NOVEL NEXT Chapter 38
Lieutenant McCall, hearing Daniel’s command, restrained the enemy leadership and soldiers along with the other soldiers.
While doing so, some officers bit their lips in displeasure, but no unfortunate incidents occurred.
This was because Daniel had ordered upfront, “Any who resist may be shot.”
These were fools who thought their lives were more important than those of the soldiers.
When one’s life is on the line, one must act like a docile sheep.
Having secured the command of the Royal Army’s military leadership and soldiers, Lieutenant McCall ordered a radio operator to communicate this fact to the Imperial Army Division Command.
The radio operator complied, and a response confirming receipt came from the division command.
They mentioned that they would send an escort unit immediately upon receiving the location coordinates.
Everything was progressing so absurdly easily that Lieutenant McCall couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Now…”
The division command would disseminate in real time the news of capturing the commander of the Ironclad Division to our forces and the Royal Army.
In that case, our morale would skyrocket, while the enemy’s morale would plummet.
Some enemy troops, unaware that their commander had fled, would seek to verify the Imperial Army’s claims and, during this process, confusion and terror would undoubtedly ensue.
It was essentially a conclusion that sealed a battlefield already skewed in favor of the Imperial Army.
“The one who led this battlefield from start to finish is…”
Captain Daniel Steiner, who stood alone on the pier, gazing at the coastline.
“When I first saw him, I thought he was just a fool from the General Staff Headquarters.”
Now it seemed he was a genius staff officer with a frighteningly sharp mind.
As Lieutenant McCall gazed at Daniel with admiration, Corporal Glendi approached.
“Isn’t it amazing? Not only discovering the enemy’s supply routes but also proposing to exploit them, and now capturing the enemy leadership? Honestly, I still can’t believe it.”
Lieutenant McCall nodded in agreement with a chuckle.
“I feel the same way. If all those operations came from the mind of just one person, how many would believe it? In that sense, we might be witnessing living history.”
“…You mean history?”
“Yes. Think about it. The Battle of Nordia we experienced is more than enough to be recorded in history books, isn’t it? While we regular officers might not be known, the captain’s name will surely be included.”
Well, it would be impossible for someone with such great accomplishments not to be recognized in history.
Corporal Glendi smiled and said, “Thinking about it makes me feel uplifted. I’m really active under a person who might be hailed as a future hero of the Empire. There can’t be a better story to tell.”
A hero of the Empire. It seemed a bit excessive, but there was a thought that Daniel might indeed rise to such heights in the future.
“There’s a title that suits him even more than hero.”
At that moment, Prien entered between Corporal Glendi and Lieutenant McCall.
Caught off guard, both Glendi and McCall were startled when Prien spoke.
“I believe Captain Daniel is a saint sent by God to save the Empire, which is in danger due to the beasts of the United Nations.”
With narrowed eyes focused on Daniel, Prien smiled faintly.
“Surely, Captain Daniel can show those beasts of the United Nations a hellfire. Thus, only the people of the Empire and those who follow them will remain in this land.”
McCall and Glendi couldn’t help but break out in cold sweat at Prien’s radical ideas.
They too were among those who fervently wished for the destruction of the United Nations and the victory of the Empire, but they did not harbor the idea of punishing everyone except the Empire’s people so severely.
Even during the battles with the Supply Brigade, Glendi had sensed a certain madness lurking in this woman’s eyes.
However, it was not possible to criticize Prien for showing such loyalty.
Glendi coughed awkwardly to change the atmosphere.
“By the way, what do you think the company commander is contemplating while looking out at the sea?”
At Glendi’s words, Lieutenant McCall turned his gaze to Daniel.
He had just achieved military merit by capturing the enemy leadership, so he should have been happy, but Daniel remained quietly staring at the sea with a somewhat sunken expression.
He truly was an enigmatic figure.
“How could mere mortals like us fathom the thoughts of a genius? Still, if I had to guess, he might be thinking of the various matters that need to be handled after this.”
“Indeed. There’s a high probability the company commander is doing just that.”
As Glendi and McCall gazed at him with envy, Daniel, lost in thought while staring blankly at the seagulls floating on the sea, sighed inwardly.
‘I want to go home…’
Daniel simply yearned for pastoral peace.
*
As news spread across the battlefield that the enemy leadership had been captured while fleeing, the Ironclad Division lost morale and began to surrender one after another.
Thanks to the enemy troops losing their will to fight, the Imperial Army easily entered Nordia, occupied the major buildings of the city, and removed the Royal Army’s flags, replacing them with the Empire’s.
In what was an established fact of the Empire’s occupation of Nordia, General Feldarah ordered a connection to the supply route and began to transport key figures of the Ironclad Division back to the homeland.
In that process, I also led a busy life dealing with various matters after the battle.
General Feldarah, who had come to trust me implicitly, had assigned me responsibilities for selecting defense points in certain areas, maintaining security, and protecting confidentiality.
About a fortnight later, Heinrich called me to the town hall unexpectedly.
I felt a sense of unease, but I was in no position to refuse orders, so I headed to the town hall.
Of course, it was called a town hall, but right now it was more like the headquarters building where the temporary garrison commander conducted business.
Soldiers of the Empire stood guard all around, and of course, one had to verify identity to enter.
Feeling a somewhat eerie atmosphere, I climbed the steps of the building, and the soldiers guarding the entrance saluted.
“You are Captain Daniel Steiner. It is an honor to meet you. You may pass.”
Nodding, I entered the building and made my way up to the third floor.
Passing through the Gothic-style corridor, I arrived at the door of the garrison commander’s office and knocked.
The answer came back shortly.
“Come in.”
After receiving permission, I opened the door and stepped inside, where Heinrich and his aide Captain Philip stood.
As I took a step into the office, I saluted sharply.
“Brigade Commander, I heard you called for me.”
Heinrich greeted me with a smile on his face.
“Yes. I’ve been so busy with after-battle matters that I haven’t had the chance to see you. I was feeling guilty for overlooking your significant achievements.”
Changing to a position of attention, I responded as if it were nothing.
“I believe a soldier should merely follow orders and not expect rewards for their achievements.”
“What a splendid mindset. I wish other soldiers could emulate that humility. However, the basic ideology of the Empire is merit and punishment, so we cannot just let it slide.”
Heinrich maintained his smile as he continued speaking.
“As you know, the division commander and I will soon be leaving this place to join the northern frontline. We’ve completed the occupation, so there’s no longer any reason for us to stay in Nordia. This means the position of the temporary garrison commander will be vacant. Are you aware of this?”
“…Yes, I understand, but why are you telling me this?”
“There is only one reason to tell you: I would like you to fill the vacant position of temporary garrison commander.”
Cold sweat began to trickle down my back.
“Your Excellency? I’m currently managing a unit directly under the General Staff Headquarters.”
I appealed that I was just a mere captain following the orders of the General Staff, but Heinrich simply nodded calmly in response.
“Why would I not know that? Naturally, the General Staff has approved this. Until a new garrison commander is appointed by headquarters, I expect you to fill the vacancy.”
Wait, what? Grabbing hold of my dazed mind, I forced a smile.
“Thank you for your kind words, but realistically, it’s impossible. Even if it is a temporary position, to perform the role of a garrison commander, one must be able to command at least a battalions’ worth of troops.”
“So?”
“As a junior officer, I cannot command a battalions’ worth of troops. Furthermore, it’s hardly possible for a junior officer like me to be granted the other authorities necessary to manage a garrison. So please reconsider.”
I genuinely meant what I said, yet for some reason, a playful smile crept onto Heinrich’s face.
“Of course, I don’t plan to assign the position of garrison commander to a junior officer.”
What? Was this some sort of bad joke?
Taking a breath, I regained my composure.
“That’s a relief. Then I shall prepare to return to the General Staff—”
“Aide-de-Camp.”
At Heinrich’s word, Captain Philip approached me holding a box.
It was a small box wrapped in the Empire’s flag made of silk.
Huh? A box?
“Congratulations sincerely.”
Captain Philip? Why is he speaking formally?
As unease peaked, Captain Philip unfolded the flag and opened the box.
Inside was a shiny Major’s badge and epaulettes.
At that moment, Heinrich burst into hearty laughter.
“Congratulations on your extraordinary promotion, Lieutenant Daniel Steiner! I can’t express how happy I am to witness the birth of the Empire’s youngest major! Ah! By the way, would you mind if I pinned it on you myself?”
A major? Me? I felt so dazed I could barely nod.
Then Heinrich took the major badge out from the box.
“Consider it an honor. I’ve heard the Emperor himself has taken an interest in you.”
Saying this, Heinrich removed my captain’s badge and affixed the major’s badge to my uniform.
Dazed, I helplessly trembled at the sight of it all.
Staff officer to the General Staff.
Holder of the second-class National Order of Goryeo Medal.
According to the commander of the 7th Mage Armored Division, a wolf starving for blood.
Key contributor to the Nordia invasion operation.
The youngest major in the Empire.
Temporary garrison commander of the occupied territory.
Reflecting on all of this, my lips quivered subtly.
‘Wait a minute. This…’
No matter how I looked at it, I was precisely the “key military leadership of the Imperial Army” who would be perfect for being sentenced to death in a war crimes trial.