I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander-Chapter 222

“Brigadier General! We’ve received a telegram from 3rd Company under the 1st Infantry Battalion—reporting no need for support! Also, they’ve successfully destroyed three [N O V E L I G H T] enemy tanks! They say there are no wounded either, so the initial casualty report may have just been false information!”

The radioman shouted from the mortar position, unable to hide his excitement.

Daniel, who had been surveying the battlefield, let out a quiet breath of relief at the report.

‘Looks like Frien is in action with 3rd Company.’

If there had initially been many wounded only for them to suddenly disappear, that could only mean Frien had used her ability.

In this world, Healing Magic at best served to rapidly stop bleeding.

But the Healing Magic possessed by Frien—said to be cursed by the gods—was unmatched.

Most wounds could be healed instantly right on the spot.

And because she could scatter her mana to perform wide-area healing, to soldiers on the battlefield, Frien must have appeared like a woman performing miracles.

It was also one of the reasons why, later on, Frien would be revered as the Saint of the Empire.

‘But still...’

The timing of Frien’s awakening seemed faster than expected.

Originally, at this point in time, there was no record of Frien ever showcasing wide-area healing.

‘If there’s a reason for that...’

Most likely, it was because she had honed her ability by repeatedly torturing people.

Not to mention, she had frequently accompanied battle units and treated the wounded, so she must’ve naturally come to reflect on and master her own mana.

‘...I suppose it’s fair to say history has changed.’

It wasn’t intentional, but once Daniel Steiner began intervening in this world, many things started to shift.

In the original history, the Empire was battered by the Allied Nations and ultimately collapsed after the major powers joined the war.

But now, the Empire had successfully held off all attacks from the Allied Nations, and even with the Republic entering the war, their momentum had not waned.

The incidents and disruptions Daniel caused were acting as a kind of butterfly effect, warping the flow of history.

‘At this point in the original timeline, the Imperial Army attacking Fenbark would’ve been unthinkable.’

The course of the global war was beginning to twist.

And yet, at the center of it all, Daniel personally preferred a bakery filled with bread and pastries over a battlefield soaked in iron and blood.

Of course, the radioman, who had no way of knowing such things, considered it the highest honor to assist Daniel and continued his report with enthusiasm.

“Brigadier General! The 2nd Infantry Battalion is requesting that artillery fire be adjusted 300 meters forward!”

Daniel set aside his thoughts and answered immediately.

“Artillery adjustment approved. The reserve units are to remain on standby, ready to support the 1st Defensive Line or respond in case of a breach. Also, redeploy one tank company to flank the front line.”

At present, the 1st Defensive Line was holding up better than expected.

The reasons were many, but the biggest factor was the sharp drop in enemy morale.

They had likely heard that communication with their command had been cut, and were being forced to make river crossings under pressure, even reducing sleep to keep marching—both body and mind must’ve been at their limits.

And when they failed to break through Daniel’s brigade, which had already established its defensive positions, it was only natural that their momentum would sharply decline.

Striking the flanks of the enemy breakthrough units now wouldn’t just hold them back—it would also significantly boost allied morale.

Reading Daniel’s intent, the radioman relayed the orders word-for-word, and the troops, with unwavering trust in their commander, moved with perfect coordination.

But even a flawless strategy couldn’t fully compensate for the disparity in troop numbers.

As both sides continued a battle of attrition—devouring each other again and again—there were moments when enemy forces managed to break through the 1st Defensive Line and push forward.

Each time, Daniel quickly patched up the breach using artillery adjustments and reserve units.

And so, after eighteen hours had passed, the enemy division had fallen into a lull without even breaching the 1st Defensive Line.

Thanks to the continuation of skirmishes, distant gunfire still rang out faintly as dawn broke.

Daniel, who had skipped his meals at the field command post, listened to the sound in silence as the radioman beside him received another transmission.

Kneeling with his communicator set down, the radioman exchanged a few words, then looked up at Daniel, his face lighting up.

“Brigadier General! The Magitek Mobile Brigade has just arrived! They said they’ll be joining the battle as of this moment and request coordination!”

Now that was welcome news.

Daniel, who had been agonizing over how to withstand tomorrow’s assault, let out a sigh of relief.

“They’ve taken their time. Tell them to radio in once they’re ready to initiate combat. And...”

Daniel looked down at the radioman.

“Use the frequency we seized from the Fenbark command center and make contact with the enemy division.”

“...The enemy division, sir?”

“That’s right. I’m sure they don’t want to die like dogs, either.”

Lifting his head, Daniel envisioned the enemy commander somewhere in the forest.

“So we should extend the offer to surrender—as humanely as possible, don’t you think?”

****

Meanwhile, in the Allied Army’s Fenbark assault force command tent.

“What the hell is going on!? How is it that we’ve yet to peel back even a single layer of the enemy’s defense!? Answer me!”

Colonel Sampe, the lead commander of the division, roared with rage.

But none of the staff gathered around the tactical table could give a reply.

After a long silence, the operations officer cautiously opened his mouth.

“Daniel Steiner’s brigade has formed a defense line that’s far more solid than we expected. Also, the soldiers’ morale has taken a significant hit from the forced march.”

“That’s what you’re going with...? You think we had a choice after communication with HQ was cut off!?”

“No, sir. I only meant that at this rate, we’ll be stuck in a loop of attrition. And judging by our troop loss ratio, we’re at a significant disadvantage.”

The operations officer swallowed dryly and continued.

“Even if we manage to defeat Daniel Steiner’s brigade, our forces will be devastated. And that’s assuming we can even defeat them—something still uncertain at this point.”

“The operations officer isn’t wrong,” said the intelligence officer, chiming in.

“There are also some... strange rumors going around. Apparently, enemy troops stationed on the left ridge of our main line are getting back up minutes after being shot.”

“...”

“They say unless you go for the head, they keep standing back up. Some are calling it the Witch’s Company—and it’s starting to scare the men.”

Sampe scowled.

“Intelligence officer. Are you asking me to believe that absurd nonsense right now?”

“I also assumed it was just a bizarre rumor... but I think it reflects how low our troops’ morale has dropped. Perhaps it’s time we tried negotiating with Daniel Steiner...”

Sampe clenched his fist at the defeatism in the intelligence officer’s voice.

“What the hell are you saying!? Look at the numbers! Even with simple math, we outnumber them two to one! And you’re saying we should bow our heads and negotiate!? Is that all the honor the Allied Nations have left!?”

With Sampe’s outburst, everyone could only bow their heads.

A heavy silence fell over the room—until footsteps echoed outside the command tent.

The communications officer burst through the entrance and snapped a salute at Sampe.

Sampe returned it with a scowl, and the officer hurriedly spoke.

“Division Commander! Urgent report! A large enemy brigade has been spotted moving en masse about three kilometers to our rear. Estimated strength is over 4,000 personnel...!”

At the report, not only the staff officers but even Sampe himself stared in shock, mouth agape.

As if struck in the head, Sampe stood frozen before muttering through gritted teeth.

“...You’re saying an additional enemy brigade is arriving?”

“Yes, sir.”

Dizzy, Sampe collapsed into his chair, legs giving out beneath him.

‘Since when...?’

If another enemy brigade had just arrived, that meant Daniel had requested reinforcements from HQ long ago.

To wipe out the temporary Allied division marching on Fenbark.

After being duped into crossing the bridge, they’d been played once again by Daniel Steiner.

Realizing he had once more danced in that man’s palm, Sampe could hardly breathe.

Just as he felt his military career was over, the communications officer spoke again.

“Also... Daniel Steiner sent a message for you, sir.”

Still seated, Sampe slowly raised his head.

“...What message?”

The officer met his eyes and bit his lip hard.

“Humans all die eventually.”

His voice trembled.

“You’re no different.”

With a shaky breath, the communications officer continued, face pale with fear.

“But it doesn’t have to be today. Don’t you think?”

The staff began to stir, and Sampe’s complexion turned deathly pale.

‘Those words mean...’

They meant that if they didn’t surrender, every last one of them would be slaughtered.