I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander

Ten days later.

Under the pretext of a city patrol, I led my officers and soldiers on a tour of the city outskirts.

The reason for patrolling the outskirts specifically? I figured citizens’ complaints and grievances against the garrison would be more openly expressed there, compared to the city center where the troops were stationed.

Yet, there were none.

No matter how intently I listened as we walked, no resentment towards the garrison troops surfaced.

Occasionally, upon noticing me, some citizens would make puzzling expressions before hurriedly lowering their heads and passing by.

‘Hmm. This is likely…’

Due to the fear of being arrested for speaking ill of the garrison troops.

Or perhaps word had already spread through the streets that the acting garrison commander was conducting patrols.

Otherwise, it made no sense for them not to react to the oppressive measures I had implemented.

Understanding the situation, I nodded once and turned towards Lucie.

“Aide. What is your assessment of the Nordia citizens’ opinion of the garrison troops? Having been out in the field more than me, confined to my desk for the past ten days, you would have a better grasp.”

After a moment’s contemplation, Lucie spoke.

“Discontent is not entirely absent. However, the general sentiment appears to be acceptance of the garrison’s occupation.”
“…Acceptance? Of the garrison troops?”
“Yes. Thanks to your appropriate measures, the city’s public services have been swiftly restored, and the crippled administrative system is gradually regaining order. There have also been reports of lower crime rates compared to before the occupation.”

Since I had ordered enhanced patrols and the urgent reinstatement of public services, her explanation made sense.

However, the citizens’ acceptance of the garrison troops was a different matter.

Usually, in the initial stages of an occupation, enraged citizens were the norm.

‘And in a normal city, wouldn’t they have protested the tax rates and compulsory labor I imposed?’

Was there something I had overlooked? As I prepared to question Lucie on this, a voice rang out.

“This is too much! My daily wage has been reduced again compared to yesterday!”

My gaze naturally turned towards the young man shouting at the top of his lungs.

In front of a watchtower reconstruction site, a man who appeared to be a middle manager was confronting a black man.

The middle manager furrowed his brow in annoyance and folded his arms.

“Listen here. Be grateful we even hired you. Or would you prefer to lose even that meager wage?”
“I am grateful for the employment, but this is unacceptable! If you take half my wage, how will my family survive…!”

The situation seemed tense.

Wanting to understand, I approached them.

“If you want to feed your family, work overtime. Why are you bickering with me…”

The middle manager, conversing with the man, heard my footsteps and turned, his eyes widening.

Seeing me leading the armed soldiers and officers, he hurriedly lowered his head.

“C-Commander! W-Why have you graced this humble site…?!”
“I don’t find it humble. My hometown was even more destitute than this. More importantly, what is the issue that has you arguing with this worker?”
“Ah, well, you see, this fellow keeps insisting I pay him his full wage.”

The middle manager glanced at the man, prompting me to tilt my head quizzically.

“Wasn’t your appointment as a middle manager for the purpose of properly paying wages? Why are you not paying him his full wage? Did he slack off on the job?”
“No, no. He’s a diligent worker.”
“Then why are you not paying his full wage?”
“Surely you are aware, Commander. This man is a Negro.”

What? He spoke so casually that I thought I had misheard for a moment.

After a prolonged silence, I asked to confirm if I had heard correctly.

“You’re not paying him his full wage because he’s a Negro?”
“Yes, that’s right. For the son of a former slave to act like a free citizen is outrageous. In the Kingdom, colored races have traditionally been third-class citizens, so…”

I raised my hand, cutting off the middle manager’s words.

There was no need to hear further.

“You speak repulsive words. While performing compulsory labor for the Empire, you invoke the Kingdom’s laws? Or perhaps you intend to insult His Majesty, who prohibited discrimination based on status and race.”

The middle manager’s eyes widened in shock.

After gaping wordlessly, trembling, he hurriedly clasped his hands together.

“No, no! I had no such intention! I was merely…”
“Shut your filthy mouth. Not only have you disobeyed my order to pay proper wages, but you have also insulted the stringent laws established by His Majesty. Soldiers. Apprehend this man.”

“Yes, sir!” Two soldiers rushed forward and swept the middle manager’s legs from under him.

“Guh!”

Forced to his knees, the middle manager’s arms were twisted behind his back by a soldier.

Immediately after, a rope was produced to bind his wrists.

“Commander! Ugh! I didn’t mean any disrespect…!”

Despite the middle manager’s pleading cries, I paid him no heed.

Letting out a soft sigh, I turned towards the black man, who was sweating profusely.

“You.”

Snapping to attention, the startled man swiftly stood at rigid attention, seeming to fear being apprehended as well.

His reaction hinted at the discrimination he must have endured.

“From now on, you are the middle manager for this area.”
“…Pardon? C-Commander, I cannot assume such a high position.”
“And who are you to say that?”

The man hesitated before speaking cautiously.

“…He is correct. My father was a former slave, and while I am a free citizen, I am still the son of a slave. Moreover, as a colored person, facing discrimination is only natural…”
“Are you incapable of comprehending? I asked who you are.”

After blinking blankly several times, the man answered carefully.

“…Danel.”
“Good. Danel, I do not care in the slightest that you are a colored person or that your father was a slave. What matters is that despite your diligent work, you were not receiving your proper wage. I am simply correcting that.”

I gripped Danel’s shoulder.

“This is an order. From today onward, as the middle manager, you will supervise the workers and ensure they receive their full wages. If anyone voices unreasonable objections, request assistance from the garrison troops.”

Upon hearing my words, tears welled up in Danel’s eyes.

Seeming to suppress his surging emotions, he bit his lip and deeply lowered his head.

“Thank you! Thank you truly, Commander!”

With a nod, I turned to leave.

Yet I inadvertently paused.

The officers and soldiers accompanying me wore subtle smiles.

Feeling an inexplicable chill, I quickened my pace.

“Let’s head back. It’s getting cold.”

As I took the lead, the officers and soldiers followed behind.

Though I tried to ignore them, whispers from the officers reached my ears.

“The Commander is truly beyond reproach. I had no idea his loyalty to His Majesty ran so deep.”
“Is it any wonder His Majesty bestowed the Patriotic Order upon the Commander? He is the very model of a soldier. It is an honor to merely serve under him.”

It was Sergeant Glendy and Second Lieutenant Mecalla.

“Truly, Major Daniel is akin to a saint sent by God. Frankly, any other Imperial would have turned a blind eye. Wouldn’t you agree, Second Lieutenant Lucie?”
“Yes, in that regard, certainly…”

It was Prien and Lucie.

Encouraged by Lucie’s agreement, Prien clasped her hands and continued.

“The things I detest most are racists and Union citizens. Both are little better than beasts, you see.”

…When would she realize she was the one lacking sanity?

Meanwhile, at the Black Falcon secret society’s hideout.

On the third floor of a building disguised as an ordinary general store, telexes and radios for transmitting and receiving messages were lined up.

Amidst the comrades bustling about their duties, their leader Hamtal sat at a desk, furrowing his brow in deep thought.

‘Daniel Steiner is the head of the occupying troops. He should naturally be a target for elimination. But…’

The citizens had begun accepting the garrison troops.

The flames of fury had gradually subsided after hearing Daniel Steiner’s city policies.

Hamtal was no exception.

Observing Daniel’s policies had raised doubts about whether eliminating him was truly necessary.

‘However, as the head of a foreign military force…’

There was no telling when he might discard the facade and begin oppressing the citizens.

Hence, eliminating him seemed prudent.

Resolving himself, Hamtal opened a drawer and retrieved a revolver.

As he opened the revolver’s cylinder to check the remaining rounds, familiar footsteps approached.

Looking up to identify the person, it was Tarki, who had provided information during yesterday’s council meeting.

Seemingly having rushed over, the panting Tarki finally caught his breath and spoke.

“Hamtal! The garrison has issued a new directive towards the citizens!”
“…A directive? What directive?”

If they intended to oppress the citizens, there could be no further delay.

Amidst the tense atmosphere, Tarki continued.

“From now on, anyone discriminating against colored races within the city will be punished according to Imperial law.”

Hamtal, who had been about to close the revolver’s cylinder, froze.

“…Prohibiting racial discrimination?”
“Yes. Apparently, they even appointed a Negro as one of the local middle managers overseeing the Imperial compulsory labor.”

Upon hearing Tarki’s words, Hamtal inadvertently dropped the revolver.

‘Unbelievable…’

For the past ten years, Hamtal had sought to eradicate the racial discrimination stemming from Nordia’s nobility.

In fact, the Black Falcon secret society had been founded in defiance of such racial discrimination.

However, Hamtal’s wish had remained unfulfilled.

They had once succeeded in bribing a politician and elevating him to the mayoral position, but he had broken his promises to the Black Falcons and continued his autocratic ways.

Nevertheless, Hamtal had persevered in fighting for freedom and equality.

‘And yet, no progress seemed visible…’

Until Daniel Steiner fulfilled their long-cherished aspiration.

An unprecedented emotion filled his heart, clouding his thoughts with turmoil.

Furrowing his brow as he exhaled raggedly, Hamtal raised his hand and wiped his face.

“Thank you for the news. It seems I must directly observe what kind of person Daniel Steiner is.”
“…You intend to reveal your identity?”
“No. I will merely observe from the sidelines, to ascertain whether his displayed policies are a temporary deception to placate the citizens or not.”

If they proved a temporary deception, he would undoubtedly be a target for elimination.

However, if Daniel’s actions stemmed from sincere intentions, the situation differed.

‘In the latter case, Daniel Steiner would not be a conqueror come to subjugate the city, but…’

He could potentially be a liberator seeking to free the city from the Kingdom’s oppression.