Chapter 92

The situation in the eastern part of the empire changed dramatically after Duke Medilen's fleet completely annihilated the Agan Navy's main fleet.

In my office, Lieutenant Roz was drinking coffee while chatting with Sergeant Hanna.

"King Agan has reportedly asked Duke Litreuil for peace."

"What? Really!? That war-loving King Agan!?"

"Surprised, aren't you? But with the Agan Navy destroyed and the sea routes under imperial control, an invasion by the army alone would not be sustainable without supplies."

I continued working on my paperwork and made a deliberate cough, but it had no effect.

Roz flipped through the artillery manual and continued the conversation.

"The basic strategy of the Agan Army is to advance south along the coast in coordination with the navy. The naval transport is the backbone of their logistics, right, Yuiina?"

Don't throw the conversation to me. I nodded with a frown.

"That's right. The Agan Army is a formidable enemy with high striking power and penetration, but this is only possible because they rely entirely on the navy for supplies. Now that the navy has been destroyed, the army can only move within a half-day's range from their bases."

The artillery, known as the goddess of the battlefield, was also transported by the navy, so the Agan Army has almost no horse-drawn artillery. The artillery cannot keep up with the infantry's marching speed.

I explained this and continued.

"Without the ability to invade, the most important thing for Agan is to avoid being invaded. Of course, they would propose peace. Duke Medilen, of course, saw this as an opportunity to extract various conditions."

"But Duke Medilen? Wasn't it Duke Litreuil who received the peace proposal…?"

Hanna started to say this but then seemed to realize something.

"By the way, Duke Litreuil is practically retired, isn't he?"

"Yes. He is preparing to pass the family leadership to his eldest son, Serin. Or rather, he is being forced to."

The five-year-old Serin looks up to his older sister, who is the secretary of the 6th Special Task Brigade, thinking she is the real thing. Rikoshe, who was a shadow of the former Duke Litreuil, Minshiana, now has more influence than ever.

Since no one else has the right to inherit the family leadership, it can be said that the Litreuil family has come under the Medilen family's control.

While explaining this to Hanna, I noticed Roz's gaze. He looked like he wanted to say something.

"What's up?"

"Well... You never talk about your own achievements, do you?"

Achievements?

"You mean the Chrombertz rifle? You haven't forgotten that I'm an artillery officer, have you?"

"Does it bother you?"

"Not at all, but Duke Medilen has assigned a few to our brigade. We'll be doing familiarization training for a while."

If we can use the rifles that destroyed the Agan fleet, it will make supporting the infantry much easier. This will be a great help.

"Ah, right. I'm counting on you."

"That's not what I meant."

Lieutenant Roz sighed.

"Didn't you come up with that incredible cannon? I saw the performance test results, and the range and power are insane. It's pitiful to think of enemy soldiers being hit by such a thing."

"It's just a larger version of the rifled musket, nothing special."

"You say that, but this is a revolutionary new weapon that will change the face of war. Yuiina Chrombertz's name will be remembered in artillery history."

I brought this from my previous world, so I didn't invent anything. I don't want my name to be remembered in history.

Roz seemed to read something from my expression and sighed deeply again.

"You've always been like this, haven't you?"

"I guess so, though I'm not sure."

To others, I might be the person who created a groundbreaking cannon, but to me, I just passed on what I learned in my previous life. I feel uncomfortable with the praise.

So I stood up and pretended not to notice.

"Alright, the artillery will conduct familiarization training with the rifles. The infantry will deploy first."

I put on my cap and turned to Hanna.

"I'll call you Lieutenant Hayden next time we meet."

"Yes, sir! I'll do my best!"

The tall Sergeant Hanna saluted sharply.

In our Schwedel, procedurally, even if you graduate from the naval academy, you can't become an army lieutenant.

But Duke Medilen's words, "If following procedures leads to the destruction of our family, we are more foolish than the imperial court," pierced the Fourth Division headquarters, and a special wartime appointment was arranged for lieutenant commissions.

I wonder if it's right, but I agree with Duke Medilen. We need as many artillery officers who can handle the rifles as possible.

I waved to the two artillery officers.

"We'll stop the Bruges invasion, so come as soon as you can."

I walked out, turning my back to Roz, who nodded, and Hanna, who saluted.

In the corridor, there were the tense-looking Sergeants Midona and Rozel, and the newly promoted sergeants.

The 6th Special Task Brigade's line infantry now consists of two companies, with a total of six squad leaders. The new sergeants will lead the newly formed squads.

"Let's go."

"Yes, sir."

Walking down the corridor with six sergeants, I felt a sense of accomplishment. As a major, it's natural, but in a brigade with a shortage of officers, it's hard to feel like a leader when you have no subordinates.

A more serious problem is that we couldn't provide our own company commanders.

We had to ask the Fifth Division for two spare lieutenants. The selection process was a mess, and they only arrived today.

Ideally, I would prefer lieutenants with some experience, but there aren't many spare veteran officers.

They were waiting for us in the brigade commander's office.

First, one of them.

"I am Lieutenant Digo Fulton."

The thin, middle-aged male officer saluted with a smirk. He looked like a veteran, but of course, a proper veteran officer wouldn't be sent here.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Major Yuiina Chrombertz."

"It's an honor. Please tell Death that I want to be left alone."

What a creepy greeting.

But looking at his record, it makes sense.

Although a commoner can only reach the rank of captain, he would usually be made a lieutenant at this age as a favor. Being on par with a new lieutenant would not be good for morale.

In fact, this Lieutenant Fulton was once a lieutenant and a company commander but was demoted for embezzling supplies. It's surprising he wasn't dishonorably discharged, but there must be a reason.

Since he has no commendable military achievements, it's no wonder the Fifth Division didn't need him.

And the second one.

"Sh...Shal Lane, Lieutenant."

A girl? Yes, definitely a girl. She looks like a beautiful blonde girl.

But the documents clearly state he is male. Moreover, he is not a new graduate but has two years of military service. It's confusing.

Calm down, his voice is low, and his salute is sharp, giving a sense of reliability as a professional soldier.

He should be fine. Probably.

He is a noble officer, but the Lane family is a minor noble family at the bottom of the Litreuil aristocracy. The lord himself tills the fields, so their poverty is evident.

Lieutenant Lane, seeing my expression, said in a small, apologetic voice.

"I am often mistaken for a woman, but I am a man, so there's no need to worry."

"I understand. We're both men, so no need to be formal."

His performance at the military academy was quite good, and he has been solid in his rear duties. He is not a bad officer.

However, I doubt the commoner soldiers will follow his orders easily.

Soldiers entrust their lives to their squad leaders, and a leader who looks unreliable will not gain their trust. He was probably surplus and sent here because he couldn't be used as a frontline commander.

But for me, it's convenient. The soldiers he will command are as delicate as he is. They are all girls, so a less intimidating leader might be more approachable.

So I smiled.

"I have higher expectations for you than that bad middle-aged man. I'm sure you'll do a good job."

At that moment, Lieutenant Lane's cheeks turned red.

"Thank you! I will do my best!"

His expressions and gestures are quite flirtatious, but he is really a man, right?

General Altsar, who was watching, cleared his throat.

"With this, the shortage of officers is filled. Major Chrombertz will also serve as battalion commander and take care of the two temporary company commanders. Depending on their performance, they may be officially appointed as company commanders and promoted to lieutenant."

"I am a staff officer, not a commander…"

Let's be clear about that.

But the general looked at me sharply.

"Do you think I can take care of them?"

"Probably not."

They look like troublemakers and a timid noble boy. They wouldn't fit with the proud and brave General Altsar.

I get it, I'll do it.

"If it's a direct order from the brigade commander, I have no choice. I'll do my best."

"Good."

The two lieutenants looked puzzled at the general's satisfied nod.