I Became a Genius Commander at the Academy

Chapter 63: The Ball In Politics (2)

Born in a commoner family, I couldn’t receive a proper liberal arts education. Thus, I barely passed the liberal arts subjects at the academy.

Even after I became a Professor, I wanted to avoid it as much as possible. However, one inevitable event existed for a noble and an officer of the empire: the ball.

In this era, attending a ball held more importance than politicians or elite figures playing golf in Korea.

I wasn’t from a noble family and never cared about dancing or my lack of a liberal arts education.

Usually, officers who graduated from the academy had to attend the ball held near their troops unless they were fighting on the frontlines.

There, it was common to meet families that could sponsor them or to dance with potential marriage partners.

Even if things on the frontlines were urgent, a military law existed that exempted lieutenants and captains from duty on the day of the ball due to marriage concerns.

So, unlike when I battled in war or on the political stage, I replied timidly.

“I come from a commoner’s background… You know that well.”

Understanding this, the Count sighed and said,

“Last time, you were just a Major, so both the Crown Prince and I asked you to feign illness and rest. Now, it’s different. You must attend.”

“I’m aware.”

“Still, everyone knows you come from a commoner’s background. Nobles from the Crown Prince’s faction won’t ask to dance with Peter Yaeger or demand such things. At most, they’ll gossip about you. Usually, such gossip leads to a loss of face, but your achievements will protect you.”

The heroes and noble ladies in novels and comics had practiced social dancing for at least 5-8 years.

For someone like me, who studied at the academy and served on the frontlines, dancing gracefully like those nobles was practically impossible.

To catch up then, I would have needed to devote at least two months to learning dance intensively, which was a ridiculous thought.

So, it was a great relief to be told there was no need to awkwardly learn to dance just to please others.

“But you aren’t considering attending in a military uniform like the students of the Staff College, right? Although it wasn’t against imperial army regulations, as a noble and Professor, it was inappropriate. Because, in reality, a ball was a political event.”

“Of course. I had also taken care to prepare suitable clothing and even hired a temporary servant.”

Hearing this, Count Benner waved his hand.

“If you were a noble with no connections, that would have been the best approach. But I couldn’t allow that. I asked the housekeeper of the Benner family to lend you a butler. With him, you should have had no issues preparing. Let’s discuss more productive matters.”

Then, the Count’s face, which seemed full of annoyance moments ago, became as serious as during meetings in Bisochea.

“In the past, to be honest, you were just an orphaned officer with no value in my eyes. While overcoming societal barriers to enroll in the academy was commendable, you were just slightly better than the average commissioned officers.”

Before proving my worth on the Raintlant Front, this fact used to infuriate me. But then it became a long-overcome issue.

Many of those who once mocked me are now looking at me with jealousy and envy.

Those opposing the Crown Prince might have belittled me as an “orphaned colonel” in words, but they subconsciously treated me like the head of a noble family.

“Now, you’ve caught the eyes of both the Crown Prince and I. Even the Emperor is paying attention to you. Your title and territory prove that.”

In response, I nodded.

“No, the Emperor actually favors you. He probably appreciated that you didn’t pursue minor accomplishments during the pursuit, avoiding creating unnecessary enemies for political reasons.”

Given that officers of commoner background usually received titles at the rank of lieutenant general, this fact was obvious.

Hearing it from a superior felt different.

“What would have happened if I pursued minor accomplishments during the pursuit?”

“You would have been given more territory, and the title might not have been reduced. Instead of becoming a Professor at the Staff College, you would have been promoted to Colonel and assigned to a unit like Leitenburg with five brigadier generals nearing retirement.”

“Is that so?”

My reply was flat, but that sounded like a nightmarish assignment.

Considering my age and accomplishments, the Emperor would not have sent me to the central army with ill intent.

The 14th Division near Leitenburg was part of the central army, so there were fewer opportunities for achievements.

Although it was a comfortable post near the capital, it served as a resting spot for colonels who had given up on becoming generals due to its nature.

Would they have sent a 21-year-old colonel, promoted before turning 30, there?

While they probably would not have directly assaulted or impeached him because of his rank, he would have faced unimaginable adversity and struggles within the bounds of rules.

And this conversation indirectly questioned how he would handle himself at the ball.

“So, you want me to maintain a minimum level of dignity at this ball and deftly deflect any approaches from other factions? If I judge this politically, the Emperor will soon step down, and the election for the next Emperor will begin.”

Like what I read in a book titled ‘Neither Sacred nor an Empire,’ here the Emperor was chosen by the votes of the nobility.

The candidates were typically the Emperor’s sons. While the Crown Prince usually gets elected, in an unexpected situation where a majority of nobles proclaimed political neutrality, failing to secure the votes of moderates could be perceived as lacking the capability to maintain the empire’s stability.

Having a majority of opposing votes would indicate significant opposition to the Emperor.

So, Count Benner’s concern likely revolved around how strong the next Emperor’s power would be, based on the votes he received here.

‘If I, who is expected to become the future commander-in-chief and handle the Emperor’s military, sided with another Prince, wouldn’t the Emperor’s authority plummet?’

Such a conclusion would follow, but talking too much might result in something similar to what happened to Yangsu in the Three Kingdoms.

“Obviously. If you get along with another faction after the Crown Prince has somewhat recklessly taken you in, how would he feel? And you know it, right? Apart from the Crown Prince, no one, including me, a general and a major in the chief of staff, treated a mere colonel like you well.”

Anyone with a brain would have agreed.

Who made an orphaned nobody a Baron? Wasn’t it the generous Crown Prince?

“Understood. If anyone approached me, I would cut them off within reasonable limits.”

Count Benner nodded, seeming pleased with my exact response.

“In situations like this, having a woman by your side would be helpful. Isn’t Laura someone who served under you? Have her accompany you.”

“Are you sure it’s appropriate for me to be with a lieutenant?”

“By the Prince’s orders. Since Laura has a better eye for these things, ask her to choose your suit too.”

After all, considering everything, Laura would have been better at picking out clothes.

“Understood. Then, I’ll take my leave…”

As I tried to leave, the Count shouted with a mix of exasperation and anger,

“Fine! Go home and rest immediately!”

After Colonel Yaeger left, Count Benner let out a deep sigh.

Because inevitably, given the circumstances, he was handing over his cherished daughter to that thief…

Though the Count’s daughter hadn’t even experienced her first love, and didn’t know her true feelings, she had expressed a desire to follow the Colonel even after leaving the Staff College. So, technically, he wasn’t a thief.

“Out of all the men of Laura’s age, excluding the royalty, Yaeger was the best. He has two Silver Knight’s Swords medals, the title of Baron, is a professor at the Staff College, and is the same age—he is perfect. Moreover, Laura also…”

Now that it had come to this, it was a father’s role to lay down the path for Laura to have a good relationship with the Lieutenant Colonel she respected and loved.

They had spent more time together as commander and deputy than most noble fiancés, so they should do well.