NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1
There is a game called ‘Empire of Emperor’.
Literally translated, it means ‘Empire of the Emperor’, and it’s one of those fantasy war games set in the modern era.
The main objective of the game is to stop the Empire, a militaristic nation that aims to unify the world based on overwhelming national power.
It wasn’t very popular, but it was my favorite game because the NPC interactions were incredibly rich.
For example, even among farmers, their values differ depending on their region and nation.
The soldiers also don’t move mechanically; they harbor their own grievances, and if the command doesn’t heed them, desertion and mutiny can occur.
Moreover, depending on the player’s actions, a once friendly NPC can become an enemy, while an enemy NPC may switch sides based on the player’s decisions.
Truly a masterpiece!
Just a slight variation in play can start a new story, making it the best game for me.
One flaw, however, is that no matter how you play, the Empire is destined for destruction.
Indeed, it’s unavoidable since the protagonist character controlled by the player belongs to the Allied nations, who are enemies of the Empire.
The problem is that this ‘inevitable fate’ has happened to me.
“As you all know, the Allied forces have encircled the infantry division that has entered enemy territory at a distance of 3 km from the first defense line and 5 km from the second defense line. Everyone knows that we must break through this encirclement to turn the tide of battle.”
I look at the man speaking in a solemn tone.
The middle-aged man with a wrinkled face and a notable scar is someone I recognize well.
【First Magic Mobile Army Operations Command Commander, Major Heinrich Schmidt】
He was a named NPC that I would undoubtedly encounter while playing the game.
‘So that means…’
It all connects with the fact that I’m in the game world right now.
While I wanted to deny it, the operational map laid out on the command table and the impressive eagle emblem behind Heinrich repeatedly reminded me that I was indeed in a game.
And as far as I knew, there was only one place where that eagle emblem was used as the military’s symbol.
‘The Holy Bavarian Empire.’
Right. This was the heart of the Empire, which was destined to lose in the game’s ending.
What am I doing in the heart of that Empire? After racking my memory, I recalled my title.
【Imperial General Staff Headquarters Operations Planning Aide-de-Camp, Second Lieutenant Daniel Steiner】
How cheekily I was the Aide-de-Camp for the Operations Planning division of the Empire’s military.
If I had forgotten that the Empire was doomed and recalled my title, I would probably have popped champagne thinking I was set for an elite career.
But knowing that the Empire is bound to fail, this title was worth less than trash.
‘At the ending…’
The leaders of the wartime Empire cannot escape execution.
As long as I remain here, I too will disappear as a victim of the gallows.
That absolutely cannot happen. I haven’t lived this long just to meet an untimely death.
As much as I would like to apply for discharge, the Empire has a mandatory service period of 8 years for officers.
It’s not a job you can just leave whenever you want.
Then what should I do to escape from here?
As I broke into a cold sweat, a small realization came to me.
‘Disgraceful discharge…!’
If deemed unsuitable at a court-martial, I could attain a dishonorable discharge.
That way, I wouldn’t have to follow military orders anymore.
It means I’d become a free man able to leave the Empire—
“Lieutenant?”
Heinrich’s call made my shoulders flinch.
Looking up, I met the gazes of Heinrich and the other military officers who were staring at me intently.
“It seems you have been pondering our military situation while looking over the operational map since a while ago. Have you come up with some strategy?”
I certainly had. I was thinking of the only way for me to escape the Empire.
Feeling the pressure of the senior officers’ gazes, I hesitated for a moment before clearing my throat.
I rapidly rolled calculations in my head.
‘…This could be an opportunity for a dishonorable discharge.’
The reason Heinrich was asking me about a strategy? He likely thought a Planning Aide might have learned something by observing the higher-ups and wanted to give me the chance to speak.
He probably wants to hear the opinion of a passionate young person, temporarily setting aside the rigid views of the high-ranking officers.
Heinrich was a person who didn’t discriminate by status or person when it came to embracing opinions.
However, I had no intention of meeting Heinrich’s expectations.
I had no desire to stay aboard a sinking ship.
“Commander.”
Thus, I decided to speak wrongly for the sake of earning a dishonorable discharge.
“Excuse my audacity, but what route are you considering to send reinforcements to rescue our isolated troops in enemy territory?”
“Hmm. Following the opinions of the staff, I was thinking of marching through the foothills of the Tebaita Mountains. According to the Intelligence Department, that is where the enemy’s vigilance is at its weakest.”
“The Tebaita Mountains, huh…?”
Taking a moment to consider, I replied.
“In that case, I would ask you to reconsider the decision.”
The conference room instantly fell into silence.
It was natural for there to be surprise at my request as a newly appointed second lieutenant, asking to reconsider a decision made after all considerations of the staff’s opinions and the Intelligence Department’s reports.
In the oppressive silence, I could feel the piercing gazes of the senior officers on me, but I calmly continued.
“Commander, don’t you think it’s strange? Why is it that while the enemy’s surveillance is tight, only the vigilance around Tebaita Mountains trend appears lax?”
“Do you regard it as suspicious?”
“Yes. It seems as though the enemy is luring us. It looks as if they are enticing us to march through the foothills of the Tebaita Mountains.”
That was just plausible nonsense.
Certainly, the Central Intelligence Department’s reports would prove to be more accurate than my delusions.
Yet, I pressed on. My aim here was to get a dishonorable discharge.
Thus, it was crucial that I prove I was a miserable person through nonsensical reasoning.
“The enemy is likely laying traps around the vicinity of the foothills of the Tebaita Mountains, waiting for us.”
“And what is your basis for that?”
“My instincts tell me so.”
As I firmly stated, one of Heinrich’s eyebrows twitched.
Heinrich smirked once, tapping the command table lightly.
“What is your title?”
“I am Operations Planning Aide-de-Camp, Second Lieutenant Daniel Steiner.”
“Alright. Daniel Steiner. What you just said directly contradicts the opinions of the staff. You are aware of that, right?”
“Yes.”
“If I were to heed your words, we would have to undertake comprehensive reconnaissance missions, thereby delaying our advance schedule. Can you take responsibility for that outcome?”
This implies that if they accepted my opinion and it turned out to be just unnecessary worry, I should brace for punishment.
Indeed, this was the scenario I’d hoped for.
“If my expectations are incorrect, I will willingly take off my uniform and resign from the military.”
As soon as I finished speaking, the conference room buzzed with whispers.
I could hear murmurs and tuts coming from various places.
Among them, my superior officer from the Operations Planning division furrowed his brows and spoke.
“Lieutenant Daniel! How brazen you are! Do you know where this place is…!”
The Operations Planning officer, who had been about to scold me, suddenly fell silent.
It was because Heinrich raised a hand to stop him.
“Daniel Steiner. There’s no harm in being cautious, so I will give you this chance.”
He spoke with a smile.
“But remember, when words are unleashed, they cannot be taken back. If your words cause harm to the Empire, I will call a court-martial without hesitation.”
In an instant, Heinrich’s murky eyes narrowed.
“Do you understand?”
A tremendous pressure sent chills down my spine.
So this is the sort of man who has risen through the ranks, having faced numerous trials.
He understood how to imbue his words with weight.
At another time, I might have lowered my head or averted my gaze under the pressure. But with the goal of a dishonorable discharge, there was no need to evade the commander’s gaze.
I smiled faintly, not breaking eye contact with Heinrich.
“What I hoped for, Commander.”
The following morning.
The Imperial General Staff Headquarters Officer’s Dormitory.
Knock knock—
The knocking jolted me awake.
I turned my head and glanced at the alarm clock; it was still too early to get up.
Why is someone knocking at this early hour? Who is it?
As I blinked in a daze, I heard another knock.
“Lieutenant Daniel Steiner! The Commander’s summons! Get up!”
Upon hearing the word “Commander,” my eyes flew open.
“Ah, understood!”
I hastily replied, jumped out of bed, quickly got dressed, and opened the door.
On the other side stood an officer in the Empire’s military uniform, like me.
He had three diamonds on his shoulder epaulettes, indicating he was a Captain. My superior.
“…Are you Lieutenant Daniel Steiner?”
“Yes, I am. But why has the Commander called for me?”
I could have guessed. He must have sent a large reconnaissance team to the hills based on my advice and then struck out.
In wartime, wasting manpower is a sin, so the Commander must be calling to chastise me for my incompetence.
Heinrich, who likely labeled me as human trash, would soon convene a court-martial.
Then I would need to admit my guilt and take off my uniform. It would be a free pass for dishonorable discharge.
Depending on the circumstances, I might face prison time, but a few years in prison was better than being part of the leading group in a defeated nation and getting executed, so I could bear it.
As I felt relief at my situation going as planned, a smile crossed the Captain’s lips.
Is he mocking me? No, wait. Something feels off?
“You may be glad, Lieutenant. Thanks to your keen instincts, our troops were able to prevent casualties beforehand. The Commander summoned you to discuss your reward for this.”
…What?