I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander

Chapter 79

As I walked down the hallway after leaving the reception room, I couldn’t suppress an inner cheer.

“Yes!”

When Selvia had summoned me, I’d braced myself for some new misfortune waiting to unfold, but it turned out to be an unnecessary worry.

The proposal Selvia had presented wasn’t misfortune—it was closer to a stroke of good luck.

“I’ve already been feeling like staying in the capital puts me under too much scrutiny…”

Now I had the chance to legally stay abroad, and I couldn’t help but feel elated.

What’s more, with Selvia overseeing the regency and giving a favorable response, my appointment as the diplomatic envoy to Vellanos was practically guaranteed.

“They say even when the heavens fall, there’s always a way out. It’s true after all.”

The proverb had never felt so real.

“And on top of that…”

If I went to Vellanos as an envoy, I was sure to be treated well.

As a neutral nation, they wouldn’t want to provoke the Empire, which boasted the world’s most powerful military.

For me, being sent as the envoy to Vellanos was essentially a vacation.

Escaping the threats lurking in the capital was already a relief, but the thought of being treated well while staying abroad brought an involuntary smile to my face.

Unable to hide my good mood, I returned to my personal office and opened the door, only to freeze mid-step.

Colonel Ernst, the Operations Chief, was waiting for me inside.

"…Colonel? You’re still here?"

I asked in surprise, and Ernst, who had been standing with his hands clasped behind his back, gave a small cough.

"I was curious about what you discussed with Her Highness. Care to share a little hint with me?"

His casual request made it clear why he had lingered.

A senior position in the General Staff wasn’t just about operational work; it also required political acumen. Naturally, Ernst wanted an informational advantage regarding Selvia’s unexpected visit.

While I trusted Ernst, this wasn’t something I could share freely.

"I’d love to tell you, Colonel, but since nothing has been decided yet, I think it’s best to keep it confidential for now."
"Confidential, huh… Fair enough. But could you do me a favor and give me an autograph? My daughter’s a big fan of yours."

An autograph? I stared at him, dumbfounded, as Ernst produced two sheets of paper and a fountain pen from behind his back.

"I’ve already bragged plenty about having Daniel Steiner under my command. If I go back empty-handed, it’ll be embarrassing. Think of it as saving my dignity and help me out."

Was this his true motive all along?

Unable to stop a chuckle, I accepted the pen and papers. It was a superior’s request, after all—how could I refuse?

"…But why two sheets, Colonel?"

Ernst glanced around nervously, as if checking for eavesdroppers, before whispering just loud enough for me to hear.

"Actually, my wife’s a fan too. Over dinner yesterday, she scolded me, saying if I had time to collect stamps, I should get your autograph instead. Honestly, my wife is such a—"

Ernst sighed deeply, his face a picture of exasperation.

"Let me give you some advice: never get married. She used to be an angel when we were dating, but after marriage, she turned into a devil. If it weren’t for how cute and lovable my kids are, I might’ve run off long ago."

I couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy.

"You have it rough, Colonel."

With a wry smile, I signed both sheets and handed them back to him.

Ernst’s face lit up with satisfaction as he accepted them. Then, as if remembering something, he raised a hand.

"Oh, I almost forgot. There’s a letter I was supposed to give you."

He reached into his coat and pulled out a sealed envelope.

"It came to the Operations Office addressed to you. It’s from the military academy—any idea who it might be from?"
"The academy…?"

A sinking feeling hit me. Could it be Freian?

Feeling a bit uneasy, I took the letter.

"I’ll read it now."

Breaking the seal, I unfolded the letter, revealing a neatly written message.

To Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner,

I apologize for taking up your time, knowing how busy you must be.

However, as I am nearing early graduation from the academy, I felt it proper to write to you.

Thanks to my excellent academic record and recognition for my contributions in the north, the Dean has approved my early completion. Isn’t that wonderful?

Soon, I’ll be able to serve under your command and help eradicate the beasts of the Allied Nations and their collaborators.

I’m sure you share my sentiments. Your Total War speech conveyed your sincerity about dealing with those beasts, and I was so moved that I cried countless tears.

My faith and loyalty to the Empire have only grown stronger thanks to you.

I’d love to write more, but it’s almost lights out, so I’ll end here.

Please remember that I’m willing to give my life for you, Lieutenant Colonel.

I eagerly await the day we meet again.

Yours truly,
Freian Remilliart

Finishing the letter, I turned to Ernst with a mix of dread and resignation.

"…Colonel, don’t tell me Freian is being assigned to the General Staff."

Ernst nodded without hesitation.

"She’s applied to join the General Staff’s direct unit, and both the Chief and Deputy Chief of Staff are reviewing her application favorably. It’s likely she’ll be stationed here."

I let out a deep sigh but decided to let it slide for today.

“Good news always comes with bad news.”

The happiness of being assigned to Vellanos as an envoy far outweighed the misfortune of Freian joining the General Staff.

“So, for now…”

I resolved to enjoy the present happiness without worrying about the future.

*****

That evening, in the grand ballroom of the Edrian Royal Palace.

"Daniel Steiner is being sent to Vellanos as a diplomatic envoy?"

Count Kalendra raised an eyebrow as Deputy Director Beck of the Central Intelligence Agency nodded.

"Yes, sir. According to our intelligence, Princess Selvia, acting regent, has ordered the Foreign Ministry to appoint Daniel Steiner as the envoy to Vellanos."

The banquet hall, filled with dignitaries from foreign nations, bustled with conversation and music, yet the area around Count Kalendra was silent. He had deliberately distanced himself from the crowd to receive this report.

"The hero of the Empire and the man who delivered the successful Total War speech… being sent to a minor post as the envoy to Vellanos?"

Kalendra fell into thought, and Beck cautiously spoke up.

"I believe it’s a sign of friction between Steiner and the Imperial family. They must see the public’s growing support for Daniel Steiner as a threat to their authority."

Historically, war heroes who achieved too much often became thorns in the side of ruling dynasties. Beck’s assessment was based on this precedent, but Kalendra dismissed the idea outright.

"You’re wrong. He’s deliberately leading us to believe there’s a rift between him and the Imperial family. His appointment as envoy to Vellanos was likely Steiner’s own idea."

A typical war hero might indeed fall out of favor with the ruling family, but Daniel Steiner wasn’t a typical hero. He was a genius strategist who used unconventional methods to relentlessly pressure the Allied Nations.

This, Kalendra reasoned, was yet another ploy to deceive the Allies.

"A clever distraction to divert our attention. Beck, have you determined how the Foreign Ministry plans to send Daniel Steiner to Vellanos?"

At Kalendra’s sharp gaze, Beck hurriedly flipped through his documents.

"Yes, sir. He’ll travel aboard a diplomatic vessel, a short two-day journey. Given the proximity and diplomatic concerns, there will be no escort ships."

Kalendra’s expression sharpened further at the report.

"Good. Contact the 12th District Commander of Vellanos’s Naval Defense Force. Inform them that the Allied Nations will send a submarine and instruct them to open their territorial waters at the designated time."

Beck blinked, momentarily stunned.

The 12th District Commander was an asset the Allies had spent years cultivating. For Kalendra to issue such an order meant he intended to destroy the diplomatic vessel carrying Daniel Steiner using the submarine.

"…Count, even if the plan succeeds, we may lose our foothold in Vellanos. Is Daniel Steiner worth such a sacrifice?"

Kalendra glanced at Beck with a cold smirk.

"He is."

For reasons unknown, Lucy was no longer following Allied orders.

A man who should have been a corpse by now was alive and well, walking around freely.

This could only mean one thing: Daniel Steiner had somehow thwarted Lucy’s assassination attempt.

If Daniel completed his mission in Vellanos and returned to the Empire, what then?

"He’ll undoubtedly become an even more formidable adversary than he is now."

Thus, Kalendra resolved to eliminate Daniel before he could grow into a greater threat, no matter the cost.

"Daniel Steiner…"

The audacity of the man to attempt to deceive them was almost laughable.

Gripping the head of his cane tightly, Kalendra narrowed his eyes, his expression sharp as a blade.

"Your clever tricks… will ultimately…"

Lead you straight to your death.