After a grueling journey back from the Bardenplatz Plains, I stepped out of the vehicle, my whole body screaming in exhaustion.
'I'm going to die...'
Aside from short stops to eat and rest, I had been on the road for nearly three days without pause.
Even back at the academy, I'd barely passed the physical endurance tests. So this forced march? Pure torture.
I'd hoped to avoid going anywhere near the Eastern Front, but with the discovery of oil, I had no choice but to check it out myself.
And sure enough, the black liquid bubbling up from the Bardenplatz Plains turned out to be oil.
'Well… of course it was.'
The logistics officers weren't idiots. They could tell the difference between sewage and crude oil.
Still, I insisted on going in person. If nothing else, it might help divert Headquarters' attention from me—even just a little.
Running around acting like a hard-working rookie was better than being seen as some lucky officer coasting off past achievements.
Not that it would do much to downplay the magnitude of this "discovery."
With a tired sigh, I loosened my tie and headed toward the main building.
As much as I wanted to collapse into my dorm bed, skipping a return report wasn't exactly an option.
"Ah! Lieutenant Daniel Steiner! Welcome back."
As I entered the Operations Staff Chief's office and saluted, Ernst greeted me with his usual warm smile.
But I wasn't about to be fooled by it. I held my salute and got straight to the point.
"Reporting in, sir. I've completed the inspection of the Bardenplatz Plains at the Eastern Rear Line—"
"They found oil, right? That news has already spread through Headquarters—and the rest of the Empire—so you can skip the formalities. Relax."
At his signal, I dropped my salute and stood at ease.
"These days, everyone's singing your praises, Lieutenant. That includes the brass. Discovering an oil field? Even I couldn't manage something like that."
"You flatter me, sir."
And it was just that—flattery. I hadn't discovered anything. I just showed up late and confirmed what everyone already knew.
Ernst seemed to take my humility as modesty and chuckled softly.
"They're already talking about promoting you again because of it. I'm on board, but… things aren't going as smoothly as I'd hoped."
"…Objections, sir?"
"Officially, yes. They're saying it would be excessive to promote someone again so soon—especially without actual combat experience. But personally, I think it's your background that's holding things up."
Ernst had chosen his words carefully, but the meaning was clear: some higher-ups didn't like the idea of giving more power to an orphan.
I got it.
Even after the Kingdom of Bavaria rebranded itself as the Holy Bavarian Empire and "abolished" social class distinctions, the truth was that the old ways were still deeply rooted.
Most of the Empire's leaders still came from noble families. The titles may have changed, but many regions were still called baronies and counties.
In a society where the "anti-discrimination law" existed only on paper, it was no surprise that someone like me—a decorated officer with no noble blood—would face resistance.
If I hadn't regained memories of my past life, I might have been furious.
But now? I was grateful.
Delaying my promotion? Great. Honestly, I wanted to shake their hands.
"If that's the higher-ups' stance, I'll comply," I said calmly.
Ernst looked at me with faint admiration.
"I thought you'd be frustrated. Impressive. No wonder Brigadier General Heinrich thinks so highly of you."
He let out a small laugh—then his face grew serious.
"In a just society, a man's rank should match his ability. Wouldn't you agree, Lieutenant?"
There was something about his tone that made it feel less like a question and more like a test.
"Yes, sir."
"I'm glad you agree. In that case, I want you to head to the Northern Front."
…The Northern Front?
I froze for a moment, then quickly spoke up.
"The Northern Front, sir?"
"Yes. As you know, the tide has turned in our favor there. It's the perfect opportunity to earn combat experience. Go rack up some achievements—and give the brass exactly what they're asking for. Then, there'll be no more excuses."
He said it like he was doing me a favor. But for me? It felt like being sent to the gallows.
Anyone trying to get discharged would want to scream in this situation.
Still, I couldn't let my panic show.
"Is this a permanent reassignment, sir? Am I being transferred to a frontline unit…?"
"Of course not. You'll be temporarily attached to a unit under direct HQ command. Just go, make your mark, and come back. Then Brigadier General Heinrich and I will personally push your promotion."
Ernst leaned forward, lowering his voice.
"When that happens, you'll become a full Operations Officer—not just an assistant. You'll even get an aide to handle your paperwork. It'll be a much easier life."
Translation: Suffer now, benefit later.
I wanted to yell, Who said I want that?! But I couldn't exactly shout at a superior.
Still, there might be a way out.
"Sir, may I ask how the unit will be structured?"
"Given your rank, it'll be a platoon-sized unit."
"In that case, may I select the members myself?"
Ernst blinked in surprise, then smiled.
"There's no reason you can't. Where do you plan to recruit from?"
"Since the front lines are already short-staffed, I'll recruit mainly from the rear."
"Any candidates in mind?"
"No, sir. I plan to open recruitment to all rear units and select from the applicants. Everyone deserves a fair chance to serve."
Ernst looked genuinely impressed.
"Excellent. Proceed."
"Yes, sir."
I returned to my desk, picked up a pen, and began drafting the notice:
Northern Front Reinforcement Recruitment Notice
Attention, Soldiers!
A fierce battle rages in the North to protect the sacred lands of our Empire!
I seek those willing to lay down their lives for the glory of the Empire!
Covet not the comforts of life—become the bedrock of our nation through death!
Join me! Destroy, crush, and annihilate our enemies!
We desire only the deaths of our foes!
Positions Available:
Northern Front Reinforcements – 20 Soldiers
Eligibility:
Willing to offer your heart to the Empire.
No expectation of survival.
Committed to die if duty demands it.
Commanding Officer:
Lieutenant Daniel Steiner, Operations Officer
(No combat experience. But unmatched devotion to the Empire.)
Glory to the Empire!
Holy Bavarian Empire – General Staff Office
Northern Front Reinforcement Recruitment Center
'Perfect.'
Not a single word about survival—just death.
No one in their right mind would sign up.
I even highlighted my lack of combat experience. Any sane person would steer clear of this mess.
Rear-line soldiers would laugh and ignore it. If the few who applied were unfit, I could reject them with good reason.
Then the operation would be canceled—and my promotion, too.
A win-win.
'Genius!'
Satisfied, I headed to Personnel.
The Next Day
I had just started my morning routine when someone knocked at the door.
It was the Personnel Officer, holding a folder.
"Lieutenant Steiner? About the recruitment notice you sent out yesterday..."
Seeing only one folder, I assumed the drive had flopped.
Smiling inwardly, I put on a look of polite disappointment.
"I suppose there weren't many willing to risk their lives for the Empire. A shame."
"Huh? No, quite the opposite."
...What?
Before I could respond, he clapped his hands.
"Bring them in."
Five soldiers entered, arms shaking as they carried stacks of application forms.
"Congratulations. In just one day, you received over 2,176 applications. No further recruitment needed."
He beamed at me like I was some national hero.
All I could think was:
'Why the hell are so many people signing up for this?!'