Having seized the mansion and delivered his warning to Count Khaledra, Daniel used the Allied Nations'' radio operator to issue a broadcast to the scattered defensive forces still engaged in skirmishes throughout the city.

    He informed them that Count Khaledra had abandoned them and fled. If they valued their lives, they were to surrender immediately.

    He added—almost as an afterthought—that if they continued to resist, he would hunt down every last one of them and execute them without exception.

    It wasn’t just a radio transmission. Daniel reinforced the message through the city’s public broadcast station, now under Imperial control.

    Once the Fenbark defense troops realized their comms had been hijacked, they began to surrender one by one, waving white flags and laying down arms. The city''s occupation proceeded smoothly.

    Daniel rounded up all captured personnel and had them confined in a nearby church designated as a temporary POW camp, then turned his attention to establishing a command post and securing communications.

    The next day.

    After establishing a secure line with Central Command, Daniel submitted his report and immediately shifted into a defensive posture.

    Troops that had entered the city for the initial offensive were repositioned, and a reserve unit was formed.

    Though Fenbark was now under Imperial control, two enemy regiments were still stationed beyond the bridge. Preparing for a potential counteroffensive was essential.

    Daniel gave orders to deploy anti-tank weapons and artillery around the city’s perimeter and approach roads. He positioned armored units along expected enemy routes of advance.

    Then, after instructing intelligence officer Phelp to schedule a formal visit to City Hall, Daniel left the city outskirts with Lucy at his side.

    He was conducting a field inspection to ensure his orders were being carried out.

    Surveying the surroundings, he noted proper fortification of field gun and mortar emplacements near the hills.

    Not far off, tanks—core assets of his unit—were positioned with their turrets aimed squarely at the forest line.

    “If they come at us, we’ll smash them to pieces. We’ve got comrades to avenge.”

    “Agreed. This time it’s not us taking the hits—it’s those bastards. We’re going to punish them, thoroughly.”

    “Angle on the emplacements is perfect. We’ve got first visual contact on them—this’ll be an easy fight.”

    There was a trace of laughter in the soldiers'' and officers’ voices—morale was high.

    One officer, spotting Daniel, stiffened and saluted at once.

    “B-Brigadier General, sir! Apologies—we didn’t expect an inspection!”

    --

    Despite being older than the young general, the officer’s salute was filled with both tension and respect.

    Daniel returned the salute and continued walking with Lucy.

    “The emplacements are solid. I don’t even need to offer any corrections.”

    Lucy nodded in agreement, though a thought lingered in her mind.

    “Brigadier General. Since we’re defending the city, we may hold the advantage in battle, but the enemy still outnumbers us. If they break through here, we’ll be forced into urban combat. Wouldn’t it be wise to secure key positions in the city ahead of time?”

    A sound tactical observation—but Lucy was missing one critical piece of information.

    “That won’t be necessary. We’re receiving reinforcements from headquarters.”

    “...Reinforcements?”

    “Yes. And this time, they’re real—not a feint. The moment the floodgates are breached, Brigadier General Heinrich’s Magitek Mobile Brigade is scheduled to begin their advance on this location.”

    Only then did Lucy understand the reason for Daniel’s calm demeanor.

    The enemy’s provisional division had been isolated when Count Khaledra abandoned his command post and fled.

    With no means of obtaining new intel, the enemy was effectively blind and deaf.

    Unable to surrender outright, they would likely attempt to retake Fenbark by leveraging their superior numbers.

    A battle here was inevitable.

    But once the elite Magitek Mobile Brigade of the Empire struck from the rear, the enemy would be caught in a pincer movement.

    Their morale would collapse under the shock of simultaneous assault—and victory would follow swiftly.

    “If there’s anything I’m worried about in this operation,” Daniel muttered, “it’s having to meet Brigadier General Heinrich again.”

    Heinrich had been the one to jokingly call Daniel a “bloodthirsty wolf” during the Nordia invasion campaign, laughing heartily as he did.

    He’d also dumped the unwanted post of garrison commander onto Daniel before conveniently vanishing.

    As far as Daniel was concerned, there were no fond memories there.

    He shook his head, as if trying to dislodge the old memories.

    “In any case, I think today’s field inspection has been sufficient. I’ll return for now. Lieutenant—you’ll stay behind and complete the rest of the inspection in my place, then report back to me.”

    “What? Ah, understood. You’re heading to City Hall?”

    At her question, Daniel nodded.

    “Yes. I have important business with the city’s mayor.”

    ****

    Meanwhile, in the City Hall reception room—

    “...Listen, /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ if there''s something you want, I’d appreciate it if you''d just say so.”

    There was a faint tremor in Mayor Kaimbolet’s voice.

    And understandably so—lined along the walls of the reception room were Daniel Steiner’s favored grenadiers, standing at evenly spaced intervals.

    All fully armed, radiating oppressive presence.

    In contrast, seated calmly across from the mayor was Intelligence Officer Phelp, his expression composed, as if inviting reassurance.

    “I don’t understand your concern, sir. Didn’t I just tell you? The Brigadier General wishes to meet and speak with you personally.”

    “Yes, I heard that... but surely we can’t just sit here like this without knowing what he wants. I mean, if you gave me even a hint, I could prepare something, anything. Don’t you agree?”

    Glancing around nervously, Kaimbolet leaned forward and whispered low enough for only Phelp to hear.

    “So... the Brigadier General. Does he want money? If that’s the case, tell him not to worry—I can arrange it quickly. If he prefers, I can prepare it in bullion instead of cash...”

    Kaimbolet trailed off mid-sentence.

    Phelp’s eyes had turned cold.

    For someone who held deep respect for Daniel, the mere implication—that this was all about money—was revolting.

    Reading the shift in atmosphere, Kaimbolet swallowed hard and leaned back.

    Phelp stared at him in silence for a moment before speaking quietly.

    “Choose your words carefully. Because right now, the one who owns Fenbark is none other than the Brigadier General.”

    There was frost in the threat. Kaimbolet nodded weakly, unsettled.

    It was just then, as Phelp returned to a calm smile—

    Creak—

    The wooden door to the reception room opened, and a tall officer entered.

    Wearing a uniform adorned with the White Dragon Order of Martial Distinction, he was a man Kaimbolet knew well: Daniel Steiner.

    Daniel met the mayor’s eyes and gave a small smile as he approached.

    Kaimbolet scrambled to his feet, but Daniel raised a hand.

    “Brigadier General Daniel Steiner. I currently command a unit under direct authority from General Staff.”

    “I—I’m Mayor Kaimbolet of Fenbark...”

    They exchanged a brief handshake, after which Daniel gestured toward the sofa.

    “Why don’t we sit down and talk?”

    “Ah... yes, that sounds best.”

    Kaimbolet obediently took a seat.

    Daniel sat across from him and placed his uniform cap on the table, exchanging a few quiet words with Phelp before turning to face the mayor again.

    “Were things less hectic, I’d prefer to share a meal and speak at length. But I’m pressed for time, so I hope you’ll understand if we handle matters here in the reception room.”

    “Of course. It’s an honor that you’re seeing me personally. May I ask what this is about?”

    “Ah, yes. That...”

    Daniel stroked his chin, as if the matter were nothing serious.

    “I’d like you to testify that Count Khaledra conducted human experimentation in Fenbark.”

    Kaimbolet’s mouth hung open.

    He had no idea things had escalated to this point. And more than that, he couldn’t understand how Daniel Steiner even knew about it.

    On top of that, being asked to betray Count Khaledra weighed on him like a stone.

    “Human experimentation? That’s...”

    Watching Daniel carefully, Kaimbolet forced a strained smile.

    “I... I don’t quite understand what you’re saying. Are you claiming human experimentation took place in my city?”

    Denying it, of course.

    Daniel wasn’t surprised—it was the expected response.

    “Mayor Kaimbolet. According to what I’ve gathered, you’ve remained in office before and after the war. You were certainly mayor when the lab was built here, weren’t you?”

    “That... well...”

    “City development projects, especially internal construction, require the mayor’s approval. Even if the military issues direct orders, the reports still reach your desk.”

    A thin smile touched Daniel’s lips.

    “So I find it hard to believe you didn’t know.”

    Kaimbolet’s eyes trembled like a man trapped with no exit.

    But he couldn’t betray Count Khaledra.

    Not out of loyalty—but because he, too, had profited greatly by turning a blind eye to the experiments in Fenbark.

    More than once, he had even actively assisted them.

    There was no choice left to him.

    Kaimbolet steeled himself.

    “A mayor doesn’t have access to every detail of military operations.”

    Daniel stared at him, then shrugged.

    “Very well. In that case, let’s see whether you’re lying or not. Would you be willing to take a lie detector test?”

    “...A lie detector?”

    “The Imperial Army has recently unveiled a new, state-of-the-art model. Since you seem curious, I’ll show you.”

    Unveiled? Not developed? Kaimbolet was confused—but before he could say anything, Daniel clapped twice.

    The door opened, and a woman in a crisp military uniform stepped in.

    Her poised presence, paired with her calm smile beneath classic lashes, had an almost sacred air to it.

    Kaimbolet blinked in confusion at Frien’s approach, then looked to Daniel as if seeking an explanation.

    “...You’re not seriously suggesting that this young lady is your lie detector, are you?”

    Kaimbolet’s face twisted with incredulity, as if he’d just heard an absurd joke.

    Then he laughed aloud.

    “You plan to extract a confession from me? I haven’t lied, of course, but how exactly do you expect this woman to catch my lies? What, is she a priestess here to take my confession?”

    Given that he knew nothing of Frien’s reputation, his response was to be expected.

    But rather than a hundred explanations, one real demonstration would suffice.

    “Well...”

    As Phelp looked at the mayor with a hint of pity, Daniel smiled quietly.

    “You’ll understand soon enough.”