I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander

While Lucie was being honest with her heart, Daniel was spending a leisurely time at a cocktail bar, guided by his client, Lef.

“I really thought you had lost your mind back then!”

Seated at the bar table, Lef spoke without concealing her excitement.

“To see you go all-in with no pair, that thought crossed my mind. ‘Is this madman gambling with my money?’ But I was mistaken. In the blink of an eye, that garbage hand turned into a royal straight flush!”

Ahahahaha! Tears welled up in Lef’s eyes as she burst into laughter.

“The priceless moment was that scammer being too stunned to retort. The half-wit. It was so satisfying, like a decade-old blockage being cleared. You know that feeling?”

Taking out a handkerchief, Lef wiped away the tears brought on by her laughter.

“Haah. Living in this cesspool, I hadn’t experienced anything amusing in so long. Thanks to you, I finally had a good laugh. At first, I thought you were some lunatic, but I’m glad I entrusted you with this.”

Seated beside Lef and listening to her story, Daniel gave a faint smile.

“I’m glad you’re satisfied.”

Regarding Daniel with a meaningful gaze, Lef narrowed her eyes.

“…But it’s strange. I should know a skilled player like you, yet I don’t recall seeing you before. You’re not a native of Tentarbahm, are you?”
“Your assumption is correct. I’m an outsider.”
“I thought so. Around here, someone with fair skin like you is either a noble or an outsider. While nobles tend to be arrogant, you seem composed, so I figured you were an outsider.”

Anticipating Lef would ask about his origin, Daniel considered fabricating a fake hometown and excuse, but she did not seem particularly interested in such details.

“Then, could you tell me about your past?”

Lef was curious about Daniel’s past, not his identity.

“You see, I enjoy listening to the stories of outsiders. Hearing the diverse tales makes me feel as if I’m traveling. So, what brought you to this cesspool?”

If he were to speak truthfully, he would say that he was dispatched as an envoy to Velanos, boarded a diplomatic vessel, and was sunk by torpedoes, but he could not reveal that.

Yet remaining silent might arouse suspicion, so Daniel decided to disclose the fundamental reason for his arrival.

“While I cannot provide the details, let’s just say I fled here because the women in my homeland terrified me.”
“Women?”

Was he a casanova who had stirred up trouble? The intriguing response caused Lef’s eyes to sparkle as Daniel remarked with self-deprecation.

“There were three women. One who wanted to kill me, one who wanted to use me, and one who seemed to have an unhealthy obsession with me. It got suffocating to the point where I could no longer live there.”

Three women? Lef’s eyes widened in surprise.

“…You were quite the scoundrel, weren’t you?”
“A scoundrel, you say? Did you not hear me properly? They wanted to kill or use me.”
“Fool. Which woman would try to kill or use a man she has no interest in? Fundamentally, they had an interest in you, and that was their way of expressing affection.”
“No…”

Sensing a misunderstanding, Daniel attempted to explain the situation in detail but stopped.

He lacked the confidence to convince this hopeless romantic, who seemed to have learned about romance from novels.

As Daniel stuck out his tongue, the bartender approached with a cocktail.

“Apologies for the wait. Here is the Bloody Mary you ordered.”

The cocktail in the tall glass had an intense red hue.

Likely due to its tomato base, the color was remarkably vivid.

Quietly observing the received cocktail, Daniel naturally recalled Lucie.

His adjutant with eyes even redder and more beautiful than this cocktail.

‘By now, she must have heard about the vessel’s sinking…’

How would Lucie react to that news?

‘She might be pleased, perhaps?’

As the target of her assassination, she would not grieve over his death.

Unless she felt guilty, that is.

‘Moreover…’

If the Allied Nations were indeed responsible for sinking the vessel, Lucie must have been aware of it in advance.

‘They would hardly have kept her in the dark. In that case…’

Had her suggestion to share Stollen during Christmas been an act?

The thought brought a bittersweet smile to his face.

Observing Daniel’s wistful smile as he gazed at the cocktail, Lef felt her heart flutter.

It resembled someone pining for a past lover.

‘What kind of story does he have?’

For Lef, whose sole enjoyment was listening to the tales of outsiders, Daniel’s demeanor piqued her curiosity.

“Say, Rivelard, was it?”

Called by the alias, Daniel naturally nodded.

“That’s right.”
“Alright. I’ve taken an interest in you, so how about visiting my estate? I’d like to treat you to a meal. And while we’re at it, I can hear more of your story.”
“I appreciate the offer, but no thanks.”

His refusal was immediate.

“It’s my principle not to get personally acquainted with clients. So, it would be best if we went our separate ways after this…”
“Didn’t you say you needed money?”

At the mention of money, Daniel fell silent.

Indeed, the money he had received would not suffice for identity laundering and opening a bakery.

Perceiving Daniel’s financial constraints, Lef gave a playful smile.

“If you accept my invitation, I can provide you with far more money than you received today. And I’m not asking you to come right away. I’ll formally invite you in a few days, so come then. It’s a deal with no downsides, only benefits. Will you still refuse?”
“Of course…”

After a brief pause, Daniel looked at Lef.

“I will accept your invitation.”

The amount of money was too substantial to decline.

The next morning.
In the southern region of the Empire, the Cathedral of Glorious Flames.

“Did you hear? The diplomatic vessel was sunk.”
“Was it the Allied Nations’ doing? Even in wartime, attacking civilians…”

The congregants gathered in the main hall murmured about the recent vessel sinking incident.

Prien, seated in the front row, half-listened to their words while dismissing them.

No, to be precise, she was not in a mental state to pay attention to the congregants’ words.

‘Why?’

Why did Daniel Steiner have to die among so many people?

‘Why?’

Why did the Lord not protect Daniel Steiner?

‘Why?’

Why did the Lord even deprive her of the opportunity to be martyred in Daniel Steiner’s stead?

The endless questions left Prien’s eyes hollow and vacant.

Moreover, her usually glossy reddish-brown hair was disheveled and unkempt.

The result of not eating or sleeping since learning of the sinking of the vessel carrying Daniel Steiner, instead subjecting herself to self-torture.

‘Why?’

As Prien posed the question to herself once more, her father, Belarf, the presiding minister, ascended the church’s pulpit.

After tapping the microphone, he surveyed the multitude gathered in the grand cathedral.

“Ah. Brothers and sisters. I express gratitude on behalf of the Lord for your presence, seeking spiritual solace in these arduous times. I also extend my gratitude to my daughter, who has brought honor to our Cathedral of Glorious Flames by graduating early from the military academy.”

While her father’s gentle voice resonated throughout the cathedral, Prien paid no heed.

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

“Praying for the Empire’s decisive victory, before we commence the service, my daughter will deliver an address. Prien?”

Prien did not raise her head.

Perplexed, Belarf cleared his throat and spoke again.

“Prien Remiliart!”

Startled by the shout, Prien looked up at her father.

Belarf regarded her with a displeased gaze before gesturing for her to come up.

Only then did Prien recall why she was present.

After early graduation, cadets receive a short leave before their unit assignments.

As an early graduate, Prien was no exception and had returned to her hometown on leave.

Upon her return, Belarf had requested that Prien deliver an address before the service.

To elevate the family’s standing and uphold the church’s dignity.

“Yes…”

Complying with her father’s ambitions, Prien rose from her seat and walked forward.

Ascending the stairs to the pulpit, Belarf stepped aside.

Standing before the pulpit, Prien noticed an address transcript on the desk.

A transcript written not by herself, but by Belarf.

As if instructing her to read it as is, the contents Prien saw made her scoff.

The transcript repeatedly stated, ‘I was born with black magic, living a life no different from a demon,’ followed by a lengthy explanation of how she had repented and found salvation through the church’s teachings.

‘How ridiculous.’

Prien had not been saved by the church’s teachings, but by Daniel Steiner.

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

Biting her lip in anger, Prien grabbed the transcript and tossed it aside.

As the transcript scattered and fell to the floor, Belarf and the congregants showed signs of surprise.

Observing the stunned congregants, Prien slowly opened her mouth.

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

Her voice, amplified by the microphone, reached the back of the grand cathedral.

“For being born with black magic, I endured endless condemnation and abuse. Even those known for their compassion, the clergy, looked upon me with disdain.”
“What are you…”

The flustered Belarf attempted to chase Prien away, but she fiercely glared at her approaching father.

Pressed by her imposing aura, Belarf hesitated, allowing Prien to raise her head and face the congregation.

“But Lieutenant Colonel Daniel was different! He did not shun me for my black magic! Instead, he embraced me and called my abilities a blessing!”

Prien’s voice gradually grew more impassioned.

“That’s not all! Brothers and sisters, do you remember Acts 10:34? That the Lord’s grace is bestowed equally upon all races and peoples! In that regard, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel extended the Lord’s teachings beyond our borders by abolishing racial discrimination in Nordiah!”

Prien gripped the pulpit with her hand.

“Furthermore, in the northern war, where countless sacrifices could have occurred, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel ended the conflict with the Kingdom through negotiation at an early stage. Consider the multitude of lives spared!”

Closing her eyes, Prien sobbed mournfully.

“Ah. He was a saint. A saint not only to me but to all. And those devil’s spawn have taken the life of this innocent man. Who could they be?”

Some congregants in the audience shouted.

– The Allied Nations!

Hearing them, Prien slowly opened her eyes.

“Yes. If not the Allied Nations, what other demons would attack our saint? Then what must we do? Shall we simply watch as the demons who took our saint remain unpunished?”

Prien shook her head.

“No! Those who tolerate demons are no different from demons themselves! We must spread word of the demons’ atrocities and ensure Daniel Steiner’s death – the death of a hero – does not become meaningless! For that is the Lord’s will!”

Nods and voices of agreement arose from various parts of the congregation.

“The Lord does not bestow trials we cannot endure. Then…!”

Gripping the pulpit tightly, Prien raised her voice.

“It is time to heed Lieutenant Colonel Daniel’s words! I will take it upon myself to convey the Lord’s message to you, brothers and sisters. The meaning behind the saint’s death is one! That is…”

The hollowness in Prien’s eyes began to fill with fierce wrath.

“A holy war!”

The resonance of those words prompted the congregants to rise one by one.

Amidst the mounting anger towards the Allied Nations, Prien’s words became the spark igniting action.

“Brothers and sisters! Children of the Lord! We shall never forget Daniel Steiner’s death! So rise up! We will surely rise and unite to fight!”

Standing before the grand cross, Prien’s impassioned figure appeared sacred to the congregants.

Cheers and applause erupted from all around, while some of the more fervent souls shouted.

– A holy war!
– Bring down the Lord’s wrath upon the Allied Nations demons!

In the space where faith and fury intertwined, Prien devoutly clasped her hands in prayer.

‘Although Lieutenant Colonel Daniel has departed this world…’

I will carry on his will, without fail.