Chapter 41

In Nordia, there’s no sign of any riots or protests on the horizon.

Beyond no signs, it was downright peaceful.

Looking down through the office window, I could even see a few citizens chatting and laughing with the garrison troops patrolling the streets.

“…Shouldn’t they be scared? That’s normal, right?”

It had already been two weeks since I was appointed as the temporary garrison commander.

And yet, not even a hint of trouble has arisen, leaving me feeling utterly deflated.

I lowered my gaze from the tranquil view outside the window and glanced at the document folder in my hand.

It was the “Garrison Satisfaction Survey” that Lucy delivered to me this morning.

《Garrison Satisfaction Survey Statistics》

Sample group: 100 citizens randomly selected from each district of the city.

Number of respondents: Approximately 5,700 people.

Question: What do you think about the garrison’s urban planning?

• Frequency Analysis

1. Doing an excellent job – 2,365 people (41.5%)

2. Doing a good job – 1,254 people (22%)

3. Unsure (Need to observe more) – 684 people (12%)

4. Disappointing – 855 people (15%)

5. Very disappointing – 542 people (9.5%)

※ All surveys were conducted by local assistants, not garrison soldiers, to ensure objectivity.

At first glance, I thought I must have read it wrong.

After all, the statistics showed that over 63.5% of the city’s residents supported the garrison.

This also served as an indicator that there would be no radical protests or riots.

‘What are the staff officers at the General Staff Headquarters thinking after hearing this report…?’

A sigh escaped involuntarily, but there was no denying the reality laid out before me in those numbers.

Turning away from the window, I carelessly tossed the document folder onto my desk and slumped into my chair.

Leaning back with a half-defeated expression, I glanced toward Lucy.

Lucy was seated at her desk, set aside in one corner of the office, just as she was when we were at the General Staff Headquarters, diligently working.

Buried in her work, showing no interest in me, I found myself oddly reassured.

‘Plus…’

Since being specially promoted and sitting in the temporary commander seat for two weeks, there hasn’t been a single assassination attempt, which means the Allied Nations haven’t issued any orders against me.

In this situation where things aren’t going as planned, this is at least some good news.

Still, I remain vigilant, keeping an eye on things. Lucy finished her paperwork and stretched briefly.

She let out a soft groan, raising her arms, then sighed as she lowered them again.

With sleepy eyes, Lucy looked ahead, then suddenly turned to look at me as if sensing my presence.

Our gazes unintentionally met.

As I broke out in a cold sweat, Lucy blinked her crimson eyes twice.

“…Captain? Is there something you’d like to say?”

How should I deflect this? After briefly pondering, I tried to sound as calm as possible.

“Are you done with your work?”

“Yes. There are still documents to handle this afternoon, but the workload isn’t much.”

“That’s good. You can rest thoroughly once you’re done. You’ve been working hard lately helping me out.”

“I did work hard, yes. Unlike you, Captain, I mostly spent my time walking around the field.”

She didn’t deny it.

“But, Captain, today you might want to take some time to relax.”

“Ah, yeah. Actually, I was planning to visit a famous dessert shop in Nordia…”

As soon as I said it, I regretted it.

Lucy’s eyes lit up with excitement.

Come to think of it, Lucy ate parfaits with great enjoyment during our last outing.

That look in her eyes now seemed like she was waiting for me to invite her along.

After a short silence, I cleared my throat.

“…Would you like to come along?”

“Dessert isn’t really my thing, but if you insist, I won’t refuse.”

Huh? Look at that!

After enjoying that parfait so much, she’s pretending otherwise now, which is quite irritating.

Frowning slightly, I spoke.

“In that case, I’ll go alone. I wouldn’t want to disturb your break, being your commanding officer and all.”

Lucy’s fingers twitched.

Her expression remained stoic, but her actions betrayed her disappointment.

But I wasn’t about to extend another invitation.

Pretending to dislike desserts is practically blasphemous.

“However, if my aide were to honestly admit liking desserts, that’d change things.”

Lucy’s eyes flickered slightly as if she was contemplating something.

But ultimately, she chose her pride and clenched her fists secretly.

“…I don’t like them.”

There we go.

For some reason, this defiance made me puff up.

“This time, I’m having an éclair. You know what choux pastry is? It uses basic ingredients like water, butter, flour, and eggs, and its defining feature is how it puffs up lightly while baking in the oven.”

“…”

“When baked, it’s already delicious. The aroma fills your mouth, making it feel rich. But that alone doesn’t make it a dessert; the essence lies elsewhere.”

I leaned forward towards Lucy.

“Once the choux pastry is fully baked, we fill it with plenty of vanilla cream. Then we top it off with thickened chocolate glaze. Can you imagine the taste?”

Lucy swallowed audibly.

At her reaction, I snapped my fingers.

“Fantastic, right! The smooth cream blends harmoniously with the buttery crust, dancing delightfully in your mouth! And with chocolate? Even atheists would praise God upon tasting it!”

“…”

“Of course, no matter how long I explain, you won’t understand until you try it yourself. Still, I can’t force you, since you’re ‘someone who dislikes desserts,’ right?”

Upon my final provocation, Lucy’s lips quivered ever so slightly.

Thinking she was about to declare defeat, I waited quietly.

Ding-dong—

The office phone interrupted between Lucy and me.

Wondering who it was, I picked up the receiver.

“This is the temporary garrison commander.”

Soon, a tense voice came through the line.

“Commander! Lieutenant McCall here! While patrolling the collapsed military supply factory, I noticed something unusual and am reporting it now.”

Unusual? Curious, I asked him to elaborate.

“Understood! We discovered what appears to be an underground base constructed by the enemy beneath the ruins of the military supply factory. It seems to be some kind of research facility, but its structure… You’d probably understand better if you saw it in person.”

An enemy research lab hidden away?

Why? Puzzled, I nodded.

“I’ll come check it out personally. Cease your search and wait by the entrance.”

Having received his acknowledgment, I hung up the phone.

Standing up, Lucy pretended to continue working without saying a word.

She seemed to have decided not to go after missing her chance to declare defeat.

Watching her silently for a moment, I moved to leave.

“It must be delicious. They say it’s crafted by a master pastry chef…”

I could see Lucy gritting her teeth.

Enjoying her reaction, I stepped out the door, counted to three, then re-entered the office and stood in front of Lucy.

“One last chance. Are you really not coming to the dessert shop?”

Lucy appeared conflicted, then slowly opened her eyes halfway and looked down.

“…I wish to.”

“What was that? Speak clearly.”

After a short deep breath, Lucy moved her lips.

“I want to go…”

Only then did I nod.

“You should’ve said so earlier. I’ll tell you where it is, and we’ll go together once your duties are done.”

“I will follow accordingly…”

Lucy’s face, answering in a subdued tone, was slightly flushed.

She’s definitely fun to tease.

But let’s not cross the line.

‘Or else I might die.’

No joke. I mean it.

*

Imperial General Staff Headquarters.

Office of the Deputy Chief of Operations Staff.

Knock-knock—

At the knock, Cedric Wendell put down the document he was reading and looked up.

“Come in.”

The door opened, and a middle-aged man with a gentle appearance entered.

It was Colonel Ernst Bark, the Chief of Operations Staff.

Ernst walked to the center of the room and saluted.

Normally friendly with his superiors, Ernst usually skips formalities, but for some reason, he couldn’t in front of the Deputy Chief.

Because facing those crow-like eyes makes his whole body shiver.

“Sir. I have a report.”

“It’s been a while since you visited my office. What brings you here?”

“Ah. This concerns Captain Daniel Steiner.”

Daniel Steiner. His remarkable activities in the northern region were already known to Cedric.

It was Cedric himself who placed Daniel in the position of temporary garrison commander.

But appointing such a newly minted captain to such a critical role might have been a mistake.

‘After all, ruling is harder than conquering.’

So, Ernst must have come to report incidents or accidents in Nordia.

“Has something happened in Nordia? Like a civilian uprising or violent incidents?”

“No. According to telegrams, most Nordia citizens are satisfied with the garrison’s urban planning. In fact, according to intelligence, many citizens say life has improved since the occupation.”

Cedric’s eyes widened.

It was rare for Cedric to be so surprised, as far as Ernst knew.

“Controlled… the livelihoods?”

And all this within just two weeks of being appointed as the temporary garrison commander?

It was an incredible achievement that left Cedric momentarily speechless before he let out a dry laugh.

“Ho ho. Seems I underestimated Captain Daniel Steiner.”

Even the most capable talent eventually tires after being on the battlefield for too long.

Cedric assumed Daniel Steiner would be similarly worn out, but judging by these outstanding results, it seemed he was thriving instead.

‘Almost as if the frontlines are like home to him.’

Cedric mentally raised his evaluation of Daniel Steiner and spoke.

“We need to quickly select and send a proper garrison commander to Nordia.”

Caught off guard by the unexpected response, Ernst blinked blankly.

“Sir? Isn’t it unnecessary? Captain Daniel Steiner is smoothly assimilating the occupied territory into the Empire…”

“You only see one side but miss the other,” Cedric replied.

“Does Daniel Steiner seem like someone who’d be content with merely being a garrison commander?”

Cedric’s hollow eyes filled with a chilling aura.

“That guy is looking higher. He desires significant missions vital to the Empire.”

Staring at the sweating Ernst, Cedric’s lips curved into a cool smile.

“And I intend to grant that young man his wish.”