The First Magic World War

Baron Fabolais was truly ignorant in military affairs, and when he saw Charles fighting fiercely against the South Ceraph Reclamation Army, seemingly on the brink of being pushed back at any moment, he panicked and immediately ordered the Knighthood to fall back dozens of kilometers to avoid being scorched by the flames of war while also ordering Charles to hold his ground at all costs, never allowing the people of Nansela to break through.

Originally, Charles was considering how to continue to fool this baron, after all, the forces of Nansela he was fighting were just a small detachment of under a thousand men—continuing the battle, it would be easy to wipe them out.

Cyrus solved this problem for him by deliberately opening a gap and breaking the encirclement.

Baron Fabolais immediately commanded the Knighthood to charge into Mosstar Fort. In his view, Mosstar Fort, with its solid and thick city walls, was far safer than the unprotected plains.

The city walls gave the nobles a sense of security.

After Baron Fabolais and his Knighthood entered Mosstar Fort, Cyrus closed the ring once again, completely besieging the city.

Although Charles was surprised that Baron Fabolais would fall so blatantly into a trap, he also breathed a sigh of relief, as this meant the baron would not be forcing him to align with him.

After Baron Fabolais entered the city, the envoy from Strasbourg began to announce the promotion from the Central Government Office for Charles. He was elevated three ranks for the incredibly distinguished merit of "recapturing" Silver Pigeon Fort.

However, what surprised Charles was that he did not go from being a 32nd class second rank Bureaucrat to a 29th class fifth rank Bureaucrat, but was instead promoted from a 32nd class second rank Bureaucrat to a 29th class first rank Clerk Chief.

The last time, he was promoted two ranks, going from a fourth rank Clerk Chief to a fifth rank Clerk Chief, and having reached the top rank in the Clerk Chief position, he was later promoted to a second rank Bureaucrat, which effectively meant there was a hidden half rank gap between Clerk Chief and Bureaucrat.

But this time, Charles had always thought that he would make it to a fourth rank Bureaucrat or stop at a fifth rank Bureaucrat, never expecting to leap past a "class" and become a first rank Clerk Chief.

In many cities, a Bureaucrat could serve as a deputy to the City Lord, and in cities with lords, one could take up the role of a senior manager in government affairs.

A Clerk Chief, on the other hand, jumps a social class and can directly become the chief official in many small towns.

One more step up from a Clerk Chief and you reach the position of Counselor, a rank considered to be insurmountable, and a true Imperial bureaucrat.

With the increase in his position's rank, he also gained a new governmental identity: the Director of the Lucavaro District Administration Bureau.

The Administration Bureau is the primary authority of a district, theoretically on the same level as the Patrolling Army of the district; however, in reality, it has much better treatment. Nevertheless, the two do not report to each other, as the Patrolling Army remains relatively independent, being nominally directly subordinate to the Crown Prince.

Charles still remembered the Sparrowhawk Street where the Patrolling Army of Lucavaro District was located—the Patrolling Army was at Sparrowhawk Street number one, and the Administration Bureau was across the street, at Sparrowhawk Street number two.

His future office locations would be conveniently close, as he would only need to cross the street to reach the other department.

In the Fars Empire, it was already a "custom" for the Central Office to promote positions, the Emperor to bestow honors, and the Empress to grant wealth.

Besides the upgrade in his position and changes in his administrative role, Julius Axler also increased his Knighthood quota to twenty people, and the Empress was even more generous, bestowing a residence in the prestigious Val de Vaz District.

It was well known that the Val de Vaz District was where the Imperial Palace, the four universities, and the Central Government Office were located, and where all the great nobles resided. Owning a residence in the Val de Vaz District was the lifelong dream of many minor and medium nobles.

Without a high enough position, money alone couldn't buy a house in the Val de Vaz District.

The residences in the Val de Vaz District have a unique moniker—they're called the "Dignity of Nobility." Experience exclusive tales on empire

Without a residence in the Val de Vaz District, one has no dignity.

The messenger from Strasbourg announced the rewards, then hastily left the war zone after delivering the documents. Originally, these messengers didn't want to be here—wouldn't it be better to declare the Central Government Office's commendations and bestow the grace of the Emperor and the Empress in a safe place?

Who would have thought that Charles Mecklen would be so brave to actually make it to Mostar Fort?

Charles was very satisfied with the reward he received. In the bureaucratic system of the Empire, even if he followed the proper procedures and everything went smoothly, it would be difficult for him to become a first-grade clerk before retirement.

From clerk, to Clerk Chief, to executive officer, and then to executive chief—each of these four major levels required a long fifteen to twenty years. Even with a very powerful supporter, to be promoted to a first-grade executive officer before retirement would be considered sky-rocketing through the ranks.

Solid military achievements combined with backing were key to Charles's swift promotion.

If it were only military achievements...

Well, just like Dobin, who is still a forty-seventh ranked third-class sergeant.

Charles's promotion brought great joy to everyone in the Westwind Knights.

After all, Charles was a good superior who often treated his subordinates to meals.

Especially after leaving Strasbourg, Charles frequently distributed extra equipment, and many members of the "old Westwind Knights" had even changed their gear two or three times.

In other armies, such a thing was essentially impossible. Occasional spoils from the battlefield were taken by superiors, and the best one might do was to give a few newly recruited soldiers; most superiors gave nothing at all.

Charles had not expected that his promotion would also boost morale.

After Cyrus placed his knights in Baron Fabolais's knighthood, he left behind a division of the Restoration Army to watch Charles closely while he himself led the main force to attack Mostar Fort.

The defending forces in Mostar Fort were already few; although they received reinforcements from Baron Fabolais, they still struggled to defend. Had there not been over ten Transcendents and a Sacred Order stationed within, the fort might have fallen long ago.

After holding his forces in place for several days, Charles realized he could not continue this way. He had come to Mostar Fort hoping to avoid more deaths; if Mostar Fort were to fall, then he would be powerless to do anything.

He had held his forces for many days for two reasons: first, to hasten the integration of the routed soldiers, and second, to observe how warfare was conducted on the Old Continent. At Silver Pigeon Fort, he had only fought defensive battles and not this type of field battle.

After these days of observation, although Charles still lacked confidence, he chose a night when the moon was obscured, and the winds were fierce, to decisively lead a surprise night assault on Lady Southseraph's camp.

He avoided Cyrus's camp and targeted the three weakest encampments of the South Ceraph Reclamation Army.

The assault was easier than Charles had anticipated; his army deployed and, in less than half an hour, defeated a predetermined target.

At this time, the division of the South Ceraph Reclamation Army assigned to keep watch on Charles hadn't even reacted.