chapter_0070

69 – Do You Think I’m the Only One Who Will Suffer?

69 – Do You Think I’m the Only One Who Will Suffer?

The next day.

As I arrived at the headquarters, I sat at my desk in my private office and unfolded the newspaper.

【Breaking News! His Majesty the Emperor Selects a Heir!】

【The Next Emperor is Her Highness Selvia… Regency to Begin Soon】

【The Closest Aide to the Princess is None Other Than Daniel Steiner?】

The last article unsettled me, but that was not what mattered at the moment.

As I turned a few pages, the article I had feared appeared.

【Edria, Permanent Member of the International Union, Launches Strong Criticism Against the Empire】

Below the headline was a black-and-white photo of a man with a familiar appearance holding a press conference.

His snake-like, pale eyes and gaunt figure.

It was Count Caledra, who held the real power in Edria.

He was also someone who would soon corner the Empire.

As I quietly gazed at Caledra in the photo, I began to read the article.

『…Count Caledra criticizes the Empire for effectively turning the Eldresia Kingdom into a puppet state. Throughout the press conference, Count Caledra condemned the Empire’s expansionist war tendencies and urged neighboring countries to rise against the Empire…』

After confirming the content, I folded the newspaper and let out a low sigh.

“Damn.”

As expected, Caledra was preaching the dangers of the Empire and urging neutral countries to join the fight.

It was only a matter of time before the Republic of Sochialis and the Federation of Veleka, both part of the great powers, joined the war.

From their perspective, they had to do everything possible to prevent the Empire from becoming the sole hegemonic power and exerting influence over the entire world.

In short, a world war was becoming imminent.

If a world war broke out, could the Empire truly defeat the Republic, the Federation, and the Allied Nations?

Even though the situation had improved slightly, the odds were still low.

If the Empire were to lose, the victorious nations would hold war crimes trials and execute the opposing military forces as they pleased.

“So I wanted to take off my uniform as much as possible…”

When I came to my senses, I had become a key member of the Empire’s leadership.

Moreover, this time I was entangled in the Empire’s internal politics, hearing whispers of being the princess’s closest aide, which was driving me crazy.

Thanks to that, the possibility of asylum had become as narrow as a needle’s eye.

No country would welcome a high-ranking officer who had been active militarily and politically on the Empire’s side with open arms.

Even if they were to grant asylum, the chances of ulterior motives were high.

“That doesn’t mean my position in the Imperial City is safe…”

Unfortunately, there were many figures within the Empire who viewed me unfavorably.

From the perspective of the military forces, nobles, and politicians already in power, I would feel like a sudden new force.

A new force that was rising rapidly and had neatly eliminated political rivals using personal troops? It was only natural for them to feel fear and wariness.

I still vividly remembered the glares I received from prominent figures in the Imperial Palace’s grand hall.

“Of course, I feel wronged…”

But how many would believe me just because I said I was wronged?

Just yesterday, even the Emperor had pressured me without hiding his suspicions.

I was anxious about how many more misunderstandings would torment me in the future.

Knock, knock—

The sound of knocking broke my train of thought.

Is it Lucy? I looked up and spoke as I turned to the door.

“Come in.”

As soon as I finished speaking, the door to my office opened.

It was indeed Lucy who entered.

She had said she would come to get some paperwork from the operations staff.

The problem was that a tall man was standing behind her like a backdrop.

Curious about who it was, I raised my gaze and, upon recognizing the man’s face, quickly stood up.

“Y-Your Excellency, the Deputy Chief of Staff!”

I saluted almost reflexively, and Lucy stepped aside.

Deputy Chief Cedric nodded in acknowledgment of my salute and entered the office.

With his four-eyed gaze, Cedric scanned the surroundings before looking at me.

“There’s nothing unnecessary in the office, so it’s tidy. The cleanliness is also satisfactory.”

“…Thank you. But what brings you here, Deputy Chief?”

“I came to check on your working environment and to deliver some good news.”

The mention of good news filled me with unease.

That unease quickly turned into certainty.

Cedric extended his hands, which had been clasped behind his back.

On Cedric’s hands rested a small box wrapped in the Empire’s flag.

It was a box I had become familiar with.

“The higher-ups have approved your special promotion. There were differing opinions, but after you apprehended the insurrectionists, no one raised any objections.”

It would be more accurate to say that they couldn’t raise objections rather than they didn’t.

It was clear that Selvia, who would become the next Emperor, had exerted some pressure.

Moreover, considering the achievements I had made in the north, I thought a promotion was only a matter of time, but I was taken aback by how quickly I was receiving this special promotion.

“Come here. I’ll pin the insignia on you.”

Resigned, I stepped forward to Cedric.

He then unfolded the flag and opened the box to take out the major’s badge.

With familiar movements, Cedric removed the captain’s badge that had been attached to my uniform and replaced it with the major’s badge.

As Cedric looked at me, now a major, he took a step back.

“Congratulations on your promotion, Major Daniel Steiner.”

It was a straightforward congratulatory remark without any embellishments.

Thinking it was very much like Cedric, I maintained a slight tension as I replied.

“Thank you. Though I am lacking, I will continue to dedicate myself to the Empire.”

“Lacking, you say?”

Cedric’s four-eyed gaze blinked once.

“You have not only stabilized the occupied territory of Nordia but also successfully negotiated with the Kingdom. Moreover, you have apprehended those plotting insurrection this time. What is lacking about that?”

Once again, Cedric’s four-eyed gaze blinked slowly.

“Major Daniel Steiner. On behalf of the Empire, I express my gratitude. I will also remember your words of dedication to the Empire.”

…I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had said something wrong.

Just as I was feeling an ominous premonition, Lucy, who had been standing by the entrance, spoke up.

“Congratulations on your promotion, Major Daniel.”

Her words of congratulations felt oddly mocking.

I, feeling somewhat displeased, looked at Cedric and said.

“Your Excellency, the Deputy Chief. The reason I just referred to myself as lacking is that some of the achievements I have made are largely due to my aide’s contributions.”

“My aide’s contributions?”

“Yes. I won’t deny that I issued the orders to stabilize Nordia. However, it was my aide who executed those orders promptly and established the administrative system.”

Cedric turned around with a somewhat surprised expression.

“Is that so?”

At Cedric’s question, Lucy looked flustered and quickly lowered her head.

“Your Excellency, Deputy Chief. I merely followed orders. I believe all the credit should go to my superior, Major Daniel.”

Lucy had come here as a spy to eliminate traitors within the Imperial City.

It would be safe to say she had no intention of staying long.

But what would happen if she suddenly got promoted in the eyes of the higher-ups?

It was only natural that she would face difficulties in leaving the Empire, even if not as much as I would.

Thus, she desperately denied having any credit.

Of course, I had no obligation to understand her situation.

“It is true. My aide is merely being humble. Therefore, I hope you will not only commend my achievements but also recognize my aide’s contributions.”

“Hmm.”

After a moment of thought, Cedric nodded.

“I trust you wouldn’t lie to me. After examining how much Lieutenant Lucy contributed to stabilizing Nordia, I will proceed with the special promotion review.”

I bowed deeply in gratitude.

As I lowered my head, Lucy also could no longer refute and began to sweat nervously.

Cedric, who was looking meaningfully at Lucy, shrugged his shoulders and turned to leave.

“Then I shall take my leave. Focus on your work.”

As Cedric stepped out of the office, Lucy turned to me as if in disbelief.

“Major… no, Major. I merely executed the orders given to me.”

It seemed she wanted me to retract what I had said to Cedric, but that was out of the question.

With a smile, I walked over to Lucy.

“Aide. Do you know how difficult it is to execute orders correctly? In that sense, it is not at all strange for you to receive a special promotion.”

A crack appeared in Lucy’s indifferent expression.

It was a subtle change, but I could feel her anger.

‘So what can you do?’

I was merely a kind superior looking out for my subordinate.

“I intend to boast about my aide’s achievements here and there. After all, it wouldn’t be easy to keep quiet when I have such a capable subordinate. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“…Major.”

“You don’t need to feel overwhelmed. This is something a superior should naturally do when they have a capable subordinate. I hope you continue to thrive, Lieutenant Lucy. No, I should be calling you Major soon.”

Saying this, I maintained my smile and patted Lucy’s shoulder.

“If possible, I hope we can rise to greater heights together.”

Lucy remained silent for a while, biting her lower lip as if lost in thought.

After a brief silence, she lowered her gaze and quietly parted her lips.

“…Thank you, Major.”

Though she looked as if she was not truly grateful.