I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander - Chapter 137

International Union Permanent Council Member Edria.

Royal Palace Reception Hall.

"Your Majesty! Due to the success of our recent talks, the Republic has stepped forward to expedite their preparations for war! They say they will make a decision before summer arrives, so I believe we can be hopeful!"

The Foreign Minister bowed deeply before the King seated on the throne.

Ironically, however, the person whose gaze the Foreign Minister was mindful of was not the King.

He was only concerned with the gaze of Count Caledra, the Prime Minister who stood beside the King leaning on his cane.

The Foreign Minister swallowed dryly and continued his report.

"However, the Federation is showing a skeptical attitude toward joining the war. The Federation's President said that if we desire harmony among the three countries, he would gladly accept it, but asked who would take responsibility if the result leads to a global conflagration."

Upon hearing the Foreign Minister's report, Caledra gripped the handle of his cane tightly.

He understood what the Federation's President meant by those words.

'He's mocking us, saying that the Allied Nations can't defeat the Empire even with the Republic's hand.'

The Empire had successfully subjugated the Kingdom of Eldresia without significant damage and had effectively incorporated the neutral country of Belanos as an ally.

It was nothing short of an unstoppable momentum.

Though reluctant to admit it, there was no denying that the Empire was achieving consecutive victories.

In contrast, the Allied Nations had failed to produce notable results.

The Federation's President had reprimanded the Allied Nations, implying that 'if you don't produce proper results, we won't cooperate.'

As the feared situation became reality, Caledra gritted his teeth.

'Daniel Steiner...'

That plague of a man was gradually changing the landscape of the world.

Furthermore, he had heard that recently, the Palentia Branch located in the heart of the Empire had been annihilated.

That man was like a malignant tumor to the Allied Nations.

He had to be excised without fail.

"Your Majesty."

After taking a deep breath, Caledra looked down at the King.

"Promise the Federation that our Allied Nations will take all responsibility. Also, convey to them that they will soon learn how shoddy and internally festering the Empire is, despite its outward appearance."

"...The Empire, you say?"

"Yes. According to reliable sources, there are groups within the Empire plotting rebellion. They are noble alliances claiming legitimacy to the Imperial throne."

While that was their pretext, in reality, they were individuals blinded by conflicts of interest, but that wasn't particularly important.

What mattered was that by using them, the Empire could be divided.

"Although the Empire's Security Bureau has tightened surveillance after the annihilation of the Palentia Branch, we still have operatives active within the system. I will give them orders. I'll tell them to make contact with the noble alliance and reveal that the Allied Nations are willing to provide assistance."

Success in rebellion could yield absolute power, but the moment of failure would cost them their lives.

Duke Belvar, leading the noble alliance in the system, would surely understand this.

Therefore, even though it came from an enemy's hand, there was a high possibility he would not refuse but grasp it.

With the complacent thought that he was merely using the enemy for a greater cause.

"If they accept our offer, we can gradually corrupt the Empire from within. It also becomes possible to isolate Daniel Steiner, who is called the Empire's hero and is achieving consecutive victories. Perhaps beyond mere isolation..."

Caledra's eyes narrowed sharply.

"We might even be able to have him executed in the name of the Empire."

What if the noble alliance succeeded in making the Emperor a puppet and seizing power? They would try to eliminate Daniel Steiner, who threatened their power, by any means necessary.

It was literally possible to 'borrow a knife to kill someone.'

The King stared blankly at Caledra, who calmly discussed Daniel's death, then nodded.

He judged that although it was a truly wicked plan, it had merit.

"...I think it would be good to proceed as you suggest."

Moreover, the King, who was little more than a figurehead, couldn't dare to refute Caledra's words.

• 
  

Ten days had passed since the Security Bureau Director visited the General Staff Headquarters.

During those ten days, Daniel had been quite busy in his own way.

As Daniel was appointed Chief of Staff of the 7th Division on the Eastern Front, a new Operations Staff Officer had been assigned to the General Staff Headquarters.

Daniel handed over his duties to the new Operations Staff Officer, who showed near-infinite respect for him, and whenever he had time, he reviewed the operational situations and enemy information of the 7th Division on the Eastern Front.

It wasn't particularly about doing his best as Chief of Staff; rather, he spent time contemplating how to survive on the Eastern Front without dying.

While enjoying this brief peace, a summons from the Imperial Court arrived.

Since the sender was Celvia, the most noble person in the Empire and the current Emperor, Daniel couldn't even think of refusing and entered the Imperial Palace.

Following the guidance of the Master of Ceremonies, Daniel walked through a long corridor decorated with marble and finally reached the Emperor's office.

In front of the office stood Lieutenant Colonel Hartman, who was in charge of Celvia's chief security, along with soldiers.

Hartman, spotting Daniel approaching, gave a light salute.

Finding it burdensome, Daniel quickly returned the salute, causing Hartman to give a pleasant smile.

"Well, if it isn't Colonel Daniel, who has now become higher in rank than me. I've been waiting impatiently for your arrival."

Although Daniel found the formal speech quite uncomfortable, he decided not to point it out.

As respect according to rank was also a necessary virtue for maintaining order in the military, where chain of command was most important.

"I apologize for keeping you waiting. As for His Majesty the Emperor..."

"He is attending to state affairs inside. Except when he has to attend meetings or events related to important state matters, he always works here."

A bitter smile appeared on Hartman's lips as he spoke.

"He already had a tendency to immerse himself in work, but since ascending to the Emperor's throne, he has drastically reduced his sleeping hours. I'm worried he might fall ill at this rate."

He must be feeling a heavy responsibility for ascending to the Emperor's throne.

Understanding this to some extent, Daniel nodded, and Hartman stepped aside.

Interpreting this as an invitation to enter, Daniel walked forward and lightly knocked on the door.

"Your Majesty. It is Colonel Daniel Steiner."

Soon after, a response inviting him in came from inside the door.

Daniel opened the door and entered.

The first thing visible was a wide window through which starlight from the night sky poured in.

Celvia, who had been working under the starlight, slowly raised his head after confirming Daniel's entrance.

Sleepy blue eyes blinked slowly beneath shiny platinum blonde hair that was tinged with fatigue.

"Colonel Daniel..."

Celvia, who had muttered this, stood up from his seat.

"Is this the first time since the coronation? Meeting me, who has become Emperor."

"Yes, it is."

A meaningful smile appeared on Celvia's lips at Daniel's answer.

"How is it? The Emperor you created."

A difficult question to answer.

Not understanding the intent behind the question, Daniel remained silent, and Celvia gave a low laugh.

"It seems strange rumors are circulating among the nobles. Rumors saying that without Daniel Steiner's help, I would not have ascended to the Emperor's throne."

"That's not true."

Daniel answered immediately.

"Even without me, Your Majesty would have legitimately claimed the throne."

He was sincere.

In the original work, Celvia had also ascended to the Emperor's throne on his own.

But Daniel's words were not much of a comfort to Celvia.

"I'd like to think so too. But as days go by, rumors spread more and more. Do you know what some noble ladies are saying? They're saying that I am in a romantic relationship with you and that it brings doom to the Imperial Family."

Daniel frowned.

This was most likely a false rumor spread by the noble alliance to undermine the Emperor's authority.

Celvia would also be aware of this, yet he seemed to be under psychological pressure.

"Your Majesty. To root out those who spread false rumors..."

Daniel, about to offer advice, suddenly stopped.

He smelled the faint scent of alcohol permeating the room.

Turning his gaze, Daniel could see a bottle of whiskey placed on Celvia's desk with its cap open.

About a third of the contents had disappeared.

'I know he doesn't handle alcohol well...'

For Celvia to be drowning in alcohol like this, he must have been going through many difficult times recently.

Just as Daniel was thinking he should calm him down, Celvia slowly moved toward him.

Then he spread his arms toward Daniel.

A playful smile was the cherry on top.

As Daniel hesitated in bewilderment, Celvia waved his arms once.

"What are you doing? The Emperor is asking for a hug, and you're going to keep ignoring it?"

"Your Majesty. You appear to have had too much to drink."

"So what? Are you saying you won't follow my orders?"

The joke was going too far.

Daniel thought about calling Hartman, but the problem was the imperial guards.

If they opened the door to the office and witnessed the Emperor making a drunken scene, it was clear that strange rumors would only increase.

Thinking he should play along a little, Daniel approached, and Celvia lightly embraced him.

Along with the smell of alcohol, Celvia's unique scent was also emanating.

"...This is nice. I've wanted to hug you like this at least once."

Celvia, muttering as if talking in his sleep, giggled as if finding it amusing.

While it wasn't familiar to see Celvia acting childishly, it wasn't incomprehensible.

No matter how much of an Emperor he was, Celvia was still just a young person who had barely reached adulthood.

It wasn't easy to fully bear the weight of the responsibilities he carried.

Daniel gently patted Celvia's back.

"You seem to be having a hard time. You're doing things you wouldn't normally do."

Celvia's eyes half-opened at Daniel's consolation.

After hesitating for a moment, Celvia opened his mouth.

"...I thought all conflicts would end once I became Emperor."

It was a kind of drunken truth.

"But I was mistaken. The nobles, for whatever reason they're dissatisfied, are only hindering what I'm trying to do at every turn. To the extent that I haven't properly advanced any agenda since becoming Emperor."

Celvia's hands, embracing Daniel, gained a slight strength.

"Even in parliament, the majority party opposes my policies. They claim to demand policy modifications, but I know their real intention is to deny me."

With his eyes closed, Celvia bit his lip firmly.

"I clearly promised the people that I would run the nation properly as Emperor. But already I feel like I've hit a wall. To be honest, lately I've been thinking."

"...What kind of thought, Your Majesty?"

"To make their malicious rumors true. If what they want is for me to become a tyrant, then I should do just that. If Colonel Daniel agrees..."

Celvia slowly opened his eyes and moved his lips.

There was a slight heat in Celvia's breath.

"The rumors spread by the noble ladies..."

The following words shouldn't continue, Daniel thought.

But before Daniel could stop him, Celvia spoke first.

"Shall we make them a fact right here and now?"