chapter_0147

146 – Indeed, War Heroes Are Different

146 – Indeed, War Heroes Are Different

The next morning.

Eisenkrone Imperial Palace.

“I dare to ask of you, my Lord. Please guide your servant before you to lay down the burdens of this world and enter into eternal rest. Also, as a mere human and not as the Emperor of the Empire, accept this wretched soul into your embrace and forgive his sins.”

A priest quietly recites the prayer beside the Emperor’s bedroom.

In the solemn silence, the attendants bow their heads, and Selvia holds her father’s hand, stifling her sobs.

Watching this, Duke Belvar quietly narrows his eyes.

‘In the end, he couldn’t overcome his illness…’

The news that Emperor Berthem, who seemed destined to live forever, stood on the brink of death brings forth various emotions.

It was Emperor Berthem who inherited the power of his predecessors and introduced progressive policies, bringing a new breeze to the Empire.

The Empire seemed to be entering an era of peace and prosperity.

At least, that was the case before the war broke out.

With the discord with the Allied Nations leading to war, Berthem could no longer focus solely on domestic affairs and even went to the battlefield himself to encourage the soldiers and fight alongside them.

He did so even at the cost of reducing his own rest.

As a result, Berthem quickly fell ill.

The end of a political career that neglected his own health is now upon him.

The power that seemed eternal was flickering pitifully like a candle in the wind.

“…I know that you earnestly intercede for us, my Lord. Therefore, please consider the sufferings and wrong decisions he has endured with a generous heart. I earnestly pray that, under the blessings of the angels, you will guide him to heaven in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”

After finishing the prayer and making the sign of the cross, the priest steps back.

Confirming that the prayer has ended, Berthem turns his head and gazes at Selvia with eyes that struggle to open.

“My daughter. Come here…”

Even as Berthem exhales with labored breaths that seem ready to cease at any moment, he does not forget to offer various pieces of advice to his daughter Selvia.

To Belvar, it seemed like nothing more than useless advice.

‘…Berthem’s death will be the spark of revolution.’

Berthem was an Emperor respected both domestically and internationally.

He cared for his people without disregarding the nobility, knew how to fight for his soldiers, and led many battles to victory.

Belvar also thought of Berthem as a good Emperor.

‘But he made one mistake.’

That was allowing his children to fight amongst themselves over the right to the throne.

Believing he understood Berthem’s heart, he thought that a prince with high ambitions but no sense of reality would surely harm the nation.

Thus, he must have wanted to pass the throne to Selvia, who had administrative skills and a heart for the people.

Delaying the selection of a successor until Selvia achieved a decisive victory was evidence of that.

The problem was that this choice would turn the nobility against him.

‘A female Emperor? Do they think the nobility will follow quietly?’

Having a female Emperor not only contradicted the legitimacy of the royal family but also inevitably provoked the nobility’s backlash.

Noble families fundamentally pass all power and wealth to the eldest son.

The current nobility took that for granted and occupied the position of head of the family.

However, the Emperor, in the most noble position in the Empire, had passed power and wealth to his daughter instead of his son, which was nothing short of an insult to the entire noble family.

Dissatisfaction quickly became a driving force for unity, and the powerful nobles could band together under the pretext that the Emperor did not adhere to the legitimacy of the royal family.

Currently leading them, Belvar had made a resolution.

From the day Berthem passed away, he would restore the nobility’s status.

‘To do that…’

It was necessary to isolate and eliminate Daniel Steiner, who was currently serving as Selvia’s loyal dog.

But how? A few days ago, while he was deep in thought, a man had come to him.

The man, identifying himself as a spy from the Allied Nations, conveyed that Count Caledra wished to show him favor.

He said that if they joined forces, they could surely eliminate Daniel Steiner.

Though uncertain, Belvar couldn’t help but smile upon hearing Count Caledra’s plan.

‘He said he would conduct a siege using Etherium.’

No matter how much of a genius strategist Daniel Steiner was, he would never imagine such a strategy.

No, even if he did, he wouldn’t gamble on such a low probability.

‘Daniel Steiner will die on the Eastern Front. Even if he doesn’t die, if he suffers a great defeat on the battlefield, that can be used as a pretext to make him a mere puppet. After that…’

As Belvar slowly reviewed his plan in his mind, he was interrupted.

“Belvar. Come here…”

The weary voice of Berthem dispelled Belvar’s thoughts.

Straightening his clothes, Belvar approached Berthem, who lay on the bed, and knelt beside him.

“You called for me?”

“…Yes. You know well, Belvar, that the Empire is currently at a turning point. Therefore, I need your help. Please assist my daughter so that the state can stabilize.”

“Do not worry. I will certainly do so.”

“Good. I trust you…”

As Berthem spoke, he turned his head with great difficulty, and his words trailed off.

In Belvar’s eyes, there was no trace of sadness or pity.

The only emotion reflected in his gaze was pure ambition.

Seeing that, Berthem’s breath began to quicken.

“You…”

The rest of his words did not come.

Berthem had been so preoccupied with when Daniel Steiner would show his teeth that he had paid little attention to the nobility.

His deteriorating health, which prevented him from maintaining his mental faculties, played a significant role in that.

Thus, when Selvia ascended to the throne, he dismissed the nobility’s discord as a temporary phenomenon.

He thought it was one of the issues that an Emperor in the process of transferring power always faced.

But it was not so.

The discord among the nobility was part of a thorough plan.

Moreover, he had finally come to understand who their leader was.

“You…”

Berthem, biting his teeth, grabbed Belvar’s sleeve, but there was no strength in his grasp.

Belvar, looking down at the dying Berthem with pity, reached out.

“You need not worry.”

As Belvar held Berthem’s wrist, he slowly withdrew his hand.

“I will serve you well, Your Majesty.”

Seeing the smile blooming on Belvar’s lips, Berthem realized.

‘It was not Daniel Steiner who sought to swallow the Empire…’

But the old fox right before his eyes.

–

Daniel, who woke up early in the morning, carried out his duties as Chief of Staff in a normal manner.

He spent time receiving briefings on operational plans from the staff and predicting enemy movements based on the information gathered.

After spending the morning that way, he patrolled the defensive line in the afternoon with his hands behind his back.

When the Chief of Staff, who should have been at the command post, appeared in the trenches, the resting soldiers and junior officers were startled and stood up, but Daniel merely smiled and nodded.

Lucy, who had been following Daniel closely, tilted her head.

Today, Daniel’s expression seemed not just calm but happy.

“…Chief of Staff.”

At Lucy’s question, Daniel turned his gaze from encouraging the soldiers in the trench.

“What is it, Lieutenant?”

“Is there something good happening today?”

“Something good, you say.”

Daniel smiled and shrugged his shoulders.

“I don’t quite understand what you’re saying. Do you think you know?”

A soldier who had been standing stiffly in front of Daniel hurriedly replied.

“I don’t know! But if the Chief of Staff says he is in a good mood, I cautiously speculate that the operational situation is going well!”

Half of that was right, and half was wrong.

He was merely grateful to the division commander for issuing a search order based on vague assumptions.

‘Is there really a platoon that crossed the front line to set and activate Etherium coordinates? That’s unlikely. It’s uncertain whether that technology has even been developed.’

Thus, it could be said that the operation was exceedingly close to failure.

‘Given the division commander’s somewhat unpleasant personality, if the search operation fails, he will surely reprimand me severely. Very nice.’

If he could push back a bit and lead to disobedience, he would naturally be able to take off his uniform.

‘At the very least, he would judge that I am not suited to be a frontline commander and would have me operate from the rear.’

In any case, it was good news for Daniel.

“Chief of Staff!”

A familiar voice called from behind him.

Turning around, he saw Major Pelf, the intelligence officer.

Thinking that the division commander’s patience had already run out, Daniel spoke flatly.

“What is it?”

Having run all the way here, Pelf spoke after catching his breath.

“The division commander is calling for you. He wants you to return to the command post immediately.”

“I see. He must be very angry.”

Thinking that the inevitable had come, Daniel tried to suppress a smile and put on a troubled expression.

However, Pelf merely tilted his head in confusion.

“Excuse me? He is very pleased. He is even bringing out the whiskey he had hidden.”

“…Pleased?”

A wave of anxiety washed over Daniel, and his expression hardened.

Unaware of this, Pelf nodded with a bright smile.

“How could he not be pleased! As you said, we searched the forest and captured an enemy platoon transporting Etherium in a cave!”

Pelf’s voice was so loud that all the soldiers and junior officers in the trench turned to look.

They all gazed at Daniel with expressions of awe.

“Did the Chief of Staff accomplish something again?”

“I heard he was a war hero, but to achieve results right after taking office…”

“I believed in you! Chief of Staff!”

As one soldier shouted loudly, cheers began to spread from all around.

Amidst their cheers, Daniel, who quietly closed his eyes, thought.

‘This damn…’

It seemed he was never going to be discharged.