I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander-Chapter 152

The next morning, Eastern Front.

7th Armored Division Command Tent.

“Is everyone present?”

Seated at the head of the table, Division Commander Mordon scanned the room to check the gathered personnel.

Not only was the full general staff in attendance, but also the commanders of each regiment and battalion. The command tent, though spacious, now felt cramped.

After confirming everyone had gathered, Mordon cleared his throat and rose from his seat.

“As you all know, we achieved a decisive victory against the Allied 12th Armored Division. I believe everyone here witnessed in real time how their once-confident advance shattered into a disgraceful retreat.”

A ripple of laughter spread throughout the room.

They were remembering how the Allied troops, realizing their operation had failed, fled in utter disarray like a band of misfits.

Mordon smiled, as if approving of the reaction.

“We’ve reminded those rat-like Allied bastards once again that the Empire is a mighty nation. But Her Majesty the Empress is not content with just this level of triumph.”

“Meaning, sir?”

“That’s right. Her Majesty has issued a direct order—to seize the forward defensive outpost still held by the retreating Allied 12th Armored Division!”

A counterattack to widen the front.

Given the damage inflicted in the recent battle, it was not an impossible mission.

As Mordon scanned his subordinates, who now wore serious expressions and were clearly prepared to carry out the order, he continued speaking.

“According to aerial reconnaissance analysis from the Security Bureau, the routed Allied 12th Armored Division is currently in utter chaos. Their troop distribution is uncoordinated across all zones, and there are even reports of desertions.”

Defeating a force with broken morale was relatively easy.

And if they were struck immediately after their defeat, it was practically a guaranteed victory.

“So, isn’t it only fitting that we send those ragged dogs back home and plant the Imperial flag across ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ the entire Skaeolan Front? Am I wrong?”

“You are not, sir!”

“Good. Then we begin our assault at noon sharp. Prepare yourselves. Let’s make sure the Allied rats never again dare to covet Imperial soil...”

Mordon suddenly cut himself off.

Daniel Steiner—the man considered the greatest contributor to the recent victory—had raised his hand, as if he had a different opinion.

Mordon hesitated, then looked toward him.

“It seems our Chief of Staff has something to say. Go ahead.”

Daniel nodded and lowered his hand.

“I’d like you to reconsider the advance.”

Mordon frowned, raising one eyebrow.

Everyone else in the tent—officers and staff alike—was similarly taken aback.

Glances were exchanged as cold sweat formed on foreheads, many wondering, What the hell is Daniel Steiner thinking?

It was understandable. The order to attack the outpost wasn’t just Mordon’s idea—it had come directly from Her Majesty the Empress.

For Daniel Steiner to openly suggest a reconsideration—it made him look strange at best.

Still, a few, including Intelligence Officer Phelp, thought: If it’s Daniel Steiner, he must have a reason.

But Daniel didn’t have a particularly strategic reason.

How long has it even been since the last battle ended? And they already want to start another one? Are they insane?

To Daniel Steiner—whose top survival principle was don’t die—rushing into consecutive battles was something to be avoided at all costs.

And besides...

By offering a dissenting opinion even in a favorable situation, he hoped to lower his evaluation as a field commander—perhaps even enough to be transferred to rear-line duty.

“If you want us to reconsider the advance?” Mordon repeated, not knowing Daniel’s very civilian-like motives.

“Chief of Staff, this order came directly from Her Majesty the Empress. And yet you ask us to reconsider. On what grounds?”

Daniel, who did have some justification, answered calmly.

“As you’re aware, sir, we have nearly three thousand prisoners. We could use them to negotiate with the enemy or extract intelligence. Their testimony might help us grasp the enemy’s movements in greater detail.”

“...We’ve already assessed enemy movements. Didn’t you hear? Aerial recon analysis shows that they’re practically falling apart.”

“Sir. We must not place blind faith in aerial reconnaissance. Looking down from above also means they can prepare to be seen from below. What if they’ve hidden forces under camouflage in blind spots?”

It was a textbook counterpoint—unassailable.

When Mordon fell silent, Daniel continued.

“To clear the fog of war, we must extract intel from prisoners and deploy capable scouts to conduct omnidirectional reconnaissance. Issuing an advance simply because the situation appears favorable is a dangerous gamble.”

“Her Majesty ordered us to strike the enemy outpost immediately. Are you refusing to carry out Her Majesty’s command?”

“Executing the assigned mission is right—but operational discretion lies with the Division Commander. If we were meant to blindly obey, regardless of circumstance, why would we need commanders at all?”

Mordon slammed his hand down on the command table.

Daniel Steiner’s words had struck a nerve.

“Chief of Staff! Just because you scored some victories doesn’t make you my superior! I’ve been patient, but you’ve clearly overstepped your bounds! Not only do you question Her Majesty’s decision, now you insult me? After this battle, you can expect to face a court-martial!”

Exactly what Daniel had wanted.

He was almost grateful to Mordon for taking the bait—but to keep up appearances, he frowned slightly, as if offended.

“You’ll regret this decision.”

Having said that, Daniel turned and walked out, as if there was no reason for him to remain in the tent.

He could hear Mordon shouting at him from behind, but Daniel ignored it completely.

A perfect exit. If I’m lucky...

Maybe—just maybe—he might finally be discharged from the military altogether.

A victorious grin spread across Daniel’s face.

****

Mordon, who had cleanly dismissed Daniel’s objections, issued the order to advance on the enemy’s defensive outpost at exactly noon.

The 7th Armored Division of the Imperial Army, acting on the command, swiftly advanced toward the enemy trenches using their high mobility. But the Allied forces offered no resistance whatsoever.

Puzzled by this, the 7th Division inspected the trenches—only to discover that the enemy was nowhere to be found.

Whether they had fled entirely or simply vanished from the defensive line was unclear.

Upon receiving the report, Mordon, still uncertain, decided to deploy personally to assess the situation.

Riding in an armored vehicle alongside his staff officers, Mordon traveled to the Allied defensive outpost—and confirmed the report to be true.

Both the enemy trenches and their command center were completely deserted.

Still trying to make sense of it, Mordon stepped down from the vehicle and surveyed the surroundings.

At present, only scattered Imperial troops were moving through what had once been the enemy’s base of operations.

“Hm.”

Something felt off.

As Mordon stood with his arms crossed, waiting, Intelligence Officer Phelp approached from the vehicle ahead.

“Commander. It’s true—the enemy abandoned even their command post. Could they have sensed our counterattack and retreated preemptively?”

“That’s possible. More importantly—where’s Daniel Steiner?”

“Ah, the Chief of Staff? He said he’d secure a retreat route in case of a possible surprise attack, so he’s stationed in the rear. He’s building trenches and setting up machine guns and mortars.”

“What a pointless waste of time.”

Clicking his tongue, Mordon uncrossed his arms and spoke again.

“Contact headquarters. Tell them the Allied 12th Armored Division fled in terror. Let them know we’ve captured the enemy command center. Her Majesty will be pleased to hear—”

Before Mordon could finish speaking, the Operations Officer came running toward him.

His face was pale as a corpse. He spoke before he could even catch his breath.

“C-Commander, sir! We’ve received reports from the perimeter. Enemy forces are infiltrating from both the north and south—simultaneously!”

Mordon’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“What are you talking about? According to the Security Bureau’s intel, the enemy showed no signs of deception tactics—”

No. If the Security Bureau’s intel had been accurate, then the enemy abandoning the front line wouldn’t have made any sense to begin with.

Realizing the source of his unease, Mordon suddenly heard the low drone of aircraft in the distance.

New novel 𝓬hapters are published on freёwebnoѵel.com.

Looking up, he saw a formation of bombers gradually descending from the western sky.

The lion insignia on their wings confirmed it—they were Allied bombers.

Only then did Mordon have no choice but to admit the truth.

“...You’ve got to be kidding me.”

That Daniel Steiner had been right all along.