I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander

Why had I ended up sharing an office with a spy from the enemy nation?

While I wanted to inform the Chief of Operational Planning that this woman was a spy, without any evidence, doing so would only invite being labeled as insane.

Therefore, for the time being, I had no choice but to act naturally.

Taking a deep breath to calm my chaotic mind, I opened the office door.

Regarding Lucie, who was eyeing me strangely, I shrugged my shoulders.

“Did you hear that? The door’s hinges seem off. I should call a repairman soon.”

My opening and closing of the door was merely to check the condition of the hinges.

For an improvised excuse, it presented a reasonably plausible logic as I walked over to the desk and pulled out a chair to sit.

“So, what’s your name?”

After placing the bread bag on the desk and adjusting my posture, Lucie respectfully saluted me.

“As of today, I have been assigned as the aide to the Operational Planning officer at the General Staff Headquarters, Second Lieutenant Lucie Emilia. I consider it a great honor to serve as the aide to the hardworking Operational Planning officer. I am prepared to faithfully carry out my assigned duties, ensuring this honor does not fade.”

It was a straightforward assignment report, without any embellishments.

Moreover, she was using her real name.

Then again, within the Allied Nations, only a handful would know Lucie’s true name, so she might have deemed using an alias unnecessary.

Regardless of the reason, the owner of this exquisite appearance before me was a spy for the Allied Nations.

Of course, the act of spying within the Empire itself wasn’t of much concern to me.

It’s not as if I harbored any patriotism towards the Empire.

The problem was that the individual destined to become known as the Empire’s nightmare was now my aide and a spy.

I didn’t possess the patience to keep a ticking time bomb as my aide, never knowing when it might detonate.

‘Therefore, I must get rid of her.’

Somehow, I needed to make the high command determine that Lucie Emilia was unfit to serve as the Operational Planning officer’s aide.

‘In that case, I need to establish a pretext…’

As I contemplated with a grave expression, tapping the desk, an idea dawned on me.

‘Wait a minute. Come to think of it, when I went outside earlier, an anti-war activist group was preparing to protest in front of the General Staff Headquarters.’

If I could properly utilize this, I might be able to separate Lucie from me.

Inwardly smiling faintly, I accepted Lucie’s salute.

Then, regarding her as she assumed an ‘at ease’ stance, I spoke with a somewhat stern tone.

“Very well, Second Lieutenant Lucie Emilia. You mentioned you were prepared to faithfully carry out your assigned duties, correct?”
“Yes, sir.”
“A bold answer. In that case, to assess whether your abilities are suitable for an aide, I shall assign you a task. Go outside and suppress the protesters, then return.”

Seemingly taken aback, Lucie paused for a moment before responding.

“…The protesters, sir?”
“Yes. To be precise, they are lawbreakers conducting an illegal protest without notifying the Imperial Court. Initially, their numbers were small enough to overlook, but their momentum has become concerning as of late.”
“I understand, but isn’t that under the jurisdiction of the Military Police Corps?”
“Protests occurring in front of the General Staff Headquarters also fall under our purview. According to the Wartime Public Security Act, Imperial officers have the authority to punish any disruptive elements within their jurisdiction.”

As if comprehending, Lucie nodded.

“Your words are not incorrect. I shall follow your orders.”
“Good. Then proceed with your mission and report back upon completion. If you have any requests, state them now.”
“One request, if I may?”
“What is it?”

Lucie raised her hand, pointing her index finger at me.

“Bread.”

…What? Was she implying she would shoot and kill me?

Sensing my tension from her ambiguous gesture, Lucie blinked and continued.

“When you entered earlier, didn’t you say you intended to share the bread? If you permit it, First Lieutenant, I would like to take one.”

Ah, the bread.

“Very well. Take one.”

As I slid the bread bag across the desk, Lucie approached and took a croissant.

She then bowed her head towards me and turned to exit the office.

Watching her leave, I exhaled softly and leaned back in my chair.

As the tension dissipated, a sense of drowsiness washed over me.

‘For now…’

I had at least laid the groundwork for establishing a pretext.

Ordering her to singlehandedly suppress the protesters was an impossible task, even to me.

How could she subdue those enraged civilians alone?

So, I would calmly wait here until Lucie returned, having failed her mission, and use that as a justification to deem her unfit.

Of course, it wouldn’t be resolved in one attempt, but slowly building a case was crucial.

Relieved that things were proceeding according to plan, I retrieved some documents from the drawer and began reviewing them.

I couldn’t afford to simply idle until Lucie’s return.

I had reviewed a few documents when:

Bang!

The sound of gunfire from outside made my shoulders jolt.

Terrorism? No, if it were gunfire from a terrorist attack, it wouldn’t have been a single shot.

Moreover, the direction of the gunshot was close by.

As if it had come from right in front of the General Staff Headquarters-

Bang!

Another gunshot rang out, freezing my thoughts.

‘Surely not…’

Could Lucie have fired those shots?

Having entertained that possibility, I hurriedly rose from my seat.

This was no time to be attending to office work.

“All five of the protest ringleaders have been apprehended. Well done.”

Military Police Corps Interrogator Sergeant Vendelin stared blankly at the woman before him.

Swallowing hard, Vendelin recounted the events that had unfolded mere minutes ago.

The woman, introducing herself as ‘First Lieutenant Daniel Steiner’s aide,’ had surveyed the riot police confronting the protesters before drawing a revolver and firing two shots into the air.

Startled by the sudden gunfire, the disoriented protesters were then approached by the woman, who requested the cooperation of the riot police. With astonishingly familiar movements, she swiftly subdued and apprehended the five ringleaders.

In essence, the riot police had done little more than assist with the arrests.

This fact had left not only the riot police but also Sergeant Vendelin so taken aback that they could not find words, until:

“What’s all this commotion?”

Startled, Vendelin turned towards the voice to find First Lieutenant Daniel Steiner approaching.

Wearing a peaked cap and an officer’s coat billowing behind him, an aura of imposing pressure emanated from his stride.

Feeling the need to make a good impression on Daniel, Vendelin surveyed the surroundings and shouted loudly.

“What are you all doing? Everyone, attention!”

At Vendelin’s command, the thirty or so riot police officers scattered around snapped to attention.

Giving them a sweeping glance as he approached, Daniel fixed Lucie with a chilling stare.

“Explain the situation.”

In response to his direct order, Lucie saluted and spoke.

“As per the Operational Planning officer’s orders, I fired warning shots while suppressing the violent protesters. As a result, the civilians engaging in an illegal protest have been dispersed, and the five ringleaders apprehended.”

Overhearing the explanation, Vendelin nodded as if finally understanding.

‘Daniel’s orders, eh? Of course, that would explain it.’

It was inconceivable for a newly commissioned second lieutenant to take such bold action independently.

In contrast, Daniel’s inner thoughts seemed to be smoldering.

‘When did I order warning shots to be fired?’

While he wanted to question her, according to the Wartime Public Security Act, Lucie had committed no wrongdoing.

So, instead of reprimanding her, Daniel extended his hand.

Immediately comprehending, Lucie retrieved the revolver from its holster and placed it in Daniel’s hand.

As Daniel opened the revolver’s cylinder for inspection, two rounds were indeed expended.

Letting out an incredulous chuckle, Lucie spoke up.

“First Lieutenant. These individuals have violated not only the Public Assembly Act but also the Wartime Public Security Act. They have violated the Wartime Public Security Act in three instances, including ‘attacking without justifiable cause the soldiers dispatched to maintain public order.’ If you give the order, I will carry out summary execution.”

For a moment, Daniel wondered if he had misheard, staring at Lucie.

Weren’t the anti-war protest ringleaders supposed to be on the same side as her?

‘Is she suggesting executing her own comrades? Why?’

…No, if he considered it dispassionately, it might be a means of thoroughly presenting herself as an Imperial soldier to avoid suspicion.

‘This heartless woman! Doesn’t she feel any pity for these people?’

While he wanted to deliver a moral lecture, there were too many prying eyes in the current location.

Aside from Vendelin and the riot police, numerous civilians had gathered as spectators, and photographers were present not too far away.

Here, he could only maintain the appearance befitting an Imperial officer.

“No.”

Click, clack.

Closing the revolver’s cylinder, Daniel handed it back to Lucie and spoke.

“They are not worth killing. Sergeant Vendelin.”

Called upon, Vendelin flinched and responded.

“Yes! First Lieutenant Daniel Steiner!”
“Interrogate them to uncover the reason behind instigating this protest. You must absolutely determine what insolent ideology led them to disrespect the Imperial Court and incite the citizens.”
“Ah, understood!”

A tense Vendelin barked various orders to the soldiers.

The soldiers then moved in unison, beginning to raise the protesting ringleaders to their feet.

Silently observing this scene, Daniel surreptitiously squeezed his eyes shut.

‘Haah……’

His attempt to establish a pretext had utterly failed.

The next morning.

Awakening to my alarm as usual, I made my way to the kitchen to prepare coffee.

After retrieving the coffee grounds from the shelf, brewing the coffee, and pouring it into a mug, I naturally walked towards the front door to collect the newspaper that had been delivered through the slot.

Sitting at the table, angled in the chair, I took a sip of coffee from the mug.

The rich, elegant flavor delighted my palate.

‘Indeed, morning coffee is delicious.’

Savoring the satisfying taste, I unfolded the newspaper and immediately froze.

On the front page was a black-and-white photograph of me.

Moreover, it depicted the scene where I was holding a revolver, its cylinder open for inspection, standing before the five kneeling protesting ringleaders.

To an observer, it appeared as if I was contemplating whether to force them to their knees and execute them.

Breaking into a cold sweat, I examined the headline and gasped.

[First Lieutenant Daniel Steiner Apprehends Illegal Protest Ringleaders!]

The headline itself was concerning enough, but the content was even more outrageous.

“…Upon interrogation by the Military Police Corps, it was revealed that three of the ringleaders had been receiving funds from the Allied Nations. The moment of suspicion turning into certainty that the cornered Allied Nations are instigating anti-war protests. In this regard, Sergeant Vendelin mentioned that First Lieutenant Daniel Steiner provided great assistance…”

Having read this far, I folded the newspaper and picked up my coffee mug.

Taking a deep breath in an attempt to remain composed, I sipped the coffee, but for some reason, it no longer tasted delicious.

Truly perplexing, this whole situation…