I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander

After finishing his breakfast and daily duties, Daniel returned to his hotel room, humming a tune.

The prospect of ending his perilous life in the Empire lifted his spirits.

‘I no longer have to worry about Lucie trying to kill me, nor face execution in a war crimes trial.’

Additionally, he would be free from the risk of falling victim to stray bullets on the battlefield – a triple blessing.

With a gentle smile, Daniel opened the kitchen’s refrigerator, retrieving Roquefort cheese and ice.

The pungent aroma characteristic of the blue cheese, also known as Roquefort, wafted out.

‘Excellent. Well-aged.’

This cheese was a gift from the citizens of Nordia, who had pooled their money to purchase it for Daniel upon his departure.

Although an expensive delicacy he had intended to savor, there was no need to hold back now that he would soon leave the Empire.

After placing the cheese on the table, Daniel retrieved a ration of whiskey and a glass from the shelf.

Setting the glass on the table as well, he added a small amount of ice before pouring in a light serving of whiskey.

The amber liquid filled about half the glass.

While it felt somewhat wasteful to pair the pricey cheese with ration whiskey, such indulgence would be considered a luxury on the battlefield, leaving him content.

Pushing the whiskey bottle aside, Daniel raised the glass and walked towards the window.

He wished to savor a sip while admiring the view outside.

‘Speaking of which, what should I pursue after successfully defecting? Perhaps painting? I’ve always wanted to become an artist…’

As he pondered, Daniel shook his head.

‘Artwork won’t earn much unless I become a master. Then what about baking? I assisted the headmaster back home a few times. He praised my talent…’

As Daniel envisioned his future while pacing, he stood by the window, looking down.

The plaza visible from the hotel was bustling with soldiers coming and going as usual.

However, unlike typical days, the soldiers moving under the street lamps today seemed unusually energetic.

‘…Is something happening?’

Puzzled, he continued observing as what appeared to be lower-ranking soldiers began scurrying about, relaying messages.

Upon hearing the soldiers’ words, the officers and veteran troops exchanged remarks before erupting in cheers.

Then, several soldiers gestured towards the 7th floor of Daniel’s hotel and abruptly saluted.

Like an infectious wave, more and more soldiers turned to salute Daniel, broad smiles adorning their faces, with even some junior officers joining in.

Unexpectedly receiving salutes from hundreds of soldiers gathered in the plaza, Daniel broke out in a cold sweat.

‘What’s going on?’

He could not comprehend the situation.

Or rather, he did not wish to comprehend it.

To quell the unsettling premonition, Daniel raised the whiskey glass and took a light sip.

‘Surely not. No, it couldn’t be…’

As he desperately clung to denial, a polite knock sounded from outside, accompanied by a voice.

“Major Daniel Steiner! Are you inside? It’s the Corps Commander’s Aide!”

Why did his ominous feelings prove accurate?

Wiping his face with his hand, Daniel set down the whiskey glass on a nearby table and walked towards the door.

Taking a deep breath, he opened it to find Colonel Calphren standing outside.

“…Colonel Calphren. What brings you here at this hour?”

In response to Daniel’s query, Calphren flashed a kind smile.

“I came to share good news. The Kingdom has accepted your proposal!”
“Pardon? My proposal, you say…”
“Not only have they agreed to the Empire’s existing terms, but they have even offered to cede Begenhime in addition to Nordia! It’s truly an incredible feat!”

While Calphren let out a hearty laugh, Daniel could only feel bewildered.

‘…Why?’

In the games, the Kingdom had rejected all three negotiations, insisting on fighting to the bitter end. Why were they now waving the white flag like a terrified dog?

‘They even surrendered after I revealed all the Level 2 secrets to their advantage?’

Racking his brain amidst the inexplicable situation, Daniel unconsciously clenched his fist.

‘…Could there have been an information disparity?’

If the Kingdom’s forces were unaware of the Empire’s true troop strengths and capabilities, revealing the secrets might have amounted to a form of coercion.

However, for such an information gap to occur, the Kingdom’s intelligence apparatus would need to be intentionally crippled, fed with disinformation to create a smokescreen.

At least, the Empire had never resorted to such tactics.

While they had succeeded in compromising the Kingdom’s communications network, they had not disseminated false information.

After all, the Empire had hoped the Kingdom would accept the armistice negotiations out of fear.

There was no need to spread disinformation and give the Kingdom cause to reject the negotiations.

‘Then…’

It meant the Union had been manipulating the Kingdom from behind the scenes.

Not merely seeking the Kingdom’s defeat, but deliberately orchestrating a prolonged resistance, hoping to inflict maximum casualties on the Empire before their eventual collapse.

‘Damn it.’

He had not expected the Union to systematically manipulate the Kingdom to such an extent.

Realizing his plans had been thwarted, a somber expression clouded Daniel’s eyes.

Witnessing his demeanor, Calphren could not help but feel inwardly astonished.

‘Even after being informed of his remarkable achievement, he remains remarkably composed.’

Daniel’s countenance shamed Calphren.

‘True, despite subjugating the Kingdom, the Empire remains at war with the Union. An officer responsible for leading troops cannot revel frivolously and set a poor example for the military…’

Daniel Steiner truly lived up to his reputation as the Empire’s hero.

Clearing his throat, Calphren adopted a more solemn tone as he spoke.

“It was an exemplary mission, Major Daniel Steiner. With your duties concluded, I shall make arrangements for your return to the Capital.”
“…Thank you.”
“No, we should be thanking you. Ah, and one more thing – His Majesty the Emperor wishes to see you.”

Daniel looked at Calphren in surprise.

“His Majesty the Emperor?”
“Yes. Thanks to you, a potentially protracted war with the Kingdom has been averted in its early stages. His Majesty must be overjoyed.”

While Calphren intended to congratulate Daniel on his promising prospects, Daniel could only feel apprehensive.

He worried about becoming embroiled in the impending succession struggles should he gain the Emperor’s favor.

However, in his position, he could not reveal his true thoughts, forcing an awkward smile.

“In that case, it would be a great honor.”
“A smile suits you well. Yes, you must have endured hardships, so rest up today.”
“Yes, understood.”

With a nod, Calphren slowly turned and departed.

After watching Calphren descend the hotel stairs, Daniel closed the door.

Gripping the doorknob, he stood motionless for a moment before suddenly exclaiming.

“Why!?”

Turning, Daniel strode towards the table, shouting.

“Why is this happening to me!? Why can’t I be happy!?”

Venting his aimless frustration, Daniel grasped the whiskey bottle.

He nearly hurled it aside before regaining his composure and setting it down.

‘I need to drink this.’

It would be a waste to vent his anger on the precious liquor.

Letting out a low sigh, Daniel sat down and downed the remaining whiskey in his glass.

The alcohol tasted bitter.

‘I was genuinely happy just moments ago…’

Forced to bury his dreams of becoming an artist or baker, Daniel poured himself another glass of whiskey.

It seemed he would need to indulge heavily tonight.

At the same time, in the International Union’s permanent seat nation of Edria.

“Duke Calledra! What is the meaning of this!?”

Calledra barged into the royal audience chamber with his guards, a pistol holstered at his waist.

It was a blatant violation of the law prohibiting weapons inside the audience chamber.

However, Calledra showed no hesitation as he approached the King seated on the throne.

A dull thud echoed with each step as Calledra leaned on his cane.

Gripping the armrests tightly, the King let out a deep sigh as Calledra slightly bowed his head.

“Your Majesty. Forgive my impudence. However, the situation was urgent, forcing me to disregard proper procedures.”
“Calledra! Is that any way to address His Majesty!?”

One of the ministers present in the audience chamber rebuked Calledra, raising his voice.

Taking a deep breath, as if vexed, Calledra turned towards the minister.

His serpentine, sharp eyes flickered with menace.

“Did I not make it clear? The situation was urgent.”

Leave it be.

Cowed by Calledra’s implicit warning, the minister could only swallow hard as he clenched his fists.

Having silenced the minister, Calledra looked back at the King.

“Your Majesty. With the aid of the Central Intelligence Bureau, I have rooted out and eliminated the vile traitors who conspired against us. You ought to bear witness to their wretched faces.”

At Calledra’s signal, a guard standing beside him stepped closer to the King and opened a box he had been carrying.

“…!”

Simultaneously, the King and ministers alike opened their eyes wide in shock.

Inside the box was a severed human head.

Not just anyone’s, but the head of the very minister who had repeatedly criticized Calledra, advocating for the strengthening of royal authority.

He was also the minister who had received the King’s secret orders to prepare for Calledra’s assassination.

Turning his gaze towards the head in the box, Calledra placed a hand over his chest in a show of mourning.

“A pitiful and foolish man. This individual was plotting treason. Secretly training soldiers behind Your Majesty’s back.”

Everyone present knew Calledra’s words were a lie.

Yet, no one dared to contradict him.

After savoring the heavy silence, Calledra looked back at the King.

The faint smile on Calledra’s face vanished, his expression turning fierce.

“If there are others who attempt such unsavory acts in the future!”

Raising his voice in a thunderous shout, Calledra slammed his cane against the floor.

As the others trembled in fear, Calledra spoke in a chilling tone.

“…They shall meet the same fate. Would you not agree, Your Majesty?”

At Calledra’s words, the King, seated on the throne, slowly nodded while suppressing a shudder.

Seeing this, Calledra took a step back and bowed, his free hand extending elegantly to the side, in accordance with royal court etiquette.

However, Calledra’s eyes remained fixated on the King with a piercing glare.

Without awaiting the King’s dismissal, Calledra turned and left after completing his bow.

With each step, the mud caked on his shoes left footprints across the audience chamber’s floor.

After exiting the audience chamber, Calledra departed from the palace.

Amidst the numerous guards accompanying him, the Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Bureau approached Calledra at the palace entrance.

Upon receiving Calledra’s gaze, the Deputy Director bowed his head and spoke.

“Your Grace. According to our intelligence, the Kingdom of Eldreshia has accepted the Empire’s terms.”

For the first time, a crack appeared in Calledra’s perpetually cold demeanor.

“…Why?”

After carefully considering his words, the Deputy Director responded.

“The Kingdom’s Foreign Minister had a change of heart after meeting with Major Daniel Steiner. We are unaware of the details discussed, however…”

Gauging Calledra’s reaction, the Deputy Director continued.

“The Foreign Minister claims Major Daniel Steiner told him to ‘inform the Union that the Kingdom of Eldreshia has been subjugated.'”

Calledra’s grip tightened on his cane’s handle.

‘Arrogant…’

Yet, it was arrogance befitting his abilities.

For some inexplicable reason, Daniel reminded Calledra of his own youthful self.

‘Was Daniel Steiner a greater force than I anticipated…?’

As he contemplated how to approach this individual, Calledra began walking.

“Inform Lucie to accelerate her mission. He is a quick-witted and resourceful individual. If she cannot gain his trust, even Lucie risks exposure.”

With a bow, the Deputy Director stepped back.

Afterward, Calledra entered the rear seat of a waiting sedan, catching his breath.

Retrieving a handkerchief from his pocket, he wiped the blood from his cheek before quietly muttering.

“Daniel Steiner…”

Perhaps this man would prove a more formidable adversary than even the Empire’s Emperor.