I Became a Genius Commander at the Academy - Chapter 20

EP.20

When I was studying Roman history, I heard that Rome had this tradition.

The commander-in-chief who made a great contribution in the war is given the honor of being the protagonist of the triumphal ceremony, which is the highest honor for a human being.

The people of that era were afraid that the triumphant general would forget that he was a human being due to the arrogance of the victor and fall into the illusion that he was a god, so he said to the slave behind him, ‘You are just a mortal.’ It is said that he whispered.

In addition, the soldiers under his command were given the right and duty to march while openly mocking the general’s flaws.

In the case of the famous Caesar, he was a talented playboy and was in the final stages of hair loss, so ‘the bald, playboy general is leaving!’ It is said that he was ridiculed.

At the time, I thought it was just a custom for a laugh, but now that I am the protagonist of the triumphal ceremony, I understand why.

A huge crowd of thousands, perhaps even more than 10,000 people filled the streets. Flags made of colorful silk and various fabrics and banners containing praise for the winners filled the capital of the empire.

The people inside gave enthusiastic applause and praise to us who returned from the war and shouted.

“Long live your Majesty the Emperor! Long live His Majesty the Crown Prince! Long live Division Commander Stefan!”

“Long live your Majesty the Emperor! Long live the Imperial Army! Long live His Majesty the Crown Prince!”

“Deus, protect the empire! Please protect His Majesty the Emperor and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!”

If you can stand at the center of a place where so many people praise you, anyone will feel proud and have arrogant thoughts.

It is not for nothing that the triumphal ceremony is called ‘human glory that even God would be jealous of.’

And as I listened to the sounds coming from around me, in addition to the voices praising the division commander and the crown prince, there were also quite a few nobles admiring the majesty of our unit.

“Is that unit the Jaeger Company that was most active on the Rhineland front?”

“According to what I heard, the person who selected that unit and established it as the vanguard was Major General Stefan. “You were a student platoon leader, right?”

“I heard that he came from a commoner background. Has a commander who can rewrite the history of the imperial army appeared?”

I just listened to the words of envy and admiration from the dignitaries who came to see the triumphal ceremony, and my heart began to pound like crazy.

The citizens who came out to see the spectacle of the triumphal ceremony and the children who followed looked at us with longing eyes and said,

“Mom, I want to become a great soldier like those guys later!”

“Ha, conscription is coming soon. You have to win brilliantly like that unit in the army that goes once and even bring the division flag…”

“Awaken from your dream, bastard. “Even if you work hard for 100 days, what else will you become other than a sergeant?”

I would like to wave at those who shout that our unit is great, but according to the customs of the triumphal ceremony, anyone other than the ‘Supreme Commander’ of the army holding the ceremony cannot return the cheers.

I looked straight ahead and tried my best to control the corners of my mouth that kept turning up and maintain the cool, indifferent yet strong expression typical of a soldier.

Also, looking at the other officers and soldiers around me, I wonder if they also want to show their solemn and serious appearance as cool soldiers as much as possible?

Everyone was holding the corners of their mouths that were rising and looking solemnly ahead without wavering.

When I was immersed in the many emotions I felt while participating in the triumphal ceremony.

The military band following behind our company made loud trumpet and drum sounds, and the crown prince riding a white horse in front raised his sword and shouted.

“Raise the flag!”

As soon as I heard that order, I raised the division flag of the Francois Republic Division, and one of the soldiers standing next to me also raised the division flag of the 7th Imperial Division.

Then the eyes of the people around me all focused on the flag I was holding and on me.

“Is that Peter Yeager? He charged into Francois’s division to save the division in crisis…”

“They say he’s a student platoon leader, and he’s really young. He was promoted to lieutenant at the front at that age. I think it would be criticized if he wrote a novel like that…”

“Ability is not only an ability, but the character is also quite good-looking. “It’s going to make a woman cry quite a bit.”

After the triumphal ceremony, the emperor gathers nobles and holds a ball to give people who have made great achievements a chance to be noticed.

I guess if I attend there, I will be given the title of company commander, a pretty boy from a commoner background.

To men, he will be an object of jealousy and envy, and to women, he will be seen as a promising star with no status or wealth, but with potential for growth.

Then, like in a fantasy novel, there might be a case where high-status girls are asked to work… I ca

n’t believe I’m sitting here thinking about this when I still don’t know what rewards and promotions I will receive from His Majesty the Emperor.

As I continued marching, cutting off as many distracting thoughts as I could and keeping in mind only my role in the triumphal ceremony, I saw a wide open square in front of me.

In various places in the square, various symbolic flags symbolizing the emperor of the Reich Empire were showing off their majesty.

Nobles wearing colorful silk dresses or suits and knights wearing shiny silver armor held their seats.

Just as I was inwardly moved by the sight, I heard the crown prince and the division commander dismounting from their horses.

“It is served by His Majesty Fernando von Reich, the great Emperor and the only sun of the Reich Empire. Everyone please be polite!”

At the same time, everyone, including the crown prince, knelt on one knee and bowed their heads to show respect.

Not long after, the crown prince shouted in a stern voice.

“Everyone stand up and salute His Majesty!”

When the order was given, all the soldiers, including me, made the same motion and saluted.

Damn it, will I one day be able to become a general who can move tens of thousands of soldiers like that with just one command?

Regardless of my future wishes, the ceremony proceeded and the emperor looked down at me and the other soldiers with a solemn but benevolent expression and said,

“I am truly proud of the crown prince’s capture of Lezhin Castle. Thanks to your exploits, our empire gained a bridgehead to advance into the rich plains of the east. I also praise the achievement of Division Commander Stefan, who destroyed François’ division before the Crown Prince!”

At those words, the crown prince and the division commander bowed their heads even deeper.

“Therefore, I plan to personally commend the Crown Prince and those who contributed greatly to the 7th Division of Stefan and make them models for the Imperial Army. “The Grand Chamberlain must recite their merits and awards so that everyone living in Reichburg can hear them.”

When a student won an award at a national or regional competition, the high school principal gave a long speech that was as short as 5 minutes or as long as 10 minutes to show off his ability to raise such a student.

Even after seeing the crown prince take control of Regin Castle and a large area around it, he ended it so briefly.

However, I actually thought that the emperor and crown prince stood out better by not saying unnecessary things.

“As a reward for this achievement, the Crown Prince is bestowed the County of Brandenburg along with the Medal of Honor with the Diamond Cross of Knight’s Swords. Division Commander Stefan von Bolten is awarded the Golden Cross of Knight’s Swords, the Silver Eagle Medal, and five villages next to the existing territory. In addition, we commend him for his achievements by promoting him to lieutenant general.”

Just as in modern Britain there is a medal in which an actual ‘knighthood’ is awarded to the recipient of the medal, in the Reich Empire there is a ‘Knight’s Cross of Swords’ above the Gold Cross, which is a knighthood.

Diamonds are the highest in it, followed by gold and silver in that order.

Even so, Division Commander Stefan was actually awarded the highest medal a soldier could receive.

Because diamonds are medals that can only be received by those who are heroes of the national salvation who played an active role in desperate times.

After the grand chamberlain’s reading paused for a moment, the emperor personally awarded medals to the two top men in the army.

Then, not only the nobles but also the citizens and soldiers watching the scene from afar applauded and cheered.

In the next order, the Grand Chamberlain unfolded another scroll and shouted.

“Forward Lieutenant Peter Yeager, acting company commander of the Blancia Battalion!”

I expected to receive a big reward.

However, since my status was low, I did not expect to receive the award in front of everyone.

So, somewhat hesitantly, I walked over and stood next to the division commander and the crown prince.

The Grand Chamberlain and the Emperor looked at me with interest.

And then he declared loudly.

“Participating in his first battle as a student platoon leader, he defeated one battalion, rescued a neighboring battalion that was on the brink of annihilation, and turned the tide of the war in a crisis for the division with ingenious strategy and courage. In particular, he was recognized as the 3rd best in this battle. In memory of this, he was awarded the Silver Knight’s Sword Cross and the Assault Medal of Honor, and was promoted one rank from the ranks he had been promoted so far and appointed to the rank of captain. In addition, appropriate territory will be granted.”

The moment I heard those words, I was so moved that I almost burst into tears of emotion during the medal award ceremony.

However, if a soldier cries in a place like this, a weak image can be created not only to everyone present, but also to the military and social gatherings.

I bit my molars to hold back the tears from bursting out, and saluted the Emperor with only a little moisture in the corners of my eyes.

The emperor personally awarded two medals and spoke.

“Kneel down and bow your head.”

When I did as he said, the emperor took out the treasured sword encrusted with jewels he was wearing and placed it on both of my shoulders.

“Fernando von Reich, the rightful Emperor of the Reich Empire, recognizes Peter Jaeger’s achievements and awards him a knighthood.”

My head and heart were so excited by the sudden award of a title that I felt like my head was spinning and I was dizzy, but I tried to maintain my senses and was able to use the knowledge I had previously learned at the academy to give an appropriate answer.

“I will sacrifice my body and soul for the glory of the empire.”

“Let’s look forward to Captain Jaeger’s activities in the future.”

After that, he performed the rest of the ceremony in a semi-conscious state because of the ‘shock and joy of being transformed from a damned orphan into a true nobleman in name and reality.’

And right after the triumphal ceremony was over, I was about to return to my assigned lodging.

One of the servants secretly approached me and said:

“His Royal Highness is said to be visiting Lord Jaeger in person at 10 o’clock tonight. Please prepare and wait.”

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