Chapter 69

The next day.

After arriving at General Staff Headquarters, I sat down at my desk in the private office and spread out the newspaper.

【Scoop! His Majesty the Emperor selects a successor!】

【Next Emperor to be Princess Selvia… Proxy rule to begin soon】

【Her Highness the Princess’s closest aide is none other than Captain Daniel Steiner?】

Though that last article irritated me somewhat, it wasn’t the most pressing issue right now.

Flipping through a few pages, I came across the article I’d been dreading.

【Permanent Council Member Edria launches fierce criticism against the Empire】

Underneath the headline was a black-and-white photo of a familiar-looking man holding a press conference.

Those snake-like pale eyes and thin frame…

It was Count Kaledra, the real power behind Edria.

A figure destined to drive the Empire into a corner in the near future.

As I gazed silently at Kaledra in the photograph, I began reading the article.

“Count Kaledra has condemned the Empire for effectively turning the Eldreshia Kingdom into a puppet state. Throughout the press conference, Kaledra criticized the Empire’s expansionist war policies and urged neighboring nations to rise up against the Empire…”

I sighed softly after finishing the article and folding up the paper.

‘Dammit.’

Just as expected, Kaledra was warning neutral nations about the Empire’s dangers and pushing them to join the fight.

Now it was only a matter of time before Sochiallis Republic and Velica Federation, both great powers, joined the war.

After all, from their perspective, they had to stop the Empire from becoming the sole hegemon influencing the entire world.

In short, a world war was on the horizon.

If a world war broke out, could the Empire really win against the Republic, Federation, and United Nations?

Even though things were going slightly well at the moment, our chances of victory were still slim.

And if the Empire were to lose, the victorious nations would hold war crime trials and execute military figures at their discretion.

‘That’s why I wanted to take off my uniform as soon as possible…’

But when I came to my senses, I’d become one of the key members of the Imperial leadership.

To make matters worse, I was now embroiled in internal Imperial politics as the Princess’s closest aide – it was enough to drive anyone insane.

Because of this, my chances of seeking asylum had narrowed to almost nothing.

No country would welcome an officer of my rank who had already distinguished himself militarily and politically for the Empire.

Even if someone did accept me, they’d likely have ulterior motives.

‘Not that my position within the system is safe either…’

Unfortunately, there were many people within the Empire who didn’t look kindly upon me.

To those established military factions and nobles/politicians, I must seem like an upstart who suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

An aggressive upstart who used his personal forces to cleanly eliminate rivals? It was only natural they’d fear or distrust me.

I can still vividly recall how the prominent figures in the Imperial Palace glared at me during meetings.

‘Of course, I feel wronged, but…’

How many people would believe me just because I said I was wronged?

Even His Majesty yesterday didn’t bother hiding his suspicions as he pressured me.

How many more misunderstandings will torment me in the future?

I was lost in these anxious thoughts when…

Knock knock.

The knock snapped me out of my reverie.

Is that Lucy? I looked up and spoke.

“Come in.”

As soon as I finished speaking, the door opened.

It was indeed Lucy who entered.

She said she was coming to pick up some documents from the Office of the Operations Staff.

The problem was that there was a tall man standing behind her like a backdrop.

When I recognized him after raising my gaze, I immediately stood up.

“Brigadier General Sedric, Deputy Chief of Staff!”

I snapped off a salute almost reflexively, causing Lucy to step aside.

Deputy Chief Sedric nodded briefly in return and entered the office.

Sedric glanced around with his sharp eyes before looking at me.

“Your office is quite tidy, without any unnecessary items. The cleanliness is satisfactory.”

“…Thank you. But why have you come here, sir?”

“I’ve come to check your working environment and deliver some good news.”

The mention of good news made me uneasy.

That unease quickly turned to certainty.

Because Sedric had extended the hands that had been clasped behind his back.

On Sedric’s hand was a small box wrapped in the national flag of the Empire – a familiar sight by now.

“The upper echelons have approved your special promotion. There was much debate, but after you apprehended the rebels this time, no one raised objections.”

Rather, they couldn’t object. Princess Selvia, the next Empress, must have applied some pressure.

Though I thought it was only a matter of time considering my achievements in the north, I was still surprised by how quickly the special promotion came.

“Come here. Let me pin your new insignia.”

With a mixture of resignation and anticipation, I stepped forward.

Sedric unfolded the flag and opened the box to retrieve the Colonel’s badge.

With practiced ease, he removed my Captain’s badge and replaced it with the Colonel’s badge.

As Sedric stared silently at my new rank, he took a step back.

“Congratulations on your promotion, Colonel Daniel Steiner.”

It was a straightforward congratulatory message without any embellishments.

Finding it appropriate for Sedric, I maintained a slight tension as I replied.

“Thank you. Though I am unworthy, I will continue to dedicate myself to the Empire.”

“Unworthy?”

Sedric’s sharp eyes blinked once.

“You stabilized the occupied territory of Nordia, successfully completed negotiations with the kingdom, and recently captured the group plotting rebellion. What makes you feel unworthy?”

Again, Sedric’s sharp eyes blinked slowly.

“Colonel Daniel Steiner. On behalf of the Empire, I thank you. And I will remember your vow to dedicate yourself to the Empire.”

…I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d said something wrong.

Just as I was getting an ominous premonition, Lucy standing by the entrance spoke up.

“Congratulations, Colonel Daniel.”

Her congratulatory words felt somewhat mocking.

Something bothered me, so I looked directly at Sedric and said:

“Sir. Actually, the reason I called myself unworthy earlier is because some of the accomplishments attributed to me were largely due to my aide-de-camp.”

“Due to your aide-de-camp?”

“Yes. While it’s true that I issued the orders to stabilize Nordia, it was my aide-de-camp who swiftly implemented them and established the administrative system.”

Sedric, looking somewhat surprised, turned to look behind him.

“Is that true?”

At Sedric’s question, Lucy seemed flustered before hastily bowing her head.

“Sir. I merely followed orders. All credit should go to my superior officer, Colonel Daniel.”

Lucy was here as a spy to deal with traitors within the system. She didn’t plan to stay long.

What would happen if she suddenly caught the eye of higher-ups and got promoted?

While it wouldn’t be as severe as my situation, it would certainly create obstacles for leaving the Empire.

That’s why she was desperately denying any contribution.

Of course, I didn’t need to understand her reasons.

“That’s the truth. My aide-de-camp is simply being modest. I hope you, Sir, will not only commend my contributions but also consider the contributions of my aide-de-camp.”

“Hmm.”

After thinking for a moment, Sedric nodded.

“You wouldn’t lie to me. I’ll have her contributions to stabilizing Nordia reviewed and include her in the special promotion evaluation.”

I deeply bowed my head in gratitude.

As I did so, Lucy began sweating nervously, unable to protest further.

Sedric gave her a meaningful look before shrugging and turning around.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave. Focus on your duties.”

As Sedric left the office, Lucy turned to me with an expression of disbelief.

“Colonel… No, Colonel Daniel. I was merely carrying out the orders given to me.”

It seemed she was asking me to retract what I’d told Sedric, but that was out of the question.

Smiling, I walked over to Lucy.

“Aide-de-camp. Do you know how difficult it is to properly carry out orders? From that perspective, there’s nothing unusual about you receiving a special promotion.”

A crack appeared in Lucy’s normally stoic expression.

Though subtle, I could sense her anger.

‘So what are you going to do about it?’

I was simply being a considerate superior officer looking out for his subordinate.

“In the future, I intend to boast about my subordinate’s accomplishments wherever I go. After all, it’s hard to keep quiet when you have such a capable subordinate. Isn’t that right?”

“…Colonel.”

“There’s no need to be so grateful. It’s only natural for a superior officer to do this for a capable subordinate. I wish you continued success. Lieutenant Lucy. Or rather, soon-to-be Second Lieutenant.”

Saying this, I maintained my smile while patting Lucy lightly on the shoulder.

“I hope we can rise together to greater heights, if possible.”

Lucy remained silent for a while, seemingly lost in deep thought, biting her lower lip.

After a brief silence, Lucy finally spoke quietly, lowering her gaze.

“…Thank you, Colonel.”

Though her tone suggested she wasn’t truly grateful.