I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander

After dining with Daniel, instead of returning home, Kartmann headed to the Imperial Security Bureau.

Entering the building, Kartmann made his way to the 5th Department, responsible for intelligence gathering and espionage activities within the Security Police.

Sensing his presence, an information analyst turned and, upon recognizing Kartmann, stood up in surprise.

“Chief Inspector Kartmann! Didn’t you say you were heading home?”
“Ah, well, about that… Here, take this first.”

Kartmann extended a coffee towards the analyst.

A coffee? While puzzled, the analyst accepted it, prompting Kartmann to speak.

“I changed my mind on my way home, you see. You know how I am – if something piques my curiosity, I can’t rest until I’ve satisfied it, even if it costs me a night’s sleep.”

The analyst nodded hesitantly, well aware of Kartmann’s diligent pursuit of results within the Security Police.

“So, would you be able to conduct an investigation for me?”
“What kind of investigation, sir?”
“I’m curious about how many military surgeons who served on the eastern front sustained eye injuries and developed aphasia. Try narrowing it down to those with brown hair.”

After taking a sip of the coffee, the analyst asked in bewilderment.

“Is that all? As you know, Chief Inspector, the forces currently operating on the eastern front are predominantly field armies. There are as many as 17 corps under the field armies alone. Are you asking me to investigate all of them?”
“I understand it will be difficult. That’s why I brought a bribe, not just coffee.”
“So you’re saying I should be tortured for a cup of coffee, Chief Inspector?”

Kartmann broke into a cold sweat.

“Not just one cup, a hundred cups. Let me make an excuse – I had no choice since obtaining other information would be inconvenient.”

With a sigh, the analyst nodded in resignation.

“If the information is what you desire, Chief Inspector, there must be a reason. However, a comprehensive investigation will take considerable time. I’ll also need the cooperation of the Central Intelligence Agency.”
“No problem. It’s not an urgent matter.”

After giving Kartmann a dismissive glance, the analyst sat down and commenced the work.

Observing him, Kartmann stroked his chin as he recalled the dinner encounter.

‘I don’t want to suspect Captain Daniel Steiner, but…’

There was no harm in confirming this matter thoroughly.

The following day.

Before reporting to the planning room, I entered my personal office to prepare individually, and as expected, Lucie had arrived first and was already seated.

Naturally, she had removed her wig and sunglasses.

“You’re here, Captain.”

Her greeting was as dry and emotionless as ever.

If I didn’t know better, I wouldn’t have guessed she was the one who had detonated a bomb and scaled a wall to escape the previous day.

Regarding Lucie with a solemn expression, I made my way to my desk and took a seat.

“…Anything unusual happen yesterday?”

As I opened the desk drawer and casually inquired, Lucie didn’t even spare me a glance, focused on reviewing the documents.

“After clocking out, I returned directly to my quarters to rest.”
“I see. I encountered a strange woman on my way to the dessert shop and had quite the ordeal.”
“Is that so.”

Her indifferent, dismissive attitude was exasperating.

After being embroiled with you all day, I ended up unable to even taste the desserts I wanted.

Regarding Lucie with displeasure, I retrieved the documents to be reviewed today from the drawer and sorted them.

After categorizing the documents by importance and placing them in my bag, Lucie glanced my way and spoke.

“…Just how strange was this woman?”

Was she mocking me? After a momentary pause, I rose from my seat and said:

“She wore sunglasses indoors.”
“Anything else?”
“She seemed to have developed aphasia, unable to speak properly. On top of that, she had an excessive sense of pride, repeatedly refusing my assistance. I wonder how she intends to function in society. Quite a pitiful woman.”

Lucie fell silent, regarding me intently. No, ‘glaring’ would be a more accurate description.

“…”
“…”

The atmosphere grew chilly. The probability of being assassinated was rising in real-time.

Sensing the impending crisis, I cleared my throat and walked towards the door.

“Let’s end the idle chatter here and report to the planning room. We can’t be late.”
“…Understood.”

After leaving my office, Lucie and I entered the planning room together.

As I made my way to my seat, I came to an abrupt halt.

The planning room personnel were gathered around the central conference table, murmuring amongst themselves.

“This is a masterpiece, isn’t it?”
“Indeed. It’s quite well-made for a hastily produced piece.”
“But the personnel department’s work efficiency is remarkable. It hasn’t even been a day since the news report…”

What were they talking about? Puzzled, I approached them.

“What are you all looking at?”

At my question, Operational Support Officer Lieutenant Dengel turned towards me first.

“Oh, Captain Daniel! The owner of the poster is here!”
“A poster? What are you talking about…”

Shifting my gaze to the table, I froze in place.

A poster had been produced featuring a photograph of me frowning while scolding with a raised finger.

Beneath my image was the large propaganda slogan: ‘Your nation needs you!’

‘What kind of Uncle Sam is this?’

Utterly bewildered, I stuck out my tongue.

“Who made this, exactly? This pose was my way of signaling to the reporters not to take photographs. To use it without my consent for a recruitment propaganda poster is such an insolence…”
“Captain Daniel. This was a direct order from the head of the personnel department.”
“…The insolence was mine. Upon further reflection, it’s perfect.”

Swiftly changing my stance, I nodded in acknowledgment.

Observing me, Dengel smiled and spoke.

“Captain Daniel. I heard you’re already on the list for early promotion, but aren’t you accumulating merits a bit too diligently? I never imagined you’d be making contributions even after clocking out.”

Another staff member chimed in, overhearing the conversation.

“Lieutenant Dengel. Surely Captain Daniel isn’t doing this for a promotion. He’s practically the epitome of a model soldier, so he must be striving to make the Empire even greater.”
“Ah, my apologies. With my wage-worker mentality, it’s difficult for me to comprehend the heights Captain Daniel has ascended to.”

As much as I wanted to bluntly state that a crazed sunglasses-wearing woman had detonated a bomb, I couldn’t reveal the truth with Lucie present.

Moreover, even if I did, would anyone believe me?

“You flatter me.”

With feigned humility, I had no choice but to depart.

Approaching my operational planning seat, I pulled out a chair and spoke.

“Aide. Do you have today’s newspaper?”
“Yes, I’ll provide you with a copy.”

Seated, I accepted the newspaper Lucie handed me.

I wanted to see what the article had reported to prompt the head of personnel to designate me as a propaganda soldier.

As expected, the front page featured the photograph I had just seen.

[Captain Daniel Steiner Does It Again! Dismantles Mafia Organization!]

The headline alone was dizzying.

Letting out a low sigh, I scanned the content.

“Captain Daniel Steiner, who rescued Her Highness from a terrorist attack, has once again made headlines with another remarkable feat. According to a reliable source, Captain Daniel conducted a solo covert operation to eliminate a mafia organization that had been parasitizing the capital.”

As anticipated, it was riddled with fabrications.

Gritting my teeth, I continued reading.

“…After this achievement, Captain Daniel Steiner addressed the gathered civilians, saying, ‘This wasn’t my doing. It was the result of each of us contributing to the Empire from our respective positions.’ The citizens couldn’t help but be moved by Captain Daniel’s words.”

My head was pounding.

They had taken my words, added their own embellishments, and presented it as fact in a clever manner.

Feeling unable to read any further, I folded the newspaper and flung it towards the corner of the desk.

Witnessing this, Lucie spoke up.

“Thanks to you, Captain Daniel, the corrupt officials associated with that mafia organization were also apprehended. Most of them had accepted bribes to aid the mafia’s opium smuggling operations.”
“…Was that also in the newspaper?”

Lucie nodded.

This left me with an uneasy feeling.

‘If the high command develops strange misconceptions from this…’

Before I could complete the thought, the planning room door burst open, and Ernst entered.

“Daniel! Captain Daniel! Have you reported for duty?!”

His excited expression as he searched for me discouraged me from responding.

Yet, I couldn’t remain silent, so I rose from my seat and saluted.

“Ah, there you are!”

Ernst returned the salute and approached me.

“Captain Daniel! I have delightful news. I just attended a meeting, and the Chief of Operational Planning wishes to see you when you have time. You know what that implies, don’t you?”

The Chief of Operational Planning held the second-highest authority within the General Staff Headquarters, after the Chief of Staff.

Why would someone of such rank want to see me? A sense of unease crept up my spine.

“Captain Daniel.”

At that moment, Lucie, unusually, offered a smile as she addressed me.

“It seems you’ll be entering the Chief’s line now. Congratulations.”

While Lucie’s smile was likely an attempt to play her role as a ‘diligent aide,’ to me, it felt like a subtle mockery.

“…Thank you.”

With a gloomy response, I turned my gaze towards the window.

Contrary to my somber mood, the blazing summer sun was beautifully illuminating all things.

It was the height of summer.