Counterattack
Counterattack
Around the time Republic division commander Palome ordered the retreat, Daniel was in the command and control room receiving reports from the radio operators.
"Confirmed that one enemy advance battalion was struck by friendly forces and annihilated!"
"Report from the 2nd Regiment! The defensive line is currently solid and our casualties are light! Additionally, thanks to the reserve force's ambush, enemy movements have noticeably slowed!"
"Report from the reserves confirms the pincer attack was successful! Disruption of the enemy's flank and rear, and encirclement, are proceeding smoothly!"
Five signalmen were relaying the reports coming in from the battlefield one after another.
A flush of elation began to spread across the faces of the radio operators as they urgently relayed the messages.
Because even they could see at a glance who the victor on this battlefield was right now.
"Confirmed combat loss of the enemy 1st Regiment tasked with the central breakthrough! Their battle line has scattered!"
"The demoralized enemy force is collapsing! Confirmed breakdown of their formation!"
"The enemy is retreating! They are reportedly withdrawing in disorder toward the valley to the northeast!"
The faces of the staff officers who heard the signalman's last report brightened.
"Does this mean the enemy retreated without even breaching the First Defense Line?"
"It appears we've won, in any case. And with only light casualties at that!"
"This is a miracle! Clearly, the heavens are aiding us!"
Pelf, who had been watching the cheering staff officers, interjected.
"I apologize, but this is no miracle."
The atmosphere, which had felt on the verge of a celebratory cannonade, stiffened.
As the staff officers' gazes converged on him, Pelf continued flatly.
"It was none other than the Division Commander who lulled the enemy into complacency and established the ambush plan. How can you call such a meticulously designed stratagem a miracle?"
It was not a wrong statement.
The staff officers, swallowing dryly, turned their gazes toward Daniel.
Even though he had grasped victory, Daniel remained lost in thought, unable to tear his eyes away from the operational map.
He showed not the slightest hint of joy.
It was only natural, in a way.
To Daniel, this current victory was nothing more than a steppingstone to eliminate Seraile.
'We won the battle. If I didn't have Frien's memories, I would have been satisfied here and wrapped things up by reinforcing the army's defenses.'
Ending things here was definitely a stupid move.
Because Seraile, who was brazenly roaming the friendly camp, would have his life targeted several more times.
'In that case.......'
Using this current momentum as an opportunity to advance all the way to Lakedrapol, the city where Seraile resided, was the best course of action.
However, this was not as simple a matter as it sounded.
The order General Headquarters had given Daniel Steiner was 'defense and securing of the high ground.'
No order to attack the enemy city had come down, and even if he requested it, it was obvious it would be rejected.
So leading the army to attack Lakedrapol right now was, for all intents and purposes, a form of insubordination.
Daniel was uneasy about that fact, but he had no other choice right now.
Because if he didn't do it now, with the enemy in retreat, capturing Lakedrapol would be nearly impossible.
"Gentlemen, give me your undivided attention."
After a deep breath, Daniel raised his head.
"From now on, I will pursue the retreating enemy and advance to Lakedrapol. I intend to occupy a Republican city. Do you understand?"
The moment Daniel finished speaking, a heavy silence descended among the staff officers.
Their reaction was one of incomprehension at what on earth Daniel was talking about.
It was the operations staff officer who broke that ice-cold atmosphere and opened his mouth.
"......Division Commander? The order given to us by General Headquarters is defense of the high ground, not city occupation. Therefore, your words about attacking the city can only be seen as a unilateral action."
The staff officers sent him looks of agreement.
Daniel felt pressured by that, but he couldn't back down.
"You are correct. I intend to move unilaterally. In a broad sense, this is close to insubordination."
As Daniel admitted it was insubordination, bewilderment swirled in the staff officers' eyes.
While everyone wore expressions that said they had no idea what was going on, Daniel continued.
"However, you gentlemen must consider the situation we currently face. Lakedrapol is no mere city. It is the Republic's forward base and the greatest threat to our Imperial Army."
He wished he could talk about Seraile's true identity, but telling staff officers who knew nothing would only sound like nonsense.
So Daniel decided to persuade the staff officers with sound logic.
"Do you gentlemen think we have defeated the Republic just now? Nonsense! While we are celebrating victory, the Republic will rearm at Lakedrapol and prepare to attack again!"
Daniel raised his hand.
"This war will not end as long as Lakedrapol exists! Countless soldiers will be sacrificed due to an endless war of attrition, and this high ground will face an unending trial! Do you gentlemen truly desire that horrific future?!"
No one could answer.
Because in the big picture, Daniel's prediction was not wrong.
"......You gentlemen are also well aware. That now, while the enemy is retreating, is the opportune time to capture Lakedrapol. The enemy, who fell for our deception, will be far more cautious next time, so an opportunity like this one will never come again."
Daniel's cool gaze swept over the faces of the staff officers.
"If you are cowards drunk on immediate victory and comfort, unwilling to take a step from this high ground, then condemn me. But if you are not, if you are men who would give their lives for all of us and the future of the nation, then follow me."
After pausing to catch his breath, Daniel looked straight ahead.
"There is no time. If you have mouths and ears, choose. Even if you leave this control room and report this to General Headquarters, I will not stop you."
The staff officers looked back at one another, breaking into a cold sweat.
Because to follow Daniel Steiner here was no different from participating in insubordination.
The staff officers knew full well that Chief of the General Staff Arman, a man of principle, would not look favorably upon this choice.
They would surely be disciplined.
In severe cases, they might even be forced to remove their uniforms.
In this extremely chaotic situation, the first to speak was Pelf, the intelligence staff officer.
"I was taught that a soldier's mission is to lay down his life for the future of the nation. Therefore, I will follow the Division Commander's opinion."
As Pelf bowed his head, the operations staff officer who had been agonizing beside him also placed a hand over his heart.
"I am well aware that every word and deed the Division Commander has shown us has been for this Empire and its army. I, too, will lay down my life for the Division Commander."
As if those two pledges of loyalty had been the catalyst, the other staff officers bowed their heads one by one.
"I shall dedicate myself to the nation alongside the Division Commander."
"There seems to be no other way."
"I will also follow."
Soon, as all the staff officers bowed their heads, the chief of staff, too, voiced his agreement amid a low murmur.
"......I will join the Division Commander's plan."
Having secured the consent of everyone in the staff department, Daniel nodded.
"Good. Then prepare to advance from this moment on. We will take the entire force and strike Lakedrapol."
Upon hearing Daniel's order, the staff department personnel hurriedly exchanged opinions to formulate the operation.
While materials on Lakedrapol were being passed back and forth, Daniel pressed his hands against the operations table.
'Now.......'
His hands pressed harder against the table.
'We'll meet soon.'
Daniel, recalling Seraile who would be waiting inside Lakedrapol, narrowed his eyes sharply.
*
The next morning, the Lakedrapol fortress city defensive line.
Trench Line, 14th Watchtower.
"Visibility is limited today, perhaps due to the fog." "Indeed it is."
The sentry and sergeant manning the watchtower were observing the front.
Beyond the empty plain, a thick fog blanketed everything.
After watching that scene for a while, the sentry, as if bored, spoke up.
"By the way, do you think they've occupied the high ground by now? Didn't they sortie with almost the entire force?"
"They probably did. I heard that Daniel Steiner was shot and is currently in a coma, and that the witch who heals enemy soldiers by singing on the battlefield has been imprisoned."
"Really, you never know how things in the world will turn out. Who could have known that Daniel Steiner, who seemed forged of iron and blood, would be shot by a subordinate and fall into a coma......."
The sentry stopped mid-sentence and shut his mouth.
Because the sound of track wheels rolling could be heard approaching in the distance.
Wondering what was happening, the sentry picked up his binoculars and could see Republican tanks and soldiers pushing their way out of the fog.
'What's this? Did a part of the force come back to regroup?'
The sentry, unable to conceive that they had lost the battle, was filled with puzzlement.
It was only natural for him to be bewildered, as the troop numbers had been reduced to less than half compared to when they had sortied.
That was when it happened.
Kwaang─
The sound of shelling was heard from afar, and flames shot up within the fog.
Just as he was wondering what on earth was going on, the Republican troops fully emerged from the fog.
The problem was that behind them, Imperial tanks were also breaking through the fog and revealing themselves.
"Huh? Uhh......."
Not just one, but dozens of tanks were advancing in formation alongside soldiers.