I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander

Upon Daniel’s order, Second Lieutenant Mecalla and the soldiers apprehended the enemy high command and troops.

During the apprehension, some officers gritted their teeth with extreme displeasure, but no incidents occurred.

Daniel had previously ordered, “Any who resist can be executed.”

These were men who had joined the evacuation procession, prioritizing their own lives over those of their soldiers.

With their lives at stake, they could only act as docile as lambs.

After apprehending all the Kingdom’s high command and soldiers, Mecalla ordered a radio operator to inform the Imperial divisional headquarters of this fact.

The radio operator did so, and the divisional headquarters acknowledged it, adding that they would immediately dispatch an escort unit to their location.

Mecalla let out a wry chuckle at how smoothly everything was proceeding against all odds.

‘Now…’

The divisional headquarters would spread the news in real-time that they had captured the armored division’s commander to both allies and the Kingdom forces.

This would immensely boost allied morale while rapidly demoralizing the enemy.

Some enemy forces, unaware that their commander had fled, would try to verify the Imperial claim, inevitably leading to chaos and panic.

It was the final nail in the coffin for the already Imperial-favored battlefield.

‘The one who dictated this battle from start to finish…’

Was none other than Captain Daniel Steiner, standing alone by the pier, gazing at the shoreline.

‘At first, I thought he was just a staff officer from headquarters.’

But now, he appeared to be a genius staff officer with a brilliantly terrifying intellect.

As Mecalla regarded Daniel with reverence, Sergeant Glendy approached.

“Truly remarkable, isn’t he? Not only did he locate the enemy’s supply route, but he also proposed exploiting it, and now he has even captured the enemy high command! I still can’t believe it.”

With a chuckle, Mecalla nodded in agreement.

“I feel the same way. How many would believe that all these operations originated from a single mind? In that sense, we may be witnessing living history.”
“…Living history, you say?”
“Yes, think about it. Doesn’t the Battle of Nordia we’ve experienced merit recording in the history books? While ordinary officers like us may not be mentioned, the Company Commander’s name will undoubtedly be included.”

Indeed, the name of someone who had accumulated such great merits could not be omitted from the history books.

Glendy laughed and continued.

“Just the thought of having served under someone who may be hailed as an Imperial hero fills me with exhilaration. What better bragging rights could there be?”

An Imperial hero. While it seemed an exaggeration, the future Daniel might indeed achieve heroic status.

“There is a more fitting title.”

At that moment, Prien entered between Glendy and Mecalla.

Startled by her unnoticed approach, Glendy and Mecalla froze as Prien spoke.

“In my view, Captain Daniel is a saint sent by God to uphold the Empire, which teetered on the brink due to the bestial Union’s assault.”

Narrowing her eyes as she gazed at Daniel, Prien flashed a slender smile.

“Surely Captain Daniel can show those Union beasts the fires of hell. And then, only Imperials and those who follow Imperials will remain on this land.”

Unsettled by Prien’s radical ideology, Mecalla and Glendy broke out in cold sweats.

While they too fervently desired the Union’s demise and the Empire’s victory, they did not harbor thoughts of severely punishing all non-Imperials.

Ever since the battle with the supply battalion, they had sensed an undercurrent of madness in this woman’s eyes.

Yet, they could not rebuke the devotion Prien displayed.

Attempting to defuse the tense atmosphere, Glendy cleared his throat.

“But I wonder what thoughts occupy the Company Commander as he gazes at the sea.”

Following Glendy’s words, Mecalla turned his gaze towards Daniel.

Despite accumulating the merit of capturing the enemy high command, Daniel silently stared at the sea with a sullen expression, instead of appearing joyful.

He was truly an inscrutable figure.

“How could mere mortals like us fathom the thoughts of a genius? But if I had to venture a guess, he is likely contemplating the various matters that must be addressed in the aftermath.”
“Indeed. That does seem a likely reason for the Company Commander.”

As Glendy and Mecalla looked on admiringly, Daniel, who had been absentmindedly watching a few seagulls drifting over the sea, let out an inaudible sigh.

‘I want to go home…’

Daniel merely yearned for a pastoral peace.

As news of the high command’s captured retreat spread across the battlefield, the armored division lost all morale and successively surrendered.

With the enemy’s will to fight extinguished, the Imperial forces easily entered Nordia, occupying key buildings while lowering the Kingdom’s flag and raising the Empire’s.

Having solidified the Empire’s occupation of Nordia, Major General Felderaham ordered the establishment of supply lines and the transfer of key figures from the armored division to the homeland.

During this process, I too spent busy days with post-battle duties.

Having gained Felderaham’s complete trust, he entrusted me with tasks such as selecting defensive positions in certain areas, maintaining law and order, and ensuring confidentiality.

Around two weeks later, Heinrich abruptly summoned me to the town hall.

While feeling uneasy, as his subordinate, I had no choice but to obey and head there.

Of course, it was functionally the headquarters building where the garrison commander worked, not an actual town hall.

Imperial soldiers stood guard all around, and one had to verify their identity to enter the building.

Sensing an odd, desolate atmosphere, I climbed the stairs as the soldiers guarding the entrance saluted me.

“Captain Daniel Steiner, sir. It is an honor to meet you. Please proceed.”

With a nod, I entered the building and ascended to the third floor.

Passing through a Gothic-style corridor, I arrived at the garrison commander’s office and knocked on the door.

The response came shortly after.

“Enter.”

Upon receiving permission, I opened the door to find Heinrich and his aide, Captain Philip, standing inside.

Stepping into the office, I saluted crisply.

“Brigade Commander, sir. I was informed you summoned me.”

A smile formed on Heinrich’s lips as he returned my salute.

“Yes, I haven’t had a chance to see you amidst the post-battle duties, despite your great achievements. I felt guilty for neglecting you.”

Shifting to an at-ease stance, I dismissed it as unwarranted.

“A soldier should merely follow orders without expecting rewards for their accomplishments.”
“An admirable mindset. I wish other soldiers would emulate your humility. However, since the Empire’s core ideology is to reward merit, I cannot simply let this pass.”

Maintaining his smile, Heinrich continued.

“As you know, the Divisional Commander and I will soon depart to rejoin the Northern Front, as the occupation here is complete. This will leave the garrison commander position vacant. Are you aware of this?”
“…Yes, I am aware. But why are you telling me this, sir?”
“There can only be one reason I’m informing you. I would like you to assume the vacant garrison commander position as the acting garrison commander.”

Cold sweat trickled down my back.

“Sir? I am part of a headquarters direct command unit.”

I emphasized that I was merely a captain following the General Staff Headquarters’ orders, but Heinrich calmly nodded.

“Of course, I’m aware. The headquarters has already granted permission. They have instructed you to assume the vacant position until a permanent garrison commander is appointed.”

No, what? Clinging to my wavering senses, I forced a smile and spoke.

“I appreciate the offer, but realistically, it’s impossible. Even as a temporary assignment, serving as the garrison commander requires at least the ability to command a battalion-sized force.”
“And?”
“As a junior officer, I cannot command a battalion-sized force. The additional authorities to manage a garrison could hardly be granted to a mere junior officer like myself. Please reconsider.”

While I was sincere, for some reason, Heinrich’s lips curled into an amused smile.

“Of course, we have no intention of entrusting the garrison commander position to a junior officer.”

What? Was this just a tasteless joke?

Letting out a sigh, I regained my composure.

“Thank goodness. Then I shall prepare to return to the General Staff Headquarters-”
“Aide.”

At Heinrich’s word, Captain Philip approached me with a box.

A small box wrapped in the Empire’s silk national flag.

Hm? A box?

“Please accept my sincere congratulations.”

Captain Philip? Why were you speaking so formally?

As my unease peaked, Philip unfurled the flag and opened the box.

Inside were a gleaming major’s insignia and epaulette.

Just as I thought, ‘Surely not…’, Heinrich let out a hearty laugh.

“Congratulations on your promotion, Major Daniel Steiner! I’m overjoyed to witness the birth of the Empire’s youngest major with my own eyes! Ah, yes. Would you allow me to pin it on you myself?”

Me, a major? In a daze, I barely managed to nod.

Heinrich then retrieved the major’s insignia from the box.

“Consider it an honor. I’ve heard even His Majesty the Emperor has taken an interest in you, according to reports from the Capital.”

With those words, Heinrich removed my captain’s insignia and attached the major’s insignia to my uniform.

Blankly watching his practiced movements, I inadvertently trembled.

General Staff Headquarters Operational Staff Officer.
Holder of the 2nd Class Patriotic Order of the Phoenix.
According to the 7th Arcane Armored Division Commander, a ‘wolf thirsting for blood.’
Prime contributor to the Nordia Invasion Operation.
The Empire’s youngest major.
Acting garrison commander of the occupied territory.

Reflecting on all these accolades, the corners of my mouth twitched ever so slightly.

‘Wait a minute. This…’

No matter how I looked at it, I was shaping up to be a prime candidate for execution at a war crimes tribunal as a ‘key member of the Imperial military leadership.’