I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander-Chapter 195

After arriving near the bridge, Daniel ordered the central troops to conduct a forward reconnaissance sweep.

Since the bridge hadn’t been destroyed, it was clear the enemy was likely lying in ambush somewhere nearby.

The plan was simple—once the recon unit discovered the enemy and returned, he would claim the position was disadvantageous and circle downstream along the river.

But, unexpectedly, things didn’t go the way Daniel had planned.

“Reporting to the Brigadier General! As ordered, we scouted all areas within a 3-kilometer radius along the road axis, but there were no signs of enemy movement!”

The recon captain confirmed to Daniel that the enemy was nowhere to be seen.

Birds chirping in the forest around him, Daniel rubbed one eye in disbelief.

He didn’t believe it at first, but with his subordinate’s life on the line, there was no way the captain would lie on the battlefield—so it had to be true: there really were no enemies.

And that realization left Daniel dumbfounded.

“...They’re just handing over the bridge? Are they insane?”

Even if the defense commander of a remote frontier city, abandoning a strategically crucial bridge needed to block the enemy's advance so easily was incomprehensible.

“Brigadier General, are you all right?”

Seeing Daniel lost in thought, the reconnaissance captain cautiously asked while watching his expression.

Thinking it wouldn’t do to remain silent, Daniel lightly rubbed his chin and opened his mouth.

“I’m just lost in thought. But really—are you sure there wasn’t a single sign of enemy movement? Not even enemy scouts or patrols...?”

“If there had been anything of the sort, we would’ve reported it immediately, sir.”

“Did you check the ridgeline? There’s a good chance they’re setting up a concealed observation post.”

“We did, sir. We searched the area with that possibility in mind but confirmed that there were no enemy forces.”

Daniel let out a short sigh and scratched his chin again, as if trying to push aside the slim possibility.

“All right. I need some time to think. Fall back to your original position and hold.”

“Yes, sir!”

Saluting sharply, the captain returned to his men and withdrew with his unit.

Watching them retreat from a distance, Daniel’s gaze remained fixed in the direction of the bridge, his body still as stone.

“The enemy really gave up the bridge, didn’t they? I wonder why.”

Phelp, standing next to Frien with his arms crossed, responded.

“It’s only natural that it doesn’t make sense. Normally, if they wanted to seize control of the bridge, they’d ambush us. But those bastards are overly conscious of the Brigadier General’s tactics and saw right through it.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Lieutenant Frien. The Brigadier General tends to corner the enemy based on deceptive operations and force them into designated kill zones. Even the enemy isn’t so stupid they wouldn’t have realized it by now.”

Phelp smiled faintly as he looked at Daniel, who was still stroking his chin, lost in thought.

“The enemy assumed that the Brigadier General expected them to be wary and deliberately exposed part of our movement path, pushing toward the bridge. So from the enemy’s perspective, what would they think?”

“...They’d think we’re trying to lure them to the rear, wouldn’t they?”

“Exactly. The Defense Commander of Fenbark must’ve assumed the Brigadier General had laid a trap and was waiting. That’s why they chose to abandon the bridge.”

He had turned his background and reputation into a weaponized part of the operation.

That was precisely who Daniel Steiner was—the embodiment of the idea that “tactics and strategy are, in the end, about manipulating people.”

Watching Daniel toy with the enemy as if he held them in the palm of his hand, Phelp couldn’t help but feel a faint chill of awe.

“Many have commanded armies, but none have demonstrated such clarity as you, Brigadier General. History will remember you as a legendary figure.”

Phelp spoke with genuine respect, prompting Frien to flash a smug smile.

“Of course. Bringing order to chaos and saving the people—surely history will revere you as a saint never to be seen again.”

“A saint? What are you even—”

Phelp started to point that out but ended up rubbing his chin instead.

Frien was a capable officer, but she occasionally blurted out completely inscrutable things.

There was a faint gleam of unplaceable madness behind her soft eyes that was difficult [N O V E L I G H T] to pin down.

Feeling that things might spiral if left unchecked, Phelp walked over to Daniel.

“Brigadier General.”

Daniel, turning his body, confirmed it was Phelp approaching and opened his mouth.

“What is it, intelligence officer?”

“I wish to report the successful securing of the bridge. And... I must apologize for doubting your plan.”

Daniel scratched his chin with a dry, habitual motion.

“Doubt isn’t a bad thing—don’t apologize for it.”

“Thank you, sir. That alone is a great relief. But... would you be able to give the next order now? The soldiers and officers are all waiting for your command, sir, now that everything is secure.”

Knowing he couldn’t delay any further, Daniel let out a quiet sigh and spoke in a low, gravelly voice.

“Contact General Staff. Inform them the bridge has been secured and we’re confirming control of the surrounding area. Once that’s complete, tell them...”

Daniel turned his chin and looked in the direction of the city.

“We’ll advance on Fenbark.”

****

Evening. General Staff headquarters dining hall.

Clatter—

Only the faint sound of utensils moving over the finished round table echoed softly in the dining hall.

Normally a bustling place, the General Staff dining hall was unusually quiet today. The reason: the Chief of Staff, who held the highest position within the General Staff, had come down to dine for the first time in a long while.

Seated at the same table were Minister of the National Frontline Operations, Shiller, and Deputy Chief of Staff, Cedric.

Perhaps because of the heavy presence of such prominent figures, everyone else gathered in the hall was simply focusing on their meals, as if nothing else existed.

“Minister Shiller.”

Amid the intentionally maintained silence, the Chief of Staff, Aroman, smiled faintly.

“Is the food to your taste? I would’ve liked to serve you a proper meal from the officer’s restaurant near the base if I had the time, but alas, duty didn’t allow it.”

Shiller hurriedly set down her utensils and dabbed her lips with a napkin.

“Please don’t trouble yourself. It’s quite delicious, I assure you.”

“I’m glad to hear it. So, how are things on the front lines these days?”

As Aroman quietly inquired about the situation, Shiller looked at him and gently rubbed her chin.

“Of course. The people are uniting as one and passionately rallying around the Empire. Ever since Brigadier General Daniel Steiner’s recent speech, even the morale of deserters has been rising.”

“Deserters, you say.”

“Yes. When a few soldiers were asked if they would return to the battlefield, they said they felt ashamed for having fled out of fear for their lives.”

Even someone who had not flinched when staring down a terrorist’s gun had been moved by Daniel—it was no wonder the troops were.

Aroman smiled in satisfaction, but this time it was Shiller who asked the question.

“...But is it really okay?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m referring to sending Daniel Steiner back to the front. As you know, he’s practically the symbol of the Empire right now. If he were to die in battle, it would severely hurt morale. Wouldn’t it be better to recall him to the capital before that happens?”

As the head of National Frontline Operations, Shiller did not want Daniel risking his life on the battlefield.

From her strategic perspective, it would be more beneficial for morale if he remained in the rear as a national hero.

Understanding her concern, Aroman maintained his gentle smile as he sliced into his steak with a knife.

“There is merit to your opinion, Minister Shiller. I, too, have considered the same. But having faced Daniel Steiner myself—”

Daniel is not the kind of man who would be content with momentary peace.”

Aroman remembered.

The moment he had suggested that Fenbark must be taken, Daniel Steiner’s blazing eyes had pierced through him.

Those eyes, burning with some fierce conviction, still remained vividly etched in Aroman’s mind.

“To me, it seems Daniel Steiner wants to reshape the Empire into something worthy of loyalty. And he hopes to be standing at the forefront of that transformation. It’s rare to find someone like that in this day and age.”

“Chief of Staff, but still...”

“I understand your concern. But I don’t believe we need to worry about Daniel Steiner dying on the battlefield. Cedric? If you would, explain.”

Cedric, who had been slicing his steak, looked to Shiller.

“Minister of Frontline Operations. Currently, Daniel Steiner has secured the bridge leading to Fenbark. And he’s done so without suffering a single casualty.”

“...Excuse me? How is that possible?”

“It seems he’s manipulated the enemy’s psychology. By appearing to head straight for the bridge, he’s made the Fenbark defense commander believe it’s an obvious trap.”

Shiller, having frozen mid-bite with a piece of meat in her mouth, quickly chewed and dabbed her lips with a napkin at Aroman’s glance.

“As you’ve likely gathered, the Defense Commander of Fenbark is no match for Daniel Steiner. So please, put your worries to rest.”

As the hesitant Shiller cut her meat, Cedric glanced sideways toward Aroman.

It was clear that he saw through Aroman’s favor toward Daniel Steiner.

“Chief of Staff,”

Aroman, who had set his napkin down, replied.

“What is it?”

“I heard your health hasn’t been well recently. Are you considering Daniel Steiner as your successor in preparation for an emergency?”

It was a question meant to probe his intent.

After a short silence, Aroman leaned back in his chair.

“That’s something for the future. And regardless, appointing the next Chief of Staff is up to the Emperor. What does it matter if I see him as a successor or not? Still... if the end of this imperial dynasty is in sight, then perhaps it’s not unreasonable to place some hope in him.”

If Daniel Steiner continued building achievements on the front lines and remained devoted to the Empire, it wasn’t an impossible scenario.

“Of course, the most important thing would be his own will, but...”

There was no need to worry about that.

Daniel Steiner wanted the position of Chief of Staff more than anyone else.