I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander

As I walked down the corridor after leaving the reception room, I inwardly exclaimed in delight.

‘Excellent!’

When Selvia had summoned me, I thought some misfortune awaited me again, but it turned out to be a mere false alarm.

Selvia’s proposal was closer to good fortune than misfortune.

‘Even without this, my presence in the capital was becoming increasingly uncomfortable in various ways…’

Being presented with a legal opportunity to reside abroad filled me with joy.

Moreover, since Selvia, who was serving as regent, had said she would consider it positively, my appointment as the envoy to Velanos was practically confirmed.

‘Indeed, there is always a way out when facing adversity.’

The proverb about a lifeline appearing even when the sky falls resonated with me.

‘In fact…’

If I became the envoy to Velanos, I would undoubtedly receive good treatment.

As a neutral country, they would not want to provoke conflict with the Empire, which possesses the world’s foremost military might.

Therefore, being dispatched as the envoy to Velanos was akin to a vacation from my perspective.

Merely escaping the threats lurking in the capital was gratifying enough, but the prospect of receiving hospitality while residing abroad made me smile inadvertently.

Not concealing my joyful mood, I returned to my private office and opened the door but paused.

Ernst, the Chief of Operations, was waiting inside the office.

“…Chief? You haven’t left yet?”

In response to my puzzled inquiry, Ernst, who had been leaning against the wall, cleared his throat.

“I was curious about what you discussed with Her Royal Highness the Princess. Could you perhaps share a brief account with me?”

Thanks to his sly request, I understood why Ernst had waited here.

Holding a chief position at the General Staff Headquarters meant, in other words, that he was someone who had made a name for himself in both operational and political spheres.

Therefore, it was only natural for him to desire an informational advantage regarding the news that ‘the Princess had visited the General Staff Headquarters in person.’

Ernst was fundamentally a trustworthy individual, so I did not wish to refuse him, but this was not a matter to be openly discussed.

“While I would love to inform you, since it has not been finalized, it would be best to treat it as confidential for now.”
“Confidential, huh… I see. But if possible, could you give me an autograph? My daughter is a fan of yours, you see.”

An autograph? I stood there, dumbfounded, as Ernst extended his arms, which had been folded behind his back.

In his hands were two sheets of paper and a fountain pen.

“I’ve already boasted to her that Daniel Steiner serves under me, but if I can’t even bring back an autograph, it’ll be a blow to my reputation. Please, consider it a small favor to help a father save face.”

Could this really be his true intention?

Inadvertently letting out a chuckle, I accepted the paper and fountain pen Ernst offered.

As it was a superior’s request, I could hardly refuse.

“…But why are there two sheets?”

Ernst furtively glanced at Lucie before whispering loud enough for only me to hear.

“Actually, my wife is also a fan of yours. At dinner last night, she scolded me, saying if I have time to collect useless stamps, I should at least get Colonel Daniel’s autograph… That shrew of a wife, honestly.”

Letting out a deep sigh, Ernst spoke with a serious expression.

“You should never get married. The person who seemed like an angel during courtship turned into a demon after marriage. Frankly, every day is a struggle. If not for our adorable child, I might have already run away.”

I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of pity.

“You have my condolences.”

After commiserating with Ernst’s words, Daniel signed both sheets of paper and returned them.

Upon receiving the autographs, Ernst wore a satisfied smile, but then he suddenly raised his hand as if remembering something.

“Ah, I almost forgot. There was a letter I meant to pass on to you.”

Ernst reached into his pocket and rummaged around before retrieving an envelope.

“A letter arrived at the Operations Department addressed to you. It was from the Military Academy. Do you have any idea who it might be from?”
“The Military Academy, you say…”

Could it be from Prien?

For some inexplicable reason, a sense of gloom overcame me as I accepted the letter.

“I’ll read it first.”

Upon breaking the seal and unfolding the letter, neat handwriting revealed itself.

[“Dear Colonel Daniel,

You, whom I respect and admire, Colonel Daniel.

I apologize for making you read this letter amidst your busy duties.

However, as I am nearing early graduation from the Military Academy, I deemed it appropriate to report this to you.

Thanks to the Headmaster recognizing my outstanding academic performance and achievements in the Northern Front.

Truly a fortunate development, is it not?

Soon, under your command, I will be able to exterminate all the beasts trying to ally with the Allied Nations.

Colonel Daniel must share the same sentiment as me.

You showed your true feelings towards the Allied Nations’ beasts without reserve during your total war speech.

You have no idea how many tears of emotion I shed after listening to that total war speech.

As a result, my faith and loyalty to the Empire have grown even stronger.

Ah, I have so much more to convey, but it seems I must conclude as lights-out approaches.

Let me say that I would gladly sacrifice my life for you, Colonel Daniel.

Eagerly awaiting our reunion, Prien Remilliart.”]

After finishing the letter, I looked at Ernst with a sense of trepidation.

“…Chief. Surely Prien hasn’t been assigned to the General Staff Headquarters?”

Ernst nodded.

“Prien did apply for a position in the units directly under the General Staff Headquarters, and the Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief are considering it positively, so she will likely join the Headquarters.”

This caused me to inadvertently sigh, but I could endure it for today.

‘Good news is always accompanied by bad news.’

Considering the happiness I would enjoy as the envoy to Velanos, Prien’s misfortune of joining the General Staff Headquarters could be sufficiently offset.

‘So for now…’

Instead of dwelling on future misfortunes, I should savor the present happiness.

That evening, in the banquet hall of the Edrian Palace.

“Daniel Steiner is being dispatched as the envoy to Velanos?”

In response to Count Calredra’s incredulous question, Beck, the Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, nodded.

“Yes. According to intelligence, Princess Selvia, who is serving as regent, has instructed the Foreign Ministry to appoint Daniel Steiner as the envoy to Velanos.”

The banquet hall, where dignitaries from other nations had been invited, was bustling with voices and music, but Count Calredra’s surroundings remained quiet.

He had intentionally distanced himself from others to receive the report.

“To send Daniel, the Empire’s hero who successfully delivered the total war speech, as the idle envoy to Velanos…”

As Calredra fell into contemplation, Beck cautiously spoke.

“In my view, it appears there has been friction between Daniel Steiner and the Imperial Family. They must have perceived the public support rallying around Daniel Steiner as an individual as a decline in the Imperial Family’s authority.”

Historically, war heroes who accumulated too many achievements tended to become thorns in the Imperial Family’s side.

Beck had spoken under the assumption that Daniel was following a similar path, but to Calredra, it sounded preposterous.

“You’re mistaken. He has merely led us to believe ‘Daniel Steiner has fallen out with the Imperial Family.’ The fact that he was appointed as the envoy to Velanos was likely Daniel Steiner’s own will.”

An ordinary war hero might have fallen out with the Imperial Family, but Daniel Steiner was a brilliant strategist who had relentlessly pressured the Allied Nations through various ingenious methods.

Therefore, it was more reasonable to view this as another deception aimed at deceiving the Allied Nations.

“He resorts to such despicable tactics to divert our attention. Deputy Director, have you uncovered how the Empire’s Foreign Ministry plans to send Daniel Steiner to Velanos?”

In response to Calredra’s questioning gaze, Beck hurriedly consulted the documents.

“Yes. He will travel by diplomatic vessel over the course of two days. Since it’s a short distance and they wish to avoid diplomatic friction, no escort ships will accompany the vessel.”

This was welcome news as he listened.

“Excellent. Then contact the commander of Sector 12 of the Velanos Maritime Defense Force. Inform him that the Allied Nations will be sending a submarine, so he should open their territorial waters during the timeframe when the Empire’s diplomatic vessel departs.”

Upon hearing Calredra’s words, Beck blinked in bewilderment.

The commander of Sector 12 of the Velanos Maritime Defense Force was an individual the Allied Nations had painstakingly cultivated as an ally over a long period.

Instructing him to open their territorial waters was tantamount to announcing their intention to use a submarine to destroy the vessel carrying Daniel Steiner.

“…Your Excellency, even if the plan succeeds, we may have to sever our ties with Velanos. Is Daniel Steiner worth such a price?”

After giving Beck a dismissive glance, Calredra promptly answered.

“Yes, he is.”

For some unknown reason, Lucie was currently not following the Allied Nations’ orders.

The individual who should have been a corpse by now was still wandering about unharmed.

This meant that she had thwarted her assassination of Daniel in some manner.

If Daniel completed his duties in Velanos and returned to the Empire, what then?

‘He will undoubtedly become an even more formidable adversary than he is now.’

Therefore, they had to eliminate Daniel before he became an even greater threat.

No matter what price had to be paid.

‘Daniel Steiner…’

His audacity to attempt deceiving them was laughable.

Gripping the head of his cane tightly, Calredra narrowed his eyes sharply.

‘In the end, your petty scheme…’

Will lead you to your demise. Remember that well.