I Was Mistaken for a Great General of War

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Promoted to major in the occupied territory; it felt like a dream.

If I were to categorize the kind of dream, it would be closer to a nightmare.

What’s worse is that the series of events I’m experiencing right now aren’t even nightmares.

They were reality.

“Congratulations on your promotion, Major Daniel Steiner.”

Lucy’s voice echoed hollowly within the office.

“As you know, the General Staff Headquarters has entrusted you with the position of Temporary Garrison Commander. The Division Commander has left the city with the troops, so now you must manage the city.”

I knew. Looking down from the office window, I could see the armored division’s tanks and artillery moving out of the city with the soldiers.

Heinrich, who pinned the major’s badge on me, was also on the move with his brigade.

Today was the day we joined the northern frontline.

‘Isn’t this a bit much? Handing over the garrison command on the day of departure!’

I wanted to protest, but shout as I might, Heinrich wouldn’t hear me.

A sigh escaped me.

“… How many troops has the division left with me?”

“Battalion-level troops. The total number of troops amounts to 950.”

At least it was fortunate that the division left behind a battalion-level force close to full strength.

Since Nordia isn’t that large of a city, this number of troops should be sufficient for law enforcement.

But that wasn’t the problem.

‘Unintentionally, I’ve gained too many merits.’

I had become a major due to the rapid accumulation of achievements.

It meant I had elevated to a field-grade officer with authority far beyond that of a junior officer.

This news would reach the United Nations soon, and I would be branded as a “key member of the Imperial Army leadership.”

In the event of a defeat in the war, I would meet my fate through a war crime trial.

‘So, should I stake my bet on the Empire winning?’

No. That was way too low a probability.

In a full-scale confrontation, no nation alive today could beat the Empire.

But war isn’t a fair competition judged in a ring.

Just look at how the Allied Nations dragged the Kingdom into an alliance.

The Empire is currently swinging the hammer against the Kingdom for not maintaining neutrality, but what if that Kingdom collapses, bleeding profusely?

The great powers begin to think. Could the Empire become the hegemonic state like this?

Fearing that, they would rush to contribute to the Allied Nations.

Prominent among them would be the Socialist Republic in the south and the Veleka Federation in the northeast.

The moment they join the war, a world war will become apparent.

It means the Empire must face republics, federations, and the Allied Nations on three sides, excluding the sea.

To predict the victory of the Empire in that situation is akin to the mindset of a gambler betting his life on bad odds.

‘The stakes are my life. So I must be cautious…’

Things had gone wrong in many ways, but nothing would change.

Unless the Empire experienced an incredible stroke of fortune capable of reversing the upcoming unfavorable situation.

Realistically, I had no choice but to find a way to escape the Empire somehow.

‘Of course…’

With my name now known, I would not be able to seek asylum through conventional means.

It was questionable whether anyone would accept me, and even if they did, there wouldn’t be any guarantee of safety.

But if the Allied Nations proposed a deal so enticing that they couldn’t refuse, that would be a different story.

“Major?”

I gasped in surprise and turned around, startled by the voice while drifting through multiple possibilities in my head.

Lucy, with her red eyes blinking softly, was looking at me.

I had almost forgotten that Lucy was a spy for the Allied Nations.

With my promotion to major, the probability of assassination must have increased.

Sweaty with a kind of anxiety I couldn’t pinpoint, Lucy tilted her head.

“I apologize for interrupting your thoughts, but I believe we need to start planning for the city.”

“Ah. Right.”

Clearing my throat, I spoke as naturally as possible while crossing my arms behind my back.

“Well, if we talk about city planning, it’s mostly about law enforcement management, right? We can enhance patrols on the main streets where crimes are likely to occur. As for administration, it can follow existing traditions…”

I stopped as the thought struck me.

I began to understand why Lucy was stressing the city planning.

“… You mean to say the administration is paralyzed?”

Lucy nodded.

“Indeed. Most public officials have escaped via fishing boats; even high-ranking officials like the mayor have fled the war.”

“So, we need to rebuild the administrative system.”

After a moment’s thought, I continued.

“It’s essential to restore at least minimal public services. Release military supplies for food distribution and return the remaining doctors to revitalize medical services. Law enforcement will be conducted in cooperation between the garrison and local police. Furthermore…”

I paused.

Wouldn’t performing the duty assigned by the General Staff Headquarters properly go against my interests?

If they deemed my operational capacity excellent, I might be burdened with such matters on the front lines continually.

In a system where I had to endure assassination threats, performing operations from afar? It would be like playing a game with increased odds of death.

‘If so…’

It might already be too late, but perhaps it would be right to struggle to lower my performance evaluation as much as possible.

Let’s think about it.

If I were to revive the city administration in the wrong direction, citizen complaints would explode, and if those complaints led to protests or riots, it would only reveal my incompetence.

Consequently, the headquarters might deem me unsuitable for the position of Garrison Commander.

They would likely appoint another Temporary Garrison Commander to replace me quickly, shortening my time here.

I could lower my evaluation and hasten my return; it was a two-birds-one-stone situation!

‘Alright.’

Finishing my thoughts, I spoke with a thin smile.

“Select individuals without special professions and assign them military duties. Even with the battalion-level troops, we won’t have enough manpower. If I tell them to assist the garrison with menial tasks, they should understand.”

Doing military service to help the enemy garrison? There would surely be an explosion of discontent.

It wouldn’t just be the individuals who were forced to serve but their families and acquaintances would share the grievances as well.

“Also, we need to reevaluate the city’s tax rate. What was the previous tax rate?”

“I’m not sure. Were they expecting defeat? The officials burned all the documents while fleeing and took off. But if we conduct a survey, we could understand it to some extent.”

“No, there’s no need for that.”

In fact, this was fortunate.

I could collect taxes however I saw fit.

“From now on, I impose a 30% income tax on the citizens of Nordia under the pretext of securing war funds. For high income earners, we will impose up to 50%.”

Currently, the basic income tax for laborers in the Empire sits at 22%.

Considering the ongoing war, it’s relatively small, but when you consider it was originally only 12%, it has already increased significantly.

Naturally, some discontent was brewing about the rising tax rates within the system.

But to set the basic income tax at 30%, clearly distinguishing from the Empire? There was no doubt that complaints would skyrocket.

“Additionally, to supplement the lack of administrative personnel, put up a recruitment announcement for capable individuals. However, they will be chosen according to the Empire’s standards, not the Kingdom’s.”

This would eliminate the old customs of the Kingdom from the public officer selection process.

It was nothing less than cultural oppression.

This too would be sufficient to trigger discontent among the Kingdom’s citizens.

After hearing all my words, Lucy saluted lightly.

“I will convey your instructions immediately.”

Accepting her salute, I turned back to look out the window again.

The Empire’s magic armored division was almost entirely out of the city.

I could see citizens standing in the streets, gazing at the spectacle with unprecedented emotions.

Watching the citizens made me feel somewhat sorry.

“I’m sorry, citizens of the Kingdom. Life is going to become even tougher.”

But I meant no malice.

After all, this was something that I initiated simply to survive.

*

Late at night.

In the basement of a tavern, the Secret Society Black Crow Council.

“As you all know, Nordia has fallen into the hands of the Empire.”

Everyone nodded solemnly at the words of the middle-aged man seated at the head of the table.

Hamtal, the leader of the Black Crow, dark-skinned, continued amid the morose atmosphere.

“It has been nearly ten years since we fought for freedom and equality. Though we’ve gone through numerous trials, I believe the pain of losing our city due to war is something we all experience for the first time.”

With a forceful bang, Hamtal struck the table.

“But we have not given up on the city! If we eliminate that cruel Daniel Steiner, we might just reclaim our city! Don’t you think!”

“That’s right!” Voices of agreement echoed throughout the room.

Seeing their resolve satisfied him, but Hamtal turned his gaze to the sudden sound of the door swinging open.

It was Tarky, the young informant for the Secret Society Black Crow.

He held a bundle of documents in his hands.

“Guild members! The garrison has announced a city plan today!”

“That guy finally…! Go ahead and tell us.”

It was something promised that the Garrison Commander would mess with the city at will.

As murmurs began to rise, Tarky gazed at the documents he held and began to speak.

“Well, they are going to assign military duties to the unemployed.”

“Are they asking us to work for the Empire! How absurd! What’s the citizens’ reaction?”

“Um… it isn’t too negative. They claim they’ll pay properly with the salaries based on Imperial standards, which is twice the average wage of workers when you account for currency exchange rates. That’s how many applicants there are.”

“They’re promising proper payment? In the midst of the unexpected response, the atmosphere fell silent while Tarky continued.

“Next is the tax rate.”

“Ha! The tax rate! There’s no way they wouldn’t raise it. How much are these scoundrels increasing the tax rate?”

“Well… they’re going to set the basic income tax at 30% and up to 50% for high-income earners. They’re actually lowering the tax rate!”

Due to this, the members of the council could only blink in bewilderment.

The Kingdom’s previous tax rate was 45% for basic income tax and up to 70% for high-income earners.

There were already indications that the tax would rise due to the war, so citizens were at their wits’ end.

Yet, the Garrison Commander, Daniel Steiner, had reduced the tax rate.

As the council members sat in stunned silence, Tarky scratched his cheek and continued.

“Finally, regarding the recruitment of public officials, they plan to hire based on Imperial standards, not the Kingdom.”

“They’re finally showing their true colors! Are they only selecting talents loyal to the Empire!?”

“Um, that’s not quite it. They’ve eliminated all the unnecessary additional points from the Kingdom’s recruitment standards. For example, points given to nobility…”

So, it meant they would select talents purely based on merit.

Hearing all of that, the members of the council exchanged glances and swallowed dryly.

Ideally, this was the time for the spark of revolution to ignite, yet everyone remained silent as if they had eaten honey.

After a prolonged silence, a man, his hood pulled low, finally spoke up.

“I’m not sure if I should say this, but…”

The fidgeting man turned to Hamtal.

“… hasn’t it become even better to live than before?”

In a truly ironic twist, no one could contest the man’s words.