Orders Are Absolute

    As a soldier, orders must be followed.

    That included me. Refusing wasn’t an option.

    And so, with no other choice, I led my company—who had arrived late—forward as the rear support unit for the brigade, advancing toward the enemy base.

    We marched through the dark tunnel, relying on flashlights, until we spotted light filtering through cracks in the ceiling. Emerging cautiously, we found ourselves in the middle of the enemy’s supply base.

    It was a massive warehouse packed with supplies.

    The soldiers guarding it, however, were strewn across the floor—lifeless bodies riddled with bullet holes.

    Clearly, the work of the brigade soldiers who had breached the area first.

    The stench of blood made me grimace just as the rest of my company’s officers and soldiers climbed up after me.

    “Well, what a grand celebration they’ve thrown here.”

    Lieutenant McCall was the first to speak.

    I nodded vaguely before stepping outside through the wide-open doors of the warehouse.

    The dim tunnel lights gave way to bright sunlight, illuminating the entire area.

    A quick glance around revealed a scene no different from inside.

    The Allied soldiers guarding the base were all dead.

    Strangely, there were barely any Imperial casualties in sight.

    Even if this had been a surprise attack, the difference in skill was staggering.

    I almost felt sorry for the Kingdom’s forces.

    Clicking my tongue in irritation, I flinched as a sudden explosion echoed nearby.

    Turning my head, I saw artillery shells raining down on the city.

    Fortunately, it wasn’t indiscriminate bombardment.

    The strikes were concentrated on military installations, sparing civilian areas.

    It was proof that the Empire was still adhering to wartime international law.

    Though whether the soldiers themselves would abide by such laws remained questionable.

    Through the warehouse’s open doors, I could already see Imperial soldiers butchering their enemies.

    Kingdom soldiers were tumbling out of shattered windows in nearby buildings, their bodies hitting the ground with sickening thuds.

    The urban warfare unfolding before me was almost too efficient—an overwhelming display of Imperial dominance.

    ‘So this is the Magic Mobile Corps, the Empire’s so-called elites...’

    I couldn’t help but be impressed when a light-brown-haired woman suddenly appeared beside me.

    It was Frien.

    “A gruesome sight,” she said.

    Surprised to hear something rational from her for once, I turned to see her standing in a solemn, almost prayerful posture.

    “They must have been human once too. How could they not realize that shaking hands with beasts would turn them into beasts themselves? They deserve divine punishment, but their sins are still tragic.”

    Right. Of course, Frien wasn’t actually being reasonable.

    As I stared at her with mild exasperation, Lieutenant McCall spoke up.

    “I knew this operation would be one-sided, but I didn’t expect it to be this overwhelming. It almost feels wrong—like we’re bullying children.”

    His dark humor earned a laugh from Sergeant Glendy.

    “Perfect analogy, sir! Still, thinking to reverse-engineer their supply routes and infiltrate like this—our captain really does see several steps ahead of the battlefield!”

    “...It was just luck,” I muttered.

    “Hahaha! Modesty, too? Captain, how can I not admire you? So, are we joining the brigade next?”

    That meant civilians weren’t being targeted. As long as they disguised themselves as refugees and blended into the evacuation, they could slip away unnoticed.

    “But, sir... Are you really going through with this retreat?”

    The Kingdom’s forces without their leadership were as good as dead—everyone knew it.

    The officer voiced his concern, but it only made Lafunay’s blood boil.

    “We were finished the moment we got surrounded! The only reason we lasted this long was because our supply lines were intact—but now those bastards turned our own routes against us! Do you seriously think we still have a chance?!”

    “...No, sir. But if we were to make a last stand—”

    “Don’t be ridiculous! Staying in a losing battle is idiotic and suicidal!”

    He didn’t say it out loud, but the same didn’t apply to his soldiers—they’d be left behind.

    “...Understood.”

    Seeing no hope of changing Lafunay’s mind, the officer fell silent.

    With a final glare, Lafunay rounded the corner—and froze.

    The coast.

    It was just within reach.

    Victory wasn’t possible, but survival? Survival was right there.

    But as soon as Lafunay and his men stepped out of the alley, they came to an abrupt halt.

    “What...?”

    Before them stood a unit of Imperial soldiers dressed in black uniforms.

    Roughly 200 of them.

    At the head of the formation was an Imperial officer, sunlight glinting off the Gukseon Medal on his chest.

    Lafunay swallowed hard.

    The elite bodyguards he’d brought for protection barely numbered fifty.

    He’d deliberately kept the group small to avoid attracting attention, but now that decision felt like a death sentence.

    ‘But how?!’

    How had the enemy anticipated this escape route?

    Lafunay hadn’t dared send any communications, fearing interception. This had to be impossible.

    Then again, Daniel Steiner—standing at the front of the Imperial troops—was just as confused.

    ‘...Why the hell is the Steel Division’s command staff here?’

    He’d come to the coast hoping to avoid battle entirely, yet somehow he’d stumbled onto the enemy’s leadership.

    Unfortunately, his soldiers didn’t seem to share his bewilderment.

    Click.

    As one, the Imperial troops raised their rifles, aiming directly at the Kingdom officers.

    Sergeant Glendy grinned, raising his weapon along with the others.

    “Captain... Was this your plan all along? Honestly, I’m starting to find you terrifying.”

    Terrifying? Daniel felt the same.

    The weight of yet another victory sinking into his shoulders made him want to groan, but he couldn’t let it show.

    “Arrest them,” he ordered coldly.

    Lafunay’s soldiers hesitated, their grips on their weapons faltering.

    “If anyone resists, shoot them.”

    Daniel’s icy command sent shivers down their spines.

    One by one, the Kingdom soldiers dropped their weapons.

    It was the unspoken acknowledgment of their defeat—and the fall of Nordia.