Lieutenant McCall carried out Daniel’s orders, tying up the enemy leadership and soldiers with the help of their men.

Some of the officers grit their teeth in humiliation, their expressions dark, but no incidents occurred.

Daniel’s earlier command—“Shoot anyone who resists.”—hung over them like a blade.

These cowards, who had prioritized their own survival by blending into the evacuation, weren’t about to risk their lives now.

After securing the prisoners, McCall ordered the radio operator to report the situation to the Imperial headquarters.

The operator complied, and the headquarters acknowledged the message.

They also promised to dispatch an escort unit to the coordinates immediately.

Everything was proceeding so absurdly smoothly that McCall let out a dry laugh.

‘And now…’

The Imperial headquarters would spread the news in real-time—that the commander of the Steel Division had been captured.

Imperial morale would skyrocket, while the enemy’s would plummet.

Some Kingdom soldiers, still unaware that their commander had fled, would panic and try to confirm the truth, creating chaos and fear.

This was the final blow to the already unbalanced battlefield.

‘The one who led this entire operation from start to finish…’

McCall’s eyes turned to Daniel Steiner, who stood alone by the pier, gazing at the shoreline.

‘I thought he was just another desk officer when I first saw him.’

But now, he looked like a terrifyingly brilliant strategist with a mind sharper than any blade.

As McCall watched Daniel with growing respect, Sergeant Glendy approached.

“Isn’t this unbelievable? Finding the enemy’s supply routes was impressive enough, but then he suggested turning them against them—and now he’s captured their entire command staff? Honestly, I still can’t believe it.”

McCall smirked and nodded in agreement.

“Same here. Who would believe that all these strategies came from one man? Maybe we’re witnessing history in the making.”

“…History?”

“Yeah. Think about it. The Battle of Nordia is enough to be recorded in the history books. Ordinary officers like us might not be remembered, but the captain? His name will definitely make it in.”

Glendy let out a laugh.

“Thinking about it like that, it’s almost exciting. We’ve fought under someone who might be celebrated as one of the Empire’s greatest heroes. Makes for a great story to tell later.”

An Imperial hero.

The thought seemed far-fetched, but seeing Daniel’s accomplishments, it didn’t feel entirely impossible.

“There’s an even better title for him.”

Glendy and McCall flinched as Frien suddenly appeared between them.

Before they could react, she spoke.

“To me, Captain Daniel Steiner isn’t just a hero. I think he’s a saint, sent by God to protect the Empire from the beasts of the Allied Nations.”

Frien’s eyes narrowed as she gazed at Daniel, her lips curling into a faint, almost reverent smile.

“With Captain Steiner leading us, those beasts will burn in hellfire. Only the Empire and those who follow it will remain.”

Her fanatical words sent a chill through McCall and Glendy.

They wanted to see the Empire victorious and the Allied Nations defeated—but wiping out everyone except Imperials?

That was insanity.

They’d suspected it during the earlier battles, but there was something undeniably unhinged about Frien’s gaze.

Still, they couldn’t outright criticize her. Her loyalty, no matter how twisted, was unquestionable.

Breaking the tension, Glendy cleared his throat.

“…Anyway, what do you think the captain’s thinking about while he stares at the sea?”

McCall followed his gaze, looking at Daniel again.

He’d just captured the enemy’s leadership—a massive victory—and yet his eyes remained distant, almost melancholic, as he stared out at the water.

He really was impossible to read.

“How could ordinary men like us ever understand a genius’s thoughts? But if I had to guess, he’s probably already planning how to handle the aftermath.”

“Yeah, that sounds like him.”

As the two watched Daniel in awe, he remained motionless, gazing at the seagulls drifting over the waves.

Letting out a faint sigh, he thought to himself:

‘I just want to go home…’

Daniel wished only for peace.

*****

News of the Steel Division’s leadership being captured quickly spread across the battlefield.

With their morale shattered, the Kingdom’s forces surrendered one by one.

Thanks to the enemy’s complete loss of fighting spirit, the Imperial Army easily marched into Nordia. They seized the city’s major buildings, took down the Kingdom’s flags, and replaced them with the Empire’s banners.

Major General Felderham, having solidified Imperial control over Nordia, ordered the establishment of supply lines and the transport of key figures from the Steel Division back to the mainland.

During this process, I found myself buried in post-battle tasks.

Felderham, who had come to place full trust in me, assigned responsibilities such as selecting defensive positions in certain districts, maintaining security, and protecting classified information.

Nearly two weeks passed when Heinrich suddenly summoned me to the city hall.

Feeling uneasy but unable to disobey orders, I headed there.

Of course, calling it a “city hall” was inaccurate—it now served as the headquarters where the garrison commander conducted official business.

Imperial soldiers stood guard everywhere. Entering required identity verification.

Climbing the stairs and sensing the tense atmosphere, I passed the soldiers stationed at the entrance.

“Captain Daniel Steiner, sir! It’s an honor to meet you. You may proceed.”

Nodding briefly, I entered and made my way up to the third floor.

I walked through a Gothic-style corridor and arrived at the garrison commander’s office. I knocked.

“Come in.”

Hearing permission, I opened the door and stepped inside, finding Heinrich and his adjutant, Philip, waiting.

I entered and saluted.

“Brigadier General, sir. I was told you called for me.”

Heinrich returned my salute, a faint smile on his lips.

“Yes. You’ve been so busy with post-battle work that we haven’t had a chance to talk. I felt guilty, considering how much you’ve contributed.”

Switching to parade rest, I answered firmly.

“Sir, soldiers simply follow orders. I believe it’s wrong to expect rewards for results.”

“A commendable attitude. I wish more soldiers shared your humility. But the Empire operates on a principle of merit and punishment, so we can’t ignore your achievements.”

Heinrich’s smile widened.

“You’re aware that the division commander and I will soon leave for the northern front, correct? With Nordia secured, there’s no reason for us to stay.”

“Yes, sir. But I’m not sure why you’re telling me this…”

“There’s only one reason I would. I want you to take over as the interim garrison commander here.”

I felt sweat trickle down my back.

“Sir? I’m just a captain under the General Staff.”

I quickly pointed out that I was nothing more than a subordinate officer, but Heinrich remained unfazed.

“We know that. Headquarters has already approved it. Until a permanent garrison commander is appointed, you’ll fill the role.”

What?

I struggled to keep my composure and forced a smile.

“I appreciate the offer, but that’s completely unrealistic. Even as an interim position, the garrison commander oversees at least a battalion. I lack both the rank and the authority—”

“And?”

“…I can’t command a battalion as a junior officer. Nor can I be entrusted with administrative authority over a city this size. Please reconsider, sir.”

I was dead serious, but Heinrich’s smirk only grew.

“Of course, we wouldn’t appoint a junior officer to such a position.”

Wait—was this a joke?

Relieved, I relaxed and tried to act casual.

“That’s good to hear. Then I’ll start preparing to—”

“Philip.”

At Heinrich’s call, Captain Philip stepped forward, carrying a small box wrapped in the Empire’s flag.

A box?

“Congratulations, sir.”

What? Why was Philip addressing me so formally?

My unease spiked as Philip unwrapped the flag and opened the box.

Inside were a polished major’s insignia and shoulder boards.

No way.

Before I could react, Heinrich burst out laughing.

“Congratulations, Major Daniel Steiner! I’m honored to witness the promotion of the youngest major in the Empire! Ah, should I pin them on for you?”

Major? Me?

Still stunned, I barely managed to nod.

Grinning, Heinrich pulled the insignia from the box.

“Consider this an honor. According to reports from the capital, even His Majesty has taken an interest in you.”

With that, Heinrich removed my captain’s insignia and pinned the major’s badge onto my uniform.

I watched his hands move, too dazed to speak.

Staff Officer under the General Staff.

Second-Class National Service Medal recipient.

Labeled a “bloodthirsty wolf” by the 7th Magic Armored Division’s commander.

Key architect of the Nordia invasion.

Youngest major in the Empire.

Interim garrison commander of the occupied territory.

The weight of all those titles crashed down at once, and my lips twitched involuntarily.

Wait. This…

No matter how I looked at it, I had just become the perfect candidate for a war crimes tribunal—and a swift execution.