I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander

After parting ways with Princess Celvia, my platoon members and I briefly freshened up before being put on standby.

While I wanted nothing more than to quickly escape this dreary northern front, our actions of utterly wrecking a jeep necessitated various administrative procedures to receive support vehicles.

After being provided a vehicle by the Special Missions Platoon, I immediately headed for the General Staff Headquarters.

Just as before, four days of continuous travel brought us to the grand fountain marking the entrance of the headquarters.

Alighting from the passenger seat, feeling the fatigue of the journey, I noticed the platoon members disembarking from nearby transport vehicles.

Quickly disembarking, the platoon members spontaneously formed into squad formations and stood before me, without being instructed.

A few soldiers were sporadically seen with bandages, likely injured during the ambush, yet their faces bore smiles, as if forgetting their wounds.

‘They seem relieved not to be on high alert here. I understand.’

If I were a soldier, I would likely wear the same expression.

Leisurely taking in each of their faces, I spoke:

“You’ve all worked hard. Each of you admirably performed your duties on the northern front. And despite the unexpected ambush, you all responded calmly, a commendable feat.”
“You’ve worked hard too, Platoon Commander!”
“I wish we could have fought more! We should have blown those bastards to bits!”

A couple of eager soldiers shouted loudly, prompting laughter among the platoon.

Ordinarily, I would have issued a warning, but this was immediately after our victorious return.

I didn’t want to ruin the pleasant atmosphere unnecessarily.

“You’ll have plenty of opportunities to blow up Allied scum in the future, so don’t worry. Moreover, all of you… No, never mind the lecture. Dismiss and savor the victory.”

As I finished speaking, the soldiers snapped crisp salutes.

After returning their salutes, I started to head into the headquarters to submit my report but paused.

Prien had approached me, seeming to have something to say.

“…What is it?”
Her voice emerged low, likely due to fatigue.

Prien initially appeared somewhat apprehensive before mustering her courage to speak.

“Second Lieutenant Daniel Steiner! Ah, I wish to discuss the future!”
“Hm? Ah, yes. From now on, you’ll all be assigned to a headquarters direct command battalion. Unless summoned elsewhere by headquarters, you’ll undergo training there.”
“Th, that’s not what I wanted to say…”

Then what? Feeling impatient, I silently looked at her as Prien took a deep breath and gazed up at me.

“If I may be so bold, I too wish to become an officer like you, Second Lieutenant!”
“An officer?”
“Yes! Through the battle on the northern front, I’ve developed a strong desire to contribute to the Empire like you, Second Lieutenant!”

While it was somewhat abrupt, Prien becoming an officer was an established path.

However, the timing seemed a bit premature. Ordinarily, one would serve as a private for some time before aspiring to become an officer.

While I didn’t know the reason for her change of heart, there was no need to refuse her request.

“I’ll inform the higher-ups of your desire to serve as an officer. With the merit of rescuing Her Highness the Princess during the ambush, your transition to officer should be relatively smooth.”

Prien seemed genuinely surprised to have her request granted, her face registering shock before snapping a vigorous salute towards me.

“Thank you! Thank you so much, Second Lieutenant Daniel!”

While I didn’t think such gratitude was necessary, it didn’t feel unpleasant.

With a casual nod, I made my way into the General Staff Headquarters.

However, the moment I entered the Operational Planning room, I was strongly tempted to desert.

“Second Lieutenant Daniel! No, should I say First Lieutenant now? Hahaha! In any case, we’ve been waiting for you! All of us!”

Amid Chief of Operational Planning Ernst’s welcome, the staff members erupted in cheers.

Glancing around, they had all risen from their seats, applauding.

Even more outrageous were the flowers and balloons adorning my workstation in the planning room.

In the midst of the rather tacky decorations, likely arranged by enlisted men, a new nameplate had been prepared.

[Operational Planning / First Lieutenant Daniel Steiner]

It was a somewhat more refined nameplate.

Before I could even ask what it meant, Ernst gestured to a nearby soldier.

The soldier then approached me, holding a small box and extending it with both hands.

A familiar box. It resembled the one First Lieutenant Philip had given me previously.

“Congratulations on your promotion, First Lieutenant Daniel Steiner!”

As expected, I accepted the box and peered inside to find a first lieutenant’s insignia and epaulettes neatly arranged.

Gazing down at them with a heavy heart, Ernst wore a satisfied smile as he spoke.

“I did tell you to accumulate merits, but I never expected you to complete the task so magnificently. On top of that, you even risked your life for Her Highness the Princess! The high command can no longer view you through biased lenses!”

…This was the first time I had seen Ernst smile so brightly.

Then again, a subordinate’s achievement was also his own, so his elation was understandable.

As for me, the actual recipient, I could only sigh inwardly as my dream of discharge had moved another step further away. However, I couldn’t reveal my true feelings in such a public setting.

“You’re too kind. I merely did my duty as an Imperial soldier.”

Thus, accepting Ernst’s handshake with a smiling face was the best course of action I could take.

In the week following my promotion, my days were quite hectic.

The reason for the busyness was mostly related to interpersonal affairs.

Having received not one, but two consecutive accelerated promotions, I had become a prominent figure within the General Staff Headquarters, prompting incessant overtures from those wishing to have a renowned individual at their side.

Most approached by suggesting we share a meal together, but their ulterior motives were shallow.

Their intentions to recruit me for the purpose of bolstering their own factional prestige within the military were all too apparent.

Considering the politicians lurking behind these factions, I couldn’t afford to dip even a toe into those murky waters.

So, whenever such overtures came, I deflected them by citing my busy schedule. Interestingly, our Chief of Operational Planning, Ernst, seemed quite pleased with my attitude.

One could tell from how he would stop me on my way out of the officers’ mess hall to engage in conversation.

“Then, you know what my daughter said? She told me, ‘Instead of you, Daddy, I’ll take care of those Allied bastards, so don’t go to work tomorrow and play with me.’ Isn’t she just adorable…?”

Ernst, known for avoiding idle chatter, would unfailingly share family stories whenever he saw me.

In other words, he was showing me preferential treatment… Honestly, it was quite burdensome.

A superior’s personal goodwill could sometimes feel more oppressive than expected.

Especially when the relationship extended beyond professional boundaries.

I was gradually developing the urge to distance myself when the following occurred:

“Daniel Steiner! You damned demonic bastard!”

A shout from behind made my shoulders flinch.

Turning around, an Allied officer in uniform, bound by ropes, was glaring at me.

“You piece of shit! This vile scum-!”

As the Allied officer lunged towards me, a soldier swept his legs, tripping him.

“Agh!”
As a result, the Allied officer unceremoniously fell forward.

The soldier who had tripped the Allied officer gave me an apologetic look and bowed his head.

I gestured that it was alright, and the soldier proceeded to berate the officer as he lifted him up.

Watching this scene, I opened my mouth in confusion.

“Who is that person…?”
“Ah, the Northern Front Army must have transferred senior-ranking prisoners to headquarters, and that one seems to have arrived today. You know him well, don’t you? You personally captured him as a prisoner.”

I nodded in affirmation.

During the operation to assassinate Colonel Jeremy, that was the officer who had ordered his soldiers to surrender after being struck by the initial volley.

‘If I recall correctly, his rank was lieutenant colonel…’

Lost in thought, Ernst clicked his tongue and spoke.

“I’ve heard he’s a field-grade officer, so our side is trying to extend him certain courtesies, but it’s not easy. He’s a talent who has worked for the Allied Intelligence, so assimilating him could be beneficial.”

I see. Silently observing the Allied officer’s retreating figure as two soldiers escorted him away, a promising idea crossed my mind.

“…Chief.”
“Hm? What is it?”
“If possible, may I take charge of interrogating him?”

Ernst blinked blankly for a moment before tilting his head.

“It’s not impossible, but your workload will increase even further?”
“It’s alright. He seems worth the effort.”

Ernst couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

“Such a shining example of patriotism! Truly, I feel humbled.”

With a solemn nod, as if his heart was moved, Ernst gave his permission.

However, I was devising a plan entirely contrary to patriotism, an sinister smile forming on my lips.

‘If this works out…’

I might be able to escape the Empire without going through a dishonorable discharge.