Colonel Bernard’s orders were conveyed to all forces without difficulty.
Upon hearing the initial commands, the soldiers thought the company commander had finally gone insane from boredom.
They didn’t understand the meaning of inspecting and cleaning a place that resembled an abandoned outpost.
However, upon hearing that “Daniel Steiner is coming,” they immediately followed the orders.
Just like Bernard, the soldiers knew well of Daniel Steiner’s notorious reputation.
Soldiers who didn’t want to die rolled up their sleeves and checked the facilities for deficiencies, repairing them as quickly as possible.
Additionally, they used the single iron in the outpost to press the creases out of their uniforms and ensured they cleaned their weapons several times to avoid any issues.
They also memorized the weapon management manuals, fearing that Daniel Steiner might question them about the usage and maintenance of military equipment.
About half a month passed since then.
─ He’s coming! Colonel Daniel Steiner… No! The battalion commander is coming!
Bernard, who received the transmission from a sentry, raised the whistle around his neck and blew it.
Then, the soldiers gathered in front of the base parted to the sides and stood at attention.
Just two weeks ago, they had been giggling and playing poker during work hours, but upon hearing that Daniel Steiner was coming, they behaved like elite troops.
Bernard smirked as he looked around at them.
‘… It feels like I’ve returned to a year ago.’
Such discipline had not been seen since they had become what was colloquially known as a “ghost unit,” forgotten by higher command.
While Bernard was reminiscing about the past, the sound of a vehicle entering from a distance could be heard.
Tensing, Bernard looked straight ahead, where transport vehicles were coming in behind a military jeep leading the convoy.
‘So it was true that higher command sent battalion-level personnel.’
Unlike Bernard’s abandoned company, there was no shortage of supplies in this fully prepared battalion.
‘Is a special mission about to begin…?’
Just as Bernard swallowed dryly, the leading military jeep gradually came to a stop.
Soon, the door of the vehicle opened, and the first to disembark were women who appeared to be officers.
Next, a man with dark hair stepped out and adjusted his clothing.
The man was wearing a winter coat meant for officers, through which the National Order of Goryeo Medal and the Golden Cross Medal were visible.
“…!”
That man was none other than Daniel Steiner, known as the hero of the Empire.
Seeing him in person for the first time made Bernard tense up, feeling his muscles stiffen.
Unaware of Bernard’s unease, Daniel exhaled softly as he surveyed the surroundings.
The breath that flowed out of his mouth dispersed into a cold chill.
As Daniel scrutinized the outpost with sharp eyes, he turned to look at Bernard.
The moment their eyes met, Bernard mechanically raised his arm.
“Welcome! Battalion Commander!”
Daniel slowly walked forward without responding.
Each time Daniel moved, the snow piled in the valley crunched under his military boots.
With his tall stature, Daniel appeared to stride in like a wolf, his coat flapping behind him.
Although he was merely walking, there was a palpable pressure in his presence.
Trying hard not to meet his gaze, Bernard forced himself to look straight ahead, while Daniel, nearing him, slowly spoke.
“What is your name?”
Lowering his hand, Bernard took the position of attention.
“I am Captain Bernard from the Special Forces Company under the Airborne Brigade!”
“How many troops?”
“Yes! I will now report the current status of the company. Out of 47 men, 46 are fit for operations, excluding 1 injured!”
Hearing Bernard’s report, Daniel nodded.
“Excellent. I thought you might have become complacent after being on standby for a year, but it seems you have maintained discipline.”
“You flatter me! However…”
Bernard, checking Daniel’s reaction, hesitantly opened his mouth.
“Pardon my boldness, but may I ask what brings the Empire’s hero, Colonel Daniel, to such a remote area?”
“To rescue Hans Gernmehart, captured by the Belmoore Kingdom.”
“I understand. Then, how do you intend to mobilize the troops, Battalion Commander? Please issue orders based on your plans, and we will implement them immediately.”
Exhaling a cold breath, Daniel looked down at Bernard.
“I have one command to give you. Maintain the status quo.”
With that, Daniel walked past Bernard and added, “It’s cold. Show me to the accommodations.”
Forgetting himself for a moment, Bernard quickly replied, “Ah. Yes! Understood!”
As Bernard followed beside Daniel, he was engulfed in an inexplicable sense of discomfort.
‘Maintaining the status quo means…’
It sounded like he was saying he wouldn’t do anything at all.
It was indeed true that he wouldn’t be doing anything.
Ten days had passed since joining the outpost at the Belmoore Kingdom border.
Daniel Steiner was engrossed in reading.
After flipping through to the last page, Daniel closed the book with a full heart.
The title of the book was “The Baker Who Drinks Tears.”
‘What a wonderful story…’
It was astonishing to think that a book capable of moving one so much existed in this era.
Just as he pondered whether to send a fan letter to the author, the door to the operations command room opened.
Lucy stood beyond the door.
“Colonel Daniel.”
Wondering what was the matter, he watched as Lucy let out a low sigh.
“Are you really not going to issue any orders?”
“… I’m not sure what you mean. I clearly issued a maintain status quo command, didn’t I?”
“There are soldiers who think that means doing nothing.”
Is that so? It was a bit early, but it seemed discontent was gradually surfacing.
The soldiers under the General Staff Headquarters were elite volunteers who joined the military.
They might feel it was dishonorable if their superior did not issue any orders after arriving at the operating site.
‘If the soldiers’ complaints become public sentiment, that would be problematic.’
If the report of Daniel Steiner being negligent in his duties were to reach higher command, a recall order might come down.
‘Using training as a pretext, I need to do something…’
Unwilling to return to the system, Daniel racked his brains.
As he tapped the table, he suddenly snapped his fingers as a thought occurred to him.
“Inform all forces. At the break of dawn tomorrow, we’ll ascend the ridges of the western mountain range. The purpose is for reconnaissance of enemy movements as well as combat drills.”
Lucy blinked in confusion.
She didn’t understand.
“Did you mean the west instead of the east? The border area is to the east.”
So, we should go west.
Heading east could lead to an encounter with the enemy, which would increase the likelihood of an incident.
However, since he couldn’t just say he was pretending to work, Daniel scowled at her, as if looking down on someone who couldn’t understand his brilliant idea.
“Officer. Do you think I’m just saying this without a plan?”
Lucy shook her head.
From the Nordia invasion operation to the negotiations with the Prime Minister of Belanos, Daniel Steiner had often subdued the enemy with unconventional methods.
Lucy, believing this to be another of his brilliant strategies, bobbed her head in acknowledgment.
“I apologize for my impudence. I will inform all troops to prepare their equipment for movement starting tomorrow morning.”
After saying that, Lucy exited the command room and closed the door.
Thanks to that, Daniel was left alone and opened the book again.
He intended to reread the parts he thought were memorable.
Belmoore Kingdom.
Command military tent at the border outpost.
“Are you aware that Daniel Steiner has joined the enemy outpost located in the nearby valley at the border?”
At Crown Prince Bleve’s words, a stir spread through the command military tent.
As everyone was looking around, Colonel Galebalt spoke.
“Is that true? The Empire’s demon is over there…?”
“It is. This information is directly from an Empire representative, so there’s no doubt.”
“Oh my God. If that’s the case…”
Bleve, dressed in a magnificent uniform, gave a sly smile.
“God has granted me a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If I can capture Daniel Steiner as a prisoner, I will no longer have to endure humiliation like this.”
Though he was a crown prince, Bleve’s position was unstable due to his brother rising through the ranks.
His brother had been gaining military achievements on the battlefield, causing support for Bleve’s standing to waver.
Thus, he had been forced to go to war recently, but fortune smiled upon him when he learned that Daniel Steiner was nearby.
‘If I succeed in capturing Daniel Steiner, who inflicted massive damage on the Allies…’
His simple-minded brother would never be able to compete with him, and his status among the Allies would undoubtedly rise.
‘I’m not sure why Daniel Steiner is here, but…’
Once they secured the information first, it was no exaggeration to say that victory was in the bag.
Lost in the sweet visions of the glory he would enjoy after capturing Daniel Steiner, Bleve finally spoke.
“Colonel. Immediately form a battalion of elite troops. As soon as dawn breaks tomorrow morning, we will attack the enemy outpost.”
The chuckle that spilled through his lips lingered softly in the command tent.
“Wait for me, Daniel Steiner…”
The eyes of the greedy Bleve gleamed.
“I will personally hunt you down, the demon of the Empire!”
