chapter_0219

218 – You Shouldn’t Be Smiling

218 – You Shouldn’t Be Smiling

Having occupied the mansion and delivered a warning to Count Caledra, Daniel informed the defense forces engaged in small skirmishes in the city through the Allied Nations’ radio operator.

Count Caledra had abandoned you and fled, so if you value your lives, you are to surrender immediately.

The threat that he would hunt down and eliminate every last one of them if they continued to resist was an added bonus.

Not only did he urge surrender via radio, but he also sent a double warning through the radio station located within the city.

Realizing that their communications had been intercepted, the Penbarch defense forces began to raise white flags, revealing themselves one by one, leading to a smooth occupation of the city.

After pushing all the captured prisoners into a church designated as a temporary detention center, Daniel set about establishing command and securing communications.

The next day.

After connecting with the communications network of the headquarters, Daniel reported in and immediately switched to a defensive posture.

He redeployed the troops that had entered to occupy the city and organized a reserve force.

Although they had occupied Penbarch, there were still two regiments of enemy troops lurking beyond the bridge, so it was only natural to prepare for their reception.

Thus, Daniel ordered the placement of anti-tank weaponry and artillery on the outskirts of the city and instructed the armored units to stand by at predicted enemy entry routes.

He then commanded his intelligence officer, Pelf, to inform the city hall of their intention to visit and set out to the outskirts of the city with Lucy.

He had come out for an on-site patrol to ensure that the orders were being carried out properly.

Looking around, he could see that field artillery positions and mortar emplacements had been properly established near the hills.

Not far away, the tanks, which could be considered the core of the unit, were aiming their barrels toward the forest.

“If they come, we’ll smash them to bits. We have to avenge our fallen comrades because of those bastards, don’t we?”

“I agree. This time, it’s not us getting beaten; it’s those bastards who will be getting beaten, so we must punish them thoroughly.”

“The angles of the positions are perfect, and we can spot them first from here, so it should be an easy fight.”

Perhaps due to their high morale, the voices of the soldiers and officers were laced with laughter.

One officer who spotted Daniel was startled and saluted.

“G-General! I’m sorry! I didn’t expect you to come for an inspection!”

Even though he was addressing a younger general, the officer’s salute was filled with tension and respect.

Daniel returned the salute and continued walking with Lucy.

“The positioning of the defenses is perfect. There’s no need for any corrections.”

While agreeing with Daniel’s words, Lucy harbored a question.

“General, while it is advantageous to defend the city in battle, the enemy’s troop numbers are greater than ours. If we are pushed back here, we will have to engage in urban combat, so wouldn’t it be better to secure key locations in the city?”

It was a valid point, but Lucy was unaware of one thing.

“There’s no need to worry about that. The headquarters has promised to send support.”

“…Support, you say?”

“Yes. This time it’s not a fake; it’s the real deal. As soon as the gates are blown up, the Magic Mobile Corps brigade, commanded by General Heinrich, is set to march here.”

Only then did Lucy understand why Daniel was so relaxed.

The enemy’s temporary division had been isolated when Count Caledra abandoned their command post and fled.

Now that they could not obtain information, it was as if they had lost their eyes and ears.

However, they could not surrender, so they would likely try to retake Penbarch, believing in their numerical superiority.

A battle would surely break out here.

If the elite brigade of the Empire, known as the Magic Mobile Corps, attacked from behind during the chaos, the enemy’s temporary division would be caught in a flanking maneuver.

In the midst of confusion, the enemy’s morale would plummet rapidly, leading to an easy victory.

“The only thing I’m worried about in this battle is meeting General Heinrich.”

Heinrich was the general who had once laughed heartily at Daniel during the Nordia invasion operation, calling him a “wolf hungry for blood.”

Moreover, he was the one who had left the unwanted position of garrison commander to Daniel Steiner.

From Daniel’s perspective, it was safe to say he had no fond memories of that time.

As Daniel recalled the past, he shook his head, trying to dispel the uneasy feelings.

“Anyway, I think the on-site inspection is sufficient for now, so I’ll head back. My adjutant will stay behind and continue the inspection in my place and report back.”

“Excuse me? Ah, understood. Are you heading to the city hall?”

At Lucy’s question, Daniel nodded.

“Yes. I have urgent matters to discuss with the mayor of this city.”

–

Meanwhile, in the reception room of the city hall.

“…I would appreciate it if you would tell me what you want.”

The voice of Mayor Kaimborett trembled slightly.

It was no wonder, as standing at regular intervals along the walls of the reception room were the grenadiers favored by Daniel Steiner.

All were armed, creating an atmosphere of intimidation.

In contrast, Pelf, sitting in front of Kaimborett, wore a calm expression as if to reassure him.

“I don’t understand why you’re acting this way. Didn’t I just tell you? The brigade commander wishes to speak with you directly.”

“That may be so, but I can’t just keep sitting here without knowing what he wants. I need some indication so that I can prepare something. Isn’t that right?”

Glancing around, Kaimborett leaned forward and whispered just loud enough for Pelf to hear.

“Is General Daniel after money? If that’s the case, I can prepare it quickly, so there’s no need to worry. I could prepare gold bars instead of cash…”

Kaimborett stopped mid-sentence.

This was because Pelf’s gaze had turned icy.

For Pelf, who respected Daniel, the very question of “Is this about money?” felt offensive.

Reading the atmosphere, Kaimborett swallowed hard and leaned back.

Pelf, who had been silently glaring at Kaimborett, quietly spoke.

“You should be careful with your words. The current owner of Penbarch is none other than the brigade commander.”

Kaimborett nodded blankly at the chilling threat.

Just then, Pelf returned to his calm demeanor and smiled gently.

Creeeak—

The wooden door of the reception room opened, and a tall officer entered.

The officer, adorned with the White Dragon Medal of Honor on his uniform, was none other than Daniel Steiner, whom Kaimborett knew well.

When Daniel’s eyes met Kaimborett’s, he smiled once and approached.

As Kaimborett hurriedly stood up, Daniel extended his hand.

“I am Brigadier General Daniel Steiner. I am currently commanding a unit directly under the headquarters.”

“I-I am Mayor Kaimborett of Penbarch.”

After a brief handshake, Daniel withdrew his hand and gestured toward the sofa.

“Shall we sit and talk?”

“Ah, that would be better.”

Kaimborett, who obediently listened to Daniel, sat on the sofa.

Daniel also sat across from him and placed his cap on the table.

After exchanging a few words with Pelf, Daniel turned his gaze to Kaimborett.

“If possible, I would like to have a meal while leisurely discussing matters, but I am quite busy at the moment, so I will have to resolve things here in the reception room. I hope you can understand with a generous heart.”

“Not at all. I consider it an honor that the brigade commander wishes to meet with me directly. But may I ask why you wish to see me?”

“Ah, that’s the thing.”

Rubbing his chin, Daniel spoke as if it were nothing.

“I would like you to testify that Count Caledra conducted human experiments in Penbarch.”

At the same time, Kaimborett’s mouth fell open in shock.

Having been unaware of the unfolding situation, Kaimborett could not comprehend how Daniel Steiner knew about this.

Moreover, the pressure to betray Count Caledra weighed heavily on Kaimborett’s shoulders.

“Human experiments? What…?”

Kaimborett, glancing at Daniel, forced an awkward smile.

“I don’t quite understand what you’re saying. Are you saying that human experiments were conducted in my city?”

A denial.

It was not surprising, given the expected outcome.

“Mayor Kaimborett, I’ve heard that you have continuously held the position of mayor here before and after the war. You must have been in office when the research facility was built.”

“That is…”

“Construction within the city fundamentally requires the mayor’s approval. Of course, there are cases where the military directly orders construction, but still, reports must go up to the mayor.”

A thin smile crept onto Daniel’s lips.

“So you couldn’t possibly not know.”

With nowhere to turn, Kaimborett’s eyes trembled sharply.

However, he could not betray Count Caledra.

This was not merely a matter of loyalty.

Kaimborett had also pocketed a large sum of money in exchange for turning a blind eye to the human experiments occurring in Penbarch.

He had even assisted on several occasions.

Thus, he had no choice.

Kaimborett resolved to stand firm.

“Even as mayor, I cannot know all the military’s plans.”

Daniel, who had been staring intently at Kaimborett, shrugged.

“Very well. In that case, I would like to use a lie detector to determine whether you are lying or not. Would that be acceptable?”

“…A lie detector?”

“Our imperial army has developed a state-of-the-art lie detector. Since you seem curious, I will show it to you.”

Developed? Not created? While Kaimborett was puzzled, Daniel clapped his hands twice.

At that moment, the door of the reception room opened, and a well-dressed female officer walked in.

With a gentle smile beneath her long eyelashes, she appeared almost saintly.

As Kaimborett stared blankly at Frien approaching, he looked back at Daniel as if he could not understand.

“Are you saying that this delicate woman is the lie detector?”

Kaimborett wore an expression of disbelief as if he had heard a bad joke.

Then he burst into laughter.

“Are you planning to make me confess? Of course, I haven’t lied, but I can’t understand how this woman would detect my lies.”

Kaimborett’s reaction was understandable, given that he was unaware of Frien’s reputation.

It would be quicker to learn through experience than through a hundred explanations.

“Well…”

As Pelf looked at Kaimborett with pity, Daniel quietly smiled.

“You’ll find out soon enough.”