Bernard’s orders were swiftly relayed to the entire unit.
At first, the soldiers who heard the command thought their company commander had finally gone mad from sheer boredom.
They couldn't comprehend why they were suddenly being told to inspect and clean what was essentially an abandoned outpost.
However, the mont they heard the words “Daniel Steiner is coming,” they obeyed without hesitation.
Like Bernard, the soldiers were all too familiar with Daniel Steiner’s fearso reputation.
Not wanting to die, they rolled up their sleeves, checked for any deficiencies in the facilities, and repaired what they could on the spot.
They even made use of the single iron available at the outpost to press the wrinkles out of their uniforms, and they ticulously cleaned their weapons multiple tis to ensure there wouldn’t be any reason for reprimand.
So even took it upon themselves to morize the Weapons Manual cover to cover, fearing that Daniel Steiner might quiz them on military equipnt usage and maintenance.
About two weeks had passed like that.
— He's coming! Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner—no, the Battalion Commander is arriving!
Upon receiving the radio call from a sentry, Bernard reached for the whistle hanging around his neck and blew it.
At once, the soldiers gathered at the entrance of the base split into two lines and stood at attention.
re weeks ago, these sa n had spent their duty hours playing poker and joking around. But at the ntion of Daniel Steiner’s impending arrival, they had transford into disciplined elite troops.
Bernard glanced around at them and let out a dry chuckle.
“…It’s like we’ve gone back a year.”
Ever since their unit had been abandoned and effectively turned into a ghost company, discipline had completely deteriorated.
As Bernard was lost in reminiscence, the sound of approaching vehicles reached his ears.
Tensing up, he turned to face forward. At the front, a military jeep led a convoy of transport trucks rolling in one after another.
So it’s true—Headquarters really did send a full battalion.
Unlike his own neglected unit, these reinforcents had no shortage of supplies and were fully equipped.
Does this an we’re about to begin a special operation…?
Bernard swallowed dryly as the lead jeep slowly ca to a stop.
The vehicle’s door opened, and the first to step out were a group of won, clearly officers.
Then, a man with black hair erged from the jeep, adjusting his uniform.
Draped over his shoulders was a military officer’s winter coat, and as he moved, the golden embroidery of a National rit dal and a Golden Cross of Honor peeked through.
“…!”
That man was none other than the Empire’s so-called Hero, Daniel Steiner.
It was Bernard’s first ti seeing him in person, and tension gripped his entire body.
Unaware of Bernard’s anxiety, Daniel let out a quiet breath as he scanned the surroundings.
His exhaled breath crystallized in the cold air before dispersing.
His sharp gaze swept across the outpost before finally settling on Bernard.
The mont their eyes t, Bernard instinctively raised his arm in salute.
“Welco, Battalion Commander!”
Daniel didn’t respond and instead walked forward at an unhurried pace.
With each step, his boots pressed deep into the snow covering the valley floor.
The coat draped over his broad fra fluttered with the movent, making him resemble a lone wolf stalking through the cold.
He was rely walking, yet his sheer presence alone was enough to exude an overwhelming sense of authority.
Unable to et his gaze directly, Bernard kept his eyes fixed straight ahead on purpose.
Once Daniel reached close proximity, he finally spoke.
“What’s your na?”
Bernard lowered his salute and stood at ease.
“Captain Bernard, assigned to the Special Operations Company under the Airborne Special Forces Brigade!”
“The number of personnel?”
“Yes, sir! As of now, the unit consists of 47 n. Excluding one injured soldier, 46 are in combat-ready condition!”
Daniel nodded at his report.
“Impressive. Given that you’ve been on standby for a year, I expected discipline to be lax, but it seems you’ve maintained order.”
“You flatter , sir! But, if I may…”
Bernard hesitated for a mont before gathering the courage to speak.
“With all due respect, may I ask why soone of your stature, Lieutenant Colonel Steiner—the Hero of the Empire—has co all the way to this remote post?”
“To rescue Hans Zernhart, an Imperial engineering technician captured by the Kingdom of Belmore.”
“I understand. Then, Battalion Commander, how do you plan to mobilize the troops? If you issue the operational orders, we will execute them imdiately.”
Daniel exhaled, his breath once again turning into mist in the frigid air. He looked down at Bernard and spoke.
“There is only one order I have for you—maintain the status quo.”
With that, Daniel brushed past him and added,
“It’s cold. Lead to my quarters.”
Bernard stood frozen for a mont before hastily responding.
“Ah, yes! Understood, sir!”
As he followed beside Daniel, an unsettling feeling crept over him.
Maintain the status quo…?
It sounded an awful lot like he was saying do nothing at all.
****
It turned out that doing nothing was exactly what he ant.
Now, ten days had passed since Daniel Steiner had joined the forward outpost in the basin along the border of the Kingdom of Belmore.
And Daniel Steiner had spent that ti completely engrossed in reading.
Reaching the final page, he slowly closed the book, a lingering sense of emotion settling in his chest.
The title of the book was The Baker Who Drinks Tears.
"That was a good story..."
To think that in this era, a book could still evoke such deep emotions—it was truly impressive.
He even considered writing a fan letter to the author.
Just as that thought crossed his mind, the door to the operations command room swung open.
Standing in the doorway was Lucy.
“Lieutenant Colonel Daniel.”
Daniel looked up at her, wondering what it was about, when Lucy let out a quiet sigh.
“Are you really not planning to issue any orders?”
“…I don’t understand what you’re implying. I already gave an order—to maintain the status quo.”
“There are soldiers who believe that ans doing absolutely nothing.”
So it’s started.
The complaints were surfacing sooner than he had expected.
The soldiers of the Imperial General Staff’s direct unit were all elite volunteers.
To be deployed to a combat zone only for their commanding officer to issue no orders? So would find it dishonorable.
If their dissatisfaction turns into public sentint, it’ll be a problem.
If a report made its way up the chain that Daniel Steiner was neglecting his duties in the field, there was a chance he’d receive an order to return.
I need to justify my presence with so form of activity…
Daniel, who had no intention of returning to the capital, began to think.
As he tapped the table absentmindedly, an idea suddenly struck him, and he snapped his fingers.
“Pass this to all personnel. At dawn tomorrow, we will ascend the western mountain ridge. The purpose: reconnaissance of enemy movents and defensive position training.”
Lucy blinked.
She didn’t understand.
“The west, sir? Why…? The border is to the east.”
Which is exactly why we’re going west.
If they went east and actually ran into enemy forces, an unnecessary conflict could break out.
Of course, he couldn’t outright admit he was just pretending to be busy, so instead, Daniel furrowed his brows as if looking down on soone too dim-witted to grasp his genius.
“Lieutenant. Do you think I would issue an order without a plan?”
Lucy shook her head.
From the Nordia invasion operation to his negotiations with the Vellanos Pri Minister, Daniel Steiner had a track record of achieving victories through absurdly unconventional thods.
Convinced this was another one of his calculated moves, Lucy gave a short nod.
“My apologies. I will inform the troops to prepare their gear for movent at dawn.”
With that, Lucy turned and left the command room, shutting the door behind her.
Left alone once again, Daniel reopened his book.
He wanted to reread a particular passage he considered a masterpiece.
****
Kingdom of Belmore
Forward Command Tent at the Border
“Have you all heard the news? Daniel Steiner has joined the enemy’s forward outpost in the basin near the border.”
The mont Crown Prince Blef spoke, a murmur spread through the command tent.
As the officers exchanged uneasy glances, Colonel Galebalt stepped forward.
“…Is that true? The Demon of the Empire is actually there…?”
“It is. The information ca directly from a contact within the Empire—it’s reliable.”
“…My god. That ans—”
Dressed in his lavish military uniform, Blef curled his lips into a wicked smile.
“This is a once-in-a-lifeti opportunity granted to by the gods. If I succeed in capturing Daniel Steiner as a prisoner, I will no longer have to endure this humiliation.”
Despite being the crown prince, Blef’s position was precarious due to his younger brother’s rapid rise.
His brother had amassed a series of military achievents on the battlefield, and as a result, Blef’s political support had begun to wane.
This was why he had recently been forced onto the battlefield—yet, by sheer luck, he had now received intelligence that Daniel Steiner was nearby.
If I can capture the man who inflicted imnse damage upon the Allied Nations…
His foolish little brother would never be able to challenge him again, and his own status within the Allied Nations would skyrocket.
I don’t know why Daniel Steiner has co here…
…but the mont Blef acquired this information, the tides of victory had already shifted in his favor.
As he indulged in fantasies of the glory that awaited him, Blef finally opened his mouth.
“Colonel, assemble an elite battalion imdiately. At the break of dawn tomorrow, we will strike the enemy’s forward outpost.”
A sinister chuckle slipped from his lips, echoing through the command tent.
“Wait for , Daniel Steiner…”
His greed-filled eyes glead.
“I will personally hunt down the Demon of the Empire.”
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