Mistaken for a War Hero

Chapter 21
To Think I’d Meet Someone From My Hometown Here!

The next day.

After leaving work at the General Staff Headquarters, Ernst and I went straight to a hair salon.

Honestly, I didn’t want to, but Ernst insisted that we should at least dress up minimally since we were attending a banquet hosted by the Imperial family, and I had no right to refuse.

After getting the latest Imperial trend, a slicked-back hairstyle, we arrived at the Imperial banquet hall in Ernst’s car.

Can you believe there’s such a thing as a ‘banquet hall’?

I couldn’t imagine how much money one would need to have a separate mansion built just for banquets.

As we walked towards the magnificent building, the staff member in charge of checking the guest list at the entrance spoke,

“Good evening, gentlemen. Could I have your names, please?”

Before I could answer, Ernst replied,

“My name is Ernst Barck. And this handsome young man next to me is…”

“Ah! Captain Daniel Steiner, isn’t it? I couldn’t possibly not know such a celebrity!”

“A celebrity, you say.”

Ernst looked at me with a playful smile.

He seemed to imply that I was fully qualified to be invited and that I should be confident, but honestly, it was burdensome.

“Colonel Ernst Barck, Chief of Operations Staff at the General Staff Headquarters. And Captain Daniel Steiner, Operations Staff Officer. Your identities have been confirmed. Please enjoy your time.”

The staff member stepped aside and bowed respectfully.

“Thank you. Keep up the good work.”

Ernst greeted him and entered the banquet hall, and I followed beside him.

Inside the mansion, waiters were bustling about in the small hall on the first floor.

“Let’s head up.”

We climbed the red-carpeted stairs in front of us and entered the second floor, where the Great Hall unfolded before us.

The massive hall, which must have been at least a few hundred square meters, was filled with people engaged in various conversations.

One peculiar thing was that most of the men were wearing military uniforms like Ernst and me.

Perhaps because serving in the military during wartime in the Empire was a great honor, they were all eager to show it off.

On the other hand, there were also people in suits or expensive silk clothes. They were probably wealthy individuals who funded the Imperial army or those from noble families.

As we walked while observing them, a general-grade officer recognized Ernst and approached us.

The man with a striking scar on his wrinkled face was someone I knew well.

Brigadier General Heinrich Schmidt, Commander of the 1st Magic Mobile Army Operations Command.

He was the person I met when I awakened the memories of my past life, so I couldn’t forget him even if I wanted to.

“Colonel Ernst! You were invited as well! And next to you is…”

He was a Brigadier General, a commander leading a brigade. Feeling nervous, I quickly saluted.

“It’s an honor to see you again, Commander. I’m Captain Daniel Steiner.”

“Oh ho! You’ve climbed another rank since I last saw you? Well, considering the merits you’ve accumulated, it’s only natural. Don’t you agree, Adjutant?”

Captain Philip, who was standing a step behind Heinrich like a shadow, nodded.

“Indeed. Captain Daniel Steiner, I’m relieved you’re a soldier of the Empire. If we had met as enemies, you would have been a formidable opponent.”

“You’re too kind.”

It was truly excessive praise.

Most of the merits I had earned were unintentional.

However, Heinrich must have interpreted my attitude as humility, as he simply smiled with approval.

“I felt it from the beginning, but you’re such an exceptional talent that I’d want you as my subordinate. The Imperial Army will soon be advancing north for the expansion war… No, it’s better to tell you about this later. Colonel Ernst?”

What is it? Why did he stop mid-sentence?

Feeling uneasy, I listened as Ernst responded to Heinrich.

“Yes, Commander?”

“I need to discuss the future of the Empire with the Deputy Chief of Staff, but before that, I’d like to hear your opinion first. If you’re amenable, I’d like to discuss it somewhere quiet.”

“Oh my, if the Commander wishes, I’d be glad to.”

The two of them, who seemed to be on friendly terms, walked away with smiles.

Philip also started to follow Heinrich, but then he looked back at me.

“Captain Daniel? It seems like this is your first time at a banquet. Just look around, have some refreshments, and pass the time. The main event will start a bit later, so try to be patient until then, even if it’s boring.”

I was quite touched by his considerate words.

Was Captain Philip an angel? I nodded, and Philip smiled at me before following Heinrich.

Left alone, I looked around.

‘First…’

It seemed like a good idea to sit at one of the banquet tables and pass the time.

Everyone was engaged in small talk, and I didn’t want to stand out by being the only one standing around awkwardly.

I’d rather avoid excessive attention.

Thinking this, I slowly walked towards the banquet tables.

‘Oh.’

There happened to be an empty seat across from someone who was already eating.

***

Alistair, an intelligence agent from the Kingdom of Eldresia, pretended to eat while glancing around.

Perhaps because it was a banquet hosted by the Imperial family, many high-ranking officials were gathered at a glance.

Alistair’s mission was to inform other agents about the list of attendees (those who actually attended) at the banquet.

This way, it would be easier for the other agents to assassinate key figures when they attacked the banquet hall.

With that in mind, Alistair was constantly scanning his surroundings when he suddenly tensed up at the sound of approaching footsteps.

Click, clack—

The sound of boots slowly drew closer, then stopped abruptly.

Alistair gulped nervously and looked up to see a man with black hair and black eyes staring down at him.

He was someone Alistair knew well.

‘Captain Daniel Steiner…’

The monster who had broken Reginald, infamous for his silence, in just one day of interrogation.

Why was he here? Had he been discovered? As Alistair broke out in a cold sweat, Daniel smiled and spoke.

“Are you here alone? If you don’t have company, I’d like to sit in front of you…”

Refusing here would only raise suspicion. Alistair nodded nervously.

“Yes, please have a seat if you’d like.”

“Thank you. My legs were getting a bit tired.”

Daniel chuckled and pulled out a chair to sit down.

He took off his uniform cap and placed it on the table, letting out a soft sigh as if he could finally relax.

“Ah, I apologize for the late introduction. My name is…”

“I know. You’re Captain Daniel Steiner, aren’t you?”

Daniel’s eyes widened in surprise.

“You know me?”

“Of course, I do. Who in the capital wouldn’t know Captain Steiner?”

“Oh dear, I didn’t want to become famous…”

Daniel sighed, then looked at the food Alistair was eating and exclaimed in admiration.

“Isn’t that Spätzle? And Schnitzel next to it! You must be from the south?”

Alistair wiped his mouth with a napkin and nodded.

“Indeed. Spätzle was a staple in my hometown.”

“Spätzle as a staple… Aha! You must be from the Betargen Barony. And the region is…”

As Alistair was about to answer, Daniel raised his hand to stop him.

“Let me guess. A place where Spätzle is a staple food must be the Balzach region within the Betargen Barony. Am I right?”

After a moment of hesitation, Alistair nodded.

He felt it would be awkward to deny it here.

“Oh my! It’s amazing to meet someone from the south, and from the Balzach region, no less! I’m from there too. Do you know Fianmari Village?”

Daniel spoke with genuine delight at meeting someone from his hometown, but Alistair felt a growing sense of unease as Daniel narrowed down his location with increasing precision.

His hands were getting sweaty.

Trying his best to calm his nerves, Alistair forced a smile.

“Of course, I know Fianmari Village. Isn’t there a famous restaurant near there?”

To avoid suspicion, it was best to find common ground.

Daniel, excited to meet someone from his hometown, nodded with a smile.

“Ah, yes. There was a quite famous restaurant called Jack’s Restaurant. It had a shabby exterior that didn’t look like a restaurant at all. I used to go there often when I lived in the village. It brings back memories.”

Daniel snapped his fingers as if he had just remembered something.

“If you know Jack’s Restaurant, that means you must have been there! Honestly, it doesn’t make sense for someone from the Balzach region to have never been to Jack’s Restaurant.”

“Ah, yes, of course.”

“Then what was your favorite dish there?”

Since they were both from the same hometown and even frequented the same restaurant, it was natural for them to feel a sense of camaraderie.

Daniel had asked the question to share memories, but Alistair felt his breathing becoming ragged under the psychological pressure.

If he mentioned a dish that wasn’t on the menu… the thought was terrifying.

Quickly calculating in his head, Alistair recalled a dish commonly sold in the southern region of the Empire.

“My favorite at Jack’s Restaurant was the Apple Strudel. I went there last year and had it, and I still can’t forget the flavor.”

“Aha! Apple Strudel!”

Daniel clapped his hands and laughed.

“It’s delicious, isn’t it? I also can’t forget that sweet and soft taste. It’s even more delicious with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.”

Alistair was relieved.

Fortunately, he had mentioned a dish widely known as a breakfast and dessert in the southern region of the Empire.

Just as he thought he could casually chat for a while longer and then excuse himself,

“But there’s something… strange.”

Strange? Alistair couldn’t answer, wondering what he meant. Daniel stroked his chin, seemingly lost in thought.

Then, he slowly turned his gaze to Alistair and said,

“As far as I know, Apple Strudel was removed from the menu at Jack’s Restaurant three years ago. After an incident where a customer with an apple allergy accidentally ordered it and had a seizure.”

Daniel, genuinely curious, leaned forward towards Alistair.

His jet-black eyes blinked calmly.

“But you said you had Apple Strudel there last year?”

In that instant, Alistair felt a wave of fear wash over him, as if all the blood had drained from his body.

—————

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