OVA
Description
Born in 761 UC with congenital blindness, Paul von Oberstein received cybernetic eye implants, his most recognizable feature. He later noted the Inferior Genes Exclusion Act under Rudolf von Goldenbaum would have mandated his death as an infant, shaping his deep resentment toward the Goldenbaum Dynasty and its aristocracy.
Oberstein began his military career as a staff officer under Admiral Hans Dietrich von Seeckt at Iserlohn Fortress. Feeling his talents wasted by incompetent leadership, he sought to join Reinhard von Lohengramm upon discerning his political ambitions. After Yang Wen-li's Alliance forces captured the fortress, Oberstein escaped the destruction of Seeckt's flagship. Vilified as a deserter by Imperial Navy commanders who demanded his court-martial, he arranged a meeting with Reinhard. There, Oberstein openly declared his desire to destroy the Goldenbaum Dynasty and support Reinhard's rise. Reinhard intervened, securing Oberstein's transfer to his command.
Serving as Reinhard's strategist, Oberstein advocated ruthless tactics. During the Alliance invasion of Imperial territory, his proposed scorched earth strategy crippled the invading forces. His most controversial action occurred in the Imperial Civil War upon learning Duke Braunschweig planned to nuclear-bomb Westerland. Oberstein advised against intervention, calculating the atrocity would turn public opinion against the Lippstadt League nobles. When Reinhard initially refused, Oberstein deceived him about the attack's timing, ensuring it proceeded. He dispatched a ship to record the destruction for propaganda. This act significantly shortened the civil war but earned him lasting animosity from Reinhard's admirals.
Following Reinhard's victory and Kircheis's death, Oberstein orchestrated the seizure of government facilities on Odin, consolidating Reinhard's control. Promoted to High Admiral, then Fleet Admiral and Minister of Military Affairs after Reinhard's coronation as Kaiser, he implemented administrative reforms to eradicate corruption and build the Goldenlöwe Dynasty's foundations. His appointment of Heydrich Lang to head Internal Security further increased peer distrust.
During Reinhard's second invasion of the Free Planets Alliance, Oberstein managed military administration from Phezzan. He survived a terrorist bombing there, receiving little sympathy due to his unpopularity. Later, he proposed taking Yang Wen-li hostage under false pretenses with himself as guarantor, intending to execute Yang regardless of consequences—a plan Reinhard rejected.
Oberstein died in 801 UC during a Terraist attack on the temporary Imperial Residence on Phezzan. Aware of Reinhard's terminal illness, he participated in a plan using the Kaiser as bait to draw out Terraist remnants. Mortally wounded by a bomb, he refused medical treatment and died within 30 minutes. His final concerns were practical instructions for his butler regarding his will and his dog's care.
Throughout his career, Oberstein maintained a reputation for emotionless logic and willingness to sacrifice lives for strategic gains. Despite widespread distrust and accusations of ambition, he remained loyal to Reinhard's vision of a reformed Empire. His lack of charisma and unpopularity contrasted sharply with other admirals, yet his administrative acumen proved instrumental in establishing the new dynasty's infrastructure.
Oberstein began his military career as a staff officer under Admiral Hans Dietrich von Seeckt at Iserlohn Fortress. Feeling his talents wasted by incompetent leadership, he sought to join Reinhard von Lohengramm upon discerning his political ambitions. After Yang Wen-li's Alliance forces captured the fortress, Oberstein escaped the destruction of Seeckt's flagship. Vilified as a deserter by Imperial Navy commanders who demanded his court-martial, he arranged a meeting with Reinhard. There, Oberstein openly declared his desire to destroy the Goldenbaum Dynasty and support Reinhard's rise. Reinhard intervened, securing Oberstein's transfer to his command.
Serving as Reinhard's strategist, Oberstein advocated ruthless tactics. During the Alliance invasion of Imperial territory, his proposed scorched earth strategy crippled the invading forces. His most controversial action occurred in the Imperial Civil War upon learning Duke Braunschweig planned to nuclear-bomb Westerland. Oberstein advised against intervention, calculating the atrocity would turn public opinion against the Lippstadt League nobles. When Reinhard initially refused, Oberstein deceived him about the attack's timing, ensuring it proceeded. He dispatched a ship to record the destruction for propaganda. This act significantly shortened the civil war but earned him lasting animosity from Reinhard's admirals.
Following Reinhard's victory and Kircheis's death, Oberstein orchestrated the seizure of government facilities on Odin, consolidating Reinhard's control. Promoted to High Admiral, then Fleet Admiral and Minister of Military Affairs after Reinhard's coronation as Kaiser, he implemented administrative reforms to eradicate corruption and build the Goldenlöwe Dynasty's foundations. His appointment of Heydrich Lang to head Internal Security further increased peer distrust.
During Reinhard's second invasion of the Free Planets Alliance, Oberstein managed military administration from Phezzan. He survived a terrorist bombing there, receiving little sympathy due to his unpopularity. Later, he proposed taking Yang Wen-li hostage under false pretenses with himself as guarantor, intending to execute Yang regardless of consequences—a plan Reinhard rejected.
Oberstein died in 801 UC during a Terraist attack on the temporary Imperial Residence on Phezzan. Aware of Reinhard's terminal illness, he participated in a plan using the Kaiser as bait to draw out Terraist remnants. Mortally wounded by a bomb, he refused medical treatment and died within 30 minutes. His final concerns were practical instructions for his butler regarding his will and his dog's care.
Throughout his career, Oberstein maintained a reputation for emotionless logic and willingness to sacrifice lives for strategic gains. Despite widespread distrust and accusations of ambition, he remained loyal to Reinhard's vision of a reformed Empire. His lack of charisma and unpopularity contrasted sharply with other admirals, yet his administrative acumen proved instrumental in establishing the new dynasty's infrastructure.