Reborn: Imperial Officer Promotion Guide

Colonel Giroud Magnus' dream of promotion was crushed by Hull at this moment.

However, this is both an end and a means.

Hull wanted much more than that.

"By the way, let's promote Captain Lorenzo to Lieutenant Colonel."

"This... this is really ridiculous."

The path to advancement in the empire becomes narrower as one moves up the ranks.

Especially for those at the rank of major and above, it is already the watershed for promotion.

Imperial lieutenant colonel and major general officers can command tens of thousands of senior officers in any war zone.

It is of great importance.

This extraordinary promotion, from captain directly promoted two levels to lieutenant colonel, is unprecedented and unheard of.

Hull also knew that this was difficult, but not completely impossible.

For example, it could be done by attributing all the credit for defeating the Principality to Captain Lorenzo.

"If you don't want your family to lose their heads, just do what I say."

"I can do this, but I have to be promoted to major general before I can have this authority."

"..."

It seems that Colonel Giroud Magnus hasn't given up yet. How can Hull allow that?

Hull picked up Colonel Giroud Maguno and could clearly hear the old man's bones trembling.

"Listen to me, don't even think about being promoted to major general. For someone like you, even the qualification of colonel is a waste."

Hull wasn't kidding him.

Because it wasn't supposed to be this way.

An armistice agreement was signed with the Cummins at the instigation of Hull.

Hull had predicted that the stalemate in the North would soon be broken, and the Principality would inevitably launch an attack before it was too late.

At that time, I had clearly made the right choice.

As long as Hull leads the 4 men of the 400th Squadron as the vanguard, they will be the first to break the defense of the Arugel defensive fortress.

The Imperial Army then sent reinforcements to occupy the city.

Obviously, many people could have been saved from death!

Those soldiers and junior officers also have families, so why do they have to wait until they are left with no other options before deciding to strike back?

Rotten...These imperial legions are all rotten!

He does not seek to achieve anything but to avoid making mistakes. He only thinks about safety and covets comfort.

It is because of people like Colonel Giroud Magnus who are just sitting there doing nothing that Hull has to adjust its strategy.

The soldiers who could have been saved were forced to fight with their backs against the wall.

Thousands of orphans and widows were added, and thousands of soldiers were sacrificed in vain.

After finally winning, these people only thought about getting promoted and making money, and turned around to settle accounts with themselves.

If it wasn't Hull who was standing here, he would have been wrongfully imprisoned and ended up with his head cut off.

But all the credit was taken by these insects.

"If you don't want to, it's up to you. Anyway, your family's lives all depend on your choice. No matter what, I won't lose anything anyway."

Hull mentioned Colonel Giroud Maguno's family again.

"No, no! I'm willing to do what you say!" Colonel Giroud Magnus immediately gave in.

"Did I force you to do it?"

"No! I want to do it myself! Please, let me fight for the rank of lieutenant colonel for Captain Lorenzo."

Colonel Giroud Maguno knelt down and pleaded.

"I won't force you to do anything. I will give all the credit for this achievement to Captain Lorenzo. The Central Force will definitely not object to this exceptional promotion."

"Yes, yes! I understand! I will definitely meet your expectations!"

"…Lieutenant Hull, what do you want to do by giving me the credit?"

Captain Lorenzo frowned and looked on in amazement. After all, it involved his promotion, and Hull was not angry at his sudden interruption.

"I tell you, I don't want to get promoted in this way." Captain Lorenzo was obviously unhappy.

"Are you planning to keep running away like this? I'm here for you this time, but what about next time? And the time after that? If you allow the upper echelons of the empire to continue to decay, how many soldiers will die in vain? Are you willing to let the bones of so many innocent people become the path to advancement for these scum?!"

At this point, Hull also became angry.

"..."

"The empire is gradually declining, the branches of the big tree are rotting, and the corrupt senior nobles have monopolized the path to promotion. Even if you have strength and talent, you can't stand out. If you don't cut off these dead branches and leaves and cultivate new green, five years? Ten years? Twenty years? The demise of the empire is only a matter of time. This is what we should do as generals of the empire!"

"Put aside your useless kindness. We should deal with these bad apples with heavy hands and lethal force! Tolerating the wicked is harming the innocent, Captain Lorenzo. Have you ever thought about this?"

For Hull, the Empire was the best ladder.

He did not want to become the vulture that devoured the limbs of giants after the fall of the empire.

What Hull wanted was to give new life to the corrupt empire and usher in its revival and prosperity.

To do this, those incompetent vested interests must be eliminated and replaced with outstanding talents.

Just like what the Blood Emperor did back then.

After spending these days together, Hull realized that Captain Lorenzo was the only senior officer in the entire fortress who had this qualification.

"I...I..." Captain Lorenzo was questioned by Hull and didn't know how to answer.

Obviously, he was also shaken in his heart, especially when he saw the flaws exposed by Colonel Giroud Magnus and Major Schneider when they faced major problems, he also felt confused.

"I am acting in my own interests and hope that there will be truly outstanding officers of the Empire who are superior to me. Perhaps you may think that I am making excuses, but my interests have never conflicted with those of the Empire. For this reason, I came forward to conclude a truce agreement and fought the Duchy's army to protect the Northern Fortress. However, I am destined to be incompatible with certain scums, and I can only make them all disappear."

His own success is definitely not Hull's biggest goal.

After Hull truly grasped the real power of the empire, the most important thing was to make the empire a more powerful country.

"But I cannot agree with this method!"

"Hehehe... Captain Lorenzo also has such a stubborn side. However, if you don't accept it, I can't come forward to negotiate with the Blue Queen."

"..."

"In this case, I think the ones who would be most distressed would be Colonel Giroud Maguno and his family. If you're willing to watch them all being executed, that's fine with me."

"This?!... Captain Lorenzo, please! Please do as Lieutenant Hull said. Otherwise, my family... my family will..."

Colonel Giroud Magnus knelt down, pulling Captain Lorenzo's trouser legs and crying heart-wrenchingly.

Colonel Giroud Maguno, who was like a commander, begged so earnestly that Captain Lorenzo turned his head away, unable to bear to watch.

In the end, the loyal captain just stared at Hull.

"...I'll make it clear in advance that even if I become a lieutenant colonel because of you, I will not favor you."

"Go ahead." Hull raised his hand.

"No matter how great your achievements are, if you, as an imperial soldier, use any means necessary to achieve your goals, you are no better than a bandit!"

"Of course. I didn't like this anyway. If someone plotted against me, I would fight back with tricks, and I didn't intend for you to be biased against me because of this."

Hull was speaking the truth.

If everyone behaves in a proper manner and competes normally within the scope permitted by regulations and laws, Hull will also respond with dignity.

But in this world, especially in the empire, there is too much filth that is unbearable to the sight.

For this kind of guy, Hull just wanted to deal with him as quickly as possible, even if he was regarded as a villain.

"... Lieutenant Hull, I am still nominally your direct superior. Are you willing to accept any orders I am about to give you?"

"Yes, it is the duty of a soldier to obey orders. Since I recognize you as my superior, I will follow any order you give."

"..."

Captain Lorenzo looked confused for a moment.

Hull instead thinks this is a good thing.

There is no one who doesn't want to stand out. Captain Lorenzo's doubts are actually a kind of self-doubt.

I am worried that I am not capable enough to take on this responsibility.

"What will you do if I don't accept the promotion?"

"I won't force you. Because you are a good person. At the same time, I believe that you won't have the heart to abandon even these filthy guys."

"... Lieutenant Hull, you still haven't answered my question. I'm asking you, what will you do if I don't accept it?"

"Well, if they are to be executed, they will surely take me with them. I don't want to lose my hard-earned life because of these people. If you are unwilling to agree, I might give up my identity as an imperial soldier, force my way through the entire northern fortress, and then switch to the Principality of Diordo..."

Letting Reinhardt go back was exactly the insurance that Hull had prepared for himself.

He had long guessed that these guys would cross the river and destroy the bridge, and settle accounts with him afterwards.

If he still refuses to surrender when forced into a desperate situation, he will have no choice but to join the Principality of Diordo with the reputation of defeating General Raiden.

Now that the Principality of Diordo has lost its border defense fortress and suffered heavy casualties, it will definitely accept me as a fresh fighting force.

At that time, it would not be impossible for him to negotiate with the Blue Queen as an envoy of the Principality of Diordo, exchange other territories and troops to help the Kumins regain their lost territory for the fortress, and to reach a practical alliance with the Kumins to fight against the empire.

Of course, that's the worst option.

"...Alas." Captain Lorenzo sighed.

"It would be too dangerous to let you join the enemy. In that case, I will have no choice but to accept your orders and be promoted to lieutenant colonel. I will keep you by my side and monitor you closely to prevent you from doing anything that is harmful to the interests of the empire. Do you agree with this?"

Since Hull recognized Captain Lorenzo's qualifications as a superior, then only Captain Lorenzo could suppress and restrain this uncontrollable force.

"Then I'll leave it to you." Hull smiled.

After dealing with Colonel Giroud Maguno, Hull turned his attention to Major Schneider.

"Well, there is one last thing left. Regarding Ling, I want to redeem him. What do you think? Major Schneider, are you willing?"

"No problem! After this is over, she is no longer useful. I was wondering who to sell her to. If you can buy her back with ten platinum coins, that would be great!"

"What nonsense are you talking about? I can only pay 3 gold dragon coins."

!! ?

"Ah... Anyway, the price difference is too big..."

"Oh? Are you not satisfied with my offer? How about two gold dragon coins?"

!! ?

"Ah! Isn't the price getting lower and lower!?" Major Schneider cried.

"You don't want to? Then give me a gold royal."

"That... that's too... I'm willing to eat horse manure! I'm willing to eat anything. How about... how about... add some more!"

Major Schneider no longer has a place in the army.

Hull could not tolerate him, and Colonel Giroud Maguno, who was respected as a father, also abandoned him.

Now it depends on whether I can take the money and hide somewhere to start a new life.

"Oh my, that's really not nice. I'll give you one last chance, ten silver deer."

Just like an auction of goods, the price, which was falling unreasonably, was lowered to a higher level by Hull in an instant.

Ling was watching this scene and didn't know whether to laugh or cry. As an item being auctioned, she really wanted to know, was this some kind of black humor?

The silence lasted only a moment: "I...I...understand. I am willing to return the bell to you in exchange for ten silver deer."

"Ah? I can't hear you. Five silver deer."

!! ?

"Ah! I! I understand! Then I'll sell her for five silver deer! Please take her back!"

"It seems the deal has been made." He turned around and looked at the black-haired girl who had been silent.

"Welcome back, Ling."

"By the way, how come you can still smile so refreshingly after doing such a terrible thing? It's really hard to describe the teacher's personality."

"Is it terrible? This sentence actually surprised me. The so-called transaction, after all, is the result of an agreement between the two parties. Of course, even so, Major Schneider is too much. He actually lowered the price so much. I think the current bell is worth at least three platinum coins."

"Please don't put a price tag on my head anymore! Listen carefully, I am a human being! Not a commodity!" Ling sighed deeply.

"Yes, yes, what a strange student. He actually taught the teacher instead. I don't know who has led him astray in the past few days."

As he said this, Hull patted Ling's head.

"Well, let's stop chatting here. Ling, let's go find the Blue Queen."

Hull grabbed Colonel Giroud Magno.

"Eh? Should I go too? I just came back from the Kumin people."

"What's wrong? Colonel, are you afraid of hard work? We are going to negotiate with the Blue Queen right now. Once the negotiation is completed, we will sign the territorial exchange treaty on the spot. You can't not show up. After all, you are the highest commander of the fortress."

"Ah... I understand! Please let me go by myself." Hull ignored him and just dragged Colonel Giroud Magnus and walked out.

"Lieutenant Hull! Stop!"

Captain Lorenzo hurriedly stepped forward to stop them and pulled Colonel Giroud Magnus, who was in tears, behind him.

"Really? Incompetent superiors are such a hassle. Of course, I'm not talking about Captain Lorenzo."

"…You should learn to respect the elderly."

"The root of respecting the elderly is that the elderly have more knowledge and experience than the young. Ultimately, it is this beautiful quality that should be respected, not age. I hope you can understand this."

"Ah... Lieutenant Hull, you really give me a headache." Captain Lorenzo frowned and held his forehead.

"Are you okay? If you're not feeling well, do you want me to take you to the infirmary?"

"...Ah." Captain Lorenzo put his hands on his temples and sighed deeply.

"You really look uncomfortable... I see. Then please stay and rest. I'll take charge of Queen Barayabasiya. Hey, hurry up and prepare the carriage!"

"It hurts!" Hull turned around and kicked Major Schneider.

"Ling, you go and draft a new treaty immediately, and by the way, make a magic contract that will make Colonel Gillou Maguno completely obey me."

"Only...only Colonel Giru Maguno's? Then he--" Ling looked at Major Schneider's departing back.

"He won't live for more than a few days. The silver deer I gave him was to buy him a grave."

Noticing the strange looks from Captain Lorenzo and Colonel Giroud Maguno behind him, Hull turned his head and looked at them.

"Don't look at me like that. It's not that I won't let him go, nor did I set a trap for him. There is someone else who wants to kill him. Even I can't save him. I'm sorry, there's really nothing I can do about this matter."

What Hull said was true. Originally, all he needed to do was to end Major Schneider's life in the army and make him completely non-threatening.

Then there would be no need to kill him at all.

But...who made him do that kind of thing...?

That man is dead, no one can save him.