I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander-Chapter 165

After liberating Empress Selvia from the Golden Sanctum, Daniel spent the following week in a flurry of activity.

There were matters he needed to resolve before handing over full authority to Selvia.

Foremost among them was the detainment of collaborators tied to Duke Belvar, who were imprisoned in a special detention sector beneath the Central Security Bureau.

Once all visible collaborators had been captured, Daniel collected letters of resignation and discharge requests from the commanding officers of the Guard Division and submitted them to Selvia.

Given the circumstances, no one dared to make excuses like “we ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) were just following orders.”

They all knew that if they angered Daniel Steiner or the Empress, losing their position would be the least of their worries.

Of course, there was one notable exception in this sweeping purge: Colonel Telberet, commander of the Armored Regiment under the Guard Division.

Though he had initially obeyed the orders of the Defense Commander, he was quick to recognize the gravity of the situation and sided with Daniel Steiner to suppress the insurrectionists. For this, he was credited with merit and retained his post.

After replacing every other commanding officer aside from Telberet, Daniel ordered the phased withdrawal of the 7th Armored Division.

He couldn’t leave the frontlines vacant for long, and more importantly, the 7th wasn’t a symbol of the Empress—it was the symbol of Daniel Steiner, the war hero.

This content is taken from freёnovelkiss.com.

The more visibly active the 7th Armored Division remained within the capital, the more it would diminish Selvia’s stature. His order reflected that concern.

Of course, not all of the 7th’s forces were sent back to the front.

In the event that remnants of the Noble Coalition regrouped and launched another uprising, Daniel had preserved his core forces to suppress any such attempt swiftly.

Having managed all this within a week, Daniel now wore a satisfied smile inside the temporary office he had borrowed at the Central Security Bureau.

“Adjutant. Say it again. What exactly did Her Majesty say?”

At present, Lucy, Freyen, and Phelp were in the room to deliver their reports. All of them were visibly thrown off by Daniel’s sudden lighthearted demeanor after days of grueling labor.

Lucy blinked once with her crimson eyes before answering.

“Her Majesty has summoned you, Colonel. She said that the current situation in the capital has entered a transitional phase, and that a decisive ruling must be made to reestablish order.”

“A ruling, she says!”

Convinced that Selvia’s decision was none other than the dismissal of Daniel Steiner, he let out a chuckle and rose from his seat.

“If Her Majesty is making a decision, then as a soldier, I must naturally abide by it.”

He had been wondering when he’d finally be discharged, and now Selvia had summoned him at the perfect time.

If my dismissal had been delayed even a little, I’d have been stuck working non-stop—stabilizing the capital, processing collaborators, hunting down stragglers... This is a godsend.

He picked up the officer’s coat draped over his chair and slipped it on lightly.

I don’t know who’ll be taking my place, but they’re in for a hell of a ride. Poor bastard.

Sending a silent condolence to whoever Selvia would choose as his successor, Daniel walked toward Lucy.

Since today was likely his last day, he figured a farewell was in order.

Honestly, not all his memories with her were pleasant, but after working together for a year, an unexpected bond had formed.

Smiling faintly, Daniel extended a hand toward Lucy.

“Adjutant. Others might not realize it, but I know the truth. You’re actually a good woman. So I hope you continue to act according to your own convictions. Life’s too damn short to live by someone else’s words, isn’t it?”

A question mark practically hovered over Lucy’s head.

She had no idea what was going on, but since Daniel was offering a handshake, she accepted it without a word.

“...I’ll keep that in mind.”

With Lucy’s reserved reply, Daniel then turned to Freyen.

“Second Lieutenant Freyen. The Church may deem black magic ominous, but I consider it a blessing. Thanks to your power, countless lives were saved. So stop blaming yourself, and try seeing yourself in a more positive light.”

Freyen, blinking vacantly, took Daniel’s hand.

“...Thank you?”

Nodding gently, Daniel then moved to stand in front of Phelp, his intelligence officer.

“Major Phelp. I’d say the only reason the 7th Armored Division managed to push through until now was because of talented officers like you. There may be a reshuffle coming that changes your position, but no matter where you end up, show them what you're made of.”

Though he didn’t fully understand, Phelp was clearly touched by the compliment and gripped Daniel’s hand tightly.

“Yes, sir! I won’t forget it!”

Hearing the reply, Daniel patted the back of Phelp’s hand and made his way toward the door.

Humming a tune, he opened it with a bounce in his step and exited the room.

Not long after, his voice echoed jubilantly through the hallway: “Alright! I knew I wouldn’t die miserable!”

Freyen, visibly puzzled, turned to Phelp.

“Major? Do you have any idea why Colonel Daniel is acting like this?”

“...No clue. Something clearly made him happy, though.”

“Yeah, I thought the same... But what on earth could it be?”

Freyen now looked to Lucy.

“Lieutenant Lucy? Do you know?”

But Lucy, unsurprisingly, shook her head.

“No. I don’t.”

And so, the three officers left in the office were left scratching their heads, faced with a mystery they couldn’t begin to unravel.

****

Some time later, in the Imperial Audience Hall.

Now seated on the Imperial Throne, Empress Selvia—having reclaimed her sovereignty—looked down over the gathered assembly.

The ministers and high-ranking officials, recently freed from confinement by Daniel Steiner, were each voicing their own opinions. But Selvia couldn’t bring herself to truly listen.

Because the one person most crucial to this summons had yet to appear.

“Is Colonel Daniel not here yet?”

Selvia, clad in a white uniform and draped in a crimson cape signifying her status as Empress, quietly addressed the Chief of the Inner Palace Bureau.

The bureau chief, gauging her mood, bowed his head respectfully.

“He has arrived at the palace, Your Majesty. He should be here shortly.”

Selvia nodded and chose to wait a little longer.

And then, a few minutes later, Daniel appeared through the open doors.

Dressed immaculately in his black uniform, Daniel entered the hall, and all murmuring among the ministers and officials came to an abrupt halt.

The atmosphere turned tense. After all, Daniel Steiner currently held more real power than anyone in the Empire—save for the Empress herself.

There were even whispers that perhaps he wielded more power than the Empress.

Under the heavy scrutiny of their stares, Daniel stepped onto the red carpet and moved forward. When he reached Selvia, he knelt on one knee and bowed his head low.

“I pay my respects to the Great Empress.”

Selvia looked down at him with affectionate eyes and finally spoke.

“Raise your head, Daniel Steiner.”

As Daniel lifted his gaze, Selvia continued.

“You returned to the homeland after the defeat of the Magitek Armored Division at the Battle of Skeolan. This, undoubtedly, is a great loss for the Empire and a historic failure.”

A ripple of murmurs ran through the ministers.

Was she... about to reprimand Daniel Steiner?

But Selvia’s next words instantly silenced their unease.

“However, considering that the Battle of Skeolan resulted from an enemy ambush, that there was confusion in the chain of command, and that, despite the defeat, casualties were minimized thanks to your actions—this sovereign recognizes the military merits of the commander in question.”

Daniel’s hand twitched slightly.

He had come here expecting to be dismissed—and now, none of this made any sense.

“In summary, I shall award you the White Dragon Medal of Valor, the highest first-class military honor of the Empire.”

It was the most prestigious decoration one could receive in the Empire.

Daniel, stunned, looked up at Selvia, utterly speechless.

And Selvia met his gaze as she spoke again.

“Furthermore, everyone present here knows that the reason Colonel Daniel Steiner marched back to the capital was to thoroughly root out the collaborators lurking within the Empire. Therefore, I hereby order Colonel Daniel Steiner to take full responsibility in resolving the current state of affairs.”

A cold sweat ran down Daniel’s back. He shook his head reflexively in protest—but Selvia didn’t stop.

“From this moment on, I will elevate the Central Security Bureau to a Special Imperial Mandate Organization under direct command of the throne. And I intend to place Colonel Daniel Steiner in charge—temporarily—as its acting authority. If anyone has objections, speak now.”

This was an appointment granted by the sovereign herself—to the very man who had freed her.

No one dared raise a dissenting voice. The ministers and officials could only bow their heads.

“If there are no objections, we shall proceed. Colonel Daniel Steiner.”

A chill ran down Daniel’s spine.

He wanted to scream Please, just stop this! but with so many eyes watching, he couldn’t.

“From this moment on, you will assist me...”

Selvia’s gaze softened as she looked down at him.

“...as Emergency High Commissioner of Public Security. You will bring a new order to the Empire.”

At the words Emergency High Commissioner, the blood drained from Daniel’s face.

And so, on a bright spring day, with flowers beginning to bloom across the capital...

...Your Majesty? Why are you doing this to me...?

Daniel Steiner had requested his dismissal—but the Empress did not grant it.