There is a game called ‘Empire of the Emperor.’
If translated literally, it would be ‘Empire of the Emperor,’ and it was one of the fantasy war games set in the modern era.
The main goal of the game is to stop the militaristic nation, the Empire, which seeks to unify the world based on its overwhelming national power.
Although it wasn’t very popular, it was my favorite game because the interactions with NPCs were incredibly rich.
For instance, even the same peasant would have different values depending on their region and nation.
The soldiers also do not move mechanically; they harbor their discontent, and if the command does not listen to them, desertion and mutiny occur.
Moreover, depending on the player’s actions, an NPC that was once an ally can become an enemy, and conversely, an enemy NPC can become an ally.
Truly a god-tier game!
With just a slight variation in play, a new story would begin, making it the best game for me.
One flaw is that no matter how you play, the Empire is inevitably walking the path to destruction.
After all, the protagonist character controlled by the player is part of the Allied forces, which is an enemy of the Empire.
The problem was that this ‘inevitable situation’ had happened to me.
“As you all know, the Allied forces have surrounded our infantry division that has entered enemy territory, forming a perimeter three kilometers from the first defensive line and five kilometers from the second defensive line. I’m sure you all understand that breaking through this is the only way to turn the tide.”
I looked at the man speaking in a solemn voice.
The middle-aged man with a wrinkled face and a prominent scar is someone I’ve come to know well.
【Commander of the First Magic Assault Corps, Major General Heinrich Schmidt】
He was a named NPC that I would have to encounter while playing the game.
‘That means…’
It resonated with the fact that I was currently in a world from the game.
I wanted to deny it, but the operation map spread across the command table in the headquarters and the eagle emblem prominently displayed behind Heinrich continually reminded me that I was in the game.
And as far as I knew, there was only one place where that eagle-shaped emblem was used as the symbol of the military.
‘Holy Bavarian Empire’
Yes. This was the center of the Empire, which was doomed to defeat at the end of the game.
What was I doing here in the heart of that Empire? After sifting through my memories, I recalled my title.
【Deputy Operations Planning Officer, Second Lieutenant Daniel Steiner】
Ironically, I was indeed an Operations Planning Deputy Officer of the Empire’s military headquarters.
If I had recalled my title without knowing that the Empire was fated to fail, I might have celebrated like an elite by popping champagne.
However, knowing that the Empire was doomed, this title held no more value than garbage.
‘At the ending, surely…’
The leadership of the war-criminal Empire would not escape execution.
As long as I remained here, I too would disappear as a victim of the gallows.
That couldn’t happen. I hadn’t lived this long to meet a miserable death.
If I had my way, I would have requested a discharge, but in the Empire, the mandatory service term for officers was eight years.
It wasn’t a job one could simply resign from.
If that’s the case, how could I escape from here?
As I was sweating coldly, I clenched my fist at a small realization.
‘Dishonorable discharge…!’
If deemed unfit by a military tribunal, one could obtain a dishonorable discharge.
That way, I wouldn’t have to follow military orders anymore.
Being a free person meant I could leave the Empire—
“Second Lieutenant?”
I flinched at Heinrich’s call.
When I looked up, Heinrich and several other military officers were staring at me intently.
“It seems you’ve been staring at the operation map for some time, deeply pondering the situation of our forces. Have you thought of a strategy?”
I had thought of something—namely, the only way I could escape the Empire.
Feeling the pressure of the high-ranking officers’ gazes, I hesitated for a moment before clearing my throat.
While doing so, my mind raced.
‘…This might be a chance for a dishonorable discharge.’
Heinrich likely asked me about the plan because he thought that, as the Deputy of Operations, I might have learned something over his shoulder.
Putting aside the rigid opinions of the high-ranking officers who couldn’t think flexibly, he likely wanted to hear the thoughts of an enthusiastic young person.
He was the kind of person who didn’t discriminate against status or individuals when it came to embracing opinions. Heinrich was that kind of man.
However, I had no intention of living up to Heinrich’s expectations even slightly.
I had no desire to remain as a crew member on a sinking ship.
“Commander.”
So I decided to speak incorrect answers for the sake of obtaining a dishonorable discharge.
“Pardon me, but how do you plan to send reinforcements to our forces isolated in enemy territory?”
“Hm. Based on the opinions of the staff, I intend to advance through the foothills of the Tebaita Mountains. According to the reports from the Intelligence Department, that is the area where the enemy’s surveillance is the weakest.”
“The Tebaita Mountains, huh…”
After a brief pause, I spoke.
“In that case, I implore you to reconsider your decision.”
A sudden stillness filled the conference room.
It was understandable that a mere Second Lieutenant, who had just been commissioned, could surprise everyone by asking to rethink a decision made after considering the staff’s opinions and the Intelligence Agency’s reports.
The gazes of the high-ranking officers glaring at me in the unpleasant silence were frightening, but I continued calmly.
“Commander. Don’t you find this strange? Why is it that, while the enemy’s patrol defense is tight, only the defenses in the foothills of the Tebaita Mountains are lax?”
“Do you find it suspicious?”
“Yes. It feels as if the enemy is enticing us. It appears as though they’re trying to lure us to advance through the foothills of the Tebaita Mountains.”
What I was saying was a plausible nonsense.
After all, the report from the Central Intelligence Agency would undoubtedly be more accurate than my delusions.
Nonetheless, I pressed on. My objective was to obtain a dishonorable discharge.
Therefore, it was essential for me to indicate that I was a pathetic individual through nonsensical reasoning.
“The enemy is undoubtedly laying traps and waiting near the foothills of the Tebaita Mountains.”
“What’s your basis?”
“My intuition tells me so.”
As I spoke assertively, one of Heinrich’s eyebrows twitched.
Heinrich let out a hollow laugh and tapped the command table.
“What is your full name?”
“I am Second Lieutenant Daniel Steiner, Deputy of Operations.”
“Very well. Daniel Steiner. What you just said is a direct contradiction to the opinions of the staff. You are aware of this, correct?”
“Indeed.”
“If we were to listen to your words, we would need to conduct a comprehensive reconnaissance mission, which would delay our advance. Are you willing to take responsibility for the consequences?”
If they accepted your opinion and it turned out to be unfounded, that meant preparing for punishment.
That was precisely what I wanted.
“If my prediction is wrong, I am willing to gladly resign from the military.”
As soon as I finished speaking, the conference room buzzed with commotion.
I could hear murmurs and clicks of tongues from various places.
Among them, the Operations Officer, whom I served, frowned and opened his mouth to scold me.
“Daniel! How presumptuous! Do you know where this is…!”
The Operations Officer, who was about to scold me, suddenly closed his mouth.
This was because Heinrich raised a hand to stop him.
“Second Lieutenant Daniel Steiner. It doesn’t hurt to be cautious, so I will take a chance and trust you just this once.”
He continued speaking with a smile on his face.
“However, remember this. Once you speak, your words cannot be taken back. If your words end up bringing harm to the Empire, I will not hesitate to convene a military tribunal.”
In an instant, Heinrich’s dark eyes narrowed.
“Do you understand?”
A tremendous sense of intimidation sent chills down my spine.
So this is what a man who has experienced the trials and tribulations and risen to the rank of general is like.
He was a figure who could lend weight to his words.
Normally, I would have bowed my head or avoided his gaze under such pressure, but since I was aiming for a dishonorable discharge, there was no need to avoid the commander’s gaze.
I didn’t look away from Heinrich and smiled thinly.
“That’s exactly what I hoped for, Commander.”
*
The next morning.
Empire General Staff Headquarters Officer’s Dormitory.
Knock knock—
The knock on the door woke me from my slumber.
Turning my head to check the alarm clock, it was still not time to wake up.
Who could be knocking at this early hour?
As I blinked sleepily, the knocking came once more.
“Second Lieutenant Daniel Steiner! The Commander calls for you! Get up!”
At the mention of the Commander, my eyes widened.
“Oh, understood!”
Hastily responding, I got out of bed and quickly changed before opening the door.
Standing outside was an officer wearing the Empire’s military uniform, just like me.
With three diamonds on the shoulder epaulettes, he was a captain—my superior.
“…Are you Second Lieutenant Daniel Steiner?”
“Yes, that’s me. But why has the Commander summoned me?”
I had an idea. He probably sent a large reconnaissance team to the foothills based on my opinion and came back empty-handed.
In a wartime situation, wasting human resources was a sin, so the Commander must have called me to scold me for my incompetence.
Having called me worthless in a way, Heinrich would likely convene a military tribunal soon.
If that happened, I would just admit my guilt and resign. It would be a free pass to a dishonorable discharge.
Depending on the situation, I might end up in prison, but living a few years in prison was better than being part of the executed leadership of a war-criminal nation, so I could endure it.
Just as I was feeling relieved that things were going according to plan, a smile crept onto the captain’s face.
Is he mocking me? No, wait a minute. Something feels off here.
“You can be happy, Lieutenant. Thanks to your intuition being spot-on, our military was able to prevent damage in advance. The Commander has summoned you to discuss a reward for that.”
…What?
