Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

Major General Lucas's voice carried a concern for his nephews and younger generations.

Upon hearing this, Kazimir's face showed just the right amount of respect:

"You flatter me, Director."

I owe my current position to the protection of my family elders and the cultivation of my superiors.

From now on, I will be working under the Director, and I hope the Director will take good care of me.

"No need to be so polite."

Major General Lucas waved his hand, his smile fading slightly, and his tone becoming more serious:
"Given the relationship between our two families, I will definitely do what I'm supposed to do."

The Military Affairs Department is a place that values ​​rules and competence; with your abilities, establishing yourself there shouldn't be any problem.

Then, changing the subject, he leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice:

"His Highness happens to be in the ministry today. I have already informed him of your arrival in advance."

His Highness has instructed that once you arrive, you should go directly to his office to report.

No further procedures are needed.

Kazimir's face showed no change; he maintained his composed respect and nodded slightly.

"Yes, thank you for your guidance, Director. I understand."

"Ah."

Major General Lucas nodded in satisfaction and stood up:
"Go ahead, don't keep His Highness waiting. I'll have the guards take you there."

"Yes, Chief."

Kazimir saluted again, his movements clean and crisp.

Soon, two guards in crisp military police uniforms, with stern expressions, appeared at the office door.

After saluting Major General Lucas, their gaze fell on Kazimir. Confirming his identity, they returned the salute. Then, one of the military police spoke in a deep voice:
"Colonel August, please come with us."

Kazimir picked up his briefcase, nodded to Major General Lucas again, then turned and followed two military policemen out of the personnel office.

The minister's office building is undoubtedly the No. 1 building of the Ministry of Military Affairs.

Located at the very center of the entire military affairs office complex, upon entering Building No. 1, an invisible pressure immediately overwhelms you.

The corridor was wide and deep, with a floor paved with shiny black marble and huge oil paintings of famous generals from the past dynasties and enormous military maps hanging on the walls.

The officers we encountered along the way, regardless of rank, all walked hurriedly and had serious expressions, even speaking in hushed tones.

The entire ministerial office building, like a sophisticated and ruthless war machine, was operating at high speed silently.

Kazimir followed behind the two military policemen, his leather shoes clicking crisply and rhythmically on the marble floor.

His expression was calm as still water, but his mind was racing like a high-speed engine, going over the things Cohen had told him before.

He understood that whether he could gain Prince Heinz's favor, demonstrate his loyalty and ability to the prince, and pave the way for future work, all depended on this crucial meeting.

Two military policemen stopped in front of a dark oak gate engraved with the imperial double-headed eagle emblem.

On either side of the gate stood a guard who stood motionless like a statue, exuding a deep aura, clearly the elite of the elite.

The military police leading the way informed the guards:

"Colonel Casimir August has arrived."

The guards' sharp eyes swept over Kazimir, and after confirming his identity, one of them gently knocked on the door.

A clear and crisp voice came from inside the door:
"Is that Earl August of the Northern Army Group?"

The guard replied through the door:
"Yes, it is Count August."

The door opened, and a whiff of air mixed with the scents of cigars, parchment, and fine leather rushed out.

Just then, a middle-aged man dressed in a well-tailored dark gray suit, with his hair neatly combed and a sharp and capable look, came out to greet them.

Baron Thorne Carlson, Assistant Minister of the Military Affairs Department and Chief of Staff, looked at Casimir, took a step forward, extended his hand to Casimir, and flashed a hearty smile:

"Count August, welcome, welcome. You must be tired from your journey."

Our military's young talents have arrived!

Director Thorne's voice carried the composure and competence of someone who had long served in the central government.

Kazimir immediately stood at attention and gave a standard military salute:

"Good morning, Commander. Imperial Colonel Casimir August is reporting for duty!"

He then reached out and shook hands firmly with Thorne.

Thorne held Kazimir's hand without immediately letting go, and instead asked in a warm tone, like an elder caring for a younger person:

"How is the Duke's health? Come to think of it, it's been quite a while since I've seen my old leader. I've been thinking about him a lot!"

The duke that Director Thorne mentioned was Kazimir's father, Duke Zod August, the former commander-in-chief of the Imperial Eastern Army Group. He was a veteran figure with extremely high prestige in the Central Empire's military circles and a wide network of protégés and associates.

This seemingly ordinary greeting actually carries an extremely subtle weight.

Baron Thorne Carlson was able to secure his position as Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Military Affairs, a position that was not only due to his own abilities, but also because he had the appreciation and strong support of Duke Zod August.

This "kinship" was one of Director Thorne's important political assets in the hierarchical and factional Imperial military.

His initiative to bring it up at this moment was both an expression of respect for his former leader and a gesture of goodwill towards Casimir, the heir to the August family.
Kazimir understood immediately, and a sincere smile appeared on his face:
"Thank you for your concern, Director. My father is in good health and can still ride horses and hunt on the estate every day!"

Kazimir responded skillfully, then changed the subject, adding a touch of perfectly timed, warm reminiscence:

"Speaking of which, Father specifically mentioned you before he left this time."

He spoke of the days when he worked with you in the Eastern Army Group, praising your efficiency and thoughtfulness in dealing with people, and told me that I must learn more from you.

He also said that when I arrive in Constantinople, I must give him my regards!

Director Thorne's smile widened, and genuine satisfaction shone in his eyes as he said:

"Oh dear, I'm so ashamed."

If it weren't for His Excellency the Duke's trust and support, and his hands-on guidance and mentorship, I, Thorne Carlson, would not be where I am today.

Let alone having his current position, he probably wouldn't even be able to get a foothold in the Ministry of Military Affairs!
I will always remember this kindness, and I will definitely visit my former leader in person another day to receive his guidance!

Kazimir immediately chimed in, his voice laced with subtle flattery:
"Baron is too modest. Father has so many subordinates and many people who have supported and cared for him, but now only Baron is qualified to sit in this office."

Thorne laughed even harder and said:
"Haha, Earl, you really know how to talk. I guarantee you'll do very well here."

He waved his hand with a smile, then his smile faded and he said seriously:
"Your Highness has just ended a remote communication with Her Majesty the Empress, reporting on some urgent military matters."

It's about time, let's go in.

Kazimir's expression immediately became much more solemn, and he tightened his grip on his briefcase.

Just as he was about to step forward, the guard standing at the door like a statue fixed his gaze on the briefcase in Kazimir's hand.

A hint of embarrassment crossed his face. He turned his head slightly, his gaze seeking instructions, and looked at Baron Thorne Carlson.

According to regulations, anyone entering the core area of ​​the Prince's office must undergo strict security checks, with personal belongings subject to thorough inspection. This is an ironclad rule.

Director Thorne's gaze lingered on the briefcase for a moment, then he waved it off nonchalantly, his tone relaxed:

"It's alright. Every member of the August family is one of the most loyal and reliable soldiers in the Imperial Army."

Kazimir said at the opportune moment:

"I have recorded some immature insights and thoughts from my time on the front lines in recent years."

This is a rare opportunity to meet His Highness the Prince, and I was hoping to take this chance to ask for his guidance.

If Your Highness finds anything of value in it, it would be a small contribution to the Empire's military affairs.

Upon hearing this, and seeing the unquestionable expression on Director Thorne's face, the guards stopped insisting, nodded slightly, and stepped aside to make way.

"Let's go, Earl."

Director Thorne stepped forward first, followed closely by Casimir, and the two entered Baron Thorne Carlson's office one after the other.

Thorne's office was not as luxurious as one might imagine; instead, it possessed an understated yet suffocating sense of power.

The room is spacious and bright, and decorated in a professional and sophisticated manner.

Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows is the bustling scene of Constantine. Inside, there are large desks and rows of bookshelves filled with military archives and atlases.

There is also a set of sofas in the side hall for small meetings.

The air was filled with the scents of documents, coffee, and fine leather, reflecting the owner's status and busy schedule as the "chief steward" of the military affairs department.

Thorne mentioned it casually:
"His Highness rose through the ranks step by step and doesn't care much about external material conditions. He also requires us not to be too extravagant."

Kazimir immediately replied:

"The Prince's simple and low-key work style is a model and example for the entire army."

Thorne smiled slightly, walked to the back of the office to a seemingly ordinary wall, and gently pressed a hidden area.

With a soft hum, a very faint, low mechanical sound rang out, and the walls silently slid open to reveal a completely transparent glass corridor. Thorne led the way, his steps steady.

Casimir followed closely behind, his leather shoes making a crisp echo as they stepped on the gleaming glass floor.

Passing through the long corridor, a vermilion solid wood door comes into view.

This door was quite different from the oak door in Director Thorne's office; it was taller and heavier.

Instead of the double-headed eagle representing the Imperial military, the door was decorated with golden roses symbolizing the Klein royal family.

Thorne stood before the vermilion gate that symbolized the empire's supreme military power and gently knocked three times.

After a few seconds of pause, he spoke in a deliberately adjusted tone—neither too high nor too low—a tone that clearly indicated years of experience in the heart of power, displaying a remarkable sense of proportion:
"Your Highness, Casimir of the August family has arrived."

After a brief silence, a deep, resonant voice, carrying an undeniable authority, pierced through the wooden door and rang out clearly:
"Enter."

Thorne gave Casimir a meaningful look, then pushed open the heavy door.

A more profound, more majestic, and seemingly imbued with the aura of iron and blood swept over us.

A sense of awe and trembling, originating from the depths of my soul, instantly spread throughout my body like an electric current.

Kazimir took a deep breath, his eyes instantly becoming incredibly determined.

Forcibly suppressing his turbulent emotions, he lowered his shoulders, slightly puffed out his chest, tucked in his chin, and straightened his back instantly like a javelin.

He quickly and slightly straightened his military bearing, then strode confidently into the heart of the Imperial Military Affairs Department—Prince Heinz Klein's office.

The scene inside the office immediately came into view.

The space is vast and austere, with a towering dome that seems capable of housing a coiled dragon.

Just as Thorne said, there was hardly any expensive furnishing in the room.

Dark oak wainscoting covered the entire wall, and a huge map hung on it.

It includes a strategic situation map of the entire Empire marked with countless military symbols and operational maps of several key sub-dimensions. The sheer size and exquisite detail of the maps are breathtaking.

Deep inside the room, a large, dark red hardwood desk, resembling a command post, dominates the visual center. Piles of documents lie on its surface.

Behind the table, a figure sat upright on a huge, high-backed chair that resembled a throne.

Prince Heinz Klein was dressed in a crisp, dark gray Imperial Army Field Marshal's uniform, his face resolute and his features hard and cold.

His hair was neatly combed, and his temples were slightly gray, which did not make him look old, but rather added to his unique charm as a mature man.

Especially his eyes, deep and sharp. Although he did not deliberately exude an aura, the supreme majesty that came from long-term high position, holding the power of life and death, and having been tempered by countless baptisms of blood and fire, was unforgettable at first glance.

Heinz Klein, the war god of the empire!
Prince Heinz has not been in a good mood these past two days.

He had just ended a remote communication with Empress Shanes Klein, reporting on the recent military buildup.

This communication made him even more on edge.

Her Majesty the Empress has been somewhat overly concerned with military affairs lately.

Unlike any other monarch, Her Majesty the Empress has recently shown unprecedented attention to details of troop movements, equipment upgrades, and even the appointment and dismissal of junior officers.

This attention is no longer the symbolic, trust-based delegation of authority of the past, but rather a scrutiny imbued with an indescribable desire for control.

This made him, the Minister of Military Affairs who had held the reins of the empire's military power for decades, feel a vague unease.

Especially at this critical juncture when the mainland is about to fall into great turmoil, this makes Heinz even more worried.

Throughout his career, Heinz Klein, as the central figure of the Imperial military, had always relied on his unparalleled prestige, ruthless methods, and absolute loyalty to the interests of the Empire.

A delicate balance is maintained between the Empress, the House of Nobility, and various factions within the military.

Like a majestic mountain, it suppressed the undercurrents within the empire.

However, the balance is now being broken!
The "playboy" from Effie – Cohen Corleone.

This young man who suddenly appeared and was chosen by Her Majesty the Empress to be her consort.

He was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up towering waves.

He not only possesses unfathomable personal strength, but also stirs up the empire's political landscape with his mysterious background and methods.

Even Prince Xiazuo of the Eastern Empire, the shrewd Chief Heisenberg, and the elusive Black Tomb raiders suffered repeated defeats at his hands.

Prince Heinz keenly sensed that Cohen's presence was making Her Majesty the Empress's thoughts even more unpredictable, and filling the Empire's originally stable power structure with unknown variables.

For the first time, this military genius had a premonition that he was losing control of the situation.

He had originally intended to use this communication as an opportunity to subtly inquire with Her Majesty the Empress about Cohen's training methods for Effie's orc legions.

However, seeing the Empress's scrutinizing and probing gaze through the communication crystal, and listening to her probing questions about military details, Prince Heinz ultimately swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

He sighed inwardly; the Empress's protection and trust in Cohen seemed to have exceeded his expectations.

The bond between the two is most likely not because of that winged elf; they seem to have known each other for a long time.

This further deepened his wariness of Cohen.

However, what weighed heavily on Prince Heinz's mind was not the Empress's excessive attention, nor the variables brought about by Cohen, but the reform storm brewing in his heart that was enough to overturn the very foundation of the imperial army.

This reform plan, like a flame burning in his heart, seared his nerves day and night.

It concerns the future combat effectiveness of the Imperial Army and whether the Empire can remain invincible in the upcoming interdimensional war and continental upheaval.

Heinz knew perfectly well that once this reform plan was implemented, it would affect the interests of countless people, would inevitably provoke a massive wave of opposition, and would turn the entire military upside down.

This plan is too significant and too sensitive.

He only repeatedly deduced it in his mind, and at most discussed it with a few close confidants such as Thorne Carlson. He never revealed a word of it to the Ministry of Military Affairs.

He knew all too well that if word got out, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Prince Heinz suppressed his thoughts and focused his gaze on the young officer who was walking steadily into the office.

The leading figure promoted by the August family in this generation.

The colonel commander of the Northern Army Group, a multiple-time champion of the All-Army Martial Arts Competition, and a top eight finisher in the Silver Group of the Noble Martial Arts Festival, most importantly, he almost became Empress Shanes Klein's fiancé.

When Her Majesty the Empress agreed to take a husband, Prince Heinz even specifically recommended Kazimir.

Heinz shook his head, dismissing the unrealistic thought that it would be great if Kazimierz could be favored by Her Majesty the Empress.

He calmly observed the remarkable young man before him.

Prince Heinz was deeply impressed by the young man, not only because he was the eldest son of Duke Zod August, one of the most illustrious military nobles in the empire.

More importantly, it's because of Casimir Augustus himself.

He was not one of those typical spoiled brats who rested on their family's laurels and only knew how to boast.

Kazimir possesses astonishing individual strength. In the all-army competition, he crushed all opponents with absolute strength, demonstrating top-notch tactical skills and fighting will.

His performance at the Noble Martial Arts Festival was particularly noteworthy; had he not encountered that freak Cohen in the semifinals earlier, his results would have been even better.

What's even more remarkable is that he possesses courage and a sense of responsibility that transcends his social status.

When he was promoted to colonel and could have stayed in the capital or taken a leisurely position at the army group headquarters, he volunteered to be the commander of the most arduous infantry regiment on the front line.

Moreover, he achieved tangible results in that position.

The troops he led were among the best in the Northern Group Army in terms of training level, combat style, and equipment maintenance.

All of this naturally fostered a sense of closeness and admiration for Prince Heinz Klein, who also rose from humble beginnings to the position of field marshal.

"Grassroots...frontline..."

Prince Heinz silently pondered these two words, a sharp glint flashing in the depths of his eyes.

This was the starting point of his military career and the source of his strength.

He surveyed the office, a symbol of the empire's highest military power, his gaze seemingly piercing through the walls.

He saw the aristocratic officers in the military affairs building, dressed in magnificent uniforms, yet perhaps unable to even hold a rifle steadily; he saw the "descendants of military families" who relied on their ancestors' influence to loaf around in the headquarters; he saw the "strategists" who were far removed from the battlefield and only knew how to talk big on the sand table...

How many senior military officers today have actually crawled out of the front lines and from mountains of corpses and seas of blood?

Apart from outliers like Casimir August, there are probably very few!
A great war is imminent, with nations clashing, continents vying for supremacy, and interdimensional expeditions raging...

The future of the empire is fraught with danger and conflict.

As a soldier who rose through the ranks, he knew better than anyone that the fighting power of an army did not lie in its splendid uniforms and dazzling medals, but in the cohesion of its grassroots units, the officers' combat experience, and the fighting instincts forged in blood and fire.

"This reform... must be implemented as soon as possible!"

Prince Heinz's conviction grew stronger.

That long-brewing storm of military reforms, aimed at breaking the aristocratic monopoly, reshaping the officer system, and strengthening combat orientation, must be pushed forward.

He could not tolerate his army having to rely on aristocratic sons who lived off their ancestors' wealth, were idle and had never even seen a battlefield, to fight when the empire faced unprecedented challenges.

That would be a disaster for the empire, and a disgrace to Heinz Klein! (End of Chapter)