chapter_0053

52 – Daniel Who Wants to Rest and the Princess Who Holds Him Back

52 – Daniel Who Wants to Rest and the Princess Who Holds Him Back

As soon as the day broke, Daniel prepared to return to the Imperial City.

Although he had drunk quite a bit, it wasn’t enough to hinder him the next day, so there was no significant difference in his appearance.

If there was any difference, it was that his dark circles had become a bit more pronounced.

In any case, thanks to the consideration of Colonel Kalpren, the aide to the Legion Commander, Daniel’s direct command company was able to board well-maintained military vehicles.

Thus, after departing from the Legion Headquarters, Daniel was able to arrive at the Imperial City after about ten days of travel.

As soon as the military jeep carrying Daniel entered the Imperial City, the citizens erupted in cheers and scattered flower petals they had prepared themselves.

This was thanks to the news that Daniel had successfully concluded negotiations with the kingdom, which had already spread widely throughout the Imperial City.

Feeling somewhat uncomfortable with the attention, Daniel made an excuse of being tired and did not respond.

Of course, the citizens’ welcome did not diminish just because Daniel chose not to react.

At the entrance of the headquarters, citizens had gathered, waving signs adorned with various praises, making Daniel’s head spin.

However, once he entered the headquarters, which was a restricted area for civilians, he was relieved that the citizens could no longer follow him.

“Hey? Isn’t that the princess over there?”

That was before he heard Frien’s words.

Opening his eyes, which he had kept closed, and looking out the window, Daniel let out a low groan.

As Frien had said, Princess Selvia was standing at the front of the headquarters, accompanied by Colonel Hartmann, who was in charge of the Imperial Guard.

‘I can roughly guess why she’s here…’

But isn’t it a bit much for the princess to come out personally to greet him?

Just as Daniel was pondering this, the jeep leading the convoy slowly came to a stop.

As Daniel opened the door and stepped outside, Selvia turned her head from her conversation with Hartmann.

Selvia was wearing the imperial officer’s uniform, which was not only made of different material but was also a pure white color instead of black.

Moreover, where the rank insignia should have been, there was instead an eagle emblem symbolizing the royal family.

Including various ornate adornments, it was a uniform that only royalty could wear.

They say dignity comes from clothing.

As Selvia approached in her royal attire, both Frien and Lucy appeared to be tense.

Daniel was equally nervous, but the fatigue from the long journey slightly overshadowed his anxiety.

“Your Highness.”

As Daniel saluted, Selvia approached with an innocent smile.

“Why did you take so long to arrive? I’ve been waiting for you so long…”

Selvia suddenly coughed, realizing it was inappropriate to speak so casually in front of many people.

“Lieutenant Daniel? I’ve heard that you have achieved military merit on the battlefield. I assume you know that my father wishes to see you regarding this matter?”

“Yes, I am aware.”

“In that case, let’s make this quick. Since my father wishes to see you, let’s head to the Imperial Palace. It’s not far, so we can get there quickly.”

Now? Daniel, taken aback, spoke after a brief silence.

“Your Highness, do you mean right now?”

At Daniel’s question, Selvia let out a low sigh, looking apologetic.

“I know. I understand this isn’t the right time. But my father is currently in critical condition. He has only a few days a month when he is mentally clear. So, he wants to see you while he is still in his right mind.”

Daniel was aware that the Emperor’s illness had worsened.

‘But I didn’t expect it to be this severe…’

Thinking there was no other choice, Daniel nodded.

“Understood. I will follow Your Highness.”

“Thank you. And there’s something urgent I need to discuss with you… No, we can talk about it on the way. Follow me.”

Selvia began walking toward the limousine parked at one side of the headquarters.

There, a driver in a suit was waiting, bowing his head as he opened the back door.

It felt burdensome, but Daniel could not ignore the princess’s invitation.

Following Selvia, Daniel got into the limousine, and after the driver closed the back door, he took his seat in the front and gently pressed the accelerator.

As the limousine slowly moved away from the headquarters, Frien sighed and crossed her arms, watching it blankly.

“I thought we could celebrate your military achievement with a party, but you got whisked away by the princess as soon as we arrived at the headquarters.”

Lucy, who was next to Frien, simply stared at the back of the limousine without agreeing or disagreeing.

Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, she turned to Frien.

“Frien, do you think you were popular with the guys?”

“Well, not that I didn’t have any admirers. I’ve been confessed to a few times. But I never dated anyone.”

“Then what do you think was the reason for your popularity?”

“Hmm. Maybe I seemed delicate? I was quite timid during my time at the church. They might have wanted to protect me. Or…”

Frien shrugged her shoulders.

“Maybe they thought they could have a chance if they treated me well. Men are basically wolves, you know? They say that when a woman pretends to be drunk, men reveal their instincts, right?”

“…Why?”

“Huh? Are you even listening? A drunk woman is in a vulnerable state. For men, it’s the easiest time to reveal their instincts… Wait a minute.”

Why am I asking this? Frien furrowed one eyebrow, looking at Lucy with confusion.

“Lieutenant Lucy, you’re not planning to do something with Lieutenant Daniel, are you?”

At Frien’s question, Lucy flinched.

Did she just get caught in her mission?

After hesitating, Lucy turned her gaze away and muttered in a small voice.

“…No.”

Seeing that, Frien thought to herself.

‘This person really can’t lie to save her life.’

Frien judged that whatever past Lucy was hiding, she was definitely not a spy.

–

The news that the peace negotiations had been concluded by Daniel Steiner naturally reached Nordia.

Upon hearing the news, Hamtal, the leader of the Black Swan Secret Society, immediately convened a council, and the leaders of each branch attended without fail in response to the headquarters’ summons.

The candles on the candelabra adorning the table burned steadily.

In the solemn atmosphere, Hamtal confirmed that all the branch leaders had gathered and opened his mouth.

“Thank you for attending despite the sudden summons. You may have anticipated this to some extent, but I have called you here regarding the recent peace negotiations.”

The branch leaders expressed their agreement through silence.

“As you all know, with the success of the peace negotiations, Nordia has been completely freed from the kingdom’s oppression. The citizens are cheering, saying they no longer have to worry about the nobles.”

A satisfied smile appeared on Hamtal’s face.

“Is that all? Discrimination against people of color has disappeared, and taxes have been remarkably reduced. It is not an exaggeration to say that a city for the citizens has been born.”

“All of this…”

The man in the black robe, who had pulled his hood low, spoke, and Hamtal nodded.

“Yes. It is a miracle created by Daniel Steiner. We all owe him a debt of gratitude, do we not?”

After a moment’s hesitation, the branch leaders nodded in agreement.

It was not an incorrect statement.

“Daniel Steiner has granted us our wish. The desire that no one has been able to achieve in the past ten years has been fulfilled by Daniel Steiner, who is not a god.”

Hamtal, his smile fading, narrowed his eyes seriously.

“Therefore, I intend to repay the favor we received from Daniel Steiner from now on. What do you all think? Will you treat the favor we received as something to be taken for granted like complacent beasts?”

One by one, the branch leaders shook their heads.

Seeing this, Hamtal raised his voice.

“Then the Black Swan must now act as the shadow of Daniel Steiner. Preserving his life will undoubtedly benefit us and the world.”

Hamtal believed that Daniel Steiner was a prophet.

While others were afraid to speak out against the harmful practices that had been quietly accepted, Daniel Steiner stepped forward and eliminated them as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

But Hamtal knew.

That prophets have always faced persecution from the world.

There was no guarantee that Daniel Steiner would not face threats to his life.

Thus, Hamtal intended to use the power of the Black Swan Secret Society to ensure Daniel’s survival.

“Since it seems everyone agrees, let me explain. From now on, the Black Swan Secret Society will relocate each branch to the Imperial City. We will thoroughly investigate whether there are any forces attempting to slander Daniel Steiner.”

“And what will you do if such slanderous forces are discovered during this process?”

“I will suppress them by force if necessary.”

Although this command might seem extreme at first glance, the branch leaders merely nodded in understanding.

Some of them even smiled.

For the branch leaders, who had fought against the nobles’ private armies over the past ten years, using force was not an exceptional measure.

However, not everyone agreed with Hamtal’s words.

The man in the black robe, after deep contemplation, spoke.

“However, is it possible to move the branches to the Imperial City? We are, after all, subjects of the kingdom…”

The man stopped speaking mid-sentence.

A sudden realization had crossed his mind.

“…I see. Since the kingdom has ceded Nordia, we are now subjects of the Empire. If you wish to change your nationality, we will accommodate that.”

With the danger removed, there was no longer any reason to refuse Hamtal’s proposal.

Nodding once at the man, Hamtal looked around at the branch leaders.

“Now that the discussion is over, let’s proceed with the vote. Those in favor of the main agenda, raise your glasses.”

As soon as Hamtal finished speaking, the branch leaders raised their glasses filled with wine.

When the man in the black robe also raised his glass, the branch leaders collectively recited the purpose for which the Black Swan Secret Society was founded.

─ For the day when hatred and discrimination rampant in the world will be eradicated.

Seeing the unanimous agreement of the branch leaders, Hamtal also smiled and raised his glass.

“And also, for Daniel Steiner.”