A Few Days Later
Imperial General Staff Headquarters, Daniel Steiner’s Private Office
“……”
As usual, Lucy was organizing docunts in Daniel’s stead when her ears perked up.
From the corridor, she heard a familiar set of footsteps.
Recognizing the sound as Daniel Steiner’s, she instinctively jumped up from her seat.
She was so happy that he had returned that her body reacted before her mind could catch up.
Just as she was about to rush to the door and welco him, she suddenly hesitated.
…This feels like…
Like a dog eagerly waiting for its master.
Realizing how pathetic that seed, Lucy let out a quiet sigh.
Just then—
Creak.
The office door swung open, and Daniel walked in.
She had been worried about his injury—after all, he had been hit in the forehead with a brick.
But his appearance was completely normal.
No, in fact, he looked better than usual.
“Oh, if it isn’t my lovely adjutant. Did you keep my office safe while I was gone?”
Daniel grinned as he spoke, but Lucy felt a sudden chill run down her spine.
…‘My lovely adjutant?’
Not only was that an expression he never used, but his tone also carried an unusual hint of cheerfulness.
Did he suffer brain damage?
She had heard about cases like this before.
It wasn’t common, but so people who suffered serious head trauma experienced personality changes.
She narrowed her eyes in suspicion, but Daniel simply humd to himself in amusent.
And he had good reason to be pleased—things had gone better than expected.
"By now, there's hardly anyone in the capital who doesn't know that I got hit by a brick during the anti-war protests."
Whether it was because the lverton Newspaper had done a spectacular job or simply because the headline was that sensational, the news had spread across the capital like wildfire.
Even The Imperial Daily had started covering the story.
"That ans…"
That The Imperial Daily had raised the white flag.
"And if The Imperial Daily has surrendered, that ans the noble faction has entered a lull."
To put it crudely, they had probably reached the point where they were thinking, “This bastard plays dirty.”
"Which ans they won’t be making any moves against for a while."
In other words, a temporary ceasefire.
And since self-preservation was Daniel’s top priority in life, this was a welco developnt.
"On top of that…"
After the coronation, his promotion was already scheduled.
Of course, the promotion itself wasn’t the exciting part.
What he was really looking forward to was the position change that would co with it.
A colonel couldn’t exactly keep working as just an operations staff officer.
"They’ll assign as the new Head of the Operations Staff."
With the achievents he had accumulated, taking Ernst’s position wouldn’t be difficult.
And when that happened, Ernst would be pushed into so insignificant desk job.
Considering how much he had complained about overwork in the past, he might not even mind the reassignnt.
"He’s submitted multiple requests for a transfer already."
Thanks to that, the transition would likely happen without any unnecessary conflict.
"And once I beco Head of Operations Staff…"
His security clearance would increase.
He would beco a central figure in the Empire.
Even if the noble faction tead up against him, they wouldn’t be able to reach him so easily.
That ant one thing—
He would be one step closer to achieving his dream of a peaceful, uneventful life.
Moreover, the Head of Operations Staff was a rear-line position—a safe job, far from the raging battlefields.
"I had to personally go on operations before out of necessity…"
But now that he had established a solid foundation within the Empire, there was no longer any need for him to step onto the battlefield.
To put it another way—he had built his castle, and now all that was left was to move in.
Of course, there would still be obstacles to deal with, and the noble faction would continue trying to interfere.
But at least for now, he didn’t have to worry too much about it.
Because in the battle of public opinion, he had crushed them.
Feeling pleased with the situation, Daniel placed his briefcase on the desk and took a seat.
Sunlight stread through the window behind him, warming his back.
He smiled brightly.
“You’ve worked hard, adjutant. Once I beco Head of Operations Staff, the workload will be divided among the staff office mbers, so you won’t have to work overti as often.”
“…Head of Operations Staff?”
“That’s right. Her Highness has already stated that she will promote on the day of the coronation, so the position is as good as mine. If you’d like, you can start calling ‘Director’ from now on.”
Daniel smiled benevolently.
Lucy’s eyebrow twitched.
…This is irritating.
The way Daniel was gloating was sohow incredibly annoying.
****
anwhile, in the Chief of Staff’s Office
High-Ranking Commanders’ Personnel eting
“It seems everyone is here. Let’s begin.”
Arman Vetheriom, the Chief of Staff, scanned the gathered officers at the conference table with his one remaining eye.
The eting included the key strategists of the General Staff, as well as the Director of Personnel Affairs.
Among them, Cedric, the Deputy Operations Chief of Staff, carried a peculiar presence.
After briefly glancing at Cedric, Arman picked up a file from the table and spoke.
“As you all know, Her Highness the Princess intends to promote Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner to the rank of Colonel on the day of the coronation. Are there any disqualifying factors regarding his special promotion?”
It was a purely formal question, and the Director of Personnel Affairs responded imdiately.
“There are none. Each ti Lieutenant Colonel Steiner has been deployed in operations, he has successfully completed his missions. Most notably, he recently captured the Crown Prince of Belmore, securing a major victory. Furthermore, his efforts in exposing collaborators within the Empire demonstrate that he is an exemplary officer.”
Hearing this, the Deputy Chief of the General Staff added his thoughts.
“Although Lieutenant Colonel Steiner has recently taken on a more political role, his actions have ultimately served the Empire's interests. As such, I believe his conduct remains within acceptable limits.”
Arman nodded solemnly and set the docunt down.
“Then we must now discuss his position. We can’t simply leave Daniel Steiner as an operations staff officer once he receives his promotion. In my opinion…”
He tapped the table lightly before continuing.
“It would be best to appoint Daniel Steiner as Head of the Operations Staff. Colonel Ernst, the current departnt head, has already expressed his desire for a transfer. Have you reviewed this proposal?”
His question was directed at the Director of Personnel Affairs.
The director hesitated, his expression slightly troubled, before cautiously responding.
“Your Excellency, Colonel Ernst is a vital asset to the General Staff. While it is undeniable that Daniel Steiner is an exceptional officer, so within the departnt believe that his lack of long-term staff experience makes him unsuitable for the position of Head of Operations Staff.”
The role of an operations officer was fundantally a technical position—assisting in planning and executing military operations.
However, the Head of Operations Staff was a strategic role—leading the entire departnt, making tactical judgnts, and assessing the feasibility of large-scale operations.
It was a position that demanded extensive experience.
Naturally, the Director of Personnel Affairs had reservations about assigning soone like Daniel Steiner to such a role.
Understanding the director’s concerns, Cedric spoke up.
“Your Excellency, I agree with the Director of Personnel Affairs. Colonel Ernst should remain in his position for the sake of the Empire. Moreover…”
Cedric paused for a mont before stating:
“Daniel Steiner does not want the position of Head of Operations Staff.”
Arman raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
“He doesn’t want it? Explain.”
“Yes, sir. Lieutenant Colonel Steiner once told , ‘A war hero cannot simply settle for a comfortable life in the capital.’ He also said, *‘If one truly wishes to serve the Empire, they should contribute on the battlefield while they are still young.’”
Of course, this was a lie Daniel had made up during the Christmas banquet—an excuse to avoid political entanglent and gain an opportunity to leave the capital.
The only problem was…
Both Cedric and Chief of Staff Arman believed it to be true.
“Lieutenant Colonel Steiner is an officer whose patriotism is unmatched. I do not believe he would willingly resign himself to a desk job in the capital. Furthermore, everyone here knows his accomplishnts on the battlefield.”
Daniel Steiner had successfully executed operations that were considered impossible.
Not just once, but several tis.
There were even jokes among the General Staff that if an operation seed impossible, they should assign it to Daniel Steiner.
“For that reason, I believe it would be best to assign Daniel Steiner to a role that aligns with his own desires. The Empire is in desperate need of skilled frontline commanders.”
Arman, finding no fault in Cedric’s argunt, nodded.
“In that case, do you have a recomndation for his new assignnt?”
“Yes, sir. After much consideration, I propose that Daniel Steiner be appointed as Chief of Staff of the 7th Division, which is under the direct command of the General Staff Headquarters.”
“The 7th Division’s Chief of Staff?” Arman turned to the Director of Personnel Affairs. “What do you think?”
The director pondered for a mont before nodding in approval.
“The current Chief of Staff of the 7th Division is set to retire soon, so the transfer can be arranged imdiately.”
“Then it’s decided.”
If a highly capable officer wished to serve on the frontlines, then it was only natural to allow him to do so.
“As of this mont, I, Arman Vetheriom, Chief of Staff, officially approve the special promotion of Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner to Colonel. His new assignnt will be as Chief of Staff of the 7th Division, under the direct command of the General Staff Headquarters.”
After confirming that no one objected, Arman turned to the Deputy Chief of Staff.
“Summarize this eting and submit a report to Her Highness the Princess.”
“Yes, sir. Understood.”
With that, Arman waved his hand dismissively.
The eting was over.
The sound of chairs being pushed back filled the room as the officers stood up.
Cedric also rose from his seat, preparing to leave.
“Deputy Operations Chief.”
Cedric turned as Arman called out to him.
The reason?
Arman was known for his keen judgnt of people, and Cedric’s insight had piqued his curiosity.
Speaking just loud enough for Cedric to hear, Arman asked:
“You seem to see potential in Daniel Steiner. Tell … What do you see?”
Cedric responded without hesitation.
“A decisive victory.”
“Are you certain?”
“…No. I am not.”
Cedric paused briefly before adding:
“Daniel Steiner may beco the greatest military leader in history…”
A cold glint flickered in his eyes as he finished his thought.
“…Or he may beco the most dangerous politician history has ever known.”
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