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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: Daniel Just Wants a Backwater Post
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As morning broke, Daniel, who had arrived at the General Staff Headquarters, took a deep breath in front of his private office.
The thought of having to face Lucy, who had come to assassinate him early that morning and then left, made him inexplicably tense.
'Calm down, Daniel.'
From Lucy's perspective, Daniel had been 'asleep' early that morning.
It would naturally become troublesome in many ways if it were discovered that he hadn't actually been sleeping.
Therefore, it was best to act as naturally as possible to avoid suspicion.
Repeating to himself that he could do it, Daniel turned the doorknob and opened the door.
As he entered the office, Lucy, who had arrived earlier, rose from her seat and saluted.
"Welcome, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel."
Her expression was as impassive as ever.
'...It's hard to believe this is the person who came to kill me this morning.'
It truly brought home the fact that Lucy was a highly competent intelligence agent.
Feeling a strange chill, Daniel nodded and walked towards his desk.
Pulling out his chair and sitting down, Daniel placed his brief case on the desk and spoke.
"By the way, Adjutant. May I ask you a personal question?"
Lucy, who had reseated herself, looked back at Daniel.
"Yes. Is there something you're curious about?"
"Yes. Do you remember the conversation we had two days ago?"
"Two days ago... are you referring to the conversation we had at the General Staff Headquarters entrance?"
Daniel nodded.
"At that time, you mentioned the Golden Rose Bakery was selling limited-edition Stollen for Christmas. I looked into it, and it turns out they get a lot of customers during Christmas, so you have to make a reservation in advance. So, if your schedule is free, I was thinking of making a reservation. Would that be alright? Also..."
Afraid to meet her gaze, Daniel unnecessarily rummaged through his brief case.
"It would be a shame to just eat Stollen and part ways on Christmas, so I should look into other forms of entertainment. As you know, other establishments also take reservations for Christmas, so it's best to start preparing now. Therefore, please state your intentions clearly."
Daniel, who had taken out the necessary items from his brief case, glanced at Lucy.
'If Lucy asks me to make the reservation here...'
He could interpret that as meaning she had no assassination plans, at least until after Christmas.
If she refused, it would be safe to assume she intended to attempt another assassination before Christmas.
Of course, she could lie, but in that case, there would be subtle changes in Lucy's expression due to guilt, which he would easily discern.
While Daniel watched Lucy with extreme caution, Lucy herself was interpreting Daniel's proposal in a different light.
'He doesn't just want to have a meal and part ways, but to enjoy other entertainment together...'
No matter how she looked at it, it was a date proposal.
'...Does Daniel have feelings for me?'
Come to think of it, saving her from the Security Bureau and hiding her identity as a spy wouldn't have been possible without some kind of affection.
'But...'
Lucy had never been on a date before.
Naturally, this was also the first time she had ever been asked on a date.
Lucy, unsure how to respond, felt her heart start to pound faster.
Lucy, fidgeting and clutching only her fountain pen, gave a small nod.
"...I don't have anything particular to do then, so it should be fine if you proceed with the reservation."
It was a passive acceptance, without any deceit.
Relieved, Daniel put down his brief case and said,
"Then I'll make the reservation, so don't back out when the time comes. And..."
Daniel, who was about to elaborate on plans for Christmas, paused.
He had heard familiar footsteps approaching from the corridor outside his office.
Knock, knock─
Soon after, as the knocking sound came, Daniel stood up preemptively and said,
"Come in."
No sooner had Daniel finished speaking than the door opened and Ernst entered.
The portly Ernst began speaking before Daniel could even salute.
"Daniel! This is no time to be doing this! Go to the reception room right now!"
Somewhat bewildered, Daniel lowered the arm he had raised to salute.
"Sir. I understand that the Protocol Department of the General Affairs Office handles guest reception. Why should I go to the reception room, then...?"
"Because that esteemed guest specifically requested you!"
"Requested? If it's nobles from the capital or politicians from the National Assembly, there's no reason for me to meet them."
Ernst patted his chest as if frustrated and said,
"If it were that, I wouldn't have even bothered telling you! The esteemed guest who requested you is none other than Her Imperial Highness, the Princess!"
Daniel blinked in stunned confusion.
'Why is Selvia here?'
Daniel swallowed dryly and hurried his steps.
He wasn't sure why, but it was a summons from the Princess, so refusing was out of the question.
"Sir. Next time, I'd appreciate it if you'd mention that Her Imperial Highness, the Princess, has summoned me first."
Complaining to Ernst pointlessly was an added bonus.
*
Arriving at the reception room with quick steps, Daniel saw Selvia seated on a sofa.
Across from Selvia, Cedric, the Deputy Chief of Operations, was seated.
Seeing the two conversing, Daniel approached and saluted.
"Your Imperial Highness. I heard you summoned me."
Selvia put down her cup, turned to Daniel, and gave an unnatural cough.
Looking at her face, it was clear she had almost inadvertently smiled out of joy.
Selvia, believing she must maintain her dignity as the future Empress, spoke with some solemnity.
"There's an important matter I wish to discuss. Will you sit?"
"It's quite alright. I came out in the middle of my duties, so I expect to return immediately after hearing Your Highness's words."
Daniel knew well from his experience with the total war speech that prolonged conversation with Selvia would lead to no good.
Thus, he politely refused.
Selvia was slightly displeased by this but didn't show it, saying,
"Then listen while standing. Daniel Steiner. The Imperial Family was deeply moved by your total war speech. Therefore, I wish to offer you a favorable proposal."
"A proposal, Your Highness?"
"Currently, the Empire is pursuing various public works projects with the funds raised from selling war bonds. Furthermore, thanks to bond sales exceeding initial expectations, we are planning to initiate additional projects."
Selvia looked up at Daniel with a meaningful gaze.
"In connection with this, I intend to grant Lieutenant Colonel Daniel authority. The authority to conceive and manage projects as their supervisor."
"...Your Highness? I believe that would be too heavy a task for a mere operations staff officer."
"Neither I nor the Imperial Family consider you a mere operations staff officer. So, I would appreciate it if you would speak your mind without reservation."
Selvia was speaking with a smile, but she was testing Daniel.
If Daniel were truly the wolf his father spoke of, one who would devour the Empire, he would, upon hearing this proposal, attempt to undertake projects of national importance.
For by doing so, he would further strengthen his own influence.
Daniel, on the other hand, saw this as an excellent opportunity to escape the Empire, if only for a short while.
"Your Highness. If that is the case, I would ask that you appoint me as an envoy to Bellanos."
"...Bellanos?"
Bellanos was a neutral nation located to the west of the Empire, across the sea.
Selvia, unable to comprehend his statement about going there as an envoy, countered with a question.
However, Daniel, in a serious tone, explained his reasons for wanting to go to Bellanos.
"Yes. As Your Highness knows, the Empire will soon have to contend with the Three Kingdoms. Therefore, what the Empire needs most right now are weapons and manpower. Thus, I believe it would be right to go to Bellanos to import weapons and hire mercenaries."
His words were not wrong.
It was something the Empire's high command had already been considering.
However, there were plenty of people who could be appointed as the envoy to Bellanos.
Meaning, it was a task that could be handled by someone other than Daniel Steiner.
Yet, for him to volunteer for it himself, Selvia could only feel bewildered.
"Are you serious? You mean... you wish to be dispatched as an envoy to Bellanos?"
"That is correct. I am quite serious."
From Daniel's perspective, he desperately wanted to 'flee' to Bellanos right then.
Look at the domestic situation.
Politicians and nobles were desperate to bring Daniel down, the Emperor harbored some misunderstanding and was wary of him, and his adjutant, Lucy, was plotting to kill him.
He couldn't shake the feeling of being in the eye of a storm.
Thus, Daniel intended to briefly escape abroad, pretending to perform diplomatic duties, just to catch his breath.
Of course, Selvia, unaware of Daniel's true intentions, couldn't fathom what he was thinking.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Selvia nodded in understanding.
"Since your resolve seems firm, I will consider it favorably. You may return now."
"Yes, Your Imperial Highness."
Daniel, who had shown his respect by bowing his head, turned and walked out.
Selvia, who had been gazing at his neat figure, turned to Cedric, who was seated opposite her.
"...What do you think?"
Cedric, who had been listening to their conversation from the side, replied.
"In my view, it is truly a wise decision."
Cedric let out a rare chuckle.
"Daniel Steiner has a history of subjugating Duke Belbar by leveraging Your Imperial Highness's authority. This was more than enough to incur the wrath of the nobles and the politicians who operate on their patronage."
Cedric picked up a sugar cube with tongs from the table and dropped it with a plop into his coffee.
"With this total war speech, that anger will have reached its peak. They would have perceived Daniel Steiner as a threat to their positions. Among those dogs, the extremists might even be advocating for Daniel Steiner's political isolation."
With an unhurried gesture, Cedric took a spoon and stirred his coffee.
"There are even rumors that His Imperial Majesty the Emperor is wary of Daniel Steiner. In this situation, what would happen if Daniel were to meddle in matters of national importance, ostensibly to expand his influence?"
"...The politicians and nobles might unite to attack Lieutenant Colonel Daniel."
"Precisely. Therefore, Daniel intends to assuage their discontent by being appointed to the backwater post of envoy to Bellanos, thereby disappearing from the capital."
The sugar cube slowly dissolved in the coffee.
"Once their resentment subsides, the opinion might arise among the senators that Daniel isn't pursuing politics for personal gain, but truly acting for the nation. If that happens..."
Cedric removed the spoon and took a napkin to wipe the coffee stain.
"Factional strife will inevitably erupt. Typically, the Central Nationalist Party and the Liberal Social Party, with their differing ideologies, will clash. This is what we call 'using barbarians to control barbarians.' From Daniel Steiner's perspective, it's like blowing his nose without using his hands."
Cedric put down the spoon, took a sip of coffee, and then placed the cup down.
"Of course, all of this is merely my conjecture, but I can't find any other reason for Daniel to specifically choose the backwater post of envoy to Bellanos."
Having heard all of Cedric's explanation, Selvia inadvertently broke out in a cold sweat.
If Cedric's words were true, then Daniel was indeed as dangerous as her father had claimed.
However, it was too early to jump to conclusions.
"...Does the Deputy Chief of Staff believe Daniel's loyalty to the Imperial Family appears false?"
Cedric blinked once and shook his head.
"In my opinion, Daniel Steiner's loyalty is genuine. There are too many inconsistencies to view everything as an act for his personal gain. However, whether this loyalty is directed towards the Imperial Family or towards the Empire itself, I cannot say for certain."
If Daniel Steiner's loyalty were directed towards the Imperial Family, there would be no problem at all.
But what if that loyalty were directed towards the great Empire... that is, towards the very advancement of the nation?
The events that would unfold the moment Daniel Steiner judged the Imperial Family to be incompetent would be far from pleasant.
"Your Imperial Highness."
Cedric, gazing intently at Selvia with his characteristic sanpaku eyes, offered sincere advice.
"You must win Daniel Steiner's heart as soon as possible. If you fail to win Daniel Steiner's heart..."
Cedric paused for a moment before speaking.
"You will have a more formidable adversary than the Allied Nations, right within your own borders."