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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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In the capital city of Kayef, although Ukraine was a weak nation compared to its neighbors, Kayef, the capital and the duchy’s trade center, was in no way inferior to the capitals of other nations.
Streetlights, illuminated by the newly introduced ‘electricity,’ and a massive steam-powered train that circled the outskirts of the city. The city, which once plunged into darkness with the setting of the moon, now, with the help of electric lights, the ‘artificial sun,’ showed no signs of dimming.
The royal palace, where the duke resided, was no different. Sony Zeppelin walked through the palace interior, which had changed drastically in just a few months.
There wasn’t a single place without electricity. Candles and chandeliers had long been reduced to mere decorations, and lanterns were only used by servants in the underground facilities or warehouses where electricity hadn’t yet been installed.
There were even rumors from the Free Democratic Republic of Pry that a tool had been invented that could emit a bright light by simply containing violet mana in a small metal container, without the need for wires.
Soon, that item would likely be seen in the Kayef palace.
‘The world is changing at a terrifying pace. Every day is different.’
Countless papers were being published every day. Magic studies, science, and the newly born field of magic engineering, which combined the two.
Most of them were worthless garbage, or simply impossible to realize with current technology, but occasionally, truly groundbreaking ideas were discovered, and the world’s magic towers and academies, which processed and reviewed these papers, were experiencing an unprecedented boom.
Even she, an Archmage, was struggling to just keep up with the current trend.
As Sony Zeppelin was admiring the night view from the window, a neatly dressed butler approached.
“Thank you for waiting, Brigadier General Sony Zeppelin. The Duke has arrived.”
“It took a little longer than I expected.”
“We had a diplomatic envoy from the Polanian Republic.”
From the Polanian Republic? Sony Zeppelin was slightly puzzled. Although they were both neutral nations, as the name ‘Republic’ suggested, Poland was actually closer to the liberal faction.
And since they had a history of fierce wars with the Russian Tsarist Empire, the predecessor of the Ukrainian Duchy, they probably weren’t on close terms with Ukraine.
‘Well, it doesn’t matter.’
Diplomacy wasn’t her area of interest anyway. Duke Orlando Luce III was dozens of times more skilled in that area than she was, even as an Archmage. She dismissed it and entered the Duke’s private chambers.
Normally, entering the king’s private living space in the quasi-monarchical Ukraine would have been unthinkable, but for Brigadier General Sony Zeppelin, it had now become a routine matter.
“Have you been waiting long?”
“Not at all.”
As she entered the room, Duke Orlando Luce III, dressed in a royal uniform, greeted her. The young monarch, with a monocle perched on his eye, smiled at her.
“Have a seat. I’ve prepared your favorite wine as an apology for being late.”
“Oh, isn’t this wine from the Adalia Kingdom? I heard they’ve been restricting exports lately, so it’s been hard to get a hold of it─”
“Well, it wouldn’t do for the leader of a nation to be unable to procure a mere bottle of wine.”
“Thank you.”
Sony Zeppelin immediately raised her wine glass and took a sip. The sweet and sour grape flavor moistened her throat, and she showed a satisfied expression.
“I’ve heard the news you brought. It’s very… good news.”
“Yes, I told you, didn’t I? This operation would surely be a success.”
“I was skeptical at first, but now I know for sure. You’ve never been wrong.”
The bond of trust between Archmage Sony Zeppelin and Duke Orlando Luce III of the Ukrainian Duchy had already grown as strong as it could be. To him, Sony Zeppelin was his most trusted soldier, the Duchy’s powerful military force, and a dear friend.
“And I’ve also read the report sent by Captain Enoch Levandal. It’s clear he’s a promising officer. Where on earth did you find such a talent?”
“That’s a state secret.”
“A state secret that the commander-in-chief doesn’t know about? The rebel was right here.”
Less than a month after being commissioned, the Duke himself commended his achievements, and he was promoted from Second Lieutenant to Lieutenant. And now, six months later, he was promoted to Captain through the ‘Brigade Commander’s’ personnel authority.
Although it was the Brigade Commander’s authority, since the Special Operations Brigade was a direct subordinate unit of the Duke, this special promotion was also effectively carried out by Duke Orlando Luce III.
From Second Lieutenant to Captain in just seven months, a promotion speed unheard of in the entire continent. However, neither Duke Orlando Luce III nor Sony Zeppelin had any objections or complaints. In fact, they were disappointed.
“…If he had been commissioned a little earlier, he could have been promoted to Major.”
“That’s right. This rank is the limit for now. Unless a war breaks out somewhere.”
Duke Orlando Luce III thought of Brigadier General Hafenluke Hellheim, the commander of the Central Army’s direct subordinate magic brigade, who was a similar case to Enoch Levandal.
He, too, was a ridiculously skilled individual who had reached the rank of Brigadier General in just 10 years. Of course, even Hafenluke Hellheim hadn’t reached Captain from Second Lieutenant in seven months.
Enoch Levandal was that special.
“I’d like to meet him again soon.”
“With all due respect, it would be best not to do so at this time.”
“…Are you worried about attracting flies?”
“Yes, that’s exactly it.”
Sony Zeppelin put down her now-empty wine glass and said, “I don’t know how many generals have sided with the Soviet Empire, but the number is not small. In his already conspicuous position, if Your Highness contacts him again, he’ll become a major target for the disloyal factions.”
In the worst-case scenario, Captain Enoch’s life could be in danger. Although the military was currently quiet, it was unknown when that sword would be drawn.
Assassinating the Duke was difficult. Assassinating Sony Zeppelin, an Archmage, was even more so. But what about a newly commissioned officer, a mere captain?
Enoch Levandal was by no means an easy target, but he was still inexperienced. No matter how talented, a bullet to the forehead in the middle of the night would be fatal. A captain who had received the Duke’s clear favor.
A young officer who had participated in major operations and achieved great things right after being commissioned, and who had caught the attention of ‘Sony Zeppelin.’ He was a perfect target to send a warning message to the Duke’s faction.
“Any news from the National Guard?”
“They say there isn’t. It hasn’t been long since the Ukrainian army was normalized. Since the military was a mess from the start, it seems difficult to be certain who stands on which side.”
“It’s complicated. Politics really isn’t for me.”
“I agree.”
The two spoke frankly. Orlando Luce II had been the previous Duke, but he hadn’t been competent in all aspects.
And during the previous Duke’s era, the world situation hadn’t changed so drastically. The already weak Ukrainian army was almost neglected with the Duke’s tacit approval.
Paradoxically, the magic conscription system, which had been in place since the imperial era, became the last bastion supporting the collapsing Ukrainian army. After all, the heroes who had distinguished themselves in the Quornen War had all been conscripted through the magic conscription system.
Therefore, as soon as Orlando Luce III ascended to the throne due to the previous Duke’s deteriorating health, his first act was military reform. But the Duke’s power alone wasn’t enough. The Ukrainian army was practically a corpse, so it needed a continuous supply of fresh blood.
In that sense, Enoch Levandal was the perfect talent the Duke wanted. A young officer who had swept up all sorts of achievements and possessed an incredibly sharp insight. He was Ukraine’s ‘joker card’ in preparation for the time when the long-held peace would be overshadowed by dark clouds.
The young monarch was certain that when that peace shattered, Ukraine would be the first to be devoured.
“We’ll proceed with the plan slowly. We still have some time, don’t we?”
“Of course. The 8th Assault Magic Infantry Battalion is also planning to recruit more personnel. Since it’ll be September soon, they’re planning to focus on training the troops and establishing an education curriculum until they can properly recruit personnel.”
“It seems he’s doing well as the acting battalion commander.”
“It’s getting to the point where I’m starting to doubt if he really is a newly graduated officer from the academy.”
The haggard and worried look he had on the day he was appointed deputy battalion commander was gone. Enoch Levandal was literally overhauling the unit.
He was gathering the opinions of his subordinates and fellow company commanders, actively discussing with the staff office, and attempting to optimize the unit.
“Anyway, he’s a monster. We’ll have to see about his magical aptitude, but… I’m even thinking that a second Archmage might be born in Ukraine.”
“At this point, that’s the only way to make sense of his past achievements.”
Enoch Levandal. The sharpest, most well-honed sword that Sony Zeppelin had brought. A sword that hadn’t rusted over the long years like the others, nor had its shape been strangely deformed.
If one received such a weapon, shouldn’t one wield it well rather than lock it away in a warehouse? And sometimes, it needed to be sharpened to prevent it from rusting.
“I’ll leave the review of all personnel and logistics-related documents coming from that side to you, Sony Zeppelin. I’ll grant you maximum autonomy, so feel free to handle it as you wish.”
“Thank you.”
And so, from the 8th Assault Magic Infantry Battalion, backed by the Duke’s absolute power, it didn’t take long for dozens of on-site commissioning recommendations to arrive.
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