Selvia’s mouth parted slightly.
Frozen as if she had just heard a shocking truth, Selvia looked around.
After confirming there was no one eavesdropping, Selvia lowered her voice and spoke.
“Why is that?”
“…What do you mean?”
“I don’t understand, so I’m asking why you’re putting in so much effort for my sake.”
At Selvia’s question, Daniel felt a sense of awkwardness.
‘Me?’
Daniel had simply done everything he could to find a breakthrough for his own benefit.
However, from Selvia’s perspective, every one of Daniel’s actions appeared altruistic.
For one, Selvia had been saved by Daniel twice already.
Moreover, when she was troubled by issues of imperial succession, Daniel had come to her great aid.
And that wasn’t all.
At a critical moment when the imperial authority was wavering due to dissent among the nobles, Daniel provided her with information revealing that some of the nobles were traitors. This was just in time before her coronation.
As a result, Daniel, acting under the Royal Family’s directive, conducted formal investigations among the nobles, which significantly boosted the authority of the royal house.
To Selvia, who was about to become Empress, Daniel was nothing less than the most loyal of officials.
From Daniel’s perspective, though, since what he had done was not for her sake, her gaze felt burdensome.
Still, Daniel didn’t feel it necessary to reveal the truth, so he gave an uncomfortable smile.
“It is because I judged that assisting Her Highness the Princess is the right path for the good of the Empire.”
“For the good of the Empire…”
The answer was somewhat vague but not displeasing to Selvia, as it reaffirmed that Daniel was indeed acting for her benefit.
“I also believe that placing Colonel Daniel in a key position is the right path for the Empire. That’s why I intend to promote Colonel Daniel publicly, in front of all the ministers after the coronation.”
Promoting Daniel to the rank of brigadier general in front of all the high officials gathered for the coronation was akin to declaring that Daniel was now fully under the emperor’s wing.
Though this was rather burdensome for Daniel, he could not bring himself to decline.
Not only was there no justification to refuse due to his many accumulated merits, but strategically, being close to Selvia would be more advantageous for his survival.
“I would consider it the greatest joy of my life if you were to do so.”
With his hand pressed to his chest, Daniel gave a slight bow, and Selvia’s lips curved into a smile.
She had wondered how to respond if he were to refuse, but with his ready acceptance, she felt pleased.
“It’s fortunate that you’re satisfied. But…”
Selvia lightly lifted her teacup.
“What are your plans going forward?”
She was asking how he intended to spend the time while investigations were delayed and reactions were being monitored among the nobles.
Though Daniel wished he could relax and enjoy some dessert, there was no such luxury.
“I plan to head south in the Empire.”
“The south? Are you thinking of visiting your hometown?”
“No. I’m going to honor a promise I made to the father of one of my subordinates.”
The subordinate in question was Prien, and her father was the pastor of the Church of the Glorious Flame.
Of course, it was no secret that following Daniel’s intentions, the Church of the Glorious Flame’s financial support to the Belborton News Agency was not an act of pure goodwill.
*
A few days later, near the Church of the Glorious Flame.
The Cradle of Peace Orphanage.
Squeak…
A luxurious passenger car slowly drove through the entrance of the orphanage.
Gradually reducing its speed, the car came to a complete stop, and the driver’s side door opened.
The person who stepped out was Prien, her light brown hair braided and pulled back.
Looking around at the serene scenery of the orphanage, Prien smiled faintly and opened the back door.
“We’ve arrived, Colonel Daniel.”
Daniel, who had been reading an investigation report, turned his gaze toward the voice.
He saw children playing with a ball in the vacant lot beside the orphanage.
Having confirmed their arrival, Daniel tossed the report aside, got out of the car, and stood up.
His body felt stiff after the long drive, and the brilliant sunlight made him frown involuntarily.
‘Is this the orphanage run by Prien’s father? Judging by the sparse activity here, aside from the children, it makes sense why he wanted to meet here…’
His thoughts were interrupted.
Thud—
Something had hit Daniel’s abdomen and fallen to the ground.
Lowering his gaze, he saw a child nervously rushing over to retrieve the ball.
“I’m sorry. I…”
The child, having picked up the ball, looked up to apologize but froze mid-motion.
“Uh… Eeek…”
The child was staring up at Daniel, clad in the officer’s uniform of the Empire, with a gaze that was cool and piercing. Beneath his cap, his eyes were devoid of emotion and cast an intimidating chill that was difficult for a pure young heart to bear.
“Hieeeek…”
Unable to even scream, the child’s shoulders trembled as Daniel kneeled down.
The child looked on the verge of tears as their eyes met.
Daniel stretched out his hand slowly.
Unable to bear the fear, the child clamped their eyes shut.
Then Daniel’s hand gently landed on the child’s head.
“There’s no need to apologize. It was my fault for not dodging the ball.”
Though his appearance might have suggested otherwise, his voice was warm, and his touch gentle.
Upon reopening their eyes, the child saw Daniel’s kind smile on his face.
Thinking that he might not be a bad person, the child hesitated, and Daniel, withdrawing his hand, showed his empty palm.
“Look closely.”
Clasping his fist as if expending great effort, Daniel then opened his hand to reveal a coin.
The child’s eyes widened in wonder at the sight.
“Wow! How did you do that!?”
“Perhaps God created this coin in my hand as a gift for your kind heart.”
“Really?”
At the child’s innocent question, Daniel smiled and extended the coin.
“Absolutely. Why don’t you go buy some delicious pastries with this?”
Realizing Daniel wasn’t a bad person, the child took the coin with a bow.
“Thank you!”
The child then turned and ran away as Daniel smiled faintly and stood up.
Waving his hand lightly, Daniel turned to Prien and hesitated for a moment.
Prien was looking at him with shining eyes.
‘I won’t ask the reason…’
Daniel, who didn’t want to hear another peculiar praise, coughed slightly.
“Where is your father?”
“Ah, let me guide you.”
Regaining her composure, Prien led Daniel into the orphanage.
They moved around the fairly spacious building until they arrived at a reception room.
“I’ll wait here.”
Nodding at Prien’s words, Daniel stepped inside.
Sitting on the sofa, the pastor Belaff stood up.
“I am Belaff, father of Prien and pastor of the Church of the Glorious Flame.”
“Pleased to meet you. I am…”
“The esteemed Colonel Daniel Steiner, the hero of the Empire, are you not!? If you don’t know him, you’re probably a spy! It is truly an honor to meet such a distinguished figure up close!”
As Belaff boisterously laughed, the sound of the door closing could be heard from behind.
Daniel lightly shook Belaff’s hand that had gripped his.
“Since you’ve accepted my request, it only feels right to accept yours, doesn’t it?”
“How considerate of you. I’m at a loss for words! Would you care to sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee? I have prepared the finest coffee for Colonel Daniel.”
“I’d be delighted to.”
With that, they shook hands amicably and naturally sat down on the sofa.
Belaff, who seemed amazed to be seeing Daniel in person, blinked several times before smiling and speaking.
“I thought at first my daughter was playing a prank on me. After all, she is known for using black magic, almost akin to the shadows of the Empire, wouldn’t you say? How could I believe she befriended someone like Colonel Daniel, who is akin to the light of the Empire? Now that I see you with my own eyes, I understand that my daughter was telling the truth.”
“You might need to apologize to her for your doubts. Doubts often border on betrayal.”
“Eh? Ah, hahaha! That’s true. But tell me, has my daughter caused you any inconvenience? Not solely because of her magical abilities but also in terms of her personality, there are definitely some flaws.”
“Flaws?”
“I don’t know if it’s due to issues with her education, but my daughter tends to think in extremes. It’s not a good sign.”
This wasn’t inaccurate when considering Prien’s actions and words up until now.
“I also agree with what you just—”
Daniel stopped midsentence, his gaze instinctively flicking to the door.
Through the slightly ajar door, he could see Prien peeking into the room, her gaze directed at him.
Her eyes carried an unsettling and ominous aura, sending chills down his spine.
It almost seemed like dark magic was faintly swirling around her.
‘…She didn’t close the door, she pretended to…’
Cold sweat trickled down his back.
If he dared slander Prien here, he wasn’t sure he’d survive. How could one predict the actions of that nationalist woman?
Unable to say anything for a brief period of silence, Daniel rephrased his answer.
“I disagree. It’s none of my concern what the pastor thinks of his own daughter. However, Prien is one of the people I cherish most, and she is both dedicated and competent as my subordinate.”
Having spoken, Daniel subtly glanced at Prien.
Prien’s eyes widened in surprise upon hearing his words, and soon a shy smile spread across her face.
It was the expression of a girl in love, but to Daniel, it only seemed unsettling.
‘Still…’
At least the worst-case scenario was avoided for now, which was a relief.
