Chapter 44

Half a month later.

As usual, I entered the Commander’s Office of the Headquarters and sat down in my chair, gazing at Lucy.

Lucy’s silver-white hair flowed down as she bowed her head reviewing documents.

Lucy skillfully tucked the fallen strands behind her ear and continued working with dedication.

When it came to focus while handling tasks, there was no better aide-de-camp than her.

If Lucy were just an ordinary aide, I’d probably be praising her all the time.

“But she’s a spy.”

Right in front of me was Lucy, whose attempt to assassinate me could happen anytime.

I had been deep in thought for quite some time.

The question was whether or not to report the research logs we’d obtained from the kingdom’s lab to higher-ups.

To cut to the chase, I decided not to report it.

It was simple: even if I claimed Lucy was a spy based on those logs, there wasn’t enough evidence.

So Lucy could easily claim it was someone else with the same name. “Lucy” wasn’t exactly common, but it wasn’t super rare either.

If this whole thing got brushed under the rug, then I’d be the one in danger—because Lucy would suspect that Daniel Steiner figured out her true identity.

“Definitely going to end badly…”

Thus, until concrete evidence surfaced, it was best that I alone knew about the “Lucy Project.”

After organizing my thoughts, I let out a fake cough.

Lucy stopped reviewing the documents and turned to look at me.

Facing her crimson eyes, I spoke.

“The headquarters mentioned they’re sending a Garrison Commander. Do you know when they’ll arrive?”

“Ah. They left yesterday with minimal escort, so it’ll take about a week.”

“Minimal escort meaning?”

“One battalion level force. Even this was reduced by HQ. By the way, the Garrison Commander requested more troops for long-term occupation, but HQ rejected it.”

A battalion-level force traveling for only a week meant they were using transport vehicles and moving fast.

Why the rush? Though HQ must have their reasons.

Nodding slightly, I asked,

“How’s the frontline situation?”

“As you already know, we’re winning every battle. Reports say the Empire has occupied over half of the Kingdom’s territory. The Kingdom has practically lost its functionality as a nation.”

“Indeed. If things keep going like this, His Majesty the Emperor will be right—we can collapse the Kingdom before winter.”

“Correct. However, the Kingdom is preparing for stubborn resistance. They’ve pulled back from the frontlines and are throwing all their forces into defending the capital. As a result, our Imperial Army has also entered a kind of stalemate.”

Throwing everything into capital defense—it was essentially their final stand.

But from the Empire’s perspective, the Kingdom’s capital would be as prickly as a porcupine to capture.

The Empire would likely propose peace negotiations to the Kingdom—a last ultimatum in disguise.

How would the Kingdom respond to such a proposal?

“Games usually show them ignoring the Empire’s offer and going all-in on their final resistance…”

Since I unintentionally changed the situation, I couldn’t predict the outcome.

Of course, it wasn’t something I needed to worry about.

All I had to do was hand over duties to the incoming Garrison Commander and return to the capital.

“Once back in the capital, gotta treat myself to a proper drink—not that supply-grade whiskey.”

While daydreaming about a comfortable and prosperous life back in the capital…

“Step back! Step back! Beautiful Nordia doesn’t need filth like you!”

The cheers and shouts of the citizens made my shoulders tremble.

Confused, I stood up and approached the window.

Outside, hundreds of citizens were marching down the street holding placards.

“…What? Are they finally protesting against the garrison?”

Surprisingly, Lucy stepped beside me and said,

“It’s a protest against the privileged class. There were signs this might happen, but I didn’t expect it so soon.”

“Privileged class… You mean the nobles of Nordia?”

“Yes. Since Colonel Steiner enacted the ‘Anti-Discrimination Law,’ tensions between the citizens and the nobility have reached a breaking point. Today seems to be the tipping point for the citizens’ anger.”

As the citizens passed the headquarters, they headed somewhere else.

What did the nobles do to make things explode just two weeks after the law was passed?

Frowning with arms crossed, I clenched my fist, struck by an idea.

“Could this be my last chance to lower my evaluation in Nordia?”

Running calculations in my mind, I turned to Lucy and said,

“Order the available garrison personnel to follow the protestors.”

“Follow… the protestors?”

“Yeah. Managing protests is part of the garrison’s role. If violence occurs during the protest, tell them to intervene and stop it. Using force during intervention is allowed.”

Without questioning my order, Lucy immediately responded,

“Understood. I’ll relay Colonel Steiner’s orders to the garrison immediately.”

Once Lucy turned and walked away, I returned my gaze to the window, smirking softly.

“What perfect timing with only a week left as the temporary Garrison Commander.”

With rage-fueled protests, violence was almost guaranteed.

If the garrison suppresses the citizen’s violence, what happens next?

The citizens will realize the garrison isn’t their ally but merely soldiers of the Empire.

Undoubtedly, the public support we’ve worked hard to build for the garrison will plummet.

The General Staff Headquarters won’t look kindly on me for making such poor judgment calls.

I’ll deeply disappoint Director of Operations who placed trust in me.

Then I can step back from operations support and live comfortably.

From there, I can find a way to escape the empire safely.

“Perfect.”

Though the new Garrison Commander arriving soon will have it tough, it’s none of my concern.

“Apologies in advance. But life is never smooth sailing, after all.”

Wearing an evil grin, I leisurely watched the procession of protestors below.

*

Eventually, the protest halted in front of a massive manor.

“Get lost! You parasite ruining Nordia!”

“Release my father now! He’s paid off his debt to you ages ago!”

“You bastard! Do you even realize you’re destroying Nordia?!”

The manor’s owner, Taramto, rushed out with his private soldiers upon hearing the commotion and froze in shock.

Hundreds of citizens held placards and shouted loudly.

Among them were some nobles who usually advocated against racial discrimination.

Even more alarming, black-uniformed imperial soldiers stood guard around the protestors.

“Damn it! Why are they doing this!?”

One of Taramto’s soldiers explained hesitantly,

“They’re demanding you release the people you’ve enslaved.”

“What? Slaves? They’re just working in exchange for food and shelter! These lunatics think I’m handing over my private property?! They’re nothing but bandits!”

In Taramto’s eyes, the citizens were nothing more than a group of thieves trying to steal his assets.

He truly believed he was within normal bounds since countless people were starving during the war, yet he still provided food and shelter—even if unpaid labor was involved.

“Bastards who don’t appreciate favors! Shoot them all! Once a few die, they’ll scatter like cockroaches!”

“But sir…”

“Shut up and do as I say!”

The soldier reluctantly raised his rifle toward the crowd.

Other soldiers awkwardly followed suit, aiming their rifles at the protestors.

“Oh no, guns!”

“They’re insane—they’re trying to shoot us…”

Startled, the protestors instinctively took a step back.

At that moment, Lieutenant McCall, leading the imperial soldiers, lifted a megaphone.

“We advise you to lower your weapons. Temporary Garrison Commander Captain Daniel Steiner does not tolerate any violence during protests.”

Taramto’s eyebrows furrowed, unable to respond.

Before he could retort, Lieutenant McCall continued,

“If you ignore Commander Steiner’s orders and open fire, we are authorized to respond with equal force. Neither you nor your men’s lives will be guaranteed.”

Swallowing hard, Taramto heard this as, “Cross the line, and we’ll kill you.”

“Are the imperial soldiers really siding with the citizens?”

After gritting his teeth for a while, Taramto finally gave in.

“…Lower your weapons and release their families.”

“Sir, are you sure?”

“Yes. No point making enemies with the garrison.”

Hesitant at first, the soldiers quickly lowered their rifles.

They knew fighting the imperial army would be futile.

The protestors erupted in cheers.

“Taramto backs down! We’ll see our families again!”

“Taramto, you bastard! Now you know—the garrison is on our side! They’re protecting us!”

“Long live the garrison! Long live Captain Daniel Steiner!”

The citizens held their placards high and chanted enthusiastically.

Among them was Hamtal, leader of the secret society Black Crow.

“Whoever forced Taramto to back down…”

Before the war, Taramto was one of the most powerful nobles in Nordia.

His method of accumulating wealth was lending money to ethnic minorities, then imprisoning them in his mansion or farms under the guise of repaying debts.

Repaying the exorbitant interest was practically impossible, and the law always favored Taramto as a noble over ethnic minorities.

Until Temporary Garrison Commander Daniel enacted the ‘Anti-Discrimination Law,’ giving citizens courage and strength.

And proving himself as an ally to the citizens, Daniel sent the garrison to protect this protest, preventing Taramto’s indiscriminate gunfire.

Now there was no denying it.

“Daniel Steiner isn’t a conqueror.”

He was a liberator, rescuing the citizens from the Kingdom’s oppression.

As citizens cheered and celebrated Daniel’s name, Hamtal quietly pulled out a radio and pressed the send button.

“All members of the Black Crow, listen up.”

After a brief pause, Hamtal continued with determination in his eyes.

“From now on, we align ourselves with Captain Daniel Steiner’s cause.”

This was the moment everyone acknowledged Nordia’s new hero.