Chapter 109: Personnel Changes

The alliance between Lunoa Kingdom and Wa was formally concluded.

Both countries signed the treaty.

It hadn’t yet been announced. Our policy was to reveal the alliance at the moment when it could best catch the enemy off guard.

“A splendid achievement. You brought an alliance with another country together with remarkable ease. I suppose I should say that I expected no less.”

“Your words honor me.”

After completing the alliance proposal and submitting it to my superiors, I had been summoned by the king and was now receiving his praise.

Although the praise was directed at me, perhaps the real beneficiary was General Newsbeck.

After I distinguished myself at the very beginning of the war and rose at an unbelievable speed, former Field Marshal Carland and other generals had tried to halt my advancement.

Following the failure in the west—and Carland’s failure in particular—several generals and lieutenant generals with great influence there had been demoted.

Important military posts were now vacant.

General Newsbeck had gained the greatest influence in the resulting personnel changes.

She had nearly secured victory in the west after Carland’s failure. At the very least, she was highly praised for stopping the enemy offensive.

General Newsbeck had originally possessed few allies within the army. Although her remarkable achievements on the New Continent had raised her to the rank of general, she was still young by the standards of the military as a whole. It would have been stranger if she had already had many people under her influence.

That situation was now changing.

A faction centered on General Newsbeck was unmistakably taking shape.

“An alliance with an Asian country is truly excellent. People shouldn’t be judged by race alone. I expect much of Wa as an equal ally. I hope this won’t be an alliance limited to the present war, but the beginning of an enduring friendship.”

“Yes. I’ll continue working to fulfill Your Majesty’s expectations.”

The king was a man of progressive views.

Those views had also supported General Newsbeck’s rapid rise in a society where prejudice against women remained widespread.

“Good. I look forward to your future achievements.”

As General Newsbeck’s position changed, mine changed with it.

Bearing the name of the powerful House Willard, I had achieved unprecedented feats after arbitrarily placing a colonel under my command and had been promoted directly to brigadier general.

It was an unprecedented rise, but some senior officers, including former Field Marshal Carland, had wanted to prevent any further advancement.

“You may rely on me.”

Their opposition had actually helped me.

I had no desire to advance within the military.

“Then, if you’ll excuse me.”

“Yes. Thank you for coming today.”

I bowed to the king and ended the audience.

After leaving safely, I walked down a corridor of the royal palace.

There was still work to do, and my pace naturally quickened.

“How did it go?”

A voice called from behind me.

“Second Princess Emma.”

I stopped and turned.

“Nothing in particular. It was only an ordinary audience.”

“Oh? I thought you might receive some reward. A medal, perhaps.”

“…I don’t need any more.”

I frowned without thinking.

Many medals already adorned my chest. Because I often fought on the front lines, their number had naturally increased.

Medals for the air force were apparently being created as well, so I seemed destined to receive even more.

“What’s wrong with having many? You can show up everyone who mocked you as a clod of dirt. I’ve already been thoroughly shown up.”

“I never wanted that.”

I had wanted only to live peacefully.

I had built a firm foundation for my trading company so that I could live despite being despised as a clod of dirt. After that, I had wanted to take things easy, occasionally inviting a healthy Shia-neesama to the company.

I had dreamed of marrying like an ordinary commoner, having children, and making a living through trade.

“Receiving anything more would cause trouble.”

My present situation was nothing like what I had wanted.

“That includes medals. Nor do I want another promotion.”

My bedridden elder brother Eisen was still alive.

He was meant to become the next head of House Willard. If I rose any farther, that succession might change, and I wanted to avoid that.

“Becoming a major general while still in my teens… no, thank you.”

“Oh? What are you talking about? You’re going to become a major general.”

“What?”

“You and I’ve been chosen as the envoys to Wa. The higher the rank of the envoy, the better, so it’s been decided that you’ll be promoted to major general—the highest rank they’re willing to grant you for now. A post happened to be vacant as well.”

“…What?”