I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander

After leaving the General Staff Headquarters, Daniel headed straight for the Imperial Palace.

Having obtained prior permission from Princess Selvia, he could enter the palace after a simple identity verification.

Subsequently, with the help of an attendant chambermaid, Daniel arrived in front of the Princess’s office and knocked on the door.

“Your Highness! It is Major Daniel Steiner!”

At his loud call, the door opened from inside.

Colonel Hartman, the chief of the Imperial Guards, was holding the doorknob.

“Major Daniel. I’ve been waiting for you.”

With a nod, Daniel walked into the center of the office and saluted.

Thanks to this, color graced Selvia’s cheeks as she sat before her desk.

“Major Daniel! I was wondering when you’d arrive…”

Inadvertently raising her voice, Selvia paused and cleared her throat.

As the Princess, she thought she should maintain decorum, no matter how pleased she was to meet him.

“What brings you here?”

Her voice, now more composed, reverberated calmly within the office.

This allowed Daniel to lower his hand and assume an attentive posture.

“I have an urgent matter to discuss, which is why I’ve come.”

As Daniel spoke, Hartman closed the office door and stood beside Selvia.

With their gazes upon him, Daniel continued.

“Before explaining the situation, let me clarify that I was not the one who attacked and neutralized Dawn’s Radiance, the Crown Prince’s secret organization. I felt this needed to be set straight.”

Upon hearing Daniel’s words, Selvia and Hartman blinked in silence before nodding in understanding.

“I see. If outside questions arise related to this, I’ll respond along those lines for now.”
“I, too, shall maintain silence on the matter. I wouldn’t want to put you in a difficult position.”

However, their reactions suggested they didn’t believe him at all.

Daniel, who wanted to earnestly deny it but knew they wouldn’t believe him and lacked time for that, decided to move on to the main point.

“Your Highness. Allow me to explain the circumstances that led me here. First, are you aware that Security Police officers are roaming the General Staff Headquarters?”

The atmosphere instantly grew tense.

Narrowing her sharp eyes, Selvia spoke.

“Baron Velbar’s doing, no doubt. That old fox maintains a good relationship with the head of the Security Police. But for the Security Police to be deployed at the Headquarters implies…”

Her quick comprehension was appreciated.

Nodding to confirm her inference was correct, Daniel continued.

“Baron Velbar intends to accuse me of colluding with a spy.”
“…Why would he do that?”
“He’s attempting to sway public opinion. It was I, Daniel Steiner, who discovered the Crown Prince’s secret organization plotting insurrection. But if it’s revealed that Daniel Steiner has been in contact with a spy, what would that imply?”

Listening intently, Hartman let out a disdainful chuckle.

“They could claim that everything was a self-orchestrated ploy by Daniel Steiner, who belongs to the Princess’s faction. They could denounce Major Daniel as the insurrectionist without objection.”

Inwardly impressed by the old fox’s scheme, Hartman looked at Daniel.

“I understand your concern now. The Security Police are capable of fabricating evidence, so you could end up becoming an innocent victim if you’re not careful.”

In truth, due to complex circumstances, Daniel remained silent despite knowing that his aide was actually a spy. Since he couldn’t reveal that truth, he simply nodded.

“From now on, it’s only a matter of time. If the Security Police obtain a warrant for internal security surveillance, I’ll be caught by them.”

Upon Daniel’s words, Selvia sprang up from her chair in a rage.

“That cannot be allowed! I will take measures to prevent such an outrage!”

Seeing Selvia’s reaction, Daniel gave a faint smile.

“I would be truly grateful if you did. However, the better approach is to strike first before the worst-case scenario unfolds.”
“Strike first?”

With an intrigued expression, Hartman inquired again.

“It seems you have a way to disrupt the situation?”
“Indeed. Currently, Baron Velbar is desperate to apprehend me, even if it means borrowing the Security Police’s power. What do you think that implies?”

After a brief silence, Selvia answered.

“That old fox fears you. Despite the risk of backlash if he fails to find evidence of you colluding with a spy, he’s still pressing on.”
“Correct. Which is why I intend to exploit Baron Velbar’s fear of me. Furthermore, I’ll propose a deal using information only we are currently privy to.”
“Major Daniel. I’m not quite following you. What exactly do you mean by exploiting Baron Velbar’s fear?”

This final question came from Hartman.

After a slight pause, Daniel spoke.

“I’ll act.”

Resolve shone in Daniel’s gaze as he looked at Hartman.

“The ‘worst Daniel Steiner’ that Baron Velbar can imagine.”

After outlining the essence of his plan, Daniel requested that Selvia arrange a meeting with Baron Velbar.

Accepting Daniel’s request, Selvia promptly contacted Velbar, who readily agreed without much deliberation, leading to the meeting’s realization.

And so, now…

‘Dammit…’

Daniel was seated on a sofa in the receiving room prepared at Baron Velbar’s estate.

Behind the sofa where Daniel sat, Hartman stood with his arms crossed, killing time.

This was because Selvia had asked Hartman to escort Daniel in case of any unforeseen incidents.

Confirming that some time remained until Velbar’s arrival, Hartman whispered loud enough for only Daniel to hear.

“…But Daniel, was this method really necessary? The disadvantage isn’t on our side.”

He was questioning why Daniel was acting so hastily when they could take their time and gradually chip away at the situation.

Daniel, too, agreed with those words.

Even if the Security Police were active, if he didn’t give them any ammunition and endured as much as possible, the likelihood of Velbar self-destructing was high.

However, in that process, various bloody incidents were bound to occur.

‘Above all else…’

Lucie was indeed a spy.

If the persistent Kartmann obtained a warrant from the Security Police and launched a thorough investigation, leading to conclusive evidence of Lucie’s spy status, Daniel’s life would be forfeit.

If accused of colluding with a spy, it wouldn’t end with a mere resignation.

Hence, Daniel had to make Velbar wave the white flag today, by any means necessary.

Only then would the Security Police’s investigation cease.

While this might seem like a simple negotiation to Hartman, for Daniel, it was akin to a tightrope walk risking his life.

Of course, unable to explain everything, Daniel could only flash an awkward smile.

“If today’s negotiation resolves everything, wouldn’t it be beneficial for both sides?”
“That’s true. But is there anything I can do to help?”
“None. Just silently follow my lead from behind.”

Thinking that much wouldn’t be difficult, Hartman nodded.

Creak—

At that moment, the receiving room’s door opened, and Baron Velbar entered with his attendants.

Dressed in an expensive suit, Velbar wore a monocle, his thick brows and tightly shut mouth exuding his characteristic stubbornness.

Although Daniel rose from his seat and dipped his head, Velbar didn’t react.

Instead, he clicked his tongue overtly, walked over, and sat on the opposite sofa.

As Daniel took his seat again, Velbar spoke.

“So, you wanted to see me, you bastard?”

Despite the condescending tone, Daniel remained unfazed and maintained a courteous smile.

“Indeed. As you’re aware, Baron, the Crown Prince’s secret organization, Dawn’s Radiance, has been apprehended. I’ve come to make a proposal regarding that matter.”
“A proposal? Ha! I don’t need to hear your proposal! It’ll be about betraying the Crown Prince, no doubt!”

Velbar raised his hand and pointed it accusingly at Daniel.

“I’m also well aware that you’ve resorted to intimidation during negotiations to get your way! Don’t think I’ll fall for your schemes like the others!”

Despite Velbar’s outburst, Daniel didn’t lose his smile.

“Baron, you’re mistaken. I’ve merely come here to negotiate. If you hear my proposal—”
“I don’t want to hear it!”

Cutting off Daniel’s words, Velbar let out a roar.

“Do you think I’ll be swayed by the filthy words spewing from your mouth!”
“Then are you saying you’ll walk away from this negotiation without even listening?”
“The only reason I agreed to negotiate was at Her Highness the Princess’s request. No matter what happens, I will never betray the Crown Prince, even if it costs me my life!”

As expected, Velbar was taking a hardline stance.

Resigning himself, Daniel decided to ‘act’ instead of proposing his deal.

“Baron, I can understand your resolve. However, if you walk away from this negotiation, the lives you’ll lead to death won’t be limited to your own.”

One of Velbar’s brows twitched.

“…What do you mean by that?”
“Exactly as I said. Think about it carefully.”

Maintaining his smile, Daniel leaned back against the sofa.

In contrast, Velbar could only swallow dryly while trembling fingertips.

Mulling over Daniel’s ambiguous remark, Velbar spoke in a hushed tone.

“My acquaintances and family are innocent. Even if I lose in this succession struggle, you have no authority to harm my people.”

Upon hearing Velbar’s words, Daniel pursed his lips before failing to suppress a chuckle.

His low, subdued laughter echoed throughout the spacious receiving room.

Unable to comprehend the reason for his laughter, Velbar furrowed his brow and broke out in a cold sweat.

Even Hartman, who had agreed to play along with the act, felt a chill as he looked down at Daniel.

After laughing for quite a while, Daniel waved his hand lightly.

“My apologies. I was being discourteous. However…”

Abruptly ceasing his laughter, Daniel stared intently at Velbar.

His fierce yet cold eyes flickered like a predator eyeing its prey.

“Let me ask you one thing, Baron Velbar. Among the people I’ve led to ruin…”

His chilling voice captured Velbar’s gaze.

After a brief silence, Daniel leaned forward without blinking and spoke.

“Were there truly no innocent ones?”

At that moment, Velbar felt a profound sense of terror enveloping his body.