I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander - Chapter 140

After hearing the engineer's explanation, Daniel went to the nearby city of Erestium to find a way to contact the General Staff Headquarters.

Although there was a radio operator in the company, due to the limited transmission range, they had no choice but to use the city's communication network.

So when they visited the city hall, fortunately, the mayor of Erestium recognized Daniel, making it easy to borrow a telephone.

Daniel contacted the General Staff Headquarters through the telephone, explained the situation, and the headquarters expressed understanding and granted permission for a temporary stay.

Hearing this, Daniel outwardly projected an atmosphere of disappointment and despair, but inwardly he was rejoicing.

'I can rest for a few more days!'

As the saying goes, the front lines and the afterlife are places best visited as late as possible.

'What should I do to enjoy my time here...'

As Daniel was thinking about entertainment activities after leaving the city hall, Lucie interjected.

"Colonel. If it's alright with you, I would like to spend the day with you."

Daniel's body stiffened while he was wearing a subtle smile.

For Daniel, who wanted to spend time leisurely by himself, the presence of 'Lucie the Allied Nations spy' wasn't particularly welcome.

"Adjutant? Spending time with a superior officer probably wouldn't be very enjoyable."

Despite trying his best to brush her off, Lucie was resolute.

"Even so, I'd like to accompany you."

Unable to find any more excuses to refuse, Daniel had no choice but to nod.

"Well, let's get some food first."

Daniel took Lucie to a nearby restaurant (recommended by the mayor) and after eating a plate of steak, he tried to part ways with her.

Very naturally, saying he had something to do nearby.

"Colonel? Please don't lie."

However, Lucie was more persistent than he had expected, so he had no choice but to stay with her.

In the end, Daniel ended up accompanying Lucie to a dessert shop (also recommended by the mayor).

A waiter approached Lucie and Daniel, who were seated by the window in the charming establishment.

"Here is your Begenheim wine and tiramisu."

The waiter set down wine glasses along with a plate containing tiramisu.

While the waiter was pouring the wine, Lucie tilted her head as she looked at the unfamiliar dessert.

"This is..."

"It's one of the famous desserts in Erestium. Erestium is known for producing cheese with a creamy yet light texture due to its warm and humid environment. This tiramisu, made with that cheese, is no exaggeration to say it boasts an exquisite taste."

After hearing Daniel's explanation, Lucie swallowed her saliva.

Daniel, pleased by her reaction, extended his index finger and continued his explanation.

"Additionally, Begenheim wine is a fortified wine produced in the southern region of the Eldresia Kingdom. It's characterized by its unique caramel flavor. Thanks to that, it's the perfect drink to pair with tiramisu. However, due to its high alcohol content, it's not advisable to drink too much at once."

The waiter who had been listening to the conversation finished pouring the wine and smiled at Daniel.

"That's exactly right. I don't even need to provide an explanation."

"You're too kind. I just have a superficial knowledge."

"From what I can see, you know more than my wife does."

"Oh my. It seems your husband doesn't pay much attention to your wife. If it were me, I would have studied various things just to please such a lovely lady."

"My goodness. How does an officer like you speak so beautifully..."

The waiter laughed pleasantly and raised her hand to cover her mouth.

"Oh dear. I've talked too much. I hope you enjoy your time."

After the waiter bowed her head and disappeared, Lucie stared intently at Daniel.

Daniel, who was preparing to eat the tiramisu, became aware of Lucie's gaze and felt puzzled.

"...What? Isn't this how you increase the probability of getting good service?"

"Is that really the reason?"

"Adjutant. Stop looking at me like I'm some kind of strange person. I don't mess with people who are taken. Besides, I swear to God, my history with women is practically blank."

It was obviously a lie.

Lucie, who was about to mention Kelly, shook her head.

She didn't want to ruin the atmosphere unnecessarily.

Daniel, who was observing Lucie's reaction, cut a piece of tiramisu with a knife and put it in his mouth.

The soft yet sweet taste began to spread throughout his mouth.

"Mmm! Yes. This is the taste. Adjutant, you should try it too. You'll probably be surprised."

Although it was clear he was exaggerating, she decided to play along.

Lucie cut the tiramisu with a knife, picked it up with a fork, and carefully took a bite.

"...!"

And she was genuinely surprised.

The violent softness and sensual sweetness were numbing her brain.

It was so moving that her body actually tingled.

After swallowing the tiramisu, Lucie slightly opened her mouth and let out an exclamation of admiration.

After being momentarily dazed, Lucie picked up the glass and took a sip of wine, only to be caught off guard again.

'Ah...!'

The caramel flavor was gently embracing the cream that remained in her mouth, dancing together.

Following that, the wine's acidity cleared away the sweetness, demanding another bite of tiramisu!

A perfect hostage situation was unfolding in her mind.

"What do you think? The combination I recommended..."

Daniel rested both hands on the table, propped his chin, and asked arrogantly.

Though she didn't want to admit it, lying would be an insult to the dessert in front of her.

Avoiding Daniel's gaze, Lucie had no choice but to acknowledge defeat.

"...It's delicious."

Only then did Daniel smile playfully and lean back.

"Then eat to your heart's content. I won't interfere. If you'd like, you can eat mine too."

She wanted to, but due to an inexplicable feeling of resentment, she bit her teeth tightly.

"I don't particularly want to eat yours..."

As Lucie was about to refuse, her shoulders flinched.

She felt someone's persistent gaze.

Nonchalantly picking up a napkin, Lucie wiped her mouth and scanned the interior of the shop reflected in the window.

In that brief moment, she spotted a man who was watching them but quickly turned his head away.

'As I suspected...'

Indeed, Daniel was being monitored.

The meaning of surveillance personnel following them in an unfamiliar city could only mean one thing.

Assassination.

After leaving the dessert shop, Daniel entered the largest hotel in the city (also recommended by the mayor).

The problem was that Lucie followed him all the way to the hotel.

Although Daniel was secretly uncomfortable with this, he didn't express much complaint and walked to the hotel desk clerk.

The clerk recognized Daniel and smiled politely.

"Colonel Daniel Steiner. I received word from the mayor in advance. But who is this person with you?"

Daniel was about to answer, but Lucie beat him to it.

"I am First Lieutenant Lucie Emilia, direct adjutant to Colonel Daniel Steiner, who has been appointed as the Chief of Staff of the 7th Division on the Eastern Front."

"I see. Then after confirming your identity, I'll arrange for another room..."

"We'll need the same room, please."

"What?"

At Lucie's words, not only the clerk but also Daniel was taken aback.

The same room? And this coming from a man and woman who had just finished dining and drinking together? The clerk, who thought they might be in a relationship, wore a puzzled expression as Daniel turned to look at Lucie.

"Adjutant? The same room? It seems there's some misunderstanding..."

"It's not a misunderstanding. I need to use the same room as Colonel Daniel."

Lucie's mind was currently consumed with the thought that 'she must protect Daniel.'

For the protection of a VIP, 24-hour close security was essential.

Therefore, she didn't find anything strange about a man and woman drinking together and staying in the same room.

On the other hand, from Daniel's perspective, who was unaware of the assassination risk he faced, Lucie's behavior could only appear abnormal.

After thinking for a while about why Lucie was acting this way today, Daniel came up with one possibility.

'...It might be part of a honey trap.'

If Lucie thought that the honey trap wouldn't work the moment he refused, and if she harbored ill intentions, there would be no way to stop her.

Realizing that refusing wasn't a good option, Daniel raised his hand and wiped his face once.

"If you say it's not a misunderstanding..."

Daniel turned to the clerk with an awkward smile.

"It seems I'll have to stay with my adjutant. I'd appreciate if you could provide us with the same room."

"The wolf has entered the Lampremp Hotel. With a woman who appears to be his lover."

Bilbosel, who was sitting on a bench beyond the hotel entrance pretending to read a newspaper, whispered into a radio.

As soon as he released the transmission button, a reply came through.

— Confirmed. We'll carry out the operation tomorrow, so make preparations. Don't act rashly.

After hearing the radio response, Bilbosel snorted.

'Just killing a defenseless man, and they're telling me to wait until tomorrow?'

From Bilbosel's perspective, it was nonsensical.

'These cowardly bastards. Daniel Steiner's death will be today, not tomorrow.'

Bilbosel wasn't being boastful.

He was a talent specialized in assassination even among intelligence agents.

The number of people Bilbosel had killed exceeded a hundred, and that included those with Nerve Acceleration abilities.

Because of this, Bilbosel prided himself on being second only to the best among the elite Allied Nations' intelligence agents.

The only person Bilbosel acknowledged as number one was an agent of unknown identity called 'Code Name Hong-sa' (Red Snake).

Only that person had killed more people than him.

In other words, apart from Hong-sa, all other agents were merely incomplete garbage in Bilbosel's eyes.

No matter how strong an ability one had, it was meaningless without practical experience.

'Even those who pride themselves on being strong end up begging me for their lives. Daniel Steiner will be no different.'

With a sinister laugh, Bilbosel pulled out a dagger from his chest.

His gloomy, corpse-like appearance was reflected in the clean blade.

'Come to think of it, the girlfriend beside him was quite attractive...'

Bilbosel stuck out his tongue to wet his lips.

'I wonder what kind of voice that woman will cry with before she dies...'

Putting the dagger back in his chest, Bilbosel giggled softly and began walking toward the hotel.

He thought tonight would be a good hunt.