I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander-Chapter 194

The mechanized infantry brigade under the direct command of the General Staff veered off its planned route and entered a nearby forest.

The sight of nearly 4,000 soldiers accompanied by tanks and half-tracks advancing into the forest was nothing short of spectacular.

The tanks, crushing small trees by the roadside without hesitation as they advanced, gradually began to slow down until they came to a full stop.

It was because a command had been issued by Brigade Commander Daniel Steiner.

“We will make camp here today! I repeat, we will make camp here today!”

As the officers relayed the radio transmission, the soldiers repeated the command in unison, allowing it to spread naturally across the ranks.

The soldiers, setting down the rucksacks on their backs, followed orders to pitch tents and take up sentry positions.

While they busied themselves with these tasks, Daniel stepped down from a military vehicle, stretching his stiff body.

Has it already been a week since the march began? I haven’t even done anything, and I already feel exhausted.

If just riding in a vehicle was enough to wear him down, Daniel could only imagine how drained the soldiers must be.

That was why he had ordered them to set up camp earlier than usual today.

So the troops could recover—at least a little.

Also...

Daniel had absolutely no intention of arriving in Fenbark quickly.

I was sincere when I told the Chief of Staff that capturing Fenbark would help prevent the war from escalating, but that doesn’t mean I wanted to be the one to do it.

He had no desire to relive the horrific battles he’d experienced while serving as the Chief of Staff for the 7th Armored Division.

He had no intention of contorting his body on the battlefield again just to survive with death looming over his shoulder.

So I’ll delay the engagement as long as possible.

Daniel Steiner’s plan was simple.

By now, they must already know we’re coming...

Upon receiving the news, Fenbark’s defense forces would obviously request reinforcements from the Allied Nations.

And Daniel’s greatest hope was for those reinforcements to arrive before his brigade could seize Fenbark.

Then, using the excuse that the enemy responded swiftly, I can request reinforcements of my own while holding position—and rest.

If things went smoothly, the General Staff might abandon the idea of capturing Fenbark and order a withdrawal.

And if that happened, Daniel could naturally convey to the Chief of Staff that he was not a competent field commander.

If the Chief of Staff ends up disappointed in me, all the better. He’ll realize I’m unnecessary as a field officer and never send me to the front again.

It was a perfect plan.

But for this perfect plan to work, a condition had to be met.

The Chief of Staff must believe that I haven’t disobeyed any orders.

Naturally, if he forcibly held back the army, he could be summoned to a court-martial.

Even if it didn’t come to that, the moment any perceptive officer or soldier started to think, “The brigade commander is deliberately halting the advance,” a mutiny could erupt.

Daniel had no intention of risking that just to delay the fight.

That was why he devised a strategy to “move in a way that allows the enemy to respond.”

What did that mean? From the moment the brigade left the capital, Daniel had marched along a visibly clear route, excluding times of encampment.

As if the destination were obvious and singular.

Unless he’s a fool, the defense commander of Fenbark must know the Imperial brigade is moving toward the bridge over the middle river.

Unless Fenbark’s defense forces were planning to fight to the last man in urban warfare—shutting down the city entirely—they would obviously engage in delaying tactics until reinforcements arrived.

And the key to a delay strategy is obstructing the enemy’s movement route.

Which /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ meant they would either attempt to destroy the bridge or set up an ambush nearby.

Either option was just fine for Daniel.

If Fenbark’s defense forces destroyed the bridge and retreated, that would mean the road was blocked.

Then he could “search for a crossing point,” claiming they’d need to move downstream to find a shallower area, buying time.

On the other hand, if the bridge remained intact, he could say something felt suspicious and order full-scale reconnaissance. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

If the enemy were discovered in the process, he could use “unfavorable positioning” as an excuse to order a temporary withdrawal and move downstream—again buying time.

Now then, what will you do, Chief of Staff? If you receive the reports, you’ll see I’m nothing more than an incompetent general. Surely you can’t hold a court-martial for that.

Just quietly assign me to rear-duty.

With that thought, Daniel wore a smile full of meaning. At that moment, his intelligence officer, Phelp, approached.

“Brigadier General, may I have a word with you?”

Phelp had chosen not to return to the 7th Armored Division and instead became Daniel Steiner’s staff officer, a decision approved by higher-ups. As a result, he was still serving under Daniel now.

It was a bit uncomfortable from Daniel’s point of view, but he couldn’t exactly dismiss him. So he nodded.

“What is it, Major Phelp?”

“Well, it’s just that...”

Phelp spoke with a slightly troubled expression.

“I understand that the brigade is advancing toward the bridge over the middle river. Securing a solid bridge would allow for rapid advancement and simplified resupply. In that sense, the bridge is essentially the key objective in this operation.”

“And?”

“The problem is, the enemy likely knows that too. Our movement is tracing a direct line toward the middle river bridge, so even if they wanted to ignore it, they couldn’t. Surely they’re preparing an ambush or getting ready to blow up the bridge, aren’t they?”

Daniel quietly broke into a cold sweat.

Everything Phelp had just said was correct.

“Rather, I think it would be better to head downstream, find a shallow, firm riverbed, and have the engineering company construct a temporary crossing.”

It wasn’t bad advice—but if Daniel went downstream already, it would shorten the timeline.

And since Daniel’s top priority was dragging things out as long as possible, it was advice he absolutely could not accept.

But if he said, “I don’t want to fight, so I need to waste more time,” Phelp might go from admiring him to despising him—and reach for his sidearm.

As Daniel wrestled with how to respond, his gaze drifted toward the soldiers pitching tents nearby.

“Major Phelp.”

The melancholic glint in his eyes was a bonus.

“Your assessment is textbook-perfect. If we’re to avoid unnecessary risk, then yes, your advice is the right one. But it seems you’ve overlooked one thing.”

Daniel blinked slowly, then looked Phelp in the eye with a serious expression.

“The battlefield never unfolds according to the manual. It is not the manual that orders battle, but people. Do you understand what that means?”

Daniel himself had no idea what it meant.

He was simply putting on a show.

But that performance gave Phelp a sudden realization.

“...Could it be you’re exploiting the enemy’s psychology?”

Of course not—but Daniel solemnly nodded.

“After all, tactics and strategy are ultimately about dealing with people.”

To someone unaware of Daniel’s true intentions, he looked every bit the brilliant military commander.

****

Meanwhile, inside the Command and Control Room of the Fenbark Defense Headquarters—

“Sir! All troops have assembled! Please issue your orders!”

At the deputy commander’s report, Defense Commander Dolbaf let out a deep, uneasy sigh.

Facing Daniel Steiner weighed heavily on his shoulders.

Still, he couldn’t afford to sit on his hands. Maintaining his composure, he spoke.

“...What is the current movement of the enemy brigade?”

“They’re advancing toward the bridge at the midstream section of the Everand River. It appears they intend to secure it. Judging by their pace, we should be able to reach the bridge before they do.”

The operations officer, who had been listening nearby, added,

“Sir, we must act before they seize the bridge. What if we lead our troops there and ambush them?”

It was sound logic.

If they moved first and lay in ambush near the bridge, they would stand a strong chance of a decisive victory.

But...

Dolbaf couldn’t shake a sense of unease.

Remaining silent for a moment, he slowly raised his eyes.

“Are you certain? Are you truly saying it’s the right move to send troops to the bridge and order an ambush?”

The staff officers exchanged puzzled glances, not understanding what Dolbaf was getting at.

Watching their reactions, Dolbaf continued quietly.

“If the enemy commander were some average officer, I’d follow your advice and order the ambush. But we’re dealing with Daniel Steiner. Everyone here knows that man is as cunning as a fox.”

Only then did the staff begin to grasp what Dolbaf was suggesting—and tension crept across their faces.

“Did Daniel Steiner use conventional tactics during the Nordia invasion? When he captured the Crown Prince of the Belmore Kingdom in the borderlands? Even against the 12th Armored Division of the Allied Nations, he feigned spatial teleportation with Etherlium.”

Dolbaf closed his eyes like a man who had seen too much.

“Daniel Steiner always digs a trap in his own den and waits for his enemies to walk in. Look at the current situation with that in mind. Does this seem normal to you?”

Dolbaf pointed to the marked enemy path on the operational map laid across the table.

“Daniel Steiner is almost suspiciously broadcasting his movements to us. As if saying, ‘We’re going to take the bridge—come try and stop us.’ I ask again, does this seem normal?”

The staff had no choice but to fall silent.

Because Dolbaf was right.

If Daniel was lying in wait with some kind of trap, the defense force would inevitably suffer massive losses.

Now having convinced his staff, Dolbaf let out a heavy breath.

“We’re not sending troops to the bridge. It’s a shame to lose it, but...”

Dolbaf’s eyes trembled slightly as he looked around the room.

Gritting his teeth, he finished his thought with difficulty.

“...Our top priority is not dancing in the palm of Daniel Steiner’s hand.”

And with that, Dolbaf made a silent vow.

Daniel Steiner. I will not play along with your little game.

No matter what happens—he would not fall into Daniel Steiner’s trap.