I Was Mistaken for a Great General of War

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Captain Daniel Steiner emerged from the General Staff Headquarters and headed straight for the Imperial Palace.

Having obtained prior permission from Princess Selvia, he was able to enter the palace after a quick identity check.

With the help of a court maid, Daniel arrived in front of the Commander’s Office of the Princess and knocked on the door.

“Your Highness! Captain Daniel Steiner reporting in!”

As he called out loudly, the door opened from inside.

Colonel Hartmann, the chief guard of the Imperial Guard, stood holding the doorknob.

“Captain Steiner. I’ve been expecting you.”

After nodding his head once, Daniel walked to the center of the office and saluted.

Thanks to this, Selvia’s face, who was sitting at her desk, brightened up.

“Captain Steiner! I was wondering when you would come…!”

Selvia, who had unintentionally raised her voice in joy, suddenly paused and cleared her throat.

Although she was pleased to see him, she felt the need to maintain her dignity as the Princess.

“What brings you here today?”

Her voice had calmed down considerably, settling softly in the room.

As a result, Daniel lowered his hand and assumed an at-ease position.

“I came here because I have an urgent matter to discuss.”

While Daniel spoke, Hartmann closed the office door and stood next to Selvia.

Receiving the gazes of both of them, Daniel continued.

“Before I explain the situation, I want to clarify that I was not the one who attacked and incapacitated the Dawn of Dawn, the secret organization of His Highness the Prince. I felt it necessary to set that straight.”

Selvia and Hartmann exchanged glances, blinking in surprise, before nodding as if they understood.

“Got it. If any inquiries come from outside, I’ll handle it that way.”

“I’ll keep my mouth shut as well. I don’t want to see you in any more trouble.”

Based on their reactions, it seemed that Daniel’s sincerity didn’t quite come through.

Although Daniel genuinely wished he could plead his case, he doubted it would be believed, and there was no time for that now.

So, he decided to get straight to the point.

“Your Highness, allow me to explain why I’m here. First, are you aware that security bureau police are roaming around the General Staff Headquarters?”

Suddenly, the atmosphere in the room grew tense.

Selvia narrowed her eyes sharply and responded.

“It’s the doing of Duke Belvar. That old fox maintains a good relationship with the head of the Security Bureau. But the news that he has sent Security Bureau police to the General Staff Headquarters…”

It was a relief that she grasped the situation quickly.

Daniel nodded in agreement, confirming her suspicions.

“Duke Belvar intends to frame me for colluding with spies.”

“…Why is that?”

“He’s trying to turn public opinion against me. The one who discovered the Prince’s rebel organization was none other than me, Daniel Steiner. But what would happen if it turns out that Daniel Steiner colluded with spies?”

Hearing this, Hartmann let out a low sound.

“Everything could be spun as a fabrication of Daniel Steiner from the Princess’s faction. You could be labeled a rebel, and there would be little you could say in your defense.”

Hartmann glanced at Daniel, clearly impressed by the old fox’s scheme.

“I see what you’re worried about. The Security Bureau is known to fabricate evidence. If things go wrong, you could end up as a scapegoat.”

Though Daniel was aware his aide was a spy due to complicated circumstances, that was a truth he couldn’t voice, so he simply nodded silently.

“From now on, it’s only a matter of time. The moment the Security Bureau is issued a warrant for internal security surveillance, I will be captured.”

Selvia sprang to her feet, slamming her chair back.

“That can’t happen! I’ll do everything in my power to prevent such tyranny!”

Seeing Selvia’s determined stance, Daniel smiled faintly.

“If you can do that, I would be most grateful. However, a better approach is to strike first before the worst-case scenario occurs.”

“Strike first?”

Hartmann leaned in, intrigued.

“You seem to have a way to resolve the situation,” he prompted.

“Indeed. Duke Belvar is desperate to apprehend me, even using the power of the Security Bureau. What do you think that implies?”

After a brief silence, Selvia responded.

“That old fox is afraid of you. If he doesn’t find proof of your collusion with spies, he risks backlash for his actions.”

“Correct. Thus, I plan to utilize the fear Duke Belvar has of me. Furthermore, I intend to propose a sort of deal based on information that only we know.”

“Captain Steiner, I don’t quite understand. What does it mean to exploit Duke Belvar’s fear?”

That last question came from Hartmann.

Daniel took a moment before explaining.

“I will be acting.”

He looked determined as he focused on Hartmann.

“By becoming the ‘worst Daniel Steiner’ that Duke Belvar can imagine.”

*

After explaining the gist of his operation, Daniel asked Selvia to arrange a meeting with Duke Belvar.

Accepting Daniel’s request, Selvia contacted Belvar, who accepted the meeting without much hesitation, leading to the arrangement.

And so now.

“Damn it…”

Daniel sat on the sofa in the reception room of Duke Belvar’s residence.

Behind him, Hartmann stood with his arms crossed, biding his time.

Thanks to Selvia asking Hartmann to protect Daniel in case of unforeseen incidents, the arrangement was made.

Realizing that Belvar would take a little while to arrive, Hartmann whispered just loud enough for Daniel to hear.

“…Captain Steiner. Is there really a need to resort to this method? The disadvantage lies with them, not us.”

He was questioning why they needed to act urgently when they could take their time.

Daniel agreed with that sentiment.

Even if the Security Bureau ran rampant, if they held fast without leaving any trace for them to grasp, Belvar would likely self-destruct on his own.

Yet, it was clear that in the process, various bloody incidents would inevitably occur.

“Above all…”

Lucy is definitely a spy.

If Katman from the Security Bureau were to rigorously pursue the investigation armed with a warrant, and he were to capture definitive evidence of Lucy being a spy, Daniel would be a dead man.

Having the crime of colluding with a spy wouldn’t just end with losing his position.

Thus, Daniel had to obtain Belvar’s white flag today by any means necessary.

Only then would the investigation by the Security Bureau cease.

Hartmann saw this as merely a negotiation, but for Daniel, it was nothing short of a tightrope walk for his life.

Of course, he couldn’t explain all of this, so Daniel merely smiled awkwardly.

“If we can resolve everything through today’s negotiations, it would be beneficial for both sides.”

“Well, that’s true. Is there anything I can help with?”

“Nothing. Just follow along quietly and dance to my tune.”

Hartmann thought that didn’t sound too difficult and nodded his head.

Squeak—

At that moment, the door of the reception room opened, and Duke Belvar entered with a retinue.

Dressed in an expensive suit and wearing a monocle, Belvar’s thick eyebrows and tightly pressed lips conveyed his stubborn disposition.

Daniel rose from his seat and bowed his head, but Belvar didn’t react.

Walking in with a blatant scoff, he simply sat down on the opposite sofa.

Once Daniel sat back down, Belvar began.

“Right. You called for me, did you?”

Though his tone was condescending, Daniel remained unfazed and greeted him with a hospitable smile.

“Indeed, Your Grace. As you know, the secret organization of His Highness the Prince, the Dawn of Dawn, has been apprehended. I have come to make a proposal regarding this matter.”

“A proposal? Ha! I don’t even need to hear it! It’ll be something about betraying His Highness the Prince!”

Belvar accused Daniel, pointing a finger at him.

“Furthermore, I know full well that you intimidate your counterparts to achieve your goals during negotiations! Don’t think I’ll fall for your sly schemes like others!”

Despite Belvar’s threats, Daniel kept his smile intact.

“Your Grace, you are mistaken. I’m merely here to negotiate. If you would just listen to my proposal—”

“I don’t want to hear it!”

Belvar interrupted him with a harsh growl.

“Do you think I would be swayed by the filthy words from your mouth?”

“Then are you saying you intend to cancel this negotiation without even listening to the details?”

“I only agreed to this negotiation because of the Princess’s request. No matter what happens, I will not betray His Highness the Prince. Even if it costs me my life!”

As expected, Belvar was taking a hardline stance.

Realizing there was no way forward, Daniel resolved to act instead of proposing.

“I understand your feelings, Your Grace. However, if you cancel this negotiation, the number of lives you risk losing won’t be small.”

Belvar’s eyebrow twitched in response.

“…What do you mean by that?”

“Just as I said. Think it over slowly.”

Daniel leaned back against the sofa, keeping his smile.

In contrast, Belvar merely swallowed dryly, trembling at his fingertips.

While mulling over Daniel’s vague statement, Belvar spoke quietly.

“My acquaintances and family are innocent. Even if I lose in the succession struggle, you have no right to harm my people.”

Hearing Belvar’s words, Daniel couldn’t resist smiling, as if unable to contain himself.

A low, mocking laugh echoed throughout the spacious reception room.

Belvar frowned, perspiring as he found himself baffled by Daniel’s laughter.

Even Hartmann, who agreed to play along, felt a chill run down his spine as he looked down at Daniel.

After laughing for a while, Daniel waved dismissively.

“Oh dear, I apologize. I didn’t mean to be rude. But…”

Suddenly wiping the smile from his face, Daniel stared intently at Belvar.

His fierce yet calm eyes gleamed like a predator eyeing its prey.

“I have a question for you, Duke Belvar. Among those I led to ruin…”

A chilling voice locked Belvar’s gaze in a vice.

In the midst of a brief silence, Daniel leaned forward without blinking.

“Were there truly no innocent people?”

In that instant, Belvar felt a wave of terror wash over him.