-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: A Golden Opportunity
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Captain Bunrad's order was easily conveyed to all troops.
When the soldiers first heard the command, they thought their captain had finally gone mad from boredom.
They didn't understand the meaning behind inspecting and cleaning what was essentially an abandoned outpost.
But upon hearing that 'Daniel Steiner was coming,' they immediately obeyed the order.
Like Bunrad, the soldiers were also well aware of Daniel Steiner's infamous reputation.
Not wanting to die, the soldiers rolled up their sleeves, inspected the deficiencies in the facilities, and carried out repairs to the extent immediately possible.
Furthermore, they not only ironed the wrinkles out of their uniforms with the outpost's single iron, but also repeatedly cleaned their firearms to ensure there was nothing to be criticized for.
They even made sure to memorize the basic military manuals by heart, in case Daniel Steiner asked about the use and maintenance of military equipment.
Around two weeks passed in this manner.
—He's here! Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner... no! The Battalion Commander is coming!
Bunrad, who had received a radio call from the soldier on guard duty, raised the whistle hanging around his neck and blew it.
At that, the soldiers gathered in front of the base split to either side and snapped to attention.
These same men, who just two weeks prior had been giggling and playing poker during duty hours, were now acting like elite soldiers upon hearing that Daniel Steiner was arriving.
Bunrad, looking around at them, let out a hollow laugh.
'...It's as if we've gone back a year.'
This was a discipline unseen since they had been forgotten by high command and became a so-called 'ghost unit'.
As Bunrad was reminiscing about the past, the sound of vehicles approaching could be heard in the distance.
As a tense Bunrad looked straight ahead, transport vehicles followed one after another behind the lead military jeep.
'So, it was true that high command sent a battalion-sized force.'
Unlike Bunrad's abandoned company, this was a fully-equipped battalion with no shortage of supplies.
'Are we starting a special mission...?'
As Bunrad swallowed dryly, the lead military jeep slowly came to a halt.
Soon, the vehicle's door opened, and first to emerge were women who appeared to be officers.
Following them, a black-haired male officer stepped out of the vehicle and straightened his uniform.
The man had an officer's winter coat draped over his shoulders, and through the open coat, a golden National Order medal and a Golden Cross medal were visible.
"...!"
That man was Daniel Steiner, known as the Empire's Hero.
It was his first time seeing him in person, so tension made his body stiffen.
Unaware of Bunrad's inner turmoil, Daniel surveyed his surroundings and exhaled slowly.
The breath escaping his lips turned into cold mist and dissipated.
Daniel, who had been examining the outpost with sharp eyes, looked at Bunrad.
The moment their eyes met, Bunrad mechanically raised his arm.
"Welcome, Battalion Commander!"
Daniel did not reply and slowly began to walk.
With every step Daniel took, the snow piled in the basin was trampled, leaving boot prints.
Daniel, tall in stature, with his coat tails flapping as he walked, looked like a lone wolf.
Even though he was merely walking, the sheer presence felt overwhelming.
Bunrad, unable to meet his gaze, intentionally stared straight ahead, when Daniel, having reached close proximity, slowly began to speak.
"Your name?"
Bunrad lowered his arm and stood at ease.
"Captain Bunrad, Special Operations Company, under the Airborne Special Forces Brigade, sir!"
"Troop count?"
"Yes, sir! I will report the current company troop status. Out of a total of 47 personnel, all 46 are fit for duty, excluding one injured soldier!"
Daniel nodded, having heard Bunrad's report.
"Excellent. I thought you might have grown lax after being on standby for a year, but your discipline is well-maintained."
"You flatter me, sir! But..."
Bunrad, glancing at Daniel, hesitantly spoke.
"If I may be so bold, may I ask why Lieutenant Colonel Daniel, the Empire's Hero, has come to such a remote place?"
"To rescue Hans Zernmehart, who is held captive in the Kingdom of Belmore."
"Understood, sir. How do you intend to move the unit, then? If you issue orders based on a plan, we will execute them immediately."
Daniel exhaled a cold breath and looked down at Bunrad.
"I have one order for you all: maintain the status quo."
Having said that, Daniel walked past Bunrad and spoke.
"It's cold. Lead me to the quarters."
Bunrad, who had been momentarily stunned, quickly replied.
"Ah. Yes, sir! Understood!"
Bunrad, walking beside Daniel, was enveloped in an inexplicable sense of unease.
'"Maintain the status quo" means...'
Because it sounded like he meant to do nothing at all.
*
He was indeed right about doing nothing.
Ten days had passed since he joined the outpost in the basin near the Kingdom of Belmore's border.
Daniel Steiner was engrossed in reading.
Having read to the last page, Daniel closed the book with a lump in his throat.
The book was titled *The Baker Who Drinks Tears*.
'It was a good story...'
It was astonishing that a book could evoke such strong emotions in this era.
Just as he was wondering if he should send a fan letter to the author, the door to the operations command room opened.
Lucy stood beyond the door.
"Lieutenant Colonel Daniel."
He looked up, wondering what was the matter, and Lucy let out a soft sigh.
"Are you truly not going to issue any orders?"
"...I'm not sure what you're talking about. I clearly issued an order to maintain the status quo, didn't I?"
"Soldiers are starting to think that means doing nothing at all."
Is that so. Although it was a bit early, it seemed complaints were slowly emerging.
The soldiers of the General Staff's direct units were elites who had volunteered to join the military, after all.
There was a possibility that they would consider it dishonorable if their superior gave no orders upon arrival at the operational zone.
'It would be troublesome if the soldiers' dissatisfaction became public opinion.'
If reports reached high command that Daniel Steiner was being negligent in his duties at the operational zone, a recall order might be issued.
'I'll have to do something under the guise of training...'
Daniel, who wanted to avoid returning to the capital, racked his brain.
Daniel, who had been tapping the table, snapped his fingers as if something had just occurred to him.
"Inform all troops. As soon as tomorrow morning breaks, we will ascend the ridge of the western mountainous area. The purpose is to conduct reconnaissance of enemy movements and trench construction training."
Lucy blinked quietly.
Because she didn't understand.
"The western area, not the eastern, sir? Why... the border zone is to the east."
That's precisely why we should go west.
Because if they went east and actually encountered the enemy, there was a chance of an unfortunate incident occurring.
Since he couldn't exactly say he was just pretending to work reluctantly, Daniel frowned, as if looking down on someone who couldn't grasp his brilliant idea.
"Adjutant. Do I seem like I'm speaking without any plan?"
Lucy shook her head.
From the Nordia Invasion Operation to the negotiations with Prime Minister Bellanos, Daniel Steiner had always subdued his enemies through extraordinary methods.
Thinking this was part of the same pattern, Lucy bowed her head respectfully.
"I apologize for my presumption, sir. I will inform all troops to prepare their gear as they will be moving starting tomorrow morning."
Having said that, Lucy exited the operations command room and closed the door.
Left alone, Daniel opened his book.
He intended to reread the section he considered a memorable scene.
*
Kingdom of Belmore.
Border Zone Outpost Command Tent.
"Are you aware that Daniel Steiner has joined the enemy outpost located in the basin near the border zone?"
At Crown Prince Bleph's words, a stir went through the command tent.
As everyone exchanged glances, Colonel Gallevalt spoke.
"Is that true, sir? That the Empire's Devil is there..."
"Yes. It's information I heard directly from an Imperial contact, so there's no doubt."
"My God. That means..."
Bleph, in his splendid uniform, wore a devious smile.
"God has given me a golden opportunity. If I succeed in capturing Daniel Steiner as a prisoner, I will no longer have to endure such humiliation."
Although Bleph was the Crown Prince, his position was unstable due to his younger brother rising through the ranks.
His younger brother had continuously achieved military merits on the battlefield, which had begun to shake the support base of Bleph, his elder brother.
That's why he had recently been compelled to come to the battlefield, and by sheer luck, he had heard that Daniel Steiner was located nearby.
'If I succeed in capturing Daniel Steiner, who has inflicted immense damage upon the Allied Nations...'
That imbecile of a younger brother would never be able to challenge him, and his status within the Allied Nations would undoubtedly rise.
'I don't know why Daniel Steiner came here, but...'
It was no exaggeration to say that the tide had turned the moment they acquired the information first.
Bleph, imagining the sweet glories he would enjoy after capturing Daniel Steiner, opened his mouth.
"Colonel. Form a battalion of elite soldiers immediately. As soon as tomorrow morning breaks, we will attack the enemy outpost."
A soft chuckle escaped his lips and echoed gently in the tent.
"Wait for me, Daniel Steiner..."
Bleph's eyes, clouded with greed, gleamed.
"I will personally hunt down you, the one called the Empire's Devil."