chapter_0151

150 – Is it you again?

150 – Is it you again?

Three hours since the battle began.

Allied Nations 12th Armored Division Command Post.

“What is the infantry brigade doing? Why haven’t we heard any news of an attack?”

The division commander shouted nervously, but no one could provide a clear answer.

The staff exchanged vague glances over the operational map spread out on the central table.

Their eyes were filled with a deep sense of distrust and despair.

Though no one spoke it aloud, they all sensed that something was amiss.

If the operation had been executed successfully, they should have received news by now that the infantry brigade had struck the enemy headquarters.

However, there was no news, and the Imperial Army was systematically repelling the Allied forces’ attacks.

The distant sound of cannon fire served as a gloomy backdrop, chastising those in the command post.

As everyone was watching the division commander, the intelligence officer finally mustered the courage to speak.

“Commander, it has been three hours, and there are no signs of the enemy command collapsing. I suspect there may have been issues with the strike operation using Etherium…”

The intelligence officer could not finish his sentence.

The division commander’s gaze held a simmering rage, as if ready to explode.

Reading the atmosphere, the intelligence officer lowered his head, and the division commander bit down hard.

“…The operation to strike the enemy command using Etherium is one we are executing for the first time. Are you listening? It’s the first time we’re executing this operation!”

The division commander slammed his fist on the central table.

The staff flinched but maintained their composure, staring straight ahead.

“Then who the hell could have predicted our operation and prepared for it in advance? Who could possibly do that?”

As the division commander began to press, the intelligence officer’s breath became unstable.

He wanted to navigate the situation in silence, but the division commander wouldn’t allow it.

Feeling the persistent gaze, the intelligence officer spoke through trembling breaths.

“…As you know, Commander, Colonel Daniel Steiner has recently been appointed as the chief of staff of the Imperial Army’s 7th Division. Given his past exposure to an Etherium Conversion Bomb attack, it is likely he has been wary of the Allied Nations’ teleportation technology.”

If anyone had foreseen the large-scale teleportation of the Allied infantry brigade, it was highly probable that it was Colonel Daniel Steiner.

As the staff silently agreed, the division commander clenched his fists.

“Are you saying we are being toyed with by just one man, Daniel Steiner?”

The unwillingness to accept reality manifested as anger.

Just as the division commander was about to yell, a communications officer who had been waiting outside entered.

The officer, saluting with a lowered head, spoke up.

“Commander, I have urgent news to report.”

“What news?”

“The situation is dire. The 4th Armored Battalion has been annihilated near the enemy trenches. They appear to have been exposed to concentrated enemy fire. As a result, the left flank is on the verge of collapse.”

As the division commander gripped his command baton tightly, the communications officer continued his report.

“The 3rd Armored Battalion has also suffered heavy losses and is in the process of retreating without a command structure. The situation is spiraling out of control.”

The heavy silence in the command post deepened, but the communications officer did not stop reporting.

“Under the current circumstances, it is impossible to maintain our formation. Additionally, the Imperial Army’s armored battalion has launched a counterattack targeting our crumbling left flank. Commander! If this continues, we have no chance of victory!”

After hearing the report, the division commander exhaled deeply while gripping the central table.

It was only natural.

Though he didn’t want to admit it, the Empire’s tanks were superior in mobility and firepower compared to the Allied forces’ tanks.

With their thick armor, defeat was assured in a head-on clash.

Moreover, the Imperial infantry always carried anti-tank weapons, making it nearly impossible to breach their defenses through conventional means.

‘That’s why we placed all our hopes on the infantry brigade…’

There had been no news from the infantry brigade, which was supposed to teleport behind enemy lines and strike the command.

It was as if they had been attacked and captured by the enemy the moment they moved.

‘Have we truly been toyed with by this Daniel Steiner?’

Dizziness washed over him as his vision flickered.

The excessive stress was taking a toll on the division commander’s mind.

“Commander! You must make a decision!”

“We can’t afford any more troop losses!”

“Commander! It’s not too late yet!”

The panicked voices of the staff were giving him a headache.

With a face clouded by despair, the division commander murmured.

“If we deploy the reserves… if we deploy the reserves in the rear…”

No one among the staff agreed with the division commander’s muttering.

They all knew that deploying reserves would not change the battlefield situation.

“Damn it.”

Finally acknowledging defeat, the division commander shouted with a despondent face.

“Order a retreat for all troops! Right now!”

–

Meanwhile, at Count Caledra’s grand mansion.

“P-please spare my life. I only took a few luxury items that weren’t on the list. I had no intention of harming the military. I swear!”

In the front yard of the mansion, a wounded man knelt, begging for his life.

The man’s name was Grion.

He was a colonel who served as the logistics officer of the regiment, known for his strong connections with influential figures in politics and business.

Among those who had close ties with Grion were high-ranking military officials, ensuring a bright future for him—until he was caught with military supplies.

Count Caledra, leaning on a cane, looked down at Grion and said,

“Even if you claim they are luxury items not on the list, once classified as military supplies, they belong to the state. Are you saying you took them and had no intention of harming the military?”

“Your Excellency, I…”

“I hate lies. What I hate even more are those who beg for their lives while lying.”

Grion’s face turned pale.

Realizing he had no chance of survival, Grion was gripped by fear when Caledra added,

“However, considering that the damage you inflicted on the military isn’t that great, I will spare your life. But you will have to pay a fine amounting to hundreds of times the value of what you embezzled. No objections, I trust?”

Hearing Caledra’s words, Grion prostrated himself on the ground.

“Yes! Of course! If I can be forgiven for my sins, I will cooperate in any way possible!”

Just as Caledra nodded and was about to release Grion,

“Count!”

Beck, the deputy director of the Central Intelligence Agency, approached.

With a serious expression, Beck whispered into Caledra’s ear.

“The 12th Armored Division on the western front has suffered defeat and retreated. While it’s not confirmed, it seems the Imperial Army has discovered the Allied Nations’ Etherium technology development and prepared in advance.”

Caledra’s eyebrow twitched.

As if questioning the truth of Beck’s words, Beck, sweating profusely, opened his mouth.

“It’s certain. After the infantry brigade deployed teleportation using Etherium, communication was cut off as if by a miracle. They seem to have been captured or killed by the enemy.”

Caledra’s eyes trembled as he absorbed the information.

In a fit of rage, Caledra drew his pistol and approached Grion.

Hearing the footsteps, Grion looked up and saw Caledra swinging the gun toward him.

“Ugh!”

With a dull thud, Grion collapsed to the ground.

Panicked, Grion rolled his eyes to look up at Caledra.

Seeing the gun aimed at him, Grion gasped and hurriedly said,

“I’ll talk! I’ll tell you everything! Not just me, but the other logistics officers too—”

Caledra pulled the trigger.

Bang—

The gunshot rang out as a bullet struck Grion’s head.

Though he confirmed Grion was dead, Caledra did not stop pulling the trigger.

Bang! Bang! Bang—

As the gunfire continued, the bodyguards could no longer bear the horrific scene and closed their eyes.

Even as blood and flesh splattered around, Caledra kept pulling the trigger until there were no bullets left.

Nervously tossing the gun onto the corpse, Caledra exhaled heavily.

In his mind, heated with excitement, only one man’s face lingered.

‘It must be you again, Daniel Steiner. You’re obstructing me to the point of disgust.’

It was hateful.

Yet, Daniel Steiner was also the person Caledra held in the highest regard.

Daniel’s exploits always managed to defy Caledra’s expectations.

Had he not been an enemy, he would have been someone Caledra wanted to keep close.

Caledra raised his hand to sweep back his disheveled hair and quietly spoke.

“Deputy Director.”

Beck approached and bowed his head.

“Inform Duke Belvar.”

If he missed this opportunity, he would never be able to capture Daniel Steiner.

Taking a deep breath, Caledra narrowed his eyes sharply.

“There’s no other way now; we must hasten the takeover of the Imperial City.”