The declaration of the Okhraine Kingdom.
At the same time, separatist forces in Runetsk rose up.
And the new cabinet formed under Orlando I.
While all these events were unfolding, I had gone through quite a tough time.
“The one who tried to directly contaminate their own mana to inflict a fatal blow on the opponent’s mana essence. They must be truly insane.”
The injuries I received from Yegor Ivanov of the General Intelligence Bureau were not just surface wounds or internal injuries.
Not only did they cause pneumothorax and internal bleeding due to rib fractures, but the contaminated mana also infiltrated my mana essence, hindering my body’s recovery.
If Bella Meyer hadn’t provided emergency treatment quickly, or if I had suffered a few more critical hits, I would have been left unable to use magic despite winning.
However, thanks to the efforts of Orlando I’s personal physicians and the dedicated care of the soldiers from the 8th Rapid Magic Infantry Battalion,
My body was recovering at a rapid pace.
“Captain, it’s time to eat.”
Just as I was feeling hungry,
The timing was impeccable.
A silver-haired woman appeared with a tray in hand. Her amethyst-like violet eyes sparkled as she placed a warm breakfast before me and smiled.
“Good morning, Lumina.”
“Good morning, Captain Enok.”
She was always full of fresh smiles. The warmth hidden behind her stern and cold exterior.
From the moment I was first brought to this world and took on the role of squad leader until now,
Lumina Blue has performed her role as my adjutant excellently.
Thanks to her well-coordinated efforts with Major Claude Rain, we managed to conclude the recent coup d’état with minimal losses.
As soon as the coup began, she personally delivered a message to Special Response Brigade Commander Joseph Lebandovsky and ensured that Roxanna and Erwin, who were waiting at the northern Pedro industrial complex, arrived in time.
Although communication technology has advanced somewhat, real-time information exchange over hundreds of kilometers is still impossible as it is in modern times.
“This morning’s breakfast is delicious. With the capital’s entry restricted, high-quality wheat from the western granary finally arrived.”
“It certainly is.”
Until now, we had only been eating rough black bread made from coarse flour, but today’s breakfast consisted of soft white bread.
I took a sip of steaming corn soup and then bit into a large piece of bread.
Feeling thoroughly satisfied with the sense of satiety.
Lumina, with her arms crossed on the table, looked at me intently and smiled.
“You look happy eating like that.”
“Thank you for always taking care of me like this.”
“Not at all, it’s what an adjutant should do.”
“Then, if you weren’t my adjutant, would you not do this?”
I asked playfully, and Lumina pouted slightly as she replied.
“I see you’re really getting used to it.”
“All thanks to your diligent care.”
Lumina Blue was so devoted as an exclusive adjutant that she stayed by my side morning and night.
Even though I told her there was no need for her to wait, she insisted on making up for lost time by working overtime.
The bond that has continued since the Fifth Platoon days, everyone is stubbornly determined.
As we continued our meal,
Voices murmured outside the sickroom. Among them were familiar voices.
“Captain!”
“You’ve worked hard!”
They were members of the 8th Rapid Magic Infantry Battalion.
From the newest recruit who had just completed intense training and been thrown into combat, to Sergeant Rick Hanson, now the senior-most member and training officer.
Though it had only been about a week,
Seeing how tired they looked, they were very glad to see me.
“I trusted you, Captain.”
Rick Hanson said as he handed me a large bouquet of flowers. The fresh and vivid scent tickled my nose.
“What… Do you really need to prepare such a bouquet?”
“Huh? Isn’t it something to celebrate?”
“???”
Of course, we can celebrate success.
This incident was significant, complex, and several people almost died.
Even though I didn’t face a life-threatening situation during the Second Quernen War, this time, I felt I could d*e at any moment, making it a difficult period.
Considering that, I thought it might be a bit too much, when a man with a fierce expression appeared among the soldiers.
“You must have been sitting in bed for days, looking like you’ve lost all your vitality, Major Enok.”
“Claude Chief of Staff, and… Lieutenant Hilton Callia is here too.”
“It’s good to see you looking healthy, Captain.”
I glanced back and forth between the two faces, nodding slightly with a smile.
Claude’s face, who had just realized the true meaning of my actions, crinkled.
“Looks like you’re really getting used to it. It’s laughable how you’re throwing around silly jokes now.”
“Hey, Chief of Staff. That’s not something you should say to a superior who has just barely survived d*ath.”
“In any case, it seems I need to tell you the news. There were a few decisions made at today’s State Council meeting.”
State Council?
Indeed, Orlando I said he would return to Petrovna Palace today. He must have convened officials immediately upon his return to hold a State Council meeting.
“There are many things, and they keep adding up, but… regarding matters directly related to Colonel, it’s certainly promotion.”
“Aaah.”
It must be a gift for the promotion.
If that’s the case, it’s understandable. I had already anticipated promotion through the suppression of this coup.
Ultimately, promotion is a battle of wills.
With positions vacated by the eastern corps, capital corps, and national gendarmerie joining the coup, the vacancies are considerable.
Moreover, with the remnants of the rebellion rising up in the Principality of Runetsk, it’s not possible to leave such positions vacant for long.
So, the remaining option is to promote the ranks of officers who did not participate in the coup.
Probably not just me, but also those in front of me—Claude Rain, and other capable officers are likely to be promoted.
I sincerely expressed my condolences to the personnel of the Okhraine Personnel Command, who must have worked tirelessly.
And at this point, Orlando I probably has little else to offer in terms of rewards other than special promotions or decorations.
“Would a colonel be assigned as the Special Response Brigade Commander? Or perhaps take charge of a unit in the eastern region?”
“Colonel? I must have misjudged. I didn’t think a major could be so unambitious.”
“Huh?”
When Claude faintly smiled, Lieutenant Hilton Callia standing beside him continued.
“You’ve drawn another line in history, Major Enok Revendale.”
“Major?”
Two-grade promotion?
I know that to become a general, the consent of subordinates is necessary.
But I never dreamed I would actually become a general.
“Even if they are just fools, they can’t refuse to give up the position of general. Not only did you secure the crown prince’s safety quickly, but you also turned the tide when the entire capital was nearly taken over by the coup plotters.”
“That… is true.”
“Is there a specific assignment?”
“Not at all, I was going to tell you.”
Instead of answering, Claude handed me a document with the royal seal.
The document stated that a new Special Administrative Department, the Ministry of War, would be established under the direct authority of the crown prince to respond to future domestic and international conflicts.
And next to my name written below was:
[Director of War Plans Major Enok Revendale]
It was a title I couldn’t ignore.
“…Haa.”
War Plans Director.
Just writing that name made the hair on my back stand up.
I turned to look out the window.
The weather was clear, and the citizens of the capital, Kaeyef, which had regained its freedom, returned to a vibrant life.
But how long would this last?
Time was slipping away, and the time left to me was still insufficient.
If I want to prepare properly, I have only two years.
Looking at the current state of international politics, war could break out within a year.
The reason for Sony Chepelin’s delayed return is likely due to the fierce competition among nations over the title of High Mage.
However, the primary objective has been achieved today.
To rise to a position where I can wield the sword of war before countless killings occur on this land.
I placed the paper on the drawer next to the bed and clenched my fist.
The coup is over.
Now begins the real game.
*
Afterwards, visits from various sectors continued.
Following the visit from the 8th Rapid Magic Infantry Battalion, people from the Wilson Times Okhraine Press came and went.
Sarah Ronald brought news that the Amelican Federation was swamped with content about the Okhraine civil war, and that Wilson, the founder and director of the Times, had requested additional investment in the Okhraine Press.
From now on, her role would be crucial.
Ultimately, whether it’s internal cohesion or consolidation, it’s all about media.
If they talk enough from above, the media will process it and act as an “amplifier” to influence citizens.
Furthermore, with a newspaper like Wilson Times…
It has the potential to sway public opinion not just in Okhraine, but worldwide.
“Then I hope you make a quick recovery. Oh, congratulations on your promotion to general. You’ll embargo this, right?”
“Yes, the name Ministry of War is a bit…”
“Don’t worry. This is a request that doesn’t violate a journalist’s duty.”
Sarah Ronald winked and disappeared with the newspaper staff.
Next were my closest friends, who were also bedridden in the hospital.
“d*mn it, it would be better to d*e if I get shot again.”
“Do you want to be shot once or whipped fifty times?”
“Just sh**t me.”
Nicolas Hilbert and Lune Aire.
These two contributed significantly to the suppression of the coup.
They are likely scheduled for promotion as well. Given that the lieutenant colonel position was reserved for them originally, they may also advance two ranks to become majors.
“The Central Magic Brigade will be reorganized. The Strigoi, those bastards caused significant damage to the mages.”
“Weren’t they all executed yesterday?”
“They’re hanging in the woods east of the capital. The barking of dogs and crows won’t stop for a while.”
I lowered my head, genuinely appreciating the two who had worked so hard. In truth, this wasn’t necessary.
If I had only realized earlier that most of the National Gendarmerie had defected to the coup plotters, we could have suppressed the coup much more cleanly and easily.
Perhaps we could have planned a counter-coup and rooted out all the key players.
Not just Nicolas and Lune,
Officially, the d*ath toll from this civil war was 319.
Including the injured and missing, the total casualties reached about 500.
Most were from the Northern Corps, which engaged in direct combat with the Eastern Corps, the Special Response Brigade, and the Okhraine Army Training School, which fought fiercely against the Soviev Empire’s Intelligence Bureau.
Although the casualties were less than half compared to the 1200 total casualties in the Second Quernen War,
Now, it’s a tragic fratricide caused by those blinded by power.
There is no honor or purpose there.
Those who were forced to join the coup and died will be remembered with dishonor even after d*ath.
It was a cruel reality.
“…If that’s the case, from now on, it’s entirely up to us to handle this.”
“We’ll definitely stay strong.”
The gazes of the two officers flashed sharply.
“From now on, I trust you more.”
“Less talk, more action.”
“Please write diligently, General Enok~. You’re rewriting records as the youngest general in Okhraine after our brigade commander. That’s worth celebrating!”
Lune replied with a playful tone.
The connections that started from the 8th Rapid Magic Infantry Battalion.
Sony Chepelin.
Joseph Lebandovsky.
And.
Nicolas Hilbert.
Lune Aire.
Lumina Blue.
Bella Meyer.
Claude Rain.
Roxanna Elrim.
And other comrades who believed in me and followed.
Only by combining our strength can we prepare for the approaching destruction.
Until peace returns to the continent once more.
Until that damned empire falls.
I will be with them.
“Then we’ll be going back now. Get some rest.”
“Yeah, you must be tired from meeting people all day. Sleep well.”
As Nicolas and Lune waved and left,
I blew out the flickering candle with a breath, extinguishing it.
Indeed, having met so many people all day, I noticed the white moon shining brightly in the sky when I regained my senses.
Now it was late, and I decided it was time to go to sleep.
