Advance
Advance
Three days later.
On Count Kaledra's orders, the two regiments and the defense force that had assembled at the bridge launched their offensive.
The armored regiment's vehicles crossed the bridge first with a clattering sound, and behind them the infantry regiment and defense force advanced, maintaining their battle lines.
Amid the engine noise, a quiet silence hung over the column, but confidence filled the faces of the troops.
This offensive had the advantage in intelligence, thanks to the work of the intelligence department.
Colonel Sampe, who had taken the post of provisional division commander as the senior commanding officer, shared much the same thoughts as his men.
'Judging by the Imperial Army communications we intercepted three days ago...'
The Daniel Steiner Brigade was clearly waiting on the other side of the river.
Furthermore, they had obtained intelligence that Imperial General Headquarters had dispatched new armored forces to reinforce Daniel Steiner's brigade.
In addition, after repeated reconnaissance, a reconnaissance plane squadron had discovered an armored position approximately 200km beyond the bridge and had secured photographs showing the silhouettes of numerous tanks.
'They must be digging in after taking a hit at Penbark...'
Just as Count Kaledra had said, this was the most opportune moment to launch an offensive.
Because it was right to strike preemptively and annihilate the unit before the wolf called Daniel Steiner could grow his forces.
'How arrogant. To dare not withdraw and attempt to attack Penbark again...'
Whether he was struggling to escape the humiliation of his first defeat or truly thought he could retake Penbark, it was a pathetic trick.
'If it were me, I would have admitted defeat and quietly returned to the Imperial Capital. Your arrogance brings about your own ruin.'
Even heroes who had led countless battles to victory and charged ahead triumphantly could meet death through a single mistake.
In Sampe's view, Daniel's current judgment was a clear mistake and an irreversible gamble.
'He must have thought we would not launch an offensive.'
He clearly assumed their troop movements would be restricted because they were too busy defending Penbark.
However, Count Kaledra had ordered the offensive the moment he intercepted the Imperial Army's communications.
Honored to be placed at the vanguard, Sampe felt quite satisfied.
'I will kill the Devil of the Empire with my own hands.'
He would kill the Devil of the Empire, elevate his fame, and bring a decisive victory to the Allied Nations.
Advancing with such bold ambition, on the night of the second day Sampe received shocking news.
"...What did you just say?"
Upon hearing the urgent dispatch brought by the intelligence staff officer, Sampe froze.
As a heavy silence enveloped the command tent, the intelligence staff officer felt the pressure and opened his mouth.
"According to the scouting party's report, the interiors of the tanks were all empty. They appear to be inflatable decoy tanks."
Sampe was not the only one bewildered.
As all the staff officers gathered in the command tent stirred, Sampe continued his questioning in a trembling voice.
"Preposterous... you expect me to believe such nonsense? Then what about the artillery positions? What in the world were those photographs collected from aerial reconnaissance?"
At Sampe's repeated questions, the intelligence staff officer answered with his head bowed.
"The scouts also investigated beneath the camouflage nets presumed to be artillery positions, I was told. But what they found were piles of stones. I understand some of the structures were made of boxes modeled after the shape of cannons..."
Perhaps unable to continue the report, the intelligence staff officer bit his lip hard.
As a heavy silence descended, Sampe blinked several times and then spoke, as if denying reality.
"...The communications? What in the world were the Imperial Army communications we intercepted?"
"The communications themselves were indeed Imperial Army command communications. Not only was the frequency band used repeatedly, but they matched past Imperial Army transmission records. The RF fingerprints also matched, and the call signs designated Daniel Steiner's brigade."
"Then why..."
The intelligence staff officer, who had let out a low sigh, raised his head.
His face consumed by despair, he continued his report.
"Division Commander, sir...! We fell for their deception strategy! The transmissions we were hearing just moments ago have all cut off at once! As if there is no longer any need to deceive us!"
At the sight of the intelligence staff officer's expression, which looked as if he was about to cry, Sampe felt an intense headache.
'Are you saying Daniel Steiner played us for fools?'
Had the Allied Army crossing the bridge and the intercepted communications all been Daniel Steiner's intention?
He realized it, but it was already far too late.
However, there was still a chance.
Barely regaining his composure, Sampe slammed the command table and shouted.
"Turn around! Turn around immediately! Daniel Steiner will be targeting the moment Penbark is empty! We cannot give him the opportunity! Send the light tank unit ahead, and we must return to Penbark before Daniel Steiner, no matter what!"
The intelligence staff officer could not shake the thought that the division commander was moving exactly as Daniel Steiner intended, but he could not bring himself to object.
It was because there was no other way.
*
Meanwhile, Daniel Steiner's brigade had finished preparing to leave the forest and advance into the plains.
There was no longer any need to hide.
"Vehicle mechanics! Recheck the air intakes! There must not be even the slightest defect!"
"Finish warming up the engines and check all ammunition! Make sure there are no duds!"
"Comrades! The time for the decisive battle has come! Let us repay the disgrace suffered at Penbark!"
A surge of energy ran through the brigade as the advance began.
It was only natural for morale to rise, since the enemy was moving precisely according to Daniel Steiner's operation.
While soldiers were raising battle cries here and there, Daniel was in the command tent, conducting a final review of the operation with his staff officers.
"As you all know, the moment Count Kaledra confirms our brigade's advance, he will immediately request support. Since he is effectively the leader of the Allied Nations, support will likely be dispatched rapidly."
"Shall we request support from Central Headquarters?"
"No. If we request support from Central, it will take too long to get here. If I were Count Kaledra, I would send an urgent request to the nearby city defense forces."
At Daniel's words, the operations staff officer nodded.
"If so, reinforcements will surely come by rail. That would be the fastest method."
"It is also the most dangerous. Transmit the order to the light tank unit simultaneously with our advance. Tell them to block the northern freight station and intercept any reinforcement trains the moment they arrive."
"Understood."
The operations staff officer, who had answered gravely, looked down at the map.
"It will be a sight to see if Count Kaledra is defeated as is and loses Penbark in this battle. Using the excessive consumption of Ethelium as a pretext, considerable backlash will arise within the Allied Nations."
The operations staff officer was completely right.
After all, if they failed to kill Daniel Steiner despite expending a large quantity of Ethelium—one of the key strategic resources—and even lost Penbark, Kaledra's position as leader of the Allied Nations would clearly be damaged.
But now was not the time for self-congratulation.
"Don't get arrogant. We don't know what cards the enemy might be preparing."
At Daniel's words, the operations staff officer bowed his head lightly.
He was not wrong.
Afterwards, while the staff officers were exchanging opinions, the liaison officer entered through the command tent's entrance.
"Brigade Commander, sir. I have come to deliver a report."
Once Daniel acknowledged the salute, the liaison officer spoke.
"At approximately 05:10 hours this morning, aerial reconnaissance captured the withdrawal of an enemy vanguard force of two regiments from the forward position! Given that they are securing a retreat route, a full withdrawal is highly likely!"
"It seems they confirmed the dummy unit with their own eyes. They caught on faster than I thought."
Daniel let out a low laugh.
"Though it is already too late."
Stifling his laughter, Daniel lifted his eyes from the operations map and raised his head.
"Send word to the troops infiltrating the sluice gates. Tell them to activate communications with the scouting party and General Headquarters. The moment the bastards try to cross the bridge, we will detonate the sluice gates."
"Understood!"
The liaison officer who heard the order gave a crisp salute.
Once Daniel returned the salute, the liaison officer left.
In the now quiet tent, with only the staff officers remaining, Daniel picked up his uniform cap from the command table.
"Now that all preparations are complete, it is time to exercise our strength. You will all remember. That I intended to turn the Penbark which Count Kaledra occupies into hell."
With a familiar touch, Daniel placed the uniform cap on his head.
In Daniel's eyes, visible beneath the brim of the cap, a cold, refined anger lay coiled.
"The time has come."
If the bastards called Daniel Steiner a devil, then he would give them every reason.
"Relay this to all troops."
Under the gazes of the staff officers, Daniel shouted without flinching.
"Advance on Penbark!"