I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander

The next morning, Daniel took a deep breath in front of his private office at the General Staff Headquarters upon arriving.

He felt unnecessarily tense at the thought of facing Lucie, who had come to assassinate him during the early morning before leaving.

‘Calm down, Daniel.’

From Lucie’s perspective, Daniel had simply been ‘asleep’ during the early morning hours.

Of course, if it was exposed that he had in fact been awake, it would undoubtedly create various difficulties.

Therefore, to avoid arousing suspicion, it was only proper for him to act as naturally as possible.

With that inward affirmation, Daniel turned the doorknob and opened the door.

Upon entering the office, Lucie, who had arrived earlier, stood up from her seat and saluted him.

“You have arrived, Colonel Daniel.”

Her expression was as impassive as usual.

‘…One would never think she came to kill me this morning.’

Lucie’s capability as an intelligence operative became vividly apparent.

Suppressing an eerie chill, Daniel nodded his head and walked towards his desk.

After pulling out his chair and taking a seat, he placed his briefcase on the desk and spoke.

“By the way, Adjutant. May I ask you a personal question?”

Lucie turned towards Daniel.

“Yes. Is there something you are curious about?”
“Indeed. Do you recall the conversation we had two days ago?”
“Two days ago… Ah, are you referring to the conversation we had at the entrance of the General Staff Headquarters?”

Daniel nodded.

“At that time, I mentioned that the Golden Rose Patisserie was selling Stollen for a limited time during Christmas. I checked, and it seems they become quite crowded during Christmas, so reservations are required in advance. So if your schedule is open, would you like me to make a reservation? Also…”

Daniel fidgeted with his briefcase, finding it difficult to make eye contact.

“It would be a pity to only have Stollen and leave on Christmas day, so I should also look into other forms of entertainment. As you know, many establishments operate on a reservation system during Christmas, so it’s best to make preparations now. Be sure to clearly state your intentions.”

After retrieving the necessary items from his briefcase, Daniel glanced at Lucie.

‘If Lucie asks me to make a reservation…’

He could interpret it as her having no intention to assassinate him, at least until after Christmas.

However, if she refused, it would be reasonable to assume she planned another assassination attempt before Christmas.

Of course, she could lie, but in that case, there would be subtle changes in Lucie’s expression due to her guilt, making it easy for Daniel to discern.

Daniel gazed at Lucie with heightened caution, but Lucie had interpreted Daniel’s proposal differently.

‘Not only a meal but also other forms of entertainment…’

It sounded suspiciously like a date invitation.

‘…Could Daniel be harboring feelings for me?’

Come to think of it, shielding her from the Security Bureau and concealing her status as a spy would have been impossible without at least some feelings involved.

‘However…’

Lucie had never experienced anything like a date before.

Naturally, this was also the first time she had received a date invitation.

Unsure of how to respond, Lucie’s heart rate began to accelerate.

After fidgeting with her pen for a while, Lucie gave a small nod.

“…I don’t seem to have any particular plans during that time, so making a reservation should be fine.”

It was a sincere but passive acceptance.

Relieved, Daniel lowered his briefcase and spoke.

“Then I’ll make a reservation, so don’t make any excuses at that time. And…”

As Daniel was about to elaborate on their Christmas plans, he paused.

A familiar set of footsteps could be heard approaching from the hallway outside the office.

Knock, knock–

Soon after the knocking sound, Daniel rose from his seat and said, “Come in.”

No sooner had Daniel finished speaking than the door opened, and Ernst entered.

With an imposing presence, Ernst began speaking before Daniel could even salute.

“Daniel! There’s no time to dawdle! Head to the reception room immediately!”

Causing Daniel, who had been somewhat puzzled, to lower the arm he had raised for a salute.

“Chief. I understand the hospitality department handles welcoming distinguished guests. But why must I go to the reception room?”
“Because the guest personally requested to see you!”
“They requested me? If it’s nobles or politicians from the National Assembly, I have no reason to meet them.”

Ernst tapped his chest impatiently and said, “If it were them, I wouldn’t have bothered telling you! The distinguished guest who requested you is none other than Her Royal Highness the Princess!”

Daniel blinked in astonishment.

‘Why is Selvia here?’

After swallowing a dry lump in his throat, Daniel hurried his steps.

While the reason was unclear, he could not refuse a summons from the Princess.

“Chief. Next time, please mention it’s the Princess who requested me first.”

He couldn’t help but express his dissatisfaction with Ernst.

Arriving at the reception room with brisk steps, Daniel could see Selvia seated on the sofa.

On the opposite sofa sat Cedric, the Deputy Chief of Operations.

Noticing the two conversing, Daniel approached and saluted.

“Your Royal Highness. I was informed you requested my presence.”

After setting down her cup, Selvia turned towards Daniel and gave an unnatural cough.

She had almost smiled inadvertently upon seeing him.

Reminding herself of the need to maintain decorum as the future Empress, Selvia spoke with a somewhat stern expression.

“There is an urgent matter I wish to discuss with you. Please, have a seat.”
“That won’t be necessary. Since I came during work hours, I should return immediately after hearing Your Highness’s words.”

Daniel was well aware from his experience with the total war speech that prolonged conversations with Selvia would only lead to trouble.

Hence, he politely declined.

Selvia was slightly displeased by this, but she did not show it and continued speaking.

“Very well, then listen while standing. Daniel Steiner, the Imperial Family was deeply moved by your total war speech. As such, I have a good proposal for you this time.”
“A proposal, you say?”
“Currently, the Empire is undertaking various public projects funded by the sales of war bonds. Additionally, thanks to the bond sales exceeding initial expectations, we are planning to undertake additional projects.”

Selvia gazed at Daniel with a meaningful look.

“In relation to this, I intend to grant you some authority. The authority to conceive and oversee projects as the person in charge.”
“…Your Highness? Such a burdensome task seems excessive for a mere operations staff officer.”
“Neither I nor the Imperial Family view you as a mere operations staff officer. So I would appreciate it if you could share your thoughts candidly.”

While Selvia spoke with a smile, it was a test for Daniel.

If Daniel was truly the ‘wolf’ her father warned could devour the Empire, he would likely seize this opportunity to undertake state affairs and expand his influence.

However, Daniel saw it as a chance to temporarily distance himself from the Empire.

“Your Highness. If that is your wish, then I request to be appointed as the diplomatic envoy to Velanos.”
“…Velanos?”

Velanos was a neutral country located west across the sea from the Empire.

Selvia did not understand his intention to go there as an envoy.

However, Daniel explained his reasons for wanting to go to Velanos in a serious tone.

“Yes. As Your Highness is aware, the Empire will soon face the Three Nations. Eventually, what the Empire needs most right now are weapons and manpower. So it would be appropriate for me to go to Velanos to import weapons and hire mercenaries.”

It was not an incorrect statement.

This was indeed something the Empire’s leadership had considered.

However, there were many suitable candidates for the position of envoy to Velanos besides Daniel Steiner.

In other words, it was a task that did not necessarily require Daniel.

Yet he was volunteering himself, leaving Selvia at a loss.

“Is that truly the case? So… you wish to be dispatched to Velanos as an envoy?”
“That is correct. I am sincere.”

From Daniel’s perspective, he wished to ‘escape’ to Velanos as soon as possible.

Consider the domestic situation.

Politicians and nobles were itching to get rid of Daniel, the Emperor harbored some misunderstanding and was wary of him, and his adjutant Lucie was targeting his life.

He could not shake the feeling of being caught in the eye of a storm.

Hence, Daniel intended to take a breather by pretending to carry out diplomatic duties abroad for a while.

Of course, oblivious to Daniel’s true intentions, Selvia could not comprehend what he was thinking.

After brief contemplation, Selvia nodded in acknowledgment.

“Since your resolve seems firm, I shall consider it positively. You may return for now.”
“Yes, Your Royal Highness.”

After bowing to show his courtesy, Daniel turned and walked away.

Watching his elegant figure depart, Selvia turned towards Cedric seated across from her.

“…What do you think?”

Cedric, who had listened to their conversation, answered.

“In my view, it is a truly wise decision.”

Cedric gave a rare smile.

“Daniel Steiner has a history of subjugating Duke Velbar by leveraging Your Royal Highness’s authority. As such, he has sufficiently earned the ire of the nobles and the politicians funded by those nobles.”

Picking up tongs from the table, Cedric grabbed a sugar cube and dropped it into his coffee with a plop.

“That resentment must have reached its peak after this total war speech, as they likely perceive Daniel Steiner as a threat to their positions. The more extreme among them may even argue for politically isolating Daniel Steiner.”

With an exaggerated motion, Cedric picked up a spoon and stirred his coffee.

“There are even rumors that His Majesty the Emperor is wary of Daniel Steiner. In this situation, if Daniel were to extend his influence by involving himself in state affairs under the pretext of expanding his authority, what would happen?”
“…The politicians and nobles might unite to attack Colonel Daniel.”
“Exactly. So Daniel intends to conceal his presence within the system by being appointed as the idle envoy to Velanos, thereby dispelling their resentment.”

The sugar cube slowly dissolved into the coffee.

“Once their resentment subsides, opinions may arise among the parliamentarians that Daniel is not acting out of self-interest but truly for the nation. At that point…”

After setting down the spoon, Cedric picked up a napkin and wiped off the coffee stains.

“Factional conflicts will inevitably occur. Typically between parties with opposing ideologies, such as the Central Ethnic Party and the Liberal Society Party. This is what we call an ‘isysei.’ From Daniel Steiner’s perspective, it’s a situation where he can sit back and watch without lifting a finger.”

After taking a sip of coffee and setting down the cup, Cedric continued.

“Of course, this is merely my speculation, but I cannot find any other reason for Daniel’s insistence on the idle position of envoy to Velanos.”

Having listened to Cedric’s explanation, Selvia inadvertently broke out in a cold sweat.

If Cedric’s words were true, then Daniel was indeed the dangerous individual her father had warned about.

However, it was too early to jump to conclusions.

“…Does the Deputy Chief think Daniel’s professed loyalty to the Imperial Family is false?”

Blinking once, Cedric shook his head.

“In my view, Daniel Steiner’s loyalty is genuine. There are too many inconsistencies to view all his actions as purely self-serving. However, whether that loyalty is directed towards the Imperial Family or the Empire itself, I cannot say for certain.”

If Daniel’s loyalty was towards the Imperial Family, there would be no issues.

However, if his loyalty was solely for the development of the great Empire… the nation itself?

The moment Daniel deemed the Imperial Family incompetent, the consequences would be far from pleasant.

“Your Royal Highness.”

With his characteristic piercing gaze, Cedric offered Selvia sincere advice.

“You must swiftly secure Daniel Steiner’s allegiance. If you fail to gain Daniel Steiner’s allegiance…”

After a brief pause, Cedric continued.

“You will have a more formidable adversary within than the Allied Nations.”