Mistaken for a War Hero

Chapter 11
A Drive with the Princess Is No Easy Task

─ This is Kingfisher. Target eliminated. Returning to the temporary outpost.

This was the radio transmission Heinz received while waiting at the Drokenberg Plateau.

It meant that Heinz’s rational prediction was wrong, and Daniel’s intuition was right.

He wanted to believe it was a lie, but Heinz couldn’t imagine Daniel, who seemed obsessed with gaining merits, making a false report.

Replying in the affirmative, Heinz withdrew from the plateau and returned to the outpost, where he witnessed the fruits of Daniel’s victory firsthand.

“Huh…”

In the open space of the outpost, prisoners in Allied uniforms were kneeling in a group.

At a glance, there seemed to be over 80 prisoners guarded by a mere 20 soldiers, a truly surreal sight.

Heinz’s adjutant was equally surprised by Daniel’s accomplishment.

“…Lieutenant Daniel really took down a company with a platoon. How is that even possible?”

It wasn’t impossible.

Although rare, there were cases where a platoon had overpowered a company.

Looking at battle examples, finding a David who defeated Goliath wasn’t too difficult.

‘But…’

Was there a David who captured Goliath as a prisoner?

Heinz couldn’t understand how a mere 20 soldiers could force a company to surrender.

Moreover, among the captured Allied company, there were five officers and seven non-commissioned officers.

There was even a field officer among the officers.

Considering the intelligence they could obtain by interrogating them, this was a huge accomplishment.

Heinz, looking down at the prisoners groaning in the snow, sensed someone approaching and looked up.

Daniel, who had come closer, saluted.

“Welcome back, Captain Heinz.”

Returning the salute, Heinz spoke with a slightly bewildered tone.

“This is impressive. How did you manage to capture all of them as prisoners?”

“Ah, I just think I was lucky.”

He meant it sincerely, but to Heinz, it only seemed like Daniel was being humble.

‘There’s a saying in the Empire that the humble rise high. Indeed, humility is a virtue. If I didn’t know his true nature, I might have been fooled.’

Deeply wary of Daniel, Heinz cleared his throat.

“Stop with the ‘lucky’ talk. What platoon can overpower a company just because they were lucky? This is all thanks to your efforts.”

“…That’s not true.”

Daniel said with a serious expression.

“I merely reached a conclusion based on Captain Heinz’s insights, aided by the Central Intelligence Agency. I believe all credit should go to the Central Intelligence Agency and Captain Heinz.”

Daniel was trying to persuade Heinz, “Please don’t report to the higher-ups that I did everything.” But to Heinz, Daniel’s words were just a sophisticated tactic for promotion.

‘He’s humbling himself and elevating his superior. This would appease even the most rigid superior. Is he not only skilled in battle command but also adept at internal military politics…?’

He was truly a monster obsessed with promotion.

Heinz felt goosebumps all over his body and groaned softly.

“That’s impossible. I don’t make false reports to the higher-ups. Your achievements will be reported as they are, so enjoy your victory.”

Daniel’s eyebrow twitched at this.

‘He’s so clueless! Damn it, man! I’m offering him the credit!?’

Any other commander would have gladly accepted, but this rigid officer was acting with integrity, refusing to steal his subordinate’s achievements.

This explained why Heinz held a lower rank despite his accomplishments.

Sighing inwardly, Daniel maintained a neutral expression.

“If that is your decision, Captain, I will accept it.”

“Good. Then, as the operation is now complete, go and rest. I will take charge of the prisoners. Also, I will make arrangements for you to return to headquarters tomorrow at noon.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Confirming the end of their conversation, Daniel saluted.

“It was an honor to meet you, Captain Heinz Schmidt.”

“The honor was mine to have such a capable soldier as my subordinate.”

After exchanging greetings, Heinz returned the salute, and Daniel turned and walked towards his tent.

Watching him leave, Heinz’s adjutant spoke with awe.

“I heard rumors that the platoon leader sent from the General Staff Headquarters was an exceptional elite, and it seems to be true. Not only is he excellent in operational capabilities, but his courtesy towards his superiors is also impeccable.”

“That’s not wrong. But you fail to see the essence.”

Heinz muttered softly as he watched Daniel’s retreating figure.

“That man is a monster. A monster that will one day devour this Empire…”

***

The next day.

After giving Heinz a detailed report of yesterday’s battle, I headed to the open space of the outpost at noon.

A military jeep and a transport vehicle were parked there, and the platoon members were gathered in front of them, chatting.

Eavesdropping slightly, I heard them discussing how amazing yesterday’s battle was.

I could hear praises directed at me here and there, and it seemed it wasn’t just my imagination.

Frienne, who had been chatting with them, approached me.

“Lieutenant Daniel! Good afternoon! Have you finished your report?”

“…Yes. But what were you all discussing so cheerfully?”

“We were talking about what a great commander you are! Leading your first battle to victory without any casualties? And against an enemy company, no less! You’re truly amazing!”

Frienne’s sparkling eyes were quite overwhelming.

Frowning, I said to her,

“Stop with the pointless chatter. It’s time to return to headquarters, so get in the vehicle.”

“Yes, sir! I’ll let them know!”

Frienne saluted and returned to the platoon members to relay my words.

Then, the platoon members looked at me, saluted smartly, and walked towards the military transport vehicle.

Weren’t they a bit too excited about their first victory? I sighed and walked towards the jeep, then stopped in my tracks.

A woman in a white blouse and coat was waiting for me with her hands behind her back.

Sylvia looked around, then, finding me, spoke casually.

“Lieutenant Daniel, are you returning to headquarters?”

“…Yes, but…?”

“Then let’s go together. I have some business at headquarters as well.”

No, why are you coming with me? I was so dumbfounded that I was speechless.

After a moment of silence, I racked my brain for an answer.

“Miss Emilia, this military vehicle prioritizes performance over comfort. It’s not suitable for long-distance travel. Especially for a woman…”

“It’s alright. It’s wartime, isn’t it? I consider it a great fortune to be able to ride in a proper vehicle.”

Even if you’re fine with it, I’m not! I couldn’t ask the princess to drive, so I would have to drive all the way to headquarters, and I didn’t want to endure that fatigue.

“Lieutenant Daniel?”

But how could I refuse the princess?

Letting out a soft sigh as my ultimate form of rebellion, I nodded.

“If you insist, then please get in. I’ll drive.”

Sylvia nodded and got into the passenger seat.

Muttering some complaints under my breath, I also got into the driver’s seat and started the engine.

As I stepped on the accelerator and smoothly moved forward, the transport vehicle behind us followed suit.

About an hour after leaving the outpost, Sylvia spoke up.

“Lieutenant Daniel, how do you see the war progressing?”

It was an unexpected question.

But it was also a question that the Empire’s princess would naturally have.

Surrounded by field officers and generals who always declared, “The Empire will be victorious!”, she was likely seeking an honest opinion from a lower-ranking officer disguised as a war correspondent.

“It won’t be easy.”

So, I offered my advice.

Sylvia, however, looked at me with an expression that suggested she didn’t understand.

“What do you mean it won’t be easy? The Empire has virtually won on the Northern Front. Victorious news is also coming from the Eastern Front. At this rate, the Empire will win the war against the Allied Nations.”

“Yes, that’s certainly true if no third party intervenes.”

This world hadn’t experienced a world war yet.

That’s probably why she could say such carefree things.

“The Empire is undeniably at the forefront of the great powers. What would happen if such an Empire defeats the Allied Nations and claims their interests?”

Sylvia’s expression turned serious as she listened.

“Naturally, it would become a hegemonic power. Standing above all other nations…”

“Yes, if things go well, it might even lay the foundation for dreaming of world domination. The problem is that other great powers are also aware of this.”

The great powers feared the Empire gaining even more power.

They were also wary that the downfall of the Allied Nations could foreshadow their own future.

Fear and wariness would become the sparks of war, igniting on the opposite side of the Empire.

The great powers, sensing the necessity of war, would rush to declare war, and their target would be none other than…

“The Empire will become the enemy of all nations.”

This was precisely why the Empire would ultimately lose to the Allied Nations.

“…”

Sylvia’s expression grew grave.

She seemed to be contemplating the validity of my words.

It must have been quite a shock to hear me directly contradict the opinions of the field officers and generals who firmly believed in the Empire’s inevitable victory.

Perhaps she would dismiss me as delusional and become angry.

However, Sylvia accepted my opinion instead of rejecting it.

“Indeed. That’s one possible scenario. But Lieutenant Daniel Steiner, how did you come to such a conclusion…?”

I couldn’t answer Sylvia’s question.

Because on the ground ahead, I happened to spot a cluster of spikes glinting in the sunlight.

‘Spike strips…!’

My mind snapped into focus. I quickly turned the steering wheel and swerved onto a side road.

Thud!

The sudden turn caused Sylvia to lurch forward.

“Ugh!”

Sylvia, thrown sideways, grabbed my thigh and tried to sit up.

At that moment, I grabbed her head and pushed it down.

“Hmph!? Lieutenant Daniel! What are you—”

Ratta-tat-tat!

Gunfire erupted from all directions, and bullets flew towards us.

A bullet struck the passenger side window with a thud.

If it weren’t for the bulletproof glass, it would have penetrated in an instant.

Finally grasping the situation, Sylvia stopped trying to raise her head and ducked down.

“Don’t tell me…!”

Unfortunately, her fears were confirmed.

The spike trap and the barrage of gunfire meant only one thing.

An ambush.

—————

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