I was mistaken for a great war general

Upon hearing that over two thousand applicants had signed up, I sank into despair and confronted the Personnel Officer.

I demanded to know why my recruitment notice was being praised as a "well-written announcement."

Smiling, the Personnel Officer patiently explained, even counting on his fingers as he spoke.

The prolonged war against the Allied Nations had created a generation of orphans raised on revenge, fueling a surge in enlistments.

Lieutenant Daniel Steiner's recruitment notice had poured gasoline on that fire—stoking their desire for vengeance and naturally boosting applications.

Moreover, the Northern Front was already shifting in the Empire's favor. Many likely saw it as an opportunity to earn glory in a winning campaign.

The wording that painted rear-line troops as freeloaders likely provoked resentment. Some may have applied purely out of wounded pride.

And finally, logical reasons aside, there was simply something about the notice that stirred men's hearts.

After laying out his five points, the Personnel Officer concluded by saying I had a real knack for propaganda. He even invited me to consider a transfer to the Personnel Office.

I forced a smile, politely dismissed him, and ordered the soldiers to begin sorting through the mountain of applications.

Rejecting over two thousand applicants outright wasn't feasible, which meant deployment to the Northern Front was all but guaranteed.

Given that, my best course of action was to choose the most competent soldiers possible to ensure my own survival.

So I began the selection process:

Anyone with a criminal record—even a minor one? Rejected.

Anyone driven purely by revenge? Rejected.

Anyone showing signs of mental instability or extreme ideology? Rejected.

Anyone who disobeyed orders during training? Rejected.

Anyone who didn't score perfectly on the marksmanship test? Rejected.

Anyone with no aptitude for magic? Rejected.

After the initial screening, only 327 applicants remained.

From that pool, I selected the most outstanding and disciplined twenty soldiers.

Ten days later...

I stood before them.

"..."

The twenty soldiers I had handpicked were lined up in two rows by the fountain at the entrance to the General Staff Headquarters.

Their presence alone was overwhelming.

Especially their eyes—they were terrifying.

If I were exaggerating, I'd say they looked like the kind of people who would charge a machine gun nest without hesitation if ordered.

'Even though I picked them myself… are they even human?'

Cold sweat trickled down my back before I even realized it.

Of course, not all of them looked like soulless killing machines.

Among the towering men, one woman stood out—blinking at me with wide, clear eyes.

'Freen Remiliart.'

The same woman I met in the detention cell—the future Saint of the Empire and a named NPC.

She must have completed basic training successfully, as she now wore the rank insignia of a Private.

I'd chosen her without much thought when I saw her name on the list, but now—seeing her innocent expression burning with strange enthusiasm among this band of monsters—reminded me of a lunatic with a glassy stare.

Had I made a mistake selecting her?

Suppressing my unease, I cleared my throat.

"Welcome, soldiers."

As their commander, it was my duty to give a briefing before deployment.

And honestly, I was hoping my words might scare a few into quitting.

"As stated in the recruitment notice, I am Lieutenant Daniel Steiner, your platoon leader and Acting Operations Officer. Let me repeat something important—I have no real combat experience."

Silence.

No reaction.

Alright, time to ramp it up.

"So don't expect me to be a capable leader. I seek only the annihilation of the Allied Nations and the screams of the savages who fight for them."

I was laying it on thick—making it crystal clear I had no grasp of tactics or strategy.

Any sane soldier would be rattled by now.

Instead, the men started grinning.

Predatory, dangerous grins.

I stared at them in stunned silence, then snapped harshly,

"I have no use for cowards. If you plan on running away from battle, this is your last chance. Anyone who wants to back out—raise your hand."

Of course, not a single hand moved.

These lunatics were completely unshaken.

Suppressing a sigh, I gave them my final address.

"Fine! You reckless fools willing to challenge death! I'll make sure you get what you want. Your sweat and blood will bring glory to the Empire!"

And they responded, roaring in perfect unison:

"Glory to the Empire!"

Their voices echoed across the headquarters.

Closing my eyes, I let out a faint groan.

'This is insane…'

There was no other word for it.

They were absolute lunatics.

Four Days Later

Northern Front – Temporary Outpost, 307th Special Operations Unit

'The reinforcements from HQ are due to arrive today.'

Captain Heinz Schmidt, commander of the 307th Special Operations Unit, leaned back in his chair and pulled out the infamous recruitment notice.

Northern Front Reinforcement Recruitment Notice

Attention, soldiers!

A fierce battle to defend the sacred lands of our Empire rages in the North!

I seek those who are willing to lay down their lives for the Empire!

Heed this call! Covet not the grains of the Empire in life, but become the foundation of its glory in death!

Join me! Fight until we have destroyed, crushed, and annihilated our enemies!

We desire only the deaths of our foes!

'...This reeks of madness.'

Captain Heinz had seen all kinds of insanity in the Special Operations Unit—assassinations, counter-terror ops, brutal raids—but even he found this recruitment message disturbing.

'This doesn't read like a call for comrades…'

It sounded more like an invitation to become disposable tools for the Empire.

'Lieutenant Daniel Steiner, was it?'

According to his adjutant, Steiner had already achieved three major accomplishments and been rapidly promoted to lieutenant.

Now he had volunteered to be deployed here.

To Heinz, only one conclusion made sense:

'A promotion-hungry warmonger…'

He clenched his jaw.

Still, it was wrong to judge a man by rumors.

He stood up as a soldier entered and saluted.

"Captain! The reinforcements from HQ have arrived!"

"Understood. Let's meet them."

As he stepped outside, he gave a brief glance to a girl reading a book in the corner of the tent.

He decided not to disturb her and simply nodded before leaving.

Outside, the snow reflected the midday sun as twenty soldiers marched toward the outpost.

Their presence was overwhelming.

Even the veteran operators of the 307th instinctively stepped aside.

Leading them was a man with hollow, bloodshot eyes.

Unflinching. Emotionless.

Lieutenant Daniel Steiner.

When their eyes met, Heinz felt his chest tighten for a moment.

Daniel frowned slightly, then saluted.

Heinz returned the salute as Daniel approached with a thin smile.

"It's an honor to meet you, Captain Heinz Schmidt."

"…You know my name?"

"Yes. I researched the unit beforehand. Your team has accomplished remarkable feats. I see why I was assigned here."

"I appreciate that. It must've been a long journey. Are you and your men not exhausted?"

Daniel chuckled and shook his head.

"Those suicidal maniacs? Don't worry—they don't know how to feel tired."

The words "suicidal maniacs" sent a chill down Heinz's spine.

'He really does see them as expendable tools…'

In truth, Daniel had meant it as a joke to ease the tension, but Heinz, already biased, saw something sinister.

"…Captain Heinz?"

Daniel tilted his head at Heinz's rigid expression.

Just then—

"What's all the commotion?"

A soft voice rang out as a blonde girl stepped out from the tent.

Wearing a white blouse and a red brooch, she radiated noble grace.

Daniel's eyes naturally fell on her—and then he froze.

Heinz noticed and introduced her.

"This is our embedded war correspondent. She arrived a few days ago to document the army's efforts."

But Daniel couldn't stop staring.

The girl smiled gently.

And in that moment, Daniel felt ice in his veins.

'A war correspondent?'

No. That was impossible.

He knew exactly who she was.

Selvia von Amberg.

The Imperial Princess.

The future ruler of the Empire.