chapter_0025

24 – I’m Scared

24 – I’m Scared

Following the terror attack at the banquet hall, known as the “Ethelian Conversion Bomb Assassination Incident,” the imperial family successfully mobilized the Imperial Guard and soldiers from the Imperial City to either kill or capture the terrorists in the old town.

The terrorists who were not killed were handed over to the military police for interrogation, during which Cedric Vendel, the deputy chief of operations who was present for intelligence gathering, heard an intriguing story.

“It’s because of that bastard. We failed our mission because…”

The leader of the terrorists, Rakhal, who was being tortured in the military police’s underground facility, suddenly spoke up.

His eyes were glazed over, as if he didn’t even know what he was saying, but the important thing was that he was finally speaking after remaining silent during the torture.

Amidst the murmurs of the interrogators, Cedric opened his mouth.

“Interrogator. Give him some water.”

Bendel, who nodded in response, brought a cup of water and poured it into Rakhal’s mouth, who was tied to a chair.

Having gone days without water, Rakhal gasped and tried to drink as soon as the water touched his tongue.

“Stop.”

At Cedric’s command, Bendel withdrew the cup.

Rakhal cursed, but with his limbs bound to the chair, it was nothing more than meaningless resistance.

After observing the agitated Rakhal for a while, Cedric smiled and said,

“I’d like to hear more detailed information. For example, about who this ‘bastard’ is. Surely, you can spare a cup of water for that.”

Only then did Rakhal regain his composure and look straight ahead.

Upon recognizing the identity of the man who had spoken to him, Rakhal’s eyes widened.

【Deputy Chief of Operations at the Imperial General Staff / Brigadier Cedric Vendel】

A gaunt figure with eyes resembling those of a hawk.

He was a figure listed as a top assassination target by the kingdom’s intelligence agency.

Rakhal gritted his teeth and trembled, but a captured agent had no power to kill his opponent.

Abandoning his resistance and relaxing his body, Rakhal let out a low laugh.

“You must not have received any special orders, since you don’t know. You mean to say that everything went wrong just because of personal suspicion? How absurd…”

His laughter was almost self-deprecating.

“…Daniel Steiner. That bastard saw through our plans. That’s why we had no choice but to change our operation. The reason we decided to wait in the old town instead of storming the banquet hall is because of that.”

Daniel Steiner. Cedric was already familiar with the name.

After all, he was the one who had recently achieved remarkable feats and saved the princess.

But to think that Daniel was the first to sense the signs of a terrorist attack at the banquet hall.

Moreover, according to Rakhal, the leader of the terrorists, they had abandoned their original plan to avoid Daniel’s suspicion and initiated a plan that was disadvantageous to themselves.

‘Remarkable.’

Combat, logistics, operations, intelligence, counterintelligence.

Cedric had seen countless young people excel in one area.

War creates heroes. Therefore, it was only natural for someone to showcase their abilities in times of war.

But Daniel Steiner was undoubtedly the first to excel in every direction.

‘They say you can tell the value of an expensive gem just by looking at its raw form.’

It was still too early to make a judgment, but Cedric could not doubt Daniel’s abilities.

‘Perhaps…’

Daniel Steiner might be the vanguard who would lead the empire to victory.

–

After unintentionally saving the princess, I was dragged around for a week.

Even when I politely declined, I was almost forcibly summoned, leaving me with no choice.

So, I ended up taking photos with various politicians and dining with royalty.

Only after greeting so many people that I could hardly tell who was who was I able to return to headquarters.

I thought I could finally relax a bit, but…

“I’m looking for Lieutenant Daniel Steiner. Do you know where he is?”

This time, a group of Imperial Guard members in uniform stormed into the operations office.

Leading them was someone wearing the Golden Wing Insignia, the symbol of the chief guard.

It was a familiar face. He was the first person to come to rescue Selvia and me when we were in the waste collection site in the old town.

“Lieutenant Daniel is over there…”

I could see the staff in the operations office looking surprised and flustered.

Thinking I had caused unnecessary trouble, I stood up and said, “I am Daniel Steiner. What brings you here?”

“Oh! How delightful to see you, Lieutenant Daniel. I’m not sure if you know, but I am Colonel Hartmann, the chief of the Imperial Guard.”

“How could I not know the legend of the battlefield? I truly appreciate your help during the last incident.”

“Hahaha! No need for thanks. I should be the one thanking you! Thanks to you, Her Highness the Princess was able to preserve her health.”

His voice was as loud as his stature.

Thanks to that, Ernst, who was working in the chief of staff’s office, peeked out and was taken aback.

“Aren’t you Colonel Hartmann, the chief of the Imperial Guard? What brings you here?”

Although Hartmann held a lower rank, it was Ernst who seemed to be more cautious.

I understood. If the Imperial Guard suddenly barged into the operations office, anyone would break into a cold sweat.

“Oh, Colonel Ernst! I’m here to carry out His Majesty the Emperor’s orders.”

At the mention of the Emperor’s orders, the color drained from Ernst’s face.

The fact that the Imperial Guard had come to carry out the Emperor’s orders did not sound good.

“Could it be… that there is someone in our staff who has incurred the Emperor’s displeasure?”

Hartmann, who blinked in confusion, soon burst into hearty laughter.

“How could you say something so disheartening? That’s not the case at all! In fact, it’s quite the opposite. I have come on behalf of His Majesty the Emperor to award Lieutenant Daniel with the Order of National Security Merit.”

…The Order of National Security Merit? For me? I was taken aback, and Ernst, who had relaxed, nodded.

“I see. I thought it would come soon, but isn’t it a bit early?”

“The sooner, the better. The principle of reward and punishment is the foundation of the empire, isn’t it? Well, originally, His Majesty was supposed to present it personally, but as you know, he has been very busy preparing for the northern advance lately.”

“I understand. Then please proceed.”

Ernst gave me a thumbs-up as a gesture of congratulations and stepped back.

While I was still trying to comprehend what was happening, Hartmann pulled out a decree from his pocket.

It looked like a cylindrical scroll, and it was clearly made of high-quality material.

Hartmann skillfully untied the string and unfurled the decree.

“The master of the empire speaks: Lieutenant Daniel Steiner, listen!”

As Hartmann’s voice echoed, everyone in the operations office knelt on one knee as if they had agreed upon it. I did the same.

“By the counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency and the military police, it is reported that you detected the spy at the banquet hall early on and engaged in conversation, without dismissing your suspicions. As a result, they changed their operation, which is deemed to have averted disaster for the empire.”

Me? When did I do that?

“Furthermore, you are a loyal subject who risked your life to protect my daughter, Selvia von Amberg, who is as radiant as the empire itself. Therefore, I shall award you the second-class Order of National Security Merit, the National Virtue Medal.”

The mention of the National Virtue Medal sent chills down my spine.

To my knowledge, no officer of my rank had ever received the National Virtue Medal.

That meant I was the first, and it would draw attention.

Moreover, even among higher-ranking officers, those who had received the National Virtue Medal were few and far between.

This meant that the intelligence agents of the Allied Nations would likely reassess my value even higher.

Glancing at Lucy nearby, I saw her wearing an expressionless face.

I quickly turned my gaze away in fear.

“Raise your head and stand, Lieutenant Daniel Steiner.”

At Hartmann’s words, I stood up.

Then, one of the Imperial Guards approached with an elegant box.

As the guard opened the box, a medal, a badge, and a gold insignia appeared.

Hartmann picked up the tiny gold insignia and attached it to the left side of my uniform.

“By wearing this insignia during peacetime, you will let everyone know that you are a recipient of the National Virtue Medal wherever you go. It’s a great honor, so take pride in it.”

I felt no pride at all, but I nodded nonetheless.

Hartmann, who patted my shoulder, said casually, “By the way, have you ever considered joining the Imperial Guard? With your skills, I think you could quickly rise to the position of chief guard.”

The moment I joined the Imperial Guard, escaping the empire would be nearly impossible.

I didn’t want to join at all, so I forced an awkward smile.

“I do think the Imperial Guard is an honorable place, but I believe my place in this wartime empire is not with the Imperial Guard.”

After a moment of silence, Hartmann nodded as if he understood.

“Right. A capable young man like you would be better suited for the battlefield than the Imperial Guard.”

It felt like something had been miscommunicated. Just as I was about to correct him, Hartmann stepped back and smiled.

“Congratulations! National Virtue Medal recipient Lieutenant Daniel Steiner!”

As the informal award ceremony concluded, Ernst and the staff members stood up and applauded me.

Cheers erupted from all around, but I couldn’t feel any joy.

“…”

I was terrified because Lucy was silently watching me from the crowd of personnel in the human resources department.

Cold sweat trickled down my back.

‘It seems…’

I needed to escape the empire as soon as possible.