I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander

Four days after the Christmas Gala.
The office of Deputy Operations Director Cedric.

“Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner.”

Perusing the documents in his hands, Cedric spoke.

“Thanks to the approval of His Majesty the Emperor and Her Highness the Princess, your request for operational support has been granted by the high command. This time, it’s the eastern front.”

Daniel listened attentively to Cedric’s words in a relaxed posture.

“The location is the border region with the Kingdom of Velmore, one of the Alliance nations. An environment akin to a wasteland. Additionally, it’s a basin surrounded by mountains, making it strategically and militarily insignificant, which is why only a small company is stationed there.”

In other words, a forward detachment deployed to provide early warning should Velmore attempt an advance through the mountains.

Of course, unless Velmore had lost its senses, it would never consider marching through the treacherous mountain ranges.

To do so would essentially be a suicidal endeavor.

“You will lead a regimental task force to that location. Upon arrival, integrate with the stationed company and assume command. Your mission will commence thereafter.”
“This mission, you speak of?”
“To extract Imperial engineering technicians being held as prisoners nearby the border region. In particular, you must rescue Hans Gernmehrt, one of the technicians privy to the Empire’s core secrets.”

Understanding the mission, Daniel saluted.

“I shall carry out the orders.”

With a nod, Cedric returned the salute.

As Daniel prepared to depart, Cedric seemed to recall something and added.

“Ah, one more thing. There is no need to exert yourself excessively in carrying out this mission. The high command prioritizes your survival over rescuing Hans Gernmehrt. After all, penetrating the border defenses and extracting prisoners with a mere regimental force is no simple task.”

This came as a welcome relief to Daniel.

It essentially meant he would not be held accountable even if the mission failed.

From Daniel’s perspective, concerned about the Emperor using a mission failure as a pretext for retaliation, this was a boon.

“I understand. However, I shall endeavor to complete the assigned mission to the best of my abilities.”
“Very well. If you have no other matters, you may return to your duties.”
“Understood.”

With a firm response, Daniel turned and exited Cedric’s office.

As he strode down the corridor, Daniel inwardly rejoiced.

‘Excellent!’

Events were unfolding more favorably than anticipated.

‘When I requested a frontline deployment, I feared being sent into the thick of the fighting…’

Yet the high command, likely deeming Daniel Steiner’s survival beneficial to the Empire’s interests, had assigned him to a relatively low-risk location.

They had even added the reassuring caveat, ‘Failure is acceptable.’

In essence, it amounted to a leisurely sojourn under the pretext of a frontline assignment.

‘Now, under the guise of carrying out this mission…’

He could remain on the frontlines until the current Emperor, Bertram, transferred full authority to Celvia.

‘Judging by Celvia’s demeanor yesterday, she does not seem inclined to restrain me.’

If Celvia ascended to the throne, Daniel could live without concern behind the lines.

‘Of course…’

His ultimate goal was not merely to live comfortably behind the lines.

While the Empire had grown unexpectedly formidable by subjugating the Kingdom of Eldresia and Velanos, escaping remained the optimal course.

For once spring arrived, the great powers would undoubtedly declare war on the Empire in unison.

According to incoming reports, the Federation and the Republic were gradually amassing their military forces.

Meetings with Count Kaledra, the de facto leader of the International Alliance, had also increased in frequency.

The world was on the precipice of a great war.

The only way to escape the impending conflagration, for now, was to flee the Empire.

‘However…’

Would it be right to abandon Celvia to that inferno?

Daniel was well aware that unlike the Emperor, Celvia harbored goodwill toward him.

Moreover, while attentive to public sentiment, Celvia lacked political acumen.

She would inevitably meet her downfall alongside the doomed Empire.

Such thoughts only compounded Daniel’s internal conflicts.

As he descended the stairs, lost in contemplation, a familiar figure came into view.

Tousled silver-white hair and crimson eyes like fresh blood.

It was Lucy.

“Adjutant?”

Questioning her presence outside the office, Lucy blinked her red eyes and responded.

“Ah, an officer from the regimental task force wishes to meet with you, Lieutenant Colonel. I was searching for you to relay this information.”
“…From the regimental task force?”

He could roughly guess who it might be.

With a grim expression, Daniel nodded and proceeded with Lucy toward his personal office.

Standing before the office door, Daniel took a deep breath before grasping the handle and opening it.

The first sight that greeted him was a woman with chestnut-brown hair cascading past her waist.

On her shoulders, she sported a brand-new lieutenant’s insignia.

Sensing their presence, the woman turned, her eyes lighting up as she clasped her hands together upon recognizing Daniel.

“Ah, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner. You cannot fathom how I have longed for this moment. To serve alongside the saintly Lieutenant Colonel Daniel, I pledge my life to slaughter the beasts of the Alliance in God’s name–”

Thud!

Unable to endure further, Daniel slammed the door shut.

The unsettling part was that even with the door closed, Freyen’s voice continued emanating from within.

As if the door posed no barrier to her sights, Freyen persisted in her exaltation of Daniel.

Resulting in a throbbing headache, Daniel turned to Lucy.

“Adjutant.”
“Yes.”
“Is there any way to return her?”

Regarding Daniel intently, Lucy’s brow furrowed, an uncommon sight.

“Lieutenant Colonel. One should not speak of people in such a manner.”
“People, you say…”

Consumed by ethnic fanaticism, distorting religious interpretations to suit her whims – could such an individual truly be considered human?

Daniel nearly voiced his opinion that, judging by her mental state alone, she resembled a monster more than a person. However, he refrained.

Whether he liked it or not, he would have to endure her company for the foreseeable future, so there was no need for unnecessary remarks.

Meanwhile, at the border region basin with the Kingdom of Velmore.
Operations Command Center of the Airborne Special Operations Battalion’s Special Operations Company.

“Company Commander.”

The drowsy Company Commander, Bernhard, lying prone in the command center, cracked open his eyes.

Blinking sluggishly before letting out a low yawn, Bernhard raised his torso.

His uniform was disheveled, and his boots were untied, but Bernhard paid no heed.

After all, such negligence was permitted in this place.

“What is it? Are we out of booze?”

In response to Bernhard’s dazed inquiry, the Platoon Leader shook his head.

Observing this, Bernhard scratched his forehead in irritation.

“Then what is it?”
“Well… It seems you should commence your duties soon.”
“Duties? Did you just mention duties?”

Bernhard let out a derisive chuckle, as if the notion was preposterous.

“Get a grip, Sergeant. We’ve been discarded here. It’s been over a year since we received orders to focus on sentry duty until new instructions arrive. The high command hasn’t issued us any further orders since then.”

Bernhard raked his disheveled hair back with his hand.

“So we might as well sit tight and guzzle the supply booze until the war ends. Look on the bright side. While this godforsaken place is nothing but mountains, at least we won’t get shot dead.”

Chuckling, Bernhard suddenly noticed the Platoon Leader’s pensive expression.

“…What’s with that look? Don’t tell me the high command has issued new orders?”

The Platoon Leader nodded.

“Yes. A regimental task force will be dispatched, and we are to receive the command of their lieutenant colonel.”
“A lieutenant colonel? Hah, what difference will a regimental force make here? Do they intend to take on the Kingdom of Velmore with less than a thousand men? What utter nonsense… Fuck. Why have you had that look on your face this whole time?”

Displeased by the Platoon Leader’s deer-in-the-headlights demeanor, Bernhard glared at him, prompting him to take a deep breath before speaking.

“The lieutenant colonel assigned here is none other than…”
“None other than who?”
“…Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner.”

Upon hearing the lieutenant colonel’s name, Bernhard froze on the spot.

Even in this remote basin, news from the capital eventually reached their ears.

Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner of the General Staff Operations Division.

It was a name no Imperial soldier could be unfamiliar with.

“Sergeant? I don’t appreciate jokes.”

Seeking confirmation, Bernhard’s query was met with unwavering affirmation.

“I heard it clearly. Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner is coming here…”

Prompting Bernhard to raise a trembling hand to his forehead.

“If it’s Daniel Steiner… Then he’s the one who supposedly flayed the face of an Alliance soldier in front of the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Eldresia…”

Rumors tend to become embellished through retelling.

The more remote the location, the more exaggerated the tales become.

What began as a simple ‘barracks joke’ transforms into ‘truth’ through repeated dissemination.

The Platoon Leader was one of those who accepted such distorted rumors as fact.

“And that’s not all. Did you know that when Duke Velbar pressured him, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner barged into his estate? It’s said he shot one of the Duke’s men dead right before his eyes.”
“Good heavens…”

Bernhard’s eyes widened in terror.

Drenched in a cold sweat, Bernhard looked up at the Platoon Leader.

“If this Daniel Steiner were to witness our current state…”
“Summary execution. We would undoubtedly face summary execution.”

Gripped by fear, Bernhard let out an involuntary hiccup.

Sobering instantly, Bernhard leapt to his feet and shouted orders.

“Inform the entire company! Commence facility inspections and cleaning immediately! Order weapons maintenance and ensure proper attire! All technical matters will also be reviewed!”
“Understood. But what reason should I provide…”

Bernhard was not the only one who had grown lax over the past year.

The troops had also become complacent in the tranquility of this frontline posting, spending their duty hours playing poker.

However, motivating them to regain their senses would be a simple task.

For Bernhard had just experienced it himself.

“Tell them he is coming. Daniel Steiner…”

Bernhard swallowed a dry lump in his throat, his face drained of color, as he continued.

“The Empire’s demon is headed this way.”