chapter_0012

11 – A Drive with the Princess is Not Easy

11 – A Drive with the Princess is Not Easy

─ This is the water gun bird. I have eliminated the target. I will return to the temporary forward base.

It was a radio transmission received by Heinz, who had been waiting on the Drakenberg Plateau.

This meant that Heinz’s rational expectations were wrong, and Daniel’s intuition was correct.

He wanted to believe it was a lie, but Heinz thought there was no way Daniel, who was obsessed with earning merit, would submit a false report.

Acknowledging the message, Heinz withdrew from the plateau and returned to the forward base, where he could see the achievements Daniel had accomplished firsthand.

“Ha…”

In the open area of the forward base, prisoners dressed in Allied Nations uniforms were gathered, kneeling.

It was an unreal sight to see over 80 prisoners being guarded by only 20 members of the squad.

Heinz’s adjutant was equally astonished by Daniel’s accomplishments.

“…Lieutenant Daniel really led the squad to capture the company. How is this possible?”

It wasn’t impossible.

While rare, there had been instances where a squad had subdued a company.

If one looked through battle records, it wasn’t difficult to find David defeating Goliath.

‘But…’

Was there ever a David who captured Goliath alive?

Heinz couldn’t understand how a squad of just 20 had managed to force a company to surrender.

Moreover, among the captured Allied Nations company, there were five officers and seven non-commissioned officers.

One of the officers was even of field-grade rank.

Considering the information that could be extracted from torturing them, this was a significant achievement.

As Heinz looked down at the prisoners groaning in the snow, he sensed a presence and raised his head.

Daniel had approached and saluted.

“Welcome back, Captain Heinz.”

Heinz, who returned the salute, opened his mouth with a somewhat dazed feeling.

“Impressive. How on earth did you capture all of them?”

“Ah. I just think I was lucky.”

Although he spoke sincerely, Heinz saw it as mere humility from Daniel.

‘There’s a saying in the Empire that those who are humble rise high. Indeed, humility is a virtue. If I hadn’t known his true nature, I might have been deceived as well.’

Heinz, who had deep reservations about Daniel, cleared his throat.

“Forget about luck. Is there any squad that can subdue a company just because of luck? Everything is your merit.”

“…That’s not true.”

Daniel said with a serious expression.

“I merely drew conclusions based on the opinions of Captain Heinz, who received assistance from the Central Intelligence Agency. All the credit should rightfully go to the Central Intelligence Agency and Captain Heinz.”

While Daniel was trying to persuade him not to report that he had accomplished everything to the higher-ups, Heinz viewed Daniel’s words as a sophisticated tactic for promotion.

‘He’s lowering himself and elevating his superior. Even the stiffest superior would have to soften up. Not only is he good at combat command, but he’s also mastered military politics…’

There was truly a monster obsessed with promotion.

Heinz felt goosebumps all over his body and let out a low grunt.

“That’s not possible. I won’t submit a false report to the higher-ups. Your achievements will go up as they are, so enjoy your victory.”

As a result, one of Daniel’s eyebrows twitched.

‘How clueless can he be! This damned man! I’m saying I’ll share the credit with him!’

If it were another commander, they would have gladly accepted it, but this stubborn officer was acting honorably, refusing to take credit for his subordinate’s achievements.

It was understandable why Heinz had a lower rank compared to his accomplishments.

Daniel sighed inwardly while maintaining a blank expression on the outside.

“If that is your decision, I will accept it.”

“Good. Then the operation is complete as of now, so you should go in and rest. I will lead the prisoners. Also, prepare to return to headquarters by noon tomorrow.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Confirming that the conversation was over, Daniel saluted sharply.

“It was an honor to meet you, Captain Heinz Schmidt.”

“I too was honored to have such a capable talent as a subordinate.”

As they exchanged greetings, Heinz returned the salute, and Daniel turned to walk toward his tent.

Watching his back, Heinz’s adjutant spoke with admiration.

“I heard the squad leader sent by the headquarters is an incredible elite, and it seems to be true. Not only is his operational capability excellent, but he also shows impeccable respect for his superiors.”

“That’s not incorrect. But you’re missing the essence.”

Heinz muttered quietly while looking at Daniel’s back.

“That guy is a monster. A monster that will one day swallow this Empire…”

–

The next day.

After finishing a detailed report about the battle from yesterday, I walked to the open area of the forward base as noon approached.

In the open area, military jeeps and transport vehicles were parked, and the squad members were gathered, chatting.

I overheard them discussing how remarkable the battle from yesterday had been.

Here and there, I could hear praises about me, and it seemed it wasn’t just my imagination.

Frien, who had been talking with them, approached me.

“Lieutenant Daniel! Good noon! Have you finished your report?”

“…Yes. But what were you all so happily discussing?”

“We were talking about how excellent a commander you are! Leading your first battle to victory without any casualties? Against an enemy company, no less! Truly amazing!”

Frien’s brightly shining eyes were quite burdensome.

Frowning, I said to Frien.

“You’re babbling nonsense. It’s time to return to headquarters, so get in the vehicle.”

“Yes, understood! I will convey that!”

Frien saluted and returned to the squad members to relay my message.

Then the squad members looked at me, saluted sharply, and walked toward the military transport vehicle.

Perhaps they were too excited about their first victory. I sighed and walked toward the jeep when I suddenly stopped.

A woman in a white blouse and coat was waiting for me with her arms crossed.

Selvia looked around until she spotted me and casually spoke.

“Lieutenant Daniel. Are you returning to headquarters?”

“…Yes, I am.”

“Then let’s go together. I have business at headquarters too.”

No, why are you going with me? I was so taken aback that I was at a loss for words.

After a moment of being frozen, I racked my brain to respond.

“Miss Journalist, the military vehicle in question is a model focused on performance, far from comfort. It’s not suitable for long-distance travel, especially for a woman’s body…”

“It’s fine. It’s wartime, right? Just being able to ride in a decent vehicle is a great fortune.”

Even if you’re fine, I’m not fine! I can’t ask a princess to drive, so I would have to do the driving to headquarters, and I didn’t want to endure that fatigue.

“Lieutenant Daniel?”

But how could I refuse a princess?

With a low sigh as my utmost form of rebellion, I nodded.

“If that’s the case, please get in. I will drive.”

Nodding, Selvia got into the passenger seat.

Muttering a few complaints under my breath, I also got into the driver’s seat and started the engine.

As I pressed the accelerator and smoothly moved forward, the transport vehicle behind us followed.

About an hour after leaving the forward base, Selvia spoke up.

“Lieutenant Daniel. How do you see the state of the war?”

It was sudden.

However, it was also a question that the Empire’s princess would naturally have.

Surrounded by generals and high-ranking officers always shouting, “The Empire will win!” it made sense to ask an honest opinion from a low-ranking officer disguised as a war correspondent.

“It won’t be easy.”

So I could at least offer some advice.

Selvia looked at me as if she didn’t understand my words.

“It won’t be easy? The Empire has practically won on the northern front. We’re also hearing victory reports from the eastern front. If this continues, the Empire will win the war against the Allied Nations.”

“Yes. Unless a third country intervenes, that will surely be the case.”

Selvia doesn’t understand the horrors of a world war.

That’s why she can speak so comfortably.

“The Empire is undoubtedly at the forefront of the great powers. If such an Empire defeats the Allied Nations and takes their interests, what will happen?”

Hearing my words, Selvia’s expression became serious.

“Of course, it would become a hegemonic power. It would be able to stand above all nations…”

“Yes. If things go well, it might lay the groundwork to dream of world unity. The problem is that the other great powers are aware of this fact as well.”

The great powers fear the Empire’s strength growing beyond what it is now.

They also remain wary that the destruction of the Allied Nations could become their future.

The fear and vigilance will soon become the spark of war, igniting from the opposite side of the Empire.

The great powers, feeling the necessity of war, will rush to declare war, and the target will be none other than…

“The Empire will become the enemy of all nations.”

This was the very reason the Empire would ultimately be defeated by the Allied Nations.

“…”

Selvia’s expression sank seriously.

It seemed she was judging whether my words were rational.

It was a significant shock to directly refute the opinions of the generals and high-ranking officers who believed the Empire would definitely win.

Perhaps she might treat me as a delusional person and become angry.

However, Selvia did not dismiss my opinion but accepted it.

“Indeed. It’s one of the possibilities that could happen. But Lieutenant Daniel Steiner, how did you come to such a conclusion…?”

I couldn’t answer Selvia’s question.

Because I had accidentally spotted a cluster of spikes glinting in the sunlight on the ground ahead.

‘Spike strip…!’

My mind snapped back to reality. Hurriedly, I turned the steering wheel and veered onto a side road.

Bump! The sudden turn caused Selvia to lose her balance.

“Ugh!”

Selvia, who had fallen sideways, tried to lift herself up while gripping my thigh.

In that moment, I grabbed Selvia’s head and pushed it down.

“Wha!? Lieutenant Daniel! What on earth are you—”

Tat-tat-tat! Gunfire rang out from all directions as bullets flew in.

A bullet thudded against the passenger window.

If it hadn’t been bulletproof glass, it would have shattered in an instant.

Only then did Selvia realize the situation and stopped trying to lift her head, hunching down.

“Don’t tell me…!”

Unfortunately, that assumption was correct.

The spike trap and the multiple gunshots meant one thing.

An ambush.

Author’s Note:

Thank you for always reading.

Have a great day today!