Chapter 37

Once orders are received, soldiers must fight—it’s their duty.

And since I fall under that category of ‘soldier,’ refusing orders wasn’t an option.

In the end, I had no choice but to lead my late-arriving company as reinforcements for the brigade and march toward enemy lines.

Advancing through a dark tunnel by flashlight, we eventually found a hole in the ceiling where light was seeping through. Climbing out, we discovered the enemy’s supply base.

It was a massive warehouse stacked with various supplies. However, all the Royal Army soldiers guarding it lay scattered about as cold corpses, riddled with bullets.

Looks like the handiwork of the brigade soldiers who’d arrived before us.

As I frowned at the stench of blood, the officers and soldiers of my company began arriving one by one.

“Dear me. What a splendid festival they’ve thrown.”

The first voice to break the silence belonged to Lieutenant McCall.

With a casual nod, I exited the warehouse through its wide-open doors.

Instead of dim lighting, the vast sunlight illuminated everything brightly.

Glancing around, there wasn’t much difference from inside the warehouse.

All the Allied Nation soldiers stationed here were now lifeless bodies.

Meanwhile, hardly any Empire soldier corpses were visible.

Even with a surprise attack, the skill gap was absurd.

I almost felt sorry for the Royal Army.

Just as I was covertly scoffing, a “BOOM!” echoed nearby from artillery fire.

Turning my head, I saw shells raining down on the city center.

Fortunately, it wasn’t indiscriminate shelling—they were targeting only military bases to avoid civilian casualties.

Proof that the Empire was following wartime international law.

Whether or not their soldiers followed said laws, though, remained uncertain.

Through the open door of the supply base, Imperial soldiers could be seen slaughtering Kingdom soldiers.

From some buildings, windows shattered as Kingdom soldiers fell from them.

This urban warfare was nearly perfect in how thoroughly they dominated the enemy.

‘So this is why the Empire’s Magic Mobile Army is called elite…’

As I inwardly marveled, a woman with chestnut hair stopped beside me.

It was Prien.

“What a gruesome sight.”

I turned, surprised she was making such a sensible comment, only to see her standing reverently, as if praying to God.

“They were once humans too. How could they not have known that aligning with beasts turns them into beasts themselves? Though they deserve divine punishment, their sins are truly tragic.”

Yeah. Like you’d ever say anything right.

While I stared dubiously at Prien, Lieutenant McCall spoke up.

“I thought we’d win easily based on the operation outline, but I didn’t expect such overwhelming dominance. It almost makes me feel guilty. It feels like beating up kids.”

McCall’s joke made Corporal Glendi burst into laughter.

“Perfect analogy! And using the enemy’s supply route to infiltrate? Sir, your foresight on the battlefield is unmatched!”

“…Just dumb luck.”

“Haha! With modesty added to your list of virtues, I can’t help but respect you. Anyway, are we joining up with the brigade soldiers now?”

Is he crazy? He actually wants to jump into the middle of that intense barrage?

Looking back, his face was brimming with anticipation.

Not just Glendi—other officers and soldiers also wore expressions eager to dive straight into battle.

Lucy, who maintained a stoic expression throughout, seemed normal by comparison.

‘They’re all war maniacs…’

It gives me chills.

Though everyone seems eager for combat, I have absolutely no intention of fulfilling their requests.

“We’re heading to the coast.”

The coast? Confused, Prien spoke up.

“Captain Daniel, aren’t all enemy forces concentrated at the frontlines or the city center due to our army’s feint attack? The coast should be filled with evacuating civilians right now.”

“…Are you suggesting we attack civilians?”

What do you take me for to even ask something like that?

The reason I suggested the coast is simply because I judged there would be fewer enemies there.

If we can’t avoid fighting, choosing the area with the least engagement increases our chances of survival.

But explaining this to these irrational war enthusiasts might invite unnecessary criticism, so I decided to let it slide.

“There’s a plan. Stop yapping and follow me.”

Truthfully, I had no plan.

I just blurted out ‘plan’ because it’s a magic word that silences complaints among troops.

As expected, Prien and the other officers gave a sharp salute in agreement.

‘Good.’

Now I can leave the war to the brigade soldiers and spend my time watching the sea at the coast.

“All forces will immediately follow me to the coast.”

Hiding my true intentions, I calmly issued orders and started moving.

*

“The frontline…the frontline has been breached!”

“All contact with central forces has been lost!”

Fleeing Division Commander Rapunai of the Ironclad Division listened to reports of defeat after defeat.

He had anticipated some setbacks, but not this rapid collapse of the city.

Clenching his teeth, Rapunai glared at the radio operator and barked,

“Order them to hold their positions and resist the Empire’s assault as long as possible.”

“But sir, the casualties…”

“It’s an order! We need to buy time for our retreat. Do you not understand that another chance depends on it?”

Soldiers can always be conscripted, but losing the entire command structure would be impossible to recover from—that was Rapunai’s belief.

However, this belief was also a defense mechanism allowing him to retreat from the battlefield during emergencies.

BOOM!

The ground shook from artillery fire, causing him to stagger.

Regaining his balance, Rapunai continued forward.

“Damn it! How much farther do we have to go?”

Annoyed by Rapunai’s nagging, a senior officer nearby spoke up.

“Just around the corner is the rendezvous point! Our escape vessel is disguised as a fishing boat, so it’ll be safe from Imperial attacks.”

The officer’s calm explanation reassured Rapunai.

The Empire generally followed wartime international law unless in special circumstances.

That meant they wouldn’t attack civilians, and blending into the evacuation convoy while disguised as a fishing boat would allow an easy escape.

“But Division Commander, are you really planning to evacuate?”

Without leadership, the Royal Army would crumble like a candle in the wind.

Though the officer voiced concern, Rapunai only grew angry.

“We lost the war the moment we were surrounded! We’ve only managed to survive thanks to our supply lines, which they’ve now used against us! Do you think there’s any chance of victory?!”

“There’s none, but perhaps with a stubborn resistance…”

“Don’t spout nonsense! Retreating from a losing battlefield isn’t foolish—it’s smart!”

Although Rapunai’s retreat didn’t include his soldiers.

“…Understood.”

Realizing the division commander’s mind couldn’t be changed, the officer closed his mouth.

After giving the officer a glare, Rapunai turned the corner and caught sight of the coastline beyond.

A little further, and he could board the evacuation vessel.

Thinking they were finally safe, Rapunai and his group froze as they stepped out of the alleyway.

“Huh?”

They had encountered an Imperial army dressed in black uniforms.

There were approximately 200 Imperial soldiers.

Their commanding officer’s chest proudly displayed the National Order of Goryeo Medal, gleaming brilliantly in the sunlight.

Rapunai swallowed hard.

His elite guard, brought for protection, numbered less than 50 men.

Engaging in battle here would mean certain death.

‘But…’

How did these guys manage to set up camp here?

Given Rapunai hadn’t communicated for fear of interception, this situation was naturally absurd.

Daniel, leading a company, felt similarly baffled.

‘Why is the Ironclad Division’s high command here?’

Approaching the coast merely to avoid combat, Daniel couldn’t comprehend it.

The soldiers, however, seemed to have different ideas.

Click!

Imperial soldiers simultaneously raised their rifles, aiming at the Ironclad Division’s high command.

Corporal Glendi joined them, raising his rifle as well.

“Sir, was this part of the plan? Now I’m beyond impressed—I’m terrified.”

Terrified was exactly how Daniel felt.

Sighing at the prospect of adding more military merit, he hid his frustration.

“Capture them.”

Narrowing his eyes sharply, Daniel stared at the stunned high command of the Ironclad Division.

“Anyone who resists may be killed.”

At Daniel’s icy tone, the Royal Army soldiers dropped their guns one by one, losing all will to fight.

This act confirmed Nordia’s fall.