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The following is a fan-based

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"Back on Saddle"

May 27 1935 EC

Major General Kurt Hertling

Castle Randgriz, Randgriz, Principality of Gallia

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Public works, public works, public works.

The economy is fucked, but there's no surprise about it considering that most of the local industry lacked the much-needed manpower and resources that were now either lacking or being displaced for a reason or another. Resources could be employed through the trade opened to the Empire, while the Engineer Brigades were being kept busy by helping rebuilding the country and giving an 'Imperial and Improved' touch to the destroyed factories.

The dismantlement of the Gallian Army allowed for the workforce to be replenished to an extent, but I had to reach out for the Imperial capital for them to send a specific group of people as 'cheap' workforce. Darcsens were this world's Jews, except treated much worse than their RL counterpart. I mean, being literally shunned for centuries and with pseudo-holocausts being seen as fine within this world when it comes to the Darcsens was pretty much worse than the Nazi-caused Holocausts when the deaths numbered to more than ten times the Jews killed in WW2.

Still, this option opened up some interesting ideas on how to take this 'ambivalent act of generosity'. While I was doing this, officially, to lessen the Imperial burden in handling Darcsens, the truth was that I was going to provide these newcomers with better rights than they would have had even in the old government of Gallia. I needed happy workers, not new fodders for a potential revolution considering the noble-backed one that was giving issues to Maximilian.

I doubted the Prince was really struggling, but the choice of retreating by Fouzen was going to seriously cause repercussions in the long run if the nobles started to move against us. I had reserve groups ready to be activated and push their shit in, but I favored not getting more blood spilled within my subordinates. The chance of a revolution worried me immensely since it sort of happened in the games' timeline, but rather than just let this situation remain untouched, I decided to tackle this issue with two different solutions:

The first one was that I needed to use propaganda to show off the good things I was doing within my position and I was going to do something which the previous Regent wouldn't dare to do- let Cordelia speak at the radio. Taking inspiration from the many European monarchs that took part in these matters, I offered the girl a day to write a speech that was hers but that pretty much highlighted the general plans I had forwarded her when it comes to the economics.

The results were... good. Not the best since many were more surprised of how young Cordelia was despite the stoic look of an 'older-looking lady' she gave off. Still, the youthfulness played a big factor in reaching the newer generations, with many of the more younger workers showing initiative in going for the new job openings within the market. I had to restart the economy, focusing primarily on the extraction of Ragnite that can help in the war effort. Despite what one would expect, the Imperial Army wasn't desperate for it, so the quota could be moderated upon the social condition of the occupied country.

The second option was to have an effective military branch that took care of handling insurrections and handled armed policing when needed. Which brings me to the main reason why I had spent most of the day talking with men tied to the Gallian Militia. While it's true that the new purpose of the Armeekorp Gallien was to take over as the new 'Gallian Army', the issue tied to the growing partisan activity made it obvious that we couldn't just shy away from employing locals to handle this sort of business.

The Army was not going to be enough as it was too ruthless, too unorganized and lacking a large majority of officers as many had been arrested, trialed, and, in most cases, executed for high treason or extensive bribery. No, the Militia had to take the mantle as the new core army for Gallia and yet not in the same extent as it had been before.

Small groups of the Army would be relocated and re-graded within existing and new regiments of the Militia, creating new divisions and broadening the group of volunteer troops. The General Mobilization was lessened as many could now leave the Militia or had the choice to remain if considered fit to keep being in service.

With large caches of conventional weaponry left by the end of the Gallian Army, I had enough to provide the militia with some proper stuff that, truth be told, was still shite compared to the Imperial standard weaponry but was going to be enough for their operations. In most part. I had a special spot for a few people.

"Captain Varrot, Lieutenant Gunther, thank you for coming here today in your uniforms."

Eleanor Varrot and Welkin Gunther, the chiefs in charge of Squad 7 and the ones I wanted to be on a very important and relevant case.

"Major General, I hope there is a reason why you asked for this meeting to be stretched to beyond the usual time you spare with other leading officers of the Militia."

I smiled at Eleanor. "There is, Captain. But first, I wish to start with the official reasons I have you two here. I wish to promote you and two more elements in your Squad."

Both looked surprised at the news, stunned enough that Welkin blurted out his thought on the matter.

"A... promotion?"

"That's correct, Major and Captains respectively," I turned to Welkin, the young man still recoiling by that unexpected comment. "As I have done with Squads like yours, I have decided to broaden the Militia so that it can stand properly against the potential threats caused by this 'Gallian Revolutionary Army'. Not on the main frontline, but to handle the potential issues rising up from those infiltrating the settlements occupied by the Principality."

Eleanor frowned harshly. "You want us to be your military police."

"Obviously not, we already have one for that. What I want is an action-ready reserve army which can help in case radical terrorists try to attack innocents people that are merely working and doing their job for the country," I corrected calmly, yet that glare wasn't leaving her face. "Once again, we have plenty of men to face minor issues without violence being involved."

There was some tense hesitation at this, but Welkin didn't want to get stuck in the mud just now.

"What was the other reason then?"

I leaned back, taking a moment to fish the right words to sell this one right.

"I am sure you are familiar I was not around when the Invasion started but got relocated after some time had passed since the beginning of that conflict."

They both nodded, Welkin speaking up on this. "Prince Maximilian was in charge, him and his Drei Stern."

"That's correct. Now, the reason why I was assigned to this front was for two reasons: first, I had to expedite this conflict as it was taking way longer than many experts thought it to last and, second, Prince Maximilian has gained some eyes on himself due to some recent personal choices which, in the name of a victorious Empire, makes no sense."

"Are you suggesting that the Prince is plotting something against the Empire?" Eleanor inquired, looking puzzled. "He always gave a sense of being quite loyal to the Empire."

"As all 'good' soldiers should. But one thing is to put on an act, another is to let actions show that dedication," I replied before giving them a serious look and pushing for the 'kill'.

"Prince Maximilian, the man in charge of the Gallian Invasion Force, is currently planning to retrieve an important weapon that was once used by Valkyriae to destroy cities," I explained truthfully, bringing more shock to the two. "The weapon itself is, for the time being, under my custody, with the Princess already aware of the matter, which is why I need Prince Maximilian contained if he decides to plot the capture of such a weapon."

"Why- Why would he want to attack fellow Imperial troops? Actually, why should we help the Empire to keep a weapon that dangerous?" Welkin raised his voice at this and Eleanor nodded.

"While I would have phrased it more politely, I agree with the feeling. Why should we assist you in this, Major General?"

I cracked a grin. "Who said the Empire is aware of this weapon?"

...

"You didn't report this?"

"I reported that the Prince had reasons beyond those presented to the Imperial Council for his invasion of Gallia, and his actions have given leeway for an investigation to be started. It will take perhaps another week before the men assigned on the case reach Maximilian, but right then I will expect him to panic and push for the retrieval of a weapon he thinks is in the capital, he will find nothing but dust."

"...Where?"

"Classified and, truth be told, I don't know myself," I admitted mirthfully. "You see, I really want to sell the act if any surprise meetings happen so I asked a subordinate, which is quite loyal to me, to just hide this 'hideous looking thing' that was reported to have fallen off the castle. He did a fine job because he too wasn't sure where he last left it buried."

"That's... a very odd approach to this matter."

"But it works, and that's the important part," I reasoned. "Likewise, the reason I am telling you is very simple and amusing: not many would really believe you about it and I want you to know why you may end up fighting some Imperial infiltrators inciting rebellions and smuggling guns to potential insurgents."

"...You are way more devious than you look, sir," Welkin bluntly said, causing Eleanor to tense up and give up a 'are you stupid?' look.

"And you are quite the good judge of character. My praises- well, beyond my genuine admiration for your entire squad's work. I hope to see more of that uncommon ability to beat some bad odds without any losses."

After all, I needed Isara alive so I could study the process behind using Ragnite to fuel plane's engines and get air warfare christened early on.

AN

People have been asking where they can find my stories in QQ: Just find my profile 'JBukharin' page, then go to the Information tab, then click on 'Find all Threads by JBukharin' and you will have all the stories I have written there. Warning, you need to have an account on QQ to visualize most of those. Also, I suggest using UI.X Dark for the Forum Style (option to change it at the very bottom of the forum page) since it's white letters on dark form, which makes it easier to read.