chapter_0210

209 – Advance

209 – Advance

Three days later.

Due to the orders of Count Caledra, the two regiments and the defense forces gathered at the bridge launched an offensive.

The armored vehicles of the Armored Regiment rattled as they crossed the bridge first, followed by the Infantry Regiment and the defense forces maintaining their formation.

Amidst the engine sounds, a serene silence prevailed, but confidence shone on the faces of the troops.

Thanks to the intelligence department’s assistance, this offensive had an informational advantage.

As the senior commander occupying the temporary division commander position, Colonel Sampe’s thoughts were not much different from those of the troops.

“Based on the intercepted communications from the Imperial Army three days ago…”

Daniel Steiner’s brigade was undoubtedly waiting on the other side of the river.

Additionally, it had been confirmed that the Imperial General Staff had sent new armored forces to support Daniel Steiner’s brigade.

Furthermore, after repeated reconnaissance, a reconnaissance aircraft squadron discovered that an armored position had been established about 200 kilometers beyond the bridge, and they secured photographs showing multiple tank silhouettes.

“They must be establishing a position after taking hits in Penbarch…”

As Count Caledra had said, launching the offensive now was the most appropriate course of action.

It was right to strike preemptively and annihilate the unit before the wolf named Daniel Steiner could grow in size.

“How arrogant. To dare not retreat and attempt to attack Penbarch again…”

It was unclear whether they were struggling to escape the humiliation of their first defeat or truly believed they could reclaim Penbarch, but it was a trivial ploy.

“If it were me, I would have acknowledged defeat and quietly returned to the Imperial City. Your arrogance is inviting disaster.”

Even heroes who led countless battles to victory could meet their demise with a single mistake.

From Sampe’s perspective, Daniel’s judgment this time was a clear mistake and an irreversible gamble.

“They must have thought we wouldn’t launch an offensive.”

It was evident they believed troop movements would be limited due to their desperate defense of Penbarch.

However, as soon as Count Caledra intercepted the Imperial Army’s communications, he ordered the offensive.

Proudly standing at the forefront, Sampe felt quite satisfied.

“I will kill the demon of the Empire with my own hands.”

He would elevate his reputation by killing the demon of the Empire and bring a decisive victory to the Allied Nations.

With such ambitious aspirations, Sampe was shocked to receive startling news on the second night.

“…What did you just say?”

Sampe froze upon hearing the urgent report brought by the intelligence officer.

As silence enveloped the command post, the intelligence officer, feeling the weight of the moment, spoke up.

“According to the search team report, the insides of the tanks were completely empty. They appeared to be model tanks made with air injection.”

Sampe was not the only one taken aback.

As all the staff gathered in the command post buzzed with confusion, Sampe continued to question in a trembling voice.

“Are you telling me something so absurd… that I should believe such nonsense? Then what about the positions? What about the photographs collected through aerial reconnaissance?”

In response to Sampe’s repeated questions, the intelligence officer bowed his head and answered.

“The search teams also investigated beneath the camouflage nets presumed to be the positions. However, they found only piles of stones. Some structures were reported to be boxes shaped like artillery.”

Perhaps unable to continue the report, the intelligence officer bit his lip.

As a heavy silence settled, Sampe blinked several times, as if denying reality, and finally spoke.

“…The communications? What was the Imperial Army’s communications that we intercepted?”

“The communications themselves were indeed from the Imperial Army’s command. The frequency bands were repeatedly used, and they matched past records of the Imperial Army’s communications. The RF fingerprints also matched, and the call sign referred to Daniel Steiner’s brigade.”

“Then why…”

The intelligence officer, exhaling softly, lifted his head.

With a face filled with despair, the intelligence officer continued his report.

“Sir Division Commander…! We have fallen victim to their deception strategy! The communications that were audible until just now have all abruptly ceased! As if they no longer need to deceive us!”

Seeing the intelligence officer’s expression, which was almost on the verge of tears, Sampe felt a strong headache.

“Are you saying Daniel Steiner has been toying with us?”

Had the Allied forces crossing the bridge and intercepting communications all been part of Daniel Steiner’s plan?

He realized it, but it was already too late.

However, there was still a chance.

Regaining his composure, Sampe slammed his fist on the table and shouted.

“Reverse! Immediately reverse! Daniel Steiner will be targeting the empty Penbarch right now! We must not give him the opportunity! We need to return to Penbarch before Daniel Steiner, leading the light tank units!”

The intelligence officer couldn’t shake the thought that the division commander was moving according to Daniel Steiner’s intentions, but he couldn’t refute it.

There was no other way.

–

Meanwhile, Daniel Steiner’s brigade had completed preparations to move from the forest to the plains.

There was no longer a need to hide.

“Vehicle mechanics! Check the air intake again! There must be no minimal defects!”

“Finish heating the engines and check all ammunition! We must ensure there are no misfires!”

“Comrades! The time for battle has come! Let us repay the humiliation we suffered in Penbarch!”

As they prepared to advance, energy began to pulse throughout the brigade.

It was only natural that morale would rise since the enemy was moving according to Daniel Steiner’s plan.

While soldiers shouted from various places, Daniel was in the command post, reviewing the final operations with his staff.

“As you all know, once Count Caledra confirms our brigade’s advance, he will immediately request support. Being the de facto leader of the Allied Nations, support will arrive quickly.”

“Should we request support from the central command?”

“No. Requesting support from the central command would take too long to arrive here. If I were Count Caledra, I would send an urgent request to the nearby city defense forces.”

Nodding at Daniel’s words, the operations officer replied.

“Then they will likely use the railway to send reinforcements. That would be the fastest.”

“That is also the most dangerous course of action. As we advance, relay orders to the light tank units to block the northern freight station and intercept the reinforcements as soon as the trains arrive.”

“Understood.”

The operations officer answered gravely, looking down at the map.

“If Count Caledra loses this battle and loses Penbarch, it will be quite a spectacle. There will surely be considerable backlash within the Allied Nations for having used Etherium recklessly without killing Daniel Steiner.”

As the operations officer said, if they failed to kill Daniel Steiner despite using a significant amount of Etherium, and lost Penbarch, it would undoubtedly tarnish the position of the leader of the Allied Nations.

But now was not the time for self-congratulation.

“Do not be complacent. We cannot know what cards the enemy is preparing.”

At Daniel’s words, the operations officer lightly bowed his head.

It was not an incorrect statement.

Afterward, while the staff exchanged opinions, a liaison officer entered through the command post’s entrance.

“Brigade Commander, I have come to report.”

As Daniel returned the salute, the liaison officer opened his mouth.

“At approximately 05:10 this morning, aerial reconnaissance detected signs that the enemy’s vanguard unit, consisting of two regiments, had withdrawn from the forward positions! It seems they have secured a retreat route, indicating a high possibility of a withdrawal!”

“It seems they have visually confirmed the fake units. They realized it faster than expected.”

Daniel chuckled softly.

“Though it is already too late.”

With his smile fading, Daniel lifted his gaze from the operational map.

“Relay to the troops infiltrating the sluice. Activate communications between the reconnaissance units and the command headquarters. The moment they attempt to cross the bridge, we will blow up the sluice.”

“Understood!”

The liaison officer, having received the order, saluted sharply.

As Daniel returned the salute, the liaison officer exited.

In the space left with only the staff, Daniel picked up the uniform cap he had placed on the table.

“Now that all preparations are complete, it is time to put our skills to the test. You all remember that I intended to turn Penbarch, occupied by Count Caledra, into hell.”

With a graceful touch, Daniel placed the uniform cap on his head.

The gaze visible beneath the brim of the cap held a refined fury.

“It is time.”

If they called Daniel Steiner a demon, he must provide them with a reason.

“Relay to all troops.”

With unwavering resolve, Daniel shouted amidst the gazes of his staff.

“Tell them to advance towards Penbarch!”