I Was Mistaken for a Great General of War

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─ This is Water Gun. I have eliminated the target. I will return to the temporary forward operating base.

It was a radio transmission received by Captain Heinz, who had been waiting at the Drakenberg Plateau.

This meant that Heinz’s emphasis on rationality was wrong, and Daniel’s instincts were right.

He wanted to believe it was a lie, but Heinz thought there was no way that Daniel, who was eager to achieve merit, would submit a false report.

Responding that he understood, Heinz withdrew from the plateau and returned to the forward operating base, where he could see the results of Daniel’s achievement.

“Ha…”

In the clearing of the forward operating base, prisoners of war wearing the allied forces’ uniforms were gathered, kneeling.

To anyone glancing at them, it seemed unreal that over 80 prisoners were being guarded by just 20 squad members.

Heinz’s aide was equally astonished by Daniel’s accomplishments.

“…Lieutenant Daniel really led a squad to capture a company. How is this possible?”

It wasn’t impossible.

While it was rare, it wasn’t unheard of for a squad to subdue a company.

If one looked through combat records, finding stories of David defeating Goliath wasn’t difficult.

‘But…’

Was there ever a David who captured Goliath as a prisoner?

Heinz couldn’t understand how a squad of merely 20 had compelled a company to surrender.

Moreover, the captured allied company included five officers and seven non-commissioned officers.

There was even one officer of field rank among them.

Considering the intelligence that could be extracted from torturing them, this was indeed a significant achievement.

As Heinz looked down at the groaning prisoners in the snow, he sensed a presence and raised his head.

Daniel had approached and saluted him.

“Have you returned, Captain Heinz?”

Heinz, caught off guard, responded somewhat dazedly.

“Impressive. How on earth did you manage to capture all of them?”

“Oh, I just think I was lucky.”

It was a sincere response, but to Heinz, it only seemed like Daniel was being modest.

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

Heinz, wary of Daniel in his heart, cleared his throat.

“Forget the luck. Is there any squad that can subdue a company solely because of luck? All of this is your achievement.”

“…That’s not true.”

Daniel said with a serious expression.

“I merely referenced the opinions of Captain Heinz, who received help from the Central Intelligence Agency, and came to a conclusion. All credit should rightly go to the Central Intelligence Agency and Captain Heinz.”

Daniel was trying to persuade him, ‘Please don’t report that I did everything to higher-ups,’ but to Heinz, it sounded like high-level social tactics for promotion.

‘He’s lowering himself and raising his superior. Even a stiff upper command would have to relax. Not only is he good at commanding in battle, but he also seems to be skilled in military politics…’

Truly, a monster obsessed with promotion.

Heinz felt shivers run down his spine and muttered lowly.

“That cannot be. I will not submit a false report to the higher-ups. Your achievements will be reported as they are, so enjoy your victory.”

As a result, one of Daniel’s eyebrows twitched.

‘What a clueless idiot! Damn it! I’m saying I’ll recognize your achievements!’

Any other commander would have graciously accepted it, but this stubborn officer was acting honorably, refusing to take credit from his subordinate.

It was understandable why Heinz held a lower rank despite his accomplishments.

Sighing internally while maintaining a blank expression outwardly, Daniel finally acquiesced.

“If that’s your decision, I will accept it.”

“Good. Then since the operation is completed, you should go in and rest. I will lead the prisoners. Also, make sure we can return to the headquarters by noon tomorrow.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

After confirming that the conversation had concluded, Daniel saluted sharply.

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

“I am likewise honored to have such a talented person as a subordinate.”

After exchanging pleasantries, Heinz returned the salute, and Daniel turned to walk back to his military tent.

As Heinz’s aide looked on in awe, he spoke.

“The squad leader sent by the General Staff is truly an elite, as the rumors say. Not only is he excellent at executing operations, but he also shows no faults in his respect towards his superiors.”

“That’s not incorrect. But you cannot see the essence.”

Heinz muttered under his breath as he watched Daniel’s retreating figure.

“That guy is a monster. A monster that will someday swallow this Empire…”

*

The next day.

After finishing a detailed report about the previous day’s battle to Heinz, I took my leave at noon and made my way to the clearing of the forward operating base.

There, military jeeps and transport vehicles were parked, with squad members gathered in front, chatting.

Eavesdropping a bit, I heard them discussing the incredible nature of yesterday’s battle.

I caught some praises for myself in between, and it seemed they weren’t just my imagination.

As I was talking with them, Friane approached me.

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

“…Yeah. But what were you all chatting about so happily?”

“We were discussing how excellent a commander you are! Leading your first battle to victory without any casualties? Against an enemy company too! You’re truly amazing!”

Friane’s shining eyes were quite burdensome.

Frowning, I responded to Friane.

“Stop babbling nonsense. It’s time to return to headquarters, so get in the vehicle.”

“Yes, understood! I will convey that!”

After saluting, Friane went back to the squad members and relayed my message.

The squad saluted sharply in return and headed to the military transport vehicle.

Are they too elated about their first victory? I sighed and approached the jeep when I suddenly paused.

A woman in a white blouse and coat was standing with her arms crossed, waiting for me.

Selvia looked around before spotting me and struck up a conversation.

“Lieutenant Daniel. Are you heading back to headquarters?”

“…That’s correct.”

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

No, why are you going with me? I was so taken aback that I lost my words.

After pausing for a moment, I wracked my brain and responded.

“Miss Reporter, that military vehicle is a model that values performance, and it’s quite far from comfortable. It’s not suitable for long-distance travel, especially for a woman…”

“It’s fine. We are in wartime, right? I consider it a great fortune to be able to ride in a functioning vehicle at all.”

Even if you’re fine with it, I’m not! I can’t very well ask a princess to drive, so I would have to bear the fatigue of driving to headquarters, and I didn’t want to deal with that.

“Lieutenant Daniel?”

But how can I refuse the words of a princess?

I let out a low sigh as a form of protest and nodded my head.

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

Selvia nodded and took her place in the passenger seat.

Muttering a few complaints under my breath, I also got into the driver’s seat and started the ignition.

Pressing the accelerator, I smoothly moved forward, and the transport vehicle behind us followed.

About an hour had passed since leaving the forward operating base when Selvia finally spoke up.

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

That came out of nowhere.

However, it was also a question that a princess should have.

After all, surrounded by high-ranking officers shouting, “The Empire will surely win!” it made sense for someone disguised as a military reporter to ask a lower-ranking officer for his honest opinion.

“It won’t be easy.”

So I could at least offer some advice.

Selvia looked as though she didn’t understand my words.

“It won’t be easy? The Empire has practically won on the northern front. Victory calls are coming from the eastern front as well. If things go on this way, the Empire will win against the allied forces.”

“Yes. If a third party does not intervene, that will definitely be the case.”

This world had yet to experience a world war.

So they could make such comforting statements.

“If the Empire wins decisively over the allied forces and seizes their interests, what will happen?”

Selvia’s expression grew serious at my words.

“Of course, it could rise to a hegemonic power. It could stand above all nations…”

“Yes. If all goes well, it might establish the foundation to dream of world unity. The problem is that the other great powers also know this fact.”

The great powers are afraid of the Empire growing stronger than it already is.

Moreover, they are wary that the downfall of the allied forces could lead to their own doom.

Fear and caution will soon become the kindling for war and blaze from the opposite side of the Empire.

Those who perceive the necessity of war will hastily declare war, and their target will be none other than…

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

This was the very reason the Empire would ultimately lose to the allied forces.

“…”

Selvia’s expression darkened seriously.

It seemed she was evaluating whether my statement was rational.

This was a direct challenge to the opinions of high-ranking officers and generals who staunchly believed the Empire would surely win, so it must have a significant impact.

She might even treat me as delusional and become angry.

However, Selvia did not dismiss my opinion and accepted it.

“Indeed. It is one of the possible outcomes. But Lieutenant Daniel Steiner, how did you come to such a conclusion…?”

I couldn’t respond to Selvia’s question.

Because I had coincidentally spotted a glint of spikes on the ground ahead, reflecting the sunlight.

‘Spike strip…!’

A bolt of realization struck me. I quickly swerved the wheel and turned onto a side road.

Bump! The sudden turn caused Selvia to lose her balance.

“Ugh!”

Selvia, who had tipped sideways, tried to raise herself while clutching my thigh.

In that moment, I grabbed Selvia’s head and pushed it down.

“Ugh!? Lieutenant Daniel! What on earth are you—”

Gunshots rang out from all directions, and bullets began to fly.

One bullet thudded sharply into the passenger-side window.

Had it not been for the bullet-proof glass, it would’ve shattered in a single hit.

Only then did Selvia realize the situation and stopped trying to lift her head and crouched down.

“Wait, could it be…!”

Unfortunately, that wait was indeed true.

The implications of the spike traps and numerous gunshots were clear.

It was an ambush.