chapter_0186

185 – The Mysterious Businessman

185 – The Mysterious Businessman

A timid confession at the end of spring quietly echoes through the corridors of the Imperial Palace.

Though it was Lucy who mustered the courage to express her feelings, Daniel could only feel flustered.

“She wants me to hug her? Out of the blue?”

Having received such an incomprehensible request, his mind was in a whirl.

Unable to think clearly, he couldn’t respond readily.

In the silence that settled, Daniel considered various scenarios.

“Is she trying to put me in a difficult position? Is she seeking revenge for scolding her just now in front of the conference hall?”

While it wasn’t entirely impossible, he didn’t think Lucy was that petty.

“Is this a new assassination method? Pretending to hug me while breaking my spine…?”

That was absurd.

Even he found it ridiculous, letting out a low chuckle.

Even if Lucy harbored malicious intent, she wouldn’t act on it within the Imperial Palace.

“Then could this be part of a seduction tactic? Perhaps she hasn’t given up yet.”

If it were a seduction tactic, it would explain Lucy’s current demeanor.

However, it was too realistic to definitively conclude that it was a seduction tactic.

The vibrant red of her eyes trembled subtly, revealing her embarrassment.

It was an outpouring of emotion so natural that it was hard to believe it was an act.

“…Could it be that she likes me?”

Looking back, he realized he had spent over a year with Lucy.

Aside from the head of the monastery and the children, she was the person he had maintained the closest connection with.

He had faced life-threatening situations because of Lucy, and conversely, he had also been saved by her.

“There’s a possibility that Lucy has developed some human affection for me during that time.”

Of course, he didn’t think the likelihood was high.

“In the original story, Lucy was a heartless biological weapon. She rarely showed any expression and hardly spoke unless necessary.”

Lucy Emilia was someone who mechanically repeated the act of killing Imperial soldiers on the battlefield.

Throughout the gameplay, only screams, not laughter, could be heard around Lucy.

“For someone like her to feel human affection for me and follow me…”

He couldn’t help but think there was something off about that.

Still, it didn’t seem like there was any malice behind Lucy’s request at the moment.

Regardless of her intentions, Daniel, who had no reason to refuse, cautiously opened his mouth.

“Is that really all you want?”

Lucy flinched, her shoulders trembling.

Given the prolonged silence, he had expected a refusal, but that wasn’t the case.

As Lucy gently nodded, Daniel asked again.

“Lieutenant. As you know, I am currently the Emergency Security General overseeing the Central Security Agency of the Empire. I am asking you what it is that you want from me. Such opportunities are rare. So, wouldn’t it be wise to think it over once more before speaking?”

Lucy shook her head.

As if to say she needed nothing else.

“I am confident that I will not regret my choice.”

With her going that far, he couldn’t refuse.

Nodding, Daniel stepped forward and lightly embraced Lucy.

As their bodies pressed together, Lucy’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Ah.”

The fact that she was in Daniel’s arms made her heart race uncontrollably.

After a moment of being at a loss, Lucy cautiously placed her hands on Daniel and hugged him back.

Burying her face against his chest, she murmured.

“…This has happened before.”

With her trembling heart somewhat calmed, Lucy continued.

“I always end up being spoiled by you, Colonel.”

She didn’t know exactly what this feeling was.

However, one thing she was certain of.

“Just as Daniel has called me a precious person…”

Lucy also considered Daniel to be someone precious.

Feeling Daniel’s warmth, Lucy slowly closed her eyes.

Being in his embrace made her worries feel trivial.

If she had her way, she would want to stretch this moment out, but that couldn’t be.

If the palace staff or court officials were to see them like this, strange rumors would surely spread.

Not wanting to put Daniel in an even more awkward position, Lucy released the hug and stepped back.

“…I apologize. It seems I lost my composure for a moment.”

Regaining her voice, Lucy lightly bowed her head toward Daniel.

“I will be more careful in my conduct to prevent such incidents from happening again. I sincerely apologize for causing you concern due to what happened in the conference hall.”

Returning to her usual expressionless demeanor, Lucy lifted her head and spoke.

“Then I will go ahead and tell the driver to start the engine. I will prepare for your return, so you can finish your business and come out slowly.”

With that, Lucy walked past Daniel and headed down the corridor.

The sound of her heels echoed softly, and her ears were subtly flushed.

As Lucy passed by, a faint scent of lavender lingered in the air.

Watching Lucy’s retreating figure in a daze, Daniel thought.

“Perhaps there is more humanity left in her than I initially believed…”

–

Ten days later.

Central Security Agency, Office of the Emergency Security General.

“According to wartime special procedures, the trials of the nobles are currently underway. It has been reported that during the first trial, the death penalty has been sentenced to key nobles, including Duke Belvar. Now, only the individual trials of those with relatively lesser crimes remain.”

Daniel nodded at the report from his intelligence officer, Pelf.

“They’re proceeding faster than I expected.”

The trials were taking place simultaneously with the indictments.

The trials themselves were merely following formal procedures, and the court was practically acting on the Emperor’s orders.

“Regardless…”

The thought that they had neatly eliminated internal enemies brought him some peace.

With a sigh of relief, Daniel leaned back in his chair and asked.

“When is Duke Belvar’s execution scheduled?”

“Oh. He is set to be publicly executed in the square at noon three days from now.”

“Three days from now? Isn’t that the day the diplomatic envoy from Bellanos is arriving?”

“That’s correct. The Emperor likely wants to show Bellanos that the Empire has eradicated all the instigators of the war.”

“I see. It would be advantageous for negotiations to demonstrate that the Empire has stabilized internally.”

It was a reasonable thought, and as Daniel nodded, Pelf lowered his voice slightly.

“However, General, what do you plan to do about Duke Belvar’s family?”

“They must be punished for having a misguided father. Their assets will be confiscated, and their noble titles revoked. Additionally, the companies run by Duke Belvar’s family will become the property of the Emperor.”

“So they will become state-owned enterprises. After that, will they face execution? I’m not sure if I should say this, but it’s unfortunate. They must have lived lavishly until now, and now they are about to lose everything in an instant.”

Honestly, he wondered what crime they had committed, but it was unavoidable.

Punishing the families of the instigators would significantly reduce the chances of a new war breaking out.

Even so, he couldn’t allow them to end their lives easily, as he had made promises while receiving information from Duke Belvar.

“I won’t kill them. Instead, I will find a few empty houses in the outskirts of the Imperial City and have them live there. Compared to their previous lives, it will be dreadful, but they will still be able to live as humans.”

“What? Even if you made a promise, you don’t have to grant them that…”

Pelf felt an unspoken chill and fell silent.

‘No way.’

To seize the assets of a family that was once prosperous and strip them of their titles while forcing them to live with minimal means in the outskirts.

This could only mean one thing.

Daniel Steiner wanted to preserve the noble family he had brought down as a warning in the Imperial City.

‘People will think, looking at the Duke Belvar’s children living such a miserable life…’

That opposing Daniel Steiner could lead to such a fate.

‘Historically, it is said that those in power sometimes toy with the families of their political enemies…’

He might be a great person to his allies, but to his enemies, he was truly no different from a devil.

Daniel felt pity for Duke Belvar’s family, but Pelf had no way of knowing that.

Just as another misunderstanding about Daniel was about to pile up, a knock sounded at the door.

When Daniel raised his head and commanded to enter, Lucy opened the door and saluted.

“General.”

As Daniel returned her salute, Lucy spoke.

“I apologize for intruding during your busy schedule.”

“It’s fine. What is it?”

“A businessman has come to see you, General. He wishes to discuss a donation regarding the establishment of the Security Surveillance Bureau.”

A donation to the Security Surveillance Bureau? That sounded promising, and Daniel leaned forward.

“That’s not bad, but if he is associated with nobles or politicians, send him away. The Security Surveillance Bureau must maintain neutrality.”

“You need not worry about that. From what I have investigated, he is a clean individual.”

“Interesting. Do you know who the businessman is?”

“Strangely enough, he is a Black man involved in various businesses. He mentioned his name…”

Lucy paused for a moment before continuing.

“He said it was Hamtal.”