I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander

Two weeks later.

As usual, I arrived at the headquarters office and sat down, observing Lucie.

Her silvery-white hair cascaded down as she reviewed documents with her head lowered.

With familiar motions, Lucie tucked the strands behind her ear and immersed herself in her work.

Witnessing her remarkable concentration, there was no finer aide.

Had Lucie been an ordinary aide, I would have frequently praised her.

‘But she’s a spy.’

Lucie, who could assassinate me at any moment, was right before my eyes.

This had caused me considerable contemplation for a while.

Specifically, whether to report the research logs seized from the Kingdom’s laboratory.

In the end, I decided against reporting them.

The reason was simple.

Even if I claimed those logs proved Lucie was a spy, I lacked evidence.

Therefore, Lucie could simply dismiss it as a case of mistaken identity.

While Lucie was not a particularly common name, it was not exceptionally rare either.

If the matter was brushed aside, the one truly in danger would be me.

Lucie would then assume Daniel Steiner had discerned her true identity.

‘A catastrophe would undoubtedly ensue…’

Hence, until concrete evidence emerged, it was best if only I knew about the ‘Lucie Project.’

Having settled my thoughts, I cleared my throat.

Lucie glanced up from reviewing the documents.

Holding her crimson gaze, I spoke.

“Headquarters has notified that a garrison commander is being sent. Do you know when they will arrive?”
“Ah, they departed yesterday with a minimal escort, so it should take about a week.”
“A minimal escort, you say?”
“A battalion-sized force. Even this was downsized by headquarters. Additionally, the garrison commander requested more troops for a prolonged occupation, but headquarters rejected the request.”

A battalion-sized force was departing, yet they would arrive in Nordia within a week.

It implied rapid marches with all soldiers aboard transport vehicles.

Was there a need for such haste? While perplexed, headquarters likely had their reasons.

With a cursory nod, I spoke.

“What is the situation on the front lines?”
“As you are already aware, it has been a continuous string of victories. Reports indicate the Empire has occupied over half of the Kingdom’s territories. The Kingdom has effectively lost its national functionality.”
“Indeed. At this rate, His Majesty’s wish to topple the Kingdom before winter may come to fruition.”
“Yes. However, the Kingdom appears to be preparing for a final stand, withdrawing all forces to defend the capital after abandoning the front lines. As a result, the Imperial forces have also entered a temporary lull.”

Committing all forces to defend the capital amounted to a final struggle.

However, for the Imperial forces, assaulting the Kingdom’s fortified capital would be akin to confronting a porcupine.

Unwilling to suffer casualties, the Empire would likely propose armistice negotiations.

Essentially, a final ultimatum to the Kingdom.

How would the Kingdom respond to such an armistice proposal?

‘In the games, they rejected the Empire’s offer and chose to fight to the bitter end, if I recall correctly…’

With the unintentional feats I had achieved, the outcome was unpredictable as the situation had significantly diverged.

Of course, it was not my concern.

Once the garrison commander arrived, I would hand over my duties and return to the Capital.

‘When I return to the Capital, I should have a proper drink first. Not the ration whiskey, but a quality beverage.’

As I envisioned the comfortable and prosperous life awaiting me in the Capital, a commotion erupted.

— Fall back! Fall back!
— Your filth is not welcome in the beautiful Nordia!

Startled by the citizens’ shouts and cries, I rose from my seat and approached the window.

On the main street before headquarters, I saw at least hundreds of citizens marching while carrying picket signs.

‘…What’s this? Are they finally expressing discontent towards the garrison?’

Perplexed, I observed as Lucie approached and spoke.

“It seems to be a protest against the privileged class. There were indications, but I did not expect it to actually occur.”
“The privileged class… Don’t tell me they mean Nordia’s nobility?”
“Correct. I have heard that since you enacted the ‘Anti-Racial Discrimination Law,’ tensions between the citizens and nobles have peaked. The citizens’ anger towards the nobles appears to have erupted today.”

As if confirming Lucie’s words, the citizens passed by headquarters and began heading elsewhere.

Just what had the nobles done to provoke such a reaction merely two weeks after enacting that law?

Leaning back with a furrowed brow, a thought crossed my mind, and I clenched my fist tightly.

‘Isn’t this my final opportunity to lower my evaluation in Nordia?’

Running the calculations in my head, I turned to Lucie and spoke.

“Order the available garrison troops to follow the protesters.”
“…The protesters?”
“Yes. Managing protests is also the garrison’s duty. If violence occurs during the protests, instruct them to suppress it. They may use force in the process of suppressing it.”

Without questioning my order, Lucie promptly replied.

“Understood. I will immediately relay the Major’s orders to the garrison troops.”

Confirming Lucie’s departure, I turned my gaze back to the window and let out a low chuckle.

‘For such an opportunity to arise with only a week left in my acting garrison commander position.’

If this was a protest born of anger, violence would undoubtedly accompany it.

What would happen if the garrison troops unilaterally suppressed the citizens’ violence?

The citizens would realize the garrison troops were not allies, but Imperial soldiers.

The citizens’ hard-earned support for the garrison would undoubtedly plummet.

The General Staff Headquarters would not look favorably upon me for toppling the painstakingly built goodwill through a momentary lapse in judgment.

I could deeply disappoint the Deputy Chief who had placed expectations in me.

Then, I could step back from operational duties and comfortably enjoy my leisure life.

While ensured safety there, I could seek clues for escaping the Empire.

‘Perfect.’

The garrison commander arriving late would face some difficulties, but that was not my concern.

‘I offer my advance apologies. But life is seldom smooth sailing, after all.’

With a wicked smile, I leisurely observed the protesters’ procession.

The marching protesters came to a halt before a grand mansion.

“Get out! You leeching scum are not needed in beautiful Nordia!”
“Release my father at once! He has already repaid any debt owed to you and then some!”
“You bastard! Do you even realize how you’ve been ruining Nordia?!”

Alarmed by the commotion, the mansion’s owner, Taramto, emerged into the courtyard with his guards, only to be struck with shock.

Even at a glance, over hundreds of citizens were raising their voices while holding picket signs.

Among the citizens were even a few nobles who had previously advocated against racial discrimination.

Moreover, Imperial soldiers in black uniforms were lined up, seemingly protecting the citizens, further heightening the tension.

“Damnation! Why are they behaving like this?!”

At Taramto’s words, one of the guards spoke up.

“Well, they’re demanding the release of those you’ve been keeping as slaves.”
“What? Slaves? I’m merely having them work in exchange for food and shelter! How are they slaves?! Those lunatics are demanding I surrender my private property? They’re no different from common thieves!”

To Taramto, the citizens were nothing more than a gang of thieves attempting to seize his property.

Amidst the ongoing war, with so many starving to death, he firmly believed providing food and shelter, even without pay, placed him within reasonable bounds.

“Ungrateful bastards! Shoot them all! If a few die, the rest will scatter like cockroaches!”
“Sir? But…”
“Shut it and do as I say!”

Though hesitant, the guard raised his rifle towards the protesters.

Seeing this, the other guards also aimed their rifles clumsily at the protesters.

“G-Guns!”
“That madman is going to shoot us…!”

Consequently, the protesters could only retreat in alarm.

At that moment, Second Lieutenant Mecalla, commanding the Imperial soldiers, raised a loudspeaker.

— I advise you to lower your weapons. Acting Garrison Commander Major Daniel Steiner has stated he will not tolerate any violence during these protests.

Taramto’s brow furrowed at this.

Before he could retort, Mecalla continued.

— If you disregard the Commander’s orders and open fire, pursuant to his directive to respond to violence with violence, we cannot guarantee the safety of you or your guards.

After hearing Mecalla’s words, Taramto swallowed hard.

To Taramto, Mecalla’s statement sounded like, ‘Cross the line, and we will kill you.’

‘So the Imperial troops have indeed chosen to side with the citizens.’

After gritting his teeth for a prolonged period, Taramto had no choice but to surrender.

“…Lower your weapons and release these wretches’ families.”
“Sir? Are you certain?”
“Yes. We have nothing to gain by opposing the garrison troops.”

The hesitant guards unanimously lowered their weapons.

They too understood there was no chance of prevailing against the Imperial forces.

Consequently, the protesting citizens erupted into cheers.

“Taramto is retreating! We can finally see our families again!”
“You bastard Taramto! Now you understand! The garrison troops are on the citizens’ side! They’re protecting us!”
“Long live the garrison troops! Long live Major Daniel Steiner!”

The citizens’ cries of jubilation, their picket signs raised high, filled the surroundings.

Among them was Hamtal, the leader of the Black Falcon secret society.

‘To force Taramto’s submission…’

Until the war began, Taramto had been Nordia’s most prosperous noble.

His method of amassing wealth involved lending money to colored individuals, then imprisoning them in his mansions or farms under the pretext of debt repayment, effectively enslaving them.

With the exorbitant interest rates, repaying the debt was practically impossible, and the law favored the noble Taramto over the colored individuals, leaving them helpless.

Amidst this, the acting garrison commander, Daniel, had enacted the ‘Anti-Racial Discrimination Law,’ emboldening and empowering the citizens.

Furthermore, as if proving he stood with the citizens, he had the garrison troops accompany this protest, preventing Taramto’s indiscriminate firing.

Now, there was no denying it.

‘Daniel Steiner is not a conqueror.’

He was a liberator who had come to free the citizens from the Kingdom’s oppression.

As the citizens chanted Daniel’s name in rapturous celebration, Hamtal retrieved a radio from his coat and quietly pressed the transmission button.

“All Black Falcon operatives, listen.”

After a brief pause, Hamtal continued with conviction in his eyes.

“From now on, we shall align ourselves with the cause of Major Daniel Steiner.”

It was the moment a hero universally recognized by Nordia was born.