I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander

In the Allied Nations permanent member state Adria.
Count Calredra’s office.

“Hmm…”

Sitting at his desk, Calredra frowned as he read through the contents of the report.

Before Calredra, Deputy Director Beck of the Central Intelligence Agency maintained a tense, motionless stance.

For Beck could not predict how Calredra would react after reading the report.

The ticking of the wall-mounted clock sounded unusually loud in the stillness.

After meticulously examining the report, Calredra closed his eyes and spoke.

“Deputy Director. Is the content in this report entirely factual?”

His chilling tone sent a shiver down Beck’s spine.

Taking a deep breath, Beck replied in as level a tone as possible.

“It is a document whose facts have been verified. I believe there are no falsehoods.”

At Beck’s words, Calredra clenched his teeth and let out a disdainful snort.

The situation was not progressing favorably.

The report described the ‘changes in the Empire following Daniel Steiner’s all-out war speech.’

As expected, all of the Empire’s figures, including its military production, were showing positive increases.

While Calredra had anticipated this when he first heard about Daniel’s all-out war speech, witnessing the quantified data made his head spin.

‘I underestimated the man…’

When he had received news of Daniel’s perfect success in invading Nordia and subjugating the Foreign Minister of Eldresh Kingdom during negotiations, Calredra had dismissed it as the Empire merely gaining an exceptional staff officer.

However, seeing Daniel put an end to the underlying struggle for the Imperial succession and now succeed with this all-out war speech, Calredra felt a sense of dread.

‘…Daniel Steiner intends to control the Empire.’

From Calredra’s perspective, it seemed as though Daniel was laying the groundwork to seize the Empire and mold it to his liking.

The thought even evoked a sense of kinship.

For Daniel’s path and methods resembled Calredra’s own actions to gain control of Adria.

‘However…’

Unlike Calredra, Daniel was achieving soaring success solely through his own talents and efforts, without any financial backing or pedigree.

Such an accomplishment bordered on the impossible without a will and insight transcending human limits.

‘Dangerous.’

He could not overlook Daniel’s growing influence any further.

‘The moment he becomes the Empire’s singular preeminent figure…’

It was clear he would become a more formidable adversary than even the Emperor.

Having reached his conclusions, Calredra slowly opened his eyes.

“Deputy Director. From now on, elevate Daniel Steiner’s threat level by one rank among the core leadership personnel.”
“Elevating his rank among the core leadership personnel… Does this mean designating him a threat on par with heads of state?”
“Any objections?”

After a momentary hesitation, Beck spoke.

“While Daniel has accumulated numerous achievements and caused political ripples within the Empire with this all-out war speech, to excessively regard a mere colonel as a threat seems…”

Beck trailed off, falling silent.

For Calredra was regarding him with a chilling gaze.

It was an unspoken pressure, a warning against voicing objections.

Finally realizing he had overstepped, Beck quickly lowered his head.

“I shall convey your words to the Central Intelligence Agency and all government departments.”

With narrowed eyes fixed on Beck, Calredra opened his mouth in a restrained manner.

“…Also, relay this to Lucie, who has infiltrated as Daniel Steiner’s adjutant.”

Breaking out in a cold sweat, Beck cautiously raised his head.

“What is it, sir?”

Instead of answering directly, Calredra paused before resting his arms on the desk.

Raising his hands slowly, as if being caught in a web, Calredra clenched them into fists and spoke.

“The time has come to make a firm decision.”

Late evening.

Having left the General Staff Headquarters at the end of the workday, Daniel savored the refreshing breeze outside.

As he had remained cooped up in his office all day, avoiding human interaction, stepping outside filled him with an inexplicable sense of liberation.

“Refreshing.”

With a satisfied smile, Daniel’s words prompted Lucie, who had followed him, to exhale.

Her breath emerged as a faint chill, dissipating like a mirage before vanishing.

“…Rather than refreshing, isn’t it a bit cold?”
“You make a fair point. Winter must be approaching.”
“Winter…”

Rolling her crimson eyes, Lucie surveyed the trees around the General Staff Headquarters and could only nod in agreement.

Nearly all the fallen leaves had dropped, leaving the trees baring their bare, skeletal branches.

“As you say, winter is indeed coming.”

It felt like she had only become Daniel Steiner’s adjutant before spring passed.

Yet when she came to her senses, two seasons had already gone by together.

Just as she was pondering how quickly time seemed to pass, Daniel casually remarked.

“There are also desserts that can only be eaten in winter. Come to think of it, the Golden Rose Patisserie is selling Stollen as a Christmas limited item.”
“…Stollen?”

Curious about this dessert, Lucie blinked quietly.

Noticing her reaction, Daniel thought he should broaden Lucie’s dessert knowledge and elaborated.

“It’s a sweet, delicious bread coated in sugar. The sugar-covered appearance evokes the image of a snowy field, lending it a unique flavor in various ways…”

Speaking fluently, Daniel abruptly trailed off.

For Lucie’s eyes now held a glimmer of curiosity and anticipation upon hearing about the dessert.

After a brief contemplation, Daniel cleared his throat before continuing.

“If you have time during Christmas, we could go together. That is, if you’re interested.”
“If you recommend it, Colonel, I won’t refuse.”

Perplexed by Lucie’s indifferent response, Daniel thought:

‘She was staring intently, seemingly eager to try Stollen, yet…’

Her aloof demeanor made him want to tease her, but he refrained.

‘I did recently ruffle her feathers with that special promotion.’

Daniel had previously persuaded Chief of Operations Staff Cedric to conduct a special promotion review for Lucie, extolling her capabilities.

She had undoubtedly been displeased then, so provoking her further might risk accumulating an assassination quota.

Having exercised discretion, Daniel checked the time on his wristwatch before turning to Lucie.

“Speaking of which, it’s getting late. You should head home first.”
“…Aren’t you leaving as well, Colonel?”
“As you know, I’m a popular figure these days.”

Daniel gestured towards the General Staff Headquarters’ entrance.

Despite the late hour, a few individuals still lingered, holding pickets that read, “The War Hero Daniel Steiner!”

Daniel was merely being considerate, lest Lucie become entangled with them.

Understanding his intentions, Lucie hesitated before nodding.

“Understood. Then I shall see you again tomorrow.”

After bidding Daniel farewell, Lucie, carrying her briefcase, began walking away.

As she passed through the General Staff Headquarters’ entrance, the people did not approach her, merely glancing her way.

While not as famous as Daniel, her uniquely cold aura made them hesitate to approach her.

Thanks to this, Lucie left the General Staff Headquarters without incident and headed towards a nearby bakery.

She intended to purchase croissants or baguettes before returning to her quarters.

‘Or perhaps…’

She could try something new today.

Lost in such thoughts as she entered the street, Lucie noticed a jester soliciting passersby.

“Good ladies and gentlemen! At ten o’clock this evening, join us at the Baranpalt Theater to experience a new world! Do you seek inner reflection? Or perhaps a fantasy unlike anything you’ve witnessed before? We can show you wonders beyond your wildest imaginings!”

Adorned in jester makeup, the man distributed flyers with a smile, raising his voice.

Seeing a few interested individuals approach, Lucie shook her head.

She personally disliked such raucous solicitations.

As she prepared to ignore him and pass by, the jester approached Lucie and offered her a flyer.

“Hey there, pretty officer lady! Won’t you grace our theater’s audience with your presence? We offer a military discount, so you can attend at a bargain price!”
“Thank you for the offer, but I’ll pass. You see, I…”

Intending to refuse the jester’s proposal, Lucie unconsciously glanced down at the flyer and froze.

For in the upper right corner, she noticed a slightly protruding section.

‘Encrypted braille…’

This was one method the Allied Nations used to relay orders to spies infiltrating enemy nations.

“Aw, come on. You’ll definitely be satisfied if you attend.”

Lowering his voice, the jester moved the flyer closer.

After nodding, Lucie accepted the flyer, prompting the jester to chuckle and depart elsewhere.

Confirming the jester had drawn the surrounding attention, Lucie ran her fingers over the braille on the flyer.

Slowly, she read the Allied Nations’ orders.

‘Daniel Steiner’s threat level is being elevated to that of heads of state. Therefore, before he can inflict further harm upon the Allied Nations…’

Upon finishing the orders, Lucie’s eyes trembled unsteadily.

Swallowing hard in secret, Lucie used her trembling fingertips to reread the orders once more.

However, the contents did not change.

Standing frozen, Lucie broke her brief silence by reading the final line of the orders.

‘…Immediately eliminate Daniel Steiner.’

No matter how many times she reviewed it, the orders clearly stated as such.