Chapter 11

This is Puffin. Target eliminated. Returning to the temporary forward operating base.

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

That meant Heinz’s rational prediction was wrong and Daniel’s gut feeling had been right.

As much as Heinz wanted to believe it was a lie, there was no way Daniel, someone obsessed with earning military honors, would file a false report.

Heinz responded with an acknowledgment, withdrew from the plateau, and returned to the forward operating base, where he could witness firsthand the fruits of Daniel’s labor.

“Huh…”

In the open area of the forward operating base, prisoners in UN military uniforms were kneeling in large numbers.

At a glance, there were over eighty prisoners being guarded by just twenty squad members—an utterly surreal sight.

Heinz’s aide-de-camp was equally astonished by Daniel’s accomplishment.

“…Captain Daniel really led his squad and wiped out an enemy company? How is this even possible?”

It wasn’t impossible.

Though rare, there were cases where squads had defeated companies before. If you looked at combat records, finding examples like David slaying Goliath wouldn’t be too difficult.

‘But…’

Was there ever a David who captured Goliath alive?

Heinz couldn’t figure out how Daniel managed to make an entire company surrender with just twenty men.

And among the captured UN troops were five officers, seven non-commissioned officers, including one senior officer.

The intelligence that could be extracted from them made this a major success.

As Heinz stared down at the groaning prisoners in the snow, he sensed movement and looked up.

Daniel, who had approached quietly, saluted.

“You’ve returned, Captain Heinz.”

With a somewhat bewildered feeling, Heinz replied.

“Remarkable. How did you manage to capture all of them?”

“Ah, I just got lucky, I guess.”

While sincere, it sounded to Heinz like Daniel was merely being modest.

‘There’s an old saying in the Empire: humility leads to great heights. Humility truly is a virtue. If I hadn’t known better, I might’ve fallen for his act.’

Heinz cleared his throat warily.

“Drop the ‘lucky’ nonsense. No squad gets lucky enough to defeat a company. It was all your doing.”

“It wasn’t,” Daniel said seriously.

“I simply followed Captain Heinz’s advice, taking into account Central Intelligence Agency support. All credit should go to the CIA and Captain Heinz.”

What Daniel was really trying to say was, “Please don’t report to higher-ups that I did everything.”

But to Heinz, it seemed like Daniel was practicing high-level office politics.

‘Lowering himself while flattering his superiors—this would charm even the toughest superior. Not only does he excel in combat leadership, but he also masters military politics…’

There was no denying it—he was a monster driven by ambition.

Heinz shivered and muttered under his breath.

“There’s no way. I don’t falsify reports. Your accomplishments will go straight to HQ. Enjoy your victory.”

Daniel’s eyebrow twitched slightly.

‘What a clueless guy! This jerk actually insists on reporting my achievements!?’

If it were any other commander, they’d have gladly accepted the credit. But this stiff-necked officer refused to steal his subordinate’s glory, staying incorruptibly honest.

Now it made sense why Heinz hadn’t advanced further despite his achievements.

Daniel sighed inwardly but kept his face expressionless.

“If that’s your decision, Captain, then I’ll accept it.”

“Good. The operation is now complete. You should head back and rest. I’ll take charge of the prisoners. Also, prepare to return to General Staff Headquarters by noon tomorrow.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Once assured the conversation was over, Daniel gave a sharp salute.

“It was an honor meeting you, Captain Heinz Schmidt.”

“The honor is mine, having such competent talent under my command.”

After exchanging pleasantries and returning the salute, Daniel turned and walked toward his military tent.

Watching his retreating back, Heinz’s aide-de-camp spoke in awe.

“Rumors say the squad leader sent from General Staff is some kind of elite, and it seems they’re true. Not only is his operational skill top-notch, but his respect for superiors is impeccable.”

“Not wrong, but you’re missing the point,” Heinz murmured, looking at Daniel’s departing figure.

“That man is a monster—a monster who will one day devour this very empire…”

—

The next day.

After finishing my detailed battle report to Heinz yesterday, I headed to the open space of the forward operating base at noon.

There, military jeeps and transport vehicles were parked, and the squad members were gathered around chatting.

I overheard them discussing yesterday’s battle, praising me every so often—it wasn’t just my imagination.

Prien approached me as I stood nearby.

“Lieutenant Daniel! Good noon! Are your reports done?”

“…Yes. What were you all happily talking about?”

“They were discussing how excellent a commanding officer you are! Leading our first battle without casualties against an enemy company? Truly amazing!”

Prien’s shining eyes were becoming burdensome.

Frowning, I addressed her.

“Stop spouting nonsense. We need to return to headquarters, so get in the vehicle.”

“Yes sir! I’ll let everyone know!”

After saluting, Prien relayed my message to the squad members.

They turned to me, saluted sharply, and headed toward the transport vehicles.

They’re far too excited about this first victory. Sighing, I started walking toward the jeep when I stopped short.

A woman dressed in a pristine blouse and coat, hands behind her back, was waiting for me.

Princess Selvia noticed me and casually greeted me.

“Lieutenant Daniel. Are you returning to headquarters?”

“…Yes, but?”

“Then let’s go together. I also have business there.”

Wait, why are *you* coming with me? My mind went blank from sheer absurdity.

After freezing for a moment, I tried to respond intelligently.

“Miss journalist. These military vehicles prioritize performance over comfort—they’re unsuitable for long-distance travel, especially for a woman’s body…”

“I’m fine. It’s wartime, after all. Just being able to ride in a functioning car feels like a blessing.”

Even if *you* think it’s fine, *I* don’t! There’s no way I can ask a princess to drive herself, meaning I’d have to chauffeur her back to HQ—a chore I’d rather avoid.

“Lieutenant Daniel?”

How could I possibly refuse a princess?

Letting out a low sigh as my final act of defiance, I nodded.

“If you insist, please board. I’ll drive.”

Selvia nodded and took the passenger seat.

Muttering a few complaints under my breath, I climbed into the driver’s seat and started the engine.

Pressing the accelerator gently, we moved forward, with the transport vehicles following closely behind.

An hour or so after leaving the forward operating base, Selvia spoke up.

“Lieutenant Daniel, how do you see the current state of the war?”

Out of nowhere!

Still, it was a question the princess, disguised as a war correspondent, would naturally ponder.

Given the constant cheerleading from generals shouting “The Empire will surely win!” she probably wanted an honest opinion from a lower-ranking officer.

“It won’t be easy.”

So, at least I could offer her some advice.

However, Selvia looked puzzled.

“Why not? The Empire has practically secured victory on the northern front, and we’re hearing good news from the eastern front too. At this rate, the Empire will triumph in the war against the United Nations.”

“Yes, assuming no third party intervenes, that’s likely.”

Princess Selvia doesn’t understand the horrors of world war.

That’s why she can speak so lightly.

“What happens if the mighty Empire defeats the United Nations and claims their spoils?”

“Of course, the Empire would rise as the dominant power, standing above all nations…”

“Yes. If things go well, we might lay the foundation to dream of global unification. The problem is, other great powers are aware of this fact.”

Great powers fear the Empire growing stronger than ever.

They also recognize that the collapse of the United Nations could mirror their own future.

Fear and suspicion will ignite the spark of war against the Empire.

Great powers, sensing the need for war, will rush to declare it—and their target will undoubtedly be…

“The Empire will become the enemy of all nations.”

This is exactly why the Empire ultimately fails against the allied forces.

“…”

Selvia’s expression grew serious.

She seemed to be evaluating the rationality of my words.

Rejecting the views of admirals and generals who claim the Empire is bound to win would certainly come as a shock.

Perhaps she might dismiss me as delusional and grow angry.

But Selvia didn’t reject my argument; she accepted it.

“Indeed. A plausible scenario. Lieutenant Daniel Steiner, how did you arrive at such reasoning…?”

Before I could answer, something caught my eye on the road ahead—spikes glinting in the sunlight.

‘Spike traps…!’

My senses snapped to attention. Swerving the wheel sharply, I veered onto a side road.

BUMP! The sudden turn caused Selvia to lose her balance.

“Ugh!”

Tumbling sideways, Selvia grabbed my thigh to steady herself.

At that moment, I grabbed her head and pulled it down.

“Hmph!? Lieutenant Daniel, what are you-”

BANG! Gunfire erupted from all sides, bullets flying through the air.

One round struck the passenger-side window with a thud.

If it weren’t bulletproof glass, it would’ve shattered instantly.

Realizing the situation, Selvia stopped trying to lift her head and ducked down.

“Surely not…”

Unfortunately, her worst fears were confirmed.

Spike traps and gunfire meant one thing:

An ambush.