I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander-Chapter 155

After the meeting ended and the unit commanders returned to their positions, the order — “The Division Commander wants us to retreat!” — spread like wildfire.

Whether it should be called fortunate or not, the soldiers didn’t question Daniel Steiner’s order to prepare for withdrawal.

No — they actually shouted cheers that were closer to outright celebration.

After [N O V E L I G H T] all, the soldiers weren’t fools. They had vaguely sensed the truth.

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That the Intelligence Bureau had deliberately fed them false information, exposing the 7th Magitek Armored Division to the enemy’s ambush.

Looking back, it was thanks to Daniel Steiner, who had sensed something was wrong and secured a retreat path in advance, that the 7th Division had been able to fall back with only minimal casualties.

On top of that, unlike other commanders who merely issued orders and withdrew to the rear, Daniel Steiner had risked his life to fight alongside the soldiers.

There was even a story going around — a heroic tale that he had personally picked up a rifle and taken out a sniper several hundred meters away.

To the soldiers, Daniel Steiner was the ideal commander, to an unprecedented degree.

And when a man like that issued the retreat order as Acting Division Commander, the soldiers were more than willing to follow.

Amidst overwhelming support, preparations for withdrawal proceeded, and another day passed. Morning broke.

Daniel, dressed neatly in his military uniform and resting in his private tent, was caught off guard.

Because Lucy and Freyen had come to visit him.

‘Lucy’s my adjutant, so I can understand that. But why... Freyen?’

Unlike Lucy, who wore her usual emotionless expression, Freyen looked as if she were on the verge of tears, like she’d just been reunited with a long-lost family member — which only made the situation feel more burdensome.

As Daniel stood there confused, Freyen stepped forward and grabbed his hand.

“Colonel Daniel. I heard you were all right, but I couldn’t be sure. I was worried... but it seems you’re really okay. You’re not hurt anywhere, right?”

She was standing too close.

Daniel, clearly uncomfortable, gave a reluctant nod.

“...Yeah. More importantly, Second Lieutenant Freyen — according to Intelligence Officer Phelp, you made quite the contribution on the battlefield. Even in the chaos, you did well.”

He recalled hearing during yesterday’s casualty reports that thanks to Freyen’s healing magic, at least twenty soldiers’ lives had been saved.

She wasn’t quite deserving of being called the Saint of the Empire yet, but her abilities were clearly awakening.

Freyen, apparently pleased by Daniel’s compliment, smiled softly — then suddenly looked up at him.

“...If I did make a contribution, would it be possible to receive a reward?”

It was a timid question.

But given that the Empire’s core ideology was reward and punishment based on merit, it was a fair one.

“Of course. What kind of reward do you want?”

“I’d like something material.”

“I see. If we return safely to the Capital, I’ll report your achievements to Her Majesty the Empress and arrange for you to receive an appropriate monetary reward.”

Daniel thought it was the perfect answer — but Freyen shook her head.

“That’s not the kind of material reward I’m asking for.”

“Then what is it you want?”

“It may sound strange... but what I want is affection. From you, Colonel Daniel.”

“Affection?”

“Mmm. There are many ways to express affection, but the most certain would be... physical contact, I suppose.”

Physical contact? Depending on how it was heard, it could come across as embarrassingly inappropriate.

Daniel, aware of Lucy’s strangely irritated gaze, hesitated for a moment before raising a hand and gently patting Freyen on the head.

He figured if a simple gesture could satisfy a girl steeped in nationalism and full of unpredictable demands, it was a cheap price to pay.

“...Will this do?”

He wasn’t sure she’d actually be satisfied with something like that, but Freyen smiled like a child in her mother’s arms.

“I’m so happy. Thanks to you, Colonel Daniel, today’s me is much happier than the me of the past. I’ll keep racking up achievements so that one day, I can...”

Something about it made Daniel’s skin crawl, and he quickly pulled his hand back.

“That’s enough for now.”

Freyen gave him a look like ‘Huh? It’s already over?’, but didn’t object further.

Relieved, Daniel unconsciously turned to look at Lucy.

And froze, without even realizing it.

Lucy’s eyes had turned cold — the kind of cold you’d see in a woman who just caught her boyfriend cheating.

Daniel had no idea why she was looking at him like that, and he was at a complete loss.

“...”

After staring at him in silence for a while, Lucy hesitated — then finally spoke up.

“Division Commander. I too performed admirably on the battlefield. And while healing allies is important, I believe eliminating approaching enemies is even more critical.”

The unexpected loyalty competition was starting to make Daniel feel dizzy.

Just as he was struggling to think of how to respond, Freyen narrowed her eyes and said,

“Lieutenant Lucy? Are you implying something about me right now?”

“Good. Glad you picked up on it.”

“That’s disappointing. I didn’t think you were such a petty person, Lieutenant Lucy.”

“I’m not petty. Maybe it’s your narrow-minded way of thinking that is.”

“...Are you really going to start a verbal fight with me in front of Colonel Daniel?”

“You provoked me first.”

Every time the two of them exchanged words, the air inside the tent seemed to grow heavier.

Daniel was just about to give in to the urge to walk out when the sound of footsteps came from outside.

As soon as they heard it, Lucy and Freyen fell silent — and the entrance of the tent opened to reveal Intelligence Officer Phelp.

Phelp looked curiously at the two women glaring at each other but quickly dismissed it.

“Division Commander.”

He gave a slight nod of greeting, then continued.

“Preparations for retreat are complete. Once you give the order, we’ll be able to begin the march back to the Capital.”

Had it already gotten to that time?

It was a little earlier than expected, but there was no point in delaying.

This was, quite literally, a fight for survival.

No one could predict how things would unfold — but one thing was certain: the losing side would be slaughtered.

“...Relay this to all units.”

After taking a deep breath, Daniel looked at Phelp and spoke.

“From this moment on, the 7th Magitek Armored Division...”

Having solidified his resolve, Daniel clenched his trembling hand into a fist.

“...will march on the Capital to eliminate the traitors lurking within!”

****

Capital, Grand Assembly Hall of the Imperial Palace.

**

“Now that we’ve secured control over the Capital, isn’t it time we begin drafting a formal agreement for the distribution of power? As you all know, our house took great risks to make this revolution possible.”

“And do you think yours was the only house that took risks? Each of us put something on the line. Isn’t that so, Your Grace?”

“Excuse me! Baron Ventarto! Did you just say ‘all of us’? How bold of you, considering all you did was hide in safety and anonymously funnel money!”

In the Grand Assembly Hall — originally meant for the Emperor and high-ranking officials to debate state affairs — the most prominent nobles of the Empire had gathered and were now locked in a heated debate.

Belvar, seated at the head of the table — the seat meant for the Emperor — looked out at the nobles, each pushing for their share of influence, and felt nothing but disdain.

‘I summoned them to discuss what lies ahead...’

But the nobles were already acting as if the revolution had succeeded, scrambling to seize a bigger piece of the pie.

“So, what do we do about the pro-Empress faction? If we purge them all, the administration will grind to a halt. But if we keep them, we risk inviting betrayal. It’s giving me a headache.”

“What’s there to worry about? Just replace all the administrative officials with our own people, no?”

“Don’t be absurd! The administration doesn’t run just because you swap out the personnel! Without their knowledge and expertise, the entire bureaucratic continuity will collapse!”

It took nearly an hour of pointless arguing before a meaningful issue was finally raised.

Belvar had just opened his mouth to initiate discussion on the matter—

“Your Grace!”

From beyond the open doors of the Assembly Hall, the Deputy Director of the Intelligence Bureau, Pelliston, came running in.

Pelliston, clearly in a rush, dropped to one knee in front of the central podium.

Belvar tilted his head slightly, noticing the man’s pale complexion and ragged breathing.

“...Deputy Director? I told you I’d summon you after the meeting. What brings you to the Assembly Hall?”

“There’s an urgent matter I must report at once.”

“Is that so. In that case, I’ll step outside so we can—”

“Remain seated! Everyone here needs to hear this!”

At Pelliston’s sudden outburst, the nobles — who had been quietly bickering — fell silent.

Just as a creeping sense that something was wrong began to spread, Pelliston bowed his head deeply.

“According to our reports, the 7th Magitek Armored Division...”

Pelliston’s expression twisted with disbelief as he continued.

“...has broken away from the front lines and is now on the move in full force. Based on their heading... the 7th Division is marching toward the Capital.”

Belvar gasped, and the nobles were struck dumb with shock.

Pelliston, having delivered the staggering news, slowly raised his head.

“He’s coming...”

He paused briefly, then, face twisted in terror, shouted:

“Daniel Steiner is leading the Division in a march on the Capital!”