855 – Elite Army, Elite Officers – 2

The nominal leader of the Imperial Army is the Commander-in-Chief. However, the position of Commander-in-Chief is automatically held by the Emperor, so the actual leader is the Deputy Commander-in-Chief, Prince Jeon Seung-gong.

And it had been quite a while since Jeon Seung-gong had held the position of deputy commander. When my first father-in-law was ruling the eastern kingdoms, Jeon Seung-gong was just one of many commanders, but at some point, Jeon Seung-gong became the deputy commander and reigned as a symbol of the military.

A deputy commander who cannot be treated lightly even by the Minister of War, the highest organization in the Imperial Army. A deputy commander who is respected and revered by a million Imperial soldiers. A deputy commander who brought glory to the Imperial Family and the Empire by winning two Northern Wars.

The retirement of such a deputy commander is not a topic that a young man under thirty can dare to discuss. Jeon Seung-gong had been active as a soldier since before I was born, and he had been active as a deputy commander since before I became a government official.

“The great achievements that Your Majesty left behind will be remembered by all, and his will will be cherished and carried on by the successors to the Vice Commander-in-Chief.”

So I opened my mouth and offered some ceremonial yet heartfelt encouragement.

It’s a cliché, but Jeon Seung-gong actually left behind a great achievement. It is unknown who will be the next deputy commander, but the high-ranking commanders and staff of the Imperial Army deeply respect Jeon Seung-gong. If there is any legacy left by Jeon Seung-gong, they will cherish it.

So, Jeon Seung-gong may become a freeloader, but he will not become a forgotten figure. Even though he cannot reign as the head of the military, he will be respected as a senior officer.

“If it were as Carl said, I could not ask for more. Human life is finite, but what could be happier than remaining in everyone’s memories and records forever?”

“I will be heading to the elven residential district soon, and I will eagerly promote Your Majesty’s achievements then.”

“Haha! This is really it, if the elves knew my name, it would last a thousand years!”

As if my joke had hit the mark, Jeon Seung-gong burst into laughter for a long time.

“But I don’t think that’s something to say in this atmosphere. I’m not saying I’m stepping down right now.”

“yes?”

“It’s a little disappointing. Mr. Carl, aren’t you secretly hoping that I would step down quickly?”

“Ah, no, that’s…!”

“I was joking. I said something so that anyone who heard it would think I was stepping down immediately. It’s natural for people to misunderstand.”

I smiled bitterly at the sight of Jeon Seung-gong nodding his head with satisfaction.

Come to think of it, Jeon Seung-gong said he was considering retirement, but he didn’t say he was going to submit his resignation letter right away. In the first place, the position of deputy commander isn’t one that can be changed in a matter of days.

First, the father-in-law passed on the title, not the position, at the speed of light, but this was possible because the father-in-law was preparing for retirement on an annual basis. Because much of the father-in-law’s real power was already in the hands of his older brother.

‘If you still hold power, then stepping down is also a matter of course.’

On the other hand, Jeon Seung-gong is a bureaucrat who held real power until yesterday and even at this moment. It would be better if there was a legal or customary term for the position of deputy commander, but if there is no such thing, it is impossible for the person in power to be replaced quickly.

“But since I’m ready to retire, I’m going to do things I haven’t been able to do before. I’m spending time meeting good people like this and creating the utopia I’ve always dreamed of. How wonderful this is.”

“Utopia… are you talking about that?”

“Yes, Utopia. Rather, I am preparing for what is possible in the final years of my official life before retirement.”

As he said that, Jeon Seung-gong’s expression quickly brightened. His eyes also began to shine brightly enough to make people forget his age for a moment.

Perhaps that is why my curiosity was piqued. The utopia dreamed of by the Duke, who was called the one-man underground and ten-man-man above. What kind of utopia is it that he has not attempted until now and is only now trying to achieve after he is ready to retire? What kind of picture is he drawing that makes the Duke so happy like a child?

“If it’s alright with you, Your Majesty, may I hear about the utopia you dream of?”

Then, Jeon Seung-gong’s smile grew even brighter.

“An academy for soldiers. That’s my ideal.”

“…Academy?”

Soon, a word that did not fit with Jeon Seung-gong came out.

“A place where systematic education is provided for young men who dream of joining the military. A place where they learn about the military in a narrow and deep way, rather than simply learning broadly and shallowly at the Imperial Academy. That’s the kind of place I want.”

In short, he said he wanted to create a military academy rather than an ordinary comprehensive university. Thanks to that, I nodded my head in bewilderment.

Of course, it would be nice if there was something like that. Currently, graduates from the academy who are interested in military affairs knock on the military’s door, but honestly, it’s not a very efficient method. The number of people who want to become soldiers fluctuates every year, and while they are better than average graduates, they are not enough to be used as soldiers right away.

Of course, newbies are always welcome, so the Imperial Army is diligently training those who knock on the door of the military. With a compassionate heart, who can do well from the beginning?

In such a situation, why not establish a professional military academy? A school where a fixed number of graduates will come every year, and where people who have acquired military knowledge over the course of three years will flock to it?

‘It would be nice to have it.’

If we consider whether it contributes to national interests and military power or not, it is obviously the former. If we exaggerate a bit, the emergence of military academies could expand the talent pool by two or three times.

If only it could be built successfully.

‘It’s not easy to create something from nothing.’

If there is already a place in the empire that serves as a military academy, and they are going to reform that academy on a large scale, I can cheer them on with a smiling face. If only the dignity of the Jeon Seung-gong and the support of the imperial family are present, the reform can be handled in an instant.

However, if you create a military academy in the middle of nowhere, it’s a different story. Creating a new concept that has never existed before is difficult even with authority and consensus.

At least I lived in a world where the existence of a military academy was taken for granted before the Ice Age… But since I’ve never been to a military academy, let alone been near one, it doesn’t really mean anything to me. I don’t even know what the main gate of the academy looks like.

“It is truly a beautiful utopia, even if you only imagine it. How can I not admire the great will you left behind for the empire and the army until the very end?”

Still, for now, I supported Jeon Seung-gong’s intentions.

From what you said, it seems that the establishment of a military academy was Jeon Seung-gong’s long-time dream. How could he ignore such a dream by saying, “I don’t think that will work?” Besides, there is no way Jeon Seung-gong would not know the problem I brought up.

Because he is confident in creating a military academy, he will take the first step forward even if there is something strange. He will shoulder the hardship of creating something from nothing and leave the task of changing something to his successors.

“Is there anything I can do to help you, Your Majesty?”

“hmm?”

At my suggestion, Jeon Seung-gong opened his eyes wide in surprise, as if he had not expected what I said.

“That’s okay. Didn’t Mr. Karl step down from his position as minister? It’s not right to entrust work to someone who should be enjoying his vacation.”

Then he shook his head with a small smile.

Those words ignited my fighting spirit. Even if it was Jeon Seung-gong’s work, it was my duty to help him even when I was busy, but when the other person said something like that, my will to help him became even stronger. As Jeon Seung-gong said, he had stepped down from his position as minister, so if he wanted to help, he could make up his mind and help him.

‘You have to enjoy your vacation to the fullest.’

I almost shed tears of emotion at Jeon Seung-gong’s words. Some yellow guy in the palace ordered me to do something even while on vacation, but Jeon Seung-gong refused out of consideration for my rest.

Yeah, this is a person of character. This is an adult. When someone acts like this, I want to step forward and help them, even if it’s a vacation or a break. That b*stard Emperor doesn’t know that.

“Please don’t say such things. Although I am on leave as an official, I am still a noble who devotes myself to the Empire. Also, how can I turn away from an old comrade who has a grand dream? If Your Majesty also has a long-held dream, wouldn’t you immediately lend a helping hand?”

“When you say it like that, I can’t refute it.”

I smiled at Jeon Seung-gong, who was laughing out loud.

This time, I had to take on work while on vacation, but I don’t really regret it. Considering the consideration I received from Jeon Seung-gong, I can help him out to this extent.

Jeon Seung-gong leisurely returned to the headquarters.

Unlike me, Jeon Seung-gong wasn’t on vacation, and he barely had time to visit the mansion. We decided to discuss the story about the military academy another time.

“The master is retiring?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. It seems he has already made up his mind.”

And the next day. I visited the emperor and explained what had happened yesterday.

I feel like I’ve become a bit of a nitpicker, but there’s nothing I can do about it. As the Emperor, I must know that the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Army has decided to retire.

Of course, Jeon Seung-gong will tell you when the time comes, but it’s better to know this kind of thing even a day earlier─

“This is a difficult situation.”

‘huh?’

The emperor’s reaction was unusual.

It wasn’t just about lamenting the retirement of a craftsman or the departure of a famous general who had led the imperial army for a long time. It was the reaction of someone who had witnessed something that should not have happened.

“count.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Go ahead.”

“Could you… stop him? I plan to do my best to dissuade my father-in-law, but if I try to stop him, he might misunderstand it as a courtesy as a monarch.”

At those words, my head tilted involuntarily.

‘why?’

Why is he so desperate? I also feel sorry for Jeon Seung-gong’s retirement, but considering the stability of the royal family and the empire, isn’t this the right thing to do?

The father-in-law of the emperor who holds military power and the maternal grandfather of the next emperor. No matter how loyal Jeon Seung-gong is, there is a high possibility that other nobles will harbor ill feelings or misunderstand him.

“I am grateful for your intentions, Master. I also know well what was going on in your mind when you made that decision.”

“Why then…”

“Count. Do you know how the military works?”

“I don’t know.”

I shook my head firmly at the unexpected question.

I have experience in the military, have a connection with the Jeon Seung-gong, and was once almost transferred to the military, so I have some knowledge of the Imperial Army’s system and key figures, but that doesn’t mean I’m well-versed in its internal affairs.

“Is that so? That’s a bit unexpected. I thought the Count would be well-informed about military affairs.”

I was moved by the emperor’s reaction.

You little punk. If you hadn’t promoted me two levels to the Chief of the Inspectorate, I would have transferred to the military. I would have become a person who knows the military situation better than anyone else.

“Well, it’s only natural that a count who is part of the government wouldn’t know.”

The emperor also realized this belatedly, and gave an awkward cough and changed the subject.

It was just passing by for me.

“The military is said to have a severe conflict between commanders and staff.”

But I suppressed the anger that was rising in me at the words that followed.

“It’s a conflict with a long history, so it’s a real headache.”

As the Emperor said, it was quite a sore subject.