chapter_0182

181 – It’s Natural to Get Angry When Accused

181 – It’s Natural to Get Angry When Accused

Morning had broken.

The dawn signified that it was time for Daniel to immerse himself in work.

Today, Daniel’s task was to go to the Imperial Palace’s grand conference hall and report directly to His Majesty the Emperor.

So, he was on his way to the palace in a military vehicle since early morning.

Sitting in the back seat and admiring the ever-changing scenery through the window, Daniel let out a low sigh.

“Now that I’m back in the Imperial City, there’s not a moment to rest. I feel busier than ever.”

As he voiced his complaints in his mind, he heard the sound of papers being flipped next to him.

It was Lucy, reviewing documents from a folder.

After examining the papers for a while, Lucy turned to Daniel and spoke.

“General of Security, how long do you plan to allocate for the newspaper and investigation period?”

It was a question that required no deep contemplation.

“I’ll wrap it up as quickly as possible. I’ve gathered all the information I need, so I plan to conclude the investigation within a week and formally indict them.”

“I understand. Do you have any thoughts on the format of the trial?”

“To uphold the authority of the royal family, it should be a public trial. We need to publicize the corruption of the nobility to consolidate power for His Majesty. I’m sure His Majesty would agree on this point.”

Nodding, Lucy took out a notepad from her pocket and jotted down Daniel’s words.

As Daniel’s aide, Lucy was often bombarded with various questions in the course of her duties, and it seemed she was taking notes to prepare for those inquiries.

If it weren’t necessary, Daniel, who was not fond of appearing in public, would have preferred Lucy to act on his behalf.

“I suppose she’s running around for me in various ways aside from this task.”

Thinking this made him feel a bit guilty.

As Lucy returned the notepad to her pocket and continued reviewing the documents, Daniel casually remarked.

“You’re impressive.”

Lucy flinched slightly at his words.

Daniel, playfully observing her, chuckled softly.

“It can’t be easy to assist me, getting caught up in various incidents, yet you remain here without any complaints.”

“…I’m just doing what I have to do.”

“That may be true. I hope you continue to stay by my side as my aide without harboring any other thoughts.”

It was as if he was asking her to overlook any assassination orders that might come from the Allied Nations.

On the other hand, Lucy felt Daniel’s words were an extension of the confession she had received earlier.

“I have never…”

Stammering, Lucy finally managed to voice her thoughts.

“I have never harbored any other thoughts.”

Her expression and voice were calm, but her ears were flushed red.

She seemed slightly more anxious than usual.

When Daniel looked at her in confusion, Lucy cleared her throat.

“More importantly, I have some news to share with you, Colonel Daniel.”

Lucy, suddenly changing the subject, appeared suspicious to Daniel, but he chose not to point it out.

“What news? What is it?”

“Bellanos has confirmed that the Imperial City has stabilized and has downgraded the Empire from a high-risk country. Currently, the Empire is classified as a country requiring caution, and diplomatic relations will soon be resumed.”

“Is that so? That’s good to hear.”

In the Empire’s situation, where hastening nuclear development was essential to end the war, resuming diplomacy with Bellanos was something to welcome with open arms.

“I need the war to end somehow so that I can live a pastoral life.”

Just as he was lost in thought, the military vehicle gradually came to a stop.

Once it was completely halted, a soldier got out of the driver’s seat and opened the back door for him.

“We have arrived, General of Security!”

Daniel thanked the soldier and exited the vehicle.

What greeted him was a massive main palace that looked like a combination of several mansions, along with the maids of the Inner Court waiting at the entrance.

The maids approached as soon as they confirmed Daniel had disembarked and greeted him respectfully.

“Welcome, Colonel Daniel Steiner. We will guide you to the grand conference hall.”

Feeling burdened by the warm reception, Daniel knew they were merely doing what Selvia had instructed, so it would be rude to refuse.

Nodding, Daniel followed the maids into the main palace and, after walking down a wide corridor, arrived at the open door of the grand conference hall.

He could see prominent figures seated at the conference tables, engaged in conversation.

It felt somewhat different from when they had stormed in to arrest Duke Belvar.

As Daniel unknowingly tensed up, the maid who had guided him bowed politely.

“You may enter now. His Majesty is expected to arrive a little late.”

“Ah, thank you for the guidance.”

“We are grateful for the opportunity to guide the hero of the Empire.”

The smiling maid stepped back.

Seeing this, Daniel moved toward the grand conference hall.

As he got closer, he could hear the Empire’s executives discussing among themselves.

“Colonel Daniel Steiner has ushered in a new order. Is there any need to criticize this?”

“I was also detained by them! How could I not know of their atrocities? But what value is there in an order built upon countless corpses?”

“Director of Intelligence. Those corpses belong to collaborators. Are you now defending the collaborators who instigated the rebellion?”

“That’s not what I mean! I’m simply saying that massacre should not become a means of politics! Everyone here seems unaware of the events that transpired at the Abandoned Station yesterday…”

Director of Intelligence Keltarak stopped mid-sentence as he noticed Daniel Steiner entering the grand conference hall.

The ministers and generals, following Keltarak’s gaze, all held their breath and straightened their postures.

Everyone gathered in the conference hall held higher ranks and statuses than Daniel Steiner, yet paradoxically, they were all wary of his presence.

The background of being the Emergency Security General and a war hero favored by the Emperor overshadowed the achievements of those present.

In wartime, achievements equated to power.

Thus, everyone maintained silence, careful not to offend Daniel Steiner.

Keltarak did not appreciate this situation.

It almost seemed as if Daniel Steiner was taking on the role of the Emperor himself.

As Keltarak glared, Daniel pulled out a chair and sat down, breaking the tension with a light-hearted tone.

“Hmm? What were you all discussing? It seemed like my name was being tossed around…”

However, no one answered.

As the awkward silence lingered, Daniel fidgeted with his fingers, prompting Keltarak to speak up.

“I heard correctly. We were discussing you, Colonel Daniel Steiner.”

Daniel turned his gaze from the others to Keltarak.

“I see. What were you discussing?”

“We originally intended to discuss this in your absence, but it seems it doesn’t matter now. Colonel Daniel Steiner, we have received information that you conducted a mass slaughter of the nobles listed alongside Duke Belvar at the Abandoned Station.”

Daniel blinked in surprise.

Then, shrugging his shoulders, he let out a low laugh.

“That’s the first I’ve heard of it. Mass slaughter of nobles? Me?”

Daniel’s laughter lingered.

Waving his hands as if dismissing a bad joke, Daniel wore a faint smile.

“I think you might be mistaken. I don’t even know where to begin with this joke, but should I take the part about the nobles being slaughtered as a lie?”

Thanks to Daniel’s nonchalant demeanor, Keltarak began to sweat.

The ministers and generals gathered in the conference hall were also watching Daniel with various expressions.

Keltarak, caught off guard by Daniel’s unexpected response, momentarily lost his words before regaining his composure.

“…This is no joke. A massacre actually occurred at the Abandoned Station. A very organized one at that. Who else could carry out such an act but you?”

Seeing Keltarak’s serious expression, Daniel stifled his laughter.

“So, you mean to say that I…”

Daniel raised his hand to point at himself.

“Am the perpetrator of the massacre?”

An unexplainable sense of intimidation filled the air, but Keltarak did not back down.

“Yes. The circumstances suggest that it can only be explained by you.”

“Do you have any evidence?”

At Daniel’s question, Keltarak found himself at a loss for words.

No evidence had been found at the crime scene.

“If you are slandering me without any evidence, you should prepare for the consequences.”

The atmosphere in the conference hall grew heavy.

“I have received a special order from His Majesty to eradicate the collaborators as the Emergency Security General. If we interpret the term ‘collaborators’ broadly, it falls under the category of rebellion. This category of rebellion also includes falsely accusing the innocent.”

Daniel paused for a moment.

He wanted Keltarak to understand his position.

After the ticking of the wall clock echoed several times, Daniel continued.

“Director of Intelligence.”

His cold voice pierced through Keltarak’s ears.

“You are aware that the position of Deputy Director of the Intelligence Agency is currently vacant.”

He was referring to the Deputy Director of the Intelligence Agency, Feliston, who had been captured and imprisoned for colluding with Duke Belvar.

“As someone who prioritizes the Empire’s security…”

Daniel lightly tapped the conference table with his fingers as he leaned back in his chair.

“I wouldn’t want to leave the position of Director of Intelligence vacant and cause chaos in the Empire.”

Keltarak’s eyes widened.

At Daniel’s threat, Keltarak swallowed hard and trembled.

Watching Keltarak, Daniel smiled to lighten the mood.

“Of course, I’m joking. You were merely making a bad joke at my expense, after all. The idea that I slaughtered nobles at the Abandoned Station is surely nonsense.”

Daniel chuckled softly, looking at Keltarak with a bemused expression.

It was as if he was treating this as his last chance, quietly moving his lips.

“Isn’t that right, Director of Intelligence?”

A word from the author (Author’s Note)

Thank you to Starry Bag for the 3-coin support! I’m glad you enjoyed it! I will do my best to keep it interesting for you in the future! Thank you!

I also appreciate all the readers who are following along!

Have a great day today, and always stay healthy and happy!

I’ll see you again tomorrow!