I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander

Right after apprehending Morten’s subordinates active in the underground marketplace, Daniel informed the General Staff Headquarters that he would relinquish his vacation and return to service.

Respecting Daniel’s wishes, the Headquarters helped arrange a homebound train for him, allowing Daniel to complete his preparations for departure within two days.

“Daniel? Didn’t you say you’d stay here for a month?”

At the monastery entrance, Headmaster Hierony looked at Daniel, who had come to say goodbye, with concern.

He felt pity that Daniel was returning to service without properly enjoying his vacation.

Daniel too had wished to spend leisurely time in his hometown, but having apprehended the insurrectionists, he had no choice but to hasten his return.

‘The Crown Prince’s people must think of me as a key figure of the Princess’s faction by now…’

Even if unintentional, the circumstances of him taking the lead in apprehending Morten’s subordinates were enough for the Crown Prince’s loyalists to misunderstand.

While under such misunderstanding, continuing to enjoy his vacation leisurely would be akin to advertising ‘please kill me.’

“My apologies. There’s been some business in the service that requires my attention.”

Of course, there was no need to reveal such details to the Headmaster, who was akin to his mentor.

Smiling as if it were no big deal, Daniel took out a money envelope from his pocket and handed it over.

“Instead, please accept this. I’ve added a bit from my salary and rewards.”

Seeing the thickness of the envelope, Hierony’s eyes widened.

“Daniel! It was a blessing from God for you to take leave and visit the monastery, but this much money! I absolutely cannot accept it! Please use it for your own sake.”
“Headmaster. Donating this money to the monastery is using it for my sake.”

Although Daniel gently persuaded, Hierony firmly refused.

“Even without your help, the monastery can adequately feed the children, so please use this for yourself. I don’t want to take money from someone like you who’s already suffered so much.”
“Is that so? Then I shall burn this unnecessary money.”
“Daniel. Don’t make such nonsensical jokes…”

Hierony trailed off as Daniel took out a lighter with an odd gesture from within his officer’s coat and lit it.

He then placed the money envelope above the flame, a slender smile playing on his lips.

“Headmaster. You know well that I follow through when I say I’ll do something. If you don’t take the money envelope right now, I’ll burn it.”

Hierony gulped.

At the very moment he thought Daniel wouldn’t really burn all that money, Daniel’s hand began lowering.

Eventually, as the tip of the envelope started to char, Hierony panicked and reached out his hand.

Hurriedly snatching the envelope, Hierony cried out in shock.

“Daniel! Are you going to trample on the hearts of those who gave you this money!?”
“I was going to trample on it, but since you’ve taken it, that won’t happen.”
“What’s this… Oh.”

Only then did Hierony realize he’d been had by Daniel, his expression turning blank.

Seeing Hierony’s expression, Daniel let out a small chuckle.

At the sound of Daniel’s laughter, Hierony regained his senses and frowned.

“…Daniel. Do you find playing such vile tricks amusing?”
“My apologies, but I had no choice. If I didn’t play this vile trick, you wouldn’t have accepted the money.”
“Still. You really haven’t changed one bit since back then…”

Letting out a low sigh, Hierony nodded resignedly.

“Fine. If this is truly your wish, I shall use it for the children.”
“That’s what I hoped for. Then I shall take my leave now.”
“Already? I wished you’d come inside for at least a cup of tea…”
“As much as I’d like to, it’s almost time for the train. As you can see behind me, the cab driver is also waiting.”

Following Daniel’s gaze, Hierony saw an Asian man in bell-bottom pants leaning against a car.

Upon making eye contact with Hierony, the Asian man respectfully tipped the fedora he was wearing.

Seeing this, Hierony spoke with a hint of puzzlement.

“An Asian driver, I see. But I don’t recall seeing his face around town before…”

Was he recently hired here? Blinking in confusion, Hierony nodded.

“Anyway, since you’re pressed for time, I shouldn’t keep you any longer. Daniel. We’ll pray for you here, so visit us whenever things get difficult.”
“Yes. I shall do so.”

With a smile, Daniel bade farewell and turned away.

Immediately, the smile vanished from Daniel’s face.

Slowly stepping towards the cab, Daniel got into the backseat and spoke to the driver’s seat.

“Take me to the nearest train station, please.”

Receiving the cab driver’s affirmative reply, Daniel leaned back against the seat.

His mind dwelled on the events likely unfolding in the service right now.

‘Baron Velbar will likely be the first among the Crown Prince’s faction to swiftly respond to Morten’s apprehension.’

Baron Velbar was not only the head of an illustrious noble family but also the Court Minister of the Empire.

Emphasizing dynastic legitimacy, Baron Velbar stubbornly maintained that only the Crown Prince was suitable to become the next Emperor.

If Morten, operating in the shadows for the Crown Prince, was the Prince’s left arm, then Baron Velbar, openly supporting the Prince, was his right arm.

It was understandable how obstinate he could be, choosing to stand against the Princess even when the Prince’s defeat seemed certain, all to preserve that damned legitimacy.

Hence, Daniel had only disclosed the discovery of insurrection documents upon apprehending Morten and his remnants to the Princess and her closest aides.

It was to let Baron Velbar harbor the illusion that Morten had destroyed all related documents and kept silent before being captured.

A tactic to buy time, of sorts.

‘Moreover, disclosing this fact to the media should be the last resort.’

Carelessly disseminating information would be tantamount to losing a valuable bargaining chip.

Not to mention, if the information disclosure inadvertently turned into a public opinion war, it could have the unintended consequence of solidifying the enemies’ unity.

‘So I need to use this information selectively to sow internal division…’

Only then could he survive this chaotic and violent struggle for succession.

Mulling over these thoughts inside the moving cab, Daniel suddenly let out a low sigh.

Loosening the necktie tightening his neck, Daniel gazed out the window, a troubled expression on his face.

‘How did things end up like this…?’

He had intended to play with the monastery children in his hometown, enjoy meals at Jack’s Restaurant, and perhaps take a leisurely stroll.

But before he knew it, he found himself forcibly conscripted into the Princess’s faction, contemplating how to survive.

‘Which damned bastards took out the Crown Prince’s secret organization and pinned the responsibility on me?’

Unable to comprehend the situation, Daniel narrowed his eyes and gritted his teeth.

Catching Daniel’s expression through the rearview mirror, the cab driver gave a faint smile.

‘Judging by his look of delight, it seems our gift is to his liking.’

Daniel Steiner was destined to rise even higher.

As the Prophet leading the Black Feathers, that is.

Meanwhile, at Baron Velbar’s estate.

“Morten has been apprehended?”

Upon hearing the news from the south, Velbar opened his mouth in disbelief.

An organization that had operated without a trace for three years had been taken down overnight, so his astonishment was only natural.

However, there was no time for shock.

“The secret? Has it been revealed that Dawn’s Radiance was acting on the Crown Prince’s side?”

In response to Velbar’s question, his aide and informant Basong shook his head.

“Given the lack of reports, it seems the investigation is still ongoing.”
“That’s somewhat of a relief. But it’s only a matter of time before the truth comes to light. But who exactly apprehended Morten?”
“…Major Daniel Steiner.”

Daniel Steiner.

Upon hearing that name, Velbar felt a wave of dizziness and pressed his forehead.

“The bastard. He’s finally revealing his true intentions.”

It was common for individuals who gained prestige as war heroes to venture into politics.

It seemed that Daniel too had joined the fray to ensure the Princess became Emperor for his own advancement.

However, Daniel differed from ordinary war heroes.

‘To think he feigned disinterest in politics until right before apprehending Morten…’

Daniel had severely limited his meetings with politicians and declined all interviews.

When he took an extended vacation during this crucial period of the succession struggle, Velbar had even wondered if Daniel was truly uninterested in politics.

‘But it was all a deception strategy…!’

Fooling everyone thoroughly before apprehending Dawn’s Radiance, it was evident Daniel had been preparing for this for quite some time.

The thought of having been played by Daniel Steiner filled Velbar with indignation.

However, even the most cunning and meticulous individuals were bound to have vulnerabilities.

“Kartmann Schultz…”

In fact, Kartmann Schultz, the chief inspector of the Security Police, had visited the estate some time ago.

He had claimed Daniel Steiner seemed to be in contact with a spy.

However, without proper evidence, Velbar had dismissed it as a waste of time and sent him away.

‘But now, I must grasp at any straw I can.’

Given the dire situation, he could not afford to be picky.

“Contact the Security Police and inform Kartmann Schultz that as the Court Minister, I will have his back. Tell him to find evidence, by any means necessary, that Daniel Steiner is in contact with a spy!”

Upon Velbar’s order, his aide bowed and left the room.

Watching his aide depart, Velbar angrily threw the wine glass he had been holding.

Crash!

The shattered glass caused the red wine to spread like blood.

Staring intently at the sight, Velbar clenched his fist.

‘Daniel Steiner…! How dare a mere orphan attempt to usurp this Empire!’

In Velbar’s mind, Daniel’s ultimate goal was not to make the Princess the Empress.

His intuition told him that Daniel’s dark ambitions ran far deeper.

However, unable to fathom the depth of Daniel’s darkness, Velbar felt fear.

As his hands trembled, Velbar forced himself to overcome his fear and tightly shut his eyes.

‘The Empire preserved by my ancestors…’

He would never surrender it to a vagrant like Daniel.