Mistaken for a War Hero

Chapter 51
Count Caledra Is Wary

『 Translator – Divinity 』

After finishing breakfast and my work for the day, I returned to my hotel room and hummed a cheerful tune.

I was in a good mood, thinking that I could finally leave the dangerous life in the Empire behind.

‘Not only do I not have to see Lucy, who’s trying to kill me, but I also don’t have to worry about being sentenced to death in a war crimes tribunal.’

On top of that, I wouldn’t have to worry about dying from a stray bullet on the battlefield, so it was like killing three birds with one stone.

With a gentle smile on my face, I opened the refrigerator in the kitchenette and took out some Roquefort cheese and ice.

The strong, distinctive aroma of Roquefort, also known as blue cheese, wafted through the air.

‘Good, it’s aged well.’

This was the cheese the citizens of Nordia had pooled their money to buy for me as a farewell gift.

It was an expensive cheese, so I had been saving it, but since I would be leaving the Empire soon, there was no need to hesitate any longer.

I placed the cheese on the dining table and then took out a bottle of supply whiskey and a glass from the cupboard.

After placing the glass on the table as well, I added a few ice cubes and poured a small amount of whiskey.

The amber liquid, the color of the setting sun, filled the glass halfway.

It was a bit of a shame to have this expensive cheese with the cheap supply whiskey, but it was still a luxury on the battlefield, so I had no complaints.

Putting the whiskey bottle aside and picking up the glass, I walked towards the window.

I wanted to take a sip while enjoying the view outside.

‘But what should I do first after I successfully defect? Should I try painting? I’ve always wanted to be a painter…’

I pondered for a moment, then shook my head.

‘Unless you become a top-class painter, there’s no money in it. Then how about baking? I helped the headmistress with baking a few times back in my hometown. I was praised for my talent back then, so…’

Lost in my plans for the future, I stood by the window and looked outside.

As usual, numerous soldiers were coming and going in the plaza below the hotel.

However, unlike usual, the soldiers moving under the streetlights seemed unusually lively today.

‘…Did something happen?’

Curious, I continued to observe, and then I saw low-ranking soldiers running around, relaying a message.

The officers and senior soldiers who heard the message exchanged a few words, then erupted in cheers.

Then, some of the soldiers pointed at the 7th floor of the hotel where Daniel was staying and suddenly saluted.

The salutes, which started with one or two soldiers, spread like an epidemic.

They all saluted Daniel with smiles on their faces, and some junior officers followed suit.

Daniel, suddenly receiving salutes from hundreds of soldiers gathered in the plaza, broke out in a cold sweat.

‘What’s going on?’

He couldn’t understand it.

No, to be precise, he didn’t want to understand.

I took a sip of whiskey to quell the unknown fear rising within me.

‘No way… that can’t be…’

Just as I was trying to calm myself and deny reality,

Knock, knock—

A polite knock came from the door, followed by a voice.

“Major Daniel Steiner! Are you in there? It’s the Corps Commander’s aide!”

Why was it that my premonitions of disaster were never wrong?

I ran a hand over my face, placed the glass of whiskey on the nearby table, and walked towards the door.

Taking a deep breath, I opened the door, and there stood Lieutenant Colonel Kalfren.

“…Lieutenant Colonel Kalfren, what brings you here at this hour?”

Kalfren gave a kind smile in response to my question.

“I came to deliver good news. The Kingdom has accepted your proposal!”

“Sir? My proposal…?”

“Not only have they agreed to all the terms of the Empire’s previous negotiation proposal, but they’ve also offered to cede Begenheim in addition to Nordia! It’s truly a remarkable achievement!”

Kalfren burst into hearty laughter, but Daniel was only confused.

‘…Why?’

Why would they, who had rejected all three negotiations in the game and insisted on fighting to the death, suddenly raise the white flag like a scared dog?

‘They even surrendered after I gave them all that Level 2 classified information?’

Racking his brain in this incomprehensible situation, Daniel unconsciously clenched his fists.

‘…Don’t tell me there was an information gap?’

If the Kingdom Army wasn’t fully aware of the Empire’s troop strength and capabilities, revealing the classified information might have been interpreted as a threat.

But to create an information gap, they would have had to not only intentionally paralyze the Kingdom’s intelligence agency but also spread false information as a smokescreen.

At least the Empire hadn’t done such a thing.

Although they had successfully taken control of the Kingdom’s communication network, they hadn’t spread false information.

The Empire wanted the Kingdom to be intimidated and accept the peace negotiations.

There was no need to spread false information and give the Kingdom a reason to break off the negotiations.

‘In that case…’

It meant that the Allied Nations were manipulating the Kingdom from behind the scenes.

They didn’t simply want the Kingdom to lose; they had intervened to make the Kingdom endure the Empire’s attacks, bleed them dry, and ultimately lead them to their demise.

‘Damn it.’

The Allied Nations had been systematically manipulating the Kingdom all along.

Daniel’s eyes clouded with worry as he realized his plans had been disrupted.

Seeing this, Kalfren couldn’t help but be surprised.

‘He’s incredibly calm despite being told about such a great achievement.’

Daniel’s composure made Kalfren feel ashamed of himself.

‘Well, even though the Kingdom has surrendered, the Empire is still at war with the Allied Nations. An officer who leads soldiers shouldn’t be overjoyed, as it wouldn’t set a good example for the troops…’

As expected of Daniel Steiner, the hero of the Empire.

Clearing his throat, Kalfren spoke with a serious tone,

“It was an excellent mission, Major Daniel Steiner. Since you’ve completed your mission, I’ll make arrangements for you to return to the capital.”

“…Thank you, sir.”

“We should be the ones thanking you. Ah, and one more thing. His Majesty wishes to see you.”

Daniel looked at Kalfren with surprise.

“His Majesty, sir?”

“Yes. Thanks to you, we were able to end the war with the Kingdom early on, which could have turned into a long conflict. His Majesty is very pleased.”

Kalfren meant it as a congratulatory message, implying that a path to promotion had opened up for him, but Daniel was only troubled.

He was worried that catching the Emperor’s attention might drag him into the upcoming succession struggle.

However, he couldn’t show his true feelings, so Daniel forced a smile.

“Then it would be an honor.”

“It’s good to see you smile. Yes, you must have had a hard time, so get some rest today.”

“Yes, sir. I understand.”

Kalfren nodded and slowly walked away.

After watching Kalfren go down the stairs, Daniel closed the door.

He stood still for a while, holding the doorknob, then suddenly shouted,

“Why!”

Turning around, he walked towards the dining table and yelled,

“Why is this happening to me!? Why can’t I be happy!?”

Daniel, venting his unfocused anger, grabbed the whiskey bottle.

He was about to throw it, but then he calmed himself down and put the bottle back on the table.

‘I should drink this.’

He couldn’t take his anger out on the precious alcohol.

Letting out a deep sigh, I sat down and poured the remaining whiskey into my mouth.

The alcohol was bitter.

‘I was happy just a moment ago…’

With the dreams of becoming a painter and a baker reluctantly buried in my heart, I picked up the whiskey bottle and poured myself another drink.

It seemed like I would have to drink a lot today.

***

Meanwhile, in Edria, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

“Count Caledra! What is the meaning of this!?”

Caledra barged into the palace audience chamber with his private soldiers.

Caledra himself was also carrying a pistol at his hip.

He was blatantly violating the law that prohibited carrying weapons within the audience chamber.

However, Caledra didn’t bat an eye and walked towards the King sitting on the throne.

Each step Caledra took with his cane echoed with a heavy thud.

As the King groaned, clutching the armrests of his throne, Caledra bowed his head slightly.

“Your Majesty, please forgive my rudeness. However, the matter is urgent, and I had no choice but to come here, disregarding basic procedures.”

“Caledra! How dare you speak like that in front of His Majesty!?”

One of the ministers in the audience chamber pointed at Caledra and raised his voice.

Caledra let out an annoyed sigh and looked at the minister.

His sharp, snake-like eyes glinted with murderous intent.

“Didn’t I just say that the matter is urgent?”

Don’t interrupt.

Caledra’s words forced the minister to shut his mouth and swallow nervously.

After silencing the minister, Caledra looked back at the King.

“Your Majesty, with the help of the Central Intelligence Agency, I have found and eliminated the scoundrels who were plotting treason. I believe you should see their disgusting faces for yourself.”

At Caledra’s signal, one of his soldiers stepped closer to the King and opened the box he was holding.

“…!”

The King, as well as the ministers, gasped in shock.

Inside the box was a human head.

It was the head of the minister who had been criticizing Caledra all day and insisting on strengthening the royal authority.

He was also the minister who had been preparing to assassinate Caledra under the King’s secret orders.

Caledra turned his gaze to the head in the box and placed his hand on his chest in a gesture of mourning.

“Such a pitiful and foolish man. This man was plotting treason. He was training soldiers behind Your Majesty’s back.”

Everyone here knew that Caledra was lying.

But no one dared to point it out.

After enjoying the heavy silence for a moment, Caledra looked back at the King.

He then erased his smile and frowned fiercely.

“If anyone dares to commit such an outrageous act again!”

Caledra shouted and slammed his cane on the floor.

As everyone trembled in fear, Caledra continued in a chilling voice,

“…They will all suffer the same fate. Isn’t that right, Your Majesty?”

The King, sitting on the throne, nodded slowly, shivering.

Seeing this, Caledra took a step back and bowed.

His hand, not holding the cane, was elegantly extended to the side, following royal etiquette.

However, his eyes glared fiercely at the King.

After finishing his bow, Caledra turned and walked away without even waiting for the King’s permission.

With each step he took, the mud on his shoes stained the floor of the audience chamber.

Caledra left the audience chamber and exited the palace.

As numerous soldiers followed him, the Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, who had been waiting at the palace entrance, approached Caledra.

As Caledra looked at him, the Deputy Director bowed his head and said,

“Sir, according to our intelligence, the Kingdom of Eldresia has accepted the Empire’s negotiation terms.”

A crack appeared in Caledra’s usually cold expression.

“…Why?”

The Deputy Director paused for a moment, then answered,

“It seems the Foreign Minister of Eldresia changed his mind after meeting with Major Daniel Steiner. We don’t know the details of their conversation. However…”

The Deputy Director, watching Caledra’s reaction, continued,

“The Foreign Minister said that Major Daniel Steiner told him to ‘inform the Allied Nations that he had brought the Kingdom of Eldresia to its knees.'”

Caledra’s grip tightened on his cane.

‘How arrogant…’

But it was arrogance befitting his abilities.

Caledra saw a reflection of his younger self in Daniel.

‘Was Daniel Steiner an even bigger figure than I thought…?’

Lost in thought about how to deal with him, Caledra started walking.

“Inform Lucy to accelerate the operation. He’s a quick-witted and meticulous man. Even Lucy might be at risk of being discovered if she can’t gain his trust.”

The Deputy Director bowed his head in acknowledgement and stepped back.

Caledra then got into the sedan that had been waiting for him and took a breath.

Taking out a handkerchief from his pocket, he wiped the blood off his cheek and murmured quietly,

“Daniel Steiner…”

Perhaps he would become an even more troublesome opponent than the Emperor of the Empire.