Chapter 112

About half a month after the negotiations were successfully concluded, the Belmoore Kingdom sent over engineers to Barheim, including Hans Zernmehart and other Imperial engineers.

After verifying the identities of the engineers, Daniel requested the return to headquarters following the dispatch of a large contingent from the Belmoore Kingdom, which included their Crown Prince.

Unable to leave Major Daniel Steiner, who had successfully completed his mission, on the battlefield, the General Staff Headquarters accepted his request for return.

As a result, Daniel returned with the engineers, including Hans Zernmehart, heading toward the capital. Upon safely arriving there, he petitioned for an audience with Her Highness the Princess.

It was not the Royal Family that summoned him; rather, it was Daniel Steiner himself who requested the audience.

Though such an action was inappropriate for a mere operations staff officer and colonel, things were different when it came to Daniel Steiner.

The royal court dared not ignore Daniel Steiner’s request and informed the princess, and Princess Selvia accepted despite her busy schedule.

“Colonel Daniel Steiner.”

Thus, Daniel found himself in the Audience Room, meeting with Princess Selvia seated upon the throne.

For reasons unclear, perhaps due to the atmosphere, Selvia seemed more mature than before.

Apparently, during the time spent away on operations, roughly a month and a half, she had experienced much more than expected. Her outward appearance now leaned closer to that of a lady rather than a girl.

Blinking her weary blue eyes, Selvia opened her delicate lips.

“You wished to see me?”

In the Audience Room adorned with a red carpet, Daniel knelt on one knee and bowed his head.

“Yes. I apologize for taking up Your Highness’s precious time, but given the urgency of the matter, I judged it necessary to report directly to you.”

“I’ll decide if it’s something to apologize for once I hear your report. Please proceed.”

“Understood. In truth…”

Daniel recounted everything that had happened. He explained how suspicious he had been of Crown Prince Blef’s surprise attack during negotiations, leading to an investigation at the negotiation site, where he discovered Kemball, the leader of the Free Society Party, leaking secrets.

Upon hearing the entire story, Selvia’s expression turned grave.

She already knew that Daniel had ingeniously used Crown Prince Blef’s surprise attack to secure victory. However, this was the first she heard about Kemball, the leader of the Free Society Party, leaking Imperial secrets.

If all this were true, it was undoubtedly the “urgent matter” Daniel claimed it to be.

“Is this really true? Is there not a single falsehood in what you say…?”

“Yes. If you require witnesses, my aide-de-camp waiting outside can be called in. He was also present at the negotiation site and can corroborate my account.”

One of Selvia’s eyebrows twitched subtly.

She didn’t like that Daniel mentioned his aide-de-camp.

“I’m not asking for witnesses but for your intentions, Daniel Steiner. If you are confident in your claims, look up and speak.”

Lifting his head, Daniel spoke earnestly.

“I am certain.”

Given his firm stance, further questioning would be pointless.

‘Considering that he wants to bring his aide-de-camp as a witness, it doesn’t seem like he’s lying…’

Besides, Daniel Steiner wasn’t the type to fabricate reports.

Having trusted Daniel, Selvia lightly gestured with her hand.

This signified her trust and permission for him to rise. Daniel nodded in acknowledgment.

Rising to his feet, Selvia placed her hand on the armrest of the throne.

“Colonel Daniel. What is it that you seek from me?”

With a brief moment of contemplation, Daniel responded.

“I would like you to grant me temporary investigative authority to thoroughly examine this matter.”

According to Imperial law, when a politician poses a military threat, military personnel could be granted temporary investigative powers under the Collaborator Elimination Act until the issue was resolved.

Daniel Steiner was requesting such authority based on this legal provision.

It was a reasonable request, but it made Selvia cautious.

“…You must know that granting Colonel such investigative authority isn’t a simple matter.”

There was a risk that nobles asserting the legitimacy of the royal family might rise up against giving Daniel, who was merely an orphan, the power to investigate a noble-born politician.

“Colonel Daniel, wouldn’t it be better to reconsider? Perhaps handing the investigation over to the Security Bureau or the Military Police would be more appropriate?”

“Your Majesty. The leader of a political party has been acting as a collaborator. What does that imply? It suggests there may be corrupt individuals within both the Security Bureau and the Military Police.”

Selvia remained silent.

Because Daniel’s words were true.

“They won’t conduct a proper investigation if we assign them the task. Therefore, I intend to personally investigate the leader of the Free Society Party and determine how far-reaching their influence truly is.”

“…I understand your heart, but even I cannot protect you if sufficient evidence isn’t obtained.”

Testimony from the enemy nation’s division commander alone wouldn’t prove Kemball’s betrayal.

Thus, Daniel inevitably needed to extract a confession from Kemball or gather evidence.

Should he fail to do so, Daniel would face charges brought by resentful nobles and possibly trial, with the worst-case scenario being execution.

Although Selvia couldn’t fathom why Daniel was willing to take such risks, from his perspective, there was no choice.

‘If I don’t strike them now, it’s only a question of whether I die sooner or later.’

He needed to show these people just how far a cornered wolf could bare its teeth, forcing them to tread carefully.

“I’m not seeking protection. I merely wish to dedicate myself to Your Highness and the Empire. Please grant me investigative authority. I will take full responsibility.”

Hiding his true intentions, Daniel bowed deeply with utmost respect.

Though reluctant to accept, Selvia couldn’t refuse Daniel’s first-ever request.

Finally deciding to trust Daniel, she nodded.

“Alright. I’ll have the warrant prepared. Conduct a thorough investigation. However…”

Selvia continued, looking down at Daniel.

“The period ends before the coronation. I dislike any controversies arising during the ceremony. Do you understand?”

It was a command to resolve matters quickly and report back.

Even if unsuccessful, Selvia implied that she would reclaim the investigative authority after the coronation, having fully assumed imperial power, to appease the nobles—ultimately for Daniel’s benefit.

Understanding this, Daniel smiled faintly and placed his hand on his chest.

“I shall remember that, Your Highness.”

“Good. You may leave then.”

Following the princess’s dismissal, Daniel saluted respectfully and turned to leave.

As Daniel approached the door, a royal guard opened it, revealing a long corridor.

And there stood Lucy, waiting.

“Colonel Daniel.”

As Daniel stepped into the corridor, Lucy followed closely behind.

“Did everything go well?”

While walking along the corridor, Daniel replied calmly.

“Yes. Her Highness has agreed to issue the warrant. We’ll head to Kemball’s residence as soon as dawn breaks tomorrow. Prepare some soldiers and bring one bullet without gunpowder.”

Perplexed about the purpose of a bullet without gunpowder, Lucy decided not to inquire, knowing Daniel often acted unpredictably.

“Understood. I’ll prepare immediately.”

Nodding at Lucy’s response, Daniel continued forward with a somber gaze.

Walking beside him, Lucy noticed Daniel’s current expression resembled the one she’d seen when he mourned a deceased woman at the Barheim Brigade Building office.

“Colonel Daniel.”

Knowing it wasn’t the best time for conversation but feeling the need to apologize, Lucy cautiously began.

“I inadvertently overheard you muttering while looking at a photo in the brigade building earlier. Since we won’t have time tomorrow, I wanted to apologize now.”

Confused by Lucy’s mention of a photo, Daniel turned to her and soon understood.

“It was merely reminiscing about old memories, so there’s no need to apologize. Though it saddened me that she left, it remains in the past.”

“Listening to you, it seems you were very close.”

“She was my closest friend. I even made her a birthday gift for the first time in my life.”

“What kind of gift?”

“Ah. A leather dog collar. Kelly loved wearing it while going for walks.”

At this, Lucy stopped abruptly.

‘A dog collar as a birthday gift?’

Staring wide-eyed in confusion, Lucy instinctively hugged the documents in her arms.

‘…And she liked walking around with the dog collar on?’

Lucy found Daniel’s story utterly incomprehensible.