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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: Daniel Wants to Rest, The Princess Holds Him Back
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As soon as dawn broke, Daniel began preparing to return to the capital.
Though he had quite a bit to drink, it wasn't enough to affect him the next day, so there was little outward difference.
If there was any difference, it was merely that his dark circles had deepened slightly.
Regardless, thanks to the consideration of Lieutenant Colonel Karfren, the Legion Commander's aide, Daniel's headquarters-direct company was able to board well-maintained military vehicles.
Thus, Daniel, departing from the Legion Command, was able to reach the capital after approximately ten days of travel.
As soon as the military jeep carrying Daniel entered the capital, citizens cheered, scattering petals they had prepared themselves.
This was thanks to the news of Daniel having concluded the negotiation with the Kingdom already spreading widely throughout the capital.
Daniel, who found this rather bothersome, feigned fatigue and did not react.
Of course, Daniel's lack of reaction didn't diminish the citizens' welcome.
Even at the entrance of the General Staff Headquarters, citizens who had set up camp and waited waved placards inscribed with all sorts of laudatory phrases, making Daniel's head spin.
Still, once he entered the General Staff Headquarters, a restricted area for civilians, the citizens no longer followed, allowing him to breathe a sigh of relief.
"Huh? Isn't that Her Imperial Highness, the Princess, standing over there?"
That is, until he heard Frien's words.
Daniel, opening his closed eyes and looking out the window, let out a low groan.
As Frien had said, Princess Selvia was indeed standing in front of the General Staff Headquarters' main gate, accompanied by Lieutenant Colonel Hartmann, the Chief of Imperial Guard Security.
'I can roughly guess why she's here, but...'
It wasn't as if the Princess herself needed to come out to greet him, was it?
Just as Daniel wondered, the lead jeep slowly came to a stop.
As Daniel opened the door and stepped out, Selvia, who had been conversing with Hartmann, turned her head.
Selvia was wearing an Imperial officer's uniform, but not only was the fabric of a different quality, it was pure white instead of black.
Furthermore, where rank insignia should have been, the eagle emblem symbolizing the Imperial family was instead displayed.
Including various elaborate adornments, this was clearly a uniform that only members of the Imperial family could wear.
They say dignity comes from one's attire, don't they?
As Selvia, clad in the uniform symbolizing the Imperial family, approached, not only Frien but also Lucy seemed tense.
Daniel was equally tense, but the fatigue from the long journey slightly outweighed it, so he wasn't trembling much.
"Your Imperial Highness."
As Daniel saluted, Selvia approached with an innocent smile.
"Why are you only just now arriving? How long I've waited for you..."
Selvia cleared her throat mid-sentence.
She must have thought it undignified in front of so many onlookers.
"Major Daniel? I've heard well of your military achievements on the battlefield. You're aware, aren't you, that my father wishes to see you regarding this?"
"Yes. I am aware."
"Then that makes things quicker. My father wishes to see Major Daniel, so let's head to the Imperial Palace. It's not far, so we'll get there quickly."
Now? Daniel, taken aback, spoke after a brief silence.
"Your Highness. Do you mean right now?"
At Daniel's question, Selvia exhaled softly, a hint of apology in her expression.
"I know. I know this isn't ideal. But my father is currently gravely ill. So much so that there are only a few days a month when his mind is clear. That's why my father wishes to see Major Daniel while he is still lucid."
Daniel was aware that the Emperor's illness had worsened.
'Still, I didn't know it was serious enough to affect his lucidity...'
Daniel, thinking there was no other choice, nodded.
"Understood. I will accompany Your Highness."
"Thank you. And there's something important I need to discuss with you... No, I can tell you on the way. Follow me."
Selvia moved towards a limousine parked on one side of the General Staff Headquarters.
There, a chauffeur in a suit stood with the rear door open, bowing his head.
It was almost overwhelming, but he couldn't disregard the Princess's invitation.
Daniel followed Selvia and boarded the limousine, and the chauffeur, after closing the rear door, got into the driver's seat and gently pressed the accelerator.
Frien, who had been staring blankly as the slowly moving limousine exited the General Staff Headquarters, sighed and crossed her arms.
"I thought we might have a party to celebrate the Major's military achievements, but as soon as we arrived at the General Staff Headquarters, he was snatched away by Her Imperial Highness, the Princess."
Lucy, standing beside Frien, simply gazed at the back of the limousine without affirmation or denial.
Then, as if a brilliant idea suddenly struck her, she turned to Frien.
"Cadet Frien. Were you perhaps quite popular with men?"
"Hmm. Not unpopular. I've been confessed to a few times. Though I never dated anyone."
"Then, what do you think was the reason for your popularity?"
"Well, maybe I seemed fragile? When I lived in the church, I was quite timid. Perhaps they wanted to protect me. Or..."
Frien shrugged once.
"They might have thought they could 'try something' if they were nice to me. Men are fundamentally wolves, after all. You know, how they say men reveal their true instincts when a woman pretends to be drunk?"
"...Why?"
"Huh? Are you listening to me? A drunk woman becomes defenseless, right? For a man, it's easiest to reveal their instincts... Wait a minute."
Why is she asking this? Frien, looking at Lucy with a puzzled expression, furrowed one eyebrow.
"Lieutenant Lucy. Surely you're not planning to 'do something' to Major Daniel, are you?"
At Frien's question, Lucy's shoulders trembled slightly.
She wondered if her mission had been exposed.
Lucy, hesitating, averted her gaze and mumbled in a small voice.
"...No."
Seeing that, Frien thought.
'This person is absolutely terrible at lying.'
Frien wasn't sure what past Lucy was hiding, but she was certain Lucy was definitely not a spy.
*
Naturally, the news that a peace treaty had been concluded by Daniel Steiner also reached Nordia.
Upon hearing the news, Hamtal, the leader of the Black Swan secret society, immediately convened a council, and the leaders of each branch attended without exception, responding to the headquarters' summons.
On the candelabra adorning the round table, the candle flames burned steadily.
In a solemn atmosphere, Hamtal confirmed that all the branch leaders had gathered and began to speak.
"I thank you for attending without complaint despite the sudden summons. As you may have somewhat expected, I have called you here concerning this peace treaty."
The branch leaders expressed their affirmation through silence.
"As you all know, with the successful conclusion of the peace treaty, Nordia has been completely freed from the Kingdom's oppression. The citizens cheered, saying they no longer had to live under the nobles' watchful eyes."
A satisfied smile played on Hamtal's lips.
"And that's not all? Discrimination against people of color has disappeared, and taxes have been reduced to an astonishing degree. It's no exaggeration to say that a city truly for its citizens has been born."
"All of this is..."
Hamtal nodded at the words of the man deeply shrouded in a black robe.
"Indeed. It is a miracle brought about by a man named Daniel Steiner. We all owe him a debt of gratitude. Don't we?"
The branch leaders, after a moment of hesitation, each nodded their heads.
Because his words were not wrong.
"Daniel Steiner fulfilled our long-cherished wish. The aspiration that no one had been able to achieve for the past ten years, Daniel Steiner, not a god, granted it."
Hamtal, his smile gone, narrowed his eyes gravely.
"Therefore, from this moment on, I intend to repay the favor we received from Daniel Steiner. What are your thoughts? Will you treat this grace as merely a given, like beasts steeped in habit?"
The branch leaders, one by one, shook their heads.
Seeing that, Hamtal raised his voice.
"Then, from now on, the Black Swan must act as Daniel Steiner's shadow. For preserving his life will clearly benefit both us and the world."
In Hamtal's estimation, Daniel Steiner was a prophet.
For Daniel Steiner had naturally stepped forward to abolish the evil practices that others, even knowing about them, had kept silent about for fear of suffering harm if they acted.
But Hamtal knew.
That prophets throughout history were destined to suffer persecution from the world.
There was no guarantee that Daniel Steiner would not also face threats to his life.
Thus, Hamtal intended to use the power of the Black Swan secret society to ensure Daniel's survival.
"Since everyone seems to agree, I will explain. From now on, the Black Swan secret society will relocate its branches to the capital. Afterwards, we will thoroughly investigate if there are any forces attempting to harm Daniel Steiner."
"And what will you do if such hostile forces are discovered in the process?"
"We will restrain them, even if it requires force."
Though it might seem like a drastic command at first glance, the branch leaders merely nodded in understanding.
Some of them were even smiling.
Because for the branch leaders, who had frequently engaged in battles with the nobles' private armies over the past ten years, the use of force was not an exceptional measure.
However, not everyone agreed with Hamtal's words.
The man wearing the black robe spoke after a moment of deep thought.
"But would it be possible to move our branches to the capital? We are, after all, citizens of the Kingdom..."
The man stopped speaking mid-sentence and fell silent.
Because a faint realization had just struck him.
"...Indeed. Since the Kingdom has ceded Nordia, we are now citizens of the Empire. They will grant a change of nationality if we wish it."
With the danger gone, there was no longer any reason to refuse Hamtal's proposal.
Hamtal, nodding once at the man, looked around at the branch leaders.
"Since the discussion is concluded, let us proceed with the vote. Those who agree with this motion, raise your glasses."
As soon as Hamtal finished speaking, the branch leaders raised their glasses filled with wine.
When the man in the black robe also raised his glass, the branch leaders spoke in unison, reciting the purpose for which the Black Swan secret society was founded.
─ For the day when hatred and discrimination, rampant in the world, shall be abolished.
Hamtal, seeing the unanimous agreement of the branch leaders, also smiled and raised his glass.
"And also, for Daniel Steiner."