Chapter 0

I didn’t mean to, but I joined the military at a young age.

After regaining my memories from my past life, I realized this world was like a game and worked tirelessly to survive.

【Demon of the Battlefield】

【Sniper of Magic Bullets】

【The Emperor’s Faithful Hound】

As a result, these rather intimidating nicknames ended up being attached to my name.

Though I didn’t seek them out, I was content living with them. What was there to regret when enemies feared me and allies praised me?

However, I couldn’t keep being the Emperor’s errand boy forever.

“The Empire will be defeated by the Allied Nations.”

This one-sentence future was gradually becoming reality.

For some reason, I was secretly glad to face the Emperor due to our recent battle losses.

If the Emperor reprimanded me, I’d just bow down, apologize, resign, and that’d be it.

Then I’d launder my identity and escape to some remote island—life would be all good after that.

“I’ve saved quite enough money. If anything, I could sell military secrets to the Allied Nations if I needed to.”

No more battlefield hardships for me. From now on, it was time for a rosy life.

Despite wanting to laugh, I had no choice but to look guilty as I stood before the Emperor.

“Raise your head, Captain Daniel Steiner.”

At the Emperor’s voice calling my name from the Imperial Throne, I lifted my head.

Selvia von Amberg.

She was the Empress Regnant of the Empire and also a tyrant who treated human lives like flies.

Naturally, her personality was insane, and her only redeeming quality was her stunning beauty. Even now, my eyes were drawn to her sapphire-blue irises and golden hair that resembled beams of spring sunlight.

“You retreated in the Skeolan battle, causing three divisions, including the Magic Division, to fall back. This is a great loss and historical blunder for the Empire.”

Perfect. All I needed was for the Emperor to scold me!

Once I used the Emperor’s reprimand as an excuse to leave the military, I’d start my happy civilian life!

“However, considering that the battle at Skeolan began with an enemy ambush, there was confusion during command issuance, and thanks to your efforts, casualties were minimized despite the retreat, we recognize your merit as a commander.”

But…

“Therefore, I shall bestow upon you the Empire’s highest military honor: the White Dragon Military Merit Medal.”

For some reason, the Emperor showed no intention of letting me go.