I Was Mistaken for a Great General of War

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Two weeks later.

“No! I was collecting stamps as a hobby, and my wife comes home all mad after hearing some strange rumor, telling me not to waste money on stuff like this? It’s ridiculous!”

I was strolling in front of the headquarters building after lunch, listening to Ernst’s complaints as usual.

For the record, my aide, Lucy, also suddenly joined in, hearing about Ernst’s family troubles.

“I only have two hobbies, fishing and stamp collecting! Do you think it makes sense to stop me from doing one of them?”

After hearing that, I nodded in agreement, thinking it was a bit too much.

“It does seem like your wife is being unreasonable. It’s not like you neglect your family; you go home right after finishing work.”

“Exactly! You get me, Captain Daniel! The HR Director is criticizing me for spending too much on stamp collecting, and it’s just ridiculous! What hobby in this world doesn’t cost money?”

…Something feels off.

“Director? May I ask what stamp you bought recently?”

“Huh? Ah, I got a limited edition stamp from the Berkhauzen Art Museum, so I did spend a bit on it.”

A limited edition stamp from the Berkhauzen Art Museum? Even I, who has no interest in stamps, knew that it was very pricey.

‘I think it was about 100,000 won when it was sold.’

Considering that the monthly salary for a laborer in this era is around 30,000 to 60,000 won, that’s quite a hefty expense.

I understood why Ernst’s wife was angry but decided to remain silent.

There’s a saying, silence is golden, right?

“I didn’t even touch my emergency savings; I just used my pocket money! What do they want me to do, live in injustice? Anyway, this wife of mine…”

As I listened to Ernst’s complaints with one ear while letting them out the other, I suddenly noticed something weird.

‘What is it?’

I saw unfamiliar junior officers and non-commissioned officers coming and going in front of the General Staff Headquarters.

It’s usually easier to see higher-ranking officers around here than junior ones.

Seeing new second lieutenants and lieutenants bustling about in a place like this was an unusual sight.

“Hey, Director?”

Ernst, who was still going on about his wife, turned to me.

“Hmm? Do you have something to say?”

“Well, um… aren’t there unusually many officers going in and out of the General Staff Headquarters today? They all look like fresh faces.”

“Fresh faces? Ah. I heard that the HR Department called in some officers going to the Northern Front for operational support today. They must have just arrived.”

Operational support for the Northern Front? My curiosity piqued as I asked.

“Aren’t things going smoothly in the Northern Expansion War? I heard that aside from a few areas, the Eldreshia Kingdom is falling apart without resistance.”

“That’s the problem with those few areas. As you know, if we don’t push the kingdom before winter, there’s a high chance it’ll turn into a prolonged war. That’s why we’re sending support.”

Taking a sip of coffee from the paper cup in my hand, I tilted my head in confusion.

“Looking at the rank of the officers, it seems the unit being sent for operational support is at a company level, but having a company join a battlefield with a legion doesn’t seem likely to change the situation.”

At my words, Ernst chuckled softly.

“That’s not it. The company is merely a guard unit to protect the capable staff officers. They shouldn’t be exposed to enemy guerilla attacks on their way to join the Northern Front.”

“Oh. That makes sense.”

It seemed that the General Staff Headquarters intended to deploy capable staff officers into actual combat to shift the war’s dynamics slightly in favor of the Empire.

‘Are they even considering lending a helping hand…?’

Well, from the Empire’s perspective, it was best to quickly conquer the relatively weak Eldreshia Kingdom and concentrate on the Eastern Front.

Once winter’s chill hits, supply lines and movements will be disrupted, leading to a drawn-out war, so they probably wanted to wrap things up before summer ends, even if it means taking risks.

Either way, it wasn’t my concern.

“I don’t know which staff officer is going for operational support, but they’re going to have a tough time.”

Poor guy. I almost felt pity for him.

After enjoying the comfort and safety of the rear, getting assigned to the frontline would make anyone break down in tears unless they were a war fanatic.

But what can you do? That’s your karma.

“…Captain Daniel?”

While I was chuckling to myself, Ernst awkwardly scratched his cheek.

Curious, I stared at him, and he cleared his throat softly.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’ve been so busy lately that I seemed to have forgotten to tell you. The staff officer going out for operational support in the Northern Front is none other than you.”

Huh? My mind went blank for a moment.

I almost dropped my paper cup due to my hands going weak.

After staying stunned for a while, I finally regained my senses and spoke.

“…Me?”

“Yes. The Chief of Operations seems to have taken a liking to you this time. He set the stage for you to shine in the field. With a company size of about 200 people, if it’s a small-scale operation, you can command directly.”

I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t want to believe it.

Taking a deep breath, I asked once more.

“Really, me?”

“I’m certain, so there’s no need to ask twice. Are you that happy? Seeing your face is so unfathomable that it makes me feel happy too! Hahaha! Do your best out there!”

I felt like throwing up, not exactly happy.

As I struggled to react to Ernst’s encouragement, Lucy piped in.

“Congratulations. While Captain Daniel Steiner is performing on the battlefield, I will take care of the office work here at Headquarters.”

Upon seeing this, Ernst tilted his head as if to say, what do you mean?

“Huh? Of course, you, as the aide, should go up with him as well.”

Lucy, rarely flustered, looked visibly startled.

I could see her pupils shaking.

“…But, Chief of Operations? If I leave the headquarters too, the Operations Office will be overwhelmed with work.”

“Well, that’s what overtime is for. We’re in a war after all. Compared to the hardships you’ll face at the front, our suffering here is nothing.”

Lucy fell silent, sweating coldly.

Well, neither Lucy nor the Allied Nations Intelligence Department would have expected such a turn of events.

Of course, I wasn’t concerned about Lucy’s situation.

‘Damn…’

Things were spiraling out of control faster than I expected.

As I secretly grumbled to myself, I suddenly stopped.

A woman I found somewhat familiar was walking toward the General Staff Headquarters.

Her light brown hair swayed gently with each step, and her dark brown eyes sparkled.

It was Freien, who would someday be known as the saint of the Empire.

‘Why is she here?’

Shouldn’t she be in military school taking officer classes at this time?

Curious, I excused myself from Ernst and approached Freien.

“Hey, cadet. Stop right there.”

Upon hearing my words, Freien turned around, her face brightening as she beamed a smile.

“Captain Daniel Steiner! Oh no, my bad! You’re a Major now!”

Her voice went up like she had just encountered a long-lost friend.

Of course, I wasn’t that pleased and maintained a straight face.

“I’m not here to exchange pleasantries, so answer my question. Why are you, a cadet, loitering around the General Staff Headquarters? Isn’t it supposed to be class time at military school?”

“Ah…! The General Staff Headquarters sent notice for support to the Northern Front, so I personally wrote a letter to the HR department. I think they saw that and provided special treatment for me.”

I furrowed my brow.

“A letter?”

“Yes. I wrote in the letter that I had previously operated with you, Major, and submitted my application.”

“Are you saying the personnel officer at the General Staff Headquarters read that and included you in my company?”

“That’s right! It’s an honor to serve with you again, Captain Daniel!”

If it was a decision made by the General Staff Headquarters, I couldn’t argue, but it left a bad taste in my mouth.

How can she smile so brightly at a time when we are heading toward the battleground?

She must either be filled with a passionate loyalty to the Empire or consumed by some kind of madness.

And usually, loyalty and madness have more in common than contrasts.

“…Freien? I understand how you feel, but aren’t you too young to be going to support the Northern Front? Even if you decide to back out, no one will say a thing, so choose wisely.”

I was indirectly suggesting she retract her support, but Freien shook her head and gently placed her hand over her heart.

“I have already made up my mind. I want to repay the grace I received from Captain Daniel with my life when I was in the military police’s detention room. So I won’t retract my support.”

…Grace? What grace? We only exchanged a few words, didn’t we?

“So I will accompany you, Captain Daniel. And not long from now, you and I will meet in an ideal nation where all our worries have faded away.”

“…An ideal nation?”

“Yes. One Empire, one Emperor, one people. A paradise on this earth where the filthy vermin-like Allied Nations’ humans are all exterminated.”

As she spoke, Freien wore a benevolent smile.

A warm expression that could only come from a saintly transformation made me certain.

‘Is she insane?’

For reasons beyond my understanding, Freien had already entered a state beyond mere loyalty—it had become madness.

I swallowed hard, drenched in cold sweat.

‘I need to tell the Chief of Operations. I need to get Freien removed from my company’s unit.’

It probably wouldn’t work, but I had to at least try.

The bright-eyed lunatic in front of me genuinely frightened me.