Chapter 9

The news that over two thousand applicants had responded filled me with a sense of despair, and I couldn't help but ask the personnel officer a question.

Why, exactly, was the recruitment notice I wrote considered a good one?

The personnel officer chuckled and began explaining, even counting the reasons off on his fingers.

As the war with the Allied Nations dragged on, the children of those who died on the battlefield grew into adulthood, and many joined the army fueled by a thirst for vengeance.

The recruitment notice written by Acting Operations Staff Officer, Second Lieutenant Daniel Steiner, added fuel to the fire of vengeance burning within these soldiers, naturally increasing the number of applicants.

Additionally, the battlefield in question was the northern front, where the Empire was gaining the upper hand. Many soldiers likely hoped to make a name for themselves in such advantageous conditions.

The phrase that referred to the rear as parasitic loafers probably provoked resentment among some soldiers. A number of them likely took the notice seriously and applied out of a desire for honor.

Lastly, putting logical analysis aside, there was something in Second Lieutenant Daniel's recruitment notice that stirred a man's heart.

With all five fingers extended, the personnel officer added a compliment, saying, "You have a knack for propaganda," and suggested that I let him know if I ever wanted to transfer to the personnel department.

Responding with an awkward smile, I dismissed the personnel officer and ordered my subordinates to begin sorting the documents.

It was clear that rejecting over two thousand applicants outright was out of the question, which meant my deployment to the northern front was essentially certain. In that case, the best course of action was to select the most competent and stable elite soldiers among the applicants to ensure my safety.

Thus, anyone with even a minor criminal record was excluded.

Anyone whose motivation for enlisting was purely revenge was also excluded.

Anyone with suspect ideologies or signs of mental instability was likewise excluded.

Applicants who had once defied their superior's orders during training were excluded.

Anyone who failed to achieve a perfect score in shooting tests was excluded.

Anyone without an aptitude for magic was excluded.

After the initial screening, 327 applicants remained. From among them, I carefully selected the most outstanding and exemplary candidates, whittling the list down to twenty platoon members. I sent out the notifications of acceptance.

Ten days after sending those notifications, here I was, standing before them.

"..."

Gathered at the fountain in front of the main gate of the operations headquarters, my chosen platoon members were lined up in two neat rows of ten. Their presence was somewhat intimidating.

Their gazes, in particular, were unnerving. To exaggerate slightly, it felt like they would obey a suicidal charge order without hesitation, such was the ironclad resolve in their eyes.

'Even though I selected these men myself… isn't this a little inhuman?'

Cold sweat trickled down my back without me realizing it. Of course, not all of my platoon members seemed like mindless war machines. Among the burly men stood a single woman with bright, blinking eyes.

'Prien Remilliart.'

She was the woman I had encountered in the detention center before and a named NPC destined to become the Empire's saint.

She must have completed training without issue because she now wore the rank insignia of a private.

Her name had been on the applicant list, and I had selected her without much thought. But now, seeing her standing amidst these burning-eyed soldiers and looking at me with sparkling eyes, I couldn't help but think of a deranged optimist.

I regretted choosing her. Watching her warily, I cleared my throat.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, soldiers."

Before departure, it was the duty of a commander to provide a brief overview of the mission. That was what I intended to do now.

Secretly, I hoped my platoon members would be scared enough to desert during this process.

"You've probably seen it in the recruitment notice, but I am Second Lieutenant Daniel Steiner, your platoon leader. In case you missed it, I'll say it again: I have no combat experience."

I had just informed them that I might be incompetent, yet there was no murmuring or unease among them.

Fine. If they were going to endure this, I'd turn up the heat.

"Therefore, don't expect a capable commander from me. The only things I desire are the annihilation of the Allied Forces and the screams of the savages among them."

Here I was, emphasizing that I had no particular talent for tactics or strategy.

A normal soldier would be nervous at this point. Yet for some reason, savage grins began to spread across their faces.

After a brief silence, I warned them sharply.

"I have no need for cowards. If anyone wants to escape the blood-soaked battlefield, this is your only chance. Raise your hand if you wish to withdraw."

As expected, not a single hand was raised.

These men were insane.

Letting out a sigh inwardly, I spoke one last time.

"Fine! You fools, eager to challenge death! I will personally assist you. Your sweat and blood will bring glory to the Empire!"

No sooner had I finished speaking than the soldiers saluted with booming voices.

"For the glory of the Empire!"

Their unified cry was loud enough to shake the operations headquarters. Seeing that, I clenched my jaw and closed my eyes.

'This is insane…'

Truly, these men were war maniacs.

Four days later.

At the temporary outpost of the 307th Special Operations Unit on the northern front.

'Today's the day reinforcements from the operations headquarters arrive.'

Captain Heinz Schmidt of the 307th Special Operations Unit pulled a recruitment notice from his pocket while resting in the barracks.

"『Recruitment Notice for Northern Front Reinforcements』

Listen up, citizens!

The battle to defend the noble land of our homeland is fiercely raging in the north!

Thus, I seek those willing to sacrifice their lives for the Empire!

You, who hear this call! Do not covet the Empire's grain while alive but become the fertilizer that adorns its glory in death!

Join me and destroy, ravage, and annihilate our enemies until your last breath!

Our only desire is the death of our foes!"

'…It's like staring into madness.'

Having seen all sorts of insanity during assassinations, high-value target eliminations, and counter-terrorism operations, Heinz considered himself well-versed in madness. Yet, even for him, this notice was unsettling.

'It's not recruiting comrades for battle…'

It looked more like a demand for expendable parts for the Empire's war machine.

'Second Lieutenant Daniel Steiner, was it?'

From what his aide had said, this officer had recently been promoted three ranks for distinguished service.

Yet, unsatisfied with that, he had volunteered for the northern front. This could only mean one thing.

'A promotion-obsessed war maniac…!'

Someone willing to use his comrades without a shred of compassion to further his career—that was what Heinz saw in Daniel Steiner.

Feeling uneasy, Heinz unconsciously tightened his grip on the paper before shaking his head.

'Judging someone based on rumors is wrong.'

You couldn't know someone's true nature until you experienced it firsthand.

Resolving himself, Heinz looked up as a soldier entered the barracks and saluted.

"Captain! The reinforcements from the operations headquarters have arrived!"

Acknowledging the report with a nod, Heinz replied.

"Understood. I'll head out now."

As Heinz pocketed the notice and rose, he glanced at the girl leisurely reading a book nearby. However, seeing her engrossed, he decided not to disturb her.

After a respectful nod in her direction, Heinz stepped out of the barracks.

The brightness outside revealed a platoon of soldiers marching across the snow-covered ground. The twenty soldiers exuded an almost tangible intensity.

Even the officers and men of the special unit passing by instinctively stepped back, intimidated by the sheer presence of these war machines.

At their helm was none other than Second Lieutenant Daniel Steiner, his gaunt eyes fixed forward with a sharp glint.

"..."

"..."

Their eyes met, and Heinz felt an involuntary stiffness in his body.

Recognizing Heinz as the commanding officer, Daniel saluted sharply. Heinz returned the salute, and Daniel approached with a faint smile.

"It's an honor to meet you, Captain Heinz Schmidt."

"You know my name?"

"Yes. I did some basic research on the unit I would be joining. It seems this unit has carried out remarkable missions. I believe I understand why I was sent here."

"Thank you for saying so. The journey must have been difficult. Are you or your men not fatigued?"

Daniel chuckled softly and shook his head.

"Those suicidal hopefuls? I've been observing them for days, and they don't seem to tire. Don't worry."

The phrase "suicidal hopefuls" made Heinz break into a cold sweat.

'He really does treat his men as mere expendable resources.'

Though Daniel had meant it as a joke to lighten the mood, Heinz, already burdened by preconceived notions, now saw Daniel as nothing less than a devil.

"Captain Heinz?"

Unaware of Heinz's internal turmoil, Daniel tilted his head, puzzled by the captain's stiff expression.

"What's the commotion here?"

The tent flap behind Heinz opened, and a blonde girl stepped out.

Clad in a white blouse adorned with a red brooch, she was unmistakably a noble.

Daniel's gaze naturally shifted to her, and when their eyes met, he froze.

Sensing his gaze, the girl offered him a sweet smile.

At that moment, Daniel felt his entire being freeze over.

'She claims to be a war correspondent?'

No. Absolutely not.

From what Daniel knew, the girl before him was royalty.

'Why are you here?'

This girl was to become the Empire's Empress, ruling alongside the game's protagonist, who would eventually unify the continent.

But why had she been assigned to the northern front, of all places?

Her status as a journalist was obviously a cover.