I Was Mistaken for a Great General of War

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The prince, who lost all of his support base in an instant due to Captain Daniel Steiner, had no choice but to reluctantly raise the white flag.

Thanks to the prince giving up on the succession struggle, Selvia could exert her influence in both the system and the Imperial Palace without any problems.

About a month later, Emperor Berthelm, who had been watching all of this from afar, decided that waiting was meaningless and summoned important figures of the Empire to the Grand Hall of the Imperial Palace under the pretext of selecting a successor.

Of course, Captain Daniel Steiner was also included among the “important figures of the Empire.”

Being invited to the Imperial Palace when significant matters of the state were being decided was a tremendous honor, but Captain Daniel felt nothing but discomfort in this situation.

‘I’d much rather be back at my lodgings, sipping coffee and reading a book…’

What a total waste of a golden weekend this was.

Sighing quietly to himself, Daniel glanced around.

It was clear that the Grand Hall of the Imperial Palace highlighted exquisite and elegant architectural styles, with court officials including Duke Belvar all gathered there.

In addition, high-ranking military officers and ministers, who were crucial figures in the state, were lined up in formation.

Being awkwardly stuck among them, Daniel felt as if he was sitting on a bed of nails.

‘Looks like a lot of people are casting side-eye glances this way…’

Everyone may not have said anything, but they were definitely sneaking glances at Daniel.

It was only natural for him to receive disdainful looks when a mere captain occupied a spot in the Grand Hall of the Imperial Palace.

Deciding that he should avoid making eye contact, Daniel kept his eyes glued straight ahead.

There sat Emperor Berthelm in his white uniform, symbolizing royalty, on the Imperial Throne.

It seemed that the saying “clothes make the man” rang true, as the frail figure he had seen in the bedroom was nowhere to be found.

“Lift your heads, my children.”

At the emperor’s stern voice, Selvia and Arno, who had been kneeling on one knee on the red carpet, lifted their heads.

Both Selvia and Arno were also dressed in white attire symbolizing royalty.

“You both know well the reason I have called you here today in front of many distinguished figures leading the Empire.”

At the emperor’s words, Selvia and Arno gulped.

Although they performed the same action, Selvia was savoring a thrill while Arno felt a sense of defeat.

“Everyone here knows that my health is deteriorating, making it hard for me to govern properly. Therefore, let’s skip the formalities and get straight to the point. Here today, a successor to my throne will be born.”

Everyone remained silent, showing no surprise, as it was common knowledge.

Perhaps pleased with the silence, Berthelm let out a low chuckle as he looked down at his children.

“Are you both prepared to accept my decision?”

“I will accept.”

Selvia’s answer was immediate.

However, Arno took a moment before opening his mouth.

“I will accept…”

Having received his children’s consent, Berthelm nodded once and said,

“Then I shall determine the successor now. Selvia von Amberg!”

Called upon, Selvia rose from her seat.

Seeing this, Berthelm continued,

“I see great potential in you to become an emperor. Can you prove that my foresight is not wrong?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will surely prove it.”

“Good. From this moment on, you will inherit my legacy and work for the Royal Family and the Empire. Remember to govern rightly, respecting all the citizens.”

Berthelm turned to those around him, saying,

“And did everyone hear that? The person who will succeed me is Princess Selvia von Amberg!”

With the successor determined, it meant there would be no objections, and they were to lend all their power to the next emperor, Selvia.

Those who understood the emperor’s meaning all bowed their heads in unison.

─ “Yes! Your Majesty!”

The collective voice echoed grandly through the Grand Hall.

After surveying the room with sharp eyes, Berthelm spoke again.

“Now that the successor has been chosen, it is time to teach about state affairs. I plan to appoint Selvia to act on my behalf, what do you all think?”

At the mention of the regency, there was a brief commotion in the hall.

As everyone hesitated to respond, Duke Belvar stepped forward and bowed his head.

“Your Majesty, I think it might be too soon for the princess to take on such a role. It would be more appropriate for Your Majesty to take care of state affairs for a while longer.”

“Duke Belvar, that’s quite an outrageous thing to say. You would have me manage state affairs more on days when my mind is less than clear? Are you trying to work me to death?”

Seeing the situation, Duke Belvar lowered his head even further.

“I apologize, Your Majesty. Please forgive my rudeness.”

With Belvar stepping back, the others remained silent as well.

After enjoying the silence for a moment, Berthelm said,

“It seems there are no more dissenters, so I shall proceed with the regency. Starting from the eighth day hence, Selvia will manage state affairs alongside me, so take note of that.”

Once again, the people in the grand hall bowed their heads in unison.

─ “Yes! Your Majesty!”

Berthelm, having swiftly gained agreement, waved his hand as if signaling the end of his address.

“Now, everyone may take their leave.”

At the emperor’s command, the ministers and officials bowed their heads and began to slowly exit the Grand Hall.

Following them, generals and businessmen moved in line, but among them, the lowest-ranking Daniel merely stood still, waiting for his turn to take leave.

Berthelm, seated on the Imperial Throne, observed him with a pensive look.

‘Most of those gathered here today wouldn’t know.’

Those who were not politically astute thought Daniel Steiner was just a close aide to the princess.

They saw him as a well-performing horse acting under the princess’s orders.

But Berthelm, having reflected on the series of events that had transpired, knew better.

Daniel Steiner didn’t act according to the princess’s wishes; he acted according to the will he had set for himself.

‘So…’

It was not Selvia herself who made the princess the emperor’s successor today.

Nor was it Emperor Berthelm.

It was solely Daniel Steiner who had orchestrated everything from beginning to end.

‘The guy who claims to have no interest in politics…’

Berthelm chuckled in disbelief.

Raising his hand, he beckoned the head of the inner court to come closer.

“Your Majesty, did you call for me?”

“Yes. Do you see that man over there? The one wearing the rank insignia of a captain?”

“Yes, I see him clearly.”

“What does he look like to you?”

The head of the inner court tilted his head, blinking slowly.

“If we’re speaking of appearance, he seems a bit frail but a handsome man. Also, judging by the dark circles under his eyes, he seems to be quite busy. I suspect he is a young man worried about the country’s future.”

Daniel Steiner worrying about the future of the country? Berthelm couldn’t help but burst into hearty laughter at the ridiculousness of it.

As the sudden laughter confused the head of the inner court, who was sweating cold, Berthelm calmed his amusement and spoke.

“The head of the inner court always knows how to make me laugh. Regardless, go tell that man that I want to talk with him at the shooting range.”

While the meaning behind the laughter was lost on him, the head of the inner court nodded obediently.

*

A little while later.

As Daniel was about to leave, he was caught by the head of the inner court and taken to the shooting range set up on one side of the Imperial Palace.

At the shooting range, Emperor Berthelm stood holding a double-barrel shotgun.

‘…Why am I being called to a place like this?’

Confusion surged as tension built up.

Approaching with caution, Daniel saluted Berthelm.

“Your Majesty, you summoned me?”

“Huh? Ah.”

Upon spotting Daniel, Berthelm jokingly returned the salute and placed a hand on the trigger of the shotgun.

His gaze remained fixed on the green grass and blue sky ahead.

“Sorry for summoning you so suddenly. Have you ever tried trap shooting?”

“I’ve only heard about it from a friend who enjoyed it back in military school.”

“Then you can learn from me this time. Just watch closely.”

No sooner had Berthelm’s words ended than a whistle sounded, and two discs soared high into the sky.

Immediately spotting the discs, Berthelm raised his shotgun and pulled the trigger in succession.

Bang! Bam!

The pellets easily shattered the two flying discs.

Satisfied with hitting his target, Berthelm lowered his shotgun.

“This sport is quite fun. Judging by your shooting skills, you should be able to handle it without much trouble.”

“…Your Majesty? Should I take this as an invitation to enjoy shooting together?”

“Of course not. This is merely a fun gathering to foster camaraderie between us.”

As Berthelm lowered the shotgun, two spent shells ejected and fell to the ground.

A servant approached to offer Berthelm fresh cartridges.

“My primary purpose for calling you here is to reward you.”

“…A reward?”

“Indeed. You’ve worked hard for my daughter this time, haven’t you? I secretly hoped Selvia would become the emperor, so I truly appreciate your efforts.”

Berthelm, receiving the cartridge from the servant, loaded it slowly.

“So, I’m thinking of extending rewards to you and those who helped you, if you don’t mind. Can you tell me who they are?”

With a warm smile, Berthelm finished loading the shotgun and raised his hand to signal the servant to step back.

Berthelm’s gaze shifted back to the grassy expanse, clearly waiting for the next discs to come.

Seeing this, Daniel awkwardly interjected.

“Your Majesty? When you mention the people who aided me, are you referring to those who were captured from the prince’s secret organization? Because all I can say is that we simply got lucky.”

As the discs soared through the air, Berthelm instinctively raised the shotgun and pulled the trigger again.

With a flash from the muzzle, the two discs shattered into pieces once more.

Confirming that he had hit his target, Berthelm lowered his shotgun.

Spent shells flew up, landing on the ground.

“Captain Daniel.”

As the last shell hit the ground, Berthelm shrugged, turning his gaze to Daniel.

“I’m not merely asking you a question right now. This is more like a command. So, I won’t ask again.”

A cool breeze blew from afar.

After a short silence, Berthelm continued.

“Tell me, who’s behind the people who helped you, and what are they up to?”

Though Berthelm’s mouth remained smiling, his eyes were cold as ice.

In that subtle shift of expression, Daniel could be certain.

‘This is…’

It was clear that this was not a question prompted by a desire to give him a reward.