I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander

Swallowing hard, I adjusted the position of my uniform tie.

‘For now…’

Acting as naturally as possible would be best.

Clearing my throat, I approached Lucie.

“It’s a bit surprising to encounter someone in a place like this. By the way, your coat is stained with blood. Did something happen here?”

Lucie paused briefly before nonchalantly replying:

“There was an incident.”
“…An incident, you say?”
“Yes. To explain, I’m an emergency medical specialist and surgeon working at the Central Hospital. After finishing my shift, while walking, I encountered a civilian who had been mugged and was bleeding. My coat was stained with blood during the emergency treatment I provided.”

Her tone was remarkably composed and casual.

Moreover, within 30 seconds of our eyes meeting and me questioning her, she had rattled off a plausible excuse with machine-gun rapidity.

‘Truly befitting an intelligence agent.’

As I inwardly marveled and approached her, Lucie posed a question of her own.

“May I ask why you’re here, officer?”

Unlike Lucie, I had no need to lie.

“It’s a bit embarrassing to say, but I got lost while taking a shortcut to a new dessert shop that opened on the outskirts of the capital.”
“…A dessert shop, you say?”

Lucie’s incredulous tone elicited an odd sense of shame within me.

Her reaction seemed to imply that, in this era, it wasn’t considered normal for a man to visit a dessert shop alone.

However, I couldn’t abandon my preferences simply due to others’ perceptions.

“Is there a problem?”

After a momentary hesitation, Lucie shook her head.

“No. I was just a bit surprised. The infamous Captain Daniel Steiner, known for his cold-heartedness, indulging in what children would consider junk food.”

That stung a little.

“Choose your words more carefully. Desserts are not junk food.”
“…My apologies. If you’re lost, I can provide directions.”

Directions. While I felt uneasy, as long as we parted ways after leaving the alleyway, it was acceptable.

“It would be unbecoming of an officer to refuse a citizen’s kindness. I’ll gladly accept your assistance. As you may already know, I’m Captain Daniel Steiner of the General Staff Headquarters.”
“I’m Mailin Seabrite, a surgeon at the Central Hospital.”

After a light handshake, Lucie and I walked through the alleyway.

Trailing half a step behind, I observed Lucie closely.

Likely anticipating that discarding her coat in front of me would arouse suspicion, Lucie had turned it inside out to conceal the bloodstains and carried it draped over her arm.

She also wore a shoulder bag, which undoubtedly contained a gun and other assassination tools.

‘…I must prevent her from opening that shoulder bag at all costs.’

If she accessed its contents, a tragedy could unfold.

Lucie Emilia was no ordinary intelligence agent; her combat prowess was beyond imagination.

Though she might not have realized it yet, if she unleashed her full capabilities, she could singlehandedly wipe out a small battalion.

I had desperately hoped to avoid encountering her, yet she had become my aide, and now she was impersonating a doctor right before my eyes – an exasperating situation.

The one consolation was that Lucie likely felt uncomfortable being around me as well, so we could part ways cleanly after leaving the alleyway.

“Here we are.”

Emerging from the alleyway with Lucie, we arrived at a street where a streetcar was passing by.

The evening had fully set in, with all the street lamps illuminated.

The gentle breeze carried the faint murmurs of pedestrians.

As I enjoyed the pleasant street scenery, I was about to bid farewell to Lucie when I paused.

“Oh! Captain? Could it be Captain Daniel?”

A pedestrian dressed as a police officer, walking along the street, had recognized me.

Scrutinizing me intently as he approached, he soon exclaimed in delight.

“Ah, it is Captain Daniel! Well, I’ll be! To encounter the Empire’s hero on the streets like this!”

While I had expected to be recognized, encountering a police officer while accompanied by the disguised Lucie made me uneasy.

‘Moreover…’

From what I knew, the navy blue police uniform he wore was exclusive to the Security Police.

The Security Police, commonly referred to as the ‘Secret Police’ or ‘Thought Police,’ were cultivated solely for counterintelligence purposes.

Lucie seemed to sense the gravity of the situation too, adopting a tense demeanor.

Of course, the pedestrian, unaware of our circumstances, smiled and extended his hand towards me.

“How delightful this is, Captain Daniel. I’m Chief Inspector Kartmann Schultz of the Security Police.”

With a handshake offered, I couldn’t ignore him, so I reciprocated the smile and clasped his hand.

“Captain Daniel Steiner of the General Staff Headquarters. It’s quite unusual to encounter someone from the Security Police on the streets.”
“Ahahaha. This isn’t my usual jurisdiction, but I had a reservation at a nearby restaurant. Coincidentally, it aligned with my quitting time, so I came dressed in my uniform.”

After the handshake, Kartmann snapped his fingers as if struck by a thought.

“Since we’ve met by chance, why don’t you join me for a meal? It’ll be my treat, of course. If it’s alright with you, I’d be happy to extend the invitation to your friend as well.”

This wasn’t good. Should I just say she’s not an acquaintance?

No, if I did that, he would inquire about the circumstances that led us to emerge from the alleyway together.

Harboring suspicions about everything was an occupational hazard for Security Police officers.

To prevent the situation from becoming more complicated, it was best to pretend we were acquainted while declining the dinner invitation.

As I searched for a natural way to refuse, I spoke up.

“I appreciate the dinner invitation, but after all the wandering to get here, I’m quite fatigued.”
“Ah, if that’s the case, you needn’t worry. The restaurant I’m headed to is just around the corner. See there?”

Kartmann pointed, and sure enough, the restaurant was literally a block away.

Realizing I couldn’t refuse any further, I nodded.

“Since you’ve gone to such lengths, I won’t decline. Let’s go.”

At my words, I noticed Lucie swallowing hard in secret, no doubt tense, but there was no helping it.

This was an unavoidable situation.

The restaurant Kartmann led us to was an upscale establishment frequented by the upper class.

From the tableware and interior design to the waiters’ attire, everything exuded luxury, a feast for the eyes.

Following the courteous guidance of a waiter, we were seated by the window overlooking the city skyline. After placing a simple order, Kartmann regarded me with a warm smile.

“It’s still quite amazing, no matter how many times I see it. To have the hero I’ve only seen in newspapers and on television right before my eyes is truly moving.”
“I’m no hero, really.”
“There’s no need for such modesty. In fact, you have quite a fan base within the Security Police itself. Myself included. Haha. I’ll boast about this encounter for generations to come.”

As Kartmann cheerfully continued the conversation, he turned his gaze towards Lucie, seated beside me.

His expression hinted at some puzzlement.

“…But your friend doesn’t seem inclined to remove her sunglasses. Since we’re indoors, there’s no need to keep wearing them, is there?”

He made a fair point. However, if Lucie removed her sunglasses, her ruby eyes would be exposed.

Judging that Lucie could no longer conceal her identity if that happened, I feared what she might do.

“She hasn’t spoken a word since earlier, either. You must realize that remaining silent in such a setting is discourteous. If your hands are not convenient, I could remove the sunglasses for you…”

Kartmann reached towards Lucie’s face.

It seemed Lucie had determined that she couldn’t deceive both the Security Police officer and me simultaneously, as she began moving her hand beneath the table, likely attempting to open her shoulder bag.

The situation had become critical. Sweating profusely, I hurriedly grasped Kartmann’s wrist.

“…Hm? Captain?”

Turning towards me, I offered Kartmann an awkward smile.

“My apologies, I should have introduced her properly. This woman served as a military surgeon on the eastern front. Unfortunately, she sustained an eye injury from enemy forces… You understand what I’m implying, don’t you?”

Upon hearing my words, Kartmann let out an “Ah,” followed by a sympathetic groan.

“Good heavens. I had no idea such a tragic incident had occurred. I apologize. So she wears sunglasses to conceal her injury, and I was about to commit a grave discourtesy. But her silence…”

As expected of the Security Police, he didn’t readily abandon his suspicions.

After a momentary contemplation, I adopted a somber expression and explained:

“The trauma of that incident caused her to develop aphasia. She wants to speak but cannot.”

Withdrawing his hand, Kartmann fidgeted with his fingers, his face etched with guilt.

“…Hearing this, I realize I’ve been terribly rude. I truly apologize. My occupation involves suspecting others, you see. Ahem. I should visit the restroom and collect myself.”

Rising from his chair, Kartmann respectfully bowed towards Lucie.

After he walked towards the restroom, Lucie turned her gaze towards me.

She appeared quite flustered.

Clearing my throat, I whispered softly, audible only to Lucie:

“I know. I understand the doctor is innocent. However, our companion is a Security Police officer. Have you heard of their special arrest authority? They can apprehend you based on mere suspicion.”

It was crucial to allay Lucie’s potential suspicion that I had recognized her true identity.

“Having reached the rank of Chief Inspector, he has undoubtedly arrested numerous innocent individuals. Is it any wonder there’s a saying, ‘Those taken by the Security Police emerge as spies, even if they were innocent’?”

I shrugged my shoulders.

“I was merely trying to spare you from unnecessary trouble, Doctor Mailin Sea… What was your name again?”

In response to my question, Lucie remained silent.

She seemed somewhat angered as well.

Witnessing this, I snapped my fingers, as if satisfied.

“That’s right. Exactly. You’ve developed aphasia, Doctor. An excellent approach. Until we part ways from the Security Police officer, you must maintain this persona. Do you understand?”

Lucie still didn’t respond. Feeling frustrated, I spoke again.

“Answer with your actions. Your actions.”

Whether out of wounded pride or not, Lucie turned away from me and simply bit her lower lip.

This was problematic. Desiring a clear affirmation, I tapped the table and said:

“Answer.”

Finally, Lucie let out a soft sigh and gave a small nod.

She had judged that following my lead was the safest course of action for now.