I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander

After revealing his identity, Daniel was escorted to the embassy under the diligent protection of the Mage Mobile Corps.

With his safety now secured, the unspoken pressure urged him to return to his original mission.

Akin to entering a prison, Daniel begrudgingly prepared for negotiations with the Prime Minister of Velanos upon arriving at the embassy.

For three days, with the assistance of the Deputy Ambassador and the Foreign Ministry, he worked on drafting a proposal to present to the Velanese side.

Knock, knock–

The knocking sound echoed in the silent office, halting the rustling of paper.

Raising his head, Daniel glanced around.

“…Deputy Ambassador, forgive me for my lapse in memory, but were we expecting a visitor at this hour?”

Removing his glasses, the flustered Deputy Ambassador shook his head.

“Not that I’m aware of.”
“Then who could it be…”

As Daniel pondered the identity of the visitor, another knock resounded.

“Lieutenant Colonel Daniel? It’s me!”

Recognizing the voice as Major Hartman, the head of the Royal Guard security detail, Daniel felt reassured.

“You may enter.”

Granted permission, Hartman opened the door and entered the office.

In his hand was a scroll with a reddish hue.

Upon seeing it, Daniel broke out in a cold sweat and rose from his seat.

‘An imperial decree…!’

It was a scroll containing the Emperor’s commands.

He had previously seen one when receiving a medal through Hartman, so he was certain.

As Daniel stood up, the diplomats and Deputy Ambassador within the embassy also rose to their feet.

“This is…”

Observing the scene, Hartman raised his hand and scratched his cheek.

“I didn’t intend to cause a commotion, but it seems I should have provided advance notice.”
“Not at all. There is no need to consider the convenience of a mere staff officer when it is His Majesty’s command.”

Outwardly, Daniel was the epitome of a model soldier.

Observing him intently, Hartman nodded his head.

“Then let us proceed directly to the matter at hand. I shall convey His Majesty’s command.”

Daniel nodded and knelt on one knee before Hartman.

The Deputy Ambassador and diplomats also knelt, showing their deference, as Hartman untied the golden thread binding the imperial decree.

Clearing his throat, Hartman unrolled the decree and spoke.

“Listen, Daniel Steiner! I have heard that after your vessel was sunk, you miraculously survived and regained consciousness on a beach in Velanos. If so, why did you not promptly report this fact to the esteemed Imperial Family?”

Something felt amiss.

As Daniel grew apprehensive, Hartman continued.

“You claim to have concealed your identity due to fear of enemies within Velanos, but it strikes me as a preposterous excuse. How could one who feared enemies operate covertly in Velanos and seize classified information? You are well aware of the contradiction in your actions.”

As expected, they were suspicious of him.

Sensing the situation’s gravity, Daniel let out a low groan.

“Thus, I initially intended to summon you back and charge you with a crime, but my daughter, who is currently serving as Regent, fervently dissuaded me, causing me to reconsider.”

Celvia? The unexpected turn of events raised Daniel’s hopes.

“Daniel Steiner. If the classified information you have obtained proves truly valuable, I expect you to achieve a favorable outcome in these diplomatic negotiations. In that case, based on the Empire’s fundamental principle of rewarding merit and punishing transgression, I shall bestow a reward upon you rather than punishment.”

In essence, it was a veiled threat – instead of making personal deals with the Prime Minister of Velanos based on the intelligence he had gathered, he should contribute to the Empire’s benefit.

Since Daniel had no intention of making personal deals, the condition was not particularly disadvantageous for him.

‘The problem is…’

If he failed to achieve a favorable outcome.

Recalling the Emperor’s temperament, he was displaying a persistently wary political attitude toward potential future rivals to himself or his daughter.

‘He undoubtedly sees me as a thorn in his side.’

Unintentionally, Daniel had accumulated accomplishments beyond what a mere officer should achieve.

The Emperor likely viewed him as a threat to Imperial authority.

Therefore, the moment he failed to produce results, the Emperor would undoubtedly use it as a pretext to repeatedly harass him.

‘I won’t simply endure it.’

There were limits to suspicion and insinuation.

‘Previously, he even suspected me of operating a covert organization that didn’t exist…’

Deeming it excessive, Daniel resolved that he must ensure the success of these diplomatic negotiations to avoid giving the Emperor an excuse to target him.

“…I understand your meaning.”

With many eyes upon him, Daniel deeply bowed his head.

“I shall ensure no dishonor befalls His Majesty.”

Satisfied with his response, Hartman closed the imperial decree.

“I shall convey those words to His Majesty. Give your utmost effort to your mission.”
“Yes. I shall strive to do so.”

Upon Daniel’s reply, Hartman turned and departed.

Watching him leave, Daniel slowly rose to his feet.

The Deputy Ambassador also stood, brushing the dust from his knees.

“His Majesty seems displeased. Still, it is fortunate he has shown leniency…”

As the Deputy Ambassador approached Daniel with a stammer, he halted mid-step.

Daniel’s gaze, fixed on Hartman’s retreating figure, was unsettling.

Prompted by Daniel’s silence, the Deputy Ambassador turned his attention back to him.

“Deputy Ambassador. We must make significant revisions to the proposal.”
“Pardon? The current version seems most appropriate… Should we lower our demands?”
“No. Raise them.”

The suggestion to increase their demands startled the Deputy Ambassador.

For he doubted the Velanese side would accept such terms.

After a momentary hesitation, the Deputy Ambassador spoke.

“Are you certain that is advisable?”
“It must be done. Everything is…”

Letting out a low sigh, Daniel narrowed his eyes sharply.

“I shall take responsibility.”

On the day of the negotiations, in the reception room of the Prime Minister’s residence.

‘The Prime Minister is before me.’

Standing before the reception room’s door, Daniel adjusted his tie, tense with anticipation.

His hand gripped the briefcase containing the documents with unnecessary force.

‘I have concluded my assessment of the Prime Minister.’

According to information from the Foreign Ministry, while lacking political acumen, the Prime Minister’s temperament was described as gentle and warm.

Particularly noteworthy was his affectionate demeanor towards children, which had earned him the trust of the people, suggesting he undoubtedly wished to be a good father to his daughter.

From this perspective, Daniel held a valuable card.

‘For I am aware of the Prime Minister’s hidden bastard child.’

However, he had no desire to exploit this as a means of intimidating the Prime Minister.

‘But…’

Currently, Daniel’s primary concern was not the Prime Minister but the Emperor of the Empire.

Failure to achieve favorable results in these negotiations would place Daniel in a precarious position.

If the negotiations faltered, the Emperor would undoubtedly use any excuse to tighten his leash on Daniel.

Thus, from Daniel’s standpoint, he had to ensure the success of these negotiations, no matter what.

To do so, he had to adopt a somewhat ruthless approach.

‘Forgive me, but this is the only way for me to survive.’

Having silently sought the Prime Minister’s pardon, Daniel took a deep breath and opened the door.

Inside, the Prime Minister of Velanos, Lowell, was seated on a sofa, sipping whiskey.

Beside Lowell, his suited attendants maintained an alert stance, their holsters containing firearms.

‘Arriving early and drinking whiskey at the negotiation venue…’

It seemed he was eager to project an air of leisure.

A tactic likely intended to gain the upper hand in the discussions, but to Daniel, it merely appeared as the bravado of a fearful man.

Nevertheless, Daniel approached without revealing his thoughts, prompting Lowell to set down his whiskey glass and rise from his seat.

“Ah, welcome. Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner. I’ve heard you’ve endured quite the ordeal.”
“It was utter chaos due to the terrorists.”

The two exchanged a handshake and smiles, though neither was genuinely smiling.

“Our failure to properly secure our territorial waters is evident. Allow me to apologize in advance. Regarding this matter, I intended to propose several terms favorable to the Empire…”
“That’s all well and good, but we would like to present our proposal first. It would facilitate aligning our perspectives.”
“Well, as you wish.”

Withdrawing his hand after the handshake, Daniel added.

“Ah, but before we commence the formal negotiations, would you permit me to share an experience to help relieve the tension?”
“What kind of story?”
“About a remarkably beautiful young lady I encountered while stranded.”

At the mention of a ‘young lady,’ a crack appeared in Lowell’s composure.

However, as if expected, he quickly regained his calm demeanor.

“It seems this will be a personal matter for us both. In that case, it would be best to dismiss the others, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Of course.”

Lowell nodded and gestured to his attendants.

In response, the attendants bowed to Lowell and exited the reception room in an orderly manner.

Confirming they were alone, Lowell exhaled a somewhat coarse breath and glared at Daniel.

“Listen here. I know what you’re thinking, but this is strictly a matter between the Empire and Velanos. Do not bring personal matters into these negotiations. Understood?”

Daniel did not respond, merely smiling.

His hollow silence unsettled Lowell.

Daniel was skillfully employing the notion that silence can sometimes be more powerful than words.

As the silence persisted, the increasingly flustered Lowell ultimately decided to concede.

“Alright, let’s do this. It seems best to discuss matters concerning my daughter separately, after the negotiations. That way, we can find common ground, don’t you agree?”

Daniel maintained his smile.

His initial nonchalance had indeed been a smokescreen.

Recognizing Lowell’s urgency, Daniel saw no need to hesitate.

“It seems you are under a misapprehension, Your Excellency. This is a matter concerning the child of a person responsible for an entire nation. International relations cannot be overlooked.”
“Daniel Steiner!”

Inadvertently raising his voice, Lowell spoke without concealing his agitation.

“Do you think being a war hero entitles you to behave as you please? You are merely a staff officer and a mere diplomatic envoy! And the one standing before you is the Prime Minister of Velanos! Do you understand the gravity of the situation and the impropriety of your insolence?”

While Lowell intended to intimidate Daniel, he had chosen the wrong target.

Daniel merely responded with a smile, as if hearing an amusing jest, before dismissively waving his hand.

“You seem to be under a misunderstanding. The role of a diplomatic envoy is not a position that can be diminished with the word ‘mere.’ A diplomatic envoy fundamentally represents the Empire in meeting with the leaders of other nations.”

Having contained his laughter, Daniel fixed Lowell with an intense gaze.

A dreadful silence passed between them.

Overwhelmed by Daniel’s presence, Lowell’s eyes wavered for a moment.

“Therefore, in this setting…”

After observing Lowell for a while, Daniel spoke sternly.

“I am the embodiment of the Empire.”