I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander-Chapter 172

That much was clear—after all, no one would save someone multiple times and say, ‘If it’s for you, I’d give everything up,’ unless they liked them.

So when she summoned Daniel to the indoor garden today, she had a moment of shameful anticipation.

She wondered what she would do if he confessed his feelings, or made some bold physical gesture.

But Selvia’s anxious expectations had vanished the instant they came face to face.

Upon entering the garden and greeting her with his usual formal tone, Daniel had immediately spotted the Doberman and asked, “Would it {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} be alright if I spent a little time playing with it?”

She couldn’t exactly say no, so she’d agreed—and now it had already been ten minutes since Daniel started petting the dog.

“And he’s clearly enjoying it, too...”

This was the first time she’d seen Daniel, who was always so cold and composed, smile so happily.

Staring with a sulky expression as she looked back and forth between Daniel and the Doberman, Selvia thought without meaning to—

That the affection Daniel was showering on the dog should be directed at her.

Unaware that she was getting jealous of a Doberman, Selvia suddenly blushed and cleared her throat.

“...What a stupid thought.”

Even she was embarrassed by her own line of thinking.

As Selvia wrestled with emotions she couldn’t contain, Daniel turned his head.

“Your Majesty. If you happen to have any leftover snacks...”

Daniel trailed off mid-sentence.

Selvia had abruptly averted her gaze when their eyes met, fumbling awkwardly like someone who had just been caught indulging in indecent thoughts.

“...Your Majesty?”

Trying to hide her burning face, Selvia lifted her teacup and replied in a timid voice.

“There aren’t any snacks. I heard you’re not supposed to give them too often.”

“I see. But... are you alright? Your face seems a bit flushed—”

“More importantly!”

Selvia interrupted him with a soft shout, forcing herself to calm down before continuing.

“Has there been any progress in arresting the collaborators lurking in the capital?”

Changing the subject was the best way to cover up her embarrassment.

Though it was a sudden shift, Daniel found it perfectly reasonable that Selvia would be curious and nodded.

“Things are proceeding smoothly. Duke Belvar still refuses to talk, but there’s more than one way to break a stalemate. I fully intend to hunt down and judge the remaining noble remnants.”

“Your words are a relief to hear. Then, after that, what do you plan to do?”

The position of High Commissioner for Public Security that Daniel currently held was temporary.

Once the collaborators hiding in the capital were arrested, Daniel would return to his original status as a soldier, subject to the orders of his superiors.

Selvia, anticipating that moment, was subtly asking whether Daniel had a position he desired.

Knowing her intent, Daniel paused to think for a moment.

“Securing a key post in the capital would be the ideal path, but...”

If he did that, there was a high chance rumors would spread that Daniel Steiner stood above even the Empress.

Even if he controlled the press, without public support, the aftermath would surely be grim.

For now, the citizens of the capital were enamored with the name Daniel Steiner—but once he began wielding power as he pleased, some would inevitably start to think, “That guy’s a little off, isn’t he?”

If even a handful of them decided to join the resistance, it would spiral out of control.

So asking Selvia for a key post would be no different than a self-inflicted blunder.

Daniel decided it would be best to step back for now. Rising from his seat, he placed a hand over his heart.

“Your Majesty. Please withdraw your words. I am but a humble soldier. A soldier is the sword wielded by Her Majesty, and the shield that protects the people. A tool has no right to desire.”

The best-case scenario would be that, without Daniel’s intervention, the higher-ups themselves decided to assign him to a rear-line position.

That way, Daniel Steiner would be remembered not as someone who turned back his army to seize the Empire, but as a soldier who had no choice but to act to apprehend the collaborators.

In short, Daniel had made the choice that offered the greatest chance of survival.

But from Selvia’s perspective, it only made Daniel seem even more devoted to her.

“He’s asking me not to concentrate power in his hands... so that my own authority can be restored.”

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How could someone be this selfless?

Looking at Daniel with eyes full of affection, Selvia nodded.

She’d hesitated, but now she was certain—this man was someone she could trust.

“Colonel Daniel Steiner. I understand your intentions. I will convey your words to the General Staff accordingly. Also...”

After a brief pause, Selvia continued.

“I’ve come to believe that Colonel Daniel can be trusted even with top secret information.”

“Top secret? Don’t tell me...”

“That’s right. I didn’t call you here just to make small talk, Colonel.”

At the same time, the indoor garden of the Imperial Palace.

When Selvia gave a light clap, the door to the garden opened and an elderly man entered.

He had a somewhat haggard appearance, and Daniel recognized him.

It was Rembador, the Empire’s engineer who had been returned during the prisoner exchange with the Kingdom of Belmore.

They hadn’t spoken much at the time, but that distinct appearance had left an impression.

“Your Majesty the Empress. And Colonel Daniel.”

Approaching, Rembador respectfully bowed his head in greeting to both of them.

When Selvia and Daniel acknowledged him, Rembador gave a faint smile.

“For Her Majesty, who appointed me as an engineer, and for Colonel Daniel, who allowed me to once again set foot on Imperial soil... to see you both gathered here like this is deeply moving. To me, Your Majesty and Colonel Daniel are no different than parents—you’ve given me a new life.”

Being called a parent by someone who looked at least three times older was hardly pleasant.

But Selvia, on the other hand, smiled quietly to herself.

Being grouped with Daniel and called a parent—it wasn’t as bad as she expected.

Looking at Selvia, Rembador asked again, as if to confirm.

“Your Majesty, forgive my caution, but... are you certain I may share this top-secret matter with Colonel Daniel?”

“Of course. Colonel Daniel is not only someone we can trust—he is a person we absolutely need. There’s no reason for hesitation.”

“Understood. Then allow me to explain.”

Just as Daniel began to wonder what exactly this was about, Rembador cleared his throat.

“First of all... I should say that the project is still only in its early stages. Developing it to the point where it can be used on the battlefield will require several years of research. So for now, I ask only that you be aware that such a project exists.”

“What kind of project are you referring to?”

“A new weapon—one that can change the entire course of the battlefield. It’s something with destructive power far beyond any conventional bomb. To explain briefly...”

Rembador paused for a moment, choosing his words carefully, then spoke with a serious expression.

“You’re likely aware that, several years ago, the Empire experimentally confirmed uranium fission. We discovered that firing neutrons into uranium causes the atom to split into two, releasing tremendous energy. And this reaction... can even trigger a chain effect.”

Daniel’s eyes widened.

He realized what kind of weapon Rembador intended to create.

“In theory, once a mass exceeding the critical threshold is gathered... it causes a massive explosion.”

Rembador raised his hand and extended his index finger.

“The firepower is at least ten thousand times greater than a conventional bomb. The blast radius can reach up to ten kilometers. An entire division—or even a small city—could vanish in an instant.”

Slowly, Rembador lowered his hand.

“Colonel Daniel. This is not some foolish joke. There are still several technical hurdles remaining, but this is a weapon with real potential.”

He knew.

Because it was a weapon that had, historically, already been realized.

And if development succeeded, it would overturn the nature of war in an instant.

“If, in the near future, our scientists and engineers succeed in developing this weapon...”

In the silence that settled over the space, Rembador’s eyes narrowed sharply.

“...then the Empire will wield the power of the gods.”