I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander

Company Commander Bernhard’s orders were easily relayed to all troops.

At first, the soldiers who heard the order thought the company commander had finally gone mad from boredom.

They didn’t understand why they were being told to inspect and clean what was essentially an abandoned outpost.

But as soon as they heard “Daniel Steiner is coming,” they immediately obeyed the order.

Like Bernhard, the soldiers were well aware of Daniel Steiner’s infamous reputation.

Not wanting to die, the soldiers rolled up their sleeves, inspected the facility’s deficiencies, and made repairs to the extent immediately possible.

They also used the outpost’s single iron to press the wrinkles out of their uniforms, and even cleaned their weapons several times to avoid any potential criticism.

Fearing that Daniel Steiner might ask about the use and maintenance of military equipment, they also made sure to memorize the weapon manual by heart.

About two weeks passed like this.

“He’s coming! Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner… No! The battalion commander is coming!”

Receiving the radio message from the soldier on sentry duty, Bernhard blew the whistle hanging around his neck.

The soldiers gathered in front of the base split to the sides and stood at attention.

Just two weeks ago, these same men had been snickering and playing poker during duty hours, but now they were acting like elite troops at the mere mention of Daniel Steiner’s arrival.

Bernhard let out a dry laugh as he looked them over.

‘…It’s like we’ve gone back a year in time.’

This level of discipline hadn’t been seen since they became a so-called “ghost unit” forgotten by the higher-ups.

As Bernhard was reminiscing about the past, the sound of vehicles approaching could be heard in the distance.

Tensing up, Bernhard looked straight ahead to see a military jeep leading the way, followed by a series of transport vehicles.

‘So it was true that they sent a battalion-level force from headquarters.’

Unlike Bernhard’s abandoned company, this was a fully equipped battalion that wouldn’t lack for supplies.

‘Are we about to start a special mission….’

Just as Bernhard swallowed dryly, the lead military jeep slowly came to a stop.

Soon the vehicle’s doors opened, and female officers who appeared to be in charge exited first.

Following them, a male officer with black hair got out of the vehicle and adjusted his attire.

The man was wearing an officer’s winter coat draped over his shoulders, and through the open coat, the Imperial Phoenix golden emblem and the Golden Cross medal could be seen.

“…!”

This man was none other than Daniel Steiner, called the hero of the Empire.

Seeing him in person for the first time, Bernhard tensed up nervously.

Unaware of Bernhard’s state of mind, Daniel looked around and exhaled softly.

The breath that escaped his mouth scattered as mist in the cold air.

After examining the outpost with sharp eyes, Daniel turned his gaze to Bernhard.

The moment their eyes met, Bernhard mechanically raised his arm.

“Welcome, Battalion Commander!”

Daniel didn’t respond and slowly began to walk.

With each step Daniel took, the snow accumulated in the basin was trampled under his military boots.

The tall Daniel, with his coat flapping, looked like a wolf as he approached.

Even though he was merely walking, his presence was overwhelming.

Unable to meet his gaze, Bernhard deliberately looked straight ahead as Daniel, now at close range, slowly began to speak.

“Your name?”

Bernhard lowered his hand and assumed the position of attention.

“Captain Bernhard of the Special Operations Company under the Airborne Special Forces Brigade!”
“Troop strength?”
“Yes! I’ll report the current company strength. Out of a total of 47 men, 46 are capable of carrying out operations, excluding one injured soldier!”

Daniel nodded at Bernhard’s report.

“Excellent. I thought you might have gotten lax after being on standby for a year, but discipline is well maintained.”
“You’re too kind! However…”

Bernhard, watching Daniel’s expression, hesitantly spoke up.

“If I may be so bold, could I ask why you, the hero of the Empire, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel, have come to such a remote location?”
“To rescue Hans Gernmehrt, who has been taken prisoner by the Kingdom of Velmore.”
“I understand. Then how do you plan to move the battalion, Commander? If you give orders based on the plan, we’ll implement them immediately.”

Daniel, exhaling a cold breath, looked down at Bernhard.

“I have only one order for you all. Maintain the status quo.”

Having said that, Daniel passed by Bernhard and said,

“It’s cold. Guide me to the quarters.”

Bernhard, who had been standing dazed for a moment, quickly responded.

“Ah. Yes! Understood!”

Falling in step beside Daniel, Bernhard was filled with an inexplicable sense of unease.

‘Maintain the status quo means…’

It sounded like they weren’t going to do anything at all.

It was indeed true that they weren’t going to do anything.

Now, ten days after joining the outpost in the basin near the Velmore Kingdom border region.

Daniel Steiner was engrossed in reading.

Having finished the last page, Daniel closed the book with a lump in his throat.

The title of the book was “The Baker Who Drank Tears.”

‘It was a good story…’

It was admirable that there was a book that could move people to this extent in this era.

Just as he was thinking about sending a fan letter to the author, the door to the operations command room opened.

Lucie was standing beyond the door.

“Lieutenant Colonel Daniel.”

Wondering what was going on, Daniel looked at her as Lucie let out a low sigh.

“Are you really not going to give any orders?”
“…I don’t know what you’re talking about. Didn’t I clearly give the order to maintain the status quo?”
“There are soldiers who are starting to think that means doing nothing.”

I see. It was a bit early, but it seemed discontent was gradually starting to surface.

The soldiers of the General Staff Headquarters direct unit were elite volunteers who had enlisted in the military.

If their superior didn’t give any orders after arriving at the operation site, they might think it dishonorable.

‘It would be troublesome if the soldiers’ discontent became public opinion.’

If a report went up to the higher-ups that Daniel Steiner was being negligent in his duties at the operation site, a return order might be issued.

‘I should do something under the pretext of training…’

Daniel, who wanted to avoid returning to the system, racked his brain.

As he tapped the table, Daniel snapped his fingers as if he had just thought of something.

“Tell all troops. As soon as dawn breaks tomorrow, we’ll climb the ridge in the western mountainous area. The purpose is to conduct enemy movement reconnaissance and trench construction training.”

Lucie blinked silently.

She didn’t understand.

“You said west, not east? Why… the border region is to the east.”

That’s why we should go west.

If we went east and actually encountered the enemy, there was a chance of an unfortunate incident occurring.

However, unable to say that he was just pretending to work reluctantly, Daniel frowned as if looking down on someone who couldn’t understand his genius idea.

“Adjutant. Do you think I’m saying this without any plan?”

Lucie shook her head.

From the Nordia invasion operation to the negotiations with Prime Minister Bellanos, Daniel Steiner had often subdued the enemy with unconventional methods.

Thinking this must be another such instance, Lucie bowed her head slightly.

“I’ve overstepped. I’ll inform all troops to prepare their equipment as they need to move out tomorrow morning.”

With those words, Lucie left the operations command room, closing the door behind her.

Thanks to this, Daniel, now alone, opened his book.

He wanted to reread the part he thought was the highlight.

Kingdom of Velmore.
Command tent at the border region outpost.

“Do you all know the news that Daniel Steiner has joined the enemy outpost in the basin near the border region?”

At Crown Prince Bleff’s words, a murmur spread through the command tent.

While everyone was watching each other’s reactions, Colonel Gallevalt spoke up.

“Is that really true? That the Empire’s devil is there…?”
“It is. I heard it directly from an Imperial source, so there’s no doubt.”
“Good heavens. That means…”

Bleff, dressed in an ornate uniform, smiled wickedly.

“God has given me a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If I succeed in capturing Daniel Steiner as a prisoner, I won’t have to suffer such humiliation anymore.”

Although Bleff was the crown prince, his position was unstable due to his younger brother rising from below.

His younger brother had been continuously earning military merits on the battlefield, causing Bleff’s support base to start shaking.

That’s why he had been forced to come to the battlefield recently, and very fortunately, he had heard that Daniel Steiner was located nearby.

‘If I succeed in capturing Daniel Steiner, who has inflicted massive damage on the Allied Nations…’

It was clear that his foolish younger brother would never be able to challenge him, and his status within the Allied Nations would also rise.

‘I’m not sure why Daniel Steiner came here, but…’

The moment we obtained this information first, it could be said that the tide had turned in our favor.

Imagining the sweet glory he would enjoy after capturing Daniel Steiner, Bleff opened his mouth.

“Colonel. Organize a battalion of elite troops right now. As soon as dawn breaks tomorrow, we will attack the enemy outpost.”

A chuckle escaped his lips and echoed softly through the tent.

“Wait, Daniel Steiner…”

Bleff’s eyes, clouded with greed, flashed.

“I will personally hunt you, the one called the Empire’s devil.”