Youjo Senki - Volume 12 - Chapter 4.3

DECEMBER 9, UNIFIED YEAR 1927, THE IMPERIAL ARMY’S ILDOA INSPECTION COMMAND CENTER

Officers who’ve made a career out of their military service are generally used to receiving sudden orders. Anyone would be caught off guard by them at first, but this is the only time it surprises them, as after the second, third, and so on, it simply becomes the norm. Once it happens all the time, it’s easy to accept it as just another part of life. Experience comes with the resignation that orders are orders, and this is the military.

It was usually the same story for Lieutenant Colonel Uger. As the most thoroughly overworked railway worker for the duration of the long war, he regarded a sudden change as an everyday occurrence. Even so, there were still things that managed to catch even him off guard.

“Welcome back, Lieutenant Colonel. I apologize for calling you here, but I’m canceling all orders I’ve given you thus far.”

“You’re what…? Excuse me, what I meant to say is, if you have new orders, I’m happy to oblige.”

General Zettour grinned as he handed a slip of paper to Uger, who was standing at attention.

“Congratulations, Colonel. You’re being promoted.”

The single slip of flimsy paper had the details of his personnel change, but he didn’t get a chance to read any of it.

“It’s about time for you to experience leading a regiment, Colonel. Seeing what it’s like on the front lines is part of your duties. In an appropriate position, of course.”

General Zettour wasn’t technically wrong. Commanding a regiment was a core part of climbing the ladder in the military, and there was more than one issue with rear echelon officers who had never set foot on the actual battlefield.

“While it pains me and the General Staff to have to let you go, personnel matters must be handled fairly. As regrettable as it may be, now that our campaign in Ildoa has settled down a bit, it’s time for you to move on to a new assignment.”

“If that is what’s expected from me as a staff officer, then I…”

Colonel Uger tried to read between the flowery words. To him there was only one thing he needed to confirm.

“I’m honored to be given the position, but I must ask if it was you who made the arrangements for this.”

“Of course, Colonel Uger. It would be nothing short of treason for me to keep a man as capable as yourself stuck at the rank of lieutenant colonel. While it was a tough decision for me to make as deputy director, I’m thoroughly pleased with your achievements and loyal service under me, and this is your reward.” The general grinned, smoking a cigar as he continued. “You’ll be leading your regiment as a colonel.”

With things put in terms as plain as this, it was clear to Uger what was happening. He was simply no longer needed by the general. The moment that thought crossed his mind, he accepted his new fate and saluted General Zettour without hesitation.

“Thank you for everything, General.”

“Don’t be so dramatic.”

“It’s just sad to think my service as a railway officer is coming to an end.”

Having been the general’s subordinate for so long, Uger knew that there was little faith placed in his ability as a strategist. He was also aware that he likely wouldn’t be much use on the front lines, so this new posting was placing him somewhere he wouldn’t perform well, effectively demoting him. This was a sad realization, but Lieutenant Colonel Uger accepted his fate without complaint and offered the general a deep bow.

“I see. To think you’d be this broken up over being separated for a scant few days. I didn’t realize you liked working for me so much.”

“A few…what?”

“Ha-ha-ha, you’re always so serious.”

General Zettour grinned the way he always did when he was playing a good-natured joke. Though he was all smiles, Uger could’ve sworn that he caught a glimpse of two sharp fangs peeking out.

“Many do consider me a con artist, but I’m not the type to treat my subordinates as disposable tools.”

“Given how long I’ve worked under you, I thought I understood you better than most.”

“Thought, you say?”

Uger gave an uncertain nod and continued.

“I thought I understood your character when you were still a lieutenant general.”

“So you think I’ve changed since Rudersdorf’s passing?”

Uger nodded without hesitation this time. Though he had no intention of saying it out loud, there were actually moments when Uger felt uneasy around the general as of late.

“I’m aware of my shortcomings as a staff officer, but when compared to the other staffers, General, I also think you—”

“Deviate from the rest?”

General Zettour rubbed his chin with a satisfied look about him before eventually shrugging his shoulders at the lieutenant colonel.

“I’m glad to hear you say that. I think the Empire needs more wise perspectives such as yours.”

The general’s expression transitioned to a more annoyed look.

“Unfortunately, there aren’t many people left these days.”

“We’ve been at war far too long.”

“Which is why I take every capable subordinate I can find and work them to the bone, grinding them down until there’s nothing left. So long as you’re a skilled railway officer, then I must send you into the mire of the front lines.”

Lieutenant Colonel Uger took a small breath as he accepted his superior’s compliment.

“Lieutenant Colonel Uger. From today, you are a colonel who will be commanding the 103rd Railway and Transportation Regiment, and at the start of the next year, you’ll be transitioning into a new post: section chief for the General Staff. Congratulations.”

The general’s well-wishes were offered incredibly casually. The fact that Uger was receiving his next two assignments at once was not a good sign.

“I’m sorry, but—”

“I hate to say it, but commanding a regiment is just a temporary, do-nothing job until you return to the General Staff.”

All staff officers desired to become a regiment commander at one point or another. Regiments were easy work. All an officer needed to do was sit in a chair and the glittering path to becoming a general would open. Regiment commander was never anything more than a temporary assignment.

However, Uger was an old-fashioned soldier, and without putting too much thought into it, he spoke up.

“If I may, General, the position of regimental commander is one of the pillars of the military… For it to be used like this… Were it not for the prolonged war making promotions easier to come by, I’m sure my predecessors in the regiment wouldn’t accept my promotion quietly.”

“For sullying the sacred position of regimental commander?” Zettour scoffed at the thought. “Colonel Degurechaff rejected a similar offer, saying she didn’t want it.”

“She did…?”

“Because Personnel kept nagging old Rudersdorf about it, he went and recommended her for the position. The lieutenant colonel was adamant about not being separated from her unit, even if it flew in the face of the general’s recommendation.”

Strangely enough, it was easy for Uger to picture the scene.

Having studied alongside Tanya at the war college, he thought she seemed like someone who would reject the position.

“Colonel Degurechaff prizes honing her skills on the battlefield. She knew what was truly important. I’m moved by her commitment to her duty.”

“That’s for sure. And it’s an honest outlook, to desire to act where one is needed. All Imperial soldiers should aspire to be like her.”

Lieutenant Colonel Uger found it hard to disagree. Unconditional devotion and service—these were virtues that made for a great officer, but… Strangely enough, an idea worked its way into Uger’s mind as he recognized this. That the quintessential ideal soldier was inhumane in its essence.

“While I agree with you on that point, General, can a person really be rigidly proper all the time? I know you only mean it as a joke, but…”

Uger let out this remark with a sigh, and the general responded flatly.

“Ranks, posts, and what have you—all of it comes with a corresponding duty that must be fulfilled. During a war, the ideal officer ends up embodying their post.”

You’re wrong, Uger wanted to retort, but he stopped himself. Whether he liked it or not, a part of him knew the general was speaking the truth.

As Uger struggled to find the right words, Zettour continued with a smile.

“You’re free to think about it how you will. Either way, I expect my subordinates to do everything that’s required of them. Do you follow me?”

Feeling the general’s eyes bore into him, Uger straightened up his posture again. Seeing this, General Zettour nodded slightly before asking the colonel once more.

“Do you understand what I’m saying?”

There was only one response to this question. Uger gave a hurried nod and answered.

“Doing my duty is a matter of course. I shall treat my time as regimental commander as a vital mission if that’s what is required of me.”

“That’s good, because your orders actually will be quite important.”

Uger wasn’t sure what to make of that.

“Now, Colonel…”

“I’m still technically a lieutenant colonel.”

“I think it’s good to get used to your new title sooner rather than later.”

Hearing this really drove home reality for Uger. He would soon be leading a regiment, something he would’ve been proud of before this war broke out.

“We’ve managed to seize the Ildoan capital. This is a key moment for the Empire.”

“What are you going to do?”

“We’re going to take everything…”

The general’s intentions were clear to Uger, whose entire career revolved around logistics. That was precisely why he felt conflicted about the remark. A part of him hoped it wasn’t what he knew it meant.

“Everything, sir?”

“Come now, Colonel. Don’t be coy with me. The evil army has captured the holy city. What else is there for us to do besides pillage?”

That was exactly as Uger feared.

“That being said, we’re civilized people. We will conduct our pillaging in a civilized manner.”

“And I’m to oversee said pillaging…”

With grim resolve, Colonel Uger lowered his head in acceptance.

He hadn’t visited the front lines yet in this war. If this was where his country needed him to dirty his hands, then so be it…

“You’re joking, right? Someone like you would probably end up giving in to the enemy’s pleas and letting everything slip through your fingers.”

Uger straightened up to look at General Zettour. He understood why the general thought of him that way and couldn’t really deny it. Uger was…too compassionate to be the coldhearted soldier he needed to be at times.

“You know me well, General…”

“No need to be down on yourself, Colonel. Your skills make you an irreplaceable cog in our organization, even if your edge isn’t quite sharp enough to spearhead the instrument of violence.”

The general’s words made Colonel Uger recall something. It was Lieutenant Colonel Degurechaff who had advised Uger to stay in the rear for his family’s sake. This was likely her way of being considerate to her war academy classmate, despite being the rigid monster of righteousness many considered her to be.

“Then…I will do what I can as a proper part of this organization.”

“Well, let’s get you started with the ruthless task of whipping up a logistic schedule for me. I’ll take care of acquiring what we need from the capital, so no need to worry. There’ll be plenty that needs moving.”

“You can leave that to me.”

“Perfect. I have high hopes for our railways. I need you to move my bounty north.”