I Became a Genius Commander at the Academy

Chapter 180: Same Dream (1)

Around the time the 7th Guard Division was establishing itself, in the strategy room of Traunstein Castle, Grand Duchy of Ostarica.

Here, the fate of those who had been dishonorably discharged and surrendered from the Reich Empire was being discussed.

“I really wonder if we can trust those traitors. After all, they are the heirs of prestigious noble families of the Reich Empire, aren’t they?”

“They were heirs. After deploying spies to investigate their treatment, I heard they were dishonorably discharged and even stripped of their right to inherit titles for endangering the Crown Prince during the last Swiss expedition.”

“Even so, we can’t fully trust them, can we?”

The debate over whether they could be trusted continued, but everyone here shared a common thought.

‘It would be too wasteful to simply kill them and cut off any future problems, like the other surrendering officers.’

Even though they were dishonorably discharged, using the heirs of prestigious noble families to demoralize the Empire’s soldiers by saying they surrendered was not an option.

Regardless of the reason, purging former officers of a potential enemy nation who surrendered could be a hindrance when trying to persuade commanders of enemy nations like the Reich Empire in critical situations.

“Anyway, weren’t they somewhat useful before their dishonorable discharge? Moreover, as they claimed, the information they brought is classified as second-level secrets of the Empire’s military. They’ve brought a heap of such information, so we should at least pretend to trust them.”

Hearing this, the commanders and staff of the army stationed at the castle nodded in agreement.

If it turns out that the secrets they brought were incorrect after purging them all, it wouldn’t matter, but what if the information they brought was all true?

It would be like cutting open the goose that lays golden eggs.

After a bit more discussion, Major General Schweitz, the commander of the army stationed in this castle, said,

“Bring one of the five we have imprisoned here. It’s important to verify if the secrets are accurate, but we also need to see if they truly betrayed the Empire. If they prove to be useful, we should appease them and keep them laying golden eggs.”

Then, Major General Schweitz made a throat-slitting gesture with his finger, adding,

“If they prove to be useless or the frequency of laying eggs decreases, then we can deal with them accordingly.”

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Matthias von Griffin’s heart was trembling, and his palms were already drenched in sweat.

“You might have heard on your way here, but I am Major General Schweitz von Virgenstein, the commander of the army stationed at this castle.”

“Yes, Major General…”

“To put it simply, your lives depend on me. Remember that. Don’t even think about causing any trouble.”

As he said this, the eyes of the staff present all turned towards Matthias at once.

The looks filled with disdain, caution, doubt, and analysis felt quite heavy, but he forced himself to relax and stay composed.

However, he was acting as humbly as possible, so as not to reveal that he was a double agent.

“We have sincerely come to naturalize in the Grand Duchy of Ostarica and seek new opportunities. Please believe me, Major General.”

Hearing this, the Major General smirked and gestured with his hand.

“That’s your business. First, explain why we should trust you. Even if I don’t know, the staff here or our Ostarica Grand Duchy’s army have no reason to trust traitors like you. If that’s difficult, I’ll separate that useless thing attached to your shoulders.”

As he said this, two officers guarding the meeting room door quickly approached and lightly placed a knife on Matthias’s neck from both sides.

“I understand. I will not tell a lie. Please give us a chance. Before surrendering to the Grand Duchy of Ostarica, despite being only 29, I rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and was one of Crown Prince Michael’s closest associates. We often drank together and frequented women.”

“It seems you were quite close to the Crown Prince. But why would people like you betray the Empire? From what I’ve heard through the Intelligence Department, your dishonorable discharge was well-deserved.”

“Ignoring other generals, what crime did we really commit? We only assisted in planning the Swiss campaign as the Crown Prince ordered, and the staff and Intelligence Department approved it. We were dishonorably discharged and stripped of our right to succeed titles for the crime of the campaign’s failure. Overnight, we became like criminals and serfs, penniless and even divorced. We have no future in the Empire. It’s utterly unjust.”

Hearing this, the Major General and other officers could somewhat understand Matthias’s situation.

Because they were in a position where they had to comply without question if the Crown Prince ordered them to prepare a campaign together.

They diligently prepared, creating a campaign that the Empire’s military staff could approve, only for it to unfortunately fail.

Being expelled from the military and not receiving proper human treatment as a result seemed like a sufficient motive for betrayal.

Matthias gathered feelings of injustice from the bottom of his heart and forced himself to recall the bitter memories he had experienced on his way here.

Then he remembered what the Crown Prince had said.

“Act like, or rather become, the most pitiable trash, blinded by resentment as much as possible.”

And then he spoke.

“Until yesterday, I was living closely with my wife and children, whom I can no longer meet or see. At home, not only my father and brothers but even the servants and maids look at us as if we are trash strewn along the roadside. Especially the young maids in our mansion believed that if we so much as touched them, it could change their fate, deliberately wearing short skirts and accentuating their buttocks or breasts. Even those women changed their attitudes overnight… Can you imagine how miserable our situation is?”

Major General Schweitz and the other officers wondered if Matthias had gone mad.

“Damn, I told him to speak honestly and sincerely, and he’s gone off the deep end. Why is he spouting such vulgar stories?”

However, this led them to downgrade their assessment of Matthias’s character and capabilities, but at the very least, they could tell he was not lying.

Because he was not only pathetic but also seemed incompetent, everything he said was considered to be true.

So, he nodded to signal him to continue the story.

“The more terrible fact is that even the right of succession to my family was taken by my younger brother. In the Reich Empire, I didn’t have any more chance of recovering. I had to live a miserable life, worse than a serf, receiving only a small allowance from my family, and being unrecognized and miserable wherever I went. That’s why I came to the Grand Duchy of Ostarica—to have the opportunity to live like a human being once again.”

Major General Schweit and his staff thought after hearing Matthias’s story.

‘Other traitors claim they came out of respect for the Grand Duchy of Ostarica or wanting to fight under a general or commander they admire, spouting flashy nonsense. Seeing him only talk about his miserable situation and not such stories, it doesn’t seem like he’s lying, at least.’

“Then I shall ask you this… What do you think about the Crown Prince?”

When Matthias heard this, he remembered what General Yaeger had said and replied…

“He’s a despicable coward who only chases after women and takes no responsibility. Someday, as an officer of Ostarica, if I fight against him, I’ll tear his limbs apart, kill him, and throw him to the dogs and crows.”

Despite having insulted his former lord in a way that no noble should dare, there was no hint of hesitation or reluctance on Matthias’s face.

Seeing this, Major General Schweitz was convinced.

These bastards might lack the minimum conscience and shame as human beings, but their hatred for the empire and loathing of the Crown Prince were genuine.

Thus, it was believed that their desire to surrender to the Grand Duchy of Ostarica was not a lie.

‘If the information these bastards have brought is correct, we will be able to seize the fortune that rolls into our lap. So, we should milk them for all they’re worth for a few years and then purge them when they’re no longer needed. After all, they’re not the nobility of the Grand Duchy of Ostarica, so there will be no guilt in killing them.’

“Until we can verify that the secrets you’ve brought match the truth, I’m afraid we must keep you confined. However, from today on, your quarters will be changed from prisons to private rooms for officers. You will also receive the same ration as the officers.”

“Thank you for trusting us, Major General.”

“And looking at your faces, it seems you’re in need of women. I will assign women to serve you. You may go now. We have many other things to do.”

The reason Major General Schweitz assigned women was simple.

Even the most thorough spies tend to reveal their true selves when mixed with women and alcohol.

Moreover, assigning women to serve and monitor them around the clock, rather than men, was much more advantageous, showing trust in Matthias and the four lieutenants while keeping them under surveillance.

Two months later, the information brought by Lieutenant Matthias and the other four was confirmed to be actual military secrets of the empire.

Thus, these five were granted special permission by the military command of the Grand Duchy of Ostarica to begin serving as lieutenants.

From then on, as if driven solely by the desire to someday avenge themselves against the empire that had reduced them to this state, they fought valiantly across various fronts, sparing no effort or risking their lives.

Gradually, they began to be recognized as reliable officers by the military command and nobility of the Grand Duchy of Ostarica.