I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander - Chapter 1

There was a game called ‘Empire of the Emperor.’

Literally translated, it was a fantasy war game set in the modern era, where the main objective was to stop the militaristic nation known as the Empire, which sought world domination through its overwhelming national power.

While not immensely popular, it was my favorite game because the interactions between NPCs were incredibly rich.

For instance, even farmers from different regions or nations would have distinct values and beliefs.

The soldiers didn’t just move mechanically but harbored their own grievances, and if their commanding officers didn’t listen, desertions and mutinies would occur.

Moreover, depending on the player’s actions, allied NPCs could become enemies, and vice versa, enemy NPCs could become allies.

It was truly the game of games!

Even a slight variation in playstyle could lead to new stories unfolding, making it the ultimate game for me.

The only flaw, if there was one, was that no matter how you played, the Empire was destined for doom.

It was inevitable since the protagonist character controlled by the player belonged to the Allied Nations, the Empire’s enemy.

The problem was that this “inevitability” happened to me.

“As you all know, the Allied Forces have formed an encirclement around our infantry divisions that entered enemy territory, keeping them within 3 km of the first line of defense and 5 km of the second. We all understand that we must break through this encirclement to turn the tide of battle.”

I look at the man speaking in a solemn voice.

The middle-aged man with a wrinkled, scarred face is a familiar figure.

[First Mage Mobile Corps Operational Command Headquarters Commander, Lieutenant General Heinrich Schmidt]

A named NPC one would inevitably encounter while playing the game.

‘That means…’

It implied that I was now in the world of the game.

As much as I wanted to deny it, the operational map spread across the command table and the majestic eagle insignia unfurled behind Heinrich’s back reminded me that this was indeed the game world.

And as far as I knew, there was only one place that used the eagle insignia as a military symbol.

[The Holy Vaiern Empire]

Yes, this was the heart of the Empire, whose defeat was sealed at the game’s ending.

And what was I doing at the heart of this doomed Empire? Recalling my title, it was:

[Imperial General Staff Operational Planning Assistant Officer, Second Lieutenant Daniel Steiner]

How ironic that I, of all people, was the assistant officer for operational planning at the Imperial military headquarters.

Had I remembered my title without knowing the Empire’s inevitable defeat, I might have popped a champagne bottle, assuming I was on an elite course.

But knowing the Empire’s fate, this title was worth less than garbage.

‘At the ending, for sure…’

The leadership of the war-criminal Empire couldn’t avoid execution.

As long as I remained here, I too would meet my end at the gallows.

That was unacceptable. I hadn’t lived this long just to die a dog’s death.

I wanted to apply for discharge, but the Empire had an 8-year mandatory service period for officers.

It wasn’t a job one could simply quit.

Then how could I escape from here?

Breaking into a cold sweat, I clenched my fist as a faint realization dawned on me.

‘Dishonorable discharge…!’

A dishonorable discharge was possible if deemed unfit at a court-martial.

That would free me from military control.

I could become a free man and leave the Empire –

“Lieutenant?”

At Heinrich’s call, my shoulders flinched.

Looking up, I found Heinrich and the other officers staring at me intently.

“You seemed deep in thought, studying the operational map and our military’s situation. Have you come up with any strategies?”

I had been thinking, alright – about the only way for me to escape the Empire.

Feeling the weight of the senior officers’ gazes, I hesitated for a moment before clearing my throat.

In my mind, I quickly weighed the options.

‘…This could be a chance for a dishonorable discharge.’

Why did Heinrich ask for my opinion? As an operational planning assistant officer, he assumed I might have learned something by observing and wanted to hear the perspective of an enthusiastic young man, setting aside the rigid views of the senior officers.

Heinrich was the kind of person who didn’t discriminate based on rank or status when it came to entertaining opinions.

But I had no intention of meeting Heinrich’s expectations.

I had no desire to remain a crewman on a sinking ship.

“Your Excellency, the Commander.”

So I decided to give an incorrect answer, aiming for a dishonorable discharge.

“If I may be so bold, what route were you considering for sending reinforcements to aid our isolated troops in enemy territory?”
“Hmm. Based on the staff’s opinion, I was planning to march them through the foothills of the Tebayta Mountains. According to intelligence, that area has the weakest enemy surveillance.”
“The Tebayta Mountains, you say…”

I paused for a moment before continuing.

“Then I implore you to reconsider your decision.”

For an instant, the conference room fell silent.

It was only natural for them to be astonished that a newly commissioned second lieutenant like me was asking them to reconsider a decision made after weighing the staff’s opinions and intelligence reports.

The senior officers’ eyes pierced me with an unpleasant silence, but I calmly continued.

“Your Excellency, don’t you find it strange? Why would the enemy’s vigilant patrols be lax only in the foothills of the Tebayta Mountains?”
“So you find it suspicious?”
“Yes. It’s as if the enemy is luring us. It seems they’re goading us to march through the Tebayta foothills.”

It was a seemingly plausible but utter nonsense.

The central intelligence report was undoubtedly more accurate than my delusions.

Yet I persisted. My goal from the start was a dishonorable discharge.

So it was important for me to establish myself as an incompetent individual through absurd reasoning.

“The enemy forces have likely set a trap nearby and are lying in wait.”
“What’s your basis?”
“It’s just my instinct telling me so.”

As I spoke firmly, one of Heinrich’s eyebrows twitched.

After letting out a dry chuckle, Heinrich tapped the desk.

“What is your name and rank?”
“Operational Planning Assistant Officer, Second Lieutenant Daniel Steiner.”
“Very well, Daniel Steiner. You’re aware that your words directly contradict the staff’s opinion, aren’t you?”
“Yes, sir.”
“If I were to accept your suggestion, we would have to conduct a comprehensive reconnaissance mission, delaying our march schedule. Can you take responsibility for the consequences?”

He was warning me to be prepared for punishment if my unfounded suspicion proved worthless.

It was exactly what I wanted.

“If my assumption is incorrect, I will gladly remove my uniform and resign from the military.”

No sooner had I finished speaking than the conference room erupted in commotion.

Murmurs of disbelief and tutting sounds arose from every corner.

Among them, the operational staff officer, my direct superior, furrowed his brow and opened his mouth.

“Second Lieutenant Daniel! You’re being too insolent! Do you know where you are…?!”

The staff officer, who was about to chastise me, closed his mouth mid-sentence.

Heinrich had raised his hand to stop him.

“Second Lieutenant Daniel Steiner. There’s no harm in being cautious, so I will give you a chance.”

He continued with a smile.

“However, remember this: words cannot be taken back once uttered. If your words end up harming the Empire, I will not hesitate to convene a court-martial.”

For a moment, Heinrich’s dark eyes narrowed.

“Do you understand?”

An overwhelming pressure sent chills down my spine.

Truly a man who had experienced countless battles to reach the rank of general.

He carried a weight in his every word.

At any other time, I might have bowed my head or averted my gaze under such an atmosphere, but since I was aiming for a dishonorable discharge, there was no need to avoid the commander’s gaze.

Without averting my eyes from Heinrich, I gave a thin smile.

“That is precisely what I hoped for, Your Excellency.”

The next morning.
Imperial General Staff Officers’ Dormitory.

Knock, knock –

The knocking sound slowly roused me from sleep.

Turning my head, I saw it wasn’t yet time to wake up.

Who could it be, knocking this early?

As I blinked in a daze, the knocking sounded again.

“Second Lieutenant Daniel Steiner! The Commander has summoned you! Wake up!”

At the mention of the Commander, my eyes shot open.

“Ah, understood!”

I quickly replied, got out of bed, changed into my uniform, and opened the door.

Outside stood an officer wearing the same Imperial military uniform as me.

Based on the three diamonds on his shoulder epaulet, he was a captain – my superior officer.

“…Are you Second Lieutenant Daniel Steiner?”
“Yes, sir. But why has the Commander summoned me?”

I had a hunch. My suggestion led to a large reconnaissance team being sent to the foothills, only to find nothing.

Wasting manpower during wartime was a grave sin, so the Commander must have summoned me to reprimand my incompetence.

After branding me human garbage, Heinrich would likely convene a court-martial.

Then I could admit my guilt and remove my uniform – a free pass to a dishonorable discharge.

Depending on the situation, I might even face imprisonment, but a few years in prison was better than being executed as part of the war-criminal Empire’s leadership.

Relieved that things were going according to plan, I was about to assume a remorseful expression when a smile played on the captain’s lips.

Was he mocking me? No, wait. Something felt off.

“You can be glad, Lieutenant. Thanks to your accurate instinct, our military could prevent damage in advance. The Commander has summoned you to discuss a commendation.”

…What did he say?