I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander

Ten days later, the western region of the Empire.
The port city of Lost Vellemont.

“Is the ship prepared?”

In response to Hamtal, the leader of the secret society Black Feathers, a man wearing a hooded robe nodded.

“Yes. I have finished discussing with the merchant ship’s captain. Since the immigration inspection is not strict, he said we can smuggle about thirty people aboard with proper bribes for the officials.”
“Thirty, you say. That’s fewer than expected, so only bring the elites.”
“Understood.”

After answering wordlessly, the man turned his head to gaze at the seaside.

Perhaps due to the clear weather, the warm sunlight illuminated the entire sea beautifully.

As he appreciated the various ships anchored on the sea, the man spoke.

“I wonder if Colonel Daniel has arrived in Velanos by now.”

In response to the man’s question, Hamtal shook his head.

“He departed yesterday evening, so he should have entered Velanos’s territorial waters by now. Considering the short distance from Lost Vellemont to Velanos, he should arrive shortly.”
“I see. But will he arrive safely?”

Hamtal maintained silence, unable to provide a definitive answer to this question.

‘Something feels unsettling…’

Upon learning of Daniel’s dispatch as an envoy to Velanos, Hamtal had arrived here a few days ago to observe the situation.

He was concerned that there might be parties attempting to assassinate Daniel once he left the capital.

Fortunately, there were no signs of any movements to assassinate Daniel here, but upon confirming the vessel Daniel was scheduled to board, Hamtal was gripped by an inexplicable sense of unease.

‘There were definitely no escort ships.’

While it was common practice not to have escort ships when dispatching diplomatic vessels to nearby Velanos, the fact that the Empire’s hero would be aboard made it seem too careless.

‘It’s as if they’re inviting an attack…’

As his thoughts continued, Hamtal shook his head.

Even to himself, it seemed like an illogical leap.

Yet the unease that had arisen in his heart refused to dissipate.

‘If I could have my way, I would have provided security for Colonel Daniel…’

Only government officials or those invited by the government were permitted to board diplomatic vessels.

Had there been more preparation time, he could have disguised himself and boarded, but since he had only learned of Daniel’s appointment as an envoy a few days ago, Hamtal had no choice but to step back.

‘Still…’

It was fortunate, albeit belatedly, that he had made arrangements with the captain of a merchant ship bound for Velanos.

Since the merchant ship was departing today, they could catch up to Daniel Steiner relatively quickly.

Then, he could provide escort for Daniel Steiner, just as he had in the southern region of the Empire.

‘So please…’

Hamtal prayed that no issues would arise with the diplomatic vessel carrying Daniel.

Meanwhile, Daniel had climbed onto the deck, grasping the railing as he savored the sea breeze.

Feeling the cool, salty wind caress his face made him smile naturally.

His mood was so pleasant that he felt like greeting the dolphins swimming alongside the ship.

‘The weather is great, the breeze is great, and there’s no adjutant. Today is perfect in every way.’

The mere absence of an adjutant intent on taking his life provided such profound psychological relief.

Additionally, there was no Selvia with her inscrutable intentions, no Emperor keeping Daniel in check, and not a single grumbling noble or disgruntled politician.

From Daniel’s perspective, it was truly a paradise on earth – heaven itself.

‘I’m not sure how long I’ll be staying in Velanos, but I’ll enjoy the peace to the fullest during my time there.’

Although dispatched as an envoy, it was uncommon to begin duties immediately upon arrival.

After the official welcome, the Velanos government would grant a day or two for rest and relaxation.

‘Should I start with a famous dessert shop? I’ve heard Velanos is renowned for its trifles.’

Trifles, with layers of custard and fruit topped with cream, were one of the desserts Daniel had personally wanted to try.

‘There are shops in the Empire that imitate trifles, but the taste from the homeland is bound to be different.’

As he savored the prospect and admired the sea view, Daniel suddenly paused.

Something seemed to be surfacing near the ship, away from its hull.

At first, he thought it might be a whale, but whales did not move so statically.

Finding it odd, Daniel scrutinized the shadow beneath the surface and broke out in a cold sweat.

‘Could it be…’

That it was an enemy submarine?

‘If my suspicion is not mere delusion…’

The submarine surfacing meant it was preparing to launch torpedoes.

The torpedo launching systems of this era had technical limitations, requiring submarines to surface near the waterline to attack enemy vessels.

‘However…’

To attack a diplomatic vessel bound for a neutral country? It was incomprehensible, leaving Daniel frozen in place.

If it truly was a submarine, he had to alert the captain.

As Daniel hurriedly moved towards the captain’s quarters, he suddenly heard a dull ‘thud’ sound.

Immediately after, the ship shook, causing Daniel to stagger.

The moment his suspicion turned to certainty, a loud warning siren began blaring throughout the ship.

Weeeeeeeee–

As the emergency siren wailed, those on deck who had been observing the sea screamed in panic.

Some were so bewildered that they had no idea what to do.

Swallowing hard, Daniel approached them first.

“We’re under attack! But try to remain calm for now! Women and children, hold onto the railing and brace yourselves as much as possible. Men, follow me to retrieve the life jackets and lifeboats…”

Before he could finish speaking, another torpedo struck the ship.

KWANG!

An explosive roar unlike any before erupted, with flames rising into the air.

Amid the violent shaking of the ship, Daniel lost his balance and fell backwards.

In the blink of an eye, he was flung over the railing, his mouth agape.

‘Ah.’

What Daniel’s eyes perceived as he fell into the sea was the ship gradually listing amidst the flames.

The next moment.

Splash!

Daniel’s body was engulfed by the ocean currents.

A few hours later.

On a desolate stretch of shoreline, waves rolled in and gently broke against the land.

At the boundary between the recurring waves and sand caused by the ebb and flow of the tides, the prone Daniel slowly opened his eyes.

Regaining consciousness, Daniel coughed up seawater even before fully regaining his sight.

Using one arm, he struggled to raise his upper body and hung his head towards the sandy beach as he continued coughing and retching.

After several minutes of expelling the contents from his body, Daniel surveyed his surroundings with a dazed expression.

Apart from machine fragments and metal debris washed ashore, there was no one else around.

Clutching his throbbing head, Daniel raised his gaze to scan further ahead.

He spotted an abandoned fishing boat and a shack in the distance.

Expanding his field of vision even more, he saw buildings clustered together in the far distance, appearing no larger than a baby’s fingernail.

‘…It’s not an uninhabited island.’

It seemed he had been swept ashore in Velanos by the waves.

While initially relieved by this realization, Daniel suddenly clenched his fist tightly.

‘Those damn bastards…! To attack a diplomatic vessel just to get me?’

In Daniel’s mind, the one who orchestrated this was undoubtedly Count Calredra.

He was infamous for resorting to any means necessary to achieve his objectives.

Considering Lucie’s recent assassination attempt, it was not difficult to deduce that this incident was also Calredra’s doing.

Gritting his teeth in anger, Daniel mustered his strength and rose to his feet.

‘I’ll make you regret not killing me. You won’t get a second chance.’

With his eyes narrowed sharply, Daniel raised his hand and pushed his hair back.

After discarding his waterlogged officer’s coat, Daniel began trudging forward.

Now that he knew this was Velanos, his destination and direction were clear.

‘I need to identify myself as an envoy at the nearest city hall and borrow their communications. The Empire must currently believe I’m dead, so I should inform them directly. That way, requesting support will be easier…’

The strained expression on Daniel’s face cracked slightly.

‘…The Empire believes I’m dead?’

Logically speaking, it would be difficult to assume there were survivors from a ship that had taken two torpedo hits and sunk.

Having reached this realization, Daniel stopped in his tracks across the sandy beach.

He stood motionless for a moment, his expression turning blank.

Shoooooaaaaaa–

Amidst the soothing sound of the waves on the deserted beach, Daniel felt his heart pounding with a dawning realization.

‘Wait a minute. This means…’

He had successfully escaped from the Empire, didn’t it?