Mistaken for a War Hero

Chapter 1
The Only Way to Escape the Empire

There’s a game called “Empire of Emperor.”

Literally translated, it means “Emperor’s Empire,” and it was one of the fantasy war games set in the modern era.

The main objective of the game is to stop the Empire, a militaristic nation attempting to unify the world based on its overwhelming national power.

It wasn’t a very popular game, but it was my favorite because of the incredibly rich interactions between the NPCs.

For instance, even among farmers, their values differed depending on their region and country.

Soldiers didn’t just move mechanically; they each harbored their own grievances, and if the command failed to address them, desertion and rebellion would occur.

Furthermore, depending on the player’s actions, an allied NPC could become an enemy, and conversely, an enemy NPC could become an ally.

Truly a god-tier game!

Even the slightest variation in gameplay would trigger a new story, making it the best game for me.

One flaw, however, was that no matter how you played, the Empire was destined for destruction.

In the first place, it was inevitable since the main character controlled by the player belonged to the Allied Nations, the Empire’s enemy.

The problem was that this ‘inevitable fate’ had befallen me.

“As you all know, the Allied Nations have formed an encirclement around the infantry division that has entered enemy territory, 3km from the first line of defense and 5km from the second. I’m sure everyone understands that we need to break through this to turn the tide of the war.”

I look at the man speaking in a solemn voice.

A middle-aged man with a scarred, wrinkled face, he is someone I know well.

【Commander of the 1st Magic Mobile Army Operations Command, Brigadier General Heinrich Schmidt】

He was a named NPC that you were bound to encounter while playing the game.

‘That means…’

It coincided with the notion that I was currently inside the game world.

I wanted to deny it, but the operation map spread out on the command table and the eagle-shaped emblem majestically displayed behind Heinrich repeatedly reminded me that this was indeed the world within the game.

And as far as I know, there was only one place where that eagle emblem was used as a military symbol.

『Holy Bavarian Empire』

Yes. This was the heart of the Empire, where defeat was certain in the game’s ending.

What was I doing in the heart of this Empire? After racking my brain, I recalled my title.

【Deputy Operations Planning Staff Officer of the Imperial General Staff Headquarters, Second Lieutenant Daniel Steiner】

Ironically, I was the Deputy Operations Planning Staff Officer of the Imperial Military Headquarters.

If I had recalled my title without knowing that the Empire was destined to lose, I would have popped a champagne bottle, celebrating that I had secured an elite course.

However, knowing that the Empire was doomed, this title was worth less than trash.

‘In the ending, for sure…’

The leadership of the war criminal Empire would not escape execution.

As long as I remain here, I too will vanish, becoming a dewdrop on the execution grounds.

That cannot happen. I haven’t survived this long to die a dog’s death.

Though I wished to apply for discharge, the Empire mandates an 8-year compulsory service period for officers.

It means this isn’t a job I can quit just because I want to.

Then, what should I do to get out of here?

As I broke out in a cold sweat, I clenched my fist at a sudden realization.

‘Dishonorable discharge…!’

If I were deemed unfit at a court-martial, I could receive a dishonorable discharge.

That way, I wouldn’t have to follow the military’s control anymore.

It meant becoming a free man, able to leave the Empire—

“Second Lieutenant?”

Heinrich’s call made my shoulders flinch.

Looking up, I saw Heinrich and the other military officers staring at me.

“You seemed to be engrossed in our military situation while looking down at the operation map. Have you come up with any strategies?”

I have indeed. I’ve thought of the only way for me to escape the Empire.

Hesitating for a moment under the weight of the senior officers’ gazes, I cleared my throat.

Meanwhile, I quickly calculated in my head.

‘…This might be my chance for a dishonorable discharge.’

Why did Heinrich ask me for a strategy? He gave me a voice because, as the Deputy Operations Planning Staff Officer, he assumed I had learned something through observation.

He probably wanted to hear the opinion of an enthusiastic young man, setting aside the rigid and inflexible ideas of the senior officers.

He doesn’t discriminate against rank or person when embracing opinions. That’s the kind of man Heinrich was.

However, I had no intention of meeting Heinrich’s expectations.

Because I had absolutely no desire to be a crew member on a sinking ship.

“Commander.”

Therefore, I decided to give the wrong answer instead of the right one, aiming for a dishonorable discharge.

“With all due respect, through which route do you intend to send reinforcements to rescue our troops stranded in enemy territory?”

“Hmm. Following the advice of the staff, we plan to advance through the hills of the Tevita Mountains. According to intelligence, that’s where the enemy’s defenses are weakest.”

“The Tevita Mountains…”

After a brief pause, I said,

“Then I implore you to reconsider your decision.”

Instantly, silence fell over the conference room.

It’s natural for them to be surprised when a mere Second Lieutenant, newly commissioned, asks them to reconsider a decision made after considering the opinions of the staff and the intelligence report.

Despite the uncomfortable silence and the intimidating glares of the senior officers, I continued speaking calmly.

“Commander. Don’t you find it strange? Why is it that amidst the enemy’s strict patrol and defenses, only the hills of the Tevita Mountains have lax security?”

“You seem suspicious, Lieutenant?”

“Yes. It’s as if the enemy is luring us in. It seems like they’re encouraging us to advance through the hills of the Tevita Mountains.”

It was just plausible nonsense.

After all, the Central Intelligence Agency’s report was bound to be more accurate than my delusion.

Nevertheless, I pressed on. My goal, from the start, was a dishonorable discharge.

So, it was crucial to present myself as an incompetent individual through absurd sophistry.

“Surely, the enemy is lying in wait with a trap set near the hills of the Tevita Mountains.”

“Your basis?”

“My intuition tells me so.”

As I stood firm, one of Heinrich’s eyebrows twitched.

Letting out a hollow laugh, Heinrich tapped the table.

“What’s your name and rank?”

“Deputy Operations Staff Officer, Second Lieutenant Daniel Steiner.”

“Good. Daniel Steiner. Your words are a direct contradiction to the staff’s opinion. You are aware of that, correct?”

“Yes, sir.”

“If we were to listen to you, we would have to conduct reconnaissance missions in all directions, delaying our advance. Can you take responsibility for the consequences?”

He was saying that if my opinion was accepted and proved to be an unnecessary worry, I should be prepared for disciplinary action.

This was precisely the scenario I desired.

“If my prediction is wrong, I will gladly take off my uniform and withdraw from the military.”

As soon as I finished speaking, the conference room was in an uproar.

Sounds of criticism and disapproval could be heard from everywhere.

Among them, the Operations Staff Officer, my direct superior, frowned and opened his mouth.

“Second Lieutenant Daniel! You are being too impertinent! Do you have any idea where you are…?”

The Operations Staff Officer, about to scold me, stopped mid-sentence and closed his mouth.

Heinrich had raised his hand to stop him.

“Second Lieutenant Daniel Steiner. There’s no harm in being cautious, so I’ll trust you this once.”

He continued with a smile.

“But keep in mind. Once words are spoken, they cannot be taken back. If your words cause harm to the Empire, I will not hesitate to convene a court-martial.”

For a moment, Heinrich’s dark eyes narrowed.

“Do you understand?”

An overwhelming pressure sent chills down my spine.

As expected of a man who climbed to the rank of general after experiencing all sorts of battles.

He was a figure who knew how to add weight to his words.

In any other situation, I would have lowered my head or averted my gaze, overwhelmed by the atmosphere, but since I was aiming for a dishonorable discharge, there was no need to avoid the commander’s gaze.

I gave a faint smile without avoiding Heinrich’s eyes.

“That is what I desire, Commander.”

***

The next morning.

Officer dormitory, Imperial General Staff Headquarters.

Knock, knock—

The knocking sound gently wakes me up.

Turning my head to look at the alarm clock, it wasn’t time to wake up yet.

A knock this early in the morning? Who could it be?

As I blinked my eyes in a daze, another knock sounded.

“Second Lieutenant Daniel Steiner! The Commander summons you! Wake up!”

At the mention of the Commander, my eyes flew open.

“Ah, yes sir!”

I quickly answered, got out of bed, swiftly changed clothes, and opened the door.

Beyond the door stood an officer wearing the same Imperial military uniform as me.

Judging by the three diamonds on his shoulder epaulets, he was a captain, my superior.

“…Are you Second Lieutenant Daniel Steiner?”

“Yes, sir. But may I ask why the Commander has summoned me?”

Actually, I had a good idea. They must have sent a large reconnaissance team to the hills based on my opinion, but it turned out to be a wild goose chase.

Wasting manpower in wartime is a sin, so the Commander probably summoned me to reprimand me for my incompetence.

Heinrich, who must have branded me as human trash, would soon convene a court-martial.

Then, I would simply admit my guilt and take off my uniform. It was a free pass to a dishonorable discharge.

Depending on the situation, I might even face imprisonment, but spending a few years in prison was better than being beheaded as a member of the war criminal Empire’s leadership, so I could endure it.

Feeling relieved that things were going according to plan, I noticed a smile playing on the captain’s lips.

Was he mocking me? No, wait a minute. Something felt strange.

“You may rejoice, Lieutenant. Thanks to your accurate intuition, our army was able to prevent casualties in advance. The Commander has summoned you to discuss a reward for that.”

…What?

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