know where, but I don’t know where?
His Majesty continued his speech without paying any attention to me.
“Furthermore, there is often talk coming up from the National Assembly these days about the need to strengthen central control in the North. After investigating the matter in detail, it appears that as long as you and Brigadier General Kergit are alive, the northerners who suffered under Ludvik’s hooves will not leave the empire. “For smooth governance, I think we need to send a signal that our imperial family cares about them.”
When I heard that, I was truly speechless.
Ah, I have to go all the way to the north with His Royal Highness, who has four stars and is much more burdensome than the chairman’s son…
Of course, ‘family-accompanied’ travel is permitted on this type of trip, so the relationship between my family and His Highness the Crown Prince will be truly strengthened.
My status in the empire will further increase, but no matter how much I think about it, this is really a huge mental burden.
However, His Majesty must have thought that this was not enough of a burden to place on me, and he smiled something evil-looking.
“Now that we’ve gone on a trip, wouldn’t it be a good idea to show the crown prince’s face to the northern chieftains? Stay in the north for about a month and receive greetings from the chieftains. Still, in case something happens to the crown prince, you must personally protect him from behind.”
“I understand, Your Majesty.”
“If they see you, who have absolute influence in the North, serving the crown prince, any remaining sense of rebellion in the hearts of the chieftains will completely disappear.”
Then, His Majesty spoke lightly as if the story was almost over.
“The disposition will be officially announced tomorrow afternoon. So, tomorrow morning, go to the prince’s room and personally inform him that you will be leading the trip that will take place in four months. “That child often listens to the stories of Peter Jaeger from his tutors, so he seems to be very interested in you.”
…… I am truly happy to be receiving the Emperor’s favor and the favor of the Crown Prince who will become the Emperor in the future.
The problem is that I am so happy and burdened that I feel like my back is going to bend.
“With this, the status of the Jaeger family will rise further, and your political status will also soar. I think this is a sufficient reward. “It’s late, so I’ll stop by today.”
I paid my respects one last time before leaving.
“Then I will step down, Your Majesty.”
I was so shocked by the burden of having to go on a long trip with the crown prince that I started pacing like a drunk person even though I hadn’t even drank alcohol.
**
Shortly after Peter Yeager left, a woman who appeared to be in her mid-30s came in.
Upon seeing the woman’s face, the woman guarding the emperor quickly retreated from her room.
Because the one who entered this room now was Empress Eleanor von Medici.
“What are you doing at this late hour, Empress?”
The Empress, her voice was so cold that it did not seem like she was dealing with the person with whom she had spent the longest time.
This was not a particularly special sight.
Because, among the emperor, royal family, and nobles of the empire, it is a very special species for a wife and husband to have such a good relationship as Peter Yeager’s family.
This is because it is common for most couples to have an ice-cold business relationship with their wives through arranged marriages.
“I came because I wanted to talk about Albert’s trip even though it was late at night. Does Your Majesty really intend to send that child to the far north? “Even if it is guarded by the Guard Knights, it is too harsh and dangerous.”
“…… It’s not that I don’t know that, but Albert, it’s early April when he goes on a trip, so it’s not that cold. Moreover, the child’s security will be handled by the Guard Knights and Captain Peter Yeager. There is no need for anything to happen. Moreover, Albert is the Crown Prince, so he should go and fulfill his duties.”
“Captain Peter Jaeger is only 30 years old, and what will happen to the empire if we give him the crown prince’s trust…?”
Hearing those words, Michael sighed and said as if he was taken aback.
“No matter how much she is the empress, it is not desirable for her daughter to carelessly interfere with the politics of the empire. No, since she has the status of empress, there may be a lot to talk about.”
The emperor paused for a moment and spoke assertively.
“If you are going to make a claim, please come with proper evidence. Don’t listen to the nonsense that Captain Peter Yeager will do something harmful to the Empire. You really don’t know? Now the empire has no choice but two options: soar toward hegemony, or plummet to ruin. And if the Empire is to survive, he needs Captain Jaeger.”
“But too much for one subject…”
“If Captain Jaeger had only thought about himself and persisted, do you think his opponents would have even been able to talk about disciplinary action against him? No, rather, the opposition would have suffered a counterattack. “Why are you still suspicious of his actions?”
At those words, the Empress stepped on the carpet with her foot for no reason and left the room, and the Emperor saw the armor worn by Peter Yeager on the Lichen Hill, which was decorated in the most visible part of his room.
The armor had countless knife marks, arrow marks, mace marks, and blood stains that never disappeared even after washing with water and soap.
“……How could I doubt Captain Jaeger, who thought of me first even when he was risking his own life and even in more difficult situations? All I can do is provide a stage for him to play as much as he wants. Then the empire will develop on its own in the process.”