Chapter 48

Military Security Department under the Army Command Headquarters.

Basement Floor of the Headquarters, Temporary Archive Room.

“Captain Daniel Steiner has been inside the archive room for 10 hours already. I’m starting to worry… Shouldn’t we check on him?”

The soldier guarding the entrance shook his head at Sergeant Salodam from the security department.

“Captain said it himself: he needs to look around alone, and we’re not to enter under any circumstances. And don’t even think about disobeying—because I don’t wanna die thanks to you.”

“What? Die? What do you mean?”

“This guy knows nothing. The reason Captain Daniel can roam the security department freely is because the Army Commander personally gave him clearance. Get it?”

In short, anyone who disobeys Captain Daniel Steiner’s orders here might as well be disobeying the Army Commander directly.

This realization turned the soldier’s face pale as he started breaking out in cold sweat before suddenly snapping to attention.

Sergeant Salodam couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight.

“Man, you’re scared stiff! Do you even belong in the Royal Army if you’re this much of a coward? Though… we hardly ever see battle anyway…”

“B-b-but, Sergeant!”

The wide-eyed soldier glanced nervously at Salodam.

Salodam turned his head, wondering what all the fuss was about, only to freeze with a pale face of his own.

Colonel Kalfren, assistant to the Army Commander, was standing nearby, watching them silently.

Without thinking, Salodam snapped into a salute.

“S-Sir Kalfren! W-What brings you here…?”

Kalfren stood with his hands behind his back, flashing an amiable smile.

“I just dropped by for an unscheduled inspection and to check how Daniel is doing with his task. Sorry if I interrupted your pleasant chat.”

Though Kalfren’s tone was gentle, there was an edge to his words.

Translated bluntly:

“Were you two so busy gossiping that you didn’t notice someone walking right up to you?”

The soldier thought Kalfren had come to encourage them and relaxed his guard, but Salodam, understanding the underlying message, froze stiff, unable to lower his salute.

“Well now, I’m not here to bother you. But how’s Daniel doing?”

Realizing the situation, Salodam stammered.

“He… uh… has been in the archive room for 10 hours now, checking things out alone.”

“Again today? Didn’t he spend most of yesterday in there too?”

“Yes, sir. He says time is tight since the negotiation prep only gives us four days…”

Hearing this, Kalfren inwardly marveled.

He’d assumed Daniel would either reject the task outright or just pretend to work on it while shirking responsibility—but clearly, this guy was taking it seriously.

‘I hear he always gives his best effort… Guess the rumors are true.’

When capable talent works hard, their potential is limitless.

While pondering Daniel Steiner’s abilities, Kalfren heard a light knock from the steel door guarded by Salodam and the soldier.

It was a signal that someone wanted out. Since the door couldn’t be opened from the inside, this step was unavoidable.

“Just a moment!”

The soldier grabbed the steel door and opened it, revealing Daniel Steiner.

Though visibly tired, his wolf-like eyes remained sharp and focused.

Not like some newbie captain fresh off promotion, but more like a seasoned staff officer whose gaze made your shoulders tremble.

After a brief pause, Daniel saluted respectfully.

“Colonel Kalfren. What brings you here?”

His tone was firm yet respectful.

Kalfren returned the salute, answering under slight tension.

“…I came on behalf of the Army Commander to see if you need anything for your work. Are you okay, though? You look like you haven’t slept properly.”

“I’m fine. Actually, could you step aside? It’s time to draft the negotiation plan.”

Only then did Kalfren realize he was blocking the way and stepped back.

Daniel nodded politely, passing Kalfren and heading upstairs.

Watching Daniel’s retreating figure, Kalfren let out a sigh of relief.

‘Tough customer… His determination to succeed in negotiations is clear…’

Still, given the Emperor’s stubbornness, reaching an agreement seemed nearly impossible.

‘Could he have found a way to turn things around?’

Uncertain, Kalfren still saw a spark of hope in Daniel’s relentless efforts.

Perhaps he could pull off the impossible and save countless lives through this negotiation.

*

Walking down the corridor, Daniel confirmed no one was following him and exhaled in relief.

“Thought I was busted…”

Seeing the Army Commander’s assistant waiting outside when the steel door opened, Daniel’s heart sank.

He feared being caught smuggling secrets into the notebook he’d taken into the archive.

“If the assistant had noticed my attempt to smuggle classified info, things would’ve gotten messy…”

At worst, he could’ve been branded a traitor and executed.

But contrary to his fears, Kalfren had merely come to check on him.

Thanks to that, Daniel managed to keep his notebook filled with sensitive data safe.

‘Now I just need to document this…’

Tomorrow, during the armistice negotiation, he’d hand the notes over to the Kingdom’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and request asylum.

Even if Daniel were treated as a hero in the Empire, once they saw him leaking second-level military secrets, they wouldn’t doubt his sincerity.

‘Finally escaping this damn Empire, huh?’

Thinking of the bright future ahead, his steps felt lighter.

Suppressing a grin, Daniel kept walking until he stopped abruptly.

Lucy was approaching from the opposite direction.

As she drew closer, her strong perfume wafted toward him.

Confused as to why she’d wear perfume, Daniel watched as Lucy gave a small nod.

“Captain. There you are.”

“Were you looking for me? Did the Army Commander summon me?”

“No, sir. Just…”

Lucy hesitated.

She’d planned to seduce him using perfume, but how exactly should she proceed?

Having little knowledge of romance or seduction, Lucy had hastily read a book on dating this morning.

Taking a deep breath, Lucy looked at Daniel.

“Um… Could I know your schedule for today?”

“I need to finalize the negotiation plan. Once that’s done, I’ll probably head home early. Why do you ask?”

“Oh, well…”

She needed confidence. Embarrassing, but it was her mission.

“For dinner tonight… would you like to join me…”

Her voice trailed off.

She struggled to deliver the lines she’d learned from the book.

“So… maybe just the two of us…”

At this point, Daniel analyzed her behavior.

Her nervous gaze, slightly faster breathing, and suggestive invitation triggered something in his mind.

‘Wait… Is this an assassination attempt?’

Was the Allied Nations ordering her to kill him? He’d expected something like this eventually, but it seemed too soon.

‘Too soon… Definitely too soon.’

As Lucy regained her composure, Daniel braced himself.

‘According to books, a subtle smile helps seduce men…’

But what exactly constituted a “subtle smile”? For Lucy, who rarely smiled normally, this advice proved tricky.

Still, as a spy, she had to follow orders.

After wrestling internally, Lucy finally managed a strained smile aimed at Daniel.

Seeing it, Daniel involuntarily gasped.

Her narrowed eyes and thin-lipped smirk resembled a “murderous grin,” like a hunter eyeing prey.

It radiated immense pressure.

‘This is definitely an assassination attempt…!’

Unaware of Lucy’s intentions, Daniel coughed subtly, deciding to distance himself naturally.

“I may have to work late after all.”

“But… you just said you’d leave early…”

“A sudden task came up. See you later…”

As Daniel tried to walk past her, he suddenly turned back.

“By the way, aren’t you wearing too much perfume? Usually, it’s used to mask body odor, but you don’t need it. Your natural scent is pleasant enough. No need for such luxuries.”

With that, he patted her shoulder and continued walking.

‘Alright, casual conversation over. She won’t suspect I caught on to the assassination plot.’

Breathing a sigh of relief, Daniel noticed Lucy’s ears turning red.

His compliment had embarrassed her unexpectedly.

She wasn’t sure what kind of embarrassment it was.

Feeling strange emotions she’d never experienced, Lucy leaned against a window and sighed softly.

‘Stupid…’

Both her superiors and herself seemed foolish for giving and following such bizarre orders.

Still, she’d eventually have to seduce Daniel—it was unavoidable.

The task weighed heavily on her.

Glaring at her own feet, she bit her lip, trying to erase the shame before slowly walking away.

First, she’d return to her quarters and wash off the perfume.