I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander - Chapter 7

After traveling a long distance from the Bardenplatz Plains back to the General Staff Headquarters, I exited the vehicle, expressing fatigue with my entire body.

‘I’m dying…’

Excluding meals and accommodations, I had been on the move for nearly three consecutive days.

For me, who had found the physical assessments at the military academy exceptionally grueling, this was an outrageous forced march.

I had wanted to avoid inspections in the eastern region if possible, but upon hearing about the oil discovery, I had no choice but to conduct an inspection to verify it with my own eyes.

As a result, the black liquid found in the Bardenplatz Plains did indeed turn out to be oil.

‘Well… as expected.’

Unless the logistics personnel were complete imbeciles, they wouldn’t have mistaken sewage for oil.

Nevertheless, the reason I undertook the inspection was to slightly diminish the headquarters’ interest in me.

Rather than sitting nonchalantly at the Operational Planning room, treating the oil discovery as a given, it would seem more befitting of a newcomer to scramble about and confirm if it was real or not.

Not that my merit would diminish, but still.

Heaving a sigh, I loosened my necktie and made my way towards the headquarters building.

Exhausted, I wanted nothing more than to collapse on my dormitory bed, but as a soldier, I couldn’t neglect submitting a return report.

“Ah, First Lieutenant Daniel Steiner! Welcome.”

As I entered the Chief of Operational Planning’s office and saluted, Ernst greeted me with a kindly smile.

I mustn’t be deceived by that kindly smile. Maintaining my salute, I spoke.

“Reporting! Upon conducting an inspection of the Bardenplatz Plains in the eastern front’s rear line…”
“Oil was discovered, no doubt. The headquarters and the people of the Empire are already aware of this fact, so there’s no need to report it separately. At ease.”

Since I was permitted, there was no need to remain at attention.

After putting my hand down in a dignified manner, I assumed the “attention” stance.

“Everyone’s been singing your praises lately, even the high command. Finding an oil field – it’s an achievement that even I, let alone the higher-ups, couldn’t have accomplished.”
“You’re too kind.”

It wasn’t an exaggeration – I hadn’t intended to find the oil field.

However, Ernst seemed to think I was being modest, letting out a low chuckle.

“Regarding this, there were many opinions to promote you by an accelerated process. I agree. But due to opposition from certain individuals, the process hasn’t been smooth.”
“…Opposition, you say?”
“Yes. Outwardly, they claim that someone without actual combat experience cannot receive two accelerated promotions in such a short period. But in my view, it seems they harbor resentment towards your background.”

While Ernst was being indirect, it appeared that certain members of the military leadership were against granting me further power due to my orphan origins.

I understood their sentiment.

Although the Kingdom of Vaiern had abolished discrimination based on social status when changing its name to the ‘Holy Vaiern Empire’, remnants of the old system still ran deep.

Currently, most of the Empire’s political and economic figures hailed from noble families, and some regions were still referred to as marquessates and counties.

In such an era, merely enacting a ‘prohibition of discrimination based on social status’ law was a formality, so it was only natural for them to look unfavorably upon the achievements of an orphan.

Had I not regained my past life’s memories, I might have been enraged, but now, I could only see them as helpful individuals.

They were obstructing my promotion? I almost felt like bowing in gratitude.

“If the high command feels that way, then I shall abide by their decision.”

Unperturbed by their opposition, I spoke calmly, prompting Ernst to regard me with an admiring gaze.

“I thought you might get angry, but you’re truly exemplary of a soldier. No wonder Lieutenant General Heinrich speaks so highly of you.”

After a hearty chuckle, Ernst suddenly turned serious.

“Those highly regarded deserve matching ranks, don’t you agree, Lieutenant?”

For some reason, I felt unable to refuse, so I nodded.

“Indeed.”
“I’m glad we share the same view. In that spirit, I’ll have you deployed to the northern front for a while.”

…The northern front? What was he saying so abruptly? Too taken aback to respond immediately, I hurriedly opened my mouth after a brief pause.

“The northern front, you say?”
“Yes. As you know, the tide has turned in our favor on the northern front. It’s the perfect opportunity for you to make your mark. If the high command desires combat experience, then we’ll simply provide it, won’t we?”

Ernst was implying that he had put in some effort for my sake, but it didn’t resonate with me at all.

From the perspective of someone seeking discharge, being suddenly told, ‘Go fight on the frontlines for a bit,’ would make anyone want to scream in protest.

Still, as I couldn’t show my displeasure, I cautiously asked:

“A change of assignment? Will I be assigned to a northern front unit…?”
“Of course not. You’ll be deployed as part of a direct command unit from headquarters. Experience actual combat there and return immediately. Then, Lieutenant General Heinrich and I will push for your accelerated promotion.”

As if expecting me to be delighted, Ernst leaned forward and whispered:

“Then, you’ll no longer be the ‘acting’ Operational Planning officer, but the actual one. You’ll even have an assistant officer, making your workload much easier than now.”

In other words, he had paved the way for me, so I just needed to endure a brief hardship before returning.

I wanted to shout, “Why are you proceeding unilaterally?” but the rank barrier was too high.

However, there was still a sliver of hope.

“Chief of Operational Planning, I’m curious about the composition of this direct command unit.”
“Considering your current rank, it will likely be a platoon-sized unit.”
“In that case, may I personally select the personnel for its formation?”

Personally? Ernst blinked a few times with wide eyes before clapping his hands together.

“I don’t see why not. Do you have any particular personnel in mind for transfer?”
“Since the front lines already face manpower issues, I plan to recruit primarily from the rear echelons.”
“Do you have any specific individuals in mind?”
“No. I will draft a recruitment notice and select personnel from those who apply. The opportunity to serve on the battlefield should be afforded equally to all.”

Seemingly pleased with my response, Ernst nodded in admiration.

“A sound idea. Proceed accordingly.”
“Understood.”

After saluting Ernst, I exited the Chief’s office and returned to my desk.

Immediately, I took out a fountain pen and began drafting a recruitment notice.

[Northern Front Support Corps Recruitment Notice]

Hear me, honored ones!

A fierce battle to defend our homeland’s sacred soil is currently raging in the north!

Therefore, I seek those willing to sacrifice their lives for the Empire!

You there! Do not covet the Empire’s grain in life, but become the fertilizer that adorns its glory in death!

Join me in destroying, desecrating, and eliminating the enemy until our dying breath!

We shall desire nothing but the enemy’s demise!

Recruitment Quota

• 20 personnel for the Northern Front Support Corps

Eligibility

• Those willing to readily offer their hearts to the Empire
• Those who do not seek survival in combat
• Those who wish to aid the Empire, even if they die tomorrow

Commanding Officer

• Operational Planning First Lieutenant Daniel Steiner
• Lacking combat experience but dedicating utmost devotion to the Empire

Glory to the Empire!

Holy Vaiern Empire
General Staff Frontline Support Corps Recruitment Office

‘Perfect!’

A masterpiece, indeed.

Without a single mention of survival, it only emphasized death, did it not?

Since the essence of humanity is to pursue life, no one would wish to die for the Empire.

Furthermore, by stating the commanding officer’s lack of combat experience, what fool would volunteer?

The soldiers living comfortably in the rear would undoubtedly scoff at this notice.

Then, the volunteer rate would plummet, and I could simply reject the handful of applicants with various excuses.

Ernst would then have no choice but to withdraw his plan of sending me to the northern front.

The accelerated promotion would also be called off, killing two birds with one stone! After that, I could remain entrenched at the General Staff Headquarters and find a way to secure a dishonorable discharge.

‘Genius!’

With a satisfied smile, I took the recruitment notice and headed to the Personnel Affairs Division.

The next day.

As I carried out my duties after arriving at work as usual, there was a polite knock on the door before it opened.

Looking up, a Personnel Affairs officer approached me with a file.

“First Lieutenant Daniel Steiner? About the recruitment notice you sent to the rear echelon units yesterday…”

The officer’s hand only held a single file, indicating that there were either no applicants or an exceptionally low number.

Inwardly smiling at the better-than-expected outcome, I maintained an outward expression of disappointment, as I couldn’t reveal my true feelings before the officer.

“It seems there are no soldiers willing to dedicate themselves to the Empire. Disappointing.”
“Hmm? No, quite the opposite, actually.”

The opposite? What did he mean? Just as I wondered, the officer clapped twice.

“Come in.”

Five soldiers then entered, straining under the weight of application forms piled like small mountains in their arms.

“Congratulations. Within a single day, the number of applicants has surpassed 2,176. It didn’t seem necessary to recruit any further, so I came to find you. I thought it was a good notice, but I didn’t expect this level of response.”

While the officer praised me with a smile –

‘But why would they volunteer…?’

I could only find the situation utterly incomprehensible.