Me?
Me?
Four days later, having arrived near the bridge, Daniel ordered the company personnel to conduct an all-around reconnaissance.
Since the bridge had not been destroyed, he had thought that enemy forces were surely lying in ambush nearby.
Now, once the reconnaissance company discovered the enemy and returned, he could simply cite the unfavorable position and take the long way around downstream.
Unfortunately, things did not unfold as Daniel had anticipated.
"Brigade Commander, reporting! Pursuant to your orders, we have searched every point within a 3-kilometer radius from the road axis, but no enemy movement was observed!"
That was because the company commander, having completed the reconnaissance, confirmed to Daniel that there was no enemy.
Because of that, Daniel, who had been standing on the forest path where birds were chirping, furrowed his brow.
It was hard to believe, but in a battlefield where lives were at stake, the company commander had no reason to lie, so the absence of the enemy was an established fact.
That fact flustered Daniel.
'......They're just giving up the bridge? Are they insane?'
Even if he was the defense commander of a quiet rural city, he should have been well-versed in basic tactics and strategy.
And yet, he could not understand giving up the bridge so easily—a strategic point necessary to block the enemy's advance.
"Brigade Commander? Are you alright?"
Seeing Daniel's frown, the company commander asked cautiously.
Thinking that he could not maintain silence forever, Daniel lightly nodded and opened his mouth.
"I have a few things to think about. More importantly, was there truly no movement at all? Like discovering an enemy reconnaissance squad......."
"Yes. If there had been such a thing, I would have reported it immediately."
"Did you check the high ground? There's the possibility that the enemy might have established a mortar position."
"That's a reasonable point. I also checked the high ground with that possibility in mind, but no enemy forces were present."
With even the slightest possibility ruled out, Daniel nodded after a brief silence.
"Good. I need some time to think, so return to your original position."
"Yes! Brigade Commander!"
The company commander, who had answered vigorously, saluted and moved back to his company.
A question mark floated above Frien's head as she watched that figure from a distance.
"It seems the enemy really gave up the bridge? Why would they do that?"
Pelf, who had been standing with his arms crossed next to Frien, answered.
"It's only natural you don't understand. Normally, setting an ambush to defend the bridge would be the standard course. But those bastards fell neatly into the Brigade Commander's trap."
"Huh? How so?"
"Lieutenant Frien. The Brigade Commander is someone who prefers to corner the enemy based on irregular operations. The enemy, unless they're fools, would know that."
Pelf, who had been watching Daniel stroke his own chin, smiled faintly.
"The Brigade Commander, anticipating that the enemy would be wary of him, deliberately exposed his movement route and advanced toward the bridge. What would the enemy think in that situation?"
"......They would conclude that he was luring the defense force toward the bridge?"
"That's right. The Penbark defense commander must have mistakenly thought that the Brigade Commander was waiting with a trap set. So he chose to abandon the bridge."
He had substituted Daniel Steiner's background and achievements into the context of the operation. That was Daniel Steiner—and the deeper meaning behind the phrase 'tactics and strategy are ultimately about dealing with people.'
Pelf felt a sense of awe at this behavior, as if the enemy were being held and toyed with in the palm of his hand.
"I have served countless superiors, but I have never seen anyone as wise as the Brigade Commander. The Brigade Commander will surely become a great commander remembered in history."
As Pelf spoke with admiration, Frien smiled softly.
"Of course. And by raising the chaotic Empire and saving its people, he will surely be revered as an unprecedented saint in history."
"A saint? What do you......."
Pelf was about to point it out but shook his head.
Frien was a competent medical officer, but she occasionally spouted incomprehensible things.
A certain madness contained in her gentle eyes felt terrifying without his ever quite understanding why.
Thinking that getting more entangled with her would be exhausting, Pelf moved toward Daniel.
"Brigade Commander."
Daniel, who had turned around, saw Pelf approaching and spoke.
"It's the intelligence staff officer. What is it?"
"Congratulations on succeeding in securing the bridge. I would also like to apologize for my ignorance. For I dared to doubt the Brigade Commander's plan."
Daniel nodded with a lukewarm expression.
"Doubting is not a bad thing, so don't blame yourself."
"Hearing you say that makes me feel much more at ease. More importantly, could you now issue the next order? Not only the soldiers but also the officers are waiting for the Brigade Commander's command with morale at its peak."
"The next order, huh."
Daniel, sensing that he could not delay any longer, continued speaking reluctantly, like swallowing bitter medicine.
"Contact General Headquarters. Tell them that we have succeeded in securing the bridge and will establish a bridgehead. The brigade will, as soon as the bridgehead is established......."
Daniel turned his head and looked toward the city.
"Advance on Penbark."
*
Evening, the General Headquarters mess hall.
Dallageurak─
Over the circular table where the meal had been set, only the sound of tableware moving echoed quietly.
The usually bustling GHQ mess hall was quiet today, because the Chief of the General Staff, who held the highest position in GHQ, had come to eat for the first time in a long while.
At the same table sat Schiller, the Minister of State Propaganda, and Cedric, the Deputy Chief of Staff.
It was truly a gathering of luminaries, so everyone assembled in the mess hall was wholly absorbed in their meals so as not to get themselves into trouble.
"Minister Schiller."
Within the artificially formed silence, Chief of the General Staff Arman let out a low laugh.
"Is the food to your liking? If the food is not to your taste, please forgive me. I originally wanted to treat you to a meal at a fine restaurant, but time was not on my side."
Schiller hurriedly set down his cutlery and wiped his mouth with a handkerchief.
"It makes me uncomfortable to hear you say such things. It's exceedingly delicious."
"Then I'm glad. More importantly, how is the propaganda work coming along these days?"
Schiller, who had been quietly observing Arman subtly asking about results, nodded.
"Of course. The people are fervently shouting for the fatherland with one heart and one mind. Furthermore, it's said that the rate of deserters returning has been increasing since Brigadier General Daniel Steiner's recent speech."
"Deserters, you say. I've heard that as well, but I'm curious about the reason."
"I asked a few soldiers, and they said that if a general was willing to go out and fight on the battlefield, they felt ashamed for having run away because they valued their own lives."
They must have been impressed by Daniel, who did not back down even in front of a terrorist pointing a gun at him.
As Arman smiled with satisfaction, Schiller asked a question this time.
"......But is it truly alright?"
"What do you mean?"
"Sending Brigadier General Daniel Steiner out to the battlefield. As you know, he is now virtually the symbol of the Empire. If he were to die on the battlefield, the army's morale would plummet. So, how about recalling him to the Imperial Capital even now?"
From the perspective of Schiller, who led the State Propaganda Department, he did not want Daniel to go out and play an active role on the dangerous battlefield.
He thought it was strategically correct for Daniel to remain in the rear, encouraging soldiers as a propaganda hero.
Arman, understanding Schiller's feelings, maintained his smile and picked up his knife to cut his steak.
"The Minister of Propaganda's words have merit. I also had that method in mind. However, the Daniel Steiner I personally faced was not a trivial human being content with resting in personal peace."
Arman remembered.
Daniel Steiner, who had passionately argued that they must occupy Penbark.
That gaze, fervently longing for something, was still vividly etched in his mind.
"As I see it, Daniel Steiner wants to make the Empire a hegemonic power. And he wishes to stand at its vanguard. He is a talent truly rare in this day and age."
"Chief of the General Staff. But......."
"I understand what you are saying, but you need not worry about Daniel Steiner dying on the battlefield. Cedric? Please explain."
Cedric, who had nodded, turned to Schiller.
"Minister of Propaganda. Currently, Daniel Steiner has secured the bridge leading to Penbark. Without incurring any casualties whatsoever."
"......Excuse me? How is that possible?"
"It seems he likely exploited the enemy's psychology. By openly attempting to secure the bridge, he planted the illusion in the Penbark defense commander's mind that a trap was lying in wait."
As Schiller froze in bewilderment, Arman, having swallowed the meat in his mouth, wiped his lips with a handkerchief.
"As you've now heard, the Penbark defense commander is no match for Daniel Steiner. So I hope you will set your worries aside."
As the convinced Schiller nodded, Cedric rolled his eyes and looked at Arman.
Because the Chief's favoritism toward Daniel Steiner was clearly visible.
"Chief of the General Staff."
Arman, who had set down his handkerchief, replied.
"What is it?"
"I've heard your health has not been good lately. Are you considering Daniel Steiner as your successor in case of an unforeseen situation?"
It was a question that struck at his intentions.
After a brief silence, Arman leaned back in his chair.
"That is a matter for the distant future. Furthermore, appointing the Chief of the General Staff is, to the very end, His Majesty the Emperor's prerogative. Even if I consider him a successor, what would change? However, if His Majesty the Emperor's view is similar to mine, then expectations could perhaps be placed."
If Daniel Steiner continued to build military achievements and devoted himself to the Empire, it was not impossible.
"Of course, the most important thing would be his own will......."
There was no need to worry about that.
After all, Daniel Steiner would desire the position of Chief of the General Staff more than anyone else.