I Was Mistaken for a Great General of War

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I took a deep breath while seated in the back seat of the limousine.

The leather seats covered in a luxurious velvet cover offered a softness and comfort like no other.

It was a sensation I could never experience in a military vehicle, yet I couldn’t find any joy in it at all.

Because right next to me sat one of the most noble figures in the Empire—the princess.

‘…Is it really necessary for Her Highness the Princess to come in person just because of the Emperor’s summons?’

As my confusion deepened, Selvia turned her gaze away from the window to look at me.

Her clear blue eyes, reminiscent of a pristine sea, narrowed with seriousness, suggesting she had something to say.

“Captain Daniel.”

Selvia whispered just loud enough for me to hear, lowering her voice.

“I really don’t want to say this to someone who just returned from the battlefield, but I feel like if I don’t say it now, I won’t have the chance later. Please allow me to speak despite the rudeness.”

I worried about what was coming next, and sure enough, I sensed a bad atmosphere as Selvia continued.

“Right now, I’m under constant attack from within the system. To be precise, it’s an attack on my support base. If it were an attack using the media, I would ignore it… but…”

Selvia let out a low sigh.

“It’s been getting increasingly out of hand, and recently, they’ve even started threatening the lives of politicians who support me. It’s obvious that it’s my brother’s doing.”

As I quietly listened, Selvia bit her lip.

“The moves they’re making are organized and systematic. There must be some sort of leadership issuing orders from somewhere. But no matter how much I search within the system, I can’t find them.”

“If that’s the case…”

“Yes. They’re issuing commands from a safe place outside the system. They’re siding with my brother to manipulate the media and disturb my support base. Those disgusting bastards…”

Selvia frowned in anger.

What I was hearing was a so-called succession struggle for the throne.

An intense fight occurring beneath the surface, unknown to ordinary citizens.

To put it in modern political terms, it was akin to a power struggle between election camps.

The difference was that we were not in modern times but in the late modern era.

Given the context of the era, it was evident that they wouldn’t shy away from inciting violence and radical agitation.

I desperately wanted no part of it.

However, the fact that Selvia was sharing this situation with me implied one thing.

‘She wants to recruit me…’

If they could recruit a figure known as the hero of the Empire, not only could they solidify her support base, but they would also strengthen the legitimacy for her ascension to the throne.

Selvia’s intentions were painfully clear, yet I absolutely could not accept.

‘I’m already struggling; do they want me to make an enemy of the crown prince?’

Accepting Her Highness’s offer would practically mean doubling my chances of assassination events.

‘But if I blatantly refuse, I’ll just earn the wrath of Selvia, the next empress…’

As I calculated in my mind, a composed Selvia looked up at me.

The glimmer of expectation in her eyes was incredibly burdensome.

“Captain Daniel? So, about that…”

No! If Selvia spoke about holding hands, there would be no turning back!

In haste, I blurted out the first thing that came to my mind.

“Your Highness, you’ve become even more beautiful since we last met.”

Caught off guard by the sudden compliment on her appearance, Selvia blinked in a daze, momentarily lost for words.

“Uh… really?”

Not understanding, she froze, providing the perfect opportunity to change the subject.

I wiped the cold sweat from my brow and leaned casually towards Selvia.

“I seem to have spent quite a while on the battlefield. I didn’t realize how beautiful you’d become, Your Highness.”

Selvia’s mouth slightly opened, and she blushed faintly, possibly embarrassed by the repeated compliments on her looks.

This was it! I decided to push a little further.

“Your Highness, do you remember the time I had a discussion with you while you were disguised as a war correspondent?”

“…I remember.”

“Then I’m relieved. I worried that our shared memories wouldn’t fade. While you were a carefree girl back then, you’ve now become a most elegant lady.”

As I spoke with a smile, Selvia’s face turned red, and she averted her gaze.

After closing her eyes for a moment and then opening them again, Selvia shot me a glance.

“Don’t say such strange things. As I’ve said before, you’re too familiar.”

“If I was rude, I sincerely apologize.”

Selvia, absentmindedly fidgeting with her fingers, cleared her throat and muttered.

“…I didn’t say it was rude.”

A low chuckle escaped me at Selvia’s blunt words, and I pulled myself back together.

An awkward silence fell between us.

And oddly enough, that silence felt like a blessing.

At least, it meant the conversation wasn’t continuing.

‘I’m alive…’

I had almost gotten dragged into this succession struggle, but now I was relieved.

Still, I couldn’t shake the worry that I might have thrown undue attention at someone who would one day be the Emperor.

*

After arriving at the palace, Daniel underwent a quick body search before proceeding to where the Emperor was located.

Since Selvia seemed to have other appointments, the Emperor’s personal attendant took over the guidance.

Following this attendant, I arrived not at the audience room, but the Emperor’s bedroom.

The reason was that His Majesty did not have the strength to properly dress and appear in the audience room.

“Your Majesty, Captain Daniel Steiner has arrived,” the attendant announced as he knocked at the door, and a reply came a moment later.

“Come in.”

Upon hearing the command, the attendant opened the door.

What lay beyond the open door was a far simpler Emperor’s bedroom than I had anticipated.

Aside from the elegant furniture and a bed that was grander than I had imagined, there weren’t many luxurious items scattered around.

The Emperor was seated at the table in the center of the room, playing chess, but when Daniel caught sight of the person sitting opposite him, he flinched in surprise.

There were four stars on the epaulettes of the officer sitting across him.

With impressive mustaches on both sides, he was none other than the Chief of the Imperial Guard, Johannes Kunz.

He was also the person whom the current Emperor trusted the most.

Recognizing Johannes’ face, Daniel shifted his gaze to the Emperor.

Though he looked painfully thin, with hardly any flesh clinging to his bones, his spirit was unbroken.

Berthelm von Amberg.

A truly advanced monarch who had shaped the Empire and became its indisputable lord.

Standing before such giants made me tense up inadvertently.

With a nervous gulp, Daniel approached and saluted.

“Your Majesty! I have arrived in response to your summons—”

“Enough, come a bit closer.”

With that abrupt interruption, Daniel awkwardly nodded his head and walked closer to Berthelm.

Berthelm gazed down at the chess board, stroking his short chin.

“Do you play chess?”

“…I’ve learned a little over someone’s shoulder.”

“Is that so? Then what do you think of the current position? I feel like I’m at a disadvantage.”

Daniel glanced over the chessboard, trying to estimate the situation before answering cautiously.

“Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, it seems that it is not you but the Chief of the Imperial Guard who is at a disadvantage.”

“Really?”

Berthelm playfully glared at Johannes, the Chief of the Imperial Guard.

“Is that so?”

“Haha. That might be the case,” Johannes shrugged with a laugh.

Berthelm then turned back to Daniel.

“Alright, Captain Daniel. Explain to me why I’m at an advantage.”

“Understood. Then first, let’s say Your Majesty’s rook captures the pawn on the left. That would be check. The Queen is diagonally positioned, so the Chief’s King must escape to g8.”

“Hmm, yes.”

“When the rook returns, it will again be check. The King would have no choice but to escape to h8 as the rook would be capturing him in the next move. If this continues…”

As Daniel explained, Johannes raised his hands in disbelief.

“Oh dear, I see my defeat coming. It’s clear I’ll lose all my pieces. Victory for Your Majesty.”

“To be precise, it’s Captain Daniel’s victory: a brilliant strategy. I can’t help but admire it.”

“Indeed. You could have achieved great success as a chess player.”

As Johannes shrugged and stood up, Daniel instinctively took a step back and kneeled on one leg.

He knew it was time to get to the main topic now that the chess match was over.

As Johannes began tidying up the chessboard, Berthelm turned to Daniel and looked down at him.

“You defeated Nordia, and not only that, but you also negotiated an armistice with the Kingdom. On behalf of the Empire, I express my gratitude for your efforts.”

“I’m truly honored.”

“Not so fast; it’s still premature to be honored. I have something for you. Johannes?”

At Berthelm’s words, Johannes, who had finished arranging the chess pieces, lifted a box that had been set beside the table.

When he opened it, a medal appeared.

It was the Golden Cross Medal, the Empire’s highest order of diplomatic merit.

Given that the merit was strikingly clear, Daniel could not refuse it.

“Rise.”

At Johannes’ command, Daniel stood up.

Johannes gave Daniel’s shoulder a pat before adorning his chest with the medal.

“The Golden Cross Medal has not, to my knowledge, been awarded to someone as young as you. It signifies the great deeds you’ve accomplished.”

With a few more compliments and another light pat on the shoulder, Johannes stepped back.

Once Johannes withdrew, Daniel knelt on one leg again.

The Emperor, Berthelm, was watching closely.

“I’m sure you’ve already heard praises for your achievements from everywhere, so I won’t reiterate. Instead, let’s discuss an important matter.”

“An important matter, you say?”

“Who do you think is more suitable to be Emperor, my daughter or my son? I find both of them rather untrustworthy.”

A cold sweat trickled down his back.

I had finally shaken off the grasp of the princess, and now the Emperor was directly posing inquiries to me.

As Daniel racked his brain for an answer, he lowered his head and replied.

“I dare not express an opinion.”

“What? You intend to disregard my question?”

Berthelm’s voice sharpened, causing Daniel to hastily articulate.

“Your Majesty! That’s not it. I am a soldier of the Empire. The laws of the Empire mandate that soldiers maintain political neutrality. Thus, if I were to express my opinion, it would be negating not only Your Majesty’s request but also the sacred laws of the Empire.”

Daniel bowed his head even further.

“Thus, if you wish to hear my answer, it would be appropriate for you to revoke my status as a soldier. Should you do so, I would respond with my conscience.”

Upon hearing Daniel’s answer, a smirk crept onto Berthelm’s lips.

‘What a sly one.’

By mentioning the Empire’s laws as his reason for silence, Daniel cleverly put the Emperor in a position where demanding an answer would undermine the very foundation of the Empire.

His argument was compelling and logically sound, making it impossible for even the Emperor to contest it.

Not to mention, it wouldn’t do to order him to step back from his military uniform, hence Berthelm was stuck in quite a pickle.

Eventually, with the white flag raised, Berthelm chuckled softly.

“I think I understand who you are now. You must be tired; you may withdraw.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

Though dubious, it was a command that could not be refused.

As Daniel rose from his position, he saluted once before turning to exit the room.

While watching Daniel leave, Berthelm could not hide a smile.

“Do you see it? That’s the essence of the man.”

“To some extent, yes,” Johannes replied.

When he had first asked for chess advice, Daniel had appeared flustered for a moment before directly addressing Berthelm.

“Ordinary individuals would likely say they don’t know the answer, even if they do, fearing that they wouldn’t want to cause you any trouble for assisting a weakened Emperor.”

“True. It’s typical for someone to try to walk a thin line. Yet Daniel did not.”

“To be able to speak directly my opinions without hesitation is an admirable trait for a soldier. However, during your inquiries about the crown prince and princess, he chose to remain silent.”

Berthelm nodded, a twinkle of amusement in his eyes.

“He seems to only bow to those he acknowledges. I am the undisputed lord of the Empire, but my children do not hold such status. He’s likely contemplating carefully about whom to support.”

After taking a sip of water from a cup placed on the table, Berthelm continued.

“In my view, he’s a wolf. One who only pledges loyalty to the strong. But typically, when a wolf perceives its leader as weaker, it will turn against them.”

Johannes swallowed hard.

“What do you mean…?”

“Yes. He’s talented but is a double-edged sword that’s hard to manage. I have no idea which of my children will eventually control him, but once they show weakness, he will surely turn on them.”

To Berthelm, Daniel’s cold gaze bore an uncanny resemblance to that of his grandfather, who had usurped the throne in the past.

After setting his cup down, Berthelm turned to Johannes.

“Therefore, ensure that you protect my children well from this wolf, so that the Empire does not fall into his hands.”

Johannes nodded, watching the place where Daniel had just exited.

‘A wolf that would swallow the Empire…’

While it felt like a mere worry from the Emperor, recalling Daniel’s gaze sent a shiver down his spine.

Unconsciously gripping the sheathed sword at his waist, Johannes thought to himself.

He hoped this entire prediction was simply the Emperor’s needless anxiety.

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