I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander-Chapter 196

The brigade, having completed the establishment of the bridgehead, advanced toward Fenbark under Daniel’s orders.

It was a remarkably smooth advance—so much so that Daniel, seated in a light armored vehicle, couldn’t conceal his irritation.

If things continue like this, it’ll just end up adding another military achievement to my name...

According to Phelp, the intelligence officer, the successful securing of the bridge and establishment of the bridgehead without a single casualty would save them roughly two weeks from the projected timeline.

As a result, Daniel Steiner felt as if his throat were parched.

If the Chief of Staff hears about this, he’ll want to keep me grinding on the front lines forever.

For someone like Daniel, who longed for personal peace more than anyone, such a future felt no different than hell.

What should I...

How could he escape this wretched reality?

Just as Daniel was resting his chin on his hand, deep in thought—

“Brigadier General.”

A flat voice brushed against Daniel’s ear.

When he turned his head, he saw Lucy blinking her crimson eyes.

“What do you think the enemy will do next?”

It wasn’t a difficult question to answer, so Daniel opened his mouth without delay.

“They’ve likely established a layered line of defense along the city’s access roads. They’ll have requested reinforcements, so to buy time, they’ll try to delay us as much as possible. It’ll be troublesome, but we’ll have to break through those defenses with everything we’ve got.”

“I see. If they’ve built defenses, then traps must have been laid as well.”

“Of course. Anti-tank obstacles or minefields—”

Daniel suddenly trailed off mid-sentence.

He felt it. This was it.

He immediately grabbed the radio and pressed the transmit button.

“All units, halt your advance.”

Not long after Daniel’s command was issued, the speed of the tanks and vehicles gradually began to slow.

When the lead vehicle finally came to a full stop, the brigade’s advance ground to a halt.

As the hum of engines faded, Daniel opened the door of the armored vehicle and stepped outside.

Adjusting his uniform cap and straightening his attire, he was soon approached by Phelp, who had gotten out of the vehicle behind him.

Phelp offered a slight bow in place of a salute and opened his mouth.

“Brigadier General. May I ask the reason for halting the advance?”

It was simply too early to begin preparations for camp, hence the question.

Daniel intended to buy time before enemy reinforcements arrived in Fenbark—but he couldn’t state that directly. Instead, he answered with solemn weight.

“Intelligence Officer. Don’t you think something’s odd?”

“...What do you mean, sir?”

“The road conditions. They’re too clean—unnaturally so. Normally, obstacles would be set up to force the enemy to detour. But did we encounter any obstacles during the advance?”

Phelp, who had been pondering, shook his head.

“Now that you mention it... we didn’t. There were a few fallen trees on the road, but they were small enough for the vehicles to just roll over. They couldn’t be called proper obstacles.”

“Then what do you think this means?”

“...Are you suggesting the enemy is intentionally guiding us to use the road?”

Daniel nodded, and Phelp let out a quiet gasp of realization.

“I see. Then there’s a high probability that anti-tank mines have been planted along the road.”

“Exactly. Which means you also know what we need to do now.”

“We must dispatch experienced reconnaissance troops or tank crewmen to detect any signs of recently buried anti-tank mines. Ensuring the safety of our troops must come first.”

That meant they could buy even more time—so Daniel smiled in satisfaction.

“Good. You’re quick to understand. Relay the order to the recon company to inspect the road for signs of anti-tank mine installation.”

“Yes, Brigadier General!”

Phelp answered with vigor and turned around to carry out the order.

Watching him walk away, Daniel let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Good. This should buy me a few days.

If he repeatedly ordered halts to search for signs of mine deployment, the march on Fenbark could be significantly delayed.

And since the order isn’t unreasonable, neither the troops nor the officers will object.

Who would dare oppose a command issued in the name of ensuring allied safety?

At most, there would be a few grumbles of discontent.

Daniel was deeply pleased with his own scheme—but that satisfaction didn’t last long.

That evening, the company commander of the recon unit returned and reported to Daniel with reverent awe.

“Company Commander Ehiriam, reporting in. We’ve confirmed signs of anti-tank mine installation two kilometers ahead of our current position. Part of the pavement was deliberately removed, and we discovered freshly disturbed soil camouflaged with loose dirt. We believe the enemy’s forward engineer unit planted them.”

At the report, Daniel froze.

Meanwhile, the intelligence officer beside him, Phelp, couldn’t contain his excitement.

“Brigadier General! Once again, your prediction was correct! Two kilometers ahead...! If you’d delayed your order to halt the advance even slightly, it would’ve been a disaster!”

He wasn’t wrong.

Not that Daniel had intended it that way.

After a brief silence, Daniel issued his next command.

Now that anti-tank mines had actually been discovered, it was time to get serious—for the sake of preserving their forces.

“Have the recon company take a short rest, then begin sweeping the surrounding forest near the minefield. If the enemy intends to conduct a delaying operation, there’s a high chance a small unit is lying in ambush nearby.”

“Indeed... not a word out of place. I will carry out the order!”

The company commander answered with vigor and was just about to turn and deliver the order—

“Brigadier General.”

He turned to see who had spoken—it was Lucy.

“If you’ll permit it, I’d like to accompany the recon company.”

“...Accompany the recon company?”

“Yes. I want to contribute to our strength.”

The look in Lucy’s eyes was filled with conviction—born of instinct.

It was too sincere to refuse, and Daniel gave a nod.

“If that’s what you want, you may participate in this operation alone. That won’t be a problem, will it, Company Commander Ehiriam?”

Ehiriam looked troubled, but he couldn’t bring himself to voice an objection to Daniel.

“If it is an order, I will comply.”

****

Meanwhile, in the highlands of the forest near the anti-tank minefield—

“Goddamn it...”

Bental, the battalion commander of the Fenbark defense forces, who was lying in ambush with approximately 300 troops, clenched his teeth.

The enemy’s recon unit found the minefield and turned back. Which means...

It meant Daniel Steiner had discovered the location of the anti-tank mines.

From Bental’s perspective, it was utterly absurd.

Just two more kilometers. If they had gone just two more kilometers, they would’ve been blown to bits by the mines...!

The entire operation hinged on this: once Daniel’s brigade stepped on the anti-tank mines and fell into chaos, Bental’s unit would launch a surprise attack, inflict damage, and retreat.

But Daniel Steiner, as if he could see through everything, halted the entire advance exactly two kilometers short and dispatched recon to identify the mines.

How the hell did he figure that out? Is that man some kind of god...?

At this point, it wasn’t fear—it was helplessness.

As Bental clicked his tongue in frustration, the sound of footsteps approached from nearby.

Turning toward the noise, Bental spotted his adjutant.

“...What is it?”

The adjutant hesitated briefly, then spoke.

“Commander. I believe the enemy has noticed our position.”

“What?”

“A recon unit, roughly company-sized, is approaching our location. If we don’t retreat now, they’ll discover us.” freewebnøvel.com

They’d found the mines—and now they were pinpointing the ambush site, too.

Bental couldn’t shake the feeling they were dancing in Daniel Steiner’s palm.

But...

The fact that they’d spotted the enemy recon first was, at least, something.

“If it’s just a company, there’s no need to retreat. We strike first, cause casualties, secure prisoners, then fall back to the defensive line.”

“But, Commander...”

“Lieutenant! Shut up and follow my orders! You think the Defense Commander will accept us retreating without a single gain? If we don’t at least tear that recon unit apart—”

Bental trailed off mid-shout.

The look on his adjutant’s face wasn’t good.

Uncertain why, Bental fell silent. The adjutant swallowed dryly and finally ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) spoke.

“Commander. We just received orders from Central Command. They say to be cautious of a silver-haired officer with red eyes in Daniel Steiner’s forces. One matching the description has been sighted in the enemy recon unit.”

“Huh? They want us to be cautious of one officer?”

“Yes, sir. That officer is considered highly dangerous.”

It wasn’t just laughable—it left him speechless.

One officer? You think a single officer can overcome the difference in strength? Don’t be ridiculous. Follow my orders! If you keep arguing, I’ll take it as insubordination and have you court-martialed!

Bental barked, and the adjutant lowered his head, clearly terrified.

“My apologies! I’ll relay the order at once!”

With that, the adjutant hurried off.

Bental watched his retreating figure with clear displeasure and let out a long sigh.

Central Command’s lost their minds. If it were Daniel Steiner himself, maybe—but getting spooked by one officer...?

Shaking his head, Bental pulled out a map from his coat.

Just in case, he wanted to confirm the retreat routes once more.

As he was poring over the map, a gunshot rang out from nearby.

“It’s begun.”

Bental opened his eyes, tucked the map back into his coat, and drew his pistol.

Taking a deep breath, he turned toward the direction of the gunfire and started walking.

—“UwaaAAAAAAAARGH!”

From the forest-turned-battlefield, enemy screams rang out long and loud.

Idiots. If you’re here to scout, at least try not to get spotted.

Bental furrowed his brow and gripped his pistol tightly.

The gunfire continued. The screaming intensified.

Bental, convinced of victory, smiled—then abruptly frowned.

—“What the hell is that! What the fuck is thaaaat!”

—“AAAAAAARGHHHH!”

—“Retreat! Fall back! Get out of the way, you bastards!”

Voices.

—“Do not retreat! I repeat, do NOT retreat!”

—“Get the machine gun up! Hit it! Hurry!”

—“You sons of bitches! What are you doing?! Shoot! I said shoot!”

The shouting grew clearer and more desperate, making Bental come to a halt.

Then, one after another, screams loud enough to split his ears tore through the air.

Bental’s eyes flew wide open.

His mouth hung open in disbelief.

This...

These weren’t the screams of the enemy. That much was painfully obvious.