East Prussia's Pioneer Fortress had finally welcomed its master home again after a not particularly long absence. It was a joy shared by both sides.
Marshal Loren, returning to the barracks, was also filled with a simple kind of happiness.
Ah, at last he no longer had to deal with those irritating nobles and damnable formalities. He could return to the simple, efficient, and satisfying life of the military. As usual, he took a few guards and carefully inspected every critical post in the fortress. When he found no mistakes he could chew anyone out for, the marshal felt even better.
Even the barracks' enlisted men's quarters had been tidied up exceptionally well. That proved that while he was away, the lads under his command hadn't wasted their lives or frittered away their time.
But these superficial efforts alone still couldn't satisfy the exacting marshal.
The officers of the Pioneer Fortress all knew that. So when the marshal returned to his office in the castle, the department heads, queued up to report on military affairs, were already waiting outside.
"Phew."
The marshal enjoyed the fine tobacco gifted to him by his cousin, Livfrosa Silverheart, through his beloved dwarf pipe. Once he'd settled himself into a cheerful mood, he straightened his appearance and rapped on the desk.
"Come in!"
The door swung open, and General Soros, acting commander of the Pioneer Legion, strode inside. After a crisp, proper military salute, the veteran, now in his fifties, called out loudly:
"Marshal Loren, in accordance with the Pioneer Legion's peacetime regulations, I hereby transfer to you supreme command of the Pioneer Legion and Pioneer Fortress!"
"At ease, General."
The marshal nodded and accepted the baton of command that General Soros handed him.
However, because of the difference in their heights, the general had