Chapter 10

For a moment, I thought I heard wrong, but Prien’s eyes were filled with certainty.

“…Telescope.”

“Yes, Lieutenant!”

After receiving the telescope from Prien, I furrowed my brow while scanning the entrance of the gorge.

Just as Prien said, a company-sized unit was marching forward.

But why had they come to Edelkrall Gorge, which is mined?

Out of curiosity, I checked their formation and couldn’t help but let out an awkward laugh.

‘They’re marching in ten columns. And at the far front, two soldiers are walking ahead.’

Those soldiers at the front were essentially the mine-clearing team.

If no explosions occur along their path, it means there are no mines.

So Jeremy’s troops are simply following in their footsteps.

‘The soldiers at the front…don’t seem like they’re doing this willingly.’

Upon zooming in with the telescope, I could see fear all over the faces of the soldiers leading the charge.

How could anyone willingly take the lead while trembling in such fear? It’s definitely not by choice.

It was highly likely that some form of threat was involved.

When I shifted the telescope, about 30 meters back, I saw a soldier aiming a gun directly at the ones leading the charge.

“Deserters will be shot on sight.”

Jeremy must have given similar orders.

‘Using subordinates’ lives to check for mines…truly devilish thinking.’

Though, in the history of war, there have been worse things, so it wasn’t particularly surprising.

With a sigh, I lowered the telescope and looked around before speaking.

“The target is approaching. All squads, prepare for combat.”

As soon as I finished speaking, the squad members crouched down, pulling out rifles slung over their shoulders, then checking the mana cylinders strapped to the opposite shoulder.

These cylindrical objects, equipped with various mechanical devices and gauges, were the Empire’s cutting-edge military gear.

Their function was to store mana beforehand and use it when needed, allowing soldiers to access up to twice as much mana during battle depending on the individual.

In short, Imperial soldiers could fight twice as effectively as those from other nations.

While this was an oversimplification, it wasn’t an exaggeration to say that the invention of the mana cylinder—a marvel of magical engineering—had made the Empire a great power.

‘And truthfully, there isn’t a nation that can defeat the Empire in a one-on-one total war…’

The problem was that flaunting this overwhelming national strength had earned the neighboring countries both fear and resentment.

Recalling why I wanted to escape the Empire, I too checked the gauge on my mana cylinder.

After confirming everything was fine, I lay down at the edge of the cliff and took aim.

The soldiers followed suit, lining up along the cliff.

As Colonel Jeremy’s unit advanced deeper into the gorge, I whispered loud enough for the soldiers to hear.

“I’ll handle the enemy commander. Once I fire, you suppress the rear to cut off their escape route. Prepare your mana-enhanced rounds.”

“Mana-enhanced rounds!”

The soldiers echoed my command in hushed voices, channeling mana into their magazines.

This temporarily infused the bullets with mana, increasing their destructive and penetrative power.

Since these mana-enhanced rounds easily surpassed most magic spells without requiring complex incantations, they were extremely easy to use.

When firearms were developed, medieval knights vanished; similarly, after the effectiveness of mana-enhanced rounds was proven, magic largely became obsolete except for a few practical applications, relegating it to a relic of the past.

A prime example of how technological progress destroys romance.

‘That said…’

If I successfully assassinate Colonel Jeremy here, won’t that add to my accomplishments?

With the princess watching from behind, I have to fight, but if I keep racking up achievements, it’ll ruin my chance to escape the Empire.

What should I do? Feeling Selvia’s gaze, I opened the scope of my rifle.

Bracing the rifle against my shoulder and looking through the scope, I spotted Colonel Jeremy moving in the center of the formation.

Although his face wasn’t clear due to the limited magnification, the single high-ranking officer uniform confirmed it was him.

If I succeed in assassinating Colonel Jeremy here, a special promotion is guaranteed.

That can’t happen—I don’t want to be further tied down to the Empire.

‘Then…’

I’d just have to look like a bumbling idiot who failed to kill Colonel Jeremy despite the opportunity.

‘Pretend to miss.’

Having made my decision, I slightly adjusted the barrel and aimed at the soldier walking beside Colonel Jeremy.

Taking a deep breath, holding it, generating mana, and pulling the trigger.

Bang!

The bullet tore through the air and pierced the soldier’s head.

Immediately afterward, the sound of gunfire from the squad members rang out, deafening my ears.

Glancing briefly, I saw about 17 allied soldiers collapse, blood spurting.

An excellent first volley.

However, the enemy commander is still alive.

If they count the number of soldiers killed in the first volley—around twenty—they’ll quickly realize we’re only a squad.

From what I know, Jeremy is a wily old rat. He’ll undoubtedly erect a mana barrier and flee either forward or backward.

Of course, many soldiers will die in the process, but would someone who uses their subordinates as mine-clearers even care?

If Jeremy escapes, I’ll officially be considered a failed officer.

‘Come on, run already, Colonel Jeremy!’

Waiting with my eye on the scope, I could see Jeremy’s unit panicking.

One of the officers began shouting, then dropped their weapon.

‘Huh? Why are they dropping their weapons?’

Confused, I watched silently as the enemy officers and soldiers knelt down one by one, raising their hands.

A clear sign of surrender. An expression of no intention to continue fighting.

Prien, who had been shooting next to me, tilted her head in confusion.

“…They’ve surrendered?”

“No. It could be a deception tactic. They might try to attack us once we approach…”

Just as I spoke, the officer shouted something and threw their weapon toward the minefield.

The soldiers followed suit, tossing all their weapons into what appeared to be the minefield.

“…This surrender seems genuine.”

What was going on? I didn’t understand, but regardless, since the enemy had surrendered, the operation was officially over.

“Everyone, stand up. We’re going to capture them.”

*

Descending into the gorge, I ordered the squad members to bind the prisoners, then walked toward the man wearing Colonel Jeremy’s uniform to demand an explanation—specifically, why they had surrendered.

“You killed the colonel!”

The man wearing Colonel Jeremy’s uniform glared at me angrily.

“We were ambushed. And if our intel gap was so vast that you even knew we’d switched uniforms, we had no chance of winning. Running forward would’ve led us into a minefield, and running backward would’ve meant certain death.”

In short, the soldier I killed in the first shot was actually Colonel Jeremy disguised as a regular soldier.

With their commander gone so quickly, the company judged that the enemy had the upper hand in every aspect, causing morale to plummet rapidly, leading to their surrender.

‘Damn…’

I rubbed my face, feeling utterly ridiculous as a nearby soldier clenched his fists in frustration.

“Shit…! Damn Empire bastards! If we’d known you were just a squad, we would’ve fought! You evil bastards tricked us all! Fall into hell, you-!”

With a “Thud,” the soldier collapsed onto the snow.

Prien had struck the soldier’s neck with the butt of her rifle.

Prien, who had been listening, coldly stared down at the enemy soldier before saluting me.

“Lieutenant! We’ve captured 87 enemy soldiers, excluding the 18 casualties!”

Listening to Prien, I realized we really had defeated a company with just a squad.

As I exhaled a cold breath in silence, Prien added:

“…Are you not happy about earning merit? Oh! Of course, this kind of achievement is probably routine for you, sir. My apologies!”

What’s she talking about? As I frowned, a camera shutter clicked.

Startled, I opened my eyes and turned to see Princess Selvia standing there.

Lowering her camera, Selvia looked at me proudly.

“Congratulations. Your strategy was flawless, and you even eliminated the target perfectly.”

“Hold on. What about the picture you just took…”

“I’ll order—it’s more like request—that it be published in the papers when we return to the capital. A war hero who defeated a company with a squad deserves proper recognition, doesn’t he?”

I wanted to tell her not to, but she was the princess. I had no right to refuse.

Selvia stepped closer, playfully patting my waist.

“How does it feel to be a war hero?”

“…”

Terrible.

But I couldn’t say that to the Empire’s princess.

Regaining my composure, I responded as calmly as possible.

“I merely did my duty for the Empire. Calling me a war hero is unwarranted. This battle is just one among countless others on the frontline. Publicizing it might seem excessive.”

I’m asking her not to announce my achievements to the capital.

But after hearing me, Selvia’s surprised expression quickly turned into a bright smile.

“Indeed. You truly are a model soldier, just as I’ve heard. I can hardly wait to recruit you.”

…Something feels misunderstood here, but maybe it’s just my imagination.