Chapter 113 Who Can Resist That?

After discussing the official business, Morin chatted a little more with the Lieutenant Colonel in charge of personnel.

The Lieutenant Colonel was clearly a talkative person, and having been stationed in the rear for a long time, he proactively asked about the situation on the battlefield.

The two talked for a while, establishing a rapport.

For the Lieutenant Colonel, Morin, a rising military star who had caught the attention of His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince, was naturally worth befriending.

Moreover, Morin’s background was no secret in Dresden. Many high officials and nobles knew of his intimate, sibling-like relationship with the ‘Brilliant Crystal Queen.’

For Morin, it was beneficial to get acquainted with an officer from the War Office, especially one who handled personnel appointments.

The Lieutenant Colonel, though seemingly eager to continue, ended the conversation when Morin’s throat became dry from talking.

Morin didn’t linger at the War Office. He got into the carriage and returned directly to the manor.

As soon as he entered the door, Cecilia quickly came forward to meet him.

It seemed she had been waiting there for him.

“How was it, Fritz? Did something urgent happen when the War Office suddenly summoned you?”

Her gray-blue eyes were full of concern as she looked Morin up and down.

“Nothing happened, I just received my new medal, and then I got a new appointment…”

Morin described the situation—the War Minister personally presenting him with the medal and his appointment to form a new unit—while omitting some sensitive information for Cecilia.

After listening to Morin’s account, Cecilia was first stunned, then broke into a smile of genuine joy.

She was sincerely happy for Morin, and that pride and excitement almost overflowed from her eyes.

However, when Morin mentioned that he would have to attend a three-month training course at the War College for this appointment, the smile on Cecilia’s face gradually faded.

Her beautiful eyebrows slightly furrowed, and her voice held an undisguised sense of grievance.

“So, you only just got back, you’ve barely been here a few days, and now you have to spend three months at the military academy?”

The look of worry and loss made Morin feel a little bad.

He immediately stepped forward, gently taking Cecilia’s shoulders, and had her sit back down on the soft sofa.

“Big Sister Cecilia, it’s only three months. It will pass quickly… It’s only March now; I’ll be back around early June.”

As Morin spoke, he naturally moved behind Cecilia and solicitously began to massage her shoulders.

“Once I graduate from the military academy, won’t I be better equipped to serve the Empire? You’ll be even prouder then, won’t you?”

Feeling the pressure from Morin’s fingertips and his somewhat placating tone, Cecilia’s slight displeasure immediately evaporated.

She couldn’t help but chuckle softly, turning her head to look at Morin.

“The way you are trying to butter me up now is exactly the same as before.”

Despite her words, the amusement in her eyes was unmistakable.

With Morin’s soothing, her mood instantly lifted significantly.

“Alright, alright, I know you’re brilliant.”

Cecilia enjoyed Morin’s service, then changed the subject.

“Since you have to go to the military academy, you don’t need to worry about starting that company anymore.”

Her tone became serious.

“I can help you arrange all the related matters—from company registration and legal document preparation to the future factory site selection, equipment procurement, and even the recruitment of technical workers.”

“Really? That’s wonderful!” Morin was overjoyed.

He had been worrying about how to handle all those trivial matters, as he had no experience running a company.

But unexpectedly, Cecilia had settled everything with a single sentence.

It feels great to have a rich older sister who supports you.

“Of course, it’s true. I will unconditionally support anything you want to do, Fritz.”

Having realized Morin’s ‘transformation,’ Cecilia looked at him with an almost indulgent gaze.

“You are, after all, an Imperial officer. Your energy should be focused on your main duty. You can’t let these trivial matters distract you.”

Here, a flicker of worry crossed Cecilia’s eyes. She sighed and said:

“I was originally still going to persuade you to retire, but now that His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince regards you so highly, it really wouldn’t look good for you to take the patent money and just run away…”

“That is true.”

The two continued to discuss the vision for the future company, chatting until late into the night.

Cecilia’s keen business acumen and rich experience in commercial operations, as well as her view that ‘a war among the European powers is inevitable,’ gave Morin a new appreciation for the ‘noblewoman.’

It also gave him a clearer and more concrete plan for his own hasty idea of ‘starting a company.’

The atmosphere between them was more harmonious than it had been in days.

It wasn’t until past 10 PM that Morin stood up, excused himself, and prepared to go to bed. Cecilia personally walked him to the door.

“Good night, Fritz.”

“Good night, Sister.”

The next morning, Morin finally recovered from the dizziness brought on by the 20 million Marks.

The sheer size of the fortune even allowed him to sleep for two extra hours, unaffected by his biological clock.

Money was important, but how to transform this immense fortune into greater power was Morin’s most pressing concern.

He planned to talk to Cecilia today about founding a weapons manufacturing company and scouting for reliable firearms designers.

However, just as he finished breakfast and was waiting for Cecilia to wake up, the butler suddenly approached him.

“Young Master Morin, the War Office is calling. Please take the call immediately.”

The War Office?

Morin’s heart leaped. He didn’t dare to delay and immediately followed the butler to the study.

The voice on the other end of the line was concise and authoritative. After confirming his identity, the person said only one sentence: “Captain Morin, please report to the War Office immediately.”

Morin hung up the phone. As he returned to the main hall to leave, Cecilia also happened to be coming downstairs after waking up.

Upon hearing about the call, a trace of worry entered Cecilia’s gray-blue eyes.

“Aren’t you on vacation? Is there something urgent that the War Office would call you at this time?”

“I’m not sure. They just instructed me to go immediately.”

“I’ll have someone drive you.”

“No need,” Morin shook his head. “I can drive myself…”

“Are you sure you know how to drive?”

Morin paused. He realized he hadn’t fully figured out the brilliant crystal-powered automobile.

Even if it was similar to the cars before his transmigration, he couldn’t drive this ‘old antique.’ If it stalled halfway, it would only cause trouble.

Morin immediately stopped insisting. Cecilia walked up to him, gently smoothing the wrinkles in his uniform, her touch soft.

“Come back soon, and send word if anything happens.” Her voice was very soft.

Compared to the General Staff Headquarters, which held supreme military command, the War Office was more like the administrative center of the Imperial Army.

It handled all the administrative matters, from troop organization and equipment supply to officer personnel management, essentially serving as the entire Army’s ‘chief steward.’

The carriage carrying Morin stopped in front of the War Office.

It was a heavy, stark Saxon-style building. The sentries standing guard at the entrance were ramrod straight, exuding an imposing air of unspoken authority.

He reported his identity, and a Major wearing the rank of Lieutenant Colonel quickly emerged from the building.

“Captain Morin?”

“Yes, sir!” Morin immediately saluted him.

“Come with me.” The Lieutenant Colonel returned the salute, his attitude very amicable. “No need to be nervous. This is good news.”

He led Morin through a long corridor to a private reception room.

“Today is mainly for your medal presentation,” the Lieutenant Colonel explained. “Your brave performance on the Seville front has spread throughout the Army High Command.”

Just as he finished speaking, the other door to the room opened, and a stern-looking elder in a General’s uniform, wearing the rank insignia of a General, walked in.

Morin’s breathing quickened, not because of the man’s rank.

But because of his identity.

This General was General Erich von Falkenhayn, the Minister of War for the Saxon Empire.

In the world before his transmigration, he had a much more notorious nickname: the Butcher of Verdun.

Morin instinctively straightened his chest, his breathing becoming shallow.

Falkenhayn wasted no words. He walked directly up to Morin, his deep gaze lingering on the young man’s face for a moment.

“Captain Friedrich Morin, your performance on the Seville front is a credit to the honor of a Saxon soldier.”

His voice was steady and powerful. An aide-de-camp carrying a velvet tray stepped forward. Two medals rested quietly on the tray.

Falkenhayn personally picked up the First Class Iron Cross and carefully pinned it onto Morin’s chest, then pinned the Seville Campaign Commemorative Medal as well.

“The medals for the soldiers under your command will be distributed uniformly upon their return to duty.”

Falkenhayn finished speaking, nodded at him, then turned and left the room, his entire demeanor quick and decisive, without any delay.

Morin slowly exhaled only after the door closed.

The Lieutenant Colonel next to him smiled and patted his shoulder: “Don’t be nervous. That’s just the Minister’s style… Congratulations, Captain Morin, the Empire’s youngest recipient of the First Class Iron Cross.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Don’t mention it.”

The Lieutenant Colonel motioned for him to sit down, then took a document from his briefcase.

“Now, there is one more, more important matter to inform you of.”

His expression turned serious.

“With the personal push of His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince, the War Office has officially approved the formation of a brand new operational unit—the 1st Teaching Assault Battalion of the Saxon Royal Guard.”

“And you, Captain Morin, will be promoted to Major.”

The Lieutenant Colonel looked at his eyes and said clearly, word for word:

“You will also be appointed as the first Battalion Commander of this unit, fully responsible for its formation, training, and command.”

To be honest, Morin hadn’t expected Crown Prince Georg’s efficiency to be this high. It had only been two or three days since he returned home.

However, he still had some concerns. After all, he truly lacked experience commanding a battalion-sized unit and hadn’t learned how to do so in military school.

“This is a joint decision by the General Staff and His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince.”

The Lieutenant Colonel, responsible for personnel appointments in the War Office, added:

“In a state of war, the 1st Teaching Assault Battalion of the Guard will not report to any operational unit but will be deployed directly under the command of the General Staff.”

Morin forcefully suppressed his excitement and cautiously asked: “Sir, what preparations do I need to make?”

At this question, the Lieutenant Colonel’s serious expression finally cracked, revealing a slightly peculiar smile.

“The War Office knows your combat merits are outstanding, and we trust your ability, but…”

“We are also concerned about your lack of experience in commanding a battalion-sized unit.”

“Therefore, after careful consideration, we have decided… to shorten your vacation.”

Morin’s heart sank with a bad feeling.

“Six days from now, you will report to the Saxon War College to attend a three-month intensive assault training course.”

“The purpose is to allow you to quickly master all the knowledge and abilities required to command a battalion-sized unit.”

(End of this Chapter)