Mistaken for a War Hero

Chapter 75
A Grave Decision
『 Translator – Divinity 』

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

Count Caledra’s office.

“Hmm…”

Count Caledra, sitting at his desk, frowned as he read through the report.

Standing before him, Beck, the Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, maintained a rigid posture, filled with tension.

He couldn’t predict how Caledra would react after reading the report.

The ticking of the wall clock sounded particularly loud in the quiet room.

Caledra carefully examined the report, then closed his eyes and spoke.

“Deputy Director, is everything written in this report true?”

His chilling voice sent shivers down Beck’s spine.

Taking a deep breath, Beck answered in as calm a tone as possible,

“The information has been verified, sir. I believe it to be accurate.”

At Beck’s words, Caledra gritted his teeth and let out a groan.

The situation wasn’t looking good.

The report detailed the “changes within the Empire following Daniel Steiner’s all-out war speech.”

Naturally, all the figures, including those related to the military industry, were showing positive increases.

He had anticipated this when he first heard about Daniel’s speech, but seeing the data quantified made his head throb.

‘I underestimated him…’

When he heard about Daniel’s successful invasion of Nordia and his subjugation of the Kingdom of Eldresia’s Foreign Minister during the negotiations, he had dismissed it as the emergence of an exceptional staff officer within the Empire.

However, seeing Daniel put an end to the hidden succession struggle and then succeed with the all-out war speech filled Caledra with a sense of dread.

‘…Daniel Steiner intends to control the Empire.’

From Caledra’s perspective, it seemed like Daniel was laying the groundwork to seize control of the Empire and manipulate it as he pleased.

This even made him feel a sense of kinship.

Because it was similar to what Caledra himself had done to gain control of Edria.

‘But…’

Unlike Caledra, Daniel had risen to his current position of power all by himself, without any funds or backing.

It was a feat that would be nearly impossible without extraordinary willpower and insight that transcended human limitations.

‘He’s dangerous.’

He couldn’t allow Daniel to grow any stronger.

‘The moment he becomes an unrivaled figure in the Empire…’

…he would undoubtedly become a more formidable opponent than even the Emperor.

Having reached a decision, Caledra slowly opened his eyes.

“Deputy Director, from now on, upgrade Daniel Steiner’s threat level from ‘key member of the leadership’ to the next level.”

“Upgrade from ‘key member of the leadership’… You mean designate him as a ‘head of state-level threat’?”

“Do you have any objections?”

Beck hesitated for a moment, then said,

“Although Daniel has accumulated numerous merits and caused political repercussions within the Empire with his all-out war speech, I’m not sure if it’s necessary to be overly wary of a mere Lieutenant Colonel…”

Beck stopped mid-sentence.

Caledra was staring at him with a chilling gaze.

It was a silent pressure, telling him not to object.

Realizing that he had crossed a line, Beck hurriedly lowered his head.

“I’ll convey your words to the Central Intelligence Agency and all government departments.”

Caledra, narrowing his eyes, suppressed his anger and spoke quietly,

“…Also, relay this to Lucy, who has infiltrated as Daniel Steiner’s adjutant.”

Beck, breaking out in a cold sweat, looked up cautiously.

“What is your message, sir?”

Caledra paused for a moment, then placed his hands on his desk.

Slowly raising his hands as if caught in a net, he clasped them together and said,

“Tell her it’s time to make a decision.”

***

Late in the evening.

Leaving the General Staff Headquarters after work, Daniel enjoyed the cool breeze.

He had been cooped up in his office all day to avoid people, so stepping outside gave him a sense of liberation.

“It’s refreshing.”

As Daniel said this with a satisfied smile, Lucy, walking beside him, exhaled.

Her breath formed a faint mist that quickly dissipated in the air.

“…Isn’t it a bit cold rather than refreshing?”

“Now that you mention it, it is a bit chilly. Well, winter is coming.”

“Winter…”

Lucy looked at the trees around the headquarters with her red eyes and nodded.

Most of the leaves had fallen from the branches, leaving the trees bare.

“You’re right, winter is coming.”

It seemed like only yesterday that she had become Daniel Steiner’s adjutant, just before spring ended.

But now, they had already spent two seasons together.

Just as she was thinking about how quickly time passed, Daniel casually said,

“There are desserts you can only enjoy in winter. Come to think of it, I heard the Golden Rose Bakery is selling stollen as a Christmas special.”

“…Stollen?”

Lucy blinked her eyes, curious about the dessert.

Seeing this, Daniel decided to broaden her dessert horizons and boasted,

“It’s a sweet and delicious bread covered in sugar. The sugar-coated bread looks like a snowfield, making it quite flavorful…”

Daniel suddenly trailed off.

Lucy’s eyes were filled with curiosity and anticipation after hearing about the dessert.

After a moment of contemplation, Daniel cleared his throat and said,

“We can go together on Christmas if you have time. That is, if you want to.”

“I won’t refuse if you invite me, Lieutenant Colonel.”

Daniel was dumbfounded by Lucy’s indifferent reply.

‘And she was staring at me with those eager eyes because she wanted to eat stollen…’

He felt like teasing her for playing it cool but decided to hold back.

‘I already upset her with the special promotion.’

Daniel had sung Lucy’s praises to Cedric, the Deputy Chief of Operations, and induced him to conduct a special promotion review for her.

She must have been angry back then, and he thought that teasing her again might increase the chances of being assassinated.

Feeling a bit apprehensive, Daniel checked his wristwatch and looked at Lucy.

“It’s getting late, so you can head back first.”

“…Aren’t you leaving, Lieutenant Colonel?”

“As you know, I’m a popular man.”

Daniel pointed towards the entrance of the General Staff Headquarters.

Even though it was quite late, there were still a few people who hadn’t left, holding signs that read “War Hero Daniel Steiner!”

Daniel was trying to spare Lucy from getting caught up with them.

Lucy, understanding this, nodded hesitantly.

“Alright. Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”

After saying goodbye to Daniel, Lucy walked away with her briefcase.

She passed through the entrance of the headquarters, but people only glanced at her; no one tried to talk to her.

Compared to Daniel, she wasn’t as well-known, and her naturally cold demeanor made people hesitant to approach her.

Thanks to this, Lucy easily left the General Staff Headquarters and headed to a nearby bakery.

She planned to buy some croissants or baguettes before returning to her quarters.

‘Or…’

Should she try something new today?

Lost in thought, Lucy entered the main street and saw a clown trying to attract customers.

“Ladies and gentlemen who wish to experience a new world, come to the Baranpalt Theater at 10 p.m. today! Do you desire introspection? Or perhaps a fantasy unlike anything you’ve ever seen? We can show you something beyond your wildest imagination!”

The man in clown makeup was handing out flyers with a smile and a loud voice.

Seeing a few people showing interest, Lucy shook her head.

She didn’t like such noisy solicitations.

Just as she was about to ignore him and walk past, the clown approached Lucy and handed her a flyer.

“Hey! Pretty officer! Why don’t you come to our theater and grace the audience with your presence? We have a military discount, so you can come for cheap!”

“I appreciate the offer, but I’m fine. I…”

Lucy was about to decline the clown’s offer when she unconsciously looked down at the flyer and paused.

She noticed a slightly raised part on the upper right corner of the flyer.

‘Encrypted braille…’

This was one of the ways the Allied Nations delivered orders to spies who had infiltrated the enemy.

“Come on, you’ll surely be satisfied if you come!”

The clown lowered his voice and pushed the flyer closer.

Lucy nodded and took the flyer, and the clown laughed and walked away.

After confirming that the clown had attracted the attention of those around them, Lucy placed her hand on the braille on the flyer.

And she slowly read the Allied Nations’ order.

‘Daniel Steiner’s threat level has been upgraded to head of state. Therefore, before he causes further harm to the Allied Nations…’

Lucy’s eyes wavered as she finished reading the order.

Swallowing nervously, she checked the order once again with her trembling fingertips.

But it didn’t change.

Frozen in place, Lucy, after a brief silence, read the last sentence of the order.

‘…Eliminate Daniel Steiner immediately.’

No matter how many times she reread it, that’s what it clearly said.