LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 69
The next day.
Arriving at the General Staff Headquarters, I sat down at my desk in my personal office and unfolded the newspaper.
【Breaking News! His Majesty the Emperor selects an heir!】
【The next Emperor is Her Highness Princess Selvia… Regent duties to begin soon】
【The closest confidant of the Princess is none other than Captain Daniel Steiner?】
The last article put me in a foul mood, but right now that wasn’t the main issue.
As I flipped through a few more pages, the article I feared popped up.
【United Nations Permanent Member Edria strongly criticizes the Empire】
Below the headline was a black-and-white photo of a familiar-looking man holding a press conference.
His snake-like, pale, narrow eyes and haggard appearance confirmed he was Count Kaledra, the one holding the real power in Edria.
This was someone who could potentially trap the Empire in a corner.
As I quietly stared at the Count in the photo, I began to read the article.
“Count Kaledra condemned the Empire for effectively turning the Eldreshia Kingdom into a puppet state. Throughout the press conference, he criticized the Empire’s expansionist warfare and urged the neighboring countries to rise up against it…”
Having confirmed the content, I folded the newspaper and let out a low groan.
“Dammit.”
As expected, Kaledra was preaching about the Empire’s dangers and pressuring neutral countries to join the fight.
Now, it was just a matter of time before the Republic of Socialis and the Federative Nation of Veleka, both part of the great powers, joined the war.
From their perspective, it was crucial to prevent the Empire from becoming the sole hegemon and wielding influence over the entire world.
In short, World War was on the horizon.
If a world war broke out, could the Empire really win against the Republic, the Federative Nation, and the Allied Nations?
Even if the current situation seemed to ease, the odds were still low.
If the Empire were to lose, the victors would undoubtedly put the military leaders on trial and execute their opponents as they pleased.
“That’s why I wanted to take off the uniform as much as possible…”
But when I came to my senses, I found myself becoming a core member of the Empire’s leadership.
And now, embroiled in the Empire’s internal politics, I was hearing whispers about being the Princess’s closest confidant. It was driving me insane.
Thanks to that, the chances of asylum were shrinking down to the size of a needle’s eye.
No country would be eager to welcome a high-ranking officer who had actively participated in military and political activities on behalf of the Empire.
Even if someone did grant me asylum, there would likely be ulterior motives at play.
“But my position in the system isn’t exactly safe either…”
Sadly, there were plenty of individuals within the Empire who viewed me unfavorably.
To the military factions, nobles, and politicians already in power, I must have seemed like a sudden new force.
A frighteningly rising new force that had even eliminated its rivals using personal troops? Naturally, they’d be scared or wary.
I still vividly remembered the glares thrown at me during grand meetings in the Imperial Palace.
“Of course, I’m innocent in this…”
But how many would actually believe me if I claimed to be wronged?
The Emperor himself had pressured me without hiding his suspicions just yesterday.
How many more misunderstandings would torment me in the future? I was anxiously pondering that when a knock interrupted my train of thought.
Lucy? I lifted my head and looked towards the door.
“Come in.”
As soon as I finished speaking, the office door swung open.
It was indeed Lucy, who had come to fetch some paperwork from the Office of the Operations Staff.
The problem was the tall man standing behind her like a backdrop.
Wondering who it was, I raised my gaze and immediately jumped to my feet.
“Y-Your Excellency, the Vice Chief of Staff!”
Almost reflexively, I saluted, and Lucy stepped aside.
Vice Chief of Staff General Cedric nodded, acknowledging my salute, and stepped into the office.
He rolled his bulging eyes to survey the surroundings before fixing his gaze on me.
“There’s nothing unnecessary in the office, so it’s tidy. The cleanliness is also commendable.”
“…Thank you. However, what brings you here, Vice Chief?”
“I came to check on your working environment and deliver some good news.”
With the word “good news,” an uneasy feeling washed over me.
That feeling quickly solidified into certainty.
Cedric presented his hands, which had been clasped behind his back.
On his hands rested a small box, wrapped in the Empire’s national flag.
It was a now-familiar box.
“The higher-ups have approved your special promotion. There were differing opinions, but after you captured the rebels, no one raised any objections.”
It wasn’t a matter of not presenting an opinion, but rather that they couldn’t present one.
It’s clear that the future Emperor, Selvia, must have exerted some sort of pressure.
Plus, considering my accomplishments in the north, I thought it was only a matter of time before I got promoted, but I didn’t expect it to happen this fast, so I was at a loss for words.
“Come here. I’ll pin on your insignia.”
Half-resigned, I stood in front of Cedric.
Cedric unfolded the flag and opened the box, retrieving the Colonel’s badge.
With a practiced motion, he removed the Major’s badge from my uniform and attached the Colonel’s badge in its place.
Cedric, who stared at me as the new Colonel, took a step back.
“Congratulations on your promotion, Colonel Daniel Steiner.”
His congratulations were as bland as could be, without any embellishments.
Thinking it was typical of Cedric, I maintained a slight tension and replied.
“Thank you. Although I’m lacking, I will continue to dedicate myself to the Empire.”
“Lacking, you say?”
Cedric’s bulging eyes blinked once.
“You stabilized the occupied territories of Nordia and successfully negotiated with the Kingdom. Plus, you even apprehended those plotting rebellion this time. What are you lacking in?”
Once again, Cedric’s bulging eyes blinked slowly.
“Colonel Daniel Steiner, on behalf of the Empire, I thank you. And I will bear in mind your pledge of dedication to the Empire.”
…I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had said something wrong.
As an ominous feeling crept in, Lucy, who had been standing at the entrance, spoke up.
“Congratulations on your promotion, Colonel Daniel.”
Her congratulatory words seemed to mock me in some way.
I wasn’t pleased with something, so I looked at Cedric and said.
“Your Excellency, the Vice Chief. The reason I just referred to myself as lacking is that some of the achievements I’ve raised were largely due to my aide’s efforts.”
“Due to your aide’s efforts?”
“Yes. I won’t deny that I issued orders to stabilize Nordia. However, it was my aide who executed my orders effectively and quickly to establish the administrative system.”
Cedric, who looked somewhat surprised, turned back.
“Is that so?”
At Cedric’s question, Lucy panicked and quickly bowed her head.
“Your Excellency, I merely followed orders. It is only right that all credit goes to my superior, Colonel Daniel.”
Lucy had come here as a spy to eliminate the betrayer within the ranks.
So, it could be said that she had no intention of lingering here for long.
But what would happen if she suddenly got noticed by the higher-ups and got promoted?
It would be reasonable for her to encounter issues trying to escape the Empire, even if not to the extent I might face.
So she was desperately denying any credit.
But I didn’t have to understand her situation.
“It’s true. My aide is just humble and denying things. So Vice Chief, I hope you not only commend my achievements but also reflect on my aide’s contributions.”
“Hmm.”
After a moment of thought, Cedric nodded.
“You wouldn’t lie to me, would you? I will look into how much Lieutenant Lucy contributed to stabilizing Nordia before proceeding with the special promotion assessment.”
I lowered my head in deep gratitude.
As I did, Lucy also ceased her objections, sweating profusely.
Cedric, who looked meaningfully at Lucy, shrugged his shoulders and turned to leave.
“Then I shall take my leave. Make sure to focus on your work.”
As Cedric stepped out of the office, Lucy turned to me in disbelief.
“Colonel… no, Colonel. I merely executed the orders given to me.”
She seemed to be asking me to retract what I had just said to Cedric, but that was out of the question.
With a smile, I approached Lucy.
“Aide, do you know how difficult it is to carry out orders correctly? In that sense, it’s entirely reasonable for you to get a promotion.”
A crack began to form in Lucy’s expressionless face.
It was a subtle change, but I could sense her anger brewing.
‘So what can you do about it?’
I was merely a kind superior looking out for my subordinate.
“From now on, I plan to brag about my aide’s accomplishments everywhere. After all, it’s not easy to stay quiet when you have such a competent subordinate like you, right?”
“…Colonel.”
“There’s no need to be so touched. It’s just something a superior should naturally do with a capable subordinate. I hope you continue to succeed, Lieutenant Lucy. No, I’ll have to start calling you soon to be a Captain.”
As I said that, I kept my smile and gently patted Lucy’s shoulder.
“If possible, I’d like to rise to a higher position together.”
Lucy, seemingly lost in thought, bit her lower lip tightly and remained silent for a while.
After a brief silence, Lucy lowered her gaze and quietly whispered.
“…Thank you, Colonel.”
Although it appeared she wasn’t truly grateful.