Chapter 85

It was around the time Lucy started being honest with her feelings that Daniel was spending some leisure time at a cocktail bar guided by Ref, his client.

“Hey, I really thought you’d gone completely nuts back then!”

Ref, seated at the bar table, spoke without hiding her excitement.

“When I saw you shouting ‘all-in’ with just a no-pair hand, I suddenly thought, ‘Is this crazy guy playing around with my money?’ But it turned out to be my unfounded worry. Who would’ve thought your trash hand would turn into a Royal Straight Flush in the blink of an eye!”

Ahahaha! Tears welled up in Ref’s eyes as she burst into laughter.

“The pièce de résistance was when that scammer kid froze and couldn’t say a word. What an idiot. It felt so relieving. You know how that ten-year-old indigestion just clears right up?”

Ref pulled out a handkerchief from her bosom and wiped away the tears formed from laughing.

“Haa… Honestly, living in this dump, there hasn’t been anything fun at all. Thanks to you, I got to laugh for the first time in ages. At first, I thought you were just some lunatic, but it seems like I made the right choice entrusting you with the job.”

Ref, sitting next to Daniel who had been listening silently, gave him a faint smile.

“I’m glad you’re satisfied.”

As Daniel said this, Ref looked at him meaningfully and narrowed her eyes sleepily.

“…But it’s strange. There’s no way I wouldn’t know a player as skilled as you. You don’t seem like a native of Tentarvahem, do you? Am I right?”

“You’re correct. I’m from out of town.”

“Exactly. Around here, someone with pale skin like yours is either a noble or an outsider. Since most nobles are usually rude, I figured you were an outsider.”

Thinking that Ref would now ask where he was from, Daniel prepared a fake hometown and excuse, but it seemed Ref wasn’t particularly interested in such things.

“So, can you tell me a bit about your past?”

What Ref was curious about wasn’t Daniel’s identity but his past.

“I like hearing the stories of outsiders. Listening to their various tales feels like going on a journey myself. So, why did you end up in this dump?”

The truth was that he was dispatched as Belanos’ diplomatic envoy, and while aboard the official ship, it was torpedoed and sank, but there was no way he could say that out loud.

On the other hand, staying silent might raise suspicion, so Daniel decided to mention the fundamental reason why he came here.

“I can’t go into details, but if I have to put it simply, it was because I ran away from the women of my homeland out of fear.”

“Women?”

Like a Casanova caught cheating, Ref’s eyes sparkled with interest as Daniel replied with self-deprecation.

“There were three of them. One wanted to kill me, another wanted to use me, and the third one seemed mentally unstable and blindly believed in me. It was suffocating; I couldn’t live like that.”

Three of them? Shocked, Ref widened her eyes.

“…You really were a bad guy, weren’t you?”

“What? Bad guy? Did you even listen properly? They tried to kill or use me.”

“Not dumb, are you? Where in the world does a woman try to kill or use someone they don’t care about? Basically, it’s because they were interested in you, expressing affection that way.”

“No…”

Daniel stopped trying to explain further since it seemed like there was some misunderstanding.

There was no point explaining the situation to what appeared to be a hotheaded young lady who learned about love from romance novels.

While Daniel was rolling his tongue, the bartender approached and handed him a cocktail.

“That took a while. Here’s the Bloody Mary you ordered.”

The cocktail served in a slender glass was a striking red color.

Since it’s a cocktail based on tomatoes, the color was especially deep.

Gazing quietly at the cocktail handed to him, Daniel naturally recalled Lucy.

His aide-de-camp, who had eyes redder and more beautiful than this cocktail.

‘By now, she must have heard the news that the ship sank…’

What kind of reaction would Lucy show upon hearing that news?

‘She probably likes it?’

The assassination target died, so she wouldn’t feel sad.

Unless she felt guilty…

‘And besides…’

If the United Nations really sank the ship, it means Lucy knew beforehand.

‘There’s no way she wouldn’t have known and proceeded without telling Lucy. Then…’

Was her promise to eat Stollen together at Christmas just an act?

Thinking about it, a bittersweet smile inexplicably formed on his face.

Watching Daniel beside him, Ref felt her heart race.

Looking wistfully at the cocktail with a nostalgic smile reminded her of someone yearning for an old lover.

‘What kind of story does he have?’

For Ref, whose only joy was hearing the stories of outsiders, Daniel’s current appearance was enough to stimulate curiosity.

“Right. Wasn’t it Rivellard?”

Hearing his alias, Daniel nodded naturally.

“Yes.”

“Good. I find you interesting, so how about coming over to my manor? I’d like to treat you to a meal. We can also hear more of your story while we’re at it.”

“Thank you for the offer, but I’m fine.”

Immediate refusal.

“It’s my principle not to build personal relationships with clients. So, after leaving here, it’s best if we go back to being strangers…”

“Didn’t you say you needed money?”

At the mention of money, Daniel’s mouth shut tight.

Indeed, to start a bakery after changing identities, the money he currently had was nowhere near enough.

Seizing on Daniel’s poor financial state, Ref grinned mischievously.

“If you accept my invitation, I’ll give you much more money than what you’ve received so far. And it’s not like I’m asking you to come right now. I’ll formally invite you a few days later. No losses, only gains—will you still refuse?”

“Of course…”

After pausing for a moment, Daniel looked at Ref.

“I accept the invitation.”

It was too much money to refuse.

*

The next morning.

In the southern part of the Empire, the Glorious Holy Fire Cathedral.

“Did you hear? The diplomatic vessel sank.”

“Could it be the work of the Allied Nations? Even in war, targeting civilians…”

The believers gathered in the grand chapel buzzed about the recent sinking of the ship.

Sitting in the front row, Prien half-heartedly listened to the murmurs of the believers.

No, to be precise, she wasn’t in any mental state to pay attention to the believers’ words.

‘Why?’

Why among all people did Captain Daniel Steiner have to die?

‘Why?’

Why didn’t God protect Captain Daniel Steiner?

‘Why?’

Why did God take away even the chance for her to sacrifice herself instead of Captain Daniel Steiner?

Prien’s eyes were hollow as she continuously questioned herself.

Moreover, her usually lustrous light brown hair had become dry and tangled due to her self-abuse after hearing the news that Captain Daniel Steiner’s ship had sunk—she hadn’t eaten or slept.

‘Why?’

Just as Prien threw another question at herself, her father and parish priest, Bellaf, ascended the pulpit of the church.

He tapped the microphone twice and glanced around at the large crowd gathered in the cathedral.

“Ah. Brothers and sisters. Thank you for brightening our space to seek solace in these difficult and arduous times, on behalf of God. I also express gratitude to my daughter who graduated early from the military academy and brought honor to our Glorious Holy Fire Cathedral.”

Though her father’s gentle voice echoed throughout the cathedral, Prien paid no attention.

Her mind was entirely consumed by thoughts of Captain Daniel Steiner’s death.

“For the decisive victory of the Empire, before starting the service officially, my daughter will deliver a short address. Prien?”

Prien didn’t lift her head.

Seeing this, Bellaf became troubled and cleared his throat before speaking again.

“Prien Remiliat!”

Startled by the scolding tone, Prien raised her head to look at her father.

Bellaf glared disapprovingly at Prien and motioned for her to come up.

Only then did Prien recall why she was here.

Graduates from the military academy receive a short vacation before their assignment.

Being an early graduate, Prien was no exception and returned home during her leave.

Upon seeing Prien, Bellaf requested her to deliver an address before the service to enhance the family’s prestige and magnify the church’s dignity.

“Yes…”

Driven by her father’s ambition, Prien rose from her seat and moved forward.

Walking up the stairs to reach the podium, Bellaf stepped aside for her.

Once at the podium, Prien found a prepared speech on the desk.

It was a speech written not by Prien but by Bellaf.

Glancing at its content, Prien let out a bitter laugh.

The speech repeatedly mentioned phrases like “I was born with black magic and lived a life akin to a demon.”

At the end of each sentence, there was a long discourse about repentance and salvation through the teachings of the church.

“Stop joking.”

Prien was saved not by the teachings of the church but by Captain Daniel Steiner.

The foundation of Prien’s faith was not the teachings of the church but Captain Daniel Steiner himself.

Biting her lips fiercely in anger, Prien picked up the speech and tossed it aside.

As the speech fluttered and fell to the floor, not only Bellaf but also the believers looked shocked.

Observing their reactions, Prien slowly opened her mouth.

“…In my life, I have encountered countless injustices.”

Her voice carried through the vast expanse of the cathedral via the microphone.

“Because I was born with black magic, I endured endless criticism and mistreatment. Even the priests, known for their compassion, considered me lowly.”

“What…!”

Confused, Bellaf attempted to usher Prien away, but Prien fiercely glared at her approaching father.

Overpowered by her intimidating presence, Bellaf hesitated, allowing Prien to lift her head and face forward.

“But Colonel Daniel was different! He didn’t distance himself from me because of my dark magic! Instead, he embraced me and told me that my abilities were a blessing!”

Prien’s voice gradually grew stronger.

“It wasn’t just that! Do the believers remember Acts 10:34? That God’s grace is equally given to all nations and races! In that sense, Colonel Daniel abolished racial discrimination in Nordia, spreading God’s teachings beyond borders!”

Prien placed her hand on the podium.

“Furthermore, in the northern war that could have caused numerous casualties, Colonel Daniel ended the war with negotiations, bringing peace between the kingdom and us. Just think about how many lives were saved because of that!”

Closing her eyes, Prien sobbed sorrowfully.

“Ah. He was a saint. To me, and to everyone, he was nothing less than a saint. Such an innocent person was taken by the children of Satan. Who could they be?”

Among the listeners, some cried out.

─ The Allied Nations!

Hearing that, Prien slowly opened her eyes.

“Yes. There are no demons other than the Allied Nations who would attack our saint! Then, what should we do? Should we just watch as those demons steal our saint?”

Prien shook her head.

“No! Those who stand idly by while demons wreak havoc are no different from demons themselves! We must expose their atrocities and ensure that the death of Daniel Steiner, the hero’s death, is not in vain! For this is God’s will!”

Here and there, nods and voices of agreement began to emerge.

“God does not give trials that we cannot bear. Then…!”

Gripping the podium tightly, Prien raised her voice.

“We must act according to Colonel Daniel’s words! I dare speak to you all, God’s children, on His behalf. The meaning of the saint’s death is one! That is…!”

The void in Prien’s eyes began to fill with fierce anger.

“A holy war!”

The word “holy war” resonated, causing the believers to rise one by one.

Amidst the rising fury against the Allied Nations, Prien’s words acted as the catalyst for action.

“No! The children of God! We will never forget the death of Daniel Steiner! So, rise up! We shall surely rise united in battle!”

Under the massive cross, Prien’s fiery speech seemed sacred to the believers.

Cheers erupted everywhere, accompanied by applause.

Among them, a few with aggressive temperaments shouted loudly.

─ Holy War!

─ Bring down God’s hammer on the demons of the Allied Nations!

In the space filled with fervent faith and anger, Prien clasped her hands in devout prayer.

“Even though Colonel Daniel has left this world…”

“I will certainly carry on his will.”