chapter_0106

105 – A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity

105 – A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity

The orders from Captain Burnard were easily communicated to all troops.

When the soldiers first heard the orders, they thought the captain had finally lost his mind out of boredom.

They didn’t understand the meaning of inspecting and cleaning a place that was practically an abandoned outpost.

However, upon hearing that “Daniel Steiner is coming,” they immediately complied with the orders.

Just like Burnard, the soldiers were well aware of Daniel Steiner’s notorious reputation.

The soldiers, not wanting to die, rolled up their sleeves and checked the facility for deficiencies, making repairs wherever possible.

They also used the one iron at the outpost to press the wrinkles out of their uniforms and made sure to clean their weapons multiple times to avoid any potential issues.

Fearing that Daniel Steiner might ask about the use and maintenance of military equipment, they memorized the weapons manual.

About two weeks had passed since then.

─ He’s coming! Colonel Daniel Steiner… No! The battalion commander is on his way!

Burnard, who received the radio transmission from the soldier on guard, raised the whistle hanging around his neck and blew it.

At that, the soldiers gathered in front of the base parted to the sides and stood at attention.

Just two weeks ago, they had been giggling and playing poker during work hours, but upon hearing that Daniel Steiner was coming, they acted like elite troops.

As Burnard looked around at them, he let out a hollow laugh.

‘…It feels like I’ve gone back a year.’

The discipline that had been absent since they had become what was colloquially known as a “ghost unit” after being forgotten by higher command was now restored.

As Burnard reminisced about the past, he heard the sound of vehicles approaching from a distance.

Nervously, Burnard looked straight ahead and saw transport vehicles following behind a military jeep leading the way.

‘So it was true that higher command sent battalion-level personnel.’

Unlike Burnard’s abandoned company, this fully equipped battalion would have no shortage of supplies.

‘Are we about to start a special mission…?’

Just as Burnard swallowed hard, the military jeep that was leading the way gradually came to a stop.

Soon, the doors of the vehicle opened, and the first to step out were women who appeared to be officers.

Following them, a man with black hair emerged from the vehicle, adjusting his attire.

He wore an officer’s winter coat draped over his shoulders, and through the open coat, the National Virtue Medal and the Golden Cross Medal were visible.

“…!”

That man was none other than Daniel Steiner, hailed as the hero of the Empire.

It was the first time Burnard had seen him in person, and he felt a surge of tension coursing through him.

Unaware of Burnard’s nervousness, Daniel exhaled softly as he surveyed the surroundings.

The breath that escaped his lips turned into a chill that dispersed into the air.

With a sharp gaze, Daniel examined the outpost before locking eyes with Burnard.

The moment their eyes met, Burnard mechanically raised his arm.

“Welcome! Battalion Commander!”

Daniel did not respond and slowly moved forward.

With each step Daniel took, the snow piled in the valley crunched beneath his boots.

The tall figure of Daniel, walking with the coat flapping behind him, resembled a wolf.

Though he was merely walking, there was an overwhelming aura about him.

Burnard, unable to meet his gaze, deliberately looked straight ahead, and as Daniel approached, he slowly spoke.

“What is your name?”

Lowering his hand, Burnard assumed a position of attention.

“I am Captain Burnard, belonging to the Special Operations Company under the Airborne Special Forces Brigade!”

“How many troops do you have?”

“Yes! I will report the current status of the company. Out of a total of 47, all 46 are operational, excluding one injured!”

Daniel nodded as he listened to Burnard’s report.

“Excellent. I thought you might have become lax after being on standby for a year, but it seems discipline is well maintained.”

“Too kind! However…”

Burnard, glancing at Daniel for cues, hesitantly spoke up.

“Forgive my impertinence, but may I ask why the hero of the Empire, Colonel Daniel, has come to such a remote area?”

“To rescue Hans Zernmehart, who has been captured by the Kingdom of Belmore.”

“I understand. Then how do you plan to move the troops, Battalion Commander? If you give me orders based on your plan, I will implement them immediately.”

Daniel exhaled a breath that felt cold and looked down at Burnard.

“I have only one order to give you. Maintain the status quo.”

With that, Daniel passed by Burnard and said, “It’s cold. Show me to my quarters.”

Burnard, momentarily stunned, quickly replied, “Ah. Yes! Understood!”

As Burnard followed closely beside Daniel, he was engulfed by an inexplicable sense of unease.

‘Maintaining the status quo means…’

It sounded like he intended to do nothing.

–

It turned out that doing nothing was indeed the case.

Ten days had passed since Daniel Steiner joined the outpost in the border area of the Kingdom of Belmore.

Daniel Steiner was engrossed in reading.

After finishing the last page, he closed the book with a heavy heart.

The title of the book was “The Baker Who Drinks Tears.”

‘What a good story…’

It was astonishing that a book could evoke such emotion in this era.

Just as he contemplated sending a fan letter to the author, the door to the operations command room opened.

Lucy stood on the other side of the door.

“Colonel Daniel.”

Wondering what was the matter, Daniel looked up to see Lucy let out a low sigh.

“Are you really not planning to give any orders?”

“…I’m not sure what you mean. I clearly issued a command to maintain the status quo.”

“Some soldiers are interpreting that as doing nothing.”

Is that so? It seemed that discontent was slowly surfacing, albeit a bit early.

The soldiers of the direct command unit were elite volunteers, after all.

If they arrived at the operation site and their superior issued no orders, they might feel it was dishonorable.

‘If the soldiers’ discontent becomes public opinion, it could be problematic.’

If reports reached higher command that Daniel Steiner was neglecting his duties at the operation site, he might receive orders to return.

‘I need to do something under the guise of training…’

Daniel, who wanted to avoid returning to the Imperial City, racked his brain.

As he tapped the table, he suddenly snapped his fingers as if he had just remembered something.

“Convey to all troops. At dawn tomorrow, we will ascend the ridges of the western mountainous region. The purpose is to scout enemy movements and conduct fortification training.”

Lucy blinked in surprise.

She didn’t understand.

“Are you referring to the west, not the east? Why… the border area is to the east.”

So they should go west.

If they went east and actually encountered the enemy, the chances of an incident occurring would increase.

However, since she couldn’t say that it sounded like he was just pretending to work, Daniel frowned as if looking down on someone who didn’t understand his genius idea.

“Lieutenant. Do you think I’m saying this without any plan?”

Lucy shook her head.

From the Nordia invasion operation to negotiations with the Prime Minister of Bellanos, Daniel Steiner had defeated the enemy with extraordinary methods.

Thinking this was part of that, Lucy nodded her head.

“I apologize for my rudeness. I will inform all troops to prepare their gear for movement starting tomorrow morning.”

With that, Lucy left the operations command room and closed the door.

Thanks to that, Daniel was left alone and opened the book again.

He intended to reread a passage he thought was a masterpiece.

–

Kingdom of Belmore.

Command tent at the border area outpost.

“Are you aware that Daniel Steiner has joined the enemy outpost located in the valley near the border area?”

At the words of Prince Bleff, a stir spread through the command tent.

As everyone exchanged glances, Colonel Galebalt spoke up.

“Is that true? The Empire’s demon is over there…?”

“Yes. It’s reliable information I received directly from an Imperial source.”

“My goodness. That means…”

Bleff, dressed in a splendid uniform, wore a sly smile.

“God has given me a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If I succeed in capturing Daniel Steiner, I will no longer have to endure this humiliation.”

Though he was a prince, Bleff’s position was precarious due to his younger brother rising through the ranks on the battlefield.

His brother’s consecutive military achievements had begun to shake Bleff’s support base.

That was why he had recently been forced onto the battlefield, and by sheer luck, he had heard that Daniel Steiner was nearby.

‘If I succeed in capturing Daniel Steiner, who has inflicted tremendous damage on the Allied Nations…’

His foolish brother would never be able to challenge him, and his status within the Allied Nations would surely rise.

‘I don’t know why Daniel Steiner has come here, but…’

The moment they acquired information first, it was not an exaggeration to say that victory was tilted in their favor.

As Bleff imagined the sweet glory he would enjoy after capturing Daniel Steiner, he spoke.

“Colonel. Immediately organize a battalion composed of elite troops. As soon as dawn breaks tomorrow, we will attack the enemy outpost.”

The sound of laughter that flowed from his lips lingered softly in the command tent.

“Wait for me, Daniel Steiner…”

The greedy glint in Bleff’s eyes sparkled.

“I will personally hunt down you, the demon of the Empire.”