Chapter 24

At the Banquet Hall terror incident, also known as the ‘Ethelium Conversion Bomb Assassination Case,’ the Royals successfully mobilized the Imperial Guard and military forces to eliminate or capture the terrorists in the old downtown area.

Among the surviving terrorists handed over to the Military Police for interrogation, their leader Rakal began speaking while being tortured.

“It’s that bastard’s fault. The reason we failed our mission…!”

In the dimly lit basement of the Military Police HQ, Rakal blurted out these words. His glazed eyes suggested he barely knew what he was saying—but the key point was that this was the first time he’d spoken after maintaining silence during torture.

As the interrogators murmured among themselves, Cedric Wendell, Deputy of Operations Staff, spoke up.

“Interrogator, give him some water.”

Bendelin, nodding slightly, brought a cup of water and gently poured it into Rakal’s mouth, who was tied to a chair.

After days without water, Rakal greedily drank when the liquid touched his tongue.

“Stop.”

Following Cedric’s command, Bendelin pulled back the cup. Rakal cursed but his bound limbs rendered his defiance meaningless.

Watching Rakal’s futile struggle for a moment, Cedric smiled.

“I’d like more details—if you tell me about this ‘bastard,’ I might consider giving you another sip.”

Rakal finally focused, his eyes widening in shock upon recognizing Cedric.

[Deputy of Operations Staff, Major General Cedric Wendell]

With a gaunt appearance and sharp gaze, he was a high-priority target on the Kingdom’s spy assassination list.

Though visibly trembling with anger, Rakal had no power to fight back. Surrendering resistance, he chuckled darkly.

“If you don’t know, then maybe it wasn’t an official order. Just one guy’s suspicion messed everything up—ridiculous…”

His laughter carried a tone of self-loathing.

“…Daniel Steiner. That bastard saw through our plan. We had no choice but to change strategies. Instead of attacking the banquet hall, we waited in the old downtown. That’s why.”

Daniel Steiner—a name familiar even to Cedric. How could anyone not know about the man who recently saved Her Highness the Princess and earned great merit?

But it turns out Daniel was also the first to detect signs of the planned terror attack at the banquet.

According to Rakal, they abandoned the original plan just to avoid arousing Daniel’s suspicions, switching to a less favorable strategy.

‘Impressive.’

Combat, logistics, operations, intelligence, counterintelligence…

Cedric had seen countless young talents excel in one area or another.

War creates heroes; excelling during wartime is expected. But excelling in all areas? Daniel Steiner was undoubtedly the first.

‘A valuable gem reveals its worth even in its raw form.’

Though it may take a little longer to fully assess Daniel’s potential, doubting his abilities now seemed impossible.

‘Perhaps…’

Daniel Steiner might be the spearhead to lead the Empire to victory.

*

After unintentionally saving the princess, I spent a week being dragged around everywhere.

Even politely declining invitations led to near-forced summons, leaving me no choice but to comply. Photoshoots with politicians, dinners with the royal family—it was overwhelming.

Finally, after meeting countless strangers, I returned to headquarters, hoping for some peace.

But then…

“Looking for Captain Daniel Steiner? Do you know where he is?”

Suddenly, a group clad in the uniform of the Imperial Guard stormed into the Office of the Operations Staff. Leading them was a man adorned with the insignia of the Chief of the Imperial Guard: Colonel Hartmann.

I recognized him immediately—he was the first to rescue Selvia and me at the old downtown waste collection center.

“Da, Daniel captain? He’s over there…”

The staff looked shocked and flustered.

Thinking I’d caused trouble, I stood up.

“I’m Daniel Steiner. What brings you here?”

Ah! Hartmann approached with mock admiration.

“Pleased to meet you, Captain Steiner. You may not know me, but I’m Colonel Hartmann, Chief of the Imperial Guard.”

“The legend of the battlefield? How could I not know? Truly grateful for your help earlier.”

“Hahaha! Nonsense! I should thank you! Thanks to you, Her Highness remains safe!”

Hartmann’s booming voice echoed through the room, startling Ernst, who’d been working in the Chief of Staff’s office.

“Chief Hartmann! What brings you here?”

Though Hartmann outranked Ernst, it was Ernst who seemed uneasy—an understandable reaction given the sudden arrival of the Imperial Guard.

“Ahh, Colonel Ernst! I’ve come on orders from His Majesty the Emperor.”

At the mention of the Emperor’s orders, the color drained from Ernst’s face. The presence of the Imperial Guard executing imperial commands rarely boded well.

“Could it be… someone in our department has angered the Royal Family?”

Hartmann blinked in confusion before bursting into hearty laughter.

“You wound me with such thoughts! Not at all! Quite the opposite—I’m here on behalf of His Majesty to award Captain Steiner the Medal of Merit!”

…Medal of Merit? For me? Still dazed, I noticed Ernst relaxing and nodding.

“I see. I thought it would come soon, but this is quicker than expected.”

“The sooner, the better. Swift rewards and punishments are the foundation of the Empire, right? Normally, His Majesty himself would bestow it, but as you know, he’s quite busy preparing for the northern campaign.”

“I understand. Please proceed.”

Ernst gave me a thumbs-up in congratulations before stepping back.

Confused about what was happening, Hartmann pulled out an imperial decree from his coat.

It was cylindrical, clearly made of fine materials.

With practiced ease, Hartmann untied the ribbon and unfurled the document.

“Thus speaks the ruler of the Empire: Hear me, Captain Daniel Steiner!”

At Hartmann’s thunderous proclamation, everyone in the office—even me—knelt on one knee.

“Upon advice from the Central Intelligence Agency and the Military Police, it is said that you initially detected and questioned the spies at the banquet hall, maintaining your suspicions. This forced the enemy to alter their plans, thereby preventing disaster for the Empire.”

Me? When did I do that?

“Furthermore, by risking your life to protect my radiant daughter, Selvia von Amberg, you have proven yourself a loyal subject worthy of praise. Therefore, I hereby bestow upon you the Second-Class Medal of Merit, the National Order of Goryeo Medal.”

The National Order of Goryeo Medal? My spine chilled.

To my knowledge, no junior officer had received this honor. Being the first meant drawing attention—not just within the Empire, but from foreign spies as well.

Glancing at Lucy nearby, she wore an expressionless face.

Terrified, I quickly looked away.

“Raise your head and stand, Captain Daniel Steiner.”

At Hartmann’s command, I rose.

An Imperial Guard member approached with a luxurious box, opening it to reveal the medal, certificate, and insignia.

Hartmann carefully attached a thumbnail-sized gold badge to my left chest.

“Wear this badge during peacetime, and everyone will know you’re a recipient of the National Order of Goryeo Medal. It’s a great honor—be proud.”

Though unimpressed, I nodded anyway.

Patting my shoulder lightly, Hartmann whispered:

“Say, how about joining the Imperial Guard? With your skills, you could easily become Chief of Security.”

Joining the Imperial Guard would make escaping the Empire nearly impossible.

Definitely not interested, I forced a smile.

“While I respect the Imperial Guard’s prestige, I believe my place in wartime Empire lies elsewhere.”

Pausing briefly, Hartmann nodded understandingly.

“True. A talented young man like you belongs on the battlefield rather than in the Imperial Guard.”

Something seemed lost in translation, but before I could clarify, Hartmann stepped back and grinned.

“Congratulations! Captain Daniel Steiner, recipient of the National Order of Goryeo Medal!”

As Hartmann signaled the end of the ceremony, Colonel Ernst and the staff members stood up, applauding.

Cheers erupted around me, but I couldn’t feel any joy.

Standing among the crowd, Lucy’s steady gaze unnerved me deeply.

Cold sweat trickled down my back.

‘Somehow…’

I needed to escape the Empire as soon as possible.