Chapter 38

Upon hearing Daniel’s orders, Lieutenant McCall captured the enemy leadership along with their troops.

During the capture, a few officers clenched their teeth in obvious irritation, but no incidents occurred.

This was because Daniel had already given the order: “Anyone who resists may be shot without hesitation.”

Clearly, these cowards valued their own lives more than those of their soldiers, so they quickly joined the evacuation line.

With their lives on the line, they couldn’t help but behave like docile lambs.

Having successfully captured the entire royal army command and soldiers, Lieutenant McCall ordered a radio operator to inform Imperial Army Division Command of the situation.

The Division Command responded promptly, acknowledging receipt of the message.

As an added bonus, they promised to send an escort unit immediately upon receiving coordinates.

Everything was proceeding absurdly smoothly, causing Lieutenant McCall to let out a bitter laugh.

“Now…”

Division Command would soon broadcast across friendly and enemy lines that the Ironclad Division commander had been captured.

This would skyrocket our troops’ morale while crushing the enemy’s spirits. Some enemies, unaware their commander had fled, would likely try to verify the claim, inevitably causing confusion and panic.

It was as if we’d already placed the finishing touch on an already advantageous battlefield.

“Who exactly orchestrated this entire operation from start to finish…?”

Standing alone on the dock, gazing at the coastline, was Captain Daniel Steiner.

“When I first met him, I thought he was just another General Staff headquarters guy.”

Now, it was clear he possessed a brilliant mind worthy of a genius strategist.

As Corporal Glendi approached Lieutenant McCall, who was regarding Daniel with admiration, he commented:

“Isn’t he incredible? Discovering the enemy supply route was impressive enough, but proposing to exploit it and now capturing enemy leadership? It still feels unreal.”

Chuckling, McCall nodded in agreement.

“I feel the same way. That all these operations originated from one person’s mind is hard to believe. In a way, we might be witnessing living history unfold.”

“History?”

“Exactly. Think about it – the Battle of Nordia deserves to be recorded in history books, doesn’t it? While ordinary officers like us might not make the cut, the company commander’s name will surely be immortalized.”

Indeed, such remarkable achievements couldn’t possibly go unrecorded.

Glendi grinned.

“Thinking about it that way really lifts my spirits! Who knows, maybe we’re serving under someone destined to be celebrated as a great figure of the Empire. There aren’t many better conversation starters than that!”

A great figure of the Empire… Though it seemed exaggerated, imagining Daniel’s future accomplishments made it plausible.

“A title even more fitting exists.”

At that moment, Prien entered between Glendi and McCall.

“To me, Captain Daniel seems like a divine savior sent by God to protect our Empire from the United Nations’ barbaric attacks.”

Narrowing her eyes dreamily, Prien smiled faintly.

“Surely Captain Daniel can show those United Nations beasts the fires of hell. Eventually, only citizens of the Empire and their followers will remain on this land.”

Prien’s radical ideology caused both McCall and Glendi to break into cold sweats despite themselves.

While McCall and Glendi fervently desired the Empire’s victory and the United Nations’ downfall, they didn’t advocate punishing everyone who wasn’t an imperial citizen.

They’d sensed something unsettling in Prien’s eyes since the battle against the supply brigade – a glimmer of madness.

Still, they couldn’t criticize her evident loyalty.

Glendi cleared his throat awkwardly to lighten the mood.

“Speaking of which, what could our company commander be thinking about while gazing at the sea?”

Turning his gaze toward Daniel, McCall observed:

“He’s accomplished such a great military feat capturing enemy leadership, so he should be celebrating. Yet, there’s something heavy in his expression as he quietly stares at the sea.”

Truly, Daniel remained an enigma.

“How could ordinary people like us ever understand a genius’s thoughts? If I were to dare guess, he’s probably contemplating various post-war issues.”

“Indeed. Given the company commander’s nature, that seems highly probable.”

As Glendi and McCall watched Daniel longingly, he sighed imperceptibly while absently watching seagulls drift over the ocean.

“All I want is to return home…”

Daniel longed for nothing more than peaceful pastoral life…

*

When news spread across the battlefield that the enemy leadership had been captured fleeing, the Ironclad Division lost morale and began surrendering one after another.

Thanks to the demoralized enemy forces, the Imperial Army easily entered Nordia, seizing key buildings and replacing the kingdom’s flag with the Empire’s banner.

Brigadier General Felderham formalized the Empire’s occupation of Nordia, ordering supply routes established and key figures from the Ironclad Division repatriated to the homeland.

During this process, I was kept busy handling post-war administration since Felderham had entrusted me with tasks related to selecting defensive positions, maintaining public order, and safeguarding classified information.

Around two weeks passed when Heinrich suddenly summoned me to city hall.

Though uneasy, I couldn’t disobey the order, so I headed to city hall.

Of course, calling it city hall was misleading – it was effectively the garrison commander’s headquarters now.

Not only were imperial soldiers guarding every side, but identity verification was mandatory to enter.

Ascending the steps with a vaguely oppressive atmosphere, the guards saluted upon recognizing me.

“Captain Daniel Steiner, sir! It’s an honor to meet you. Please proceed.”

Nodding, I entered the building and ascended to the third floor.

Following the Gothic-style corridor, I arrived at the garrison commander’s office and knocked.

Permission came shortly.

“Enter.”

Opening the door, I found Heinrich and his aide-de-camp Captain Philip waiting.

Inside, I offered a crisp salute.

“Brigadier General sir, I’ve been informed you requested my presence.”

Heinrich’s lips curved into a smile.

“Yes. You’ve been so busy with post-war duties we hardly got a chance to see each other. I was feeling somewhat guilty for overlooking your significant contributions.”

Shifting to parade rest, I replied matter-of-factly.

“An officer should follow orders without expecting rewards for accomplishments.”

“An admirable attitude. Still, I wish more officers shared your humility. However, since the Empire operates on strict meritocracy principles, we can’t simply overlook your achievements.”

Heinrich continued smiling.

“As you know, your division commander and I will soon leave for the northern front. With the occupation complete, we have no further business here in Nordia. This means the garrison commander position will be vacant. Do you understand why I’m telling you this?”

“…Yes, I’m aware of that fact, but why are you informing me specifically?”

“For one simple reason – I’d like you to temporarily assume the garrison commander role until official appointment from General Staff Headquarters.”

Cold sweat trickled down my back.

“General sir, I’m part of General Staff Headquarters’ direct command units.”

I emphasized my status as merely a captain under General Staff orders, but Heinrich calmly nodded.

“Of course we’re aware of that. Naturally, General Staff has approved the arrangement. They’ve asked you to hold the fort until they appoint a permanent garrison commander.”

Wait… What? Shaking off my daze, I forced a smile.

“Much appreciated, but realistically impossible. Even as a temporary position, the garrison commander must be able to command battalion-level personnel at minimum.”

“So?”

“As a major-level officer, I cannot command battalion-level personnel nor possess appropriate authority to manage the garrison. Please reconsider.”

Though sincere, Heinrich’s lips curled into an amused smile.

“Rest assured, we wouldn’t assign a major to such a critical position.”

What? Was this some cruel joke?

Relaxing slightly, I prepared to return to General Staff…

“Captain Philip.”

At Heinrich’s command, Captain Philip approached with a box wrapped in silk bearing the imperial flag.

Wait… A box?

“Sincere congratulations.”

Captain Philip sir? Why the honorifics?

Just as my unease reached its peak, Philip unfurled the flag and opened the box to reveal a shiny major’s badge and epaulettes.

Before I could react, Heinrich burst into hearty laughter.

“Congratulations on your special promotion, Major Daniel Steiner! Witnessing the birth of the Empire’s youngest major brings me great joy! Ah yes, would you mind if I personally pinned it on?”

Major? Me? Dazed, I managed a weak nod.

Heinrich retrieved the major’s badge from the box.

“Consider it an honor. I hear His Majesty the Emperor himself has taken interest in your achievements.”

With that, Heinrich removed my captain’s insignia and replaced it with the major’s badge.

Staring blankly at this sequence of events, my hand trembled involuntarily.

A General Staff operations staff officer…

Recipient of the second-class National Order of Goryeo Medal…

Described by the 7th Magic Armored Division commander as a bloodthirsty wolf…

Primary contributor to the Nordia invasion operation…

The Empire’s youngest major…

Temporary garrison commander of occupied territory…

Reviewing all these titles, my lips twitched uncontrollably.

“Hold on. This…”

From any perspective, I appeared to be a prime candidate for execution during post-war tribunals as a “key member of the Imperial military leadership.”