Chapter 61

Immediately after arresting Morton’s subordinates operating underground in the shopping district…

Captain Daniel returned to his post, forfeiting his vacation and informing General Staff Headquarters of his decision.

General Staff Headquarters respected Daniel’s decision and arranged for his return train. Two days later, Daniel was ready to leave his hometown.

“Daniel? Didn’t you say you’d be staying here for a month?”

At the entrance of the monastery, Monastery Head Hieroni looked worriedly at Daniel who had come to say goodbye. He felt sorry that Daniel wasn’t able to properly enjoy his vacation before heading back to the capital.

Daniel also wanted to relax in his hometown, but now that he had captured the traitors, he couldn’t delay returning.

‘By now, the Prince faction probably considers me one of the key figures in the Princess faction…’

Even though it wasn’t intentional, apprehending Morton’s men made him an easy target for misunderstandings from the Prince faction.

If he continued enjoying his leisure time while being misunderstood, it would be like asking for trouble.

“I apologize, but there’s been an issue in the capital.”

Of course, there was no need to explain this situation to the monastery head, who was practically his mentor.

With a casual smile, Daniel pulled out an envelope of money from his coat.

“Rather than that, please take this. I’ve added some reward money to my salary.”

When Hieroni saw the thickness of the envelope, his eyes widened.

“Daniel! Just your visit to the monastery is already a blessing from God! There’s absolutely no way I can accept such a large sum! You should use it for yourself!”

“Father, donating this money to the monastery *is* using it for myself.”

Though Daniel gently persuaded him, Hieroni firmly refused.

“We don’t need your help to feed the children. Please use this money for yourself. You work hard enough as it is—I don’t want to take even more from you.”

“That’s true. Then if this money isn’t needed, I’ll burn it.”

“Daniel… what kind of ridiculous joke is that…”

Hieroni trailed off.

Daniel calmly took out a lighter from his officer’s coat and lit it. A small smirk played on his lips as he placed the envelope above the flame.

“You know I’m someone who does what I say, Father. If you don’t take the envelope right now, I’ll burn it.”

Hieroni swallowed hard.

Just as he thought Daniel wouldn’t really burn so much money, Daniel’s hand started lowering toward the flame.

As soon as the corner of the envelope began to char, Hieroni panicked and grabbed it.

Shocked, Hieroni shouted, “Daniel! Are you trying to trample on the goodwill of those who gave you this money!?”

“It seems I was about to do just that… until you took it, Father. So it won’t happen now.”

“What… oh…”

Only then did Hieroni realize he’d fallen for Daniel’s trick and wore a dumbfounded expression.

Seeing this, Daniel chuckled softly.

Hieroni frowned when he noticed Daniel laughing.

“Daniel… Do you find this kind of nasty prank amusing?”

“I apologize, but I had no choice. If I hadn’t done this prank, Father wouldn’t have accepted the money.”

“Honestly… you’re still the same as ever, aren’t you…”

Hieroni sighed deeply and reluctantly nodded.

“Well, if this is truly your wish, we’ll use it for the children.”

“That’s exactly what I hoped for. I’ll take my leave now.”

“So soon? Won’t you come inside for at least a cup of tea…?”

“As much as I’d love to, my train leaves soon. And as you can see, the taxi driver is already waiting.”

Sure enough, when Hieroni turned his gaze, he saw an Eastern man wearing baggy pants leaning against the car.

The Eastern man tipped his fedora politely upon making eye contact with Hieroni.

Curious, Hieroni asked, “You’re the Eastern taxi driver? Haven’t seen you around the neighborhood before…”

“Did he recently get hired here?” Puzzled, Hieroni blinked a few times and eventually nodded.

“In any case, since you’re pressed for time, I won’t hold you any longer. Daniel, we will pray for you here. If things get tough, feel free to come back anytime.”

“Yes, thank you. I’ll do that.”

With a smile, Daniel bowed slightly and turned around.

As soon as he turned, Daniel’s smile vanished.

Walking slowly, Daniel entered the taxi and addressed the driver.

“Let’s go to the nearest train station.”

After hearing the driver confirm, Daniel leaned back into the seat.

His mind raced with thoughts about what was happening in the capital.

‘Duke Belvar will likely be the first among the Prince faction to respond quickly to Morton’s capture.’

Duke Belvar, the head of one of the empire’s oldest families, also served as the Minister of the Palace.

Belvar staunchly believed that only His Highness the Prince was fit to be the next emperor.

While Morton secretly worked as the Prince’s left arm, Duke Belvar openly acted as the Prince’s right arm—both fiercely loyal to the idea of royal legitimacy.

It was clear why Belvar stubbornly opposed the Princess even when the Prince’s chances were slim.

That’s why Daniel had chosen to inform only the Princess and her closest allies about the incriminating documents found during Morton’s arrest.

He wanted to plant the idea in Belvar’s mind that Morton had destroyed all evidence and sealed his lips before being captured.

This was essentially buying time.

‘And leaking this information to the press should be saved as a last resort.’

Carelessly spreading information would mean losing a valuable negotiation card.

Moreover, if mishandled, it could rally the opposition even further by turning the situation into a public relations battle.

‘So, I must carefully use this information to create division from within their ranks…’

Only then could he survive this chaotic and violent succession struggle.

Inside the moving taxi, Daniel sighed quietly.

Loosening his tie, he gazed out the window, his face clouded with worry.

‘How did things end up like this…’

He had simply planned to play with the orphanage kids, eat at Jack’s Restaurant, and take peaceful walks in his hometown.

But somehow, he ended up forcibly joining the Princess faction and scheming for survival.

‘What cursed bastards handed me the responsibility after wiping out the Prince’s secret organization?’

Frustrated, Daniel clenched his teeth tightly, narrowing his eyes.

Through the rearview mirror, the taxi driver caught sight of Daniel’s grim expression and smirked subtly.

‘Judging by his ecstatic face, our gift seems to have pleased him.’

Daniel Steiner was destined to rise even higher.

As the prophet leading the Black Crow society, indeed.

—

Meanwhile, at Duke Belvar’s manor.

“Morton has been captured?”

Upon hearing the news from the south, Belvar gasped in shock.

It was bewildering to hear that an organization which had operated unseen for three years had been wiped out overnight.

However, there was no time to dwell on it.

“Confidentiality? Has it been revealed that Dawn of the Morning served under His Highness the Prince?”

To Belvar’s question, his trusted informant Bassong shook his head.

“Since there’s no other news, it seems they’re still investigating.”

“At least that’s a relief. But it’s only a matter of time before the truth comes out. Who exactly captured Morton?”

“…Captain Daniel Steiner.”

The moment Belvar heard Daniel Steiner’s name, he grabbed his forehead, feeling dizzy.

“Damn bastard. So, he finally reveals his true colors.”

It’s common for war heroes with high prestige to enter politics.

It seemed Daniel had joined the fight to make the Princess the next Emperor for his own ambitions.

Yet Daniel was different from typical war heroes.

‘Pretending not to care about politics right up until capturing Morton…’

He avoided meeting politicians and declined interviews altogether.

Even during the critical period of the succession struggle, Daniel had taken an extended vacation, leading Belvar to think he might genuinely lack political interest.

‘But this was all a deception strategy?!’

Considering how thoroughly Daniel had deceived everyone before apprehending Dawn of the Morning, he must have been preparing for quite some time.

Thinking about how he had been played by Daniel Steiner filled Belvar with rage.

Even a cunning strategist like Daniel must have weaknesses, though.

“Katman Schultz…”

Not long ago, Katman Schultz, the chief inspector of the Security Bureau, had visited the mansion.

Claiming that Daniel Steiner might be colluding with spies.

But since there was no solid evidence, Belvar dismissed him, thinking it was a waste of time.

‘But now, I’ll grasp at any straw.’

With the situation growing urgent, he couldn’t afford to be picky about people.

“Contact the Security Bureau and tell Katman Schultz this: The Minister of the Palace will protect you. Find proof that Daniel Steiner is colluding with spies—by any means necessary!”

After hearing Belvar’s order, his subordinate bowed deeply and exited the room.

Watching his subordinate leave, Belvar nervously threw the wine glass in his hand.

Clang!

The red wine spilled out like blood as the glass shattered.

Gripping his fist tightly, Belvar stared down at the mess.

‘You insolent orphan, Daniel Steiner… Do you dare meddle with the affairs of this empire?!’

In Belvar’s mind, Daniel’s ultimate goal wasn’t merely making the Princess the next Emperor.

His instincts told him so.

Daniel’s ambitions were darker and deeper.

Though he couldn’t gauge the full extent of Daniel’s darkness, it terrified him.

Trembling with fear, Belvar closed his eyes tightly, trying to shake it off.

‘The empire our ancestors protected…’

There was no way he would let it fall into the hands of a vagrant like you.