"1st Ranger Tribe was dragged down by you," Ledefonk grumbled, "Do you know why 1st Ranger Tribe is treated as a garrison tribe by the strategists at frontline command and hasn't received any combat missions?"
Claude shook his head. He really didn't know why. His enhanced band had been stationed in Squirrel Village for half a year. Even though it was already the end of the year, there hadn't been any combat missions from the higher-ups. It was as if 1st Ranger Tribe had been forgotten by the higher-ups, or perhaps they didn't even exist.
According to Ledefonk, the kingdom had already begun their counterattack. They had gathered two second-line corps to attack the eastern region of Askilin.
The temporary armed forces of Askilin weren't able to stop the two second-line corps at all. Like the autumn wind sweeping away the fallen leaves, they were either routed or surrendered.
The current situation was that the capital of the Askilin Duchy, Braveso, was already surrounded by the kingdom's army. It was very likely that it would be conquered by spring next year, which meant that another anti-Austrian Duchy had fallen.
As the commander of 1st Ranger Tribe, Major Ledefonk really wanted to make a name for himself in this war against Askilin. The main reason for this was because the elites of Askilin were all in Rimodra. The rest of the troops were either conscripted or the private soldiers of the nobles under the local lords. They were weak in battle.
When the two second-rate legions of the kingdom encountered these defenders who had set up defensive lines, their attacks were like pouring soup on snow, and the enemies were annihilated in the blink of an eye.
In other words, not a single one of them could fight.
Even the 2nd and 3rd Ranger Battalions that had entered the three southern prefectures had participated in the war in the east.
The two units under frontline command were ordered to sweep through the territories of the Askilin nobles. Over the past half a year, news of them conquering another noble's castle came one after another.
Under such circumstances, Ledefonk naturally couldn't sit still. 1st Ranger Tribe's manpower and equipment had been replenished. Their training was completed and morale was high.
Besides, the local rebellions had been quelled and the soldiers of 1st Ranger Tribe had nothing to do. They could easily join the final battle against Askilin. Who wouldn't want a pushover?
In particular, 1st Ranger Tribe controlled the mountain path leading to Askilin. They could attack from there and cut off the border between Askilin and Canas, cutting off communication between the two duchies.
That was also the reason why Liedefonk strengthened Claude's 1st Clan.
The moment they received the order to attack, Claude's 1st Band would be the vanguard of 1st Ranger Tribe. They would be the first to enter the border between Askilin and Canas.
However, Major Liedefonk really didn't expect that the report he sent to the higher-ups never received a response. In the end, there were too many requests for battle, and in return, he only received a reprimand from the frontline command.
The higher-ups only wanted 1st Ranger Tribe to guard the area and prevent the armies of the two duchies from invading the three southern prefectures through the mountain path. Disrupting the rear was 1st Ranger Tribe's main mission.
No matter how he thought about it, he couldn't understand why 1st Ranger Tribe would be tasked with a job that could be done by a garrison battalion.
Not to mention, the mountain path led to the territories of the two duchies. The nobles of Canas were licking their wounds and didn't have the strength to invade again.
The nobles of Askilin, on the other hand, were in even worse luck. According to the scouts they sent out, the nobles who escaped were either imprisoned by the grand duke of Askilin or sold off their properties to atone for their crimes. Now that Askilin was in a precarious situation, how could they have the time to think about the mountain path?
No matter what, Liedefonk was one of Prince Hansbach's personal attendants. He won the prince's favor with his loyalty and diligence, which was why he was appointed the head of the logistics department of the experimental ranger tribe. He was promoted to 1st Ranger Tribe's commander.
So, he had some contacts at frontline command. After asking around, he received a rather amusing answer.
"It's all your fault for standing out too much during the battle at Squirrel Village. Not only did you receive a knighthood from His Highness, you were even promoted to captain! You're the youngest captain since the founding of the kingdom!
Do you know how many people at frontline command are jealous of you?
The reason 1st Ranger Tribe can't get any missions is because of you. The staff officers don't want 1st Ranger Tribe to join the battle because they're afraid you'll make another contribution and climb to the top of those self-proclaimed geniuses.
Think about it, if you meet them, they'll have to salute a young fellow like you. Nobody will be able to stand it. "
Liedefonk finally revealed the reason why 1st Ranger Tribe couldn't participate in the battle. Claude looked at him innocently. How can I be blamed?
Indeed, Claude wasn't to be blamed. Liedefonk sighed deeply. As one of the prince's personal attendants, he knew the young officers serving the prince well.
They were naturally talented, or the prince wouldn't have bothered with them.
However, pride and arrogance were the common problems of these young officers. Each of them thought that they were not inferior to others. When it came to armchair strategizing, they would talk incessantly, point out the country, and rebuke the people. No one was convinced by anyone else.
There were many young officers serving the prince, but none were younger than Claude.
They were mostly in their late twenties to thirties and the highest ranked among them was a lieutenant-colonel. Most of them were junior officers with at least five years of military experience.
Moreover, they were divided into three factions. One faction was made up of the nobles of the kingdom and was also the faction of young military officers under the eldest prince. They had received good military education and had a long military career, so they were well aware of the strength of the kingdom's army.
The second faction was made up of commoners who graduated from military academies. They joined the army to change their identity and climb up the ranks. They were ambitious and diligent.
Liedefonk used to be one of them.
The third faction was made up of low-level officers selected from the first prince's army. While they didn't have a good military education, that didn't hide their talent.
This faction was the smallest in number and didn't fit in with the nobles, so they often clashed with each other.
Prince Hansbach was known for his ability to discern talents and had a high reputation in the army. However, he couldn't prevent the young officers from clashing with each other.
But perhaps this was also what he wanted to see. Superiors always liked their subordinates to compete with each other, rather than unite as a monolithic block. This way, he could silently observe who was the real useful talent.
Just like when the eldest prince appointed Major Ledefonk as the logistics officer of the newly formed Ranger Battalion, it shocked the young officers.
Everyone knew that the Ranger Battalion was the first prince's new experimental combat unit. If they performed well, they would have a bright future.
That was why many people wanted a position in the Ranger Camp.
However, no one expected Major Liedefonk to become the logistics manager of the Ranger Camp.
Major Ledefonk had never stood out among these officers. He was usually taciturn, and had never expressed any refreshing opinions. The only thing worth affirming was that he was careful, conscientious, and responsible, and had never made a single mistake in the accounts he handled.
As soon as he went to the battalion, he was quickly promoted to major and became the battalion commander.
His comrades from back then were still the same. Lieutenants were still lieutenants and still had to salute him when they saw him.
Looking at Claude's youthful face, Liedefonk was suddenly reminded of the many first lieutenants and second lieutenants among his comrades. They had to bow to him and Claude when they saw him, which made him feel rather amused.
However, he was certain that his comrades from back then had made the wrong decision. Talent couldn't be suppressed.
Since the first prince gave Claude the knighthood, it was clear that he had taken note of Claude. Perhaps in a few years, if Claude was lucky enough not to fall on the battlefield, Claude would rise to the top of the first prince's head.
Liedefonk didn't feel any jealousy. Everyone had their good points. As long as one didn't compare one's weaknesses to others' strengths, it would be fine.
Cone would eventually emerge from the sack. No matter how many pebbles she was mixed with, she would still shine after a few bumps.
Honestly speaking, wasn't it because of Claude's subordinates that he was able to become a major?
He remembered that the prince had once said something very reasonable. As an officer, he didn't need to charge into enemy lines himself. He just needed his subordinates to do their best to fight.
However, Claude had already caught His Highness's eye. If he were to join the prince, which faction would he belong to?
Liedefonk began to ponder. He should belong to the lower ranks. But that didn't seem right. His Highness had already awarded Claude with a knighthood. He was a quasi-noble after all. Would the nobles accept him?
Perhaps not. If they were willing to accept Naklod, they wouldn't have suppressed 1st Ranger Tribe's request for battle.
"Sir, it's getting dark and it's starting to snow. Should we find a village up ahead and spend the night there?" Claude's question interrupted Liedefonk's train of thought.
Claude and Ledefonk were on their way to Pacathia, the capital of Palo Alto, to attend the year-end celebration hosted by Prince Hansbach. During the celebration, Claude would be awarded the Knight's Medal by the prince himself. Ledefonk, on the other hand, would be promoted to lieutenant-colonel due to his leadership skills. So, both of them had to arrive at Pacathia before the appointed time.
Claude only brought Myjack and Gum with him, while Liedefonk brought a small squad of guards with him. All of them traveled on horseback. Due to the snow, it would take them two days to get there.
But since the three southern prefectures were mostly settled, the journey was safe.
It was just that the sentries set up at the intersections of the main roads to check on pedestrians and vehicles could still see the tense situation of the war.
Pacathia was also heavily guarded. At the city gates, Ledefonk and the others were checked and registered. Then, they were led by a guard to the pre-arranged camp.
There were still two days before the celebration. The reason Liedefonk had Claude come earlier was to consider whether the first prince would want to meet them first.
However, his worries were just wishful thinking. The first prince was probably so busy that he didn't want to see his old subordinates or the newly minted knightly Claude.
That was exactly what Claude wanted. When he had the time, he brought Myjack and Gum to the markets and shops of Pacathia.
Perhaps because Hansbach was stationed in the city, Pacathia was very orderly. The market was filled with business and there was an abundance of goods.
Almost all the shops in the city were open for business and the streets were decorated with lanterns and decorations.
Claude bought a bunch of things, most of which were for his little lover, Sheila. The heaviest were all sorts of books, which weren't available in her cave library. The rest were some daily necessities, some beautiful clothes and accessories.
He believed that she would be pleasantly surprised when he gave them to her. She would be as warm as fire and as gentle as water.
The next day, Claude still wanted to go out for a stroll, but he was called back by Ledefonk the moment he left the camp. The celebration was going to be held that night and Ledefonk had to lead Claude there.
The so-called preparation was to get a haircut, take a bath, and then change into a brand-new military uniform. The leather boots had to be polished until they were spotless, the belt around the waist had to be as smooth as new, and the military cap had to be tidied up.
After that, he had to check himself in front of the mirror and let Liedefonk see if there were any flaws.
When it was about time, everyone ate some white bread to fill their stomachs. Then, they waited in the camp for the horse carriages to come and take the participants of the ceremony to the venue.
Time was hard to bear, but it finally came to an end.
About an hour later, a second lieutenant came in and saluted before inviting Claude and Liedefonk to depart.
As for Myjack, Gum, and Liedefonk's squad of guards, they naturally had to stay in the camp obediently. The city was under martial law that night and no one was allowed to go out.
The celebration was to be held in the city lord's manor. According to the second lieutenant, there were more than three hundred people attending the celebration and they were all officers who had contributed greatly to the frontlines.
They would be promoted at this meeting, and the First Prince and the generals of several legions would personally confer their ranks upon them.
The second lieutenant looked at Claude enviously and said that there were three other people like Claude who had received knighthood. Two of them were from the royal guard and one from Bluefeather.
Apart from that, there was one other person who would receive a knighthood: General Michele Priest.