chapter_0153

152 – Late Regret

152 – Late Regret

The next morning, Eastern Front.

7th Armored Division Command Post.

“Is everyone here?”

General Mordone, seated at the head of the table, checked the personnel gathered in the command post.

With the staff officers, as well as the commanders of each regiment and battalion in attendance, the spacious command post felt cramped.

Confirming that everyone was present, Mordone cleared his throat and stood up.

“As you all know, we have achieved a successful victory against the Allied Nations’ 12th Armored Division. I believe everyone here witnessed in real-time how those advancing troops were utterly shattered and fled in disarray.”

A ripple of laughter spread through the room at Mordone’s words.

They recalled how the Allied forces, realizing their failure in the operation, had fled like a rabble.

Mordone smiled, as if to affirm that laughter.

“We have once again reminded those rat-like Allied forces that the Empire is a great nation. However, His Majesty the Emperor is not satisfied with such a victory.”

“What do you mean?”

“Indeed. His Majesty has personally commanded us to seize the forward defensive positions held by the retreating Allied 12th Armored Division!”

It was an order to launch a counteroffensive and expand the front line.

Given the significant damage inflicted on the enemy in recent battles, it was not an impossible task.

As Mordone surveyed his subordinates, who were preparing to carry out the order with serious expressions, he continued.

“According to the Intelligence Agency’s aerial reconnaissance analysis, the retreating Allied 12th Armored Division is currently in a state of extreme chaos. Not only is personnel deployment in each area inadequate, but there have also been reports of deserters.”

Winning against a demoralized army was quite easy.

Especially when attacking a unit immediately after its retreat, victory could be considered assured.

“Therefore, shouldn’t we send those rabble home and raise the Empire’s flag across the entire Skeloran front? Am I wrong?”

“You are not wrong!”

“Good. Then we will advance to the enemy’s defensive positions as soon as it strikes noon, so everyone prepare. This time, we must ensure that the Allied rats never dare to set foot on the Empire’s land again…”

Mordone trailed off, as Daniel Steiner, who could be considered the main contributor to this battle, was raising his hand as if he had a different opinion.

After a moment of contemplation, Mordone looked at Daniel and said.

“It seems our Chief of Staff has a different opinion. Please, go ahead and speak.”

Nodding, Daniel lowered his hand.

“I would like you to reconsider the advance.”

Mordone, taken aback by Daniel’s statement, furrowed one eyebrow.

The staff officers and commanders present in the command post were equally astonished.

They exchanged glances, sweating nervously, wondering why Daniel Steiner was acting this way.

After all, the suggestion to attack the enemy’s defensive positions was not merely General Mordone’s opinion but also the Emperor’s command.

It was only natural for them to find it strange that Daniel Steiner was asking for a reconsideration of such a direct order.

However, some, including Intelligence Officer Pelf, thought, ‘If it’s Daniel Steiner, he must have a valid reason,’ and listened intently.

Yet, Daniel did not have a particularly valid reason for opposing the advance.

‘How long has it been since the battle ended, and they want to fight again? Are they insane?’

For Daniel Steiner, whose foremost principle in life was survival, continuous battles were something to be avoided.

‘Moreover…’

He judged that expressing a contrary opinion in a favorable situation could lower his evaluation as a front-line commander, which is why he stood against General Mordone.

If he succeeded in lowering his evaluation, it might lead to a change of his posting to the rear.

“Reconsider the advance?”

Mordone, unable to grasp Daniel’s petty motives, asked with a look of confusion.

“Chief of Staff. This is a direct order from His Majesty the Emperor. What reason do you have for asking for a reconsideration?”

Daniel, who did have a reason, answered calmly.

“As you know, General, we have nearly three thousand prisoners. We could use these prisoners to negotiate with the enemy or extract information. Perhaps we could gain specific insights into the enemy’s movements based on their testimonies.”

“…We have already assessed their movements. Did you not hear? The aerial reconnaissance analysis indicated that the enemy is behaving like a rabble.”

“Your Excellency, we must not place blind faith in aerial reconnaissance. To look down from above means that we can also prepare from below. What if they are hiding their troops in blind spots using camouflage?”

It was a point that could not be easily refuted.

As Mordone fell silent, Daniel continued.

“To clear the fog of war, we must extract secrets from the prisoners and send soldiers to conduct comprehensive reconnaissance to obtain multifaceted information. Simply ordering an advance because our forces are in a favorable position is unacceptable.”

“His Majesty commanded that we attack the enemy’s defensive positions immediately. Are you trying to deny His Majesty’s order?”

“While it is right to carry out the assigned objective, the operational discretion lies entirely with you, General. If we were to follow the Emperor’s orders blindly, what would be the purpose of having a General at all?”

Mordone, who had been listening to the conversation, slammed his hand on the command table.

Daniel Steiner’s words were getting under his skin.

“Chief of Staff! Just because you’ve achieved some merit does not mean you are now my superior! I was being lenient, but you’ve overstepped your bounds! How dare you question the Emperor’s decision and insult me? You will be brought before a military tribunal once this battle is over!”

That was what Daniel had hoped for.

He wanted to thank Mordone for taking the bait, but he frowned to solidify the image of a Chief of Staff who stood against his superior.

“You will regret this choice.”

With that, Daniel turned and walked out as if he had no reason to remain in such a place.

He could hear the General shouting behind him, but Daniel cleanly ignored it.

‘A perfect exit. If things go well, maybe…’

He thought he might really be able to take off his military uniform, and a triumphant smile spread across his face.

–

Ignoring Daniel’s opinion, Mordone commanded the advance toward the enemy’s defensive positions as noon struck.

The Imperial Army’s 7th Armored Division, having received the order, moved swiftly to the enemy trenches, but the Allied forces offered no counterattack.

Surprised, the 7th Division inspected the trenches and realized that the Allied forces were nowhere to be found.

They had vanished from the defensive line, either having fled entirely.

Receiving this report, Mordone, uncertain, decided to deploy himself to assess the situation.

Thus, he set out with his staff officers in an armored vehicle toward the Allied defensive position and confirmed that the report was indeed true.

Both the enemy trenches and the command post were completely empty.

Wondering what had happened, Mordone exited the armored vehicle and surveyed the surroundings.

Currently, only a few of his own troops were scattered about the Allied command post.

“Hmmm.”

He felt a sense of unease.

As Mordone stood with his arms crossed, Intelligence Officer Pelf approached him from the front vehicle.

“General, the enemy has indeed abandoned their command post. Do you think they sensed we would launch a counteroffensive and vacated the area in advance?”

“That could be possible. But what about Daniel Steiner?”

“Oh, the Chief of Staff is positioned in the rear to secure an escape route in case of an unexpected enemy ambush. He is forming trenches and setting up machine guns and mortars.”

“What a pointless endeavor.”

Clicking his tongue, Mordone uncrossed his arms.

“Contact headquarters. Inform them that the Allied 12th Armored Division seems to have fled in terror. If we tell them we have occupied the enemy command post, His Majesty will surely be pleased…”

Before Mordone could finish his sentence, the operations officer rushed in.

The officer, pale as a ghost, opened his mouth before he could catch his breath.

“G-General! Reports have come in from the sentries. Enemy forces are simultaneously infiltrating from the north and south!”

Mordone’s eyes widened in shock.

“What on earth are you saying? According to the Intelligence Agency’s data, the enemy was not expected to use deceptive tactics…”

No. If the Intelligence Agency’s data had been accurate, the Allied forces would not have abandoned the front line in the first place.

Realizing the source of his unease, Mordone could hear the sound of aircraft approaching from a distance.

Looking up, he saw a squadron of bombers slowly descending from the western sky.

Noticing the lion emblem painted on their wings, he recognized them as Allied bombers.

At that moment, Mordone had no choice but to acknowledge the truth.

“This is insane…”

That Daniel Steiner had been right.