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 moment they heard the words “Daniel Steiner is coming,” they obeyed without hesitation.
Like Bernard, the soldiers were all too familiar with Daniel Steiner’s fearsome 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 meticulously cleaned their weapons multiple times to ensure there wouldn’t be any reason for reprimand.
Some even took it upon themselves to memorize the Weapons Manual cover to cover, fearing that Daniel Steiner might quiz them on military equipment 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.
Mere weeks ago, these same men had spent their duty hours playing poker and joking around. But at the mention of Daniel Steiner’s impending arrival, they had transformed 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 reinforcements had no shortage of supplies and were fully equipped.
Does this mean we’re about to begin a special operation...?
Bernard swallowed dryly as the lead jeep slowly came to a stop.
The vehicle’s door opened, and the first to step out were a group of women, clearly officers.
Then, a man with black hair emerged 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 Merit Medal 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 time 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 moment their eyes met, Bernard instinctively raised his arm in salute.
“Welcome, 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 frame fluttered with the movement, making him resemble a lone wolf stalking through the cold.
He was merely walking, yet his sheer presence alone was enough to exude an overwhelming sense of authority.
Unable to meet his gaze directly, Bernard kept his eyes fixed straight ahead on purpose.
Once Daniel reached close proximity, he finally spoke.
“What’s your name?”
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 men. 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 me, sir! But, if I may...”
Bernard hesitated for a moment before gathering the courage to speak.
“With all due respect, may I ask why someone of your stature, Lieutenant Colonel Steiner—the Hero of the Empire—has come all the way to this remote post?”
“To rescue Hans Zernmehart, 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 immediately.”
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 me to my quarters.”
Bernard stood frozen for a moment 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 meant.
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 time 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 means 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? Some would find it dishonorable.
If their dissatisfaction turns into public sentiment, 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 some 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 movements 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 someone 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 Prime Minister, Daniel Steiner had a track record of achieving victories through absurdly unconventional methods.
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 movement at dawn.”
With that, Lucy turned and left the command room, shutting the door behind her.
Left alone once again, Daniel reopened his book.
This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.
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 moment 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 came directly from a contact within the Empire—it’s reliable.”
“...My god. That means—”
Dressed in his lavish military uniform, Blef curled his lips into a wicked smile.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity granted to me 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 achievements 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 immense 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 come here...
...but the moment 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 immediately. 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 me, Daniel Steiner...”
His greed-filled eyes gleamed.
“I will personally hunt down the Demon of the Empire.”