Chapter 106: Francois Eastern Expedition (3)
Shortly after, the Military Police Lieutenant Colonel brought an officer holding a baron title in front of me, saluted, and left.
I carefully observed his face and posture while reading his personnel file in detail.
Head of a baron family for four generations, graduated 10th in the academy, tended to treat other officers well but was harsh towards soldiers due to their lower status...
Promoted to lieutenant at the age of 23, he seemed capable but possibly a garbage human being with a flawed character.
Despite my strict orders as a Major General, such scum, not forgetting the thrill of raping women in pillaged villages on other battlefields...
“Criminal, what is your name?”
At that, the offending officer in front of me trembled and said,
“Leon, Lieutenant Leon von Granz.”
“So, Lieutenant Granz. Do you know the crime you’ve committed, or shall I inform you?”
“I was caught attempting to rape a maiden in the village we just plundered.”
One must not misunderstand that even in modern warfare, where human rights were widely recognized, looting and sexual crimes were rampant in the aftermath of war.
Moreover, the civilization and social level of the Reich Empire I lived in were about that of Renaissance Europe, which was somewhat uncivilized.
During the wars I had fought, I had encountered several soldiers and officers beheaded for committing crimes like raping women they met in enemy territories.
However, those of even a slightly higher rank tend not to commit such acts, as getting caught would bring great shame to their family.
“You know how the punishment is carried out, don’t you?”
“...I know that under military law, I could be sentenced to beheading. But I genuinely love that woman. I promise to take her as my concubine and take full responsibility. Please show mercy.”
His face showed not fear of death or remorse for the victim, but annoyance at the inconvenient obstacle this created for his future.
I recalled a manga called “Prison Diary” where prisoners lament their predicament, blaming the victims rather than showing any repentance for their crimes.
This bastard right here was the perfect example of that.
Initially, I intended to execute him to maintain military discipline and justify the action, but now that it’s come to this...
I must extract every bit of utility from this despicable lieutenant to fortify my position.
Even though the damned law favored nobility, it should be applied as equally as possible to everyone, even in wartime.
He was trying to avoid punishment without any remorse just because he was a son-in-law to a count’s family and held a baron title?The debut release of this chapter happened at Ñøv€l-B1n.
“Mercy, indeed. Military law does have a custom of reducing punishment if a noble or officer who pillages and rapes a woman then takes her as a concubine and fulfills that promise.”
Of course, I would not accept that gift... Killing this man was closely related to the weakness the Minister of Military Affairs told me to create.
Because even if I let him off easily, it wouldn’t damage my reputation or make me subject to criticism.
If it became known that instead of flattering or accommodating other nobles, I personally executed a vicious criminal noble who broke military law, it was as if I were declaring my distance from the nobility myself.
“Die, you filthy spawn of Satan.”
In a world that believed in Deus, this was the worst curse, and I swung my sword mightily at him.
Blood splattered on my armor and sword, but that’s not important right now.
“Summon the head of the military police, bring the parents of the woman he raped, and before the villagers leave, show them the execution of this bastard and anyone else who committed rape, robbery, or murder.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Until that bastard’s head rots, I’ll use it to widely publicize as an example of the fate of those who commit unnecessary violence and rape in this righteous war overseen by Deus. I’ll take responsibility for this.”
Given the current situation, it was likely that this matter would be briefly discussed and then passed over during future commendations and evaluations.
There was no risk in taking responsibility. I wouldn’t face any difficulties with it.
After leaving these instructions, in order to create a positive image for the future governance of this area by the Reich Empire, I visited the family of the virgin who was raped by that Granz bastard, expressing my personal regret for the victim of this war crime and offering a sincere apology.
“I’m sorry. Our intention was to punish only the treacherous Francois Republic government and their army. It’s regrettable that an innocent young woman suffered at the hands of an officer of our Reich Empire.”
Along with appropriate compensation, I informed them that the perpetrator had been summarily judged and executed.
Afterward, we continued to pillage villages and fields on the eastern front without harming the peasants of Francois.
We made efforts to leave the citizens unharmed, striving to imprint the image of an army executing justice.
A month later, the entire eastern expeditionary force, including myself, reconvened at the designated place and time.
We were in a meeting to agree on the march route and to plan our pillaging strategy towards the eastern part of Francois when a messenger entered the tent where the operational meeting was taking place and shouted,
“10,000 Francois troops have entered the Chabenne Castle!”
This could greatly hinder our policy of pillaging and advancing through the territory.
Until now, we had been dividing into brigades to sabotage each village, but with 10,000 Francois troops right behind us, we would need to move in at least one division unit (8,000 troops) to fight them alone without reinforcements.
This would reduce the number of villages we could pillage at once by half.
Whoever was commanding their army here, it was quite a good strategy...
I’d have to properly turn the tables on them.
“Brigade Commander Peter Yaeger, I have a request.”
