I, the Villain, Want to Save Myself, But the Yandere Heroines Disagree
Chapter 82 - Great Victory (4/13)

Martin did not refuse much and sat down directly in the seat.

Subsequently, quite a bit of food and drinks were placed before him.

“I don’t need any,” Martin said this, shaking his head. “These things are expensive. Instead of spending money on these, it would be better to buy more winter clothing for the soldiers and prepare more rations.”

“Hmph, our Sergeant Major Martin truly cares for his soldiers like his own children,” At this moment, a senior military officer sitting on the side said with a sarcastic smile.

“This is not caring for my soldiers like my own children. I believe this is the most basic way of managing troops. When the gap between the commander and the soldiers is too large, it will only cause the soldiers to become disaffected.”

“Alright, this meal tonight is paid for with my personal money. Is that satisfactory, Sergeant Major Martin?” Garibaldi said, picking up a piece of meat with his fork and putting it into his mouth.

“Come, everyone, let’s eat.”

As Garibaldi’s words fell, everyone else also began to eat and drink.

Only Martin remained sitting in place, looking at the table full of fine food and drinks, not moving at all.

“Sergeant Major Martin, why aren’t you eating?” Garibaldi had already eaten half of the dishes. At this moment, he saw Martin sitting still in his seat and asked curiously.

“Apologies, I don’t know why the General has invited me here tonight.”

“Oh, you mean that,” Garibaldi heard this and smiled.

“Today, due to a mistake of mine, Sergeant Major Martin, I put you in a dangerous situation. Fortunately, you, Sergeant Major, are resourceful and calm in the face of danger. You promptly withdrew the entire army, thus preserving the effective strength of our army. Is this reason sufficient?”

“If that is the reason, then let’s not mention it,” Martin said this, shaking his head. “After all, the army was able to withdraw unscathed not because of me.”

“Oh? How so?” Garibaldi said this, narrowing his eyes.

The reason he had brought Martin into this place that was not suitable for a low-ranking officer like him, besides feeling a little guilty about what happened this afternoon and wanting to ease the relationship, was more importantly because he valued Martin’s background.

Martin’s family was nobility in Florence City. It would be one thing if he died on the battlefield, but if he were to expose the affairs within the army, coupled with his family putting pressure because of it, it could still cause trouble for Garibaldi.

But now Martin was challenging Garibaldi’s bottom line again and again. Even though Garibaldi knew Martin’s family was nobility, he couldn’t speak softly anymore.

I respect you and treat you with respect as a general, but you must also give me sufficient respect.

Martin clearly did not want to show Garibaldi much respect.

Martin looked at Garibaldi, remembering what he had told Waltz this afternoon, that he couldn’t mention the duel. So he shook his head.

“Nothing. It’s just that I don’t believe my merit is that great. As a commander, at least half of the credit on the battlefield belongs to the soldiers under my command. They performed well during the retreat and did not collapse, which is why the enemy did not have an opportunity to pursue.”

“That’s also true,” Garibaldi saw that the atmosphere had eased, and then stated his other purpose.

“By the way, Sergeant Major Martin, there is another reason for calling you here this time. Would you like to guess?”

“Your subordinate does not know...”

“Alright, if you’re not going to guess, I’ll just say it directly.” Garibaldi called his adjutant over and took out a scroll of appointment from behind him, then had the adjutant hand it to Martin.

“This is a commendation for you. From today onwards, you will no longer be the commander of that unit. Your talent deserves to shine on a higher stage.”

Martin looked at the promotion document. The position he was promoted to was written on it.

He was promoted from Sergeant Major to Master Sergeant, and the unit he commanded also increased from one thousand to five thousand soldiers.

It could be said that this was a promotion for him.

Martin looked at Garibaldi in confusion.

He had lost a battle today, and also had a big argument with Garibaldi’s trusted adjutant after returning. He had thought today’s dinner would be a dangerous banquet, but it had turned into a celebratory feast instead?

What exactly was this Garibaldi up to?

“Sergeant Major Martin... No, you should be called Master Sergeant Martin now. Don’t look at us with such strange eyes. Although seniority is important in the army, ability is valued more. We have all witnessed your ability. If it were someone else today, it would have been absolutely impossible for this unit to withdraw unscathed. That is why I chose to promote you from so many reserve candidates,” Garibaldi said this, wiping his mouth, and then stood up and came to Martin’s side.

His broad and strong hand patted Martin’s shoulder, then said, “From now on, I hope we can cooperate fully and without distinction.”

“I understand. Thank you for your guidance, General.”

“However, there is one condition for your promotion this time,” Garibaldi said softly.

“Condition?” Martin looked at Garibaldi in confusion.

This promotion should be a unilateral reward. Why did it sound like a negotiation this time?

Furthermore, their statuses were not equal. Was there something that Garibaldi needed from him?

“The condition is simple. The unit you are currently commanding, I plan to transfer them under someone else’s command. The unit you will command next will have better equipment and be better trained.”

“For you, this might be a challenge to step out of your comfort zone. What do you think? If you still prefer your current unit, I can of course not promote you.”

“This...” Martin heard this and was startled.

He hadn’t expected Garibaldi’s condition to be this. However, generally speaking, there were precedents of commanders not commanding their original units after being promoted.

This was because it was considered that the commander might favor their old unit and give them special treatment among the various units.

“If you are worried that I will give special treatment in the new unit, General Garibaldi, you can rest assured. I swear I will never do that...”

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