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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: The Most Perfect Occupation
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The Most Perfect Occupation
Meanwhile, in Adria, a permanent member state of the Allied Nations.
Count Kaledra's study.
"This way, sir."
Following the attendant's guidance, Sorten, Adria's Minister of Internal Affairs, slowly made his way.
Weaving through the study, complex as a labyrinth, Sorten soon reached the reading room.
Upon entering the reading room, Sorten was struck by a truly peculiar impression.
Despite being on the third floor of the study, only the bare minimum of sunlight managed to penetrate.
Sorten surveyed the dimly lit study, even at noon, and soon spotted Count Kaledra.
He stood before a standing table, leaning on a cane, turning the pages of a book.
His pale, slender, snake-like eyes blinked slowly, somehow sending a chill down one's spine.
Kaledra de Norteber.
More renowned by his moniker, the Blood Count, than by his name, he was undeniably the true power in Adria.
Having bribed high-ranking politicians and military commanders with vast sums, those who had once accepted his money found it difficult to escape Kaledra's influence.
Sorten, the Minister of Internal Affairs standing there now, was no exception.
The very position of Minister of Internal Affairs had been arranged by Kaledra himself.
Kaledra spoke, not even sparing Sorten a sidelong glance.
"What brings you here?"
Kaledra's voice, laced with a chill, needlessly heightened the tension.
Unconsciously gripping the tie at his neck, Sorten took a deep breath before speaking.
"I've come to discuss Lucy Emilia."
Sorten spoke, but no reply came.
However, Kaledra's silence wasn't due to displeasure with Sorten's words.
He was merely waiting for what came next.
Realizing this, Sorten continued awkwardly.
"...What I mean to say is, I'm concerned that Lucy Emilia might be staying in enemy territory for too long. If she were to change sides, wouldn't that be a great loss to the Allied Nations?"
Kaledra remained silent.
Sorten swallowed hard and said,
"I've heard Lucy Emilia has left the heavily guarded islands and is now in Nordia, in the Kingdom. Perhaps it would be best to order her to eliminate Daniel Steiner and return."
"..."
"Look. Even I can see Daniel Steiner is making incredible strides in many areas. He's only a Major now, but what do you think will happen if he keeps getting promoted and commands a large army?"
It meant that nipping him in the bud would benefit the Allied Nations.
Having heard Sorten's entire account, Kaledra closed the book with an unhurried motion.
Kaledra gently stroked the cover of the book and began to speak.
"Lucy will not change sides. You know the bond between that child and me is special. She regards me as her father. I, too, regard Lucy as my daughter."
"But that's merely..."
Sorten couldn't finish his sentence.
Because Kaledra's snake-like eyes had pierced him.
Kaledra, having silenced Sorten, quelled his anger and regained his composure.
"...Furthermore, Daniel Steiner will not be eliminated. For now, keeping him alive will benefit the Alliance. Of course, there have been some minor setbacks."
His achievements had far exceeded Kaledra's expectations.
When they heard of his remarkable performance, especially in the Nordia Invasion Operation, Kaledra, as well as Adria's military high command, expressed astonishment.
But it hadn't deviated from the main course.
Not yet, at least.
"Assassination is a last resort. First, we must keep Lucy by his side to gain an advantage."
"...An advantage, you say?"
"Lucy possesses objectively stunning beauty. As long as Daniel Steiner is unaware of her true identity, he's bound to develop a romantic interest in her. We will exploit that."
Is he planning to order a honey trap?
'Indeed...'
Historically, even those called great leaders had often suffered hardships due to women.
"No matter how rational a person may be, once afflicted by the madness of love, they are bound to rely on their emotions. Turning someone who relies on their emotions into a puppet is an easy task."
If they could emotionally manipulate Daniel Steiner, known as the Hero of the Empire, he would no longer be a figure to fear, but merely a useful pawn.
Sorten, deep in thought, nodded.
"I understand. In that case, I will trust you and..."
Before Sorten could finish his sentence, Kaledra waved his hand dismissively.
It was a signal to leave, not to disturb his reading with idle talk.
Though his dignity was in tatters, he dared not protest to Kaledra.
Sorten nodded and followed the attendant out.
After confirming Sorten's departure, Kaledra gazed at the bookshelf and quietly murmured,
"Daniel Steiner..."
Kaledra, recalling Daniel's achievements, soon shook his head.
For now, there were simply too many other matters to consider besides Daniel Steiner.
*
"We'll be arriving in Nordia shortly."
At the driver's words, Colonel Erwin, who had been assigned the post of Garrison Commander, let out a grunt.
Seeing this, Erwin's aide asked, puzzled,
"Sir. Is something troubling you?"
At his aide's question, Erwin let out a low sigh.
"Let me ask you something. Do you think I can be at ease, heading to a garrison commander post?"
"...But according to the General Staff's reports, isn't the public's livelihood stable?"
"Who do you think submitted those reports to the General Staff?"
"Why, Major Daniel Steiner... Ah. I see."
The aide nodded, as if understanding.
It wasn't uncommon for officers blinded by ambition to manipulate statistics and report them to headquarters.
But would *that* Daniel Steiner really submit a false report?
While the aide was still pondering, military vehicles carrying battalion personnel entered Nordia in an orderly fashion.
As the landscape of Nordia began to appear outside the window, Erwin turned his head and fixed his gaze forward.
'It's only been a month since Daniel Steiner took up the temporary post of Garrison Commander.'
Stabilized the public's livelihood and secured support for the garrison in just one month?
'Nonsense!'
Erwin was from the Eastern Front.
On the Eastern Front, he had experienced numerous advances and retreats, occupying and losing countless regions.
In all those occupied territories, there were no citizens who were favorable towards the garrison.
Most of them either feared or despised the garrison.
Even Daniel Steiner, hailed as the Hero of the Empire, could not be exempt from this rule.
Therefore, it was clear that the current citizens of Nordia would not view him favorably, leading troops into their city.
In the worst case, riots could erupt as soon as they exited the vehicle, so Erwin remained on edge.
As he idly fiddled with his holster, the aide, who had been looking out the window beside him, spoke.
"Sir? The citizens are throwing something."
"Throwing refuse is common, don't worry. If we restrain those individuals on the spot, it might give the impression that the garrison is oppressing the citizens, so be careful not to react."
"Pardon? Oh. No, they're throwing flower petals."
...Huh? Throwing flower petals?
Wondering what that meant, Erwin turned his gaze to the window and gaped.
Just as his aide had said, the citizens of Nordia were indeed throwing baskets full of flower petals.
Their faces, blooming with smiles, made it clear they were enthusiastically welcoming the garrison.
Faced with a sight he had never witnessed in his life, Erwin couldn't help but feel bewildered.
'This is like...'
It was as if they were greeting not an occupying force, but their own allies.
He was still blinking blankly, utterly at a loss as to what was going on.
*Screech—*
The vehicle carrying Erwin came to a stop in front of the command building.
Erwin exited the car, surveyed his surroundings, and was surprised once again.
A statue of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor had been erected in front of the command post.
It seemed like a hastily made statue, its form quite crude, but that wasn't what mattered.
Citizens were voluntarily placing single flowers in front of the statue.
Erwin, utterly unable to comprehend this, stopped a passing child nearby and asked,
"Child. This uncle is curious, who put up that statue?"
The child looked up at Erwin blankly, then said,
"The dark-faced uncle said to put it up. And all the adults agreed. They originally wanted to make a statue of Daniel Steiner, or something? But he absolutely refused, so they changed it to the Emperor."
So... it wasn't an order, but the citizens voluntarily collected money, made a statue of His Imperial Majesty, and erected it here?
He was so dumbfounded he couldn't utter a word, when suddenly the main gate of the command post opened.
"Ah! Colonel Erwin! We've been waiting for you."
He turned his head, and there was Daniel Steiner.
He approached naturally, wearing an officer's winter coat, accompanied by a few staff members.
Erwin, who had been staring blankly at the sight, spoke with a kind of reverence.
"Major Daniel? I've been to countless occupied territories, but this is the first time I've seen enemy citizens welcome a garrison like this. How on earth did you do it?"
Daniel, standing before Erwin, glanced at the statue and let out a low chuckle, as if resigned.
"Well..."
A sense of resignation emanated from Daniel's smile.
"I don't know myself..."
It wasn't a joke; he truly had no idea why things had turned out this way.