I Became a Genius Commander at the Academy

Chapter 102: The Interest Of The Crown Prince And The Weight Of A Star (2)

In any case, a sudden change in behavior from someone with immense power towards me couldn’t be considered a good sign.

Because, generally, a sudden change in someone’s attitude implied some underlying discomfort or unease.

As evidence, divorce lawyers often say that if a usually distant wife suddenly starts being nice, it could be a sign of her infidelity.

Investigations initiated on these grounds often reveal that the wife’s change in behavior coincides with the start of her affair.

Of course, since our first meeting, the Crown Prince had always been someone who pondered how he could offer more to Major General Yaeger.

Analyzing my current situation and the Crown Prince’s change in attitude, I believed there was no suspicion or discomfort towards me.

Perhaps, having broken the long-standing imperial traditions to become the youngest general, he was treating me better, fearing that those envious of me might target me.

“Your Highness, your words are too generous for me. Even if I am as valuable as you say, without your selection, I would still be a low-ranking officer. Please, retract your words.”

And as I showed such humility, the Crown Prince, with a sincere smile, released me from the embrace, saying,

“Cough. That’s quite the flattery. Doesn’t it feel burdensome to keep saying such things?”

“My apologies.”

“And that aside, I sincerely congratulate you on your promotion to Major General. When I first saw you, I thought you might become a General before turning 30, but to think you achieved it at 25, along with the Golden Knight’s Sword decoration. Even securing those vast northern lands for yourself, having you as my subject is truly a blessing from Deus.”

If this were Korea, I would have humbly added all sorts of flowery language, praising the Crown Prince’s virtue as the reason for my success.

Here, it was considered manly and admirable to showcase and take pride in one’s achievements, as long as they didn’t cross a certain line.

So, I simply nodded in agreement, saying nothing.

The Crown Prince then patted my shoulder, saying,

“Your fame has spread not only in Chekovia but also to Ostarica, the Varshaw Duchy, and the Latina Papacy. Naturally, my foresight in having Peter Yaeger as my subject is highly regarded across the continent. Thanks to you, my first diplomatic mission as the Crown Prince went smoothly. And look at this.”

Having said that, the Crown Prince proudly presented a scroll bearing the seal of the Papacy.

“This is the edict excommunicating the Francois Republic in the name of Deus. As you suggested, His Holiness the Pope wrote it himself for a mere donation of 20,000 gold. By now, the news of the excommunication of the Francois Republic would have reached all the countries of this continent.”

Unintentionally, the Crown Prince had already made a significant contribution to the upcoming campaign against the Francois Republic.

Since the Francois Republic had been excommunicated, they would have to use all their political, diplomatic, and financial resources to beg the Papacy for forgiveness as soon as possible.

In the meantime, we could do as we please with the Francois Republic, shielded by the threat of excommunication against anyone who dared to interfere with our empire, the executor of His Holiness’s justice.

This would completely seal off any military action or attacks from potential future enemy nations while we executed justice in the Francois Republic.

Additionally, if we argued that weapons and armor were necessary to convert the excommunicated heretics, we might even import them from neighboring countries without the 30% customs duty.

This could be an excuse to stock up on various military supplies at a low cost.

“Remarkable, Your Highness. Now, with this, it’s as if we’ve already won the war before it even starts.”

Pleased with the praise, the Crown Prince asked with a content smile,

“Now that you have a star, you must know that simply winning in battle is not enough. Tell me honestly, how far do you plan to go with this war as your stepping stone?”

The Crown Prince’s expectation of me now is just one thing.

To return more than what he had invested, to make his reputation and imperial authority the strongest in the empire.

Also, the war I was currently planning exactly met the Crown Prince’s desires.

“I will share this specifically with Your Highness.”

“Hmm, go ahead and speak.”

“I am thinking of this war as the foundation for the Reich Empire to take over the entire Francois Republic within 10 to 20 years after Your Highness ascends the throne as Emperor.”

Hearing this, the Crown Prince looked at me with an almost tearful expression of emotion.

“Firstly, as Your Highness is not a commander or general, I will speak beyond tactics. Strategically, to completely defeat the enemy in war, we must seize their territories, the source of their military strength, and neutralize their economic power.”

“That’s right, the number of soldiers is proportional to the size of a nation’s territory, and armament and supplies depend on economic power.”

“Among these, I plan to destroy their economic power through this war. The eastern area of the Francois Republic, which we will attack first, generates massive income from vast plains producing food and top-quality wine.”

As a result of setting up this operation and going back and forth between the General Staff’s Intelligence Department, the Treasury, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I learned that the income from the eastern plains of the Francois Republic accounts for 40% of the republic’s total revenue.

In other words, if the republic loses the eastern region, its finances would be reduced to about 60% of what they are now.

“Since 40% of the republic’s food production comes from that area, which is only 15% of their total territory, gaining control of that land would put us at an overwhelming advantage in terms of economy and the amount of food we can secure compared to them.”

This meant that the empire would have much more money and food to mobilize a larger army than it currently had.

“Moreover, they will have to beg the Pope of Latina with both hands and feet to retract the excommunication, possibly paying years’ worth of national budget as atonement. It would take at least decades to recover the deficit incurred in a situation where income and food production have decreased by 40%. During that period, the power difference between the Reich Empire and the Francois Republic will grow even more.”

Indeed, during the Hundred Years’ War, when the Black Prince devastated the wealthy southern part of France during the famous Battle of Puatishe, there were records that France’s finances decreased by 20%, and it took decades to rebuild the towns and finances.

This was based on that historical precedent.

“If we, after His Highness the Crown Prince ascends to the throne, gradually exert military pressure on the Francois Republic, like slowly strangling with a soft cotton, wouldn’t all territories of Francois fall into the hands of His Majesty who becomes the Emperor eventually?”

Hearing this, the Crown Prince clapped like a seal, throwing away all his dignity, and said,

“Brilliant! Even if we don’t win this battle significantly, the Francois will be too busy spending a huge amount of money to fend off excommunication, and won’t be able to wield their former power!”

“As long as I am your sword, Your Highness, I promise a significant victory in this battle that will go down in history.”

“Yes, indeed. By the way, I couldn’t attend your wedding due to my overseas tour schedule.”

As I nodded in response, the Crown Prince handed me a scroll and said,

“I can’t let someone like you, who has been promoted to Major General and married, live in a modest mansion with only eight rooms. I’ve purchased a grand mansion of a fallen count within Reichsburg, and I’ll give it to you.”

My title was baron, but to be given a mansion that was already used by a count’s family.

Was this unspoken pressure and expectation for me to achieve as much as possible and rise to the rank of count?

I was very grateful, but a count’s grand mansion within the capital was worth at least 2000 gold, a tremendous amount…

“That house is worth the annual living expenses of 2,000 serf households. To give something like this away for nothing is unbelievable.”

“The furniture in the mansion was old, so I replaced it with new ones that suit the mansion’s atmosphere. Feel free to use them without burden. I’ve heard you’ve been so busy lately that you left your wife alone, despite being newlyweds. Therefore, I bought some tickets for a play supported by the Imperial Family. Use them to watch a play with Colonel Laura this weekend. It’s not good to only work when you should be enjoying your honeymoon.”

“I will do my utmost to repay Your Highness’s kindness.”

Hearing that, the Crown Prince looked at me, smiled, and said,

“You’ve already shown more prowess than I expected. So, don’t feel too burdened.”

This seemed like pressure to work, as I have done so far on the Francois expedition, in return for what he had done for me.

Honestly, it wasn’t that I couldn’t do it… but it was a lot of pressure.

“And while I’ve been traveling abroad recently, I’ve noticed that your reputation has spread as far as the Latina Papacy. So, isn’t there a concern that others might try to recruit you or that Peter Yaeger will be falsely accused of colluding with foreign countries?”

In many wars, there have been countless cases where generals were falsely accused of collusion with the enemy and were executed.

In Joseon, General Lee Sun-sin was once dragged away because of the absurd logic of King Seonjo, who believed he would betray him by ignoring Won Gyun’s nonsense.

“It’s not good for a Major General, not just a junior officer, to have no female attendant to serve him. I’ll find a suitable woman and place her under you. She’ll help with your personal needs from morning to night. Now, I’ll take my leave.”

Upon the Crown Prince’s statement, I bowed and left, pondering over the situation.

The Crown Prince did not doubt me in the slightest, but he was worried that other generals or political opponents might find fault due to my current situation.

So, just like other generals, he planned to place a beautiful woman by my side to serve me and perfectly establish my alibi.

“Ha~ Laura would quite dislike this. But it can’t be helped. She would understand. Instead, I’ll have to apologize earnestly for my actions today.”

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