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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: The Returned Saintess
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Fifteen days later.
"I mean! I was collecting stamps as a hobby, and my wife heard some strange things somewhere and came home yelling at me not to waste money on such things! It was outrageous!"
As usual, I was strolling in front of the headquarters building after lunch, listening to Ernst's complaints.
By the way, my adjutant, Lucy, had also inadvertently joined us and was listening to Ernst's domestic woes.
"The only hobbies I have are fishing and stamp collecting! Do you think it makes sense to stop me from doing one of them?"
As I listened, I thought it was a bit much, so I nodded.
"It does seem like your wife is being a bit harsh. It's not like you neglect your family; you go straight home after work."
"You're telling me! Captain Daniel, you truly understand! The Head of Personnel even scolded me, saying I spend too much money on stamp collecting, which is just absurd! What hobby in this world doesn't cost money?"
…Something feels off.
"Chief? May I ask what stamp you recently purchased?"
"Oh? Ah. The Berghausen Museum limited edition stamp came up for sale, so I did spend a bit."
The Berghausen Museum limited edition stamp? As far as I knew, it boasted a price so high even I, with little interest in stamps, was aware of it.
'It was probably 100,000 marks at the time of sale.'
Given that a laborer's monthly wage in this era was between 30,000 and 60,000 marks, it was quite a significant expenditure.
I understood why Ernst's wife was angry, but I decided to remain silent.
Isn't there a proverb that silence is golden?
"It's not like I touched the emergency fund; I just saved up my allowance to buy it. If she complains about that, how am I supposed to live with such injustice? Honestly, that woman…"
As I let Ernst's complaints go in one ear and out the other, I suddenly noticed something strange.
'What is it?'
Because I saw junior officers and non-commissioned officers I'd never seen before coming and going in front of the General Staff Headquarters.
The General Staff Headquarters is a place where it's easier to see senior officers than junior ones.
It was an unfamiliar sight to see lieutenants and second lieutenants I'd never met before bustling about in such a place.
"Excuse me, Chief?"
Ernst, who had been continuing his complaints about his wife, turned to look at me.
"Hm? Is there something you want to say?"
"Well… aren't there an unusual number of officers coming and going from the General Staff Headquarters today? And they're all unfamiliar faces."
"Unfamiliar faces? Ah. The Personnel Department called up officers to provide operational support to the Northern Front Army today. It seems they've all arrived."
Operational support for the Northern Front Army? My curiosity piqued, I spoke.
"Isn't the Northern Expansion War going smoothly right now? I heard the Eldresia Kingdom is collapsing helplessly, except for a few areas."
"Those few areas are the problem. As you know, if we can't push through the kingdom before winter, there's a high chance it will become a protracted war. That's why we're sending support."
I raised the paper cup in my hand, took a sip of coffee, and tilted my head in puzzlement.
"Considering the ranks of the officers, the unit going for operational support seems to be company-sized, but I don't think a company joining a battlefield where legions are operating will change the situation much."
At my words, Ernst chuckled softly.
"That's not it. The company is merely an escort unit to protect a capable staff officer. We can't have them exposed to enemy guerrilla attacks on the way to join the Northern Front Army."
"Ah. That makes sense then."
It seemed the General Staff Headquarters' plan was to deploy a capable staff officer to active combat to make the war situation even slightly more favorable to the Empire.
'Are they really that desperate for help…?'
Indeed, from the Empire's perspective, the best strategy was to quickly occupy the relatively weak Eldresia Kingdom and then concentrate on the Eastern Front.
Because once the winter cold snap begins, supplies and advancement will be hampered, leading to a protracted war. So they must be trying to end the war before summer passes, even if it means pushing themselves.
In any case, it had nothing to do with me.
"I don't know which staff officer is going for operational support, but they'll certainly have a tough time."
Poor soul. I almost feel sorry for them.
If they're reassigned from the warm, safe rear to the front lines, they'll surely shed tears of blood, unless they're a warmonger.
But what can be done? That's your karma.
"…Captain Daniel?"
While I was chuckling inwardly, Ernst awkwardly scratched his cheek.
Wondering why, I stared at him, and Ernst let out a low cough.
"My apologies. Things have been so busy lately that I seem to have forgotten to tell you. The staff officer heading out for operational support to the Northern Front Army is none other than you."
What? My mind went blank for a moment.
My hand lost strength, and I nearly dropped the paper cup.
After being dazed for a while, I finally regained my composure and spoke.
"…Me?"
"Yes. The Deputy Chief of Staff seems to think highly of you this time. He's set the stage for you to show your prowess on the battlefield. The company is even 200 strong, so for small-scale operations, you can command them yourself."
I couldn't believe it. I didn't want to believe it.
I took a deep breath and asked again.
"Are you really saying me?"
"It's certain, no need to ask twice. Are you that happy? Seeing your disbelieving expression makes me feel good. Hahaha! Go on, do your best!"
I wasn't happy; I felt like throwing up.
As I couldn't respond to Ernst's encouragement, Lucy interjected.
"Congratulations. While Captain Daniel Steiner is distinguishing himself on the battlefield, I will handle the office duties at headquarters."
Seeing that, Ernst tilted his head as if to say, 'What are you talking about?'
"Hm? Of course, you, as his adjutant, must go with him, too, mustn't you?"
Lucy was visibly flustered, a rare sight.
I could see her pupils trembling.
"…But, Chief of Operations Staff? If even I leave headquarters, the staff office will be burdened with an excessive workload."
"That's something they can handle by working overtime. After all, it's wartime right now. Our hardships are nothing compared to your efforts on the front lines."
Lucy remained silent, beads of sweat forming on her brow.
Indeed, neither Lucy nor the Allied Intelligence Department could have predicted this situation.
Of course, Lucy's predicament was none of my concern at the moment.
'Damn it…'
Things had gone awry beyond what I'd expected.
I, who had been groaning inwardly, suddenly paused.
Because the sight of a woman walking towards the General Staff Headquarters felt strangely familiar.
Light brown hair that swayed gently with every step, and dark eyes with a brownish tint.
It was Frien, who would one day be called the Saintess of the Empire.
'Why is she here?'
At this time, shouldn't she be attending officer classes at the military academy?
Puzzled, I excused myself from Ernst and approached Frien.
"You, Cadet. Stop right there."
Hearing my words, Frien turned around, her face immediately brightening as she gave a sweet smile.
"Lieutenant Daniel Steiner! No, my apologies! You're a Captain now!"
Her voice was loud, as if she had met someone she was glad to see.
Of course, I wasn't particularly glad to see her, so I maintained a poker face.
"I'm not here to exchange pleasantries, so answer my question. Why are you, a cadet, loitering around the General Staff Headquarters? Shouldn't you be at the military academy?"
"Ah…! When the General Staff Headquarters put out a call for support for the Northern Front Army, I personally wrote a letter to the Personnel Department. They must have seen it and granted me a special exception."
I frowned.
"A letter?"
"Yes. Seeing the announcement that Captain Daniel would be commanding, I sent my application documents, including the fact that I had previously carried out operations with you, through a letter."
"And the placement officer at the General Staff Headquarters' Personnel Department read that and included you in my company?"
"That's right! It is an honor for my family to serve Captain Daniel once again!"
If it's the General Staff Headquarters' decision, I can't object, but it feels very unsettling.
Even with the battlefield ahead, being able to smile so brightly means one of two things.
Either her loyalty to the Empire is overflowing, or she's possessed by some kind of madness.
And usually, loyalty and madness had more in common than differences.
"…Frien? I understand your intentions, but aren't you too young to volunteer for the Northern Front Army? No one will say anything if you, a cadet, decide to withdraw, so choose carefully."
Though I was indirectly telling her to withdraw her application immediately, Frien shook her head and gently placed a hand over her chest.
"I have already made up my mind. I vowed to repay Captain Daniel with my life for the kindness I received in the military police detention center. So, I will not withdraw my application."
"…Kindness? What kindness? We barely exchanged a few words, didn't we?"
"So, I will be with Captain Daniel. And in the not-too-distant future, Captain and I will see it. An ideal nation where all worries and anxieties have vanished."
"…An ideal nation?"
"Yes. One Empire, One Emperor, One People. We must establish God's heaven on this earth, where all the Allied humans, who are nothing more than despicable rats, have been eliminated."
Saying so, Frien offered a benevolent smile.
It was a warm smile, as if it would emerge during a process of sanctification, which made me certain.
'Is she crazy?'
For reasons I didn't quite understand, Frien had gone beyond mere loyalty and entered a state of madness.
I, sweating coldly, swallowed hard in fear.
'I need to talk to the Deputy Chief. To get Frien removed from my company's roster.'
It didn't seem likely to work, but I had to try.
Because this clear-eyed lunatic standing before me was truly terrifying.