I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander

Immediately after the ‘Aethelium Conversion Grenade Assassination Incident’ at the banquet hall, the Imperial Court successfully dispatched the Imperial Guards and military personnel to either kill or apprehend the terrorists in the old town district.

The surviving terrorists were handed over to the Military Police Corps for interrogation. During this process, Chief of Operational Planning, Major General Cedric Vendel, who attended to gather intelligence, heard an intriguing account.

“It’s because of that bastard. The reason we failed our mission…”

Racal, the leader of the terrorists being tortured in the Military Police Corps’ underground facility, suddenly spoke up.

His dazed, unfocused gaze suggested he might not have been fully aware of what he was saying, but the significant fact was that he had finally broken his stubborn silence under torture.

Amidst the murmurs of the interrogators, Cedric spoke.

“Interrogator. Give that man some water.”

With a nod, Vendelin brought a cup of water and poured it into the mouth of Racal, who was restrained to a chair.

Deprived of water for several days, Racal gulped it down greedily the moment the liquid touched his tongue.

“Enough.”

At Cedric’s command, Vendelin withdrew the cup.

Racal hurled curses, but with his limbs bound to the chair, it was a meaningless act of defiance.

After observing Racal’s agitated state for a while, Cedric smiled and spoke.

“I’d like to hear more detailed information. For instance, who this ‘bastard’ you mentioned is. Then providing a cup of water shouldn’t be an issue.”

It was only then that Racal seemed to regain his senses, turning his gaze towards Cedric.

Upon recognizing the man addressing him, Racal’s eyes widened.

[Imperial General Staff Headquarters Chief of Operational Planning / Major General Cedric Vendel]

With a haggard appearance and piercing eyes, he was a figure listed as a top priority target for assassination by the Kingdom’s Intelligence Agency.

Gritting his teeth, Racal’s hands trembled, but as a defeated agent now in captivity, he lacked the power to harm his adversary.

Abandoning further resistance, Racal slumped and let out a low chuckle.

“It seems you’re unaware, so it wasn’t a matter of separate orders. This whole fiasco was caused by an individual’s mere suspicion? How preposterous…”

His laughter bordered on self-deprecation.

“…Daniel Steiner. That bastard saw through our plan. That’s why we had to change our operation. The reason we waited in the old town instead of attacking the banquet hall.”

Daniel Steiner. Cedric was well-acquainted with that name.

After all, not only had he recently accumulated outstanding merits, but he was also the one who had rescued Her Highness the Princess, making him impossible to overlook.

However, Cedric hadn’t expected Daniel Steiner to be the first to detect the signs of the impending terrorist attack at the banquet hall.

Moreover, according to Racal, the leader of the terrorists, they had abandoned their original operation and initiated an unfavorable one to avoid arousing Daniel’s suspicions.

‘Remarkable.’

Cedric had seen countless young individuals excelling in a single area, be it combat, logistics, operations, intelligence, or counterintelligence.

War bred heroes, so it was only natural for individuals to showcase their abilities during wartime.

However, Daniel Steiner was the first he had encountered who excelled in all domains.

‘It is said that the value of a precious gem can be discerned even in its unpolished state.’

While more observation might be necessary, Daniel’s abilities could not be doubted.

‘Perhaps…’

Daniel Steiner might be the vanguard who would lead the Empire to victory.

Unintentionally, after rescuing the Princess, I found myself being dragged around for an entire week.

No matter how politely I declined, I was almost forcibly summoned, leaving me without a choice.

So, I had my photograph taken with various politicians and shared meals with members of the Imperial Family.

After exchanging greetings with so many people that I couldn’t even discern their identities, I was finally able to return to headquarters.

Just when I thought I could enjoy some peace and quiet…

“I’m looking for Captain Daniel Steiner. Could anyone tell me where he is?”

This time, a group dressed in the Imperial Guard’s uniforms swarmed into the Operational Planning room.

Leading them was a man with the golden wing insignia on his shoulder – the symbol of the Chief Imperial Guard.

A familiar face. He was the one who had arrived first at the old town’s waste collection site to rescue Celvia and me.

“I, if it’s Captain Daniel you’re looking for, he’s over there…”

The staff members in the planning room all seemed startled and flustered.

Feeling as if I had caused them inconvenience, I rose from my seat and spoke.

“I’m Daniel Steiner. What brings you here?”

With an exclamation of amusement, the elderly man approached me.

“Delighted to see you again, Captain Daniel. I don’t know if you’re aware, but I’m Lieutenant Colonel Hartmann, the Chief Imperial Guard.”
“How could I not know the legendary battlefield commander? Thank you again for your assistance the other day.”
“Hahaha! No need for gratitude. Rather, I should be thanking you! It’s thanks to you that Her Highness the Princess was able to preserve her life.”

His voice was remarkably booming, befitting his dignified demeanor.

So much so that Ernst, who had been working in the Chief of Operational Planning’s office, stepped out in surprise.

“Chief Imperial Guard Hartmann. What brings you here?”

While Hartmann held a lower rank, it was Ernst who seemed deferential.

I understood why. If the Imperial Guards suddenly swarmed the planning room, even I would break into a cold sweat out of unease.

“Ah, Colonel Ernst! I’ve come to carry out the Emperor’s orders.”

At the mention of the Emperor’s orders, the color drained from Ernst’s face.

The Imperial Guards carrying out the Emperor’s orders didn’t sound like good news.

“Surely… there can’t be someone in our staff who has incurred the Imperial Court’s wrath?”

As if finding Ernst’s words amusing, Hartmann let out a hearty laugh.

“What a grievous thing to say! No, it’s quite the opposite, in fact. I’ve come on behalf of His Majesty the Emperor to bestow the Order of National Merit upon Captain Daniel.”

…The Order of National Merit? For me? As I stood there bewildered, the now-relaxed Ernst nodded.

“I see. I had expected you to receive it eventually, but the timing is rather swift.”
“The swifter, the better. ‘Prompt rewarding and punishment’ is a fundamental principle of the Empire, is it not? Well, His Majesty the Emperor should have conferred it personally, but as you know, he has been preoccupied with preparations for the northern advance.”
“I understand. Then please proceed.”

As if congratulating me, Ernst raised his thumb and stepped back.

Amid my confusion over what was happening, Hartmann produced an imperial decree from his chest pocket.

It resembled a cylindrical scroll and was evidently made of premium materials.

With practiced movements, Hartmann untied the ribbon and unrolled the decree.

“The master of the Empire speaks, heed his words, Captain Daniel Steiner!”

As Hartmann’s booming voice resonated, the personnel in the planning room simultaneously knelt on one knee, as if following a prearranged cue. I too found myself doing the same.

“According to the testimonies of the Central Intelligence Agency and the Military Police Corps, you engaged in conversation with the spies at the banquet hall, recognizing them initially and maintaining your suspicions. As a result, the assailants were forced to change their operation, essentially eliminating a potential threat to the Empire beforehand.”

Me? When did I do that?

“Furthermore, your willingness to risk your life to protect my daughter, Celvia von Amberg, the resplendent light of the Empire, is a deed worthy of the most loyal of loyalists and deserving of the highest praise. Thus, I hereby confer upon you the 2nd-class Order of National Merit, the Order of the Imperial Phoenix.”

The conferment of the Order of the Imperial Phoenix sent a chill down my spine.

To my knowledge, no commissioned officer below the field-grade ranks had ever received the Order of the Imperial Phoenix.

This meant I was the first, garnering significant attention.

Moreover, even among field-grade officers, recipients of the Order of the Imperial Phoenix were exceptionally rare.

This essentially equated to Allied intelligence agencies raising the value assigned to my life.

Glancing towards Lucie nearby, she maintained an impassive expression.

Feeling unnerved, I averted my gaze.

“Raise your head and stand, Captain Daniel Steiner.”

At Hartmann’s words, I rose to my feet.

An Imperial Guard then approached, carrying an ornate box.

Upon opening the box, the Imperial Guard revealed a medal, epaulettes, and a breast star.

From among them, Hartmann took the breast star, no larger than a fingernail, and affixed it to the left side of my uniform jacket.

“By wearing this breast star at all times, you will notify those around you of your status as a recipient of the Order of the Imperial Phoenix wherever you go. Consider it a great honor and take pride in it.”

While I felt no pride whatsoever, I nodded nonetheless.

Patting my shoulder, Hartmann subtly remarked:

“By the way, have you ever considered joining the Imperial Guards? With your abilities, you could swiftly rise to the position of Chief Imperial Guard.”

Joining the Imperial Guards would essentially make escaping the Empire impossible.

Having no desire to enlist, I offered an awkward smile.

“While I acknowledge the honor of the Imperial Guards, I believe my place during wartime is not with them but on the battlefield.”

After a momentary pause, Hartmann nodded in understanding.

“Yes, a capable young man like yourself would indeed be better suited for the battlefield than the Imperial Guards.”

It seemed my words had been misconstrued, but before I could clarify, Hartmann stepped back from me with a laugh.

“Congratulations! Captain Daniel Steiner, recipient of the Order of the Imperial Phoenix!”

Signaling the informal conferment ceremony’s conclusion, Ernst and the other staff members rose from their seats and applauded me.

Cheers erupted from various corners, but I could not feel any joy.

“…”

For Lucie silently observed me from among the personnel, instilling a profound sense of dread within me.

Cold sweat trickled down my skin.

‘It seems…’

I would need to escape the Empire as soon as possible.