chapter_0146

145 – A Certain Madman

145 – A Certain Madman

The train, spewing black smoke as it raced along the supply line, began to slow down as the makeshift station came into view.

At the wooden station, soldiers transporting supplies mingled with those waiting to return, injured and bustling about.

Creeeak—

Once the train came to a complete stop, Daniel disembarked with his escort company.

As Daniel stepped off the train with his escort, all eyes naturally turned toward him, for he was a young officer adorned with the National Virtue Medal and the Golden Cross Medal, in addition to holding the rank of Colonel.

The soldiers at the station paused their tasks, staring blankly at the young Colonel before hastily saluting.

They recognized him as Daniel Steiner, the war hero.

“Colonel!”

“You’ve finally arrived here!”

The soldiers looked at Daniel with admiration.

It was only natural.

Daniel was the chief architect of the Nordia invasion operation and the one who had brought the Eldresia Kingdom to its knees.

Moreover, he had united the people through his total war speech and had achieved the remarkable feat of capturing the Crown Prince by turning the enemy’s attack against them in the border region with the Belmore Kingdom.

Recently, he had even apprehended collaborators who had cooperated with the Allied Nations within the Imperial City, making him a living legend.

Of course, the respectful gazes of the soldiers were nothing but a burden to Daniel.

Still, unable to ignore their salutes, he nodded vaguely when an officer approached him, accompanied by several soldiers.

The officer wore the rank insignia of Major.

“Colonel Daniel Steiner! It’s an honor to meet you! I am Major Pelf, the intelligence officer from the 7th Armored Division.”

“I’m glad to meet you as well. I am Colonel Daniel Steiner, who has joined the 7th Armored Division as the chief of staff by the Emperor’s command.”

“As I’ve heard, you are indeed full of spirit. Please follow me; I will guide you to the headquarters.”

Nodding, Daniel walked after Pelf and boarded the military officer vehicle parked near the station.

As Pelf took the seat beside him, the driver smoothly pressed the accelerator and began to drive.

Inside the moving vehicle, Pelf turned to Daniel and spoke.

“Chief of Staff, I apologize for the need to head directly to headquarters without allowing you time to rest. The situation at the front lines is not very good…”

Daniel merely nodded once, as if to convey his understanding.

To Pelf, Daniel appeared dignified and confident, but inside, he was trembling.

‘The situation at the front lines is not good?’

The first principle in Daniel’s life was to preserve his own life.

The second principle was to adhere to the first.

For someone like Daniel, who had a strong desire to live, the battlefield was one of the worst places.

Moreover, a ‘dangerous battlefield’ was a place he would never want to go, even for a fortune.

Yet, after a series of complications, the headquarters had bizarrely recommended Daniel Steiner to the Emperor as the chief of staff for the 7th Division, believing that “if there’s a place where things aren’t going well, send Daniel Steiner.”

‘Damn…’

He felt like screaming, but all Daniel could do was let out a sigh with his eyes half-closed.

Pelf, watching him, was convinced.

‘Is he already looking for a way to turn the situation around?’

Absolutely not.

–

Daniel received a detailed report on the battlefield situation from Pelf and, after half a day of travel, arrived at the field headquarters.

Immediately responding to the call of the division commander, he entered the command tent, where the attention of the staff was focused on him.

The sharp eyes and tall stature of Daniel unknowingly intimidated the staff.

Moreover, the achievements Daniel Steiner had accumulated thus far weighed heavily in the air.

After scanning the staff and falling into a moment of silence, Daniel stepped forward, receiving their gazes.

Stopping in front of the division commander, Mordone, Daniel rendered a crisp salute.

“Commander, I am Daniel Steiner, who has been appointed by the Emperor’s command starting today. I will do my utmost to assist you as the chief of staff.”

Mordone, who had been looking at Daniel with a frown, returned the salute.

Normally, he would have tried to pick a fight, but thanks to the ‘Lampremp Hotel massacre’ incident he had heard from the intelligence officer yesterday, he was doing his best to restrain himself.

“Welcome to the 7th Division. You’ve heard about the situation at the front, I presume?”

“Yes. According to the intelligence officer, the situation is not good. The enemy’s armored division has joined forces with the infantry brigade, putting us at a numerical disadvantage.”

“You’ve assessed it correctly. The homeland has ordered us to maintain the front lines, so we cannot retreat. Therefore, we must hold the line even at the cost of casualties. Do you have any good ideas?”

Daniel gazed silently at Mordone, lost in thought.

‘…How can I be deemed unfit as the chief of staff in this situation?’

It would be easy to pass this situation off as ordinary.

He could simply say to reorganize the defensive line, use small maneuver units to control the enemy’s flanks, strengthen supply route security in preparation for enemy disruption operations, and execute tactical movements.

But if he were to be fortunate enough to have his abilities recognized, he would be continually pushed into the battlefield.

That was something Daniel did not want, so he tried to lighten the mood by saying, “Have you ever thought that this is strange?”

Mordone frowned at Daniel’s question.

“What do you find strange?”

“According to the intelligence officer, the enemy will advance with the infantry brigade at their back. Right here. They will breach the minefield and artillery fire. Do you think they can win?”

Even if the enemy division was reinforced by a brigade, it was true that the defending side had the advantage.

Still, it was puzzling that they would attempt an attack despite having only a slight numerical superiority.

“Why would the Allied Nations engage in such a war of attrition? After thinking it over, I’ve come to one hypothesis: what if they are not engaging in a war of attrition but are certain of victory?”

“…Certain of victory?”

“Yes. If the infantry brigade attacks not in front of us but from behind, and if they succeed in creating a single encirclement, we will have no choice but to raise the white flag.”

Mordone let out a hollow laugh.

“Have you lost your mind? That’s nonsense. For them to encircle us, they would have to sneak in from the flanks without us noticing. Do you really think that’s possible?”

“While it’s certainly impossible for a brigade, it would be entirely feasible for a platoon, wouldn’t it?”

The eastern front was vast.

With over 2,000 kilometers of front line, it was impossible to keep watch over every inch.

Thus, if the enemy intended to cross the front line with a platoon-sized force, there would be no way to stop them.

Mordone was aware of this as well, but he still found it absurd.

“What if a platoon comes over? Are you saying that a mere thirty men would strike our rear? Should we, as a rock, dodge the eggs that might fly at us?”

As Mordone scoffed, laughter spread quietly through the command tent.

However, Daniel answered without concern.

“What if those eggs bring a hammer?”

“Hey. You’ve been saying ridiculous things since earlier, and I’ve been tolerating it—”

“It’s possible if we use Etherium.”

Etherium was one of the special minerals that, upon destruction, triggered a unique magical disaster response, instantaneously relocating the position of nearby individuals.

What was utilized was the Etherium conversion shell, and Daniel had experienced it firsthand when he was caught up with Selvia at a banquet in the past.

“As you know, the Allied Nations are pouring astronomical amounts of money into the tactical use of Etherium ore. A year ago, I was directly involved in it.”

“…But Etherium cannot specifically pinpoint the location of the target, can it?”

“To solve that, the Allied Nations have been investing vast sums of money and manpower into research. By now, they should have developed it.”

One of the staff members listening to the conversation nodded in agreement.

“Indeed, Chief of Staff, you are correct. If they use Etherium, it would be possible for the Allied Nations to strike our headquarters from the rear. If the enemy platoon crosses the front line and sends coordinates to the headquarters…”

The laughter among the staff vanished.

If the enemy employed that method, it would only be a matter of time before their forces were encircled.

Of course, this was just one of many possibilities.

Etherium was expensive, and it was merely speculation that the Allied Nations had succeeded in technological improvements.

If this were a betting situation, the staff would have all bet on ‘no.’

However, Daniel decided to push forward.

He was someone who wanted failure, not success.

“You must immediately mobilize troops and issue a large-scale search order in the forests and mountainous terrain where aerial reconnaissance is impossible. The enemy’s strike point is likely to be the headquarters, so there must be an enemy platoon lying in ambush somewhere nearby.”

Mordone, who had been tapping the conference table thoughtfully, glared at Daniel.

“Chief of Staff, if this is nothing more than a figment of your imagination, you will have to take responsibility. Diverting troops meant for defense to a search operation is a very risky action.”

Daniel smiled faintly at Mordone’s words, which he found agreeable.

“That is what I hoped for.”

Taking responsibility for a failed operation and being evaluated poorly was the conclusion Daniel desired most.

–

Meanwhile, in a cave in the forest near the 7th Armored Division.

“Is it less than a week until our forces advance?”

The Allied Nations platoon that had infiltrated across the front line to send coordinates to headquarters and activate Etherium took a moment to catch their breath.

Thinking of the risk of being discovered, they had not even lit a campfire, and about a dozen people were giggling in the cave.

“The Imperial Army has no idea we’re here, not even in their dreams.”

“Even if they did, they wouldn’t send out scouts. They wouldn’t risk splitting their forces when they don’t know when the enemy will advance unless they’re certain.”

“…But you never know, do you?”

The squad leader scoffed at the soldier’s words.

“Sure. Let’s say there’s someone who insists on conducting a search operation with confidence. But why? The moment they fail, that guy’s military career is as good as over. Especially in wartime, it’s particularly dangerous. They might have to take off their uniform.”

As the squad leader reassured them, the soldiers chuckled in agreement.

“True. What kind of lunatic would order a search operation in the rear when the enemy is advancing?”

A word from the author (Author’s note)

As I wrote, the text got longer, so it took a bit longer… ㅠㅠ

I’m sorry…

Well then, have a good day today…!

I’ll see you again tomorrow!