“This is Kingfisher. Target eliminated. Returning to the temporary forward base.”

It was a transmission received by Heinz, who had been waiting at the Drokenberg Highlands.

This meant Heinz’s rational prediction had been wrong, and Daniel’s intuition had been right.

Heinz wanted to believe it was a lie, but he knew there was no way Daniel, obsessed with earning accolades, would file a false report.

Responding with an acknowledgment, Heinz withdrew from the highlands and returned to the forward base, where he witnessed Daniel’s results firsthand.

“...Unbelievable.”

In the clearing, prisoners wearing Allied uniforms were kneeling in rows.

Even at a glance, there were over 80 of them—guarded by no more than 20 Imperial soldiers.

It was such an unrealistic sight that Heinz felt like he was looking at something out of a dream.

Heinz’s aide was just as stunned by Daniel’s achievement.

“...Lieutenant Daniel actually took down a company with a single platoon. How is that even possible?”

It wasn’t entirely impossible.

Rare, but not unheard of. There were historical examples of Davids defeating Goliaths.

‘But still…’

Had any David ever taken Goliath alive as prisoners?

Heinz couldn’t comprehend how a platoon of 20 had not only defeated but also forced a company to surrender.

Moreover, the captured Allied company included five officers and seven non-commissioned officers.

One of the officers was even field-grade.

The intelligence they could extract from these prisoners alone made this a monumental achievement.

As Heinz gazed at the prisoners groaning in the snow, he sensed someone approaching and looked up.

Daniel stood there, saluting.

“You’ve returned, Captain Heinz.”

Heinz returned the salute, speaking with disbelief still lingering in his voice.

“Incredible. How did you capture them all?”
“Oh. I’d say it was just luck.”

Though Daniel meant it sincerely, Heinz only saw it as false modesty.

‘They say modesty is a virtue in the Empire. If I didn’t know his true nature, I might have been fooled too.’

Growing more wary of Daniel, Heinz cleared his throat.

“Enough with the ‘luck’ nonsense. What kind of platoon defeats a company purely by chance? This is your achievement.”

“...I disagree.”

Daniel spoke with a serious expression.

“I merely reached my conclusion based on Captain Heinz’s assessment and the Central Intelligence Bureau’s data. The credit should go to you and the Intelligence Bureau.”

Daniel was practically begging Heinz not to report his success to headquarters.

But to Heinz, it came across as a calculated move to flatter superiors and secure promotions.

‘Lowering himself while praising his superiors—he’s disarming even the most rigid officers. Not only is he brilliant at commanding troops, but he also knows how to maneuver politically…’

Heinz felt a chill run down his spine.

This man was a monster obsessed with promotion.

Suppressing his unease, Heinz replied in a low voice.

“That won’t happen. I don’t submit false reports. Your success will be reported as it is, so enjoy your victory.”

Daniel’s eyebrow twitched.

‘Damn it! Can’t you take the damn credit, you dense bastard!?’

Any other officer would’ve gladly accepted the accolades, but this inflexible fool refused to steal his subordinate’s achievements.

It was suddenly clear why Heinz, despite his competence, held such a low rank.

Daniel sighed inwardly but kept his face neutral.

“If that’s your decision, sir, I’ll comply.”

“Good. With the operation now complete, you’re dismissed. Get some rest. I’ll handle the prisoners and make arrangements to return to headquarters by noon tomorrow.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Recognizing that the conversation was over, Daniel snapped off a salute.

“It’s been an honor to work with you, Captain Heinz Schmidt.”

“The honor is mine. It was a privilege to have a soldier as capable as you under my command.”

Heinz returned the salute, and Daniel turned and walked toward his tent.

Watching Daniel’s back, Heinz’s aide spoke with admiration.

“The rumors were true. The lieutenant sent by headquarters is an exceptional elite. Not only is his operational ability flawless, but his respect for superiors is impeccable.”

“You’re not wrong. But you’re missing the bigger picture.”

Gazing at Daniel’s retreating figure, Heinz muttered under his breath.

“That man is a monster. A monster that will one day devour this Empire…”

*****

The Next Day.

After delivering a detailed report on yesterday’s battle to Heinz, I headed to the clearing in the forward base at noon.

In the clearing, military jeeps and transport vehicles were parked, and the platoon members had gathered around, chatting.

Eavesdropping slightly, I caught snippets of them marveling over how incredible the battle had been.

I could also hear the occasional praise directed at me—definitely not just my imagination.

Freen, who had been talking with the others, approached me.

“Lieutenant Daniel! Good afternoon! Did you finish your report?”
“...Yeah. But what exactly were you all so excited about?”
“We were discussing how incredible of a commander you are! Leading us to victory without a single casualty in our first battle? Against an enemy company, no less! That’s amazing!”

Freen’s sparkling eyes were unbearably overwhelming.

Frowning slightly, I spoke to her.

“You’re all spouting nonsense. It’s time to return to headquarters, so get in the vehicle.”
“Yes, sir! I’ll let them know right away!”

Saluting briskly, Freen returned to the platoon and relayed my orders.

The soldiers turned to salute me before climbing into the military transport vehicles.

Were they too caught up in their first victory? I sighed and began walking toward the jeep—only to stop in my tracks.

A woman stood there, hands clasped behind her back, waiting for me.

Dressed in a pristine white blouse and coat, Selvia glanced around before spotting me and speaking naturally.

“Lieutenant Daniel, are you returning to headquarters?”
“...Yes. And?”
“Then let’s go together. I have business at headquarters as well.”

What? Why the hell is she coming with me?

For a moment, I was too dumbfounded to respond.

After quickly running through excuses in my head, I spoke carefully.

“Miss, this military vehicle prioritizes performance over comfort. It’s not suited for long-distance travel. Especially for a lady—”
“I’m fine. It’s wartime, after all. Being able to ride in a functioning vehicle at all is already a blessing.”

I don’t care if you’re fine—I’m not fine with this.

I couldn’t very well make the princess drive herself, which meant I’d have to endure the fatigue of driving her to headquarters.

“Lieutenant Daniel?”

But how could I refuse the imperial princess?

Sighing quietly in defiance, I nodded.

“If you insist, then please get in. I’ll drive.”

Selvia nodded and climbed into the passenger seat.

Muttering complaints under my breath, I got into the driver’s seat and started the engine.

As I pressed the accelerator, the transport vehicles behind us followed.

About an hour into the drive, Selvia spoke.

“Lieutenant Daniel, what do you think about the state of this war?”

The sudden question caught me off guard.

But it was the kind of question an imperial princess might naturally ask.

Surrounded by generals and officers constantly shouting, ‘The Empire will win!’ this must have been her chance, disguised as a war correspondent, to hear an honest opinion from a lower-ranking officer.

“It won’t be easy.”

I figured I could at least give her some advice.

Selvia looked at me like she didn’t understand.

“What do you mean it won’t be easy? The Empire has practically won on the Northern Front. We’re hearing victory reports from the Eastern Front as well. At this rate, the Empire will win the war against the Allies.”
“Yes. Assuming no third-party nations intervene.”

Selvia didn’t understand the horrors of a world war.

That’s why she could speak so casually.

“If the Empire defeats the Allies and claims their resources, what do you think will happen?”

Selvia’s expression turned serious.

“Obviously, we’ll become the dominant power—a hegemon above all nations…”
“Yes. If everything goes well, the Empire might even lay the groundwork for unifying the world. But the problem is that other major powers know this too.”

The great powers feared the Empire’s growing strength.

They also saw the Allies’ downfall as a potential preview of their own futures.

Fear and paranoia would ignite the flames of war against the Empire.

Nations that saw conflict as inevitable would rush to declare war—and their target would be none other than…

“The Empire will become the enemy of the world.”

This, ultimately, was why the Empire would lose to the Allied forces.

“...”

Selvia’s expression darkened.

She seemed to be processing my words, weighing their rationality.

It must have been a shock to hear something so drastically different from the generals’ unwavering optimism.

For all I knew, she might decide I was paranoid and lash out.

But instead, she considered my opinion.

“I see. That’s certainly one possibility. But Lieutenant Daniel Steiner, how exactly did you arrive at that conclusion—”

I didn’t get the chance to answer.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted something glinting in the sunlight ahead—sharpened spikes scattered across the road.

‘Spike strips…!’

Snapping to attention, I urgently turned the wheel, veering off onto a side path.

Clunk!

The sudden maneuver threw Selvia off balance, and she fell against my thigh.

“Ugh!”

Grabbing my leg for support, Selvia tried to push herself upright—only for me to shove her head down.

“Ugh!? Lieutenant Daniel! What the hell—”

Tat-tat-tat-tat!

Gunfire erupted from all directions, bullets whizzing past and slamming into the jeep.

One round hit the passenger window with a sharp crack.

If it weren’t for the reinforced glass, it would’ve shattered instantly.

Finally understanding the situation, Selvia stopped trying to raise her head and ducked lower.

“No way…!”

Unfortunately, it was exactly what she thought.

Spike traps and gunfire meant only one thing—

An ambush.