I Was Mistaken for a Great General of War

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Corporal Glendi, with a face full of loyalty, turned to the soldiers to issue commands, adding some nonsense about how the Company Commander displayed remarkable foresight.

While the soldiers, with solemn expressions, prepared for battle upon hearing the orders, I climbed nearby hills with Lieutenant McCall.

It was to verify the facts reported by Lieutenant McCall.

“Of course it’s Captain Daniel. There’s always a plan accompanying every action.”

For some reason, Prien followed me but didn’t really intervene.

Ignoring Prien’s chatter, I reached the hilltop and received the binoculars from Lieutenant McCall.

“Over there, Company Commander.”

As I aimed the binoculars at the direction pointed out by Lieutenant McCall, I spotted a clearing in the distance.

In that clearing, soldiers wearing Royal Army uniforms were diligently preparing to camp.

After zooming in with the binoculars and surveying the surroundings, I noticed several transport vehicles piled high with various supplies.

Inside were food, fuel, ammunition, medical and military equipment—radio and batteries, as well as razor wire, sandbags, mines, and concrete for establishing a defensive line.

‘…It’s definitely the Supply Unit.’

The soldiers counted more than 300—definitely a battalion-sized operation.

‘But…’

For this scale of supplies, it would correspond to at least brigade level, if not division level.

As far as I knew, the only Royal Army unit that was gathered in this area at such a scale was the Ironclad Division, which was responsible for defending the coastal city.

But that place was already surrounded by the Imperial Army; how on earth would they supply themselves?

Though I found it puzzling, that wasn’t the important part right now.

Lowering the binoculars, I turned to Lieutenant McCall.

“It seems there aren’t many experienced fighters. Am I right?”

“Yes. Based on their ranks, most of them are rookies. The veterans must be on the front lines or have largely perished, so the Royal Army had no options.”

“Then it should be easier to cook. Prien?”

Prien looked at me with sparkling eyes. Honestly, it was a bit overwhelming.

“…You said you did Sacred Music?”

“Yes. I participated in a choir when I was young. I was even selected as a soloist.”

Being a soloist means you possessed outstanding singing skill and technique even within the choir.

Well, the future Prien would be capable of infusing magic into her singing to enhance the soldiers, so I guess it’s not surprising.

Of course, I couldn’t ask the current Prien to demonstrate such magical prowess.

She probably doesn’t even know what her abilities actually are.

So, all I could do was make use of what we had at hand to turn the battle to our advantage.

‘If it’s a battle we cannot avoid, minimizing our losses is the right move.’

That would directly impact my survival.

Having calculated this in my head, I grabbed Prien’s shoulder.

“Prien, your role in this raid is very important. So, will you trust me from now on?”

There was no one better suited than Prien for deceptive tactics.

Prien’s expression went slack for a moment, then she beamed a bright smile.

“Yes! I will gladly do it for you, Captain!”

*

Dawn.

Taliyam, a soldier of the Royal Army on guard duty with his comrades, paused mid-yawn.

From the edge of the forest came the faint sound of singing.

At first, he thought he might be hearing things, but the song drew closer.

Wondering what on earth it was, Taliyam swiftly raised his weapon as the singing continued.

“Imperial Army!”

Taliyam’s shout had the other soldiers nearby raise their weapons as well.

However, they did not fire.

“…What’s going on?”

“Is it just one person? Plus, without a weapon…”

The woman approaching with her eyes closed, singing, was undoubtedly wearing the uniform of the Empire.

There was no doubt she was an Imperial soldier.

However, her uniform was covered in dirt and tattered at the edges.

“A deserter?”

“I’m not sure. But her singing is pretty darn impressive.”

Prien was singing Sacred Music.

Every step she took closer resonated with beautiful hymns praising God.

For soldiers with no entertainment, it was quite stimulating.

Before long, the soldiers lowered their weapons, beginning to appreciate Prien’s song.

Some even crossed their arms, leaning back to enjoy the performance.

It wasn’t the behavior expected from guards, but no one called them out on it.

After all, she was nothing more than a defenseless woman without a weapon.

Besides, she appeared to be a deserter.

Believing there was no need to be on guard, the sentries began chuckling and chatting among themselves.

“It takes me back. When I went to church with my parents when I was young, I always heard hymns like that.”

“Right? If only the war would end soon, we could go back home. Those damn Imperial Army bastards…”

“But what do we do about her? She’s coming over on her own; does she plan to defect or something?”

“Who knows? Before we report to the commander, why not sample the merchandise? She does look pretty good.”

As the soldiers speculated about Prien’s treatment, her distance continued to close.

Taliyam, like the other soldiers, was chatting when he suddenly sensed something odd.

‘…Was the forest always this dark?’

The area behind the woman was unusually shadowy.

Normally, outlines should be faintly visible, but it was as if it were covered by a curtain—nothing could be seen.

Feeling uneasy, Taliyam tapped the shoulder of the soldier in front of him.

“Hey, doesn’t something feel off? It’s way too dark up ahead.”

However, the soldier just chuckled.

“Taliyam, you paranoid coward. It’s just the clouds blocking the moon tonight, making it darker than usual.”

No, that’s not it. It couldn’t be that, not after all the times he had stood watch.

Feeling increasingly anxious, Taliyam scanned his fellow soldiers, but they were all lost in chatter about hometown tales and women.

Meanwhile, Prien, having arrived right in front of the camp, finished her song.

Thanks to that, the eyes of the sentry soldiers focused on Prien.

“To the Royal Army holding the hands of the United Nations.”

With a sweet voice, Prien smiled.

“May you all fall to hell.”

In that instant, Prien withdrew the mana she had sprinkled like a curtain behind her.

What was revealed was an army of nearly two hundred Imperial soldiers.

They all stood sharply ready, aiming their weapons at the Royal soldiers.

“……!”

Only then did Taliyam realize.

Prien had amplified her voice with magic while singing Sacred Music to conceal the footfalls of the 200 soldiers.

But no matter when one realizes their mistakes, it’s always too late.

As Taliyam and the other sentries froze in panic, Daniel spoke in a dry voice.

“Fire.”

No sooner had he spoken than a multitude of flashes erupted from the Imperial soldiers’ weapons.

*

Tatadung—! Bang!

At the sound of gunfire, Colonel Henry Puer of the Supply Brigade opened his eyes wide.

What was that noise? He wondered, but no aide came in to report.

As he blinked dumbly, the sounds of gunfire continued.

“Hah, huh…!”

Only then did Henry snap to his senses, hurriedly dressing in his uniform and grabbing his pistol to exit the command tent.

As he rushed outside, Henry could do nothing but gasp at the scene before him.

Flames and smoke swirled heavily all around.

In the chaos, he could see Imperial soldiers in black uniforms occupying the campsite.

Some soldiers rushed out of the military tents upon hearing the gunfire, but each time, they were met with Imperial bullets, collapsing without even a scream.

“What in the world…?”

Had the Imperial Army discovered the supply route? How? Why?

In this shocking situation, Henry’s mind was a whirl.

As his eyes darted about, he noticed a man approaching the command tent through the cacophony of shouts and screams.

Amidst the turmoil, a black-haired Imperial officer advanced with an air of dignity.

Henry felt that the figure seemed somehow familiar, and seeing the National Order of Goryeo Medal on the officer’s chest, it all clicked.

‘Captain Daniel Steiner…!’

The hero celebrated by the Empire.

Feeling fear, Henry raised his pistol toward Daniel.

“Don’t come any closer! You monster!”

Daniel halted his steps.

As they faced each other, Daniel slowly parted his lips.

“If you wish to kill me, then go ahead and shoot. I won’t stop you.”

“You think if I tell you to shoot, you can’t do it!?”

“No. You certainly could. However, what will happen to your soldiers if you kill me?”

Henry’s hand trembled slightly.

He understood what Daniel was implying.

“The Imperial Army that loses its command structure is no different from a wild horse. They will try to kill every Royal soldier here. But we can change that terrible future.”

Daniel’s voice echoed like the temptation of a devil.

“Commander, order an immediate surrender. If you do, I will order my men to cease fire. Please, think of your subordinates. You must recall the sorrow their families will share.”

Decide while there is still a chance to save at least one life.

Henry, gritting his teeth at that snake-like persuasion, knew he was right.

If he stubbornly advocated for resistance, everyone would end up in vain deaths.

Henry was not the most competent, but he wasn’t an inept leader either.

With a low sob, Henry lowered the pistol in his hand.

He had no choice left.

“I surrender…”

With a trembling hand, Henry dropped his pistol as he spoke.

“…I will surrender.”