The Desert Fox

“Wolf has been transferred to the detention center as scheduled.”

An old man with a seagull-shaped beard bowed and handed over a letter. The cover, which ended with the phrase [Wolf von Stremann Trial Report], was quite impressive.

Thud─!

The middle-aged man snatched the paper, nervously tore open the envelope, and checked its contents.

“Useless bastard.”

Deep wrinkles were etched in his eyebrows as he slowly read the printed text.

“Tsk.”

The man crumpled the document mercilessly, threw it in the trash can, and clenched his fist. He knew he would cause trouble someday, but he never thought he would cause such an unmanageable disturbance.

‘To think this is my son, how shameful.’

Ernst, Wolf’s father and the head of the Stremann family, shook his head and took out a tobacco cigarette from his desk.

“Phew──.”

He calmed the anger cluttering his mind with the help of tobacco. Without smoking, he probably wouldn’t have been able to easily accept the current situation.

‘This level of loss will be quite painful.’

After inhaling and exhaling the cigarette once, Ernst thought about the various elixirs and funds he had invested in Wolf so far.

To put it in perspective, it was at a level that a commoner couldn’t achieve even if they worked for a hundred years.

That’s why he couldn’t control his anger. It wasn’t because of some petty paternal love, saying his son was thrown in jail or such. If it were, he wouldn’t have made it to this position.

Even with the same bloodline, when the family’s interests are at stake, emotions are set aside in judgment. This was the secret of nobles who didn’t fall even when republicanism was introduced in the Empire.

‘Well, anyway, since he’s my son, I saved him from a fate that could have led to execution.’

He mobilized all the connections he had built through lobbying to make the guy, who was about to be shot, rot for just a few years.

However, this was the last support for that son Wolf. As long as his joints were shattered, unable to move properly, and his heart was damaged, never able to handle mana again,

‘He’s nothing but trash without investment value.’

That’s the tragic end befitting a noble who couldn’t gain power and meet the family’s expectations.

“Head butler.”

“Yes, Master.”

Still, there might be a need to remember the child who brought Wolf to this state.

“What was that child’s name again? The one Wolf wanted to kill. I’m sure I heard it before…”

“Yena Freud, sir. Here are the related documents.”

Ernst twirled the cigarette between his fingers, and the quick-witted head butler swiftly placed a bundle of documents on the desk.

“Right, she was certainly a commoner.”

Soon after, recognizing Yena’s background slightly visible in the sunlight, he narrowed his eyes while chewing on his cigarette.

It was interesting that the protagonist who sent his son to his doom was none other than a commoner. Despite being a commoner, she overcame the plot that Wolf had carefully devised.

“I’d like to meet her.”

It wasn’t because of ill feelings. There were no vulgar intentions like daring to touch a noble or returning the price for harming the Stremann family.

He just wanted to know if she was worth investing in. If that girl had the potential to cover the losses caused by Wolf and more, he was willing to provide funds.

‘You can’t survive by discriminating based on status. If you can make up for losses, even if it’s your mortal enemy, making them your ally is a quality needed in this era of great changes.’

In fact, a big reason for considering this was because Wolf was the cause.

If Yena had harmed my son first, it would have meant a challenge to the Stremann family, so I would have rightfully punished her severely.

But according to the family’s investigation, Wolf being thrown in jail to rot was entirely his responsibility.

From the start, Wolf was almost cast out of the family for never abandoning his authoritarian mindset, so there was no need to reject Yena just to save face.

Rather, she’s worth embracing. Isn’t she suitable as a replacement for Wolf?

Ernst didn’t have enough paternal love to cherish a child who didn’t resemble him. For him, if she showed more potential than that immature boy, he would gladly accept her.

“Head butler.”

“Yes.”

“Can you arrange a meeting with Commander Lustet? I believe we still have quite a few contacts in Astrakhan who haven’t been cut off.”

Screech─

Ernst stuck the cigarette he had smoked almost to his lips into the ashtray and lifted his buttocks from the chair.

“I need to see her face anyway because of this incident, and since it’s a request from the leader of the Imperial Conservative Party, it shouldn’t be difficult to get permission. Let me know when a reply comes.”

“Yes, understood.”

“Then I’ll be going. I have a meeting scheduled with Prime Minister Erdorf today. If there’s any urgent matter, send a telegram.”

Thud, thud.

And he leisurely headed towards the vehicle waiting outside the mansion.

Grin─

A faint arc was drawn on his lips as he left.

---

“You’re finally back!”

“Hello.”

“H-Hello, I’m Erika…”

As I entered the department room with Erika, the first thing I saw was Itrite’s figure welcoming us with open arms.

“I heard you received a commendation certificate, well done.”

“Thank you.”

“I hope you’ll show an exemplary image to the cadets in the department as well. It seems you’re getting attention from all students among the first years.”

Thud─

Next, although it was only once, Berto encouraged me by patting my shoulder with his rough hand.

Although we returned after almost two weeks, the atmosphere in the planning room wasn’t much different from before.

“Hm? You could have rested well today, couldn’t you? Aren’t you tired coming straight to the research department after being exhausted from training?”

Except for one thing.

“I want to finish the assignment quickly. There’s less than a month left now. I need to work hard.”

“Kuhehe──! That’s right, I forgot about your enthusiasm for a moment, Yena.”

“But who is that person next to you…”

“Ah, you wouldn’t know, Yena.”

While exchanging greetings with Derian, I turned my gaze towards an unknown man who came out of the office.

I’m sure I’ve seen him somewhere before?

I stopped mid-sentence and pressed my lips shut, staring at the man in front of me. His cool and sharp impression certainly gave me a chill I had felt before.

If you put goggles right there and hang binoculars around his neck, it would be perfect…

“He’s someone you all should know. Known as a genius of defense, who achieved countless military exploits against the Allied forces in the Great War…”

“Instructor Erwin Rommel?”

“You already know? Well, I guess you couldn’t help but know the person who personally wrote the infantry tactics textbook used for education.”

Just as Derian’s explanation ended, a flash of light struck my brain.

Yes, it was Rommel. This man was one who was never left out when talking about the generals that come to mind when mentioning the Empire.

He was the only soldier to receive the ‘Imperial Knights White Leaf Medal’ for his achievements during combat. Perhaps because of this, unlike Derian who still lacked fame, he possessed tremendous prestige.

“Y-Yena. I think I’ve seen that instructor before.”

“Where?”

“In that book in the drawer over there…”

Even Erika, who was cheerful when she first came in and greeted Senior Itrite, stiffened up the moment she saw that man.

He’s a role model for officers.

A kind of role model.

Moreover, although Rommel was still respected for his merits in the past Great War, in just a few more years, his name would become even more widely known for his military exploits in the new world war that would break out.

He fought so well that he even earned the nickname [Desert Fox] as his infamy spread among enemies in the southern continent.

“Hello, I’m Yena Freud.”

Then I absolutely cannot miss this opportunity.

“I’ve heard your name.”

“It’s an honor.”

Thud─!

I approached him without hesitation, saluted, and offered a handshake.

“I also heard that Gartel wrote a letter of recommendation, and since I attended the return ceremony this morning, I couldn’t help but know. They said you were of commoner origin.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“I hope you’ll meet expectations. I haven’t seen a commoner-born child I liked among those I’ve seen so far.”

“I’ll try my best.”

To win the Great War, and to transform the Empire into a more excellent country, Rommel’s aid is essential. I must somehow catch Rommel’s eye.

The fate of the research project will determine my future life.

While Rommel is replacing Lutz’s position at the military academy, the only special thing I could show was the research report. Somehow, the remaining month has become the most important period in my life before the eligibility screening.

“Good. Work hard.”

“Yes.”

I will commit with determination to create an excellent thesis he has never seen in his lifetime. I watched Rommel leave, jingling the white medal attached to his chest, and

“…”

Revealed a sharp blue glow in my eyes.