─ This is Water Gun. I have eliminated the target. I will return to the temporary forward operating base.
The radio transmission was received by Heinz, who had been waiting on the Drachenberg Highlands.
This meant that Heinz’s rational expectations were wrong, and Daniel’s intuition was right.
He wanted to believe it was a lie, but Heinz thought that a Daniel, who was frenzied about gaining merit, would not submit a false report.
Heinz, who responded that he understood, withdrew from the highlands and returned to the forward operating base, where he was able to see the achievements Daniel had accomplished firsthand.
“Hmm….”
In the open space of the forward operating base, Allied Forces prisoners were gathered, kneeling.
It was an unrealistic sight to see the mere twenty platoon members guarding prisoners who appeared to be over eighty.
Heinz’s deputy was equally amazed by Daniel’s accomplishments.
“…Lieutenant Daniel really did lead the platoon to capture the company. How is this possible?”
It wasn’t impossible.
While rare, there have been instances where a company was subdued by just a platoon of personnel.
If one looked for combat examples, it was not difficult to find David defeating Goliath.
‘But…’
Was there ever a David who captured Goliath alive?
Heinz couldn’t understand how a mere twenty members managed to extract the surrender of a company.
Moreover, among the captured Allied Forces company, there were five officers and seven non-commissioned officers.
There was even one senior officer among them.
Considering the information that could be extracted from torturing them, this was indeed a significant achievement.
Heinz, looking down at the prisoners groaning in the snow, sensed a presence and raised his head.
Daniel had approached and saluted him.
“Welcome back. Captain Heinz.”
Heinz accepted the salute and opened his mouth, somewhat stunned.
“Impressive. How on earth did you take all of these prisoners?”
“Ah. I think I was just lucky.”
He meant it sincerely, but to Heinz, it appeared as though Daniel was merely being humble.
‘There’s a saying in the Empire that those who are humble rise high. In reality, humility is a virtue. If I hadn’t known this person’s true nature, I might have been tricked as well.’
Heinz, deeply wary of Daniel, cleared his throat.
“Forget about luck. What platoon could subdue a company solely on luck? Everything is thanks to your efforts.”
“…That’s not true.”
Daniel said with a serious expression.
“I was simply drawing conclusions based on Captain Heinz’s opinions, with the help of the Central Intelligence Agency. All credit should rightly go to the Central Intelligence Agency and you, Captain Heinz.”
Daniel was essentially persuading him not to report to higher-ups that he had accomplished everything, but to Heinz, Daniel’s words seemed like an advanced strategy for career advancement.
‘He is lowering himself and elevating his superior. This will soften even the most rigid superior. Not only does he possess good combat command skills, but he’s also mastered military politics…’
He truly was a monster obsessed with promotion.
Heinz felt goosebumps all over and grumbled quietly.
“That’s impossible. I won’t submit a false report to higher-ups. Your achievements will go straight to them, so enjoy your victory.”
Thanks to that, one of Daniel’s eyebrows twitched.
‘He has no idea! This damn guy! I’m trying to share the credit!’
If it were another commander, he would have gladly accepted it, but this rigid officer was acting cleanly, saying he wouldn’t take credit from his subordinate.
It was understandable why Heinz had a lower rank considering his achievements.
With a sigh inside, Daniel maintained a blank expression on the outside.
“If that is Captain’s decision, I will accept it.”
“Very well. Then, the operation is completed from this moment, so you may go and rest. I will take command of the prisoners. Also, prepare to return to headquarters by noon tomorrow.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
Confirming the conversation’s end, Daniel saluted sharply.
“It was an honor to meet you, Captain Heinz Schmidt.”
“I too was honored to have such a capable person as my subordinate.”
As they exchanged pleasantries, Heinz returned the salute, and Daniel turned and walked toward his tent.
Watching his back, Heinz’s deputy spoke with admiration.
“The platoon leader sent from the Staff Headquarters is indeed a remarkable elite, as the rumors indicated. Not only is his operational ability excellent, but he also shows no flaws in his respect for superiors.”
“That is not wrong. But he fails to see the essence.”
Heinz murmured quietly, gazing at Daniel’s retreating figure.
“That kid is a monster. A monster that will eventually swallow this Empire…”
*
The next day.
After finishing a detailed report on the battle from the previous day, I headed to the open space of the forward operating base at noon.
In the open space, military jeeps and transport vehicles were parked, and the platoon members had gathered in front of them, chatting.
From what I overheard, they were discussing how spectacular yesterday’s battle was.
Here and there, there seemed to be praises about me, and it didn’t seem like mere imagination.
Prien, who had been talking with them, approached me.
“Lieutenant Daniel! Good noon! Have you finished your report?”
“…Yes. But what were you all so happily discussing?”
“We were discussing how wonderful a commander you are! Leading your first battle to victory without any casualties? Against an enemy company, no less! Truly amazing!”
Prien’s brightly shining eyes were quite burdensome.
Frowning, I said to Prien.
“You’re rambling nonsense. It’s time to return to headquarters, so you should board the vehicle.”
“Yes, I understand! I will convey your message!”
Prien saluted and returned to the platoon members, delivering my words.
Then the platoon members looked at me, saluted sharply, and walked toward the military transport vehicle.
Was I too excited about my first victory? I sighed and walked towards the jeep when I suddenly halted.
A woman in a white blouse and coat was waiting for me with her arms crossed.
Selvia looked around and, upon spotting me, casually spoke.
“Lieutenant Daniel, are you returning to headquarters?”
“…Yes, I am.”
“Then let’s go together. I have some business at headquarters as well.”
No, why are you coming with me? I was so taken aback that I was momentarily speechless.
After being frozen for a while, I did my best to think and replied.
“Miss, that military vehicle is a model prioritizing performance and is far from comfortable. It is not suitable for long-distance travel, especially for a woman’s body…”
“It’s fine. It’s wartime, right? Just being able to ride in an intact vehicle is a huge blessing, I think.”
Even if you’re fine, I’m not fine? I can’t ask the Princess to drive, so I’d have to do the driving to headquarters, and I didn’t want to endure that fatigue.
“Lieutenant Daniel?”
But how could I refuse the princess?
With a low sigh, I showed the utmost defiance I could muster and nodded.
“If that’s how you feel, then please get on. I will drive.”
Nodding, Selvia got into the passenger seat.
Muttering a few complaints internally, I climbed into the driver’s seat and started the engine.
As I pressed the accelerator and smoothly moved forward, the transport vehicle behind us followed.
About an hour had passed since we left the forward operating base when Selvia spoke up.
“Lieutenant Daniel. What do you think about the state of the war?”
It was out of the blue.
However, it was also a question that the Empire’s princess should understandably have.
Surrounded by senior officers and generals who always shout, “The Empire will win!” she would ask the opinion of a lower-ranking officer disguised as a war correspondent for an honest perspective.
“It won’t be easy.”
So, I could offer at least that much advice.
Selvia looked at me as if she didn’t understand my words.
“It won’t be easy? The Empire has effectively achieved victory on the Northern Front. We’re receiving news of victories from the Eastern Front as well. If this continues, the Empire will win in the war against the Allies.”
“Yes, assuming no third party intervenes, that’s likely.”
Selvia did not comprehend the terror of a world war.
That’s why she could express such comforting words.
“The Empire is undoubtedly at the forefront among the great powers. If such an Empire wins over the Allies and seizes their interests, what will happen?”
Upon hearing my words, Selvia’s expression became serious.
“Of course, we would be reborn as a hegemonic power. We could stand above all nations…”
“Yes. If things go smoothly, we may even establish a foundation to dream of world unity. The problem is that the other great powers are also aware of this fact.”
The great powers are afraid of the growing strength of the Empire more than ever.
They also guard against the potential downfall of the Allies becoming their future.
Fear and vigilance will soon ignite the flames of war that will rise from the opposite side of the Empire.
The great powers who feel the necessity of war will rush to declare war, and the target will be none other than…
“The Empire will become the enemy of all nations.”
This was precisely why the Empire would ultimately be defeated by the Allies.
“……”
Selvia’s expression fell into a serious silence.
It seemed she was evaluating whether my words made sense.
To directly oppose the opinions of the generals and senior officers who insisted that the Empire would certainly win must have been quite shocking.
Perhaps she might even regard me as a delusional person and become angry.
However, Selvia did not dismiss my opinion but rather accepted it.
“Indeed. It is one possible outcome. But Lieutenant Daniel Steiner, how did you come to such a deduction…”
I couldn’t respond to Selvia’s words.
I had inadvertently discovered a cluster of spikes glinting in the sunlight on the ground ahead.
‘Spike strip…!’
My mind buzzed. Panicking, I quickly turned the steering wheel and entered a side road.
Bump! The sudden turn caused Selvia’s body to overturn.
“Ugh!”
Selvia, who had leaned sideways, tried to lift herself up while gripping my thigh.
At that moment, I held Selvia’s head down forcefully.
“Whoa!? Lieutenant Daniel! What on earth are you doing—”
Gunshots rang out from all directions, and bullets flew.
One bullet thudded violently against the passenger window.
If it hadn’t been bulletproof glass, it would have shattered in one shot.
Only then did Selvia realize the situation, stopping her attempt to lift her head and hunkering down.
“Is it possible…!”
Sadly, that possibility was true.
The spike trap and the numerous gunshots each indicated one thing.
It was an ambush.
