I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander

—This is Codename Mole. Target has been neutralized. Returning to the temporary forward base.

That was the radio transmission Heinz received while waiting in the Drokenberg Plateau.

It meant Heinz’s emphasis on rationality had been proven wrong, and Daniel’s instincts were correct.

As much as Heinz wanted to dismiss it as a lie, he knew Daniel, who was obsessed with earning merits, would not submit a false report.

After responding affirmatively, Heinz withdrew from the plateau and returned to the forward base, where he could witness Daniel’s achievement firsthand.

“Huh…”

In the courtyard of the forward base, Allied prisoners of war in uniform were gathered on their knees.

Even at a glance, there appeared to be over 80 prisoners being guarded by a mere platoon of 20 soldiers – a surreal sight.

Heinz’s aide was equally astonished by Daniel’s feat.

“…First Lieutenant Daniel really defeated an entire company with just his platoon. How is that even possible?”

It wasn’t impossible.

While uncommon, there were indeed instances where platoon-sized units had overwhelmed companies.

If one searched combat records, it wouldn’t be too difficult to find a David who had slain Goliath.

‘But…’

Had there ever been a David who captured Goliath as a prisoner?

Heinz couldn’t comprehend how a platoon of only 20 soldiers could force the surrender of an entire company.

Moreover, among the captured Allied company were five officers and seven non-commissioned officers.

There was even a field-grade officer among them.

Considering the information that could be obtained by interrogating them, this was a significant achievement.

As Heinz looked down at the groaning prisoners in the snow, he sensed a presence and lifted his head.

Daniel, who had approached unnoticed, saluted him.

“You’ve returned, Captain Heinz.”

Returning the salute with a somewhat dazed feeling, Heinz opened his mouth.

“Impressive. But how did you manage to capture them all as prisoners?”
“Ah, I simply got lucky, I suppose.”

While Daniel spoke sincerely, to Heinz, it seemed like mere modesty.

‘There’s a proverb in the Empire that the humble rise high. Indeed, humility is a virtue. Had I not seen through this one’s true nature, I might have been fooled as well.’

Regarding Daniel with deep caution, Heinz cleared his throat.

“Enough with the ‘got lucky’ talk. What platoon in the world could overwhelm an entire company just by getting lucky? This is entirely your achievement.”
“…That’s not the case.”

Daniel spoke with a serious expression.

“I merely followed your advice, which was based on the Central Intelligence Bureau’s assistance, to reach my conclusion. All credit should go to the Central Intelligence Bureau and you, Captain Heinz.”

While Daniel was imploring Heinz not to report that he had accomplished everything alone, to Heinz, Daniel’s words seemed like a sophisticated political maneuver for promotion.

‘He’s humbling himself while elevating his superior. Even the most hardened superior would be moved by this. Not only does he excel in combat command, but he’s also well-versed in military politics…’

Truly, he was a monster obsessed with promotion.

Feeling a chill run down his spine, Heinz let out a low sigh.

“That won’t do. I won’t submit a false report. Your achievement will be reported as is to the high command, so savor your victory.”

As a result, one of Daniel’s eyebrows twitched.

‘This bastard has no sense at all! This damned gentleman insists on attributing the merit to me?!’

Any other commander would have gladly accepted, but this stubborn officer was being righteous, refusing to take credit from his subordinate.

It became understandable why Heinz’s rank was lower than his accomplishments would suggest.

Inwardly sighing, Daniel maintained an outward expressionless facade.

“If that is your decision, Captain, I shall accept it.”
“Good. Then as of this moment, the operation is complete. You may return and rest. I will escort the prisoners. Also, be prepared to return to headquarters by noon tomorrow.”
“I appreciate your consideration.”

Confirming the end of their exchange, Daniel snapped a crisp salute.

“It was an honor to meet you, Captain Heinz Schmidt.”
“The honor was mine to have such a capable subordinate under my command.”

After Heinz returned the salute, Daniel turned and walked towards his tent.

Observing his retreating figure, Heinz’s aide spoke with a sense of reverence.

“The rumors about the platoon commander sent by the General Staff being an exceptional elite seem to be true. Not only is his operational performance outstanding, but his conduct towards superiors is also impeccable.”
“Those words aren’t wrong. But you’re failing to see the essence.”

Heinz muttered softly as he watched Daniel’s departure.

“That one is a monster. A monster that may one day devour this Empire…”

The next day.

After providing Heinz with a detailed report of the previous day’s battle, I made my way to the courtyard of the forward base at noon.

Military jeeps and transport vehicles were parked in the courtyard, with the platoon members gathered in front, engaged in conversation.

Eavesdropping, it seemed they were discussing how remarkable the previous day’s battle had been.

Amid their chatter, I could occasionally discern praises directed at me, but it didn’t appear to be mere imagination.

Prien, who had been conversing with them, approached me.

“Second Lieutenant Daniel! Good afternoon! Have you finished your report?”
“…Yes. But what were you discussing so joyfully?”
“We were discussing what an excellent commander you are, Lieutenant! To lead your first battle to victory without a single casualty! And against an enemy company, no less! Truly remarkable!”

Prien’s sparkling, innocent eyes felt deeply burdensome.

Furrowing my brow, I spoke to her.

“Enough with the nonsense. It’s time to return to headquarters, so board the vehicles.”
“Yes, understood! I’ll inform them!”

After saluting, Prien relayed my words to the platoon members.

They then snapped crisp salutes towards me before heading to the military transport vehicles.

They seemed overly elated by our first victory. Sighing, I started walking towards the jeep but paused.

A woman in a pristine white blouse and coat was leaning back, waiting for me.

Celvia had been observing her surroundings when she noticed me and spoke naturally.

“First Lieutenant Daniel. Are you returning to headquarters?”
“…Indeed, but?”
“Then let’s go together. I also have business at the headquarters.”

Wait, why were you going with me? The sheer absurdity left me speechless.

After a moment of silence, I mustered my thoughts and responded as best I could.

“Ma’am. That military vehicle prioritizes performance over comfort, making it unsuitable for long-distance travel. Especially for a woman’s…”
“It’s alright. This is wartime, after all. Being able to ride in a functioning vehicle is already a great fortune, I believe.”

Even if it was alright with her, it wasn’t alright with me. As the Princess, I couldn’t ask her to drive, which meant I would have to endure the fatigue of driving all the way to headquarters – something I wanted to avoid.

“First Lieutenant Daniel?”

However, how could I refuse the Princess?

Letting out a soft sigh as my maximum act of defiance, I nodded.

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

With a nod, Celvia entered the passenger seat.

Grumbling inwardly, I also boarded the driver’s seat and started the engine.

As I gently accelerated forward, the transport vehicles behind followed suit.

About an hour after leaving the forward base, Celvia spoke up.

“First Lieutenant Daniel. How do you perceive the state of this war?”

It was an abrupt question.

Yet, it was understandable for the Imperial Princess to harbor such doubts.

Surrounded only by field-grade officers and generals proclaiming, “The Empire will emerge victorious!” she must have disguised herself as a war correspondent to seek honest opinions from a junior officer.

“It won’t be easy.”

So I could at least offer some advice.

Celvia’s expression suggested she didn’t quite understand my words.

“Not easy? The Empire has effectively achieved victory on the northern front. Even on the eastern front, reports of triumph keep coming in. At this rate, the Empire will defeat the Allied Nations in this war.”
“Yes, if no third parties intervene, that will certainly be the case.”

This world had yet to experience a world war.

That’s why she could make such carefree remarks.

“The Empire is undisputedly at the forefront of the great powers. So what if the Empire defeats the Allied Nations and seizes their dominion?”

Celvia’s expression turned serious upon hearing my words.

“Naturally, it would rise as the paramount power. Standing above all other nations…”
“Yes. If things go well, the Empire could lay the foundation to aspire for global hegemony. The problem is, the other great powers are also aware of this fact.”

The great powers feared the Empire’s power growing beyond its current state.

They were also wary that the Allied Nations’ demise could become their own future.

That fear and apprehension would soon ignite the flames of war on the opposite side of the Empire.

The great powers, realizing the necessity of war, would race to issue declarations of war, with their target being none other than…

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

This was the very reason the Empire ultimately suffered defeat against the Allied forces in my previous life.

“……”

Celvia’s expression became gravely solemn.

She seemed to be evaluating the rationality of my words.

Directly contradicting the opinions of the field-grade officers and generals who insisted the Empire would undoubtedly prevail must have been quite shocking.

Perhaps she might even consider me a delusional fool and react with anger.

However, Celvia did not dismiss my opinion but accepted it.

“Indeed. It is one possible outcome. But First Lieutenant Daniel Steiner, how did you arrive at such a deduction…?”

I couldn’t answer Celvia’s question.

For I had inadvertently discovered a cluster of spikes glinting in the sunlight on the road ahead.

‘A spike strip…!’

My senses sharpened. Swiftly turning the steering wheel, I veered onto a side path.

Thud! The abrupt maneuver caused Celvia’s body to slump sideways.

“Oof!”

As Celvia leaned against me, gripping my thigh in an attempt to straighten herself, I seized her head and pushed it down.

“Huick!? First Lieutenant Daniel! What are you do-”

Rat-tat-tat! Gunfire erupted from all directions as bullets rained down.

One bullet thudded into the passenger window with a forceful ‘whack’.

Had it not been bulletproof glass, it would have easily penetrated through.

Finally grasping the situation, Celvia abandoned her attempt to raise her head and crouched down.

“Surely not…!”

Unfortunately, her apprehension was justified.

The spike strip and multiple gunshots meant only one thing – an ambush.