Chapter 52

As soon as the sun came up, Daniel prepared to return to the capital.

He did drink quite a bit, but not enough to affect him the next day, so there wasn’t much of a difference outwardly.

If anything, his dark circles were a little deeper.

Anyway, thanks to Colonel Kalfren, Assistant to the Army Commander’s consideration, Daniel’s headquarters-direct command company was all able to board well-maintained military vehicles.

Thus, Daniel departed from the Army Command Headquarters and after about ten days of driving, arrived at the capital.

The moment the military jeep carrying Daniel entered the capital, the citizens cheered and threw flower petals they had prepared by hand.

This was because news that Daniel had successfully negotiated an armistice with the kingdom had already spread widely throughout the capital.

Though Daniel found it uncomfortable, he made an excuse about being tired and didn’t respond.

Of course, the citizens’ cheers didn’t wane just because Daniel didn’t react.

At the entrance to the General Staff Headquarters, citizens who had set up camp waiting held up signs filled with praise, making Daniel feel dizzy.

Still, once inside the General Staff Headquarters where civilians weren’t allowed, Daniel was able to relax since the citizens couldn’t follow.

“Eh? Isn’t that Her Highness the Princess over there?”

That was before Prien spoke.

Opening his closed eyes and looking out the window, Daniel let out a low hum.

Sure enough, just as Prien said, Princess Selvia was standing in front of the General Staff Headquarters entrance with Colonel Hartmann, Chief of the Imperial Guard.

‘I can roughly guess why she’s here…’

It’s not like the princess needed to personally come greet him, right?

Just as Daniel was wondering this, the leading jeep slowly came to a stop.

When Daniel got out, Selvia, who had been talking with Hartmann, turned her head.

Selvia was wearing the formal uniform of an imperial officer, but the material was clearly different, and instead of black, it was pure white.

Furthermore, where her rank insignia should have been, there was instead an eagle crest symbolizing the royal family.

With all the elaborate decorations included, this was a uniform only royalty could wear.

They say dignity comes from clothing.

As Selvia approached, Prien and Lucy both seemed visibly tense.

Daniel was tense too, but the fatigue from the long drive outweighed it slightly, so he wasn’t shaking too badly.

“Her Highness the Princess.”

When Daniel saluted, Selvia smiled innocently and approached.

“Why did you take so long? You don’t know how long I’ve waited for you…”

Selvia stopped mid-sentence and coughed awkwardly.

She realized it wasn’t dignified to say such things in front of everyone.

“Captain Daniel Steiner? I’ve already heard about your accomplishments on the battlefield. And regarding that, you know that my father wishes to see you, correct?”

“Yes. I am aware.”

“In that case, we can move quickly. Since my father wishes to see you, let’s head to the Imperial Palace. It’s not far, so we’ll get there soon.”

Now? After a brief silence filled with confusion, Daniel asked,

“Your Highness, do you mean immediately?”

In response to Daniel’s question, Selvia exhaled softly, looking apologetic.

“I understand. This isn’t ideal timing, but my father is currently very ill. There are hardly any days in a month when he’s lucid. So, while he’s still clear-headed, my father wishes to see you.”

Daniel also knew the emperor’s condition had worsened.

‘Still, I didn’t realize it was this bad…’

Thinking there was nothing to be done, Daniel nodded.

“Understood. I will accompany Your Highness.”

“Thank you. And there’s something urgent I need to discuss with you… No, we can talk about it on the way. Follow me.”

Selvia moved toward a limousine parked off to the side of the General Staff Headquarters.

There, a chauffeur dressed in formal attire stood with the rear door open, bowing deeply.

Though it was overwhelming, Daniel couldn’t refuse the princess’s invitation.

Following Selvia, Daniel boarded the limousine, and after closing the rear door, the chauffeur got into the driver’s seat and gently pressed the accelerator.

Prien watched the slowly departing limousine blankly and sighed, crossing her arms.

“I thought we’d celebrate Captain’s achievements with a party or something, but as soon as we arrived at the General Staff Headquarters, he got snatched away by Her Highness…”

Standing beside Prien, Lucy simply stared silently at the back of the limousine, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Then, seemingly struck by a sudden thought, Lucy turned to Prien.

“Cadet Prien, were you ever popular with men?”

“Hmm. Not nonexistent. I’ve received a few confessions, though I never dated anyone.”

“So, what do you think makes you popular?”

“Well… maybe because I seemed weak? Back when I lived in the church, I was pretty scared easily. Maybe people wanted to protect me. Or…”

Prien shrugged.

“Maybe they thought if they were nice, you’d give them a chance. Men are basically wolves, after all. Why, they say when women pretend to be drunk, men reveal their instincts.”

“…Why?”

“Huh? Are you listening? Drunken women become defenseless. For men, it’s the easiest time to reveal their instincts… Wait a sec.”

Why was she asking this? Looking at Lucy curiously, Prien furrowed one eyebrow.

“Lieutenant Lucy, surely you’re not planning something with Captain Daniel?”

At Prien’s question, Lucy’s shoulders twitched.

She thought she’d been caught hiding her mission.

After hesitating, Lucy averted her gaze and muttered quietly.

“…No.”

Seeing this, Prien thought,

‘This person really sucks at lying.’

While Prien didn’t know exactly what Lucy was hiding from her past, she judged that she definitely wasn’t a spy.

*

Naturally, the news that Daniel Steiner had concluded the armistice negotiations reached Nordia as well.

Upon hearing the news, Hamtal, the leader of the Secret Society Black Crow, immediately convened a council meeting, and the branch commanders all attended without fail in response to the headquarters’ summons.

Candles atop the tables burned steadily.

In the solemn atmosphere, once Hamtal confirmed all the branch commanders were present, he began to speak.

“I thank you for attending without complaint despite the sudden gathering. As you might expect, I’ve called you here regarding these recent armistice negotiations.”

The branch commanders silently nodded in agreement.

“As all of you know, the successful armistice negotiations have freed Nordia entirely from the oppression of the kingdom. The citizens rejoiced, saying they no longer need to worry about the nobles’ whims.”

Hamtal’s lips curved into a satisfied smile.

“And that’s not all. Discrimination against colored races has been abolished, and taxes have astonishingly decreased. One could truly say a city for the citizens has been born.”

“This is all due to…”

At the words of a man cloaked in black robes, Hamtal nodded.

“Yes. This is the miracle created by Daniel Steiner. We all owe him a debt of gratitude, do we not?”

After a brief hesitation, the branch commanders each nodded.

Because it was the truth.

“Daniel Steiner has fulfilled our deepest wish. For the last ten years, no one else managed to achieve what he did—something even the gods couldn’t accomplish.”

Removing his smile, Hamtal narrowed his eyes seriously.

“Therefore, I intend to repay the favor we owe to Daniel Steiner from this point forward. What do you all think? Shall we treat this favor as something naturally owed to us, like animals grown accustomed to their habits?”

The branch commanders shook their heads one by one.

Seeing this, Hamtal raised his voice.

“If so, then henceforth the Black Crow shall operate as Daniel Steiner’s shadow. Preserving his life will undoubtedly benefit both us and the world.”

In Hamtal’s view, Daniel Steiner was a prophet.

He had stepped forward and eradicated the injustices that others knew about but avoided addressing for fear of repercussions.

But Hamtal also knew.

Prophets throughout history have always faced persecution.

There was no guarantee that Daniel Steiner wouldn’t face threats to his life.

Thus, Hamtal intended to secure Daniel’s survival using the power of the Secret Society Black Crow.

“Since everyone agrees, allow me to explain. From now on, the branches of the Secret Society Black Crow will relocate to the capital. We will thoroughly investigate whether there are any factions plotting against Daniel Steiner.”

“What will we do if we find such factions during the investigation?”

“We will stop them, by force if necessary.”

Though the order might seem radical at first glance, the branch commanders merely nodded in understanding, some even smiling.

For those branch commanders who had fought frequently against the private armies of the nobility over the past decade, using force was nothing unusual.

However, not everyone agreed with Hamtal’s proposal.

The man in the black robe paused in thought before speaking.

“But is it possible to relocate the branches to the capital? We are, after all, subjects of the kingdom…”

The man stopped mid-sentence as a faint realization crossed his mind.

“…Ah. That’s right. Now that the kingdom has ceded Nordia, we are officially citizens of the empire. Those who wish to change their nationality will be accommodated.”

With the risk gone, there was no reason to reject Hamtal’s proposal.

The man nodded once at Hamtal, who then looked around at the branch commanders.

“The discussion is over, so let’s proceed to vote. Those who agree with the main agenda, raise your glasses.”

The moment Hamtal finished speaking, the branch commanders raised their wine-filled glasses.

Even the man in the black robe lifted his glass, and together the branch commanders recited the purpose for which the Secret Society Black Crow was founded.

─ For the day when hatred and discrimination rampant in the world are eradicated.

Seeing the unanimous decision, Hamtal also smiled and raised his glass.

“And also, for Daniel Steiner.”