I Was Mistaken for a Great General of War

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Why on earth is the Empire’s princess acting as a war reporter deep in the battlefield?

Daniel found the situation unnerving, but soon composed himself and extended his right hand with a calm facade.

“Pleasure to meet you. I am Lieutenant Daniel Steiner, Deputy Operations Officer of the General Staff Headquarters.”

If the princess has hidden her identity to be on the northern front, surely there must be a reason behind it.

There was no point in clumsily exclaiming, “Are you not Her Highness the Princess!?” That wouldn’t end well.

Selvia observed Daniel closely before reaching out her hand for a handshake.

“I’m war reporter Ravi Emilia. I’d appreciate it if you just called me Ravi.”

Daniel nodded, concluding the handshake and letting go.

He thought it best to show merely the courtesy expected of a war reporter to avoid unnecessary suspicion.

“Well then….”

Daniel turned to Heinz and said.

“Could you explain the operation outline?”

His attempt to shift the conversation felt like a way to deflect the burden of the princess’s gaze.

However, from Heinz’s standpoint, it made Daniel appear rather bold for asking about the operation before even setting off.

‘He certainly isn’t a pushover.’

Heinz nodded, turning his body.

“Follow me. I’ll briefly explain the mission.”

As they entered the military tent behind Heinz, the first thing that caught their eyes was a table set up with the operation map.

Soldiers were sitting before radios on the walls, waiting to communicate.

Next to that, a blackboard displayed a photo of a high-ranking figure from the allied forces, detailing their personal information and recent movements below the image.

As Daniel focused on the blackboard, Heinz began to speak.

“This is Colonel Jeremy Stringer, the aide to the Corps Commander on the northern front. He is the target we are to eliminate in this mission.”

Daniel turned his gaze with a suspicious expression, silently questioning how they planned to assassinate such a figure under heavy guard.

If the roles were reversed, Heinz would likely have the same expression.

Chuckling softly, Heinz said,

“As you know, the northern front was formed after the Eldreshia Kingdom joined the allied forces. Those barbarian idiots, unaware of their place, invaded the Empire’s territory with three divisions.”

“But the Imperial Army hasn’t been driven back.”

“Correct. To our glory, we have actually overwhelmed the allies and recaptured most of the territory we lost. In the process, the enemy high command retreated en masse, but some chose to stay and fight.”

What Heinz was driving at was clear.

“It’s a delaying tactic.”

Heinz nodded at Daniel’s observation.

“I don’t want to praise the enemy, but it is a clever choice. Thanks to Colonel Jeremy dragging things out, the allied command could retreat with minimal losses. Meanwhile, that guy found himself isolated.”

Heinz smiled lowly, a grin bordering on derision.

“Colonel Jeremy may be clever, but it seems he lacks courage. Once he confirmed that command had retreated, he decided to escape rather than fight to the death.”

“What a rat.”

“Indeed. Just as you say, that rat recently sent two battalions into battle before sneaking away with a company-sized escort to the rear.”

That was how the Central Intelligence Agency dispatched orders to Heinz, currently active at the front lines.

“To summarize the orders from above: Set a trap at the rat’s escape route and wait to eliminate him. Do you understand?”

It was straightforward enough for even a fool to grasp.

Daniel opened his mouth to get to the point.

“Then, what do you expect his escape route to be?”

As though anticipating the question, Heinz picked up the command baton and pointed at the operation map on the table.

A potential escape route had been marked in red.

“The first route is the Drakenberg Plateau. Its high altitude and sparse population make it ideal for evading pursuit, and since the roadway isn’t usable, traveling through the plateau is the quickest way back to the allied forces.”

With a tap, Heinz pointed to another point.

“The second expected route leads northwest over the mountain range before entering the snowy mountains. If he detours around Aldera Lake and slips into the jungle, aerial reconnaissance won’t be able to track him, making it the best way to move stealthily.”

After finishing his explanation, Heinz put the baton back.

“Unfortunately, we must choose one of the two likely routes to lie in wait. Dispersing our forces increases the chances of losing Jeremy.”

Which of the two routes do you think he’ll choose? Daniel pondered as he rubbed his chin while staring at the operation map.

‘Wait a minute. Isn’t this…?’

Isn’t this an opportunity for a dishonorable discharge?

‘If I throw out an entirely different suggestion and then purposely mess up the operation, it would surely send my evaluations plummeting. Especially if I prove my incompetence in front of the princess…’

Dishonorable discharge confirmed! I felt like trumpets were blasting in my head.

With a smirk hidden beneath his serious facade, Daniel shook his head.

“In my opinion, Colonel Jeremy will not choose either route.”

Daniel’s outright rejection of Heinz’s opinion cast a heavy silence over the room.

Selvia, observing the two from nearby, gazed at Daniel with great interest.

However, Heinz frowned, bewildered by Daniel’s statement.

“Can you tell me exactly what you mean?”

“Yes. I believe Jeremy will attempt to escape through Edelkrall Gorge.”

“…Edelkrall Gorge? That’s nonsense. That place was mined early in the war to block the advance of allied forces. Jeremy knows that too.”

Looking up, Daniel met Heinz’s gaze.

“Precisely because it’s such an outlandish route, Jeremy will choose Edelkrall Gorge. Do you think he’s unaware that he must exploit the Empire’s weaknesses to survive?”

I felt a momentary sense of intimidation from his unwavering confidence.

But Heinz had no intention of indulging Daniel’s reckless notion.

“Lieutenant. The Imperial Army places great value on rationality. The special operations group isn’t so idle as to entertain your gamble.”

“If that is the order of Captain Heinz, then I will accept it. However, you must prepare yourself.”

“…Prepare for what?”

In response to Heinz’s question, Daniel spoke without even blinking.

“Although I’m temporarily part of the special operations group, I am, after all, commanding a unit directly under headquarters. If we miss Colonel Jeremy due to Captain Heinz’s judgment, I will have no choice but to report this to the General Staff Headquarters.”

The General Staff Headquarters is watching you. Heinz felt the pressure under Daniel’s words.

Indeed, Daniel knew how to wield his background effectively.

With a low grunt, Heinz reluctantly opened his mouth.

“Lieutenant. You shouldn’t speak lightly. What if Jeremy doesn’t come to Edelkrall Gorge?”

“I’ll accept any punishment. Furthermore…”

Pausing for a moment, Daniel added.

“Please allow my squad to lie in wait at Edelkrall Gorge.”

“…You mean to say you’ll take your mere squad to take down Jeremy’s company?”

“Yes. Due to the prolonged battles on the northern front, Jeremy’s company is likely exhausted and demoralized. Considering the geographical advantages, my squad should be able to defeat them.”

As Daniel explained, it was possible to split his unit into two and lie in wait at two points simultaneously.

As he looked into Daniel’s confident eyes, Heinz turned to Selvia.

Selvia, smiling with interest, nodded, and Heinz, frowning at Daniel’s audacity, granted permission.

“Fine. If you’re so adamant, I’ll approve your operation. When the time comes, take your squad and lie in wait at Edelkrall Gorge.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Saluting businesslike, Daniel turned to exit the military tent.

At that moment, the tense atmosphere around him seemed to ease significantly.

‘That slippery snake…’

As Daniel glanced back at the entrance of the tent, Selvia nearby spoke up.

“Captain Heinz, what do you think of Daniel?”

Heinz lowered his gaze slightly.

“Your Highness, I believe he is an excellent soldier. He possesses independent situational judgment, and his decisiveness and courage seem commendable. However, I can’t see him as a good person.”

In Heinz’s eyes, Daniel appeared to show no respect for others.

He wants to carry out the operation using only his squad? It seemed like nothing but a desire to monopolize the glory.

A demon who would push himself and his subordinates into disaster solely for advancement.

That was the extent of Heinz’s thoughts.

“Thus, I advise your Highness to reconsider taking Lieutenant Daniel Steiner as an ally. He shows no respect for others. Based on experience, such people do not yield positive outcomes.”

While Heinz offered sincere advice, it merely piqued Selvia’s interest further.

“Captain Heinz, there are no untameable dogs or humans in this world.”

Selvia’s eyes narrowed gently as she scrutinized the place where Daniel had just left.

“And, I will determine for myself whether he truly lacks respect for others.”

The next day, at Edelkrall Gorge.

‘It’s cold…’

I trembled with chills atop the cliff in the gorge.

Even though I was wearing an officer’s winter coat, I could still feel the cold seeping through.

‘I just want to finish this mission and get back to headquarters…’

Sneaking a sniffle, I looked to the side to see Freien watching the gorge through binoculars, with Selvia sitting on a fallen log.

The rest of my squad members were stealthily hidden using snow and dry branches.

‘…But why is Selvia here with us?’

She was holding a Leica camera to continue her war reporter façade, which frankly left me baffled.

What war reporter wanders around looking so polished? Both her blouse and coat, not to mention her pants, were all designer items.

She probably wouldn’t even know how expensive her attire was, as it seemed she wore such expensive things all the time.

As I thought about how absurd it was, our eyes met. Seeing that Selvia looked ready to say something, I quickly turned my head and cleared my throat.

“Do you see any enemy movements?”

In response to my question, Freien shook her head.

“No, Lieutenant Daniel Steiner.”

Right. Of course, there wouldn’t be any.

This was my command area, obtained through deception.

That is, it’s where I came with the intention of securing a dishonorable discharge.

‘Why would Colonel Jeremy even come here? He must be insane…’

Even though the characteristics of the gorge allowed for stealthy movement using shaded areas, I would be overwhelmingly disadvantaged in a surprise attack from both sides of the cliffs.

Additionally, since Colonel Jeremy was aware that the Imperial Army had mined the gorge, the chance he’d come here was even slimmer.

So my operation was a complete failure.

Not just any failure, but one worthy of severe criticism, especially since I had somewhat coerced my commander, Heinz, to secure this operation in the first place.

‘The princess will witness my incompetence firsthand, making it a perfect failure.’

They say a crisis is an opportunity, but I hadn’t expected to grasp a chance for dishonorable discharge on the northern front for a promotion I didn’t even want.

A genuinely satisfying situation had me smiling involuntarily when…

“L-Lieutenant Daniel Steiner!”

What ruckus was this? Turning to my side, Freien looked up at me after pulling her eyes away from the binoculars.

“Indeed! What you said was correct! The company led by Colonel Jeremy is entering the gorge!”

…Wait a minute, what?