Underground of the textile factory.
Palencia Branch of the United Nations.
“Are you saying that in the end, instead of delivering a blow to Daniel Steiner, we have elevated his status instead?”
The branch chief Theobald, who was sitting in a chair in the office, spoke with a displeased expression.
In response, the informant Plarte bowed his head.
“Ultimately, that’s correct.”
Hearing Plarte’s answer, Theobald let out a low sigh.
He had thought that by lending his power, the nobles would succeed in politically isolating Daniel Steiner, but the results were abysmal.
‘It’s beyond abysmal…’
The public opinion had turned in favor of Daniel Steiner, making things difficult.
‘At this rate, as Count Kaledra has feared, Daniel Steiner may take the Empire into his hands.’
Now that their most troublesome opponent, Emperor Berthelm, had stepped down from governance due to age, the biggest variable for the United Nations was not the next emperor Selvia but Daniel Steiner.
Daniel Steiner had been obstructing the plans of the United Nations at every turn, starting from the affairs of the Eldreshia Kingdom.
‘…He must be eliminated before he gains even more power.’
Once that didn’t happen, it would be impossible to gauge what damage Daniel Steiner might inflict on the United Nations.
Just looking at how he had turned the attacks from the nobles against them showed that Daniel Steiner was a crafty and unconventional individual beyond their expectations.
At this point, even abandoning the connection to the neutral nation Belanos to eliminate Daniel Steiner’s influence made complete sense.
“I have no choice.”
Given the nature of the Palencia Branch located in the heart of the Empire, which aimed to operate as secretly as possible, now was the time to act.
“Plarte, you will carry out the assassination of Daniel Steiner.”
Plarte slowly raised his head at the mention of the assassination.
Although Plarte obeyed orders from above, “assassination” wasn’t a term one could simply pass over without thought.
Especially not with a name like Daniel Steiner attached to it.
“An individual like Daniel Steiner would not easily fall to assassination. If approached intentionally, he would surely be on guard. Furthermore, there is…”
Plarte trailed off.
He was pondering whether he was allowed to mention the name of the traitor, Lucy Emilia, in front of Theobald.
Understanding what Plarte was trying to say, Theobald chuckled softly.
“Yes. The legendary spy with the codename Crimson Thread has defected and is guarding Daniel Steiner. As long as she is by his side, the assassination of Daniel Steiner will be nearly impossible.”
No matter how skilled Plarte was at assassination, he could not compare to Lucy Emilia, known by the epithet “Red Reaper,” who had taken countless lives.
Attempting an assassination in front of Lucy, who had mastered all techniques, would surely result in exposure.
However, Theobald did not issue the order for Daniel Steiner’s assassination without knowing that.
“Conversely, it means that if Daniel Steiner is away from Lucy’s protection, he can indeed be assassinated.”
“That’s true, but I know Daniel Steiner to be a person with strong vigilance, even without Lucy Emilia’s protection. I’m not sure if I can break through his defenses…”
“You can. Soon, there will be an opportunity for you to approach him naturally.”
A place where Plarte could approach Daniel Steiner naturally without Lucy nearby? As he pondered, Plarte soon had a modest realization.
“…Are you referring to the coronation?”
Theobald nodded.
“Correct. Since attendance is inherently limited to those who receive an invitation from the royal family, Lucy will likely not be present at that event. Furthermore, after the coronation, there is traditionally a banquet. Attending the banquet is a show of respect for the Emperor, so Daniel Steiner will be present as well.”
The banquet was a venue where figures from the political and economic circles mingled under complicated relationships, wearing masks to socialize.
Thus, it was not unusual for political and economic figures to present gifts to Daniel Steiner, who was rising to become an authority of the Empire, attempting to win his favor.
Theobald targeted precisely this aspect.
“Plarte, disguise yourself as a low-ranking official of the royal family eager to please Daniel Steiner. If he shows interest, you only need to give him one gift.”
“What kind of gift?”
“A top-quality whiskey laced with ricin. Given his love for whiskey, he won’t even suspect that it contains poison and will drink it.”
There was indeed a possibility.
Even if it failed, it was a mission that posed little risk to Plarte.
In the worst-case scenario, Daniel Steiner would merely refuse the gift.
After hearing the entire plan, Plarte bowed his head.
“I will accept the mission.”
*
On the day of the coronation.
In the grand cathedral prepared within the Imperial Palace.
‘It certainly appears to be a matter of national importance…’
As he arrived in a vehicle sent by the royal family, countless crowds had already gathered in front of the cathedral.
Among the throngs of people, a large red carpet stretched endlessly, flanked by what appeared to be Imperial Guards standing in formation.
Each of them dressed in uniforms and bearing ceremonial swords showcased the authority of the royal family.
As Daniel observed the magnificent scene through the vehicle’s window, the door of the back seat opened.
“We have arrived. You may disembark now.”
Nodding, Daniel stepped out of the vehicle, and a person who seemed to be an attendant of the royal family approached him.
“Colonel Daniel Steiner. We have been waiting for you.”
Currently, the main entrance of the cathedral was not accessible to anyone except Selvia, who was to become the next Empress, so the attendant guided Daniel through a side door.
Upon entering through the back door of the cathedral, the dome-like interior adorned with stained glass was revealed.
Under the stained glass, which tinted the brilliant sunlight with various colors, many high-ranking officials were present, quietly engaging in conversation amidst a dignified atmosphere.
Though some individuals cast glances in Daniel’s direction, he did not react.
He was aware that their gazes were not particularly kind.
“This way.”
Thus, Daniel moved forward, relying on the attendant’s guidance.
After walking for a while, he found himself among a group of soldiers clad in military uniforms, seemingly gathered there by an invitation from the royal family.
“Oh! Is that our hero, Daniel Steiner?”
Ernst, the head of the Operations Staff, first spoke up, drawing the attention of those around them.
Most of them were high-ranking officers carrying themselves with importance.
Feeling an unnecessary amount of pressure, Daniel quietly responded while glancing around.
“…You have received an invitation as well, Chief.”
“Of course. It seems the royal family is looking favorably upon me thanks to you. Your achievements are also mine.”
Just as Ernst was jokingly suggesting he might be promoted soon, the voice rang out, “Everyone, please be silent! Her Highness the Princess is entering!”
Colonel Hartmann, the Chief of the Imperial Guard, shouted, and everyone inside the cathedral, including dignitaries from the political and economic spheres, stood up in unison.
With a peculiar tension in the air, the doors of the cathedral slowly opened.
Beyond the opened doors, Selvia, dressed in ceremonial attire adorned with gold threads and jewels, made her appearance.
Unlike usual, Selvia wore a remarkably long cape, which six maids, dressed in white dresses, were holding up to keep from dragging on the floor.
“…”
As Selvia began to walk inside, believing the time had come, the choir stationed at the second floor began to sing accompanied by music.
Ahhh—
As the sacred music echoed, Selvia crossed the cathedral, stepping on the red carpet.
Observing Selvia with a pleased expression from his seat was Berthelm, who stood up and removed the crown from his head.
Once the Pope received the crown, Berthelm stepped aside, and Selvia kneeled before the aged Pope, bowing her head.
The Pope then declared Selvia the new Empress of the Empire, blessing her on behalf of the divine.
Following this, the Pope poured sacred oil onto Selvia’s head and placed the crown, symbolizing her as the Emperor, upon her.
With the crown now on her head, Selvia stood up and sat on the throne.
Everyone present, witnessing the birth of the new Emperor of the Empire, knelt and bowed their heads in unison.
From high-ranking officials, emblematic of authority, to ordinary citizens with nothing, all followed the same action.
This ceremony symbolically indicated that the Emperor of the Empire ruled over all.
As the choir’s singing concluded, everyone in the cathedral shouted in unison.
“Long live the reign of His Majesty the Emperor!”
Among the resounding voices, Emperor Selvia quietly gazed at one particular spot.
In her languid, authoritative gaze, which came from someone who had reached the summit of power, there was a hint of warmth.
The direction of her gaze settled upon the Empire’s hero and Colonel of the General Staff.
Daniel Steiner stood there.
