chapter_0002

1 – The Only Way to Escape the Empire

1 – The Only Way to Escape the Empire

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There is a game called “Empire of Emperor.”

Translated directly, it means “The Empire of the Emperor,” and it was one of the fantasy war games set in the modern era.

The main goal of the game is to thwart the militaristic nation, the Empire, which seeks to unify the world based on overwhelming national power.

Although it wasn’t very popular, it was my favorite game because the interactions with NPCs were incredibly rich.

For instance, even among the same peasants, if they belonged to different regions or nations, their values would differ.

The soldiers also did not move mechanically; each harbored their own grievances, and if the command did not heed them, desertion and rebellion would occur.

Moreover, depending on the player’s actions, an NPC that was once an ally could become an enemy, and conversely, an enemy NPC could become an ally based on the player’s actions.

It was truly a god-tier game!

Even a slight variation in play could spark a new story, making it the best game for me.

One flaw, however, was that no matter how one played, the Empire was destined for destruction.

After all, the protagonist character controlled by the player belonged to the Allied Nations, which were enemies of the Empire, so it was inevitable.

The problem was that this “inevitability” had happened to me.

“As you all know, the Allied Nations have formed a siege around the infantry division that has entered enemy territory, with a 3 km perimeter at the first defense line and 5 km at the second defense line. I trust everyone understands that we must break through this to turn the tide of battle.”

I looked at the man speaking in a solemn voice.

The middle-aged man with a wrinkled face and an impressive scar was someone I recognized well.

【Commander of the 1st Magic Mobile Corps, Brigadier General Heinrich Schmidt】

He was a named NPC that one could not avoid encountering while playing the game.

‘That means…’

It was consistent with the fact that I was currently in the world of the game.

I wanted to deny it, but the operational map spread across the command table and the eagle-shaped emblem proudly displayed behind Heinrich repeatedly reminded me that I was indeed in the game.

And as far as I knew, there was only one place where that eagle-shaped emblem was used as a military symbol.

『The Holy Bavarian Empire』

Yes. This was the heart of the Empire, which was destined to lose at the end of the game.

What was I doing in the heart of that Empire? After rummaging through my memories, I recalled my title.

【Operational Planning Staff Officer, Second Lieutenant Daniel Steiner】

It was truly cruel that I was the operational planning staff officer of the Empire’s military headquarters.

If I had recalled my title without knowing that the Empire was doomed, I would have popped champagne, thinking I was on the elite course.

However, knowing that the Empire was doomed, this title held no more value than garbage.

‘In the ending, surely…’

The leadership of the Empire, a war criminal nation, would not escape execution.

As long as I was here, I too would vanish like dew on the gallows.

That must not happen. I hadn’t lived this long just to die a meaningless death.

If I had my way, I would want to apply for discharge, but the Empire had a mandatory service period of eight years for officers.

It was not a job one could simply quit.

So how could I escape from here?

As I broke into a cold sweat, I clenched my fist in a moment of realization.

‘Disgraceful discharge…!’

If I were deemed unfit in a court-martial, I could achieve a disgraceful discharge.

That would mean I would no longer have to follow the military’s orders.

Becoming a free man and leaving the Empire—

“Lieutenant?”

At Heinrich’s call, my shoulders flinched.

When I looked up, Heinrich and the military officers were staring at me intently.

“It seems you’ve been pondering our military situation while looking down at the operational map for some time now. Have you come up with any strategies?”

I had thought of one. The only way I could escape the Empire.

Feeling the pressure of the high-ranking officers’ gazes, I hesitated for a moment before clearing my throat.

As I did, my mind quickly calculated.

‘…This might be my chance for a disgraceful discharge.’

The reason Heinrich asked me for a strategy? He likely thought that, as the operational planning staff officer’s aide, I might have learned something from looking over their shoulders and granted me the opportunity to speak.

He wanted to hear the opinion of a passionate young man, setting aside the rigid thoughts of the high-ranking officers whose minds had become inflexible.

Heinrich was the kind of person who did not discriminate against rank or person when it came to embracing opinions.

However, I had no intention of meeting Heinrich’s expectations in the slightest.

I had no desire to be a crew member on a sinking ship.

“Commander.”

So, I decided to speak not the right answer, but the wrong one for the sake of a disgraceful discharge.

“With all due respect, how do you plan to send reinforcements to rescue our isolated troops in enemy territory?”

“Well. According to the opinions of the staff, I plan to advance through the hills of the Tevaitha Mountains. According to the intelligence department, that area is said to have the loosest enemy defenses.”

“The Tevaitha Mountains…”

I paused for a moment before speaking.

“In that case, I implore you to reconsider your decision.”

The conference room fell into silence for an instant.

It was only natural to be surprised that a mere second lieutenant, who had just been commissioned, was asking them to reconsider a decision made after considering all the opinions of the staff and the intelligence department.

The piercing gazes of the high-ranking officers directed at me in the unpleasant silence were intimidating, but I continued calmly.

“Commander. Don’t you find it strange? Why is it that, amidst the enemy’s stringent patrols, only the defenses in the hills of the Tevaitha Mountains are lax?”

“You seem to have doubts?”

“Yes. It seems as if the enemy is tempting us. It appears they are encouraging us to advance through the hills of the Tevaitha Mountains.”

What I said was plausible nonsense.

The reports from the central intelligence department were undoubtedly more accurate than my delusions.

Yet, I pressed on. After all, my current goal was a disgraceful discharge.

Thus, it was important to reveal my incompetence with absurd reasoning.

“The enemy must be setting traps and waiting near the hills of the Tevaitha Mountains.”

“And your basis for this?”

“My instincts tell me so.”

As I asserted confidently, one of Heinrich’s eyebrows twitched.

Heinrich let out a hollow laugh and tapped the table.

“What is your name and rank?”

“I am Second Lieutenant Daniel Steiner, Operational Planning Staff Officer.”

“Very well. Daniel Steiner. What you just said is a direct denial of the staff’s opinions. You understand that, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

“If we were to heed your words, we would have to carry out a comprehensive reconnaissance mission, which would delay our advance. Are you prepared to take responsibility for that outcome?”

If they accepted your opinion and it turned out to be nothing more than an unnecessary worry, it meant you should brace for punishment.

That was precisely the picture I desired.

“If my prediction is wrong, I will gladly take off my uniform and withdraw from the military.”

As soon as I finished speaking, the conference room buzzed with murmurs.

I could hear sounds of disapproval and clicking tongues from various corners.

Among them, my superior, the operational staff officer, furrowed his brow and opened his mouth.

“Lieutenant Daniel! You are being excessively arrogant! Do you know where this is…!”

The operational staff officer, who was about to scold me, fell silent mid-sentence.

This was because Heinrich raised his hand to stop him.

“Lieutenant Daniel Steiner. It wouldn’t hurt to be cautious, so I will trust you this once.”

He continued with a smile.

“However, remember this: once words are spoken, they cannot be taken back. If your words cause harm to the Empire, I will convene a court-martial without hesitation.”

In an instant, Heinrich’s dark eyes narrowed.

“Do you understand?”

An overwhelming sense of pressure sent chills down my spine.

So this was the man who had risen to the rank of general after experiencing countless battles.

He was someone who knew how to imbue weight into his words.

At another time, I might have bowed my head or avoided his gaze under the pressure of the atmosphere, but with my sights set on a disgraceful discharge, there was no need to avoid the commander’s gaze.

I smiled faintly, not averting my eyes from Heinrich.

“That is what I hoped for, Commander.”

–

The next morning.

Empire General Staff Officer Dormitory.

Knock, knock—

The sound of knocking jolted me awake.

Turning my head to check the alarm clock, I saw that it was still not time to get up.

Who could be knocking at this early hour?

As I blinked in a daze, the knocking came again.

“Second Lieutenant Daniel Steiner! The commander calls for you! Wake up!”

At the mention of the commander, my eyes flew open.

“Ah, understood!”

I hurriedly replied, got out of bed, quickly changed, and opened the door.

On the other side of the door stood an officer in the Empire’s military uniform, just like me.

Seeing the three diamonds on his shoulder epaulet, he was a captain. My superior.

“…Are you Second Lieutenant Daniel Steiner?”

“Yes. But why has the commander summoned me?”

I had a good idea. After hearing my opinion, they must have sent a large reconnaissance unit to the hills, only to come back empty-handed.

In a wartime situation, wasting manpower was a sin, so the commander must have called me to chastise me for my incompetence.

Heinrich, who had labeled me as human trash, would soon convene a court-martial.

If that happened, I would admit my guilt and take off my uniform. It would be a free pass for a disgraceful discharge.

Depending on the situation, I might even face imprisonment, but a few years in prison was better than being executed as a member of the leadership of a war criminal nation, so I could endure it.

Just as I felt a sense of relief that things were going according to plan, a smile crept onto the captain’s lips.

Was he mocking me? No, wait. Something felt off.

“You may be pleased, Lieutenant. Thanks to your instincts being spot on, our military was able to prevent damage in advance. The commander has summoned you to discuss a reward for that.”

…What?