Chapter 297

EP.297

When I heard His Majesty’s words, I swallowed my saliva as the image of being demoted in rank or title as a disciplinary action came to mind.

I expected that there would be little chance of that happening, so I went ahead and did it, 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.

Because 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, and I sighed after seeing 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.”

“The council is 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 give you a rather heavy punishment this time.”

Even though he said it was quite heavy, seeing as his expression was not that serious, it would be a level of punishment that would not cause much real harm to me.

“It is an abuse of power, or more accurately, an excessive use of power, resulting in a 3-month suspension and a 50/6-month pay cut. 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 I hope you understand. Those who are opposed to it are so stubborn that if there is a precedent of 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.

This is 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 impact to our family since we have income from the fiefdom and the huge amount of rewards we have received so far.

No, considering that I will be serving in the military for several decades more, I need to be treated harshly by the opposition and give them a mental victory in order to serve in the military for a long time.

When I think about it that way, I don’t feel too bad because even though it’s disciplinary action, it feels like I’ve been given unpaid leave.

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... or rather, using the facial expression management skills I gained while serving in the military for nearly 12 years, I smiled and answered 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 an embarrassing crime.

“I have been lucky enough to have been favored by His Majesty so far.”

The emperor patted me on the shoulder.

“Thank you for knowing. 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.”

**

Some time 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 left the room.

Because it was Empress Eleanor von Medici who had now entered this room.

“What are you doing at this late hour, Empress?”

The voice was so cold that it did not seem like he was addressing the person with whom the Empress had spent the longest time.

This was not a particularly special sight.

Because among the emperor, imperial family, and nobility of the empire, there is a very different type of family that has such a good relationship with its wife and husband as Peter Jaeger’s family.

This is because it is common for most couples to have an ice-cold business relationship with their wives in 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, 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, since Albert is the Crown Prince, he must go and fulfill his duties.”

“Captain Peter Yeager is only 30 years old. What will happen to the empire if we give him the crown prince’s trust...”

Michael sighed as if he was taken aback by those words.

“No matter how much she is the empress, it is not desirable for a woman to carelessly interfere in the politics of the empire. No, since she has the status of empress, she might talk a lot.”

The emperor paused for a moment and spoke assertively.

“If you are going to make any 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? The empire now has two options: soar toward hegemony or plummet to ruin. And if the Empire is to survive, he needs Captain Jaeger.”

“But too many for one subject...”

“If Captain Jaeger had only thought about himself and persisted, do you think the opponents would have been able to at least call for 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 Jaeger 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 went away 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 an even more difficult situation? 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.”

A word from the author (author review)

Thank you, reader.

Your comments and likes are of great help to the author.

See next episode