Year 813 of the Imperial Calendar.

The Heinerne Empire. Situated in the heart of the continent, this empire was one of the largest and most resource-rich nations in the land—a prime example of an ideal country to live in.

However, strength always attracted enemies, and those with abilities were inevitably met with envy and spite. In other words, even in such a prosperous nation, war was inescapable.

“Captain Teo! Suspicious activity has been detected near the Rotelli Maritime Zone, which is under Memburn’s control.”

The Kingdom of Memburn, reliant on maritime trade, was currently engaged in active conflict with the Heinerne Empire.

Geographically, the two nations were intricately connected, with Memburn sharing a narrow border along Heinerne’s eastern edge. Additionally, there was a maritime area cutting between the two nations, known as Rotelli.

Memburn controlled half of the Rotelli Maritime Zone. Though not vast, Rotelli was a critical gateway for continental trade, functioning as a Silk Road of sorts. The maritime rights in this zone were currently divided between the Empire and the Kingdom.

However, Memburn sought to monopolize the maritime rights in Rotelli and had once initiated a war with the Empire to achieve this goal. After prolonged conflict, the two nations had reached a tense ceasefire. Recently, however, signs of war were re-emerging.

“Is this report from the Separate Forces?”

“Yes, sir.”

The capital city of Twelin, home to the Empire’s military headquarters, was the heart of Heinerne. Its military forces, dedicated to defending the royal palace and beyond, were a testament to the Empire’s might. Among these, the “Magic Corps,” composed of individuals capable of wielding extraordinary magical powers, was widely regarded as the most elite of all military units.

The circular territory surrounding the palace was under strict military jurisdiction, constructed to ensure the defense of the Empire’s core—the capital and the royal palace—under any circumstances.

“How many troops are stationed in the Eastern Division?”

“Currently, the Separate Forces deployed from the capital headquarters and the 3rd Unit are stationed there.”

Among the Empire’s military commanders, none were more highly regarded than Teo Redric. Commander of the 1st Unit and widely considered the leading candidate for the position of Supreme Commander, he was a figure of unparalleled competence.

“I will report directly to the Supreme Commander.”

“Yes, sir. What should we tell the Eastern Division?”

Teo fell into contemplation. The subordinate delivering the report waited patiently, giving Teo the space to think without interruption.

There was a common stereotype that soldiers, being in a physically demanding profession, weren’t particularly sharp. But to be an effective soldier required not just physical prowess but also intellectual acumen. Teo stroked his chin. With his sharp features, piercing gaze, towering height of over 190 centimeters, and robust build, he certainly looked the part of a soldier. But his subordinates knew better.

He was a man who excelled in strategy as much as in strength.

Teo always devised the most rational and efficient plans. He prioritized minimizing casualties, carefully considering every detail to ensure his people remained unharmed. This diligence had made him a constant victor on the battlefield, with his operations resulting in record-low casualty rates.

“Relay the message that we’re not to move until after the Supreme Commander has been briefed. Their expertise in naval combat surpasses ours. A preemptive strike might seem viable, but it could backfire. We’ll wait and draw them to land when they grow impatient.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll deliver the message immediately.”

“And one more thing.”

“Yes, sir?”

“Inform Captain Luke to absolutely refrain from acting on his own. Under no circumstances.”

“…Understood!”

The subordinate saluted crisply and turned to leave. Just as Teo was about to continue, another communications officer burst into the room, looking frantic. Teo immediately felt a sense of foreboding, a disconcerting déjà vu.

“What is it?”

“Sir, we’ve received a report from the 3rd Unit. Captain Luke has mobilized his troops, leading the Separate Forces toward a maritime zone where the enemy is presumed to be lying in ambush!”

Teo frowned. He let out a brief sigh, a sound so familiar to those around him that the nearby soldiers instinctively braced themselves.

“I’m heading to the Eastern Division. Please relay this to the Supreme Commander on my behalf.”

“Yes, sir!”

Teo swiftly left the room, accompanied by a mage skilled in teleportation magic. While Teo could perform basic teleportation himself, relying on a specialist was more efficient.

Within the military, there were designated “magic preservation zones,” areas saturated with concentrated magical energy. These zones ensured precise teleportation with minimal effort, making them the standard for such operations.

“Quickly, if you please.”

“Yes, Captain.”

As the mage chanted briefly, light gathered and enveloped Teo. Moments later, his form shimmered and vanished.

***

Eastern Division, Heinerne Empire

As Teo arrived, he was greeted by Mile Kailas, captain of the 3rd Unit. It was as though Mile had anticipated his arrival.

“Teo, I knew you’d show up.”

“Mile, where’s Luke?”

“Just as reported. He ran off on his own again, that rat.”

Mile raked his fingers through his hair, sighing heavily, as if thoroughly fed up.

“Mile, there are other soldiers around. Mind your words when speaking about fellow captains.”

“That’s just like you, Teo. You’re too good-natured for your own good.”

“How long has it been since Luke left?”

“Roughly an hour, as far as we can tell. We realized it too late, so the exact timing is uncertain.”

An hour ago would have been around the time the report about suspicious activity near Memburn’s territory came in. That report had originated from the Separate Forces.

“You’ve figured it out, haven’t you?”

Mile smirked, as if he could read Teo’s expression.

“That guy Luke. The moment the report came to us, he charged right in. He must have already been planning it.”

“...We’re going too.”

“Are you serious? That bastard doesn’t care about military discipline and does whatever he pleases. Why should we clean up his mess? Teo, let’s just leave him to it this time. Maybe getting burned will teach him a lesson.”

Mile’s sharp tone carried through, and the soldiers around them began casting uneasy glances.

“Sorry, but I still have a working conscience.”

It was then that a shimmering crimson light appeared in the distance, twisting the space around it. Moments later, a man emerged, his silver hair catching the breeze and reflecting the light.

Mile’s expression darkened as soon as he recognized who it was.

“Captain Luke, you…”

Before Mile could finish, someone rushed past him at full speed—Teo. His hand ignited with flames, and his attack was aimed squarely at Luke.

Boom.

A deafening explosion echoed, and smoke rose from the spot where the two captains faced off. Despite the sudden chaos, the soldiers reacted as if accustomed to such events, swiftly deploying their own defensive magic.

“That’s quite an aggressive greeting.”

Luke had also activated a defensive spell. Despite the abruptness, his response was swift and flawlessly executed. He locked eyes with Teo, glaring at the man who had just launched the attack.

“What’s the meaning of this?”

Teo was the first to speak.

“That’s my question. Isn’t your enemy beyond those waters, not standing here before you?”

“Captain Luke, that’s not what I’m asking. Why did you act independently, without waiting for orders from headquarters?”

“Isn’t that the purpose of the Separate Forces? The enemy was making their move. I judged that striking first, before they were fully prepared, would give us an advantage.”

The air between Teo and Luke grew icy, the tension palpable. Even the surrounding soldiers began casting wary glances at Luke, their expressions anything but friendly.

“That wasn’t your call to make. Don’t you realize your actions could have provoked a war?”

“We were only in a ceasefire with Memburn. War was inevitable. And besides, I succeeded. Isn’t that all that matters?”

“Even so, that doesn’t justify acting on your own. You endangered not only your unit but also the reinforcements stationed here in the east. Do you still not understand the severity of your actions?”

Luke let out a short laugh, as if he found the entire situation amusing. Mile muttered under his breath, “That bastard…”

“Pretending to be the perfect soldier again, I see.”

“Luke...!”

Teo began to shout, but his words faltered as he noticed crimson blood dripping from Luke’s pale forehead. For a moment, Teo flinched, his brow furrowing in concern.

“Fine, fine. I’ll file a proper report later, so can we drop this already?”

Wiping the blood from his forehead, Luke brushed past Teo. None of the soldiers nearby stepped forward to assist or offered any words of concern as the injured captain walked away.

Mile shook his head and dismissed the soldiers, while Teo turned his attention to the Separate Forces soldiers who had accompanied Luke.

“Any injuries?”

“None, sir.”

That’s unlikely. Memburn must be desperate to win this war, given their goal of securing full control over the Rotelli Maritime Zone. Their forces and weapons should have been formidable. The idea that no one was hurt during a surprise attack was implausible.

“Captain Teo, actually…”

One of the Separate Forces soldiers hesitantly stepped forward.

“Speak.”

“We accompanied Captain Luke, but… we didn’t step a single foot into enemy territory.”

“What?”

The soldiers exchanged uneasy glances, their discomfort evident.

“The captain said that weaklings like us would only hinder the operation and ordered us to stay back and maintain a barrier instead.”

The soldiers openly displayed their irritation. Luke’s words had clearly wounded their pride.

“So, you’re saying that Captain Luke executed the surprise attack alone?”

“Yes, sir.”

Teo slowly turned to look in the direction Luke had disappeared. On the dirt ground, a faint trail of blood drops marked his path.

***

"The treatment is complete."

At the medic’s words, Luke gave a short nod. The medic bowed respectfully and quickly left the tent.

"Haah."

Luke let out a long sigh as he collapsed onto the cot, his body sinking into it. Not a single part of him wasn’t aching.

"...Damn it, I’m going to die before I even get to see the happy ending."

Another requirement for being a proper villain had just been added to the list.

To survive, you had to be disgustingly strong.