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Mein Krieg (Youjo Senki/Tanya the Evil OC)

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Trunko said:
But he did not respond, he simply entered, leaving myself alone to face Tanya.

"We are alone." I said.

"Yes, we are." Tanya responded, her face growing darker. "So, unless you want to learn first-hand how a female wizard of the Imperial Magical Corp can turn a male wizard into a wizard-eunuch, you better tell me everything you know about what is happening today."

I nodded "It is a long and painful story, who started while we were being held in the hospital, after our baptism of fire in Norden…"
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You accidentally repeated this section twice.

This should be interesting
 
Hilariously I think this may end up with Tanya marrying him for his money.

It's fit her character to a T, and at this point he's still wimpy enough that she could bully him into it.

Also she'd probably be pretty great at running a German industrial firm, if a bit brutal, which would be acceptable in this period compared to the modern day.
 
So we have the main controlling interest for the armies supplies of clothes and possibly food leave his holdings and stakes in these businesses leave that in a frontline mages hands that actually cares for his troops right in front of tanya she is in such a funny situation that she cant use her normal patriotic front on konig it is such a hilarious idea.
 
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Chapter 62: Spoiled Riches
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    • Chapter 62: Spoiled Riches​


    "And I have to live here?" I asked.

    Several minutes had passed since Herr Gegenbauer had disposed of his wealth from beyond the grave, and I still could not believe what had happened. Was it really possible that he would do it? Leaving the bunk of his inheritance, to me?

    "Of course." Herr Wesner responded, smirking "The will clearly states that you are to immediately take up residence and retain the current staff for at least one year, starting from the day of the reading of the will, which would be today."

    "This is completely ridiculous!" said Bernhardt, walking toward me. "You are telling me that he left all his money, forty-five million marks, to some nobody kid?"

    Forty-five million marks! I screamed internally. For real?

    "He is not some nobody kid." the butler said, coming to my rescue. "As the late Herr Gegenbauer has stated in the recording of his will, Herr Frederick was going to be part of his family. The young Herr Karl and his wife were going to adopt him before of their tragically death, and this means that, if that accident had not happened, he would be legally and completely a part of this family like you, Herr Albin or Frau Erika. Evidently, Herr Gegenbauer was quite pleased by the choice made by his son, and he still wanted to give the child the best possible life. Herr Frederick?"

    I looked up to him. There was something, of so friendly and worthy of trust in his smile. I had never known him before of this day, but now, it was as if I had known him for a lifetime.

    "Yes?" I replied in my classical child-voice.

    "My name is Mathias, as you have probably already heard. I look forward to serving you."

    "Well, thank you, Herr Mathias…"

    "Save all of that, buster!" Bernhardt came to stop our handshake, putting himself between Mathias and me like an angry dog who guarding his meal. "I won't let this sit. We all..." he said, looking at the other two disinherited heirs. "won't let this sit!"

    "We will contest the will!" declared Erika, jumping to feet and walking alongside Bernhardt!"

    "You bet, dirty pleb!" and that was Albin.

    "Wait a second…."

    "I strongly advise you against contesting the will of Herr Gegenbauer" said Herr Holderman, coming to my side. "Surely, you can try, but in the interest of transparency I must warn you that this may cost you more than you hope to earn."

    "What are you saying?" exploded Bernhardt, turning his rage toward him.

    "We were the ones who helped write his will, and we are the ones in charge of administering and enforcing it. Also, Herr Gegenbauer personally added a clause in his testament, in order to prevent attempt to to contest it. Herr Wesner, please read the clause aloud for the present."

    "Yes, Herr Holderman." said Wesner, taking out some papers, which I figured would belong to the original paper testament, or at least some copy of it. "Should one of my heirs try to contest this will, their requests will be cut off and they will receive nothing of the original grant."

    "If I were be you," I said. "I would accept the will as is it. The conditions looks good, and…"

    "Oh, of course..." said Bernhardt, turning around once more to face me. "So you can be free to squander all of the family wealth while we are forced to adapt ourselves to lower class lives?"

    "Hey, I can assure you that this came as just as much of a surprise to me!"

    "Sure, big surprise!" said Erika, looking at me as he was going to start to bark and bite "It was you who forced him to make these changes to his will!"

    "I have met him only twice while he was still alive, and all of them I was not the one who organized it. I hardly knew him!"

    "Well enough to fix the will and steal all of ours money, you cheat!" said Albin in turn.

    "I can assure you that I did not fix any will and I'm not trying to cheat anybody of what is theirs!"

    "Good!" said Bernhardt, his voice turning cooler. "Will you then forthwith renounce all claim to the estate?"

    I was going to answer the best response I could find, the classical. "I do not know". However, before I could even try to say anything, someone stole my chance to answer.

    "Do not answer, Frederick!" said Tanya, appearing to my right. "It is a trick question: if you say no, they will consider it as a confirmation of their own affirmations; if you say yes, you lose everything you have just obtained. We have nothing to say to them!"

    For a couple of second, Bernhardt and Tanya stood still, exchanging cold glares. It was easy to guess who would win, and in fact, it was so. The glacial, humorless and killing gaze of Tanya was unrivaled.

    "Hunf!" puffed Bernhardt looking away and giving the victory of this short glaring contest to Tanya. "Just as I thought!"

    "Wait a second!" I said. "We can work this out. I mean, it is a forty-five million estate, we can share it in a fair and just way!"

    "It's for the courts to decide. Albin, Erika, I believe we have to discuss this together. And I can assure you..." he said looking once again to me "that once this story is over, you will seriously regret messing with this family!"

    And with this final sentence, Bernhardt walked out of the room, in all probability out of the mansion altogether.

    "Yeah!" said Albin in turn, following Bernhardt. "We will you see you in court, miserable pleb!"

    Erika was the last one. We looked at each other, and for a couple of second I actually hoped she would have said something that could make me hope for a common compromise. Then, she smiled smugly.

    "Don't fool yourself, brat!" she said, before walking away in turn.

    The relatives of Herr Gegenbauer had left. Now it was only Tanya, the lawyers, Mathias the butler… and me.

    "Can we excuse ourselves?" said Herr Holderman, looking at Mathias.

    "Of course. Call me if I am needed." the butler answered, before leaving for another room.

    "There is something else you should know." Herr Wesner said, looking at me.

    "What is it?" I asked.

    "Herr Gegenabuer also wanted you to have this record." he said, showing me and Tanya another record, slightly smaller than the previous one. "I don't know what's on it, but he left instructions that you were not to hear it until after you moved in."

    "I'll take it!" said Tanya, pawing at the record with almost-feline speed. "I suppose now it wouldn't be too much to ask if you can leave us alone, I suppose…"

    "Of course." the three lawyers said, starting to pack away their things. "Congratulations on your luck, Herr Frederick. And, if you ever need us and our services, here is our business card. At your service."

    "Very nice." I said, looking at the card. It gave me confidence: at least, if I had legal problems, I now knew who I could turn to.

    "Happy for you, Herr Frederick." Herr Wesner said, before follow the other two lawyers outside.

    The lawyers had left and Mathias was nowhere to be seen. Now, Tanya and I were truly alone.

    "Tanya." I said, turning toward her. "I can assure you that…"

    "Do not say anything, Fred!" he hissed, grabbing me and looking directly in my eyes . The look she was giving to me right then made me very afraid. "Half of me now wants to murder and kill you for keeping such a secret from me for all this time!"

    "And… the other half of you?"

    "It want to marry you."

    "W-what? Have you gone crazy?"

    "No, I just want a share of your Inheritance, Mr. lonely-orphan-who-is suddenly-filthy-rich. As far I understand, this Herr Gegenbauer left you the bulk of his estate. And money is one of the equal constants in all worlds. So, with my intellect and our money…"

    "Hey! It is my money, you gold-digger!"

    For a second, I thought it would hit me, slap me or kick me. Instead, she did something that, until then, I had never seen her do.

    She smiled, turning her expression from angry to winking. "But how? Don't you want to share equally with your sweet and attractive childhood friend, whom you have known since birth and with whom you have shared a good part of your life?"

    Tanya… was flirting with me? Creepy.

    "Tanya, knock it off. You are starting to creep me out."

    One second, then her hand grabbed my collar. She was herself once again.

    "Listen to me, you dumbass! For the moment, luck is on your side, but it is not destined to last if you do not take full advantage of it. And even the most colossal fortune does not last forever if there is not an intelligent brain and a ruthless business sense behind it. Do you want to lose all this? No? So listen to me very carefully: you will need someone who can handle this estate on your behalf. Someone who knows how to better manage things and that is quite capable of being ruthless and charismatic at the same time."

    "Oh?" I said, understanding what she said. "So, you want the post of administrator of the money?"

    She smiled. "Yes. Perhaps you do not remember, I was in Human Resources before that goddamned Being X condemned both of us here. Therefore, I am the expert on how to handle low-level workers and keep their productivity high. And by that experience, I affirm that you need me!"

    I stood silent for a couple of second. Yes, Tanya was right: I actually had no ideas about how to run and manage such a prosperous estate, and having the help of someone who knew how these things work would be very useful. However, I also knew that Tanya would never do something for free.

    "And what would be your price? Because I doubt that you would do this to me as a gift."

    She smiled. A smile full of cruelty and malice. "Well, since I would be the one running you estate, I expect to completely share it with you."

    "You just want access to my fortune."

    "Yes, I do. And I know you are not in a position to refuse my help, if you want to keep all of this…"

    She was right, once again. Theoretically, I could refuse, but it would have been a suicide move. I had no experience of how factories or estates were managed, but I knew well that the first approach was very important. If I had given signs or hints of weakness, I would have destroyed much of others' initial trust. And with three dissatisfied heirs who would no doubt have done everything possible to make my life impossible, I couldn't afford to do that. I needed a trusted person, in whom I could have confidence with my eyes closed, who had a minimum of managerial skills, and who had the strength of mind and determination necessary to impose herself.

    And I knew only one person who could take this position. She was standing right in front of me.

    "What are your conditions?" I asked. "I mean, what conditions you want to set for helping me?"

    "Later, my little goldmine, later." she said, gazing all over the house around her. "Now, I would like to take a little tour of our new prpoerty…"

    "Excuse me, young sir." said Mathias, arriving in that exact moment. "Do you need my assistance?"

    "Well, we…"

    "Of course." said Tanya in a friendly childish tone, putting herself in front of me. "Can you help us explore this beautiful house?"

    "Of course, young lady." he responded. "Please follow me"

    I sighed. Five minutes and she is already behaving like all of this is hers? She is very quick into adopting the gold-digger mentality…


    "Who is the artist of this painting?" I asked looking to the country scene depicted in the painting.

    We were in a large lounge area, filled with numerous beautiful paintings. Although I knew that these paintings were not mine (in fact they were destined for the Emperor by Herr Gegenbauer himself) I could not help but admire them and continue to look at them.

    "This, sir," said Mathias. "is a Hans Holbein. And two to its left are paintings of Caspar David Friedrich and Michel Wulhgemut."

    "I cannot believe it." I replied, still looking at them. "There are more paintings here than in an art gallery!"

    Mathias smiled. "Love of art is almost a family tradition for the Gegenbauers. Herr August in particular loved to surround himself with pimages of starry-eyed children."

    I almost snorted. Starry-eyed children. Now I knew why his son wanted to adopt me so bad.

    "Very beautiful." said Tanya. "But… there are only paintings?"

    "Oh, no, Fräulein. The paintings here are just the most visible objects of the late Herr Gegenbauer's collection. He also collected Chinese porcelain, silverware, antiques and ancient weapons. The total value of the objects of the private collection is around seven million marks, obviously removing the paintings and what Herr Gegenbauer has left to the other family members."

    Seven million marks, I thought. and he is talking about them as if they were peanuts.

    I gazed over Tanya, who continued to observe the wealth around her. I could almost hear the noise of the money that she was counting in her head.

    I wonder if…

    "Excuse me, Herr Mathias?"

    "Yes sir, what do you need?"

    "I would like to ask you a question. Can I?"

    "Of course. What do you need to ask me?"

    "It is just… you appear to have known August Gegenbauer quite well."

    The butler sighed. "As a matter of fact, I did. I worked for him for almost twenty years, and I was always present when he needed me. If I may to say it, I think I have known him more than any other relative or friend has."

    Ok then. Time for the main question.

    "This is all quite weird," I said, while keeping an eye on Tanya. "but can you tell me why he left all of this to me?"

    Mathias stopped for a second, thinking about his response. "Actually, I've no idea, sir. Other than the fact that Herr Gegenbauer found in you an honest boy with an hard life but a greater determination, and he decided to reward you at the expense of his relatives. I suppose that would be his ultimate final joke. There is no question that your benefactor was capricious, even cruel."

    "Cruel?" I said. "And why is that?"

    "Let's just say that my duties were not limited to serving and managing the house. There have been some... unpleasant occasions in which Herr Gegenbauer asked me to deal with important personal matters."

    I walked near to Mathias so that Tanya could not hear us. "Did these personal matters have to do with…"

    "Yes. I will not lie, sir: your benefactor in his younger life was quite unfaithful."

    I nodded, and we exchanged a look of understanding.

    "Well then," I spoke once more. "I suppose that…"

    "To be quite honest with you, Sir, I'm not sure that Herr Gegenbauer's death was natural."

    I stopped cold. What was he saying?

    "Excuse me?" I gaped. "And why do you think that?"

    "Well sir, I can tell you that there was lot of bad blood between Herr Gegenbauer and his relatives. He personally treated them cordially, as should be done with family, but when he was alone, he did not exempt himself from using unkind words. He called them parasites and leeches. He despised them because they never worked. None of them have ever earned an honest penny in their lives. On the contrary, they have spent quite a lot of money from their family patrimony. He believed that if they could spend thousands, they Would spend millions, and he was right in my opinion. Frankly, I am quite happy that you have appeared, sir: I wouldn't have accepted any of them."

    "I understand, but why did this lead to you the assumption that Herr Gegenbauer's death was not of old age?"

    "Oh, I have no evidence, only intuition. But I would be lying if I said that Herr Gegenabuer's relatives were not sad about his death, and also not very surprised."

    For a second, I took my time to consider this opinion. Of course, maybe Mathias was just be too suspicious, but what if he wasn't? What if he was partially or totally right?

    "Frederick?" Tanya voice came to bring myself back to my sense. "Frederick!"

    "Uh, what is it?"

    "I believe we should have to ask the servants to prepare the painting for their transport to the Imperial residence. Right now?"

    "What? Why?"

    "Why? Have you forgotten that these paintings are not yours and that they now belong to the imperial family?"

    "Of course not!" I said, trying to defend myself from her violent aggression. "But I believe we could do this tomorrow, once…"

    "No! We have to do it right now. If we wait too long, the Emperor could possibly believe you are actually going to defraud him of what it is his, and send an armed squadron here in order to retrieve them. We have to send them as soon as possible, in order to gain his sympathy!"

    "Excuse me, Fräulein, but this is quite impossible as right now. There are no servants in the house, expect for me."

    "What?" she said, facing him. "Are you alone?"

    "Just for today. It was Herr Gegenbauer's last order to us: he wanted us to spend this day with our families and mourn his death together. I stayed because I have no family, and I wanted to meet the new heir firsthand."

    I nodded. "So… there is currently no other servant here for now?"

    "Yes, sir." Mathias responded. "I suppose I can try to contact them and ask them to come here. But I do not know if…"

    "No. I suppose we can do without them for one day. And the paintings can wait until then."

    "Frederick!" Tanya started once again to speak "You cannot…"

    However, I was not going to let her take the lead once again. Enough was enough, and this time, I was in complete control.

    "Yes, I can!" I said, facing to turn her, and adopting my most hardline officer face I could come up with. "The servants of this house have every right to spend this day with their families, and I am not going to ask them to come here immediately. Besides, I believe that the Emperor will not mind if the paintings arrive a day or two late."

    We faced each other for what felt like eternity. Tanya's glare was cold and killer, but I was able to give death-glares too. And I knew she was in no the position to contest my decision on this matter.

    "Very well!" she said, after looking away. "Your money, your rules. I seriously hope you know what you are doing."

    "I do. Now, Mathias, could you please take us toHerr Gegenbauer's office? I believe Tanya and I have some things to discuss…"

    "Of course!" he said with a knowing smile. "Please follow me…"

     
  • Threadmarks
    • Aww, they're so cute.

    When's the wedding? It'd be a massive paparazzi show no doubt. "The Aces of the Rhine to Marry"

    I imagine the emperor himself, or at least the more personable princes would attend, given their status as war heroes and Frederick's apparent new wealth.
     
    I'm just waiting till nightfall and the half brother uses his corrupt contacts to send a squad of soldiers to loot the house and attempt to kill them where we have the scene of tanya screaming at Fredrick and Mathias leading them to a Armory where they both decide to fight a battle to defend the property that has so much attention it brings out the military polices.
     
    Xodarap2 said:
    I'm just waiting till nightfall and the half brother uses his corrupt contacts to send a squad of soldiers to loot the house and attempt to kill them where we have the scene of tanya screaming at Fredrick and Mathias leading them to a Armory where they both decide to fight a battle to defend the property that has so much attention it brings out the military polices.
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    Hell, for some reasons, I remember a scene in American Dad:

    "Dad, is it weird to have a boner now?"
    "It would be weird if you don't."

    I totally expect some equally fucked up shit with the two Aces present. Especially if they just have another "friendly lover's quarrel" (one that involve a machine gun, a crate of Molotov cocktails, and a Teddy bear - and don't ask what the Teddy Bear is for)
     
    Trunko said:
    In front of me was an old looking man, with a white beard and mustache, well dressed in a waistcoat under a high-class black suit and a white bow tie. He was supporting himself with a walking stick that had a golden knob at the end. His clothes reeked of high class, indicators of an incredibly wealthy lifestyle.
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    Trunko said:
    His name was Karl. Karl Gegenbauer. The only child I had from my wife Edith before she died of tuberculosis. The woman with him was his wife Sieglinde. They used to come to visit me every month before their…tragic incident…"
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    ok so we have some information on geggenbauers life he has no living heirs had one wife he loved might have had multiple gold digger wives after her.
    Trunko said:
    closest to us was a woman in her thirties or forties, in a black dress. She had blonde hair
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    this is a young sibling to the deceased geggenbauer so he might have had a father that had multiple wives.
    Trunko said:
    The second was a boy of almost the same age as Tanya and I. However, the commonality between him and us stopped here: he was fat, nearly obese even, topped with red hair
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    the boy is again the only living member in his immediate family living on his grandfather's charity.
    Trunko said:
    Third, and last, was a man. A man who, when we entered the room, was looking out a window. He had light brown hair
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    we find that he is a sibling from a different wife than the main family's heir.
    Trunko said:
    Only half-brother, Erika! And I'm not at all saddened by his death. August's mother had the fortune of being married to a rich man, mine did not!"
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    August mother might have been married to the heir of that time while this man's mother was a concubine to the geggenbauer house.
    Trunko said:
    Yes." the man said, looking at us. "My name is Bernhardt Schau, and I was August Gegenabuer's half-brother. These two are Albin Gegenbauer, his nephew," he said pointing to the little piggy. "and Erika Gegenbauer, his sister. We are all here for our just share of August's patrimony."
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    So the conclusion is that the great grandfather was a scumbag that married multiple woman with various colors such as blond,red,and brown for the concubines children. We have no clue what hair color August and his son karl had so this is a inconsistency of the family.
    Either way this is a nice plot.
     
    Chapter 63: A New Life
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    • Chapter 63: A New Life​


    Herr Gegenbauer's office was a massive and luxurious room. In the corner right of the the door there was a small wooden table, and around it, three chairs lined in a green fabric. In the left corner, however, there was another piece of furniture, similar to a wardrobe, in which a showy white-blue porcelain service was displayed. The fine china of the house.

    On the opposite side from the door, right in front of it, was the desk. A wooden statue was placed atop it, depicting an imperial eagle. Also an oil lamp, two books, some inkwells for pens and a ream of white sheets for letters. Behind it, there was an armchair that, although looking old and dirty, projected an air of class that it must have had in its prime. Behind the chair, other paintings and a bust of a deer hung on the wall.

    It took me a few seconds to realize that the room had not been cleaned recently. There was dust and stale smell everywhere, showy mold stains, and the wastepaper basket beside the desk had not been emptied, still full of papers thrown away.

    "Why has this room not been cleared?" I asked, noticing it. "Judging from the look and smell, it hasn't been cleaned in weeks!"

    "Well, if I have to be honest, that's it, sir." Mathias said. "Before his sudden decline of health, Herr Gegenbauer spent a lot of his time here. He would not leave this room for weeks at a time: he only went out to eat, sleep or to the restroom. And he forbade anyone to enter, except for very important business…"

    "Are you telling me..." I asked in horror, looking around. "that he died... here?"

    "Of course not, sir." Mathias assuaged me. "It is true that Herr Gegenabuer used to spend the majority of his remaining time here, working on his letters. But in the days leading up to his death, he was no more able to walk here of his own."

    "He was unable to walk?" I asked. "Why?"

    "We do not know for certain, but the doctor who visited him forbade him from doing any more work and ordered him to stay in bed to save strength. The other relatives used to visit him almost every day, but he hardly ever wanted to receive them. And the last day…"

    "…he died on his bed. I hope at least he passed away in peace..."

    "He didn't." Matthias responded almost as if to contradict me. "I can tell you why I was one of the first to rush, when his labor began. Until a few minutes before, he was fine: he said he was hungry, and he seemed to have recovered. Then, when I walked away, he started to coughing violently, and leaving traces of blood on the sheets. We tried to help him breathe, but it all happened so fast..."

    "And the physician? What he did say?"

    "He said that Herr Gegenbauer's death was caused by a sudden breathing difficulties, which lasted at least eight hours. Eight hours in which I could only pray to God that he would spare him. But alas, God had other plans."

    I nodded. There was something suspicious in Mathias' description. Maybe he was right in suspecting that Herr Gegenabuer's death was not natural?

    "I understand. Mathias, please, can you leave Fräulein Tanya and myself alone for a few minutes? I believe we have something we would need to discuss. In private."

    Mathias winked. "Of course. I will be in the library nearby if you need me. If you would excuse me..."

    As soon as Mathias left the room, I turned to Tanya.

    "Now that we are alone, what do want to discuss?" she asked, hostility back on her face.

    "I want to talk about what happened just now. About this. And… about us."

    She walked toward me, eyes wide open and gazing right through me. I already knew what she was doing: she was analyzing my face, looking for possible clues that could reveal my intentions, and possible weaknesses that she could use against me.

    "What do you mean?" she asked, focusing her cold glare on me.

    "I mean, what just happened… This house, Gegenbauer's fortune, it is undoubtedly a great turn for us. However, let's say that things are not as they look, and that there is a trap waiting for us. We have to decide what to do!"

    "A trap?" she asked. "Set by whom? Do you suspect that this Herr Gegenbauer did all of this in order to prank you?"

    "Well, not him. Someone else, whom we both know too well..." I said, pointing my finger upward.

    She looked up, almost snarling in rage. Yeah, she realized who I was referring to.

    "You believe that Being X is behind this?" she said, hissing the name of the supposed God.

    "It is a possibility. The style is certainly his: to offer us what seems to be a solution to all our problems, and once we are too invested, we get into trouble. This is how we ended up on the Rhine Front, remember?"

    She hissed once again, but this time she didn't speak, instead pondering what I said.

    "I remember…" she finally said after a long silence. "So, what do you think?"

    "Well, if this is really a trap, then either it is the most obvious trap in history or the most subtle. This depends on whether my dear "relatives" are part of it."

    "Do not tell me you are actually afraid of them!" Tanya snapped. "I know how to deal with these scumbags! I have already dealt with many of them in my previous life. If people like them are capable of posing a danger to us or to our inheritance, we don't deserve the medals we wear!" she said, beating a punch on the chest and jingling the aforementioned medals.

    Interesting how I said that the inheritance is ours instead of mine. I thought with an inward smirk. However, I said nothing about it.

    "It's not about them specifically!" I responded. "But maybe, Being X is somehow manipulating their actions and the consequences of them in order to bring trouble to both of us. I don't know, maybe I should avoid the blow and give up the inheritance..."

    "NO!" she shouted, taking me by surprise. "WE… You… you cannot do it!"

    "Why not?" I asked. "After all, it's just money. And not even yours, may I remind you."

    "It is not just about the money. It is about our reputation!"

    I stopped. What was she talking about?

    "What are you-"

    "Do you remember what these idiots accused you of? They are convinced that you put pressure on Herr Gegenbauer so that he put you first in the will, to their detriment. And if you give up, they'll think they were right!"

    "So? They will take the money, and we will no longer need to deal with them."

    "You idiot!" Tanya said, moving as to knock over my head "Don't you realize that if you act in a way that gives them credibility, we will be ruined? If the rumor spreads that we may have lobbied to convince an old man to forcefully insert us into his will, our reputation will be hopelessly tainted. And in the army, as in any hierarchical structure, reputation is everything! You want to send us back to the Rhine front, maybe even in a penal battalion?"

    "Well, no, of course, but…"

    "Then try not to have such a defeatist attitude anymore! It's time for the rubber to hit the road: there is no more room for negotiation, we have to fight!"

    "F-fight?" I asked dumb folded. "And how?"

    She smirked. "First off, we need to lawyer ourselves up: we have to come up with a good defense in case they try to contest the will. Naturally, we will have to obtain a written copy of Herr Gegenbauer's will, as well as all legal sources that speak about the topic of hereditary bequests. Obviously," she said, looking at me. "this will take time and effort"

    "I am sorry," I said in turn. "but why should we prepare a defense by ourselves? I mean, that lawyer gave me their law firm's contact info. Can't we just ask them to do it?"

    "Of course, but not completely. I mean, asking them to help us would be an excellent idea, but I am still convinced that it is safer and more cautious if we try to keep up with them. At least, it would be a perceptive idea to prepare ourselves for the upcoming conflict."

    I nodded, still unconvinced. It would be a considerable effort both from a logistical and timing point of view, and I had no guarantee that this would be safer. On the contrary, I had good reason to believe that a trio of adult lawyers would know more about law than we did.

    "What else?" I asked

    "Another important thing you have to keep in mind..." she said, pointing her finger toward me as to give me an order. "is this: never agree on something before letting me parse all the conditions. Do not sign anything, not even a receipt from a shop, if I am not present and I have not given you my OK. Are we clear?"

    "Crystal, but who gives you all this power? What makes you think you know better about this than I do?"

    She snickered, coming closer to me. "As you should probably remember, fool, I was in the Human Resources department. Thank to that, I know very well that signing anything, even an apparently innocent sheet of paper, without having read everything first, can be a source of trouble. And I know because that's how I worked!"

    I sighed. I knew there was no way out from this conversation.

    "Okay, okay." I said, feigning defeat. "I will be extra careful to not sign anything if you are not with me. Are you happy now?"

    "I am." she beamed. "Now, I believe we have something else to do…"

    "What would that be?"




    Tanya and I spent another ten minutes plotting before we left Herr Gegenbauer's study. When we were finally done, half an hour had passed. We found Mathias in the next room, and asked him if he could accompany us to our previous addresses to retrieve our things before settling permanently in the mansion.

    Mathias had already prepared for this. Fortunately for both of us, he had also been a driver in the past, and the mansion garage was well stocked with cars and other vehicles. It did not take long for Tanya and I to find the right vehicle for our little mission.

    It was a kind of car fitted with a large radiator and bulky headlights, dark green in color and with reddish seats. Mathias had told me it was an errand car, which the mansion staff took turns to use when traveling to other parts of the city. It was immediately clear that it was a car that no gentleman would use. However, that did not matter to us: it was what we needed. Matthias drove the car, while Tanya and I sat in the back seats and headed to our previous lodgings to retrieve our belongings.

    We first went to Tanya's apartment. Mathias stayed in the car waiting for us while Tanya and I went up to retrieve the things she didn't want to leave behind: books, above all, but also personal effects. We were lucky enough: we recovered everything and left after having informed the concierge of the situation.

    But when we went to my apartment, well, let's say we were less fortunate. Unfortunately for us (or maybe because of Being X) on that day the owner of the building had sent his debt collector to make a surprise inspection of the building, in view of a possible increase in rents. Tanya and I met him while we were going down the stairs, I with a suitcase containing most of my personal items, and Tanya holding some books (previously purchased from me at the library below).

    The old man, giving us a strange look, asked us where we were going, so I told him that I was moving out. The man opened his briefcase, and looking at his papers, found my name among the others renters of the palace. Then he asked me the reason why I was moving. I told him that I had found better lodgingsle, and I was moving there immediately. The man then tried to ask me to pay my rent for the month, claiming that in the contract was established that any leaving renter had to pay full before moving out.

    This was not the reason for the conflict.

    Apparently, the debt collector tried to claim that, due to the new cost of the rent, I had actually to pay twice the amount before moving out. Personally, I didn't know what to do: I didn't have the money on me to pay immediately, and I didn't trust him enough to reveal my newfound wealth to him. Therefore, I contested it. Tanya came to my support and within minutes, we found ourselves arguing heavily. Only in the end was I able to find an agreement: I would pay the doubled rent, but only at the end of the month, by which I would have enough money to pay it many times over.

    "Did something happen, sir?" asked Mathias seeing me and Tanya coming out of the building.

    "Something did happen, indeed. However, do not worry: I think that at least for now, things are settled. At least, temporarily." I said, trying to play down the altercation.

    Mathias, luckily for me, did not tried to dig deeper into the question, and neither Tanya nor I wanted to discuss about it. Therefore, we returned to the mansion, and prepared ourselves for our first night into it.

    Obviously, each of us would sleep in a separate room. Tanya had been categorical on this point, and had made me understand that any violation of this could have fatal consequences for me. Personally, I did not intend to make attempts in that direction: I have known Tanya for too long to have romantic or hormonal feelings towards her, and I place too much value on my life to attempt something like this anyway.

    The mansion had enough beds to accommodate a very large family. Tanya had chosen the guest room on the ground floor as her own. Strategic position, in my opinion: the room was in fact located in the center of the large house and therefore was more secure and sheltered from any outside dangers. I, for one, chose a smaller room on the upper floor which overlooked the mansion entrance.

    The room, albeit smaller than the one Tanya had chosen, was still more comfortable than my previous apartment. The bed was much larger and softer, and was covered in a forest-green pillowcase. Next to the bed, at the height of the head of the person who would have slept inside, there was a small window, from which, as I have already said, it was possible to check and control the entrance of the mansion for a good measure. On the opposite side, a half-empty bookcase (in which my books had quickly found a home) a closet for my clothes, a shoe rack and a door leading to a small private bathroom. The latter was equipped with running water (even if mono-temperature) and had a large mirror from which I could admire myself. Finally, at the door, there was a small painting depicting a knight.

    A room still very austere compared to the luxury of the one where Herr Gegenbauer had died, but which was still a significant improvement for me.

    "Are you sure you do not want to sleep here, sir?" Mathias asked, behind me. "This house has at least five other bedroom, much greater in size and significantly more cozy…"

    "Yes, I am sure." I responded, looking out of the window. "I have yet to accustom myself to all of this, and I believe this room will be perfect as a start. Also, I'd like to have the chance to see outside when I wake up. It makes me happier…"

    "Very well. Do you have something you would like to ask me?"

    "Now that I think about it, yes." I said realizing that another thing Ii was now used to, was missing. "Do we have a radio set in the house?"

    "I believe so, sir. Why do you ask?"

    "Well, I am a military man, Mathias. And when I get up in the morning, before going to the Academy, I like to hear the news from the front."

    "Of course!" he said, as if thunderstruck by the revelation. "Do not worry about that, sir: there is a radio in the nearest bedroom, on the left. I'll go and bring it here…" Mathias responded, before leaving.

    It took me a few minutes to sort out my belongings: dresses into the closet, books into the bookcase and the few hygiene accessories into the bathroom. When Mathias returned, I helped him arrange the radio on the bookshelf, a task that required some effort.

    Finally, when the room I would be staying at was ready, I headed back to the ground floor to see what Tanya was up to.

    I found her in the room where the lawyers had brought us, and where I had had the first altercation with the other heirs. She was fiddling with the record player, trying to do who knows what.

    "Tanya, what are you doing?" I asked, walking towards her.

    "Just trying to understand how this thing works." she responded. "We have something very important to listen to."

    "Oh yeah? And what that would be?"

    In response, she stopped trying to fix the record player and showed me a black disk, the same record that the lawyers gave to her before leaving, with the very last words that Herr Gegenbauer specifically wanted to tell me.

    "Fräulein Tanya, do you need my help?" asked Mathias, appearing from behind me as he usually did.

    "Well, that would be appreciated. Do you know how this thing works?"

    "As a matter of fact, Fräulein, I do. I used to work with these devices almost all day while Herr Gegenbauer was still among the living."

    The facts proved his words right, and in no time, the record player was ready to play the record of the late Herr Gegenbauer.

    "Very well. Let's listen to this," Tanya said, putting the record on its place.

    "I will take my leave." said Mathias in turn.

    "What?" I asked. "Why?"

    "Why, this is a very private message that Herr Gegenbauer left specifically for you, sir. It would violate my ethics if I listened…"

    "Do not worry about that. Whatever Herr Gegenbauer wanted to tell me, you can listen to it. I am sure that…"

    "Hello, Frederick!" August Gegenbauer voice came once again from the Speaker. "How are you? You like my house? You still can't believe that this is all yours now? You deserve it. Also, I know that you are probably not listening to this by yourself. I know that my faithful butler, Mathias, is there with you…"

    Mathias gulped, as he was not expecting Herr Gegenbauer to predict this. "S-sir, I… I…"

    "Do not worry about your ethics, my dear friend. In fact, I believe that what I am going to say to my young heir is also intended for your ears, as well as those of Fräulein Degurechaff…"

    Instinctively, I turned to look at Tanya. She seemed annoyed, but not overly surprised, that Herr Gegenbauer knew about her.

    "Hello, Little Miss Soldier. I saw you on the newspaper and in the film. You look quite cute, and I am sure that Frederick enjoys your company. Just between us, is there something stirring underneath that unique haircut of yours?

    "You'll never know, old man." Tanya hissed.

    "Very well, down to business. Frederick, if you are hearing these words whilst sitting in my favorite chair, with your feet on the ottoman, it means you've really moved in. Congratulations, you are the next big man in the house!"

    "Danke shön, August!" I said with a smile.

    "But this also means..." the voice paused. "…that I've been murdered."

    What?     My mind spun out of his own. Judging by Mathias and Tanya's expression, both were thinking the same thing I was.

    "It was one of my relatives that did it, for the inheritance I'm sure. However, I fooled him or her, by giving it all to you. And now I want you, and your friend Degurechaff, to find out which one it was. I want you to find out the identity of the rat who killed me in name of the money. You owe it to me, and I know that you are much too honest and bound by the rules to let my assassin get away with it. I know you will not disappoint me…"

    And with those last words, the record stopped, leaving all of three of us stunned and confused.








    ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE AUTHOR​

    Hello, you beautiful person, how are you? How this day went or is going for you?

    Sorry to interrupt the story but I have a little announcement to do: as since February 1st​ 2020, my book is officially online. I have found a new editor who wanted to publish my work, and with their help, I was finally able to publish it on Amazon. I want to thank all of you who supported me and helped me to reach this great goal. You were amazing people, I love all of you! Be proud of yourself, because you deserve it

    You can find here the link for the digital version (Kindle), or, if you prefer the old-fashioned paper version, you can find it here.
     
    Last edited:
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    • Trunko said:
    Sorry to interrupt the story but I have a little announcement to do: as since February 1st 2020, my book is officially online. I have found a new editor who wanted to publish my work, and with their help, I was finally able to publish it on Amazon. I want to thank all of you who supported me and helped me to reach this great goal. You were amazing people, I love all of you! Be proud of yourself, because you deserve it
    Click to expand...
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    Congratulations! I hope it does well :D
     
    Chapter 64: It Sucks to be a Child
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    • Chapter 64: It Sucks to be a Child​


    The next day at the Academy, my mind was too occupied by doubt to pay close attention to the lessons, so as not to risk losing important information. Every moment I struggled to concentrate, to focus only on the lesson, but after a few seconds my brain began to think back on Gegenbauer's last words and dying wishes.

    Someone had killed him. One of his relatives, wanting all of his wealth for themselves, had planned out and perpetrated a murder. Herr Gegenbauer had managed to save the inheritance by passing it on to me, but the killer (whichever of the three they were) was still on the loose, still free, still capable of striking again.

    And there was no doubt who the next victim would be.

    An icy shiver ran down my spine. The enemies I had fought face to face on the Rhine front did not frighten me as much as the possibility of an assassination. An insidious enemy, whose face or appearance remained unknown, knew everything about me and could strike at me at any time. Without knowing how or when I would be attacked, I was left with only one option: I had to strike first.

    But, how could I strike if I did not know who he or she was? From what Herr Gegenbauer had told me in his latest recording, I knew the murderer was one of three heirs besides me: Bernhardt, Albin and Erika. But which one of them hid a murderer behind their facade?

    Almost instinctively I turned my gaze to Tanya, who seemed to be in deep thought, oblivious to the world around her. Was it true? Or did she, in her mind, hide thoughts in turmoil too?

    It was then that I realized that the professor was explaining something important. In silence, trying not to give signs of what was going on in my head at that moment, I tried to focus on the lesson, completely ignoring extraneous thoughts.

    However, I did not succeed completely.




    During the afternoon lunch break, most of the students of the Academy (especially the new arrivals) ate at the canteen. This was located in a long gray building. During the short break between morning and afternoon lessons, more than 500 students found a place to sit, to chat with the others, and to eat.

    Even Tanya and I, in the days of our first course at the Academy, had eaten there. The food was good, but not exceptional, and the crowding caused significant inconvenience, making it impossible to discuss easily, for example. In addition, the canteen was often patrolled by officers who, taking advantage of the greater state of relaxation among the recruits, went in search of regulation violators to be thrown into corvee.

    For this reason, for a long time both Tanya and I had made the decision to avoid the canteen, and to eat our meals in premises more suited to our needs. Fortunately for us, there were numerous places around the Academy where you could have lunch, and the fact that money was no longer a real problem now led me to believe that we could continue like this.

    The place where we were today was a small café, run by an ex-Austrian immigrant who came to Berun many years ago, and who had made a fortune. Here, protected from prying eyes, patrons could consume dishes such as meatballs, Hungarian goulash or Wiener cutlets, all accompanied by fine wines or golden beers. Delicious meals, which we could only dream of on the Rhine front.

    When we entered, the notes of Die lustige Witwe (The Merry Widow), a work by Franz Lehár, greeted us and delighted our ears. As always, the owner had the habit, during mealtimes, to give his customers the pleasure of the music of his native land.

    "Hello?" I asked, trying to find out someone.

    "Herr Frederick, Fräulein Degurechaff!" came the voice of a black-haired, moustached man. It was the owner's brother. "You here today?"

    "Of course, Herr Spielmann." I said, greeting him "Were you afraid that we were going to abandon you and your tasteful food?"

    "Of course not, Herr. Frederick" he said, lying shamelessly. "Do you want your usual table?"

    "If that's possible," I responded. "Is it unoccupied?"

    "Of course, Herr. Frederick. We will never give it to anyone other than you. Please follow me!"

    We followed Spielmann to our table: a small, sheltered place hidden in a corner, but located in such a position that we could hear perfectly what any other patrons were saying. A perfect place to eavesdrop on the conversations of the other officers who had lunch in the place.

    "What do you want me to bring you?" asked Spielmann. "Fräulein Degurechaff?"

    "For me, I want a Frittatensuppe." she responded. "But please, make it well-done."

    "And you, Herr. Frederick?"

    "I'd like the Goulash." I replied "Can you please bring us some     Apfelsaft as well? I enjoyed it the last time I was here."

    "Of course!" he said. "I'll bring everything at once!"

    Only when he was gone were Tanya and I were free to speak again. I expressed my thoughts.

    "What an idiot." I said.

    "I agree. He smiles almost all the time, just as if smiling is enough to bring you success and riches. If I were in his brother's shoes, I would have already kicked him out."

    "Maybe is the fact that he is the owner's brother the reason why he still works here." I said, gazing around. The lunchroom was still half-empty: at some tables, at the end of the corridor, several plainclothes men sat, some with mustaches, others with sideburns, eating from their dishes or reading the newspaper thoughtfully. It almost looked like the portrait of an impressionist painting.

    "I believe we are safe." I said, turning my gaze once again toward Tanya. "There is no one close enough to listen in on us."

    "Fine." she responded, assuming a hard expression. "I believe it would a matter of priority to discuss our- I mean, your new acquisition."

    "Again?" I asked. "We have already discussed this at Herr Gegenbauer's house. Why do we have to go over this again?"

    "Because I want to be sure you understand. Also, I believe there are a few points we have not discussed yet…"

    "Oh yeah? And what would they be?"

    "You relatives." said Tanya, looking around furtively. "And the way they could try to take away your inheritance."

    I snorted. It was almost amusing to see how protective Tanya was of what Herr Gegenbauer had left me, as if she had been the heir and not me.

    "I read some books on the subject," she continued. "and according tImperial law, there are only two reasons why a will can be successful contested: reason of insanity, meaning that Herr Gegenbauer was not in his sound mind when he wrote the document, or being under duress, meaning that you or someone else had actually forced Herr Gegenbauer to give almost everything to you. Since he revealed that he had drafted a document attesting to his sanity before he died, I think I can confidently say that the chances of your relatives proving the opposite are very low. Of course, there is always the possibility that they can try to prove it, but from my expert point of view, the chances that they are successful in this sense are very low. And if those lawyers of yours have access to documents that prove Herr Gegenbauer's sanity, and of the people who drafted them, we can create a good defense."

    "Good. I was worried about that." I lied.

    "This, of course, also means that unless we're very lucky and your relatives are idiots, in all probability they will use will be to try to prove that you have forced Herr Gegenbauer to alter his testament in your favor…"

    "Me? And why not you?" I asked joking. "Of the two of us, you are the one most able to force someone to do something against his or her will. And your overprotective attitude over what is mine and not yours could be seen as suspicious by other people…"

    "I have an alibi." she sstated in full confidence mode. "I never knew or saw Herr Gegenbauer, and I hadn't even heard his name before this story started, so I can easily testify that I never knew him. This is evidence that shows that I can't have convinced him to change his will. But you..." she stared me down threateningly. "You admitted that you have known him for a time. You have seen him and even spoken with him. This could be seen as an attempt to influence his mind…"

    "What?" I said, without keeping my voice down. I realized it only after I saw a couple of patrons looking away from their food or newspaper, and giving me a uncertain look

    "That is absurd!" I continued, once again careful to police my tone of voice.

    "Maybe, but that will be more difficult to prove. You have admitted to encountering him, in front of them moreover, so this will be the first weapon that they will try to use against you. And if your defense is not strong enough, then that would mean your end…"

    She came closer. From a stranger's point of view, we could have looked like a young couple saying soft words to each other so as not to be heard. However, the reality couldn't have been further from the truth.

    "Listen, Frederick, I am willing to help you. But there are some things I need to know, in order to do it in the best possible way. First off, I need to ask you if you really did not try to influence or force August Gegenbauer to add your name to his will."

    "I never did." I said, putting my hand over my heart. "Like I have already told you, the first time I met him was in that hospital at the Norden Garrison, after our first mission. He paid my orderly to drive my wheelchair to an empty room so that he and I could talk in private, safe from prying ears. We talked a little, for the most part I answered his personal questions about me. And then, we parted ways…"

    "And why you did not tell me anything?"

    "I was going to. However, I was so hopeful and happy after that meeting, that I wanted to make it a surprise for you: I was thinking that he would return the following day, and we would be able to live a happy life, away from the war. But the next day he wasn't there, and the day after that. And after some time…"

    "You believed he was not going to return and he had abandoned you." she concluded. "I suppose that enraged you quite a bit…"

    "Of course I was angry at the time. Wouldn't you have been?"

    "Of course I would have been. And you did not imagine some ways to get even?"

    "What are you trying to imply?" I asked.

    "Nothing. But these questions could be asked again in tribunal if they really try to go on and contest the will. And their lawyers will do everything they can to get you in trouble and push you to slip up. So please answer the question: did you imagine taking revenge on Herr Gegenbauer?"

    I grunted. "I did. However, just for a couple of days. Then, other things happened, and my mind was focused on other things…"

    "And what that would be?"

    "Schugel, that bastard." I responded. "And his mad experiments. You remember?"

    Her eyes narrowed. "I remember, yes. Too well, I could add."

    "Me too. Since I was too busy trying to survive his damned experiments and lamenting about his broken technology, Gegenbauer's visit never crossed my mind, at least until I met him again, while we were both on the Rhine front."

    "And on this next visit, did hold any negative feelings towards him?"

    "I did." I admitted. "Personally, I didn't want to have anything to do with him anymore, and I was annoyed by his presence. But he never mentioned the testament in my presence."

    "He never did?" Tanya asked, a fleeting shadow of doubt on her face "So, can you say that you didn't know anything about Herr Gegenabuer's will until yesterday?"

    "Yes. He never mentioned any will or inheritance while we were together, and I had no way to speculate what he was going to do. What happened yesterday was a surprise for me, as well as for you. How should I tell you otherwise?"

    "It is enough." she smiled smugly. "If what you told me is true and you haven't been keeping any secrets from me, then I am confident that we have more than enough to defend ourselves and our inheritance. If we can prove that, there is no way you can have Herr Gegenbauer, then we are golden."

    It was then that a patter of approaching feet warned us that Spielmann was returning with the dishes we had ordered.

    "Here, first lieutenants." he said, in his eternal stepford-smile. "Frittatensuppe for Fräulein Degurechaff; Hungarian Goulash for Herr Frederick and Apfelsaft for both. I hope it is all to your liking!"

    "Thanks." I replied, looking at him while he placed our dishes on the table. They looked bloody tasty and inviting, especially if especially if you still remember the meager portions of the frontline.

    "Enjoy your meal!" Spielmann said, giving us a very awkward obeisance before leaving, this time for good.

    "Finally! I am famished!" Tanya dove into her meal.

    I smiled, before starting to eat. The Goulash was nearly divine, I have to admit. Tender and tasty at the right point, and abundant enough to ensure the dose of energy necessary for the rest of the day. The meat almost melted in my mouth.

    However, it was destined that something (or better, someone) would come at that moment to ruin the pleasant time I had been having.

    I was right in the middle of the meal when I heard a familiar female voice coming from the entrance of the eatery.

    "I am looking for Frederick König. Is he here?"

    Immediately, I stopped eating, and turned in the direction of the voice. Who was looking for me?

    Seconds later, a woman entered the hall. A woman with blond hair, and a face I had seen days before. Erika Gegenbauer.

    The moment my eyes met hers, I felt a strong feeling of nausea. Was she going to tell me that she (alongside Bernhardt and Albin) were going to contest the will? Tanya had reassured me that the odds they had of winning were very low, but that did not make me feel comfortable.

    As I would find out later, I was right to be nervous.

    "Frederick, my beloved grandson!" she erupted, coming toward me. "I've been looking for you all morning! Do you know that those brutes of the Academy did not want to let me in? They said it was a military zone, and that civilians had no access to it. Fortunately, one of your classmates told me I could find you here..."

    "Erika." I said, trying to maintain my façade of calmness. "I am quite amazed to see you here. Are you here to give me a subpoena?"

    "What?" she asked, "Why should I do that?"

    "Well, yesterday you left telling me that you and the others…"

    "Oh, do not worry about them!" she said with a fake smile, "I left those two. I totally have no intention to try and contest the will."

    I looked at her. Was her serious?

    "Excuse me" asked Tanya in turn "Frau Erika?"

    "Oh, I see there is even little Tanya Degurechaff too!" Erika said, winking at her. "You two are so cute together!"

    Something inside me kept warning me of a danger. But from what? What was Erika plotting to be nice to us?

    "Erika, please, would you care to explain to us what is it happening?" I asked.

    "Quite simple: I realized my brother was right, and I have decided to make amends for my actions yesterday. Therefore, I am here to tell you that I have decided to take my place as your legal guardian… and parent."

    My mind went blank. I suddenly realized what she was talking about.

    "Erika… you-"

    "Oh, please, call me Mutti from now on. Actually, I have always liked the idea of adopting two young and beautiful children as you…"

    "So, you are-"

    "Yes. I am adopting you two, as my children!"
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Doesn't Fredrick get a say in what he wishes to be his guardian or is this one of those morality debates where a young child cant live by himself then the army gets involved to share the piece of Konig pie and everything goes downhill.
     
    Xodarap2 said:
    Doesn't Fredrick get a say in what he wishes to be his guardian or is this one of those morality debates where a young child cant live by himself then the army gets involved to share the piece of Konig pie and everything goes downhill.
    Click to expand...
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    I had the same thought while editing, but I'm sure our little sociopath will think up something.
     
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