I paused mid-drink, staring blankly at the soldier in front of me.
His face was lit with excitement and admiration—an expression that instantly made me uneasy.
At first, I'd been annoyed at the interruption. After all, I was enjoying some rare peace in the officers' club after hours. But now, that annoyance had been replaced by something else entirely.
He'd just delivered news that the construction site for the logistics depot had turned out to be an oil field.
Surely I'd misheard him. Please, let me have misheard him.
Wiping the cold sweat from my brow, I set down my glass and asked,
"Soldier, could you repeat that one more time?"
"Of course, sir! A massive oil deposit was discovered at the site where Lieutenant Daniel Steiner ordered the logistics depot! Captain Arnob Haupt asked me to deliver the news to you personally, sir!"
The soldier's voice was far too loud.
It was as if he were bragging about my achievement for everyone to hear.
Thanks to him, not just the bartender, but officers from other departments had turned to look at me.
"...Oil at the logistics site?"
"Who found it? Don't tell me it was that rookie."
"Wait, isn't that Lieutenant Daniel Steiner?"
"You don't know him? He's the one who caught that spy. Even the Central Intelligence took a hit because of him. And that hill ambush incident too..."
The stares and murmurs were closing in like a noose.
'Yeah… I'm never coming back to this club again.'
If I stayed here any longer, it'd feel like sitting on a bed of nails. I stood up.
"If what the logistics officer reported is true, I'll need to inspect the site myself."
Adjusting my uniform, I grabbed my cap from the bar table.
"I'll seek permission from the Operations Staff Chief. Thank you for the report, soldier."
I tipped my cap in acknowledgment. The soldier saluted, looking almost moved to tears.
"It's an honor to be of service, Lieutenant Steiner!"
I returned the salute casually and walked out, frowning.
'The location I picked specifically because it was the worst possible place turns out to be an oil field? This has to be a mistake.'
Yes, surely it was a mistake.
Oil was a critical strategic resource in warfare. Tanks, trucks, and aircraft depended on it. Controlling oil fields could win—or lose—a war.
If this discovery was real, my standing in the Imperial Army would become… unshakable.
And that meant my dream of a dishonorable discharge would drift even further away.
'Please. Let this be a mistake.'
Ten days later…
It wasn't.
After wading through layers of bureaucracy, I finally inspected the site.
And there it was—crude oil gushing from the ground in the middle of the Bardenplatz Plains.
Drilling rigs roared in full operation. I could only grimace.
"Do you see that? That's the oil Lieutenant Steiner discovered!"
"Haha!" Sergeant Vinter Enfeld laughed, punching the air in triumph. If I weren't an officer, he probably would've hugged me.
Funny. When I first gave the construction order, this guy had looked at me like I was an idiot. Now? He looked at me like a national hero.
As I glared at Vinter in annoyance, Captain Arnob Haupt—the logistics officer—spoke.
"Lieutenant Steiner, on behalf of the logistics department, thank you. Reports suggest there's enough oil underground to supply the Empire for the next 27 years. This is a tremendous weapon for the Empire."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. I've contacted the railway department. We plan to connect this depot to the main rail network and end our reliance on imports."
Wasn't this the same Arnob Haupt who was always cynical and grumpy?
When we first met, the man was borderline nihilistic. Now his eyes sparkled with hope—and maybe euphoria.
Meanwhile, I let out a long sigh.
What was the point of earning merits for an empire destined to fall?
Arnob must've misunderstood my sigh, thinking it was one of relief. His gaze softened.
"You've only been commissioned for four months, and you've already achieved three major feats. I wouldn't be surprised if you're promoted again soon."
"Haha! That's right!" Vinter chimed in. "At this rate, Lieutenant Steiner might outrank the captain! Wouldn't that be something?"
I appreciated the praise, but honestly? I felt miserable.
"You're too kind. I have no desire for any further promotions."
As soon as the words left my mouth, both men froze and stared at me.
Did I say something wrong?
Arnob cleared his throat, his tone suddenly serious.
"...I still have much to learn. Hearing someone say that with such humility makes me feel ashamed for thinking promotion is a reward."
"Lieutenant Steiner… such noble resolve…" Vinter added in awe.
Wait, weren't these the same guys who laughed at me like I was a joke during the first inspection?
I held my tongue. From their perspective, my refusal to seek promotion must've looked like selfless patriotism.
In reality, I just wanted out.
But there was no reason for them to know that.
"Now that the inspection's over, I'll return to Headquarters and file my report. I trust the two of you will handle the rest."
"Leave it to us."
Arnob saluted. I lowered my hand and turned away.
After climbing into a military jeep, I gave the order.
"Let's go."
"Yes, sir."
As the vehicle jolted over the rough, unpaved road, I adjusted my collar.
In the rearview mirror, Arnob and Vinter still stood at attention, watching me like they were seeing off a general.
I looked away quickly.
'Yeah. I'm definitely not coming back here.'
The discovery spread like wildfire.
Newspapers ran their presses non-stop. Street vendors shouted headlines. The Empire was abuzz.
Even the Imperial Royal Family heard the news.
"Is it true? A massive oil field was found in the Bardenplatz Plains? Who discovered it?"
The speaker was none other than Princess Selvia von Amberg, with sapphire-blue eyes and hair like golden sunlight.
Kaspar Benedict, the Quartermaster General, carefully set down his utensils. Despite being a four-star general, he was still beneath the princess in rank—and influence.
"It is true, Your Highness. The heavens have gifted us with a strategic treasure."
"It wasn't the heavens," Selvia cut in.
Kaspar flinched. Was she about to commit blasphemy?
But that wasn't her intent.
"It wasn't the heavens who discovered the oil—it was a person. I asked you who."
"He's… an orphan, Your Highness. Hardly worth—"
Her gaze turned icy.
"Quartermaster General. Since when has the Empire judged merit by birth? Or have you forgotten we're at war?"
A subtle but sharp rebuke.
Kaspar understood. He bowed and gave the name.
"To my knowledge, it was First Lieutenant Daniel Steiner. He's currently the Acting Operations Officer in the General Staff Office."
A lieutenant?
She'd assumed the discovery came from a well-connected noble or a decorated officer. But a mere lieutenant?
'How interesting…'
No political ties. A blank slate. Someone she could mold—perhaps even recruit.
If he was truly as capable as the reports suggested, she needed him on her side.
After all, the road to the throne required allies.
"Daniel Steiner, hmm…"
Tapping her fingers on the table, Selvia let a faint smile form.
'I'll have to meet him soon.'