Chapter 6

I stopped mid-drink and stared blankly at the soldier in front of me.

From his overly excited face, I could see admiration for me swelling up, which made me feel somewhat uneasy.

At first, I was irritated that this soldier had interrupted my post-work relaxation at the Officer’s Club, but now I’m completely caught up in a different emotion.

Because the news the soldier brought me—that the logistics department construction site is actually an oil field—hit me like a ton of bricks.

Could I have possibly misheard? Please let me have misheard. As cold sweat trickled down my face, I set my glass down on the bar table and asked,

“Soldier, if you don’t mind, could you repeat that?”

“Of course, sir! Captain Daniel Steiner ordered the Logistics Department to build at this site, and we’ve just discovered a massive amount of oil! Operations Staff Captain Arno has instructed me to inform you via radio, so I’ve rushed here despite any inconvenience!”

This soldier’s voice is way too loud.

It’s almost as if he can’t contain his excitement about my supposed achievement and is shouting it out for everyone to hear.

Thanks to him, not only the bartender but also people from other departments enjoying their leisure time at the Officer’s Club are now looking my way.

“…They found oil at the logistics site?”

“Who found it? Surely not that rookie?”

“No, wait—if I look closely, that’s Captain Daniel.”

“Who’s Captain Daniel?”

“You mean you don’t know? He’s the guy who got promoted recently after catching a spy. Because of him, Central Intelligence got some heat, remember? And there’s that ridge incident too…”

The gazes fixed on me and snippets of conversation floating around make me uncomfortable.

‘Looks like I won’t be able to come to the Officer’s Club for a while…’

If I stay here any longer, I’ll feel like I’m sitting on pins and needles, so I stood up from my seat.

“If what the logistics staff says is true, then I can’t skip the inspection.”

After straightening my clothes, I placed the cap I’d left on the bar table back on my head.

“I’ll request inspection permission from the Head of the Operations Staff. Thank you for delivering the message, soldier.”

With a slight nod under the brim of my cap, I expressed my gratitude, and the soldier gave me a vigorous salute.

He looked genuinely moved, though I have no idea what part of this situation struck him that way.

“It’s an honor to help Captain Daniel Steiner!”

I gave him a casual salute before leaving the Officer’s Club, subtly furrowing my brow.

‘The worst construction site I picked turns out to be an oil field? This is ridiculous… It must be a misunderstanding by the logistics officer.’

Yeah. It has to be a misunderstanding.

Oil is one of the most critical strategic resources in war. Without it, there’s no fueling vehicles, tanks, or planes—it wouldn’t be exaggerating to say that the discovery of an oil field can shift the tide of war.

Which means my position within the Imperial Army will become more secure.

In short, my dream of retiring dishonorably is drifting further away.

So please, let the soldier’s report be a mistake.

—

Unfortunately, it wasn’t a mistake.

After going through ten days of complicated procedures for the inspection, I arrived at the center of the Bardenplatz Plain, where oil was gushing out.

The deafening noise of the oil drilling rig makes me wince.

“Do you see it? That’s the oil Captain Daniel Steiner discovered!”

Wahaha! Sergeant Entfeldt burst into laughter, raising his fist triumphantly.

If I weren’t an officer but rather a fellow NCO, he’d probably slap me on the shoulder in excitement. Clearly, he’s fired up.

When I initially ordered the logistics base to be built here, he glared at me like I was garbage, but now things have changed, haven’t they?

While I stared disapprovingly at Sergeant Entfeldt, Logistics Staff Officer Arno, standing next to me, spoke up.

“Captain Daniel, on behalf of the logistics department, I thank you. According to reports, there’s enough oil beneath us to last the Empire 27 years. This will be a powerful weapon for the Empire.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. We’ve already contacted the Railway Department to connect this logistics base with a railway line to transport the oil faster. Once that happens, we won’t have to rely on imports due to oil shortages.”

Wasn’t Arno originally a nervous and negative person?

I remember him being close to a cynic during our first inspection, but now his eyes are full of hope. He even seems to radiate excitement somewhere.

On the other hand, all I can do is sigh deeply. After all, what’s the point of building merit in an empire destined to fall?

Perhaps Arno mistook my sigh of resignation (about the empire becoming less dependent on foreign powers) for relief, because he turned to me with pride and said,

“Incredible! You’ve only been commissioned for four months, yet you’ve already achieved three remarkable feats. Who knows, you might get promoted again soon.”

Sergeant Entfeldt chimed in, raising his voice.

“Haha! Really! If this keeps up, Captain Daniel will outrank Captain Arno! That would be quite the sight!”

Watching these two celebrating my potential promotion feels strange…

Though I appreciate their congratulations, it’s incredibly awkward to receive them.

“I appreciate the compliment, but I don’t wish for further special promotions.”

As soon as I finished speaking, the two froze and stared at me intently.

Did I say something wrong? Just as I was wondering, Arno cleared his throat and responded seriously.

“…I still have much to learn. Hearing you say you don’t desire promotion makes me realize how shallow I am for thinking dedication to the Empire should always come with rewards.”

“Captain Daniel Steiner is truly a role model for soldiers. How can someone possess such noble thoughts…”

Hey, didn’t you guys treat me like a rookie during the first inspection?

It’s understandable, though. Compared to me, both of them likely have some degree of loyalty to the Empire.

From Arno and Entfeldt’s perspective, it’s natural for my words rejecting promotion to sound aristocratic.

Truthfully, I don’t want a promotion because I plan to escape the Empire, but there’s no need to tell them that.

I saluted toward Arno.

“Having completed the inspection, I’ll return to General Staff Headquarters to file my report. Please continue working hard on the logistics base.”

“Of course. Leave it to us.”

After Arno returned my salute, I lowered my hand and turned to leave.

As I boarded the nearby military jeep, the driver started the engine.

After adjusting my collar and glancing out the window, I noticed Arno and Entfeldt watching me with admiration.

It felt extremely burdensome, so I quickly turned forward and said,

“Let’s go.”

“Yes, sir.”

As the driver pressed the accelerator, the jeep lurched forward.

Since the road is unpaved, we had to endure the bumps.

Holding onto the ceiling handle during the ride, I absentmindedly glanced at the rearview mirror and broke out in cold sweat.

Arno and Entfeldt were still staring at me.

It feels like they’re treating me like some high-ranking official receiving a ceremonial welcome.

Hmm. Definitely not coming back to the logistics department anytime soon.

—

News of the oil strike in the Empire’s Bardenplatz Plain quickly spread throughout the nation.

To announce this joyous news, newspapers ran their presses day and night, and street vendors shouted headlines, selling papers like hotcakes.

Naturally, the royal family of the Empire also learned of this fact.

“Is it true that a large oil field was discovered in the Bardenplatz Plain? Exactly who discovered it?”

A young girl with sapphire-like blue eyes and golden hair resembling spring sunlight, Princess Selvia von Amberg, questioned the Chief of Logistics, Kaspar Benedikt, who put down his utensils.

Kaspar Benedikt, with four stars on his epaulettes, oversaw all logistics operations but was still considered a subordinate in front of the princess.

“Indeed, His Holiness has bestowed upon the Empire a most divine treasure.”

“It wasn’t God.”

Kaspar flinched, fearing the princess was committing blasphemy. But she had no such intention.

“The discovery of oil in the Bardenplatz Plain was purely human effort. I’m asking who that person is.”

“Your Highness, this is none of your concern—a mere orphan without noble lineage. So…”

Selvia narrowed her eyes sharply.

“Chief of Logistics, when did the Empire start judging merit based on birth? Have you forgotten we’re at war?”

Right now, Selvia was indirectly telling him to just answer the question.

Kaspar understood this and bowed his head before speaking.

“To my knowledge, the person who found the oil field is Lieutenant Daniel Steiner. He currently serves as a junior operations staff officer at General Staff Headquarters.”

A lieutenant? Could it really be that someone who’s merely a lieutenant discovered the oil field?

For Selvia, who assumed a high-ranking official had poured money and manpower into finding the oil field, this was quite a refreshing shock.

“…Interesting. In many ways.”

If someone is still just a lieutenant, they’re likely politically clean—a blank slate.

There’s no better time than now to recruit them as an ally.

After all, the more competent talents I have by my side, the higher my chances of succeeding to the throne.

“Daniel Steiner, Lieutenant…”

Tapping lightly on the dining table, Selvia smiled faintly.

“I should pay him a visit soon.”