chapter_0145

144 – Let’s Not Curse

144 – Let’s Not Curse

Daniel was not the type to bask in a reputation born of misunderstanding.

Rather, he belonged to the category of people who were extremely reluctant to see their fame grow beyond its current state.

Thus, Daniel desperately explained in the hotel lobby that the incident was not caused by him.

When the awestruck police asked him a few questions to write up a report, Daniel vehemently denied it.

“I told you it wasn’t me! I didn’t do it!”

However, Daniel’s claims were not accepted.

Circumstantially, it was clear to anyone that the incident had indeed been caused by Daniel Steiner.

Later, when it was revealed that the thirty corpses were Allied Nations spies, the city’s mayor personally came to thank Daniel.

Even then, Daniel held back his anger and explained to the mayor.

“Mayor, if I truly did this, why would I deny it? I may be a Neural Acceleration Ability User, but I don’t possess the strength to defeat thirty people. Please, at least you must understand that I didn’t do it.”

Daniel hoped the mayor would take the lead in clearing up this misunderstanding, but what he received in return was a plaque of gratitude.

The plaque even bore the grand title of “Savior of Erestiom.”

On the verge of losing his mind, Daniel resolved to reveal the whole truth at the speech venue prepared by the mayor.

“Citizens! You are mistaken about me! I am not an exceptional soldier capable of defeating thirty Allied Nations spies!”

In front of the gathered citizens of Erestiom, Daniel desperately proclaimed that he was not responsible, and the next day, the local newspaper featured an article titled “Humble War Hero Daniel Steiner” on its front page.

The article mainly praised Colonel Daniel Steiner for his remarkable achievements while remaining unassuming.

In the end, Daniel decided to give up on clearing the misunderstanding.

As time passed, on the day he was leaving the city.

“Colonel Daniel Steiner! On behalf of the city, I thank you once again!”

“What on earth did I do…?”

“Hahaha! I hope our citizens can learn humility from you, Colonel!”

“No, really, what did I do…?”

“I understand! You seem uncomfortable, so I’ll stop.”

After shaking hands with the mayor, Daniel boarded the train amidst the cheers of countless citizens.

A little while later, inside the train compartment, Daniel turned his head away from the view of Erestiom receding through the window.

Thanks to Frien briefly stepping away, Lucy was sitting alone across from Daniel.

When their eyes met, Lucy blinked innocently.

“Colonel? Do you have something to say?”

That pure reaction somehow felt irritating to Daniel.

He vaguely knew that it was Lucy who had slaughtered the thirty spies.

‘But why?’

He couldn’t understand why Lucy had killed the Allied Nations spies, who were on the same side.

Thinking it was too dangerous to ask directly, Daniel made small talk.

“Do you generally trust what I say?”

“I tend to trust you.”

“Then do you believe that I am not the perpetrator of the massacre in the hotel lobby?”

“If you claim so, I will believe it.”

“Good. But what were you doing at that time?”

Her red eyes slowly closed and then opened again.

“As I mentioned, I was using the hotel lounge.”

“That has nothing to do with the hotel lobby incident?”

“I could say that.”

Lucy’s attempts to evade the question only made her more irritating.

Daniel tapped the table and said.

“I don’t know who it was, but thanks to them, I’ve been branded with a false reputation. Since it was published in the local newspaper, it’s only a matter of time before it reaches the Imperial City, right?”

“I think it’s more of a reputation than a false one.”

“…You’re not going to say a single word, are you?”

“I’m just stating the facts.”

Look at that nonchalant face.

How could she shift the blame for her actions onto someone else without feeling the slightest guilt!

Daniel was astonished, but he couldn’t deny that he understood Lucy’s attitude.

‘The spies from the Allied Nations must have aimed to kill me.’

At that time in the hotel, the only person who could be targeted by the Allied Nations spies was objectively Daniel Steiner.

‘For reasons I don’t quite understand, Lucy must have stopped them.’

Thinking this way, Daniel began to see Lucy in a slightly different light.

As he gazed at Lucy, he quietly spoke.

“I want to say thank you.”

For the first time, a flicker of emotion appeared in Lucy’s usually expressionless red eyes.

Daniel smiled faintly as he looked at Lucy, who remained silent without giving a response.

“I don’t know who it was, but I feel I should express my gratitude.”

As Lucy hesitated to respond, the train entered a railway tunnel.

The warm sunlight disappeared, and the compartment was cast into shadow, with the occasional yellow light of the incandescent bulbs flickering by.

“…”

“…”

Even in the shadows, Lucy’s red eyes glimmered with light, making them very visible.

Or perhaps that blood-colored iris could only shine in the darkness.

However, Daniel did not want Lucy to live in the shadows.

He wanted her to be a little more honest with herself and reveal her true feelings to others.

As he thought this, Daniel couldn’t help but feel self-deprecating.

‘How pathetic. To have such thoughts about a spy from the enemy nation…’

Perhaps he unconsciously felt sympathy for Lucy, knowing she was a test subject.

Or maybe it was because of the bond they had formed over the year they spent together.

Clunk—

The noise of the train wheels passing over the rail joints stubbornly echoed.

As if that sound broke his reverie, Lucy lowered her gaze.

With her ears flushed, Lucy spoke after a brief silence.

“If the person who helped you, Colonel Daniel, hears that…”

As Lucy trailed off, the train emerged from the tunnel.

As sunlight poured in, the greenery and fields spread out idyllically.

With that scenery as a backdrop, Lucy raised her gaze to look at Daniel.

“Surely…”

After a moment of hesitation, Lucy soon broke into a genuine smile.

“I think they would be happy.”

The light had vanished from Lucy’s eyes as the shadows disappeared.

Yet the smile blooming in place of the light was more beautiful than ever.

–

Eastern Front, 7th Armored Division Field Headquarters.

“Sir! We have received reports that an enemy armored division has joined forces with an infantry brigade. Additionally, according to information obtained through communications interception by the Intelligence Agency, the enemy is expected to advance here soon!”

Division Commander Mordone, who was receiving situation reports from his staff in the command tent, frowned.

‘This is not good. Really…’

He was not sure if they could withstand the enemy armored division joining forces with the infantry brigade.

Moreover, the chief of staff, who had been leading the military alongside him, had succumbed to illness and was now bedridden.

In this time-sensitive situation, he had no idea how to respond.

With his brow furrowed, Mordone nervously fiddled with his command baton.

“When is the new chief of staff, who was supposed to arrive from the headquarters, coming? Shouldn’t he have arrived here two days ago?”

In response to Mordone’s outburst, the intelligence officer answered.

“…According to reports, he was delayed due to being caught in a landslide while traveling by train.”

Mordone was already aware of that.

Even so, his irritation stemmed from an unconscious desire to keep Daniel Steiner, who was being hailed as a war hero, in check.

“Pathetic. Is it because he’s just an orphan?”

Mordone was a division commander from a noble family.

Thus, he was displeased that Daniel Steiner, an orphan, had risen to the rank of colonel at such a young age and was even serving as the chief of staff on the front lines.

It went beyond mere displeasure; it was oddly unsettling.

Although Mordone was not particularly well-informed about news from the Imperial City, he was aware of the major incidents that had occurred.

Those major incidents naturally included the deeds of Daniel Steiner.

‘How arrogantly he has distanced himself from the nobility.’

To Mordone, Daniel Steiner was the epitome of someone who did not know his place.

Mordone, who was openly clicking his tongue, opened his mouth with the intention of finding fault with Daniel.

“Lucky him. While we are suffering in the field, he must be enjoying himself in the city, using the landslide as an excuse.”

However, no one agreed with Mordone’s words.

Just as he sensed that the atmosphere was unusually different from usual, the intelligence officer spoke up.

“Sir, according to recent news, Colonel Daniel Steiner has been embroiled in an assassination attempt by Allied Nations spies in Erestiom.”

This was news to Mordone, who cleared his throat in surprise.

“An assassination? He can’t be dead, can he?”

Despite his displeasure, Mordone did not want Daniel Steiner to die.

They needed at least one more competent staff officer in this place.

“That is…”

The intelligence officer paused for a moment before continuing.

“He reportedly killed all thirty Allied Nations spies.”

The staff, including Mordone, gasped in shock, blinking in disbelief.

It was astonishing that not just one or two, but thirty spies had carried out an assassination operation, and it was even more shocking that Daniel Steiner had handled them all.

However, Mordone, deciding it was not entirely impossible, tried to maintain his composure.

“It seems the escort company put in some effort. They must be capable talents…”

His words were meant to downplay Daniel’s achievements, but the intelligence officer shook his head.

“No, from what I understand, Daniel Steiner faced all thirty spies alone. According to the local inspector, the lobby floor was covered in blood from the thirty corpses, and Colonel Daniel Steiner was standing alone among them.”

The commotion that had been swirling in the command tent dissipated.

An unknown fear settled heavily over the atmosphere.

Among them, the intelligence officer, who had been watching Mordone’s reaction, slowly continued.

“Moreover, while facing thirty enemies, Colonel Daniel Steiner reportedly sustained no injuries. Additionally, investigations revealed that some spies, filled with extreme fear, lost their will to fight and committed suicide.”

Cold sweat trickled down Mordone’s face as he unconsciously raised a hand to stroke his neck.

“Wha…”

Mordone, whose eyes were trembling, swallowed hard before speaking.

“About what I said to insult Colonel Daniel Steiner today. I would appreciate it if you could keep it to yourselves.”

Because preserving his life took precedence over his pride.

Author’s Note:

Thank you for reading today!

With the weather getting much warmer, it really feels like spring has arrived!

Anyway, dear readers! I hope you had a fun and enjoyable weekend!

Then, I’ll see you again tomorrow!