I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander

Amidst the large-scale search operation unfolding in Velanos, Princess Celvia was spending her time in the vast indoor garden of her private palace.

“…”

Celvia’s steps along the path lined with red and white poinsettias lacked vigor.

The vibrant blue eyes that had always harbored determination were now devoid of life, her unfocused gaze directed at the poinsettias.

From a distance, the maids observing Celvia’s pensive state whispered worriedly among themselves.

“At this rate, she might collapse.”
“I’m so concerned. She hasn’t had much appetite lately and has been skipping meals…”
“It’s not just the meals. Today, the head maid advised Her Highness to focus on state affairs instead of coming to the private palace, but she insisted on coming here, claiming she wasn’t tired.”

One of the maids let out a heavy sigh.

“It must be because of Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner’s situation. She’s been listless ever since the sinking of the diplomatic vessel.”
“You think so too? I wish she would regain her spirits soon…”

The maid trailed off as the Imperial Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jovemp, approached.

Hastily lowering their heads, Jovemp spoke in his customary courteous tone.

“Ladies. Where is Her Highness the Princess?”
“Her Highness is on the path lined with poinsettias.”

Turning his head after the maid’s response, Jovemp spotted Celvia gazing pensively at the poinsettias.

Nodding in acknowledgment to the maids, Jovemp approached Celvia.

“Your Highness the Princess.”

At the voice beside her, Celvia turned her head.

Confirming it was Jovemp, Celvia blinked vacantly.

“…What brings you here at this hour? The council meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, is it not?”
“My apologies, but I have come to share news from Velanos.”
“Velanos, you say. Did the fleet arrive safely?”

Jovemp nodded.

“The Prime Minister of Velanos has complied with the Empire’s demand to open their borders. It was the only sensible choice, lest they risk diplomatic tensions with the Empire and accusations of supporting terrorism by refusing.”

A smile formed on Jovemp’s lips.

“Consequently, the Imperial fleet arrived safely at the port city of Tentarbahm, Velanos, this afternoon at eight o’clock. The disembarked troops are conducting a large-scale search operation as per Your Highness’s orders, and the Velanese government has also begun cooperating with the Empire’s search efforts.”

Despite the favorable developments, Celvia’s expression remained unchanged.

This was expected, and what mattered most to Celvia now was the outcome, not the process.

Aware of this, Jovemp cleared his throat and spoke.

“I believe I may have joyful news to share with Your Highness regarding this matter.”
“…Joyful news?”
“Yes. A report has arrived from Major Hartman, the head of the Royal Guard security detail participating in the search. He states that there is a very high possibility that Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner is alive.”

The lifeless eyes Celvia had maintained suddenly widened.

After a moment of stunned silence, Celvia took a deep breath and spoke.

“What do you mean? Please explain more precisely.”
“Understood. Upon disembarking, the troops first searched the coastlines under the fleet commander’s orders. If Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner had survived by drifting with the currents, searching the coastlines would be the top priority.”
“And then?”
“Major Hartman discovered Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner’s military uniform there. He surmises that to conceal his identity, the Lieutenant Colonel changed clothes at a nearby hut and left his uniform behind.”

Gulping down her saliva, Celvia urgently asked.

“Any injuries? He wasn’t injured, was he?”
“No. The uniform showed no signs of tearing or bloodstains, indicating he was unharmed. Additionally, since he changed clothes and likely walked to Tentarbahm, it appears he sustained no physical impairments from the accident.”

In essence, there was a high probability that he was currently active in Tentarbahm, uninjured and in good health.

‘Thank goodness.’

Life returned to Celvia’s eyes.

Exhaling a sigh of relief, Celvia placed a hand over her chest, as if unburdened.

‘Really, thank goodness…’

Tears welled up in her eyes without her realizing it, her heart swelling at the prospect of reuniting with Daniel.

Taking deep breaths to steady her trembling body, Celvia suddenly recalled a peculiarity.

Why had he discarded his uniform and changed clothes?

If he had gone to the Tentarbahm city hall wearing his uniform, he could have received assistance.

Pondering this, Celvia gained a faint realization.

‘Daniel must have determined there were collaborators within Tentarbahm working with the enemy.’

Thus, unable to trust even the city hall, he had concealed his identity.

‘The poor man…’

From Celvia’s perspective, Daniel Steiner was fighting alone in a foreign land, unable to discern friend from foe.

‘He must be trembling in fear, wandering the streets even now.’

The thought brought tears to her eyes.

Raising her arm, Celvia wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and turned to Jovemp.

“Convey this to the fleet commander who has landed in Tentarbahm.”

Regaining her regal demeanor, Celvia narrowed her sharp eyes.

“Ensure Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner’s safety, no matter what.”

Contrary to Celvia’s concerns, Daniel was engaging in a joyful conversation at Lef’s estate.

While initially startled to learn Lef’s father was the Prime Minister, he ultimately dismissed it as inconsequential.

After today, he would not be interacting with Lef again, so it did not matter.

Thus, taking advantage of the invitation, Daniel regaled Lef with various stories to entertain her, and Lef, seemingly enjoying Daniel’s tales, freely shared her own past.

“Really? You’re not pulling my leg, are you?”

Laughing heartily, Lef continued without concealing her excitement.

“If not, how else could I have escaped this accursed estate? Developing the agility to scale the walls was just the start. I had to bribe the servants monitoring me to join my side.”

Having listened to Lef’s ‘Great Estate Escape’ story to the end, Daniel clapped his hands as his laughter subsided.

“I doubt I could have gone to such lengths. I might have simply accepted my reality.”
“You must never accept it. That’s the same as losing.”
“Depending on how you look at it, that could be sound advice. But now, the time…”

Glancing at the wall clock, Daniel offered an awkward smile.

“It’s gotten quite late. At this rate, we’ll be conversing until dawn.”
“…I don’t mind, though? You and I seem to get along really well. Hey, why don’t you just stay the night at my estate? We have plenty of spare rooms. Or better yet, work for us here. I can arrange your identity and provide a generous salary. What do you say?”

While a good offer, Daniel had no choice but to refuse from his perspective.

He was gripped by a sense of unease, fearing unfavorable repercussions if he encountered the Prime Minister while loitering around the estate.

“I appreciate the thought, but I must decline both offers.”

At Daniel’s polite refusal, Lef’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“I see. Unlike me, who is confined to this estate, you are a free spirit, aren’t you?”
“There may be a misunderstanding. Compared to the lady who frequently escapes her estate, I would say you are closer to being truly free. For freedom fundamentally stems from resistance against oppression.”

Hearing Daniel’s words, Lef scoffed.

His ability to rephrase even unpleasant statements in a positive light made it impossible to dislike him.

“Alright, I won’t insist any further. There will be other opportunities.”

Lef raised her hand and clapped twice, prompting the dining room door to open as the butler, Vanbresh, entered.

In his hand was the blindfold Daniel had worn earlier.

“I will escort you to your lodgings.”

Daniel nodded and rose from his seat.

As he was about to follow Vanbresh out, Lef grabbed Daniel’s sleeve.

“Wait a moment. Don’t you have any parting words for my wretched father? He may be wretched, but he is the Prime Minister. This could be an opportunity for advancement.”

Advancement? Such a superficial term held no allure for Daniel, whose life had been far too turbulent.

His desire was to simply open a quiet bakery in the countryside.

However, sensing she would not let him go without a response, Daniel spoke the first thing that came to mind.

“Please convey to him the importance of governing righteously.”
“How bland…”

Sticking out her tongue, Lef nodded, instinctively realizing she could no longer detain him.

“It was an enjoyable time. If the opportunity arises, let’s meet again.”
“Yes, if the opportunity arises.”

Responding courteously, Daniel bowed his head.

Of course, he had no intention of ever meeting the daughter of the Prime Minister of Velanos again.

Blindfolded and guided by Vanbresh’s hand, Daniel boarded a car and arrived at the inn after about an hour’s drive.

“You may now remove your blindfold.”

Daniel nodded and took off the blindfold.

Outside, the familiar exterior of the inn came into view.

Vanbresh opened the car door, and Daniel naturally disembarked.

Once outside, Vanbresh deeply bowed his waist.

“Thank you.”

His courteous gratitude carried a profound sincerity.

“It has been a long time since the young lady laughed so freely. It was all thanks to you, Mr. Rivelard.”

Flustered, Daniel waved his hand dismissively.

“Not at all. It was a meaningful time for me, being treated to such a sumptuous feast. And the lady’s wit, unbefitting a noble, ensured it was not dull.”
“You honor me with your words. Then…”

Maintaining his bowed stance, Vanbresh offered a final nod before boarding the vehicle.

Watching the car slowly depart the alleyway, Daniel donned the sunglasses clipped to his vest and began walking.

‘Now…’

Deeming it dangerous to remain in Tentarbahm any longer, Daniel opened the inn’s entrance.

Simultaneously, he could not help but feel an immense sense of dread.

For an Imperial officer accompanied by soldiers was standing in the inn lobby.

The officer was engaged in a heated exchange with the innkeeper at the counter.

“Have you seen this man?”
“I told you, no? Why would someone like that even come to our humble inn?”
“Take another careful look. Just in case…”

In the officer’s hand was a flyer with a portrait sketch.

‘That’s…’

Confirming it was unmistakably himself, Daniel broke out in a cold sweat.

He had anticipated the Empire would send troops, but this was too soon, even for his expectations.

Realizing he could not be discovered, Daniel quietly attempted to back away.

“Hm?”

Sensing a presence, the officer turned around.

Forced to halt his retreat, Daniel naturally entered the inn instead.

As he headed towards his room, numerous gazes followed him.

‘Please, no…’

Silently pleading to be allowed to pass unnoticed, his plea went unanswered.

“You there.”

The officer’s call brought Daniel to a halt.

The officer scrutinized Daniel and the portrait sketch with a meaningful gaze before slowly approaching.

“A large-scale search operation is currently underway, so I need your cooperation. Do you happen to know an individual named Daniel Steiner?”

Daniel clenched his teeth in secret.

If discovered here, he would be forcibly returned to the Empire.

To the Empire ruled by a suspicious Emperor mirroring his daughter’s temperament, with a deranged nationalist subordinate and a spy-adjutant who had tried to take his life.

He absolutely did not wish to return.

Having been presented with this opportunity, he could not let it slip away.

After taking a deep breath, Daniel turned to face the officer, maintaining the utmost composure.

“Hmm. Daniel Steiner, you say…”

His contemplation was profound, but his decision was swift.

“Who might that be?”

Having reached this point, he decided to simply brazen it out.