I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander

After indirectly receiving a death threat from Lucie through the CCTV footage, I went to the office and ordered her to stop working.

After having lunch with Lucie, I showed her the facilities available for officers at the General Staff Headquarters before returning to the office.

I handled most of the afternoon’s work.

The reason was simple.

I felt that if I piled more work onto Lucie, she might actually kill me.

It was unlikely, but what if the overwhelming workload drove Lucie over the edge, causing her to draw the revolver from her holster and start shooting?

Therefore, I intended to proceed with work in a way that minimized provoking Lucie.

“First Lieutenant.”

After completing the afternoon’s work, Lucie organized the documents and looked at me.

“It’s quitting time.”

Had time passed so quickly?

Glancing at the wall clock, the hour hand indeed pointed to 6 PM, as Lucie had said.

While I wanted to leave the General Staff Headquarters whistling happily, I couldn’t agree to depart together with Lucie. Who knew what might happen?

“You go on ahead. I’ll stay behind to review some additional…”
“Then I shall remain as well to assist you, First Lieutenant.”
“…I intended to, but it seems better to call it a day. Leave.”

Clearing my throat, I stood up, draped my officer’s coat over my arm, and picked up my briefcase.

Lucie too finished preparing to leave and rose from her seat.

As we exited the office into the corridor, Lucie naturally fell in step beside me, carrying her briefcase like mine.

Suddenly, Lucie tilted her head with a puzzled expression.

“First Lieutenant? You don’t seem well. Is something the matter?”

‘It’s because of you, you crazy woman!’

…The words nearly escaped my lips, but I suppressed them with superhuman patience.

“It’s just a slight stomach discomfort. Nothing to worry about.”

With those words, I maintained silence as we left the General Staff Headquarters.

We continued walking until we reached the portico, where I slowly came to a halt.

It was raining – not a downpour, but a gentle drizzle.

Approaching me, Lucie spoke with a troubled expression.

“It’s raining. The weather forecast said it would be clear all day…”
“How foolish.”

Even meteorological agencies from a much later era occasionally made incorrect weather predictions, so trusting the current forecast and neglecting to carry an umbrella was naive.

“As an Imperial officer, one should always be fully prepared for inclement weather.”

I retrieved a folding umbrella from my briefcase.

After a momentary hesitation, I extended the umbrella towards Lucie.

“Take this. I don’t want my direct subordinate to appear like a half-wit returning in the rain.”
“Pardon? But…”
“Don’t make me repeat myself.”

Maintaining a professional relationship while extending occasional courtesies seemed the best way to prolong my life.

Regarding me with a surprised expression, Lucie raised both hands and accepted the umbrella.

“I’ll make good use of it. But are you certain? If I take the umbrella, you’ll have to return in the rain, First Lieutenant.”
“There’s a spare in the office. I can retrieve that one.”

In fact, there was no spare.

However, I wanted to avoid sharing an umbrella with a spy as we walked.

Lucie fixed me with a meaningful gaze before nodding and opening the umbrella.

“Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”

With a slight bow, Lucie departed.

Watching her retreating figure, I let out a relieved sigh.

‘I survived.’

Sharing an office with a spy who might kill me at any moment had been an immense drain on my nerves.

‘That said…’

I was now stuck at the headquarters until the rain stopped.

Since I was confined there anyway, I figured I might as well get a head start on tomorrow’s work.

At that moment, a steam-powered vehicle with a long bonnet and slender body entered the premises.

Reminiscent of the Döbel Model E from the modern era, this vehicle was considered outdated, having been produced over 20 years ago.

When internal combustion engines became widespread, only the elderly or eccentrics would drive such vehicles.

And as far as I knew, the owner of this particular vehicle possessed both of those characteristics.

Screeeech!

The vehicle smoothly came to a halt at the building’s entrance.

The person behind the wheel was none other than my superior, Colonel Ernst.

After exiting the vehicle, Ernst was about to enter the General Staff Headquarters when he spotted me and immediately broke into a bright smile.

“Oh! First Lieutenant Daniel! I was just looking for you – what an amazing coincidence!”
“…You were looking for me, sir?”
“Yes. Didn’t I mention that I was going to meet with a member of the Imperial Court? I received an excellent proposal there that you’ll be delighted to hear!”

I already felt a sense of unease.

Secretly breaking into a cold sweat, I asked:

“An excellent proposal, you say?”
“You must have heard that the Imperial Court is hosting a banquet to commemorate the northern front’s victory, right? Thankfully, they’ve extended invitations to both you and me.”
“Pardon? But… while I understand for you, Chief, why am I being invited to the banquet?”

Although I was asking sincerely, Ernst playfully nudged my side, as if I were joking.

Having received the Imperial Court’s invitation seemed to have put him in a delightful mood.

“This friend of mine is truly modest to a fault, isn’t he? With all the merits you’ve accumulated, why wouldn’t the Imperial Court extend an invitation? So, don’t be so humble and join me.”

…This was troublesome. It wasn’t a joke – I genuinely didn’t want to attend.

From what I knew, if this banquet commemorated the northern front’s victory, a terrorist attack was bound to occur.

I didn’t know the exact nature of the attack; the game’s historical records only mentioned it in a single line.

Regardless, I wanted to stay as far away from unknown dangers as possible.

However, as a mere first lieutenant, I couldn’t refuse the Imperial Court’s invitation.

Was there no way out of this? Racking my brain, I looked at Ernst with a desperate expression.

“Chief. I don’t know if you’ll believe me, but I have an allergy to the Imperial Court. Whenever I’m in the presence of those noble and esteemed individuals, my symptoms worsen. So, might I be excused from attending…?”

Rarely seen, Ernst furrowed his brow.

His gaze held a subtle hint of revulsion, akin to a teenager encountering a lame joke for the first time.

“First Lieutenant Daniel.”
“Yes.”
“I implore you, don’t say such nonsensical things.”
“…Yes.”

In this somber atmosphere, it seemed impossible to express my desire to abstain any further.

Regrettably, my attendance at the banquet was confirmed.

Meanwhile, at the Imperial Eisenkrone Palace.
Second floor of the Imperial Library.

“Your Highness.”

Celvia, who had been deciphering ancient texts with various books open on her desk, raised her head.

There stood an elderly man in a uniform adorned with a golden wing insignia on the shoulder – Colonel Hartmann Edelstein, the head of Celvia’s personal guard detail.

Confirming the identity of the caller, Celvia lowered her gaze and turned a page of the ancient text.

“What is it?”

Her tone was cold, implying that she didn’t wish to be disturbed while engrossed in deciphering the text.

However, this time, Hartmann couldn’t simply let it go.

“The head chambermaid, in charge of overseeing attire, has requested my assistance. With the banquet tomorrow, she is having difficulties because Your Highness shows no interest in grooming and remains secluded in the library.”

Celvia let out a soft sigh.

“Then please inform the head chambermaid that studying tactics and strategy is several times more beneficial than spending time on grooming.”
“Your Highness.”
“Hartmann. I have no intention of becoming a spectacle for the attendees of the banquet. We merely succeeded in repelling the Allied forces from the north, yet they wish to celebrate…”

Trailing off, Celvia shook her head in apparent disdain.

“If it were up to me, I would have allocated the funds for the banquet towards national defense. I wonder what Father is thinking.”

A smile graced Hartmann’s lips.

It was a humility rarely seen in those born to lead, bordering on self-effacement.

However, her aversion to social engagements could prove disadvantageous in the long run.

“Your Highness. Banquets are the foundation of socializing, and socializing is politics itself. Moreover, a nation is essentially a gathering of groups. Excessive socializing may turn the commoners into enemies, but a complete lack of it could turn the nobles against you.”

Historically, those who received praise from only one side did not last long.

“To rule over both sides, keeping them beneath your feet, is the true embodiment of an Emperor – the singular leader who commands the world’s mightiest military force. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

While his words were not incorrect, Celvia remained unconvinced.

Maintaining her silent defiance, Hartmann spoke as if recalling something.

“Ah, come to think of it, First Lieutenant Daniel Steiner will also be attending this banquet. Isn’t he someone you’re acquainted with, Your Highness?”

At the mention of Daniel Steiner, Celvia’s shoulders flinched.

—If my death allows you to live, Ma’am, then that is enough. A soldier’s existence is to protect the citizens of their nation.

His words from that day still resonated vividly in her mind.

He was someone she wouldn’t mind keeping close. In fact, she wanted to have him on her side.

Clearing her throat, Celvia closed the ancient text.

“…Very well. Please summon the head chambermaid. I suppose a bit of grooming wouldn’t hurt.”

While her tone was impassive, Hartmann noticed Celvia’s ears had flushed ever so slightly.

‘It seems you’re not quite adept at concealing your emotions, Your Highness.’

Could this talent named Daniel Steiner truly be so captivating to her?

With a subtle smile, Hartmann nodded.