chapter_0156

155 – The Devil Comes

155 – The Devil Comes

After the meeting concluded, the orders from the division commander spread rapidly as the unit commanders returned to their positions, proclaiming, “The division commander wants to retreat!”

Whether it was fortunate or not, the soldiers did not question Daniel Steiner’s command to prepare for the retreat.

In fact, they were almost cheering.

The soldiers were not fools; they had a vague understanding of the situation.

They knew that the intelligence department had deliberately transmitted false information, exposing the 7th Armored Division to the enemy’s ambush.

Looking back, it was thanks to Daniel Steiner, who had sensed the danger in advance and secured an escape route, that the 7th Armored Division was able to retreat with minimal casualties.

Moreover, unlike other commanders who merely issued orders and stayed back, Daniel fought alongside his soldiers, risking his life.

There were even heroic tales circulating that he had personally taken up a rifle and eliminated a sniper hundreds of meters away, making him an exceptionally ideal commander in the eyes of the soldiers.

With such a person commanding the retreat as the acting division commander, the soldiers willingly resolved to follow.

As preparations for the retreat progressed amid overwhelming support, a day passed, and morning arrived.

Daniel, dressed neatly in his military uniform and resting in his personal barracks, felt a twinge of panic.

This was because Lucy and Frien had come to visit him.

“I can understand Lucy being here as my adjutant, but why is Frien…?”

Unlike Lucy, who maintained her usual emotionless expression, Frien was on the verge of tears, as if she were meeting a long-lost family member, which only heightened Daniel’s discomfort.

In the midst of his confusion, Frien approached and took Daniel’s hand.

“Colonel Daniel. I heard you were okay, but I was worried just in case. You’re really unhurt, right?”

She was close enough.

Feeling burdened, Daniel nodded awkwardly.

“Yeah. By the way, Lieutenant Frien, I heard from the intelligence officer Pelf that you accomplished quite a lot on the battlefield. You did well, even in the midst of chaos.”

He had heard during the casualty report that thanks to Frien’s healing magic, at least twenty lives had been saved.

While she was not yet called the Empire’s saint, it was clear that her abilities were blossoming.

Perhaps pleased by Daniel’s praise, Frien smiled shyly and suddenly looked up at him.

“If I did accomplish something, can I receive a reward?”

It was a timid question.

However, it was also a reasonable one, given the Empire’s foundational principle of reward and punishment.

“Of course. What kind of reward do you want?”

“I would prefer a material reward.”

“I see. If we return safely to the Imperial City, I will inform His Majesty the Emperor of your achievements and ensure you receive an appropriate monetary reward.”

Thinking it was a model answer, Frien merely shook her head.

“That’s not the kind of material reward I want.”

“Then what do you want?”

“It might sound strange, but what I desire is affection from you, Colonel Daniel.”

“Affection?”

“Well, there are various ways to express affection, but the most certain method would be physical contact.”

Physical contact? Depending on how it was interpreted, that could be quite an embarrassing statement.

Aware of Lucy’s oddly displeased gaze, Daniel, after some hesitation, raised his hand and gently patted Frien’s head.

He thought that if he could satisfy Frien, who was influenced by nationalism and didn’t know what to ask for, with a light gesture, it would be a small price to pay.

“Is this enough?”

Wondering if this would truly satisfy her, he asked, and Frien smiled contentedly like a child in her mother’s arms.

“I’m so happy. Thanks to you, Colonel Daniel, I am much happier today than I was in the past. I will continue to achieve great things, and someday with you…”

A chill ran down Daniel’s spine, and he withdrew his hand.

“Let’s leave it at that.”

Frien looked puzzled, as if to say, “Huh? Is it already over?” but she did not raise any objections.

Thanks to that, Daniel felt a sense of relief and unconsciously turned to look at Lucy.

And he froze without realizing it.

Lucy’s gaze was as cold as a woman who had just caught her boyfriend cheating.

Daniel found himself in a difficult position, not understanding why she was acting like that.

“…”

After staring at Daniel for a while, Lucy hesitated for a moment before summoning her courage to speak.

“Commander. I also performed admirably on the battlefield, just like Lieutenant Frien. While healing our allies is important, I believe it is even more crucial to deal with the approaching enemy.”

Feeling dizzy from the unexpected competition for loyalty, Daniel wondered how to respond.

Just as he was at a loss for words, Frien narrowed her eyes and spoke.

“Lieutenant Lucy? Are you perhaps directing that at me?”

“Yes. I’m glad you understand.”

“How unfortunate. I never thought you, Lieutenant Lucy, would be such a narrow-minded person.”

“I’m not narrow-minded. It might be your narrow-minded way of thinking that’s the problem.”

“…Are you suggesting we have a verbal sparring match in front of Colonel Daniel?”

“You were the one who provoked first.”

Every time the two engaged in conversation, the air inside the barracks felt heavier.

Just as Daniel felt the urge to leave, footsteps were heard from outside the barracks.

As Lucy and Frien fell silent, aware of the footsteps, the entrance to the barracks opened, and the intelligence officer Pelf entered.

Pelf looked puzzled at the glaring Lucy and Frien but soon lost interest.

“Commander.”

Pelf lightly bowed his head in greeting and continued.

“The preparations for the retreat are complete. Now, if you give the order, we can retreat to the Imperial City.”

Has it already come to that time?

It was earlier than he had thought, but there was no benefit in delaying.

This was literally a fight for their lives.

He wasn’t sure how the situation would unfold, but the side that lost was guaranteed a gruesome death.

“Convey this to all troops.”

After taking a deep breath, Daniel looked at Pelf and said.

“From now on, the 7th Armored Division will…”

With his resolve firm, Daniel clenched his trembling hands.

“…march to eliminate the traitors lurking in the Imperial City!”

–

Imperial City, Grand Conference Hall of the Imperial Palace.

“Having succeeded in taking the Imperial City, I believe it is now time to reach an agreement on the distribution of power. As you know, our family has taken many risks for this revolution.”

“Who do you think has taken risks? We all have taken risks in our own ways. Isn’t that right, Your Grace the Duke?”

“Hey! Baron Ventarto! Did you just say ‘we all’? You, who have been hiding in a safe place and only providing anonymous funding, are being so brazen!”

In the grand conference hall where the Emperor and high-ranking officials of the Empire gathered to discuss state affairs, the prominent nobles were engaged in heated debate.

Belvar, seated in the place where the Emperor should be, felt a sense of disdain as he looked at the nobles arguing for their own interests.

‘I clearly called them here to discuss future matters, yet…’

The nobles were already acting as if they had succeeded in the revolution, eager to grab as much of the pie as possible.

“So, what do the Emperor’s faction intend to do? If you purge them all, the administration will be paralyzed. But if you employ them, I worry they might harbor other intentions, which gives me a headache.”

“Why are you worrying so much? Just fill the administrative positions with our people, and that’s it, isn’t it?”

“Don’t be foolish! The administrative system won’t function just by swapping people in! If they lack knowledge and expertise, the continuity of administration will be broken!”

After just an hour of discussion, a meaningful topic arose.

Just as Belvar was about to discuss that issue, someone called out.

“Your Grace!”

From beyond the open door of the conference hall, the deputy director of the intelligence department, Pelliston, rushed in.

Pelliston, who had hurriedly arrived, knelt before the conference table.

Seeing Pelliston’s pale complexion as he gasped for breath, Belvar tilted his head in confusion.

“…Deputy Director? Did I not say to call you after the meeting? What brings you to the conference hall?”

“I came because I have urgent news to report.”

“I see. Then I will step out for a moment, so you two can talk—”

“Stay seated! Everyone here needs to hear this!”

At Pelliston’s shout, the nobles, who had been quietly conversing, fell silent.

Just as they sensed something was amiss, Pelliston bowed his head.

“According to the report, the 7th Armored Division is…”

Pelliston continued, his face reflecting disbelief.

“The 7th Armored Division has deviated from the front lines and is making a large-scale movement. Judging by the direction, it appears they are heading towards the Imperial City.”

Belvar inhaled sharply, and the nobles froze in shock.

As Pelliston delivered the shocking news, he slowly raised his head.

“They are coming. He is…”

After a brief pause, Pelliston shouted with a face filled with terror.

“Daniel Steiner is leading the division and marching towards the Imperial City!”