In Marston, the promotion of senior military officers normally follows two paths. Most nobles from prestigious families choose to study at military academies. Officers who take this route often end up in administrative roles, though they may start at a higher level than those who climb the ranks from the grassroots. However, the highest military positions, such as the Chief of the General Staff or the Minister of Defense overseeing the entire military of the country, can only be held by officers who have taken the second path according to Marston's tradition.
Many nobles in Marston do not necessarily aim to advance in the military but need some military background to climb higher in the military-loving Marston Kingdom. Becoming a staff officer not only provides some military connections but also serves as a kind of prestige. For most of them, having a military background gives them leverage in Marston's political arena.
As a country leaning towards militarism, most top-ranking military officers in Marston have risen through the ranks based on their military achievements. Despite retreating from Milanía's territory eighteen years ago, they continue to engage in wars with neighboring small countries and have rarely maintained peace for more than a year. In peacetime, disdain between the two factions is common, with the General Staff of the military department and the operational units often undermining each other. The Marston King, instead of intervening, seems to enjoy this division.
However, when a certain individual obtained the rank of Major General in a seemingly opportunistic manner, both factions looked down upon this person. Thomasco despised this individual, but due to the rank gap, he was constrained. The individual holding the position of Supreme Field Marshal, personally conferred by the Marston King, and commanding a corps stood on equal footing with Thomasco. According to Marston's strict hierarchy, Thomasco found himself often subordinated to this person.
"…Yes, Major General Raymond."
Thomasco took a deep breath and suppressed his anger. "Hmm." Raymond nodded satisfactorily and gestured, "Secondly, I hold the key to victory, so please do not question my decisions."
"Her?" Thomasco's gaze darkened as he looked at the cloaked figure holding an exotic long knife standing beside Raymond. He had heard of this individual's strength, rumored to be as powerful as Hazel, who held the title of "Creator." Yet as a military man, Thomasco still did not have a complete understanding of the capabilities of such individuals.
"If she has this ability, send her into battle immediately instead of letting loyal soldiers of Marston sacrifice themselves in vain, Major General Raymond."
"Hehe, don't be in such a hurry, General Thomasco." Raymond shook his head. "I believe in Marston's military power; even in a frontal attack, we will surely defeat the enemy."
—Of course, it was a lie. Raymond had no confidence in Marston's ability to win; his mind was preoccupied with how to preserve his last chance for compliance. He regretted not demanding more during his negotiations with Sadie. If only he had raised the stakes further; he was fearful back then, ready to be struck by lightning at any moment for demanding too much.
At this point, Raymond only had one chance left to issue commands freely. If he squandered it here, even if Marston won the war in the end, what good would it do for him? After the war, once Sadie left, the high command of Marston would surely realize he was a worthless entity. Deprived of his position and rank, those generals who had long held a grudge against him would openly or subtly target him. Raymond realized he had no reliable connections or subordinates besides his rank and the position of Supreme Field Marshal. If he did not earn enough merits during this war to ensure his safety, he might not survive.
In any case, he needed to create a sufficiently impressive outcome with his last request. At least, he could not allow Sadie to cooperate directly with Marston. If she used her Holy Rank power to end the war like she did at the military port, all the credit he would receive at the end would be shared among the likes of Thomasco.
For him, the best outcome would be to have Marston's army clash with Milanía first, perhaps even have Marston's initial attempts fail before Milanía counterattacked. The sound of knuckles striking the table resounded in his ears. "Major General Raymond."
With a low but clear voice, Thomasco said, "If the person beside you truly has the power to change the tide of the battle, let her act immediately. Otherwise, I hope to reclaim command, as continuing to let soldiers engage aimlessly, having lost momentum amidst enemy forces, completely contravenes my principles as a military leader."
"I am a Supreme Field Marshal appointed by His Majesty and have legitimate authority in wartime to take over command, General Thomasco."
Shing! A chill emanated as a sword, bearing a lethal aura, pressed against Raymond's throat, ready to pierce with a little more force. The sudden threat of death made Raymond refrain from saying "General" to Thomasco.
"Don't get ahead of yourself, you mere commoner," Thomasco's gaze darkened. In the command tent, the other staff and guards almost simultaneously reached an unspoken agreement and orderly left the tent, seemingly oblivious to Thomasco's brandished sword.
Indeed, this look of fear should have been displayed towards Raymond from the start, not the mere commoner relying on a stroke of luck to ascend, stepping on the nobles.
“If I die, no one will tell you where Yuan is!”
The near disregard in Sadie's eyes enraged Raymond, and he blurted out in frustration, “You won't die. She harbors no ill will,” Sadie replied nonchalantly.
“Wh—” Raymond, now slightly calmer, realized how foolish his outburst had been.
“Oh? So that's how it is.” Thomasco's expression shifted abruptly to a brilliant smile, retracting the blade while casually taking a seat on a chair inside the tent, legs crossed and hands resting on his knees, exuding an aristocratic and condescending air.
Yes, this fellow harbored no great ambitions that would threaten Thomasco's future. He was not petty enough to entangle himself with a mere commoner. Such conduct would only sully his hands. “So, why don't you simply obey my command, cooperate in winning this battle, and I promise no harm will come to you upon your return. You can live quietly as a harmless commoner—trust me, the Academy's protection will be more than enough for you.”
Raymond hesitated. After Sadie's initial promise, he had briefly entertained grand ambitions, but upon reflection, did he, an average individual drifting through over thirty years of life, possess the audacity and ability for such exploits?
“Well then, what say you, Major General Raymond?”
