Chapter 197 - Calm Before the Storm (2)
"Let's look on the bright side. We're facing off against the enemy anyway, so an inspection was bound to happen sooner or later. We can take this chance to do a thorough inspection, keep everything in order, and show we can maintain the front without any problems."
"So what do you really think?"
"This is all Ferdie's fault. Ferdie messed everything up."
"..."
Ferdinand couldn't even make an excuse in response to Robert's blunt words—especially not to Robert.
The entire front line was frantically preparing for inspection.
Cleaning, repairs, maintenance, laundry… not a single blemish could be overlooked.
And in times like these, everyone knew that the quartermasters had it the hardest and the busiest.
Of course, Ferdinand felt wronged, too.
All that was happening was that his fiancée was supposed to visit.
He hadn't actually done anything himself, but things had turned out like this anyway.
"Isn't the Division Commander higher-ranking than the Chief of Staff? Can't he do something about it?"
"That's not the issue."
"Can't he just tell them not to interfere?"
"But the Corps Commander at Headquarters is a Lieutenant General."
"Damn. You're right."
Just because the Division Commander is a Major General doesn't mean he can push around the Corps Chief of Staff, even if the latter is a Brigadier General.
The Chief of Staff works right next to the Corps Commander and handles all kinds of crucial tasks.
On the other hand, the Chief of Staff can't boss around the Division Commander, either.
The Corps Commander mostly performs administrative duties, relaying directives from Imperial Army Headquarters down to subordinate units.
In other words, the Division Commander is the true supreme commander wielding the army's actual military power.
Once you reach General Officer Rank, it's understood you want to keep relationships smooth and avoid making enemies.
Nothing good comes out of creating tension.
Heinz isn't going to inspect the front line with the troops he sent as Ferdinand's fiancée's escort.
If Lieutenant General Olaf Cohen, the Corps Commander, casually asks about conditions, he'll get an answer, but even then, it'll be glossed over—everyone will try to say things are fine, no matter what's really going on in the field.
Still, the soldiers on the ground can't just relax.
What if, under persistent questioning from the Corps Commander, someone ends up having to report the real situation as it is?
"1st Company Commander, shouldn't you have let us know about this in advance?"
"I'm sorry."
"He may be your grandfather, but for us, he's the Chief of Staff."
"Yes, that's true."
"What if we were caught unprepared because you didn't warn us?"
"I'm sorry."
Normally, Soren only coordinated his subordinates' work without getting involved, but he made a rare exception and called Ferdinand in for a stern—though still gentle—grilling.
In the past, Ferdinand would have responded with a straightforward, "If you'd done things properly from the start, there'd be no problem, right?"—but after nearly a year commanding on the front lines, he'd learned firsthand how theory and reality often differ.
So he simply sat there and took the scolding without protest.
From the perspective of a field commander, the Imperial Army currently deployed on the Konchanya front was operating without a single flaw.
However, on paper—without seeing the actual situation—plenty of minor and major problems could seem apparent.
Since his military career had begun as a platoon leader on the very front lines in wartime, Ferdinand was well aware of these discrepancies.
But he wondered if the high-ranking officials at the Corps Headquarters understood this as well.
Even his respected grandfather Heinz might not fully recognize the gap between theory and practice.
In any case, with the inspection underway, not only was the garrison in turmoil, but so were the front lines where troops faced off against the enemy—the entire area had become agitated.
Ordinarily, competent field commanders would maintain just the right amount of tension, knowing when to tighten and when to loosen discipline among the soldiers.
But now that everyone was on high alert, rigorously upholding military order, both the Konchanya Army and the Belliang Army found their own tension rising in response.
"What's got those guys all riled up? They can't be thinking of attacking, can they?"
"Aren't they just doing their usual training?"
"They don't usually train like that."
Both the Konchanya Army and the Belliang Army couldn't help but suspect the Imperial Army was preparing an assault.
The fear crept in that maybe hostilities would resume after all.
Bertrand certainly wasn't about to let this situation slide.
"Krieger. What on earth is going on? Are you planning to attack?"
Since the first secret meeting, Bertrand hadn't shown up in person, but now, for the first time in a while, he attended this secret meeting himself.
Deep in the winter forest at night, when Ernest and Bertrand finally met again, they struggled to hide their unease.
Bertrand was troubled by the Imperial Army's sudden display of military action, while Ernest wondered how on earth he was supposed to explain all this.
"It's large-scale inspections and training being carried out under orders from the higher-ups."
Since he couldn't very well say that all this chaos started because of Ferdinand's fiancée, Ernest ended up deflecting with that answer.
"We aren't planning to attack, but I can't say what might happen if your side overreacts."
"…How long do you think this will last?"
"That's not something I know. How could a mere company commander like me possibly tell you?"
"Hmmm..."
Ernest was careful not to give Bertrand too much information and subtly warned him not to make any rash moves.
If, by any chance, he let slip when things would calm down and Bertrand used that moment to attack, it would put them in a tough spot.
Quietly letting this unexpected situation pass was the best option.
"I understand. I'll take it that way."
Bertrand realized there was nothing more to gain by pressing Ernest for answers, so he ended the meeting and, as usual, sent Ernest back first.
Then, with Jade supporting him, he returned to his own camp.
"What did he say?"
"He said it's an inspection and training exercise ordered from higher up. But it seems like he's hiding something."
"Do you think they're planning an attack?"
"No, it doesn't seem like they're planning an attack."
"I really don't know what they're thinking. In this freezing winter…"
The Belliang Army's Command Post had to gather for a late-night meeting to respond to this sudden situation. However, no one could figure out why the Imperial Army was suddenly carrying out such surprise inspections and drills.
In the end, the Belliang Army decided to simply strengthen their vigilance and wait. Anything more could trigger an unnecessary battle, so they couldn't afford to overreact. The Konchanya Army also reinforced their guard and responded by conducting training behind the defensive line in the hilly area. But they, too, didn't want a fight, so no one opened fire or crossed beyond the defensive line.
"What's with them? They're making everyone uneasy…"
"Well, we started it first. Of course, they can't just do nothing."
"This is driving me crazy, seriously."
With the Konchanya Army stepping up their vigilance and drills, the Imperial Army facing them could feel their mouths going dry from the tension.
The previously slack atmosphere at the front line snapped tight with tension.
Now, even without orders from officers, seasoned soldiers who had been through combat automatically kept a strict watch. If you let your guard down, you could really end up dead. With their lives on the line, of course they were tense.
"Wow! Somebody's got it good! The whole front is on edge, but he gets to be all excited about meeting his fiancée!"
"Yeah, everyone's going through all this trouble just to welcome his fiancée. Even the enemy's involved, you know."
"...."
"Well, I mean, it's not wrong."
Robert and Ernest were relentless in teasing Ferdinand, and even Baumann chimed in with a wry smile.
As the days passed, Ferdinand's complexion only worsened.
Just as the tension blanketing the front reached its peak, news arrived: the very person responsible for the formation of this division had finally reached the supply outpost near the front lines.
"This isn't really what I pictured… I thought I'd be meeting my friend's fiancée, but it just feels like we're about to be inspected."
"Funny, that's exactly how I feel too."
After hearing the news and being ordered to remain on standby at the garrison for the operation—"Introducing Ferdinand's fiancée," which had started this whole fiasco—Ernest and Robert could only sigh at how different the reality was from what they'd imagined.
"Ferdinand, relax. You're the last person who should be tense right now."
"...."
Ironically, the most nervous person in this whole situation was Ferdinand himself.
It got so bad that even Baumann tried to loosen him up, giving his broad shoulders a firm pat or two.
The soldiers at the garrison were doing everything they could to greet Ferdinand's fiancée in as "normal" a state as possible.
They acted as though they weren't bothered at all, as if maintaining this perfectly polished state was just business as usual.
"We've confirmed they're approaching via the supply route!"
They had even sent out cavalry scouts for this, and now everyone knew that the long-awaited moment had finally arrived.
But then, something unexpected happened.
"Um, apparently the people from Headquarters aren't coming?"
"…What?"
The troops Heinz had assigned to escort the eldest grandson's fiancée weren't coming to the front line; instead, they stayed back, waiting at the supply outpost!
Heinz had clearly drawn a line, not wanting to create any unnecessary trouble.
"A-are you serious? After all this prep, couldn't they at least pop in for a quick look…?"
"Well, I mean, isn't it basic courtesy to invite them over, at least…?"
In the end, after all the trouble they'd been through for the inspection, the frontline soldiers couldn't help but feel a sense of injustice.
They'd worked so hard to have everything in perfect order, and now they were just going to leave without even glancing at it?
After all that, would this all just be for nothing?
Frustrated by the sheer unfairness, the 5th and 6th Divisions decided to send people to the supply outpost to invite the Headquarters soldiers waiting there—who, not wanting to make a scene, were quietly holding their position—back to the field, if only just for appearances' sake.
"Honestly, nothing is going the way it's supposed to."
Upon hearing the news, Robert let out a deep sigh.
"That's war for you."
And Ernest realized that this whole mess—where nothing went as planned—was the perfect image of what war was really like.
By this point, things were such a mess that even the tension had pretty much evaporated. All they could do now was wait and hope for the best.
"It feels like it's about time for them to arrive..."
Amazingly, Ferdinand was so preoccupied with the thought of his fiancée approaching that he didn't even think about the state of the unit—he grew so anxious he ended up running right out of the garrison.
His friends had no choice but to follow after him.
"What kind of woman could make Ferdinand act like this?"
"At this point, it's almost scary. Isn't she some terrifying lady who can even have Ferdinand wrapped around her finger?"
Ernest and Robert exchanged nervous whispers as they watched Ferdinand, who was beside himself with anticipation and anxiety, speculating just how formidable his fiancée must be.
"Ah... um... Well, you'll see when you meet her."
Baumann, searching for the right words but coming up short, just chuckled and left it at that.
And then, escorted by the Logistics Corps hauling supplies, Ferdinand's fiancée finally arrived.
The Logistics Corps' transport vehicles entered the garrison first, and nestled between them was a luxurious car.
As soon as it spotted Ferdinand waiting outside, it veered off the road toward him.
Everyone was astonished when they saw the car—emblazoned boldly on its side was the brilliant star symbolizing an Imperial Army Brigadier General.
Heinz had lent his car to Ferdinand's fiancée.
The moment the brigadier general's car pulled in, a soldier at the guard post took off at a sprint toward the barracks, while Ferdinand dashed straight for the car.
As soon as it came to a stop, both the driver's side and the back seat doors flew open at once.
They could see both the driver, who'd gone to open the door, and a lady who looked like a maid, both startled by how abruptly it all happened.
"Ferdie!"
With a high-pitched, tearful voice, a girl leaped out of the car and staggered.
Because they were by the seaside and the weather was mild, the snow kept falling and melting, turning the ground into mire—which she just stepped into.
Barely steadying herself by grabbing the door, she made to run toward him, not caring in the slightest that her dress shoes and the hem of her dress were already stained with mud.
"Lotte!"
Ferdinand sprinted over in a single bound and swept the girl up in his arms, lifting her high.
Even though he was just a young man still growing, Ferdinand—who now resembled Heinz so much—already seemed like a giant as he cradled the small girl.
From behind, all Ernest could see was the hem of her dress; she was completely enveloped in Ferdinand's embrace.
"Uwaaah…"
"There, there, calm down, Lotte. Please don't cry. Look, I'm fine—see? Not a scratch on me. I'm really okay."
Clinging to Ferdinand, the girl began to sob bitterly, hanging onto him for dear life.
Wanting her to be as comfortable as possible, Ferdinand slipped one strong arm beneath her to support her, patting her back and spinning around in confusion, not knowing what to do with himself.
The winter wind tossed the girl's soft, fluffy hair, making it swirl in their eyes.
"If you'll excuse me for asking... how old is she?"
Covering his mouth, Robert cautiously whispered the question to Baumann.
Baumann answered calmly, as if nothing were out of the ordinary.
"She's sixteen this year."
At Baumann's words, Ernest and Robert exchanged glances and let out quiet sighs.
She was so petite and looked so much like a little lady, and the moment she saw Ferdinand, she burst into tears—they had guessed she was maybe twelve at most.
Though, to be fair, she was still taller than Marie…
"…Well… how should I put this—she looks younger than her age…"
After searching for the right words, Robert finally managed to say that.
Ferdinand's fiancée, Charlotte Spiegelmann, was a small, delicate, adorable girl with fluffy brown hair and sparkling blue eyes—so cute and lovely you couldn't help but smile.
Even having heard from Baumann that Ferdinand—with that beard making him look well over thirty—and Charlotte—who, if you didn't know any better, could pass for a twelve-year-old—were only two years apart, it was still hard to believe.
"That kind of remark's rude, Robert. Do your best to treat her like she's Hartmann's future mistress. She likes being seen that way."
"Uh… yeah… mm… sure, right, okay."
Baumann's words left Robert struggling to respond, while Ernest simply watched the scene in awkward silence.
It wasn't going to be easy to treat that tiny girl, clinging to Ferdinand's neck and sobbing, as the future lady of House Hartmann.
She looked much younger than Marie, whom they thought of as their own younger sister.
In reality, Marie was older than they knew—she was actually a year older than Charlotte.
But still.
'The Beauty and the Beast...'
Looking at Ferdinand and Charlotte, Ernest couldn't help but think of that phrase, though he kept it to himself.
He knew it would be rude to say aloud.
There was just something about the whole scene that made him feel uneasy, even as an onlooker.