Mistaken for a War Hero

Chapter 63
Acting to Survive
『 Translator – Divinity 』

I left the General Staff Headquarters and headed straight to the Imperial Palace.

Since I had received prior permission from Princess Sylvia, I was able to enter the palace after a brief identity check.

Then, with the help of a palace maid, I arrived in front of the princess’s office and knocked.

“Your Highness! It’s Major Daniel Steiner!”

I announced loudly, and the door opened from the inside.

Lieutenant Colonel Hartmann, the chief bodyguard of the Imperial Guard, was standing there, holding the doorknob.

“Major Daniel, I’ve been waiting for you.”

I nodded and walked to the center of the office, saluting.

Sylvia, who was sitting at her desk, beamed.

“Major Daniel! I was wondering when you would…”

She stopped herself mid-sentence and cleared her throat.

Even though she was happy to see me, as a princess, she had to maintain her composure.

“What brings you here?”

Her voice, now calm and steady, filled the office.

I lowered my hand and assumed the at-ease position.

“I have an urgent matter to discuss with you.”

As I spoke, Hartmann closed the office door and stood beside Sylvia.

With their eyes on me, I continued,

“Before I explain the situation, I want to clarify that I wasn’t the one who attacked and neutralized the Dawn of the New Day, the prince’s private organization. I felt it was important to correct that misunderstanding.”

Sylvia and Hartmann blinked a few times, then nodded in understanding.

“Alright, I’ll make sure to deflect any questions about it with that explanation.”

“I’ll also keep it quiet. I don’t want you to get in trouble.”

Judging from their reactions, they didn’t seem to believe me at all.

I wanted to desperately plead my innocence, but I didn’t think they would believe me, and I didn’t have time for that.

So I decided to get straight to the point.

“Your Highness, then let me explain why I’m here. First of all, are you aware that Security Bureau officers are roaming around the General Staff Headquarters?”

The atmosphere instantly turned cold.

Sylvia narrowed her eyes and said,

“It must be Duke Belvar’s doing. That old man has a good relationship with the Director of the Security Bureau. But to think he sent Security Bureau officers to the General Staff Headquarters…”

I was glad she understood quickly.

I nodded to confirm her suspicions.

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

“…Why would he do that?”

“He’s trying to turn the tide of public opinion. I, Daniel Steiner, was the one who discovered the prince’s private organization plotting rebellion. But what would happen if it was revealed that I was actually colluding with a spy?”

Hartmann, who had been listening, groaned.

“They could frame it as a fabrication by Daniel Steiner, a member of the princess’s faction. They could even accuse you of being the rebel and denounce you.”

Hartmann, inwardly impressed by the old fox’s scheme, looked at me.

“I understand your concerns. The Security Bureau is known for fabricating evidence. If you’re not careful, you could be wrongly accused.”

Although I knew that my adjutant was a spy due to complicated circumstances, I couldn’t reveal that truth, so I simply nodded.

“It’s only a matter of time now. If the Security Bureau issues an internal security surveillance warrant, I’ll be caught by them.”

At my words, Sylvia jumped up from her chair in anger.

“That can’t happen! I’ll do everything I can to prevent such an outrage!”

Seeing her reaction, I gave a faint smile.

“I would be grateful if you would do that. But the best way is to take the initiative before the worst-case scenario happens.”

“Take the initiative?”

Hartmann asked again with an intrigued expression.

“It seems you have a way to resolve this situation?”

“Indeed. Currently, Duke Belvar is desperate to arrest me, even resorting to using the Security Bureau. What do you think this means?”

After a brief silence, Sylvia answered,

“That old fox is afraid of you. He’s going through with this even though it could backfire if he can’t find evidence that you’re colluding with a spy.”

“Correct. So I intend to use that fear Duke Belvar has of me. Moreover, I’ll propose a deal using the information that only we know.”

“Major Daniel, I don’t quite understand. What exactly do you mean by using Duke Belvar’s fear?”

The last question was from Hartmann.

I paused for a moment, then said,

“I’ll put on an act.”

I looked at Hartmann with determination in my eyes.

“I’ll become the ‘worst possible Daniel Steiner’ that Duke Belvar can imagine.”

***

I explained the gist of the operation and asked Sylvia to arrange a meeting with Duke Belvar.

Sylvia agreed to my request and immediately contacted Belvar. He accepted without much hesitation, and the meeting was set.

And now,

‘Damn it…’

I was sitting on the sofa in the reception room of Duke Belvar’s mansion.

Behind me, Hartmann was standing with his arms crossed, killing time.

Sylvia had asked him to escort me, worried that something might happen.

After confirming that they still had some time before Belvar arrived, Hartmann whispered to me, just loud enough for me to hear,

“…But Major Daniel, do you really have to do this? We’re not the ones at a disadvantage, they are.”

He was asking why I was being so hasty when we could take our time and slowly corner them.

I agreed with him.

Even if the Security Bureau was on the move, as long as I didn’t give them any reason to find fault with me and endured, Belvar would likely self-destruct.

However, there was a high chance of bloodshed in the process.

‘And most importantly…’

Lucy was actually a spy.

If Cartman, armed with a warrant from the Security Bureau, persistently investigated and found concrete evidence that Lucy was a spy, I would be dead.

If I was charged with colluding with a spy, it wouldn’t end with a simple discharge.

Therefore, I had to get Belvar to surrender today, by any means necessary.

That was the only way to stop the Security Bureau’s investigation.

From Hartmann’s perspective, this was just a negotiation, but for me, it was a life-or-death tightrope walk.

Of course, I couldn’t explain all this, so I just gave an awkward smile.

“Wouldn’t it be good for everyone if everything was settled with this meeting today?”

“That’s true. But is there anything I can do to help?”

“No, sir. Just stay behind me and follow my lead.”

Hartmann nodded, thinking it wouldn’t be difficult.

Creak—

Just then, the door to the reception room opened, and Duke Belvar entered with his servant.

Belvar, dressed in an expensive suit and wearing a monocle, had a stubborn look on his face with his thick eyebrows and tightly closed lips.

I stood up and bowed my head, but Belvar didn’t react.

He clicked his tongue in disapproval and walked over to the sofa opposite me, sitting down.

I also sat back down, and Belvar said,

“So, you’re the one who wanted to see me?”

Although his tone was condescending, I remained unfazed and gave a polite smile.

“Indeed. As you know, the Dawn of the New Day, the prince’s private organization, has been captured. I’ve come to make you an offer regarding this matter.”

“An offer? Ha! I don’t even need to hear it! It’s probably something about betraying the prince!”

Belvar raised his hand and pointed at me accusingly.

“And I’m well aware that you intimidated your opponent during the negotiations to get what you wanted! Don’t think I’ll fall for your tricks like the others!”

Despite Belvar’s threats, I maintained my smile.

“Duke Belvar, there seems to be a misunderstanding. I’m simply here to negotiate. If you would just listen to my offer—”

“I don’t want to hear it!”

Belvar shouted, cutting me off.

“Do you think I would be tempted by the filthy words coming out of your mouth!?”

“So you’re saying you’ll break off the negotiations without even listening to my offer?”

“I only agreed to this negotiation because of the princess’s request. And no matter what, I will not betray the prince. Even if it costs me my life!”

As expected, Belvar was taking a hard line.

Thinking that it couldn’t be helped, I decided to put on an ‘act’ instead of making an offer.

“I understand your loyalty, Duke. But if you break off this negotiation now, you won’t be the only one facing death.”

Belvar’s eyebrow twitched.

“…What do you mean?”

“Exactly as I said. Think about it carefully.”

Maintaining my smile, I leaned back on the sofa.

Belvar, on the other hand, was trembling and swallowing nervously.

After pondering my vague statement, he spoke in a low voice,

“My acquaintances and family are innocent. Even if I lose this succession struggle, you have no right to touch them.”

Hearing his words, I smirked, then couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.

My low, quiet laughter echoed through the spacious reception room.

Belvar, unable to understand why I was laughing, frowned and broke out in a cold sweat.

Even Hartmann, who had agreed to play along with my act, felt a chill as he looked down at me.

After laughing for a while, I lightly waved my hand.

“Oh my, I apologize. I seem to have lost my composure. But…”

Suddenly wiping the smile off my face, I stared intently at Belvar.

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

“Let me ask you this, Duke Belvar. Among all the people I’ve ruined…”

My chilling voice captured Belvar’s attention.

Leaning forward in the brief silence, I continued without blinking,

“Do you really think there were no innocent people?”

At that moment, Belvar felt a wave of terror wash over him.