Chapter 12

─ This is Kingfisher. Target eliminated. Returning to temporary outpost.

It was a radio transmission received by Heinz, who had been waiting on the Dröckenberg Plateau.

This meant that Heinz's reasoning, which valued logic, had been incorrect, and Daniel's intuition had been right.

He wanted to believe it was a lie, but Heinz knew Daniel wasn't the type to fabricate reports just to claim merit. Especially not someone as obsessed with gaining recognition as Daniel.

Acknowledging the report, Heinz withdrew from the plateau and returned to the outpost, where he could witness Daniel's achievement firsthand.

"...Unbelievable."

In the open space of the outpost, prisoners wearing allied military uniforms were kneeling in a group.

At a glance, there were over 80 prisoners, guarded by a mere 20 squad members—a surreal sight by any measure.

Heinz's adjutant was equally astonished by Daniel's accomplishment.

"...Lieutenant Daniel actually led his squad to take down an entire company. How is this even possible?"

It wasn't impossible.

Although rare, there were precedents where a squad had subdued a company. Finding cases of David defeating Goliath wasn't exceedingly difficult in the annals of military history.

'But still...'

Had there ever been a David who captured Goliath alive?

Heinz couldn't comprehend how a mere squad of 20 had managed to force an entire company into surrender.

What's more, among the captured company, there were five officers and seven non-commissioned officers.

One of the officers was even of field-grade rank.

Considering the intelligence that could be extracted from these prisoners, it was an exceptional achievement.

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

Daniel, who had approached unnoticed, saluted him.

"You've returned, Captain Heinz."

Acknowledging the salute, Heinz opened his mouth, still somewhat dumbfounded.

"Remarkable. How on earth did you capture all of these prisoners?"

"Ah, I just think it was a stroke of luck."

Daniel's tone was sincere, but Heinz perceived it as humility.

'There's a saying in the Empire that the humble rise high. If I didn't know what this man was truly like, I might've been fooled myself.'

Harboring a deep-seated wariness of Daniel, Heinz cleared his throat.

"Enough about luck. No squad defeats a company through luck alone. This is entirely your achievement."

"...That's not true."

Daniel replied with a grave expression.

"I merely followed Captain Heinz's advice, which was supported by the Central Intelligence Bureau. All the credit should go to them and to you, Captain Heinz."

Daniel was essentially pleading, "Please don't report this as solely my accomplishment," but to Heinz, it came across as a masterful display of humility aimed at advancing his career.

'Lowering himself while elevating his superior. No superior, no matter how stern, could resist such flattery. Not only is he skilled in battle tactics, but he's also a master of military politics...'

Heinz shivered, feeling as though he was standing before a careerist monster.

"No, that won't do. I don't submit false reports to my superiors. Your achievement will be reported as it is, so savor your victory."

At that, one of Daniel's eyebrows twitched.

'This damn dense fool! I'm trying to hand the credit over to you!'

Any other officer would have gladly accepted such an opportunity, but this rigid captain refused to claim a subordinate's achievement as his own, insisting on integrity.

No wonder Heinz's rank lagged behind his accomplishments.

Suppressing a sigh, Daniel maintained a neutral expression.

"If that is your decision, Captain, I will respect it."

"Good. Now that the operation has been concluded, you may rest. I will oversee the prisoners. Prepare to return to headquarters by noon tomorrow."

"Thank you for your consideration."

Once their conversation had clearly concluded, Daniel saluted sharply.

"It has been an honor, Captain Heinz Schmidt."

"The honor is mine, having such a capable officer under my command."

After exchanging farewells and returning Heinz's salute, Daniel turned and walked toward his tent.

Watching him leave, Heinz's adjutant spoke with awe.

"They say the squad leader sent from headquarters was an elite, and it's true. He not only excels in combat but also displays impeccable respect for his superiors."

"You're not wrong. But you're failing to see his essence."

Heinz murmured under his breath, his gaze fixed on Daniel's retreating figure.

"That man is a monster. Someday, he'll swallow this Empire whole..."

The next day.

After delivering a detailed report on the previous day's battle to Heinz, I walked toward the open space of the outpost as noon approached.

Military jeeps and transport trucks were parked there, with my squad members gathered around, chatting animatedly.

Listening in briefly, I realized they were discussing how extraordinary the previous day's battle had been.

Occasionally, I caught snippets of praise about myself. It didn't seem like my imagination.

Soon enough, Frién, who was among them, approached me.

"Good noon, Lieutenant Daniel! Have you finished reporting?"

"...Yes. What were you all talking about so enthusiastically?"

"We were just discussing what an outstanding leader you are! Leading us to our first victory without a single casualty? And against an enemy company, no less! It's truly incredible!"

The admiration shining in Frién's eyes was almost suffocating.

Frowning slightly, I addressed him curtly.

"Quit spouting nonsense. It's time to return to headquarters. Get in the vehicles."

"Yes, sir! I'll relay your orders!"

Saluting smartly, Frién returned to the squad and conveyed my instructions.

The squad members looked my way, saluted in unison, and headed toward the transport trucks.

Wasn't this excessive enthusiasm for a first victory? Sighing, I started walking toward the jeep but paused.

Standing by the vehicle, hands behind her back, was a woman in a white blouse and coat.

Selvia, glancing around, spotted me and naturally initiated conversation.

"Lieutenant Daniel, are you returning to headquarters?"

"...Yes, but why do you ask?"

"Then let me accompany you. I have business at headquarters as well."

Why do you need to ride with me? I was so dumbfounded I couldn't immediately respond.

After a moment of hesitation, I crafted a polite excuse.

"Ma'am, this military vehicle prioritizes performance over comfort. It's ill-suited for long journeys, particularly for a woman—"

"That's fine. It's wartime, isn't it? Simply having a functional vehicle to ride in is a blessing."

It might be fine for you, but not for me! I had no choice but to drive her to headquarters, and I wasn't eager to endure the fatigue.

"Yes, Lieutenant?"

But how could I refuse a princess? With a heavy sigh, I reluctantly nodded.

"If you insist, please board. I'll drive."

Nodding gracefully, Selvia climbed into the passenger seat.

Muttering a few silent complaints, I got into the driver's seat and started the engine.

As the jeep rolled forward, the transport trucks fell in line behind us.

About an hour into the journey from the outpost, Selvia spoke.

"Lieutenant Daniel, what is your perspective on the current war?"

It was an abrupt question.

But it was also a question the princess might naturally harbor.

Her usual advisors were likely senior officers who spoke only of the Empire's inevitable triumph. Perhaps she hoped to hear a more candid perspective from a junior officer like me during her time incognito as a war correspondent.

"It won't be easy."

So, I decided to offer some advice.

Selvia looked puzzled, as if my answer didn't align with her expectations.

"What do you mean, it won't be easy? The Empire has essentially secured victory on the northern front. We're hearing reports of success from the eastern front as well. At this rate, the Empire will surely triumph over the Allied Nations."

"Yes, if no third powers intervene, that might be the case."

This world had yet to experience a world war.

Perhaps that's why such complacency could exist.

"If the Empire defeats the Allied Nations and reaps the spoils, what do you think will happen?"

Selvia's expression grew serious as she listened.

"Of course, the Empire would become a hegemonic power, standing above all other nations..."

"Yes. If things go perfectly, the Empire could even lay the groundwork for global unification. The problem is, other great powers are well aware of this possibility."

The great powers feared the Empire's dominance and were wary of their own potential downfall.

That fear and caution would spark new conflicts, with the Empire as the common enemy.

Once the need for war arose, the great powers would eagerly declare it. Their target would undoubtedly be...

"The Empire will become the enemy of all nations."

This was why the Empire would ultimately lose to the Allied Nations.

"..."

Selvia's face darkened noticeably.

She seemed to be processing my reasoning, weighing whether it was credible.

After all, her usual advisors—field and general officers—likely insisted on the Empire's certain victory. Hearing a contrasting opinion must have been shocking.

She might even dismiss me as a paranoid pessimist and lash out.

But Selvia didn't reject my perspective outright. Instead, she nodded thoughtfully.

"I see. That's a plausible scenario. But Lieutenant Daniel Steiner, how did you arrive at such a conclusion...?"

I couldn't answer.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted something glinting on the road ahead, reflecting the sunlight.

'Spike strip...!'

My mind raced. Quickly, I swerved the vehicle off the road and onto a side path.

Thud! Thud!

The tires bounced violently over the rugged terrain. Selvia, clearly alarmed, shouted.

"Wh-What's happening, Lieutenant Steiner?!"

I gritted my teeth, trying to steady the vehicle.

"It's an ambush! Hold on tightly to the handle!"

From the rearview mirror, I saw the transport trucks behind us coming to a halt, their occupants jumping out, rifles in hand.

Soon after, gunfire erupted from both sides of the road.