I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander

Chapter 84

Lucy, having left the General Staff headquarters, activated her optical camouflage in a deserted alleyway.

She walked onward, arriving at a textile factory located on the outskirts of the capital.

Crossing the entrance and moving deeper inside, she saw workers diligently going about their tasks.

Or rather, they should more accurately be called spies disguised as laborers.

Lucy deactivated her optical camouflage as she surveyed them.

The spies moving about the factory froze in shock at her sudden appearance.

Among them, one man hesitated briefly before drawing a concealed pistol and aiming it at her.

Not only had a person materialized seemingly out of nowhere, but she was wearing the uniform of an Imperial officer, making their wariness understandable.

"Identify yourself! How did you get here?"
The shout came from the man standing at the forefront. Lucy sighed, her tone exasperated as she replied.

"The eagle soaring high in the sky never knows the secrets buried underground."

This was a code phrase recognized within the Allied Intelligence Service.

Realizing she was an ally, the man lowered his pistol.

"…What brings you here? I didn’t hear anything about a report at this hour."
"I need to see the branch chief. Escort me to him," Lucy replied curtly.

"Do you think the branch chief is someone you can meet just because you want to?" the man sneered.

Lucy let out a low sigh and half-closed her crimson eyes.

"Tell him that 'The Crimson Thread' has come. He will grant permission."

The mention of "Crimson Thread" made the man swallow nervously.

To his knowledge, there was only one woman in the Allied Nations who used that codename.

‘A legend who has carried out countless assassination orders… and the trusted confidant of Count Kalendra…’

The man, unable to believe such a formidable figure was standing before him, pulled out his radio.

"Wait here."

Determined to verify her identity, he exchanged words over the radio.

During the conversation, his expression shifted to one of surprise, and though the person on the other end was unseen, he nodded deferentially.

"Understood. Yes, sir," he responded politely.

Turning back to Lucy, he blinked a few times in disbelief, cleared his throat, and finally spoke.

"The branch chief has granted you permission to enter. I’ll guide you."

At her nod, the man walked toward a fabric dyeing machine.

Manipulating a few buttons and pulling a lever, he caused a loud clunk to echo through the factory.

Amidst the noise of winding gears, the dyeing machine slid aside, revealing a staircase leading underground.

"You may go down through here," the man said.

Lucy inclined her head in acknowledgment before descending the stairs.

At the bottom, she opened an iron door and stepped inside, where concrete walls surrounded her.

The space resembled a massive bunker, the first thing catching her eye being a map of the capital spread across one wall.

Radar screens and surveillance equipment lined either side of the map, and numerous spies were operating the electronic devices in front of them.

‘So this is the Palentia branch…’

Though she’d known they operated right in the heart of the Empire, it was her first time visiting.

While surveying the unexpectedly large-scale operation, a man accompanied by a secretary approached from a distance.

Sensing movement, Lucy turned her gaze toward him, recognizing him instantly.

It was Theobald Vernot, the head of the Palentia branch of the Allied Intelligence Service.

Though she hadn’t visited the branch before, she’d encountered him a few times on official business.

However, she had no desire for pleasantries.

Standing still, she waited until Theobald stopped in front of her.

"Lucy Emilia. What brings you here? Time is short, so get to the point," he said curtly, his tone devoid of any warmth.

Deciding small talk was unnecessary, Lucy went straight to the matter at hand.

"I’m here to ask a question. Was it the Allied Nations that attacked the diplomatic vessel carrying Daniel Steiner?"

Theobald remained silent for a moment, deliberating whether to share the truth with her.

Ultimately, realizing she would uncover the truth eventually, he nodded.

"It was. We determined it was a necessary act for the Allied Nations and carried it out."

Lucy’s hand trembled slightly as she received the confirmation.

Lost in a storm of emotions, she locked eyes with Theobald.

"…Was it truly necessary for the Allied Nations to sink a civilian ship? And why was this kept from me by headquarters?"

Her voice, laced with subtle anger, grated on Theobald’s nerves.

He frowned openly, irritation evident in his expression.

"If you had eliminated Daniel Steiner earlier, such misfortunes wouldn’t have occurred. And why should headquarters disclose everything to you? Just because you’re under Count Kalendra’s protection, do you think you hold any special privileges?"

Lucy clenched her fists tightly.

"…I have carried out countless assassination missions under the orders of the Allied Nations. I thought that, at least in matters of assassination, the Allied Nations trusted me."
"Lucy."
"I was the one assigned to assassinate Daniel Steiner. It was my mission to judge and execute him. So why didn’t the Allied Nations trust me to carry it out?"
"Lucy Emilia."
"Yes, I understand there could be reasons for doubt. But in such a case, you should have at least informed me that the mission had changed! Instead, the Allied Nations—"

Before she could finish, Theobald slapped her across the face.

Smack!

The sound of flesh meeting flesh echoed loudly in the enclosed space.

By the time Lucy exhaled a few breaths after being struck, Theobald spoke.

"Calm down and listen. The Allied Nations are moving forward for the greater good. So stop questioning it and return to standby."

Normally, Lucy would have nodded and walked away, but this time, she didn’t.

"…Did you just tell me not to question it?"

Her voice came out as a near-whisper.

For the country. For the greater good. For the people. For the world. For peace. For revenge. For balance.

These were the words the Allied Nations—and Count Kalendra—had always used whenever Lucy raised questions.

Even knowing they weren’t justifiable reasons, Lucy had accepted them without complaint.

The Allied Nations were the good, and the Empire was the evil.

But could the Allied Nations truly be called good after causing Daniel Steiner's death alongside innocent civilians?

And more importantly, after withholding everything from someone who had shown such loyalty?

"When… will it end…"

Looking at Theobald, Lucy gritted her teeth.

"Am I not allowed to question anything?"

The anger that had been festering deep within her began to ignite.

Theobald, knowing that leaving such fury unchecked would be dangerous, still found himself with nothing to say to her.

As he remained silent, Lucy, consumed by her emotions, spun on her heel and stormed out.

Theobald made no move to stop her, and Lucy climbed the stairs and left the building entirely.

Sighing deeply, Theobald turned to his secretary.

"Inform Count Kalendra. Tell him that Specimen 187, the sole successful subject of the experiment… No."

He looked toward the door Lucy had exited and rubbed his temples.

"Tell him Lucy Emilia may be turning against us."

*****

Outside the branch, Lucy walked aimlessly, her steps driven by nothing but her own emotions.

She had hoped this time the Allied Nations would offer a proper explanation, but it had all been in vain. The emptiness of that realization weighed heavily on her.

Rubbing the cheek Theobald had struck, her lifeless eyes gazed blankly as she moved forward.

Gradually, her surroundings brightened as more lights came into view.

She could hear the cheerful chatter of citizens mixed with laughter in the distance.

Unintentionally, she lifted her head and realized she had wandered out of the alley onto a main street.

A cool breeze swept past as Lucy’s gaze fell across the road.

[Golden Rose Confectionery]

The ornate sign belonged to the bakery where Lucy had first tasted Imperial desserts.

As if entranced, she crossed the road and walked toward the bakery.

Raindrops began to fall from the dark clouds overhead, landing one by one.

While other pedestrians opened their umbrellas, Lucy didn’t bother.

Her only goal seemed to be reaching the bakery, her steps steady and unwavering.

Once in front of the bakery, Lucy noticed a couple sitting by the window, enjoying their desserts.

The man was laughing playfully, while the woman, hesitant but smiling, took a spoonful of parfait.

In their reflections, Lucy saw herself and Daniel from the past, sitting at the same bakery, sharing desserts.

"…"

The rain intensified, soaking Lucy’s uniform cap and coat.

Passersby stared at her, puzzled by the sight of a lone figure standing in the rain.

But Lucy ignored their gazes, her mind delving into memories of the past.

"How is it? Does the dessert suit your taste?"

Daniel’s words from that day echoed vividly in her mind.

As she recalled the taste of the parfait, a faint smile formed on her lips.

But the smile soon faded, leaving only emptiness behind.

"Did you say you wanted to eat stollen for Christmas?"

What a foolish and pitiable man he was.

A man who, not knowing when he might die, made promises he couldn’t keep.

And yet…

He was also someone who had risked his life to fight against the security bureau to protect his subordinate.

But now, she would never see him again.

He was gone, vanished along with the diplomatic vessel.

The absurdity of it all made Lucy let out a low, bitter laugh.

A man who didn’t seem capable of bleeding had died in an instant.

"Such a foolish man…"

Her mocking laugh abruptly turned into quiet sobs.

Closing her eyes tightly, Lucy bit her lower lip, tears welling up.

Standing in the pouring rain, she raised her hand to wipe the tears from her eyes, letting out a breath that carried the chill of her anguish.

Ironically, it was only in a world without Daniel Steiner that Lucy came to realize—

"I… loved Daniel Steiner… deeply."