Mistaken for a War Hero

Chapter 29
The Empire’s Desserts Are the Best in the World

After hearing the dreadful news that he had caught the attention of the higher-ups, Daniel decided that he needed to go to the dessert shop and unwind.

‘It’s a good thing to take care of your mental health during a busy and stressful work life.’

Therefore, as soon as he left work, Daniel took a shortcut and arrived at the newly opened shop on the outskirts of the capital, the Golden Rose Bakery.

The smell of pastries and bread wafting from the shop indicated that it was likely a proper dessert shop.

Daniel was quite satisfied.

If it weren’t for the strange woman next to him, he might have even hummed a cheerful tune.

“Here it is. The place you wanted to go, Captain.”

As Lucy said this while looking up at the bakery’s sign, Daniel groaned inwardly.

‘…Why did she follow me?’

Thinking back, as they were leaving the General Staff Headquarters after work, Lucy had struck up a conversation, and Daniel had replied out of courtesy.

During their conversation, the topic of the dessert shop came up, and Daniel had only casually mentioned that she could come along if she wanted to.

He naturally assumed she would refuse, but Lucy accepted, saying she wouldn’t decline her superior’s offer.

This made Daniel very uncomfortable.

‘Is she trying to keep an eye on me?’

Although he could see right through Lucy’s intentions, Daniel didn’t show it and simply nodded.

“Let’s go in.”

Daniel walked towards the bakery and opened the door, with Lucy following behind.

The employee sitting at the counter saw them enter and stood up with a smile.

“Welcome! This is the Golden Rose Bakery, here to bring you happiness! How many…”

The employee stopped mid-sentence.

Not only did two soldiers in military uniform enter the shop, but they were also staring at him with a chilling gaze, creating an overwhelming sense of intimidation.

In reality, they both had neutral expressions, but the employee didn’t know that.

‘They’re scary…!’

The employee, crying internally, barely managed to compose himself and put on an awkward smile.

“Two of you, then. Do you have any menu items in mind?”

“Ah, yes, I do.”

Daniel took off his uniform cap, tucked it under his arm, and said with a gentle smile,

“I heard the Dream Parfait is famous here. It must be delicious, seeing as so many people come here for it even though it’s a new shop. I’ll take two, please.”

“Ah…”

He was scary with his expressionless face, but seeing him speak softly with a smile, there was a subtle charm to him.

Was this an unexpected side of him? The employee, who had been momentarily dumbfounded, quickly nodded.

“I-I’ll have it ready right away! Please have a seat at the window!”

Daniel nodded slightly in response and went to sit at an empty table by the window.

Lucy also sat across from him and placed her briefcase on the empty chair next to her.

She observed Daniel closely.

He seemed relaxed as he looked around the dessert shop, as if he was familiar with such places.

‘…Was he lying about going to a dessert shop yesterday?’

If that were a lie, it would mean Daniel had known her true identity all along and had been tracking her.

He would have fabricated the “going to a dessert shop” hobby to conceal his intentions.

But he seemed too natural. As if he had been to similar shops many times before.

‘Was it really a coincidence that we ran into each other?’

As Lucy was lost in her thoughts, she suddenly met Daniel’s gaze.

“…Why are you staring at me like that? Is there something on my face?”

Oops. She had been so lost in thought that she hadn’t been mindful of her gaze.

Just as Lucy cleared her throat and was about to make an excuse,

“Two Dream Parfaits, as you ordered!”

The employee announced in a cheerful voice, bringing two parfaits and placing them in front of Lucy and Daniel.

“Have a wonderful day!”

The employee bowed and returned to the counter.

Daniel, about to pick up his spoon to enjoy the parfait, paused.

Because Lucy was literally glaring at the parfait in front of her.

“…”

It was understandable. Lucy had never seen a dessert like this before in her life.

She had only ever eaten food from the military and laboratory cafeterias.

That’s why she was internally amazed when she first tried a freshly baked croissant after becoming Daniel’s adjutant.

If a croissant was that surprising, this extravagant dessert was even more foreign to her.

The tall glass was filled with layers of ice cream, cookies, fruits, cream, chocolate syrup, and other things, creating a visually stunning and almost overwhelming presentation.

‘…How do you even eat this?’

As Lucy struggled with a confused expression, Daniel chuckled.

He understood what was going on.

“Alright, let’s dig in.”

Muttering to himself, Daniel plunged his spoon into the ice cream in the parfait.

He slowly lifted the spoon, scooping up the halved strawberry and cream along with the ice cream, and ate it in one bite.

The soft, sweet, and refreshing flavors spread through his mouth.

Daniel smiled in satisfaction and put down his spoon, and Lucy imitated him.

Of course, she didn’t have high expectations.

There was no way the Empire’s desserts could be delicious.

But the moment she put the spoonful of ice cream in her mouth,

Lucy’s eyes widened.

“Gasp…!”

She even let out a strange moan, put down her spoon, and blinked her eyes in a daze.

The mix of sweet flavors in her mouth was heavenly.

It was incomparable to the food served in the military cafeteria.

It was only natural. Military food tended to prioritize nutrition over taste.

Having only ever eaten military rations, she was shocked by the dessert that focused solely on ‘taste.’

Seeing this, Daniel felt a sense of satisfaction.

‘And she was looking down on it yesterday, calling it junk food. Had she never even tried it before?’

Daniel chuckled and said with a smug expression,

“So, how is it? Does the dessert suit your taste?”

At Daniel’s words, Lucy came to her senses and opened her eyes slightly.

Embarrassment washed over her as she realized she had lost control of her expression over a mere dessert.

And it wasn’t just any dessert; it was a dessert from the Empire.

Feeling a sense of shame, Lucy blushed slightly and muttered,

“…It’s edible.”

The slight tremor in her voice betrayed her true feelings.

“I’m glad it’s edible.”

Saying that, Daniel took a cookie from the parfait and took a bite.

The crunchy texture was exquisite.

Savoring the taste of the parfait, Daniel looked out the window and fell into deep thought.

‘My adjutant is a spy, and things aren’t going as planned these days, but…’

Perhaps he should be grateful that he could work in such a peaceful rear instead of on the battlefield.

Fierce battles were likely taking place on the front lines right now.

‘I wouldn’t even dream of having a parfait on the battlefield.’

Therefore, Daniel hoped he could continue working in the rear.

He hated the battlefield where he had to risk his life fighting.

***

Meanwhile, at the General Staff Headquarters.

Deputy Chief of Operations’ office.

Rustle—

Surrounded by various classified documents, Brigadier General Cedric Wendel calmly turned the page of the newspaper.

His eyes with a white sclera quickly scanned the article.

After reading the article in less than thirty seconds, Cedric put down the newspaper.

‘Single-handedly took down a mafia organization…’

The article he just read was about Daniel annihilating a mafia organization.

‘Why?’

Cedric was curious about the reason.

Captain Daniel Steiner had already achieved numerous merits and was on the list for early promotion.

If he spent the next two years without any incidents, he would be smoothly promoted to Major.

He must be aware of that.

Yet, he went out of his way to earn another merit and ended up destroying a mafia organization.

And he did it alone, after work hours.

Cedric blinked slowly, fully understanding Daniel’s intentions.

‘…He can’t wait two years.’

In the current war situation, information from a year ago becomes obsolete.

From Daniel’s perspective, eager to contribute to the Empire, it must be frustrating.

No matter how much of a hero he was in the capital, as a mere Captain, his influence within the military was limited.

Therefore, Daniel was making a statement to the higher-ups by eliminating the mafia organization.

‘I understand. He can’t just rot away at the General Staff Headquarters, so he wants to be sent to the battlefield.’

Daniel was aiming to gain experience on the battlefield—in other words, accumulate achievements—to be specially promoted to Major.

Becoming a field officer granted far more authority compared to being a company-grade officer.

Daniel must be eager to utilize that authority and actively contribute to the Empire on the front lines.

‘He’s a courageous young man. Like a brightly burning flame.’

With the country in turmoil due to the issue of Imperial succession and the Allied offensive, a talent like Daniel Steiner was invaluable.

‘This works out well. I was just thinking about sending operational support to the Northern Front Army.’

If a capable young man desired promotion, it was only right to give him the opportunity.

It would benefit the Empire in the long run.

‘Alright, Captain Daniel Steiner. I’ll put my trust in you…’

Now, go and wreak havoc on the battlefield.

—————

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