I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander-Chapter 167

After his meeting with Empress Selvia concluded, Daniel returned in triumph to the Central Security Bureau.

Having been awarded the White Dragon Medal of Valor and appointed Emergency High Commissioner of Public Security, there was no one within the Bureau who could meet Daniel Steiner’s gaze head-on. They all had no choice but to bow their heads.

Amid them, the Chief Commissioner—effectively the second-in-command of the Bureau—flattered Daniel, calling it a “monumental day on which a new order shall be established in the Empire,” but did not receive a favorable response.

That was because Daniel, having seen the long-awaited chance for retirement vanish before his eyes, was seething with suppressed fury.

Thanks to that, he reprimanded the Chief Commissioner in front of the entire Bureau, saying, “If you have time to flatter me, use it to do everything in your power to stabilize the Empire’s public security.”

The Chief Commissioner, unsure if he’d just made a grave mistake, turned deathly pale and bowed deeply, stammering an apology. Daniel clicked his tongue once at the display, then stepped into the temporary office.

Now.

Seated at his desk, Daniel slumped deep into the leather-backed chair and sighed quietly, immersed in bitter self-reflection.

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“How the hell did it come to this...”

At Daniel’s muttered lament, Lucy, who was working at a nearby desk, perked up her ears.

She paused her ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) work, raised her head, and looked in Daniel’s direction, a question mark practically hanging over her head.

He’d looked like he was in a fantastic mood when leaving for the Imperial Palace—he’d even been humming a tune—but now he returned looking like a dried-up fish.

‘What could be the reason...?’

Thanks to being awarded the White Dragon Medal of Valor and appointed Emergency High Commissioner, Daniel Steiner had—for the time being—risen to a position that allowed him to wield power just short of the Emperor’s.

And yet, he wore an expression like a drenched puppy, radiating quiet sorrow. It was perplexing.

Unable to comprehend it, Lucy tilted her head and finally opened her mouth.

“Colonel Daniel, did something happen at the Imperial Palace?”

Lucy’s question snapped Daniel out of his brooding.

He turned slightly in his chair and looked at her, offering a faint smile.

“...I apologize. It seems I made you worry. It wasn’t the most pleasant of affairs, but it’s not something my adjutant needs to concern herself with.”

To be exact, it was that he couldn’t express his desire to retire—couldn’t even say the words out loud.

“I’m fine. Focus on your duties.”

A polite way of telling her that he wasn’t in the mood to talk and would prefer not to be disturbed—but Lucy didn’t turn away.

She just stared at him, her red eyes gleaming with suspicion.

Holding eye contact with her like that for long somehow made a cold sweat start to form.

Thinking he needed to change the subject, Daniel cleared his throat lightly.

“By the way, Adjutant—do you remember the battle with Johannes, the former Commander of the Royal Guard?”

Lucy’s red eyes blinked innocently.

“Yes, I remember.”

“You looked quite angry at the time. What exactly did the two of you talk about?”

“Ah... that...”

Lucy remembered.

When she’d entered Celestial Hall alone to try and convince Johannes to surrender.

He’d been blocking the only exit and responded to her demand for surrender with open mockery.

Told her not to run her mouth like some pampered dog raised by Daniel Steiner.

The comment had bruised Lucy’s pride, whether she realized it or not, and she replied that “My relationship with Daniel Steiner is one of mutual equality as people.”

Noticing her emotional reaction, Johannes had then asked what exactly made her think their relationship was equal.

Lucy had begun listing off the memories and experiences she shared with Daniel, to which Johannes responded with the question:

“Are you in a romantic relationship with Daniel Steiner?”

Unable to affirm that, Lucy had shaken her head—and Johannes had let out a low chuckle.

And the words he spoke afterward still hadn’t left her mind.

—Then Daniel Steiner is playing with you. It’s truly pitiful. You still haven’t realized you’re nothing more than a toy to him.

There’s nothing easier than dealing with an emotionally shaken opponent.

Johannes had clearly baited her on purpose, knowing that.

And Lucy knew it too. But even when you understand the intent behind someone’s words, that doesn’t make the violence they carry any easier to swallow.

That’s why she was angry. That’s why she fought a bit harder than usual to take him down.

After her silent recollection, Lucy spoke again after a brief pause.

“Colonel Daniel. What... am I to you?”

Daniel was caught completely off guard.

He’d asked what she and Johannes had talked about—and suddenly she hit him with a question like that.

He thought she might be teasing him, but her expression was dead serious. He couldn’t just brush it off.

He was trying to figure out how to respond when—

Knock knock.

“Colonel Daniel? This is Otto Whitmore, Director of the Security Bureau. If it’s not a bother, I’d like to speak with you.”

Both their gazes naturally turned toward the voice beyond the door.

Lucy let out a soft cough and stood up, realizing that in the flow of memories, she’d ended up asking a premature question.

“...Shall I get the door?”

Daniel nodded.

He’d been meaning to meet with Otto Whitmore soon anyway.

As Lucy opened the door, Otto appeared—dressed sharply in his navy-blue police uniform.

With the same leisurely smile he always wore, Otto removed his hat and greeted Daniel.

“It’s been a while. You look far more seasoned than the last time we met. Ah—and congratulations on your appointment as High Commissioner.”

Daniel rose and offered a polite nod in return.

“It’s a temporary post, but thank you. You also look younger than I remember, Director Whitmore. I can hardly believe you’re middle-aged.”

“Ah, come now. What good does it do to have someone much younger call me youthful? Though I must admit, it does feel nice to hear.”

As Otto let out a soft chuckle, Lucy, without a word, brought over a chair and placed it in front of Daniel’s desk.

Without sparing Lucy a glance, Otto approached Daniel directly and extended his hand.

“I’m not sure if you’ll believe me, but I always knew Colonel Daniel would accomplish something great. I wonder if you remember the conversation we had in the past?”

“Ah, I remember. You discreetly informed me that Duke Belvar was plotting something. I owe you a great debt. But before we get into that—would you care to have a seat?”

As Otto nodded and sat down, Daniel followed suit a moment later.

Facing each other, Otto smiled smoothly and spoke first.

“Hearing you speak of it as a ‘debt’ certainly makes this conversation easier. The Security Bureau intends to fully support Colonel Daniel Steiner from this point forward. After all, stabilizing the Capital is a direct order from Her Majesty the Empress.”

“I see. That’ll make things much easier. However, there’s one thing we should clarify before we go any further. What is the function of the Security Bureau?”

The question came out of nowhere. Otto didn’t understand what Daniel was getting at—but he answered without protest.

“If I had to name one, the Bureau’s representative function would be counterintelligence.”

“Counterintelligence, is it. Forgive my ignorance, but could you explain exactly what that means?”

Otto’s brow furrowed ever so slightly.

He couldn’t comprehend why Daniel was asking something he clearly already knew.

Yet unlike Otto’s confusion, Daniel’s face remained unreadably calm.

“Was my question too difficult?”

Swallowing dryly, Otto shook his head.

“Not at all. Hm... to put it simply, counterintelligence refers to activities that prevent the Empire’s classified information from leaking to outside forces.”

“Preventing classified leaks. In that case, apprehending collaborators who pass our military information to the Allied Nations would fall under the Security Bureau’s jurisdiction, wouldn’t it?”

The smile vanished from Otto’s lips.

He immediately sensed the atmosphere shift.

Otto glanced at Daniel, feeling a strange and growing sense of unease, and nodded slowly.

“...Yes, I suppose it would.”

Daniel noticed the tension rising in Otto’s expression and smiled faintly.

“Please don’t think my questions too strange. I’m simply confirming the facts. This might turn into a long conversation—would you like something to drink?”

“......”

“If you don’t have a particular preference, I’ll have coffee prepared. My adjutant makes a rather fine cup—you won’t be disappointed. Adjutant! Bring two cups of coffee!”

Lucy nodded silently and stepped out of the room.

The sharp sound of the door closing echoed cleanly—and as it did, Daniel rolled his shoulders once.

“Let’s continue while we wait for the coffee. Where were we? Ah, right—we were talking about how apprehending collaborators also falls under the Bureau’s duties.”

Daniel picked up a document and unfolded it.

It listed, in summary, the military information Duke Belvar had transmitted to the Allied Nations.

“To my knowledge, Duke Belvar is the ringleader of the collaborators. He passed military data to the Allied Nations in an attempt to deliberately annihilate the 7th Armored Division. If I’m understanding correctly, he should absolutely be on the Security Bureau’s wanted list.”

“Colonel Daniel...”

“Of course, if we assume the Bureau had no knowledge of Duke Belvar’s status as a collaborator, there may be some room for leniency. After all, it would be difficult to imagine that such a vast and organized criminal network existed within your own agency.”

Daniel closed the folder gently.

“But if you did know... then that’s another matter entirely.”

Daniel’s gaze locked onto the Security Director.

Though his lips were still smiling, his eyes—dark as the abyss—did not move in the slightest.

“If you knew and stayed silent, then you are, for all intents and purposes, no different from a collaborator yourself.”

Otto’s breathing began to quicken.

It felt as if an invisible hand were tightening around his throat.

Daniel continued to stare at him, then placed the document down on the desk.

It was as if to say: Depending on your answer, your name might just be added to this list.

“There shouldn’t be anyone like that.”

Daniel’s voice, thick and slow like a swamp, oozed out.

“Wouldn’t you agree?”

Daniel’s eyes narrowed sharply as they bore into Otto.

“Security Director Otto Whitmore.”