Hearing the news that over two thousand applicants had signed up, I sank into despair and questioned the Personnel Officer.
I demanded to know why my recruitment notice was being called a “well-written announcement.”
Smiling, the Personnel Officer patiently explained, even counting on his fingers as he spoke.
The prolonged war against the Allied Nations had created a generation of orphans who grew up fueled by a thirst for revenge, leading to a surge in enlistments.
Lieutenant Daniel Steiner’s recruitment notice poured fuel on that fire, stoking their desire for vengeance and naturally increasing applications.
Furthermore, the Northern Front was already tilting in the Empire’s favor. Many soldiers likely saw this as an opportunity to distinguish themselves in a winning battle.
The language portraying rear-line troops as freeloaders probably provoked resentment. Some likely took the notice seriously and applied out of a sense of honor.
Lastly, setting aside logical explanations, there was something about Lieutenant Steiner’s notice that struck a chord in men’s hearts.
Having laid out five reasons, the Personnel Officer concluded by complimenting me, saying I had a talent for propaganda. He even suggested I let him know if I ever wanted to transfer to the Personnel Office.
I awkwardly smiled in response to his job offer, dismissed him, and then ordered the soldiers to sort through the applications.
It was impossible to reject over two thousand applicants outright, so going to the Northern Front was all but guaranteed.
Given the circumstances, my best course of action was to select the most competent and elite soldiers to ensure my safety.
I began by filtering out the unfit candidates:
After the initial screening, only 327 applicants remained.
From that pool, I carefully selected the most outstanding and disciplined candidates, narrowing it down to 20 soldiers.
I sent out acceptance notices, and now, ten days later...
I stood in front of them.
The 20 soldiers I had chosen were lined up in two rows of ten by the fountain at the entrance to the General Staff Headquarters.
Their presence was strangely intimidating.
Especially their eyes—they were terrifying.
If I exaggerated a little, they looked like men who’d charge headfirst into enemy fire without hesitation if ordered.
‘Even if I picked them myself... are these guys even human?’
Cold sweat ran down my back before I realized it.
Of course, not all of them looked like soulless war machines.
Among the towering men, a single woman blinked at me with clear, bright eyes.
The same woman I had met in the detention cell—the future Saint of the Empire and a named NPC.
She must have completed training without issue, as she now wore the rank insignia of a Private.
I had selected her without much thought when I saw her name on the list. But now, seeing her innocent gaze burning with enthusiasm among these hardened soldiers reminded me of a lunatic with a glassy stare.
Had I made a mistake picking her?
Suppressing my unease, I cleared my throat.
It was the commander’s duty to explain the mission—at least briefly—before departure.
And right now, I was fulfilling that role.
Deep down, though, I hoped my words might scare some of them into quitting.
“As you’ve seen in the notice, I’m Lieutenant Daniel Steiner, your platoon leader and Acting Operations Officer. Let me remind you in case you missed it—I have no combat experience.”
I had just admitted that I might be incompetent, yet no one stirred.
Fine. You want to stay? Let’s turn up the pressure.
“So don’t expect me to be a capable leader. My only desire is the annihilation of the Allied forces and the screams of the savages who stand with them.”
I was making it abundantly clear that I lacked any sense of strategy or tactics.
Any sane soldier would feel fear at this point.
And yet, the men began to grin—fierce, predatory smiles.
Staring at them in silence for a moment, I then snapped sharply,
“I have no use for cowards. If you want to flee from the bloody battlefield, now’s your only chance. Anyone who wants to back out—raise your hand.”
As expected, not a single hand went up.
These bastards were insane.
I let out a sigh and delivered my final words.
“Fine! You reckless fools willing to challenge death! I’ll make sure you get what you want. Your sweat and blood will bring glory to the Empire!”
The moment I finished, the soldiers roared in unison,
“Glory to the Empire!”
Their unified voices echoed across the General Staff Headquarters.
Closing my eyes, I let out a faint groan.
There really was no other way to describe them—they were absolute lunatics.
Northern Front, Temporary Outpost of the 307th Special Operations Unit.
‘Today’s the day the reinforcements from Headquarters are supposed to arrive.’
Captain Heinz Schmidt, commander of the 307th Special Operations Unit, leaned back in his chair and pulled out the recruitment notice he had read earlier.
Northern Front Reinforcement Recruitment Notice
A fierce battle to defend the sacred lands of our Empire rages in the North!
I seek those who are willing to lay down their lives for the Empire!
Heed this call! Covet not the grains of the Empire in life, but become the foundation of its glory in death!
Join me! Fight until we have destroyed, crushed, and annihilated our enemies!
We desire only the deaths of our foes!
‘...This reeks of madness.’
Heinz had seen all kinds of insanity during his time in the Special Operations Unit—assassinations, high-profile eliminations, counter-terror operations—but even he found this notice unnerving.
‘This doesn’t read like a call for comrades...’
It felt more like an invitation for disposable tools to be used and discarded for the Empire.
‘Lieutenant Daniel Steiner, was it?’
According to his adjutant, this man had already achieved three remarkable accomplishments, earning a rapid promotion to lieutenant.
Yet, unsatisfied with his current position, he had volunteered to come to the Northern Front.
There was only one conclusion to draw from that.
‘A promotion-obsessed warmonger...’
To Heinz, Lieutenant Daniel Steiner seemed like the kind of man who wouldn’t hesitate to use his own troops as stepping stones for personal gain.
The thought left an uncomfortable weight in his chest, but Heinz clenched his fists and shook his head.
‘It’s wrong to judge someone based on rumors.’
A person’s true nature could only be understood through direct interaction.
Steeling his resolve, Heinz looked up as a soldier entered the tent and saluted.
“Captain! The reinforcements from Headquarters have arrived!”
“Understood. Let’s go meet them.”
Tucking the notice back into his pocket, Heinz stood up.
On his way out, he glanced at a girl quietly reading a book nearby.
She seemed engrossed, so Heinz decided not to interrupt her.
He simply nodded politely in her direction before stepping outside.
The blinding snow reflected the sunlight as Heinz spotted the platoon marching toward the outpost.
The twenty soldiers exuded an intense, almost oppressive presence.
Even officers and soldiers of the Special Operations Unit, hardened by countless missions, instinctively stepped back as the group passed.
Leading this intimidating force was none other than Lieutenant Daniel Steiner.
With hollow, bloodshot eyes that gave no hint of emotion, he stared straight ahead as if nothing in the world could faze him.
When their eyes met, Heinz felt an inexplicable stiffness in his body.
Daniel frowned slightly, then seemed to realize Heinz was the commanding officer and saluted.
Heinz returned the salute with a tense expression as Daniel approached with a thin smile.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Captain Heinz Schmidt.”
“Yes. I did some research about the unit I’d be assigned to. This unit has carried out some truly remarkable missions. I can already see why I was sent here.”
“I appreciate the compliment. It must’ve been a tough journey to get here. Are you and your men not exhausted?”
Daniel let out a low chuckle and shook his head.
“Those suicidal maniacs? Don’t worry about them. I’ve been watching them for days—they don’t know how to get tired.”
The words ‘suicidal maniacs’ sent a chill down Heinz’s spine.
‘As I thought... He treats his soldiers like expendable tools.’
In reality, Daniel had only meant to lighten the mood with a joke, but Heinz, already clouded by bias, began to see him as some kind of devil.
Unaware of Heinz’s internal thoughts, Daniel tilted his head at the captain’s stiff expression.
That was when it happened.
“What’s all the commotion?”
The flap of the tent behind Heinz opened, and a blonde girl stepped out.
Dressed in a pristine white blouse with a red brooch at her neck, she looked every bit the daughter of a noble family.
Daniel’s gaze naturally shifted toward her, and when their eyes met, he froze.
Noticing his reaction, Heinz quickly introduced her.
“Oh, this is our embedded war correspondent. She arrived a few days ago and said she wanted to document the Imperial Army’s efforts with her camera.”
Despite Heinz’s explanation, Daniel couldn’t take his eyes off her.
Sensing his gaze, the girl smiled warmly.
At that moment, Daniel felt as if his entire body had turned to ice.
‘A war correspondent?’
No. That was impossible.
Daniel knew exactly who this girl was.
The girl standing before him was no ordinary civilian.
She was Selvia von Amberg.
The Imperial Princess.
The future ruler of the Empire.