"Nonsense!"
Royal Capital, Appointment Conference.
A white-bearded nobleman was so furious that his beard practically bristled. He glared at the middle-aged noble seated across from him, looking as though he might leap up and punch him at any moment.
"Charles, what did you just say? You want Lillian to become the Stohess District deputy commander? Have you lost your mind?!"
"That's right," the middle-aged noble replied calmly, nodding. "Although the situation in Stohess has been temporarily suppressed, people are still uneasy, rumors are spreading, and crime is becoming increasingly rampant. At a time like this, we need someone capable and respected to take charge and restore order. I believe Lillian is that person."
"I agree."
"And the public seems to like him as well."
"But he's only been out of the training corps for less than a year!"
"He's far too young…"
More than a dozen people sat around the long table, a mix of nobles and military officials.
At this moment, they were clearly divided into two factions: one supporting Lillian, the other firmly opposing him.
The leader of the supporters was the noble named Charles. The opposition was led by the white-bearded elder, Yudi. As for the neutral party, that role belonged to President Zachary, who had not spoken a single word so far.
Yudi glared at Charles and retorted,
"So what if that boy is capable? Letting someone that young sit in the deputy commander's seat—what do you think the other Military Police will think? This breaks the rules!"
"Forgive my bluntness, Sir Yudi," Charles said with a smile, "but I don't recall any rule stating that a position requires a minimum age. That said, since you disagree with my choice, may I ask who you have in mind?"
"Me?" Yudi hesitated, then said somewhat stiffly, "I think we should transfer someone experienced from another district. For example, Wallace, the brigade captain of the Military Police in the Krolva District on the western side of Wall Rose. He would be a good choice."
"A parachuted deputy commander?" Charles shook his head slightly. "Do you truly think sending someone unfamiliar with the situation into Stohess at this time is appropriate? Do you really believe he could handle such chaos?"
He paused, then seemed to recall something. "Oh, that Wallace—if I remember correctly, he's your son-in-law's younger brother, isn't he? I see now."
"Charles, you little bastard, what are you implying?!"
"Yudi," Zachary finally spoke, "mind the setting."
"..."
The old noble forcibly suppressed his anger, his aged face dark and menacing. He turned his head and asked the man beside him,
"Nile, what do you think?"
Nile, the commander of the Military Police—this matter should technically have been his decision, yet he had been unable to get a word in until now.
Being stared at simultaneously by Yudi and Charles, he felt cold sweat break out all over his body.
"I think… Lillian has met the king and received the Medal of Valor, so he does have authority and prestige. And his abilities are indeed strong; he's well liked by the public…" Seeing Yudi's expression sour, Nile hurriedly added, "But he is very young, and lacks experience. If he takes the position now, the veteran soldiers may become dissatisfied. If that causes further trouble, it would only make things worse."
After hearing this, Yudi finally nodded in satisfaction. But Nile added one more line:
"However, there really isn't anyone better at the moment."
"..."
The others thought to themselves that this was quite the noncommittal answer—offending neither side. And that was exactly Nile's intention; he couldn't afford to offend either of them.
So after his thoroughly inconclusive contribution, the argument erupted once again.
"He can't take the position!"
"There's no better candidate!"
"Transferring someone from another district won't work—at least not under current circumstances!"
"I think you just have some connection with that kid!"
"Bah! He's just a commoner!"
The meeting grew louder and louder until Zachary finally lost his patience and cleared his throat.
"Ahem!"
With that single cough, the room fell silent. Everyone's gaze turned toward him, most of it tinged with reverence.
After all, although Zachary was not of noble birth, he had spent decades climbing step by step to the position of President through his own efforts. His competence and methods were first-rate, and more importantly, he held real power—he was the actual authority over several military branches. One could say that, aside from the Central Military Police, which did not obey his command, all other forces answered to him.
Because of this, ordinary nobles naturally did not dare offend him. Only a handful of princes and high nobles were qualified to stand on equal footing with him—and those few would not trouble themselves to come here and interfere over something as minor as the appointment of a deputy commander.
"President, that is the situation. Please give a fair ruling," Charles said respectfully.
"Exactly, Zachary—who do you think should take the position?" Yudi said, calling him by name, relying on the fact that they were of similar age.
Bearing everyone's attention, Zachary nodded.
"Both sides make valid points. Lillian is indeed young, lacking in experience, with shallow roots and only average relations with the veteran soldiers. However, Stohess District is currently in a state of chaos—crime is rampant, rumors are everywhere. It needs someone capable, and familiar with Stohess, to clean up the situation."
As he spoke, Zachary reached his decision.
"I have decided that Lillian Kafka will temporarily serve as deputy commander, and handle the disorder in Stohess District as soon as possible. We will consider a permanent appointment after that."
"Temporarily?"
"This…"
"Well… that's not unacceptable."
Zachary's decision was a compromise—and one that both sides could accept for the time being.
"I agree," Charles was the first to state his position. "Lillian serving as acting deputy commander is a reasonable choice."
Zachary nodded and looked at Yudi. "And you, Yudi?"
"…"
The old man was clearly displeased. Even if it was only an acting position, not an official one, it still left a bad taste in his mouth. But if he continued to push the matter and forced Zachary fully onto Charles's side, then "acting" might very well turn into "official."
In the end, he pinched his nose and agreed. "Fine. Let's do it this way for now."
"Good."
Zachary then turned to Nile. "Nile, we have unanimously decided that Lillian will temporarily serve as acting deputy commander of Stohess District. Once things stabilize, we'll select a permanent deputy commander. Drafting the letter of appointment will be your responsibility."
"…Yes."
Nile nodded, a bitter feeling rising in his chest. The appointment of a deputy commander—something that should have been decided by him as commander—had left him with no say at all, let alone the power to make the decision himself. It was rather ironic.
And of all people, it had to be Lillian…
He thought back to how Erwin had already persuaded him to agree to that operation plan.
But now—now, if the operation were to continue, it would mean taking action against a deputy commander in his own right. Acting or not, the authority was the same.
"Nile, do you have any objections?" Zachary asked, noticing his troubled expression.
Nile snapped back to his senses and immediately shook his head. "No! I fully agree with the President's decision. I'll return to my office at once and draft the appointment letter!"
"Good. Then we'll adjourn here."
After Zachary spoke, Yudi stormed out first, fuming. The nobles aligned with him followed close behind. Nile left soon after. Before long, the room was empty, leaving only Zachary and Charles behind.
"Good work," Zachary said with a smile to Charles. "If it weren't for you, it would have been difficult for me to propose this solution."
Charles shrugged. "It couldn't be helped. You can't just reveal your bottom line right away. If that old man had known from the start that our goal was an acting deputy commander, he'd never have agreed, no matter what."
"Indeed."
As a certain asian once said: human nature prefers compromise and moderation. If you say a room is too dark and needs a window, people will refuse. But if you propose tearing off the roof, they will come to compromise and agree to open a window. Without a more radical proposal, even mild reform will not be accepted.
"There's just one thing I don't quite understand," Charles said curiously. "Why are you helping that kid? Is there something special about him?"
"There is. If you meet him once, you'll understand. He's a very clever boy."
"Is that so?" Charles nodded, then let out a wry smile. "To be honest, when you came to my house last night to talk about this, my eldest daughter overheard us. I don't know Lillian myself, but she does. After you left, she even complained about him to me."
"Oh?" Zachary raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Diana knows Lillian?"
"Yes. It seems she once went to Stohess District for a visit and met him there." Charles sighed. "You know how that child is—proud to a fault. Lillian probably offended her without meaning to."
"Haha, that kid does have a knack for irritating people," Zachary laughed. "But he also has a way of surprising them. All we need to do is wait for that surprise."