At the threat of killing everyone if they did not comply, Theobald broke out in cold sweat.
He wanted to believe it was a lie, but considering Daniel Steiner’s notorious reputation, it was likely to be true.
In the silent conference room, Theobald took several deep breaths before speaking.
“…What is your evidence?”
Plarte, having lost her usual composure, responded.
“Not long after leaving the banquet hall, I was pursued. No matter how hard I tried to shake them off, they persistently followed me as if mocking me. Eventually, I was caught by them in a back alley.”
As if recalling the situation, Plarte’s face was filled with fear.
“The masked men approached me as I lay there, saying that on the coronation day, their master wouldn’t want any disturbances and that they would let me live this one time. They warned me to carefully consider my actions as there would be no next time.”
Plarte’s story caused a stir in the conference room.
It resembled the words and meaning that Hamtal had left after arriving here.
Theobald gritted his teeth, feeling cornered.
‘They know our location, so they can attack us anytime. We are being played with like toys. What an arrogant bastard…’
Though the situation was unfavorable, Theobald had no intention of playing into Daniel Steiner’s hands.
After a long silence, Theobald spoke with determination.
“Did everyone hear that? Daniel Steiner is treating us like stray dogs. He probably thinks he can kill us anytime he decides.”
A faint laugh escaped Theobald’s lips.
“Honestly, it’s not far from the truth. The Palencia Branch is located in the heart of the Empire. He can mobilize not only the organization but also the military and police to surround us. If that happens, we will die like dogs.”
After stopping his laughter, Theobalt looked around at the spies in the conference room.
“But the same applies to Daniel Steiner. We can also attack him. He shouldn’t have given us time. He shouldn’t have been so arrogant! Submission? Hah! What disgusting words!”
With a crash, Theobald slammed his fist on the table and stood up.
“We have pledged our loyalty to the Allied Nations! We will fight to the death rather than be under the dirty officers of the Empire! Isn’t that right!?”
Theobald’s voice echoing through the conference room changed the spies’ expressions.
Just moments ago, they were consumed by an incomprehensible fear, but now their resolute eyes reflected patriotism.
“Comrades! The time has come to make a decision! It’s time to remove Daniel Steiner, who threatens our nation! Who will join this righteous cause?”
Immediately after Theobald finished speaking, two spies raised their hands without hesitation.
This was a demonstration of the patriotism they held dear.
Theobald pointed at the two and spoke loudly.
“Good! Denders! Kontim! You two will join me, disguised and armed with handguns!”
As Denders and Kontim nodded, Reji raised his hand with a concerned look.
He was the man who had been arguing with Denders that they should listen to Daniel Steiner.
“Excuse me, Director. Even if we disguise ourselves, we’ll be caught in their surveillance as soon as we leave the textile factory. Won’t all our efforts be in vain?”
“You bastard again…”
Denders glared at Reji as if ready to devour him, but Theobald raised his hand to stop him.
Reji did have a valid point.
“They only know that the textile factory is our location. They don’t know how the underground here is designed. Therefore, we can escape their surveillance through a secret passage.”
“Even so, it is just a matter of time before we are discovered.”
“Attempting the assassination before that happens will be enough.”
With confidence in his voice, Theobald’s words silenced Reji.
Theobald turned his gaze from Reji to the spies.
“Everyone except Denders and Kontim, who will join me in the assassination operation, should prepare to destroy the branch’s files and make preparations to flee. We might be able to survive by evading their surveillance if we’re lucky.”
One of the spies, hearing Theobald’s words, spoke up.
“Director, we might survive, but you’re definitely going to die.”
It wasn’t an incorrect statement.
Regardless of the success or failure of the assassination, Theobald was destined to die, having chosen to fight instead of submit.
But to Theobald, who chose fighting over submission, death was a trivial matter.
“If I can end Daniel Steiner…”
Thinking of his homeland, Theobald narrowed his eyes sharply.
“I will gladly sacrifice my life.”
—
By evening, after finishing work as usual, Daniel headed to a nearby restaurant.
The restaurant was a humble place not far from the General Staff Headquarters called “Beer Paradise.”
Typically, Daniel favored the headquarters dining room for his evening meals, but occasionally he preferred to spend money at a restaurant to relax.
So, currently, Daniel was sitting at one of the outdoor tables, ordering sauerkraut with sausage and enjoying a beer.
“Hmm!”
Daniel smiled contentedly after putting down his beer glass.
‘The draught beer here is truly top-notch. I should come more often.’
Having given it a perfect score in his mind, Daniel glanced around, taking in the evening breeze.
He could see leisurely walking pedestrians around the fountain and street vendors trying to attract customers.
It was a truly peaceful and picturesque scene that made him feel cozy inside.
‘Good thing I decided to sit outside.’
If he had been inside the building, he wouldn’t have enjoyed such a serene view.
Daniel spent some time relaxing without any worries, savoring the little pleasures of life by occasionally sipping his beer and nibbling on the sausage.
Until…
“Hey, isn’t that Colonel Daniel?”
An unfamiliar voice snapped Daniel out of a romantic reverie.
Turning his head toward the voice, Daniel faced an elderly man with distinctive glasses and a mustache.
This elderly man was Theobald, disguised as an old man.
Of course, Daniel had no way of knowing this.
“Ah, it really is Colonel Daniel! Meeting someone I’ve only seen in newspapers up close like this is quite an honor!”
Although Daniel had preferred to be alone, it was impossible to dismiss the attention of an older gentleman, so he responded with a polite smile.
“You are too kind. I’m just another officer.”
“Nonsense! Who would think of an Empire hero as just another officer? Speaking of which, since we’ve met like this as fate would have it, would you mind if I join you?”
“Oh, certainly not.”
As Daniel motioned with his hand to the seat opposite him, Theobald pulled it out and sat down.
Theobald seemed to mumble, trying to act old, then smoothly initiated a conversation.
“I wish I’d brought my son today.”
“Oh, your son seems to admire me.”
“Yes, he always passionately talks about how amazing Colonel Daniel Steiner is at home.”
Engaging in friendly conversation, Theobald carefully observed Daniel.
He paid attention to any subtle changes in his expression and whether his tone remained steady.
After this brief period of observation, Theobald arrived at a conclusion.
‘He doesn’t know.’
It seemed to Theobald that Daniel Steiner was unaware of his true identity.
‘He probably doesn’t even consider that the leader of the branch he entrapped might strike back. What an arrogant bastard. This complacency will be the death of you.’
Just as Theobald, having made up his mind to kill Daniel Steiner and die in the process, an employee approached.
“May I take your order?”
In response to the employee’s words, Theobald casually nodded.
“One beer and a plate of assorted sausages, please.”
“Understood. Mr. Theobalt, so that’s one beer and assorted sausages you’d like?”
At the employee’s question, Theobald stiffened, startled.
The employee had somehow known his name even though he hadn’t mentioned it—his real name.
A wave of inexplicable fear overwhelmed Theobald as he turned his head and noticed a tattoo of a black bird holding laurel on the employee’s wrist.
‘That’s…’
It matched the tattoo that the person who had introduced himself as Hamtal had on his neck.
Thus, the employee was giving a warning.
Telling him not to make any foolish moves.
As his eyes darted in panic, Theobald regained composure.
Even with employees monitoring, killing Daniel Steiner wasn’t going to be particularly difficult.
‘The only thing I need is to pull out my gun.’
Even if captured afterward, enduring the tortures that would follow was acceptable.
‘This is all for the United Nations.’
Just as Theobald was about to reach into his coat for the gun…
An eerie silence…
Descended upon the area.
The person reading a newspaper glanced up and glared at Theobald, an ordinary couple chatting turned their gazes toward Theobald, the strolling pedestrians froze in their tracks and stared at him, and some people behind Daniel drinking beer had already drawn their guns.
At this rate, Theobald would be attacked before managing to draw his own gun.
“…”
In this unreal situation, Theobald lost his concentration and slowly began to feel fear.
Realizing that this entire area was under Daniel Steiner’s control, Theobald slowly withdrew his hand from his coat.
The silence disappeared, and the restaurant regained its usual energy.
The newspaper reader lowered her eyes, the couple resumed their casual chatter, the pedestrians continued their stroll, and the beer drinkers holstered their weapons.
With shallow, quick breaths, Theobald slowly lowered his head.
He couldn’t bring himself to face Daniel Steiner anymore.
As Daniel curiously watched the now meek Theobald, he picked up his knife to cut the sausage.
“What’s the matter?”
Having cut the sausage, Daniel imperturbably continued:
“Is this seat uncomfortable for you?”
At this ominous tone, Theobald slowly lifted his head to see Daniel nonchalantly putting the sausage in his mouth, much like one enjoying a drink.
Although Daniel seemed to have numerous vulnerabilities on the surface, Theobald realized there was no way to exploit them.
Theobald’s eyes began to water as everything became clear in this moment, and he silently wept in despair.
Through his sobs, Theobald came to realize the truth:
‘Daniel Steiner wasn’t complacent…’
He was simply so skilled that he could toy with others as if they were mere playthings.
