The Next Day
I reported for duty at the General Staff headquarters and sat down at my desk in my private office, unfolding the morning newspaper.
【Breaking News! His Majesty the Emperor Selects a Successor!】
【Princess Selvia Nad as the Next Emperor... Regency to Begin Soon】
【Princess Selvia’s Closest Advisor—None Other Than Daniel Steiner?】
The last headline irked , but it wasn’t the most pressing issue at the mont.
Flipping through a few more pages, I found the article I had been dreading.
【Edria, Permanent mber of the Allied Nations, Strongly Criticizes the Empire】
Beneath the headline was a black-and-white photograph of a familiar face giving a press conference.
Pale, snake-like eyes and a gaunt face.
It was Count Caledra of Edria, the man holding the real reins of power there.
A man who was certain to push the Empire into a corner in the near future.
I stared at Caledra’s photo for a mont before proceeding to read the article.
_____________________
『...Count Caledra condemned the Empire for effectively turning the Kingdom of Eldresia into a puppet state. Throughout the press conference, he criticized the Empire’s expansionist warfare and called on neighboring nations to rise against it...』
_____________________
I let out a low sigh as I folded the newspaper.
“Damn it.”
"Headquarters has approved your special promotion. Opinions were divided initially, but after your arrest of the rebels, no one dared to object."
No one dared—rather, no one could.
Selvia, the future emperor, must have exerted so pressure behind the scenes.
And considering the rits I had earned in the northern campaign, a promotion was only a matter of ti. Still, I hadn’t expected it to happen this quickly, leaving sowhat dazed.
“Co here. I’ll pin the insignia myself.”
Half-resigned, I stepped forward and stood before Cedric.
He unfolded the flag and opened the box, pulling out the badge of a lieutenant colonel.
With practiced hands, he removed the major’s badge from my uniform and replaced it with the new insignia.
After fastening the badge, Cedric stepped back and studied for a mont.
“Congratulations on your promotion, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner.”
His tone was flat, devoid of embellishnts—exactly what I expected from Cedric.
Maintaining a slight tension, I responded formally.
“Thank you, sir. Though I’m lacking, I’ll continue to devote myself to the Empire.”
“Lacking?”
Cedric’s sharp eyes blinked slowly.
“You stabilized Nordia, perfectly negotiated with the Kingdom, and captured the traitorous faction. How could you possibly be lacking?”
He blinked again, this ti even slower.
“Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner, on behalf of the Empire, I thank you for your service. And I’ll take your words about devotion to heart.”
…Sothing about that statent felt wrong.
I couldn’t shake the sense that I had just said sothing I’d regret later.
Just as unease began to creep in, Lucy spoke up from her spot near the entrance.
“Congratulations on your promotion, Lieutenant Colonel Steiner.”
Her congratulatory tone felt suspiciously like she was mocking .
Feeling dissatisfied, I turned back to Cedric.
“Sir, if I may, the reason I said I was lacking is that much of my accomplishnts were thanks to my adjutant.”
“Your adjutant?”
“Yes, sir. While I won’t deny that I issued the orders that stabilized Nordia, it was my adjutant who executed them swiftly and effectively, establishing the administrative systems.”
Cedric turned to look at Lucy, his expression mildly surprised.
“Is that true?”
Caught off guard, Lucy quickly bowed her head.
“Deputy Chief of Staff, sir. I only followed orders. All credit belongs to Lieutenant Colonel Steiner.”
Lucy had been sent here as a spy to deal with internal traitors.
It was clear she never intended to stay long.
But what would happen if she were suddenly promoted and brought to the attention of high-ranking officials?
While not as extre as my case, leaving the Empire would beco significantly more difficult for her.
So, naturally, she was desperate to deny any rit.
But I had no reason to sympathize with her predicant.
“It’s true, sir. My adjutant is simply too modest to take credit for her achievents. I hope you’ll acknowledge her contributions as well.”
“Hmm.”
Cedric pondered for a mont before nodding.
“I trust you wouldn’t lie about sothing like this. I’ll review Second Lieutenant Lucy’s role in stabilizing Nordia and proceed with a special promotion review.”
I bowed my head deeply in gratitude.
Lucy, visibly flustered, couldn’t find the words to protest.
Cedric gave her a aningful look, shrugged, and then turned toward the door.
“I’ll take my leave. Focus on your duties.”
As Cedric left the office, Lucy turned to with an expression of disbelief.
“Major—no, Lieutenant Colonel. I only followed orders.”
She looked like she was silently pleading for to retract what I’d said to Cedric.
Not a chance.
Smiling, I walked over to her.
“Lieutenant, do you know how difficult it is to carry out orders properly? Your promotion is more than justified.”
Her stoic mask cracked ever so slightly.
It was subtle, but I could sense her frustration.
‘And what exactly can you do about it?’
I was just a benevolent superior taking care of my subordinate.
“I plan to continue praising your efforts wherever I go. It’s only natural to highlight the accomplishnts of soone as capable as you, isn’t it?”
“...Lieutenant Colonel.”
“No need to be overwheld. It’s simply my duty as your superior. I look forward to your continued success—soon-to-be First Lieutenant Lucy.”
Still smiling, I patted her shoulder lightly.
“Let’s aim for the top together.”
Lucy bit her lower lip, falling into deep thought.
After a brief silence, she lowered her gaze and murmured quietly.
“...Thank you, Lieutenant Colonel.”
She didn’t look thankful at all.
Just as I had anticipated, Caledra was fanning the flas of fear regarding the Empire and urging neutral nations to join the fight.
Now it was only a matter of ti before the Socialist Republic of Sochialis and the Federation of Veleka, both major powers, joined the war.
From their perspective, they couldn’t allow the Empire to beco the sole hegemonic force dominating the world.
In short, the possibility of a world war was looming ever closer.
Could the Empire really prevail against the combined forces of the Republic, the Federation, and the Allied Nations if such a war erupted?
Even with recent favorable developnts, the odds remained slim.
And if the Empire were to lose, the victors would undoubtedly hold war cris trials and execute the military leaders at their discretion.
“This is why I wanted to get out of the uniform as soon as possible...”
Yet, before I even realized it, I had beco one of the key figures in the Empire’s leadership.
To make matters worse, I was now being labeled as Princess Selvia’s closest confidant, entangling further in the Empire’s internal politics.
My chances of defecting were shrinking to the size of a needle’s eye.
No nation would welco the defection of a high-ranking officer who had not only achieved military success but also played a political role in stabilizing the Empire.
Even if they did accept , it would likely be for their own ulterior motives.
“And it’s not like my position within the Empire is safe either...”
Regrettably, there were plenty of people within the Empire who didn’t view favorably.
To the established military leaders, nobles, and politicians, I was an upstart—an erging force that had suddenly climbed the ranks.
A rapidly rising figure who had even eliminated enemies using private forces? Of course, they would fear and keep a wary eye on .
I could still vividly rember the sharp glares directed at in the Imperial Palace’s grand hall.
“Not that I did anything wrong...”
But how many people would actually believe that?
Even just yesterday, the Emperor hadn’t bothered to hide his suspicions while pressuring .
How many more misunderstandings would I have to endure in the future?
It was while I was nervously pondering this that—
Knock, knock—
A knock on the door shattered my train of thought.
Lucy? Raising my head, I looked toward the door and called out.
“Co in.”
The door swung open almost imdiately after I spoke.
As expected, it was Lucy.
She had ntioned earlier that she would drop by to pick up so docunts from the Operations Office.
The problem was the tall man standing behind her like part of the background.
Raising my gaze to see who it was, I sprang to my feet the mont I recognized his face.
“D-Deputy Chief of Staff, sir!”
I snapped into a salute almost instinctively, prompting Lucy to step aside.
Brigadier General Cedric gave a slight nod in response before stepping into the office.
His sharp, hawk-like eyes scanned the room before finally settling on .
“Your office is neat—no unnecessary items. Cleanliness is satisfactory.”
“...Thank you, sir. May I ask what brings you here today?”
“I ca to check your work environnt and deliver so good news.”
The ntion of “good news” filled with unease.
And that unease quickly solidified into certainty.
Cedric brought his hands, which had been clasped behind his back, to the front.
Resting atop his hands was a small box wrapped in the Empire’s flag.
A box I had grown all too familiar with by now.
"Headquarters has approved your special promotion. Opinions were divided initially, but after your arrest of the rebels, no one dared to object."
No one dared—rather, no one could.
Selvia, the future emperor, must have exerted so pressure behind the scenes.
And considering the rits I had earned in the northern campaign, a promotion was only a matter of ti. Still, I hadn’t expected it to happen this quickly, leaving sowhat dazed.
“Co here. I’ll pin the insignia myself.”
Half-resigned, I stepped forward and stood before Cedric.
He unfolded the flag and opened the box, pulling out the badge of a lieutenant colonel.
With practiced hands, he removed the major’s badge from my uniform and replaced it with the new insignia.
After fastening the badge, Cedric stepped back and studied for a mont.
“Congratulations on your promotion, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner.”
His tone was flat, devoid of embellishnts—exactly what I expected from Cedric.
Maintaining a slight tension, I responded formally.
“Thank you, sir. Though I’m lacking, I’ll continue to devote myself to the Empire.”
“Lacking?”
Cedric’s sharp eyes blinked slowly.
“You stabilized Nordia, perfectly negotiated with the Kingdom, and captured the traitorous faction. How could you possibly be lacking?”
He blinked again, this ti even slower.
“Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner, on behalf of the Empire, I thank you for your service. And I’ll take your words about devotion to heart.”
…Sothing about that statent felt wrong.
I couldn’t shake the sense that I had just said sothing I’d regret later.
Just as unease began to creep in, Lucy spoke up from her spot near the entrance.
“Congratulations on your promotion, Lieutenant Colonel Steiner.”
Her congratulatory tone felt suspiciously like she was mocking .
Feeling dissatisfied, I turned back to Cedric.
“Sir, if I may, the reason I said I was lacking is that much of my accomplishnts were thanks to my adjutant.”
“Your adjutant?”
“Yes, sir. While I won’t deny that I issued the orders that stabilized Nordia, it was my adjutant who executed them swiftly and effectively, establishing the administrative systems.”
Cedric turned to look at Lucy, his expression mildly surprised.
“Is that true?”
Caught off guard, Lucy quickly bowed her head.
“Deputy Chief of Staff, sir. I only followed orders. All credit belongs to Lieutenant Colonel Steiner.”
Lucy had been sent here as a spy to deal with internal traitors.
It was clear she never intended to stay long.
But what would happen if she were suddenly promoted and brought to the attention of high-ranking officials?
While not as extre as my case, leaving the Empire would beco significantly more difficult for her.
So, naturally, she was desperate to deny any rit.
But I had no reason to sympathize with her predicant.
“It’s true, sir. My adjutant is simply too modest to take credit for her achievents. I hope you’ll acknowledge her contributions as well.”
“Hmm.”
Cedric pondered for a mont before nodding.
“I trust you wouldn’t lie about sothing like this. I’ll review Second Lieutenant Lucy’s role in stabilizing Nordia and proceed with a special promotion review.”
I bowed my head deeply in gratitude.
Lucy, visibly flustered, couldn’t find the words to protest.
Cedric gave her a aningful look, shrugged, and then turned toward the door.
“I’ll take my leave. Focus on your duties.”
As Cedric left the office, Lucy turned to with an expression of disbelief.
“Major—no, Lieutenant Colonel. I only followed orders.”
She looked like she was silently pleading for to retract what I’d said to Cedric.
Not a chance.
Smiling, I walked over to her.
“Lieutenant, do you know how difficult it is to carry out orders properly? Your promotion is more than justified.”
Her stoic mask cracked ever so slightly.
It was subtle, but I could sense her frustration.
‘And what exactly can you do about it?’
I was just a benevolent superior taking care of my subordinate.
“I plan to continue praising your efforts wherever I go. It’s only natural to highlight the accomplishnts of soone as capable as you, isn’t it?”
“...Lieutenant Colonel.”
“No need to be overwheld. It’s simply my duty as your superior. I look forward to your continued success—soon-to-be First Lieutenant Lucy.”
Still smiling, I patted her shoulder lightly.
“Let’s aim for the top together.”
Lucy bit her lower lip, falling into deep thought.
After a brief silence, she lowered her gaze and murmured quietly.
“...Thank you, Lieutenant Colonel.”
She didn’t look thankful at all.
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