I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander-Chapter 137

The United Nations Permanent Member State: Adria

Royal Palace: Audience Chamber

"Your Majesty! Thanks to the success of the recent talks, the Republic has decided to speed up preparations for joining the war! They plan to make a decision before summer, so we can expect good news soon," the Minister of Foreign Affairs reported as he bowed deeply before the king seated on the throne.

However, the target of the Minister’s attention was, ironically, not the king.

The Foreign Minister was more concerned with the gaze of Count Kaledra, the Chancellor, who was standing next to the king, leaning on his cane.

Swallowing nervously, the Foreign Minister continued.

"However, the Federation is showing skepticism regarding participation. The President of the Federation said that while he would gladly accept the union if the three nations could harmonize, he wanted to know who would bear the responsibility if it led to a global crisis."

Upon hearing the Foreign Minister’s report, Kaledra tightened his grip on the cane’s handle.

He understood exactly what the President of the Federation meant by those words.

He’s mocking the idea that the Allied Nations can defeat the Empire simply by allying with the Republic.

The Empire had successfully subdued the ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) Eldresia Kingdom with minimal damage, and had even incorporated the neutral state of Bellanos as a de facto ally.

It was truly an unstoppable force.

Reluctantly, Kaledra admitted that there was no denying the Empire’s consecutive victories.

Meanwhile, the Allied Nations had failed to show significant progress.

The President of the Federation was scolding the Allies, implying that if they didn’t produce real results, they would refuse to cooperate.

As the worst-case scenario became a reality, Kaledra ground his teeth in frustration.

Daniel Steiner...

That damned brat was slowly shifting the balance of the world.

He had even heard that recently, Steiner had destroyed the Pallentia Branch located in the heart of the Empire.

He was like a malignant tumor in the Allied Nations.

He must be removed.

"Your Majesty," Kaledra took a deep breath and looked down at the king.

"Promise the Federation that our Allied Nations will take full responsibility. Also, let them know that they will soon realize how fragile and rotten the Empire is, despite its outward appearance."

"...The Empire, you say?"

"Yes. According to reliable sources, there are factions within the Empire attempting to incite internal strife. Noble alliances claiming the legitimacy of the royal family."

Though their reasons were ideological, at the core, they were simply blinded by the lust for power—something that wasn’t particularly important.

What mattered was that, if they used these factions, the Empire could be divided.

"Since the Pallentia Branch was destroyed, the Empire’s Security Bureau has increased its surveillance, but we still have agents within the system. I will instruct them to make contact with the noble alliances and reveal that the Allied Nations are willing to offer assistance."

If the rebellion succeeded, they would hold unimaginable power, but if they failed, they would lose their lives.

Belvar, who led the noble alliances within the system, was certainly aware of this.

So even if the enemy’s hand was forced, they would likely seize the opportunity.

It’s all for the greater cause, using the enemy to our advantage...

"If they accept our offer, we can slowly bring the Empire to ruin from within. Furthermore, we can isolate Daniel Steiner, who is regarded as the Empire’s hero and has been winning battle after battle. Perhaps we could go further than isolation..."

Kaledra’s eyes narrowed sharply.

"We might even be able to have him executed in the name of the Empire."

If the noble alliance succeeded in turning the emperor into a puppet and seized control, they would likely try to eliminate Daniel Steiner, who posed a threat to their power.

In other words, it would be a perfect case of using the enemy’s sword to kill the enemy.

The king, staring blankly at Kaledra as he casually discussed Steiner’s death, nodded.

It was a truly evil plan, but he found it plausible.

"...It seems wise to proceed as you suggest."

Moreover, the king, who was little more than a puppet, couldn’t dare to argue against Kaledra’s words.

****

Ten Days After the Director of the Security Bureau Visited the Headquarters

In the ten days that followed, Daniel had kept himself busy.

Due to his appointment as Chief of Staff for the 7th Division on the Eastern Front, a new operations officer had been assigned to the headquarters.

Daniel was revered by the new officer, and they exchanged a smooth handover of duties. In between, Daniel also took the time to review the operational situation of the 7th Division and enemy intelligence.

He wasn’t necessarily focused on being the best Chief of Staff. Instead, he spent his time contemplating how he could survive on the Eastern Front.

Just as he was beginning to enjoy this brief peace, he received a summons from the royal palace.

The sender was none other than the Empire’s highest authority, the current Emperor Selvia, and Daniel couldn’t refuse the invitation. He soon found himself stepping into the royal palace.

After following the chamberlain down the long, marble-lined hallway, Daniel arrived at the Emperor’s office.

Standing in front of the office were Colonel Hartmann and his soldiers, who were responsible for the Emperor’s chief security.

Noticing Daniel’s approach, Hartmann saluted lightly.

Daniel, feeling slightly uncomfortable, quickly returned the salute, prompting Hartmann to smile warmly.

"Well, well, Colonel Steiner. I see you’ve been promoted. We’ve been waiting eagerly for your arrival."

Though Daniel was uncomfortable with the formal tone, he chose not to comment.

In the military, respect for rank was an essential part of maintaining order.

"I apologize for keeping you waiting. But, may I ask if the Emperor is available?"

"His Majesty is inside, attending to state affairs. Unless there’s a major event or conference, he always works in here."

Hartmann’s lips curved into a bitter smile.

"He’s always been absorbed in his work, but since ascending to the throne, he’s been cutting back on sleep. I’m worried he might fall ill if he keeps this up."

Daniel understood. It was clear that the Emperor felt a great responsibility since taking the throne.

Nodding, Daniel continued, and Hartmann stepped aside, signaling that Daniel should enter.

Taking this as a cue, Daniel moved forward and gently knocked on the door.

"Your Majesty, Colonel Daniel Steiner is here."

Before long, a response from inside the room called for Daniel to enter.

He opened the door and stepped inside.

The first thing Daniel noticed was the wide window through which the starlight spilled in from the night sky.

Under the starlight, Emperor Selvia, who was working at her desk, slowly raised her head upon noticing Daniel’s entrance.

Her platinum blonde hair gleamed with a soft sheen, and her tired, blue eyes blinked lazily.

"Colonel Daniel..."

Selvia mumbled, rising from her seat.

"Is this the first time we’ve met since the coronation? Since I became Emperor, I mean."

"Yes."

At Daniel's response, a meaningful smile appeared at the corner of Selvia’s lips.

"So, how does it feel? The Emperor you helped create."

It was a difficult question to answer.

Not knowing what she meant by the question, Daniel fell silent, causing Selvia to laugh softly.

"It seems there’s a strange rumor circulating among the nobility. They’re saying that if it weren’t for your help, I would never have reached the throne."

"That’s not true."

Daniel immediately responded.

"Even without my help, Your Majesty would have rightfully claimed the throne."

He meant it sincerely.

In the original story, Selvia had indeed ascended to the throne on her own merits.

But for Selvia, Daniel’s words didn’t seem to provide much comfort.

"I’d like to believe that too. But as the days go by, the rumors keep spreading and growing. Do you know what some of the noblewomen are saying? They claim that I’m in a relationship with you and that the royal family is doomed because of it."

Daniel frowned.

This clearly seemed like a baseless rumor spread by the noble factions to undermine the authority of the emperor.

Selvia, though aware of this, appeared to be under psychological pressure.

"Your Majesty, we must track down and eliminate those spreading these rumors..."

Just as Daniel was about to offer advice, he suddenly paused.

The faint smell of alcohol lingered in the air.

Turning his gaze, Daniel noticed a bottle of whiskey on Selvia’s desk, left open, with about a third of its contents gone.

She doesn’t drink much, does she...?

It seemed that recent difficulties had driven Selvia to drink heavily.

Just as Daniel decided to calm her down, Selvia slowly walked towards him and then opened her arms with a playful smile.

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Startled, Daniel hesitated, and Selvia waved her arms once.

"What are you waiting for? The Emperor is asking for a hug. Are you going to ignore me?"

"Your Majesty, you’ve had too much to drink."

"So what? Are you refusing to obey my command?"

This was going too far.

Daniel briefly considered calling Hartmann, but the problem was the personal guards.

If they saw the Emperor drunkenly causing a scene, it would undoubtedly lead to more rumors spreading.

Reluctantly, Daniel decided to play along. He approached her, and Selvia lightly embraced him.

The smell of alcohol mixed with Selvia’s unique scent.

"...This feels nice. I’ve always wanted to do this."

Murmuring like she was sleep-talking, Selvia giggled in amusement.

While Selvia’s behavior was unusual for an Emperor, it wasn’t entirely incomprehensible.

After all, despite her position, Selvia was still very young, barely an adult.

It wasn’t easy to bear the weight of the responsibilities she had taken on.

Daniel lightly patted Selvia’s back.

"It seems like you’ve been having a hard time. You’re doing things you normally wouldn’t."

Selvia, comforted by Daniel’s words, slowly opened her eyes.

She hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"...I thought that once I became Emperor, all the disputes would end."

It was a confession born from her intoxicated state.

"But I was wrong. The nobles, I don’t know what they’re dissatisfied with, but they’ve been obstructing everything I try to do. Since becoming Emperor, I haven’t been able to push through a single proper agenda."

Selvia tightened her grip on Daniel, who was still holding her.

"In the Parliament, the majority party keeps opposing my policies. They say they want changes, but I know that deep down, they just want to discredit me."

Closing her eyes, Selvia bit her lip in frustration.

"I promised the people I would govern properly as Emperor. But it feels like I’ve already hit a wall. Honestly, sometimes I wonder..."

"...What do you mean?" Daniel asked.

"I wonder if I should make the malicious rumors true. If what they want is for me to become a tyrant, then perhaps I should just become one. If you agree, Colonel..."

Slowly opening her eyes, Selvia spoke, her breath slightly heated.

"The rumors spread by the noblewomen..."

She paused, and Daniel knew he had to stop her from finishing that thought.

However, before he could speak, Selvia opened her mouth again.

"Shall we make it a reality right here, right now?"