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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: I'm Scared
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Immediately after the terrorist attack at the banquet hall, also known as the 'Etherium Conversion Bomb Assassination Incident,' the Imperial Family successfully mobilized the Imperial Guard and military forces from the capital to eliminate or capture the terrorists in the Old Town.
The terrorists who weren't killed were handed over to the Military Police Corps for interrogation. During this process, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations Cedric Bendel, who was observing for intelligence gathering purposes, heard something interesting.
"It's because of that bastard. The reason we failed our mission was..."
Rakhal, the leader of the terrorists, who was being tortured in the basement of the Military Police Corps, suddenly spoke.
His eyes were hazy and unfocused, suggesting he barely knew what he was saying, but the important thing was that he, who had endured torture in silence until now, had finally opened his mouth.
Amidst the murmuring of the interrogators, Cedric began to speak.
"Interrogator. Give him water."
Bendelin, who responded with a nod, took a cup of water, opened Rakhal's mouth, bound to the chair, and let the water flow in.
Rakhal, who hadn't had water for days, gasped and tried to drink as soon as the water touched his tongue.
"Stop."
In response to Cedric's command, Bendelin pulled the water cup back.
Rakhal cursed, but with his limbs bound to the chair, it was nothing more than futile resistance.
Cedric, who had watched the agitated Rakhal for a while, smiled and said,
"I'd like to hear some more detailed information. For example, about who that 'bastard' is. Then, a cup of water wouldn't be out of the question."
Only then did Rakhal regain his senses and look straight ahead.
Rakhal's eyes widened upon recognizing the identity of the man who had spoken to him.
[Imperial General Staff Headquarters, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations / Brigadier General Cedric Bendel]
A gaunt appearance, with eyes that were nearly sanpaku.
He was a major figure, listed as a top-priority assassination target by the Kingdom Intelligence Agency.
Rakhal gritted his teeth and his hands trembled, but an agent who had been defeated and captured had no power to kill their opponent.
Giving up resistance and letting the tension drain from his body, Rakhal let out a low laugh.
"So, you don't know, meaning it wasn't a separate order. The plan went awry just because of one man's suspicion? How absurd..."
His laughter was closer to self-mockery.
"...Daniel Steiner. That bastard saw through our plan. That's why we had no choice but to change our operation. That's why we waited in the Old Town instead of assaulting the banquet hall."
Daniel Steiner. Cedric was well aware of the name.
After all, he had recently achieved remarkable feats and was the very person who saved Her Imperial Highness, the Princess; it would have been impossible not to know him, even if he wanted to.
But to think Daniel Steiner was also the first to recognize the signs of the impending terrorist attack at the banquet hall.
Furthermore, according to Rakhal, the leader of the terrorists, they abandoned their original plan and initiated a disadvantageous one to avoid Daniel's suspicion.
'Remarkable.'
Combat, logistics, operations, intelligence, counter-intelligence.
He had seen countless young men excel in one area.
War creates heroes. So, it was natural for one to demonstrate their abilities during wartime.
However, Daniel Steiner was undoubtedly the first to excel in all directions.
'They say you can tell the value of a precious gem just by looking at its raw form.'
Though he would need to observe him a bit more, Daniel's abilities were beyond doubt.
'Perhaps...'
Daniel Steiner might just be the vanguard who would lead the Empire to victory.
*
After unintentionally saving the Imperial Princess, I was dragged around for a week.
Even if I politely declined, they'd practically summon me by force, so I had no choice.
So, I ended up taking photos with all sorts of politicians and dining with members of the Imperial Family.
Only after exchanging greetings with so many people that I couldn't even keep track of who was who, was I finally able to return to headquarters.
I thought I could finally relax a bit, but...
"We're looking for Captain Daniel Steiner. Do you know where he is?"
This time, a group of figures in Imperial Guard uniforms stormed into the Operations Staff Office.
Leading them was a man with the golden wing insignia on his shoulder, the symbol of the Chief Imperial Guard.
It was a familiar face. He was the first person to come and rescue Selvia and me when we were at the Old Town's waste collection point.
"C-Captain Daniel would be over there..."
I could see everyone in the staff office looking surprised and flustered.
Thinking I was causing a nuisance, I stood up and said,
"I am Daniel Steiner. What brings you here?"
"Oh." The veteran let out a playful exclamation of admiration and walked towards me.
"Pleasure to meet you, Captain Daniel. You might not know me, but I am Lieutenant Colonel Hartmann, serving as the Chief Imperial Guard."
"How could I not know a legend of the battlefield? I am truly grateful for your help the other day."
"Hahahaha! Gratitude? Nonsense. I should be the one thanking you! Thanks to you, Her Imperial Highness was able to preserve her noble person."
His voice was incredibly loud, matching his imposing physique.
Thanks to that, Ernst, who had been working in the Chief of Staff's office, poked his head out and was surprised.
"Chief Imperial Guard Hartmann, isn't it? What brings you here?"
Though Hartmann's rank was lower, it was Ernst who seemed to be treading carefully.
I understood. If the Imperial Guard suddenly stormed into the staff office, even I would feel uneasy and break into a cold sweat.
"Ah, Colonel Ernst! I've simply come to carry out His Imperial Majesty's orders."
At the mention of His Imperial Majesty's orders, the color drained from Ernst's face.
The Imperial Guard arriving to carry out the Emperor's orders didn't sound like good news.
"Surely... there isn't someone in our staff office who has incurred the Imperial Family's displeasure?"
Hartmann, who had blinked in confusion, soon burst into hearty laughter.
"What a disheartening thing to say! It's nothing of the sort. Quite the opposite, in fact. I've come on behalf of His Imperial Majesty to bestow an Order of National Merit upon Captain Daniel."
...An Order of National Merit? For me? As I stood dumbfounded, a relieved Ernst nodded.
"I see. I thought he would receive it soon, but is it rather quick?"
"The sooner, the better, wouldn't you agree? Rewarding good deeds and punishing bad ones is the Empire's fundamental ideology. Well, His Imperial Majesty should ideally bestow it himself, but as you know, Colonel, His Majesty is very busy these days with preparations for the northern advance."
"I understand. Please proceed then."
Ernst gave me a thumbs-up in congratulations, then stepped back.
While I was still trying to understand what was happening, Hartmann pulled out an imperial decree from within his coat.
It looked like a cylindrical scroll, and at a glance, it was made of high-quality material.
With practiced movements, Hartmann untied the ribbon and unrolled the decree.
"Hear ye, Captain Daniel Steiner, by the word of the Empire's Sovereign!"
As Hartmann's voice boomed through the room, everyone inside the staff office, as if on cue, knelt on one knee. I did the same.
"By the testimony of the Central Intelligence Agency and the Military Police Corps, it is heard that you, in the early stages, detected and conversed with the spy at the banquet hall, and did not relinquish your suspicions. Consequently, the enemy altered their operation, which is deemed to have preemptively averted disaster for the Empire."
Me? When did I do that?
"Furthermore, your act of risking your life to protect my daughter, Selvia von Amberg, who is like the Empire's radiant light, is an act of utmost loyalty and worthy of the highest praise. Therefore, I shall bestow upon you the Second Class Order of National Merit, the Gukseonjang."
The mention of being awarded the Gukseonjang sent a chill down my spine.
As far as I knew, no company-grade officer had ever been awarded the Gukseonjang.
This meant I was the first, and it would draw a lot of attention.
Moreover, even among field-grade officers, those who received the Gukseonjang could be counted on one hand.
That was equivalent to the Allied Nations' intelligence agents valuing my head even higher.
I subtly glanced at Lucy nearby, and she wore an impassive expression.
I was scared, so I looked away again.
"Raise your head and rise, Captain Daniel Steiner."
At Hartmann's words, I rose from my spot.
Then, one of the Imperial Guards approached, carrying a box made of luxurious material.
When the Imperial Guard opened the box, a medal, ribbon bar, and golden insignia were revealed.
Hartmann picked up the golden insignia, about the size of a fingernail, and attached it to the left breast of my uniform.
"If you wear this golden insignia in peacetime, it will let everyone around you know that you are a recipient of the Gukseonjang, wherever you go. It's a great honor, so be proud of it."
I wasn't proud at all, but I nodded for now.
Hartmann, who had patted my shoulder, then subtly said,
"By the way, you. Do you have any thoughts about joining the Imperial Guard? With your skills, I think you could quickly secure a Chief Guard position, you know."
The moment I joined the Imperial Guard, escaping the Empire would become nearly impossible.
I, who absolutely did not want to join, offered an awkward smile.
"I do believe the Imperial Guard is an honorable place, but I don't think the Imperial Guard is where I belong in a wartime Empire."
Hartmann, who had been silent for a moment, nodded as if understanding.
"Indeed. A capable young man like you would be better suited for the battlefield than the Imperial Guard."
It felt like my words had been misinterpreted. The moment I was about to correct him, Hartmann took a step back from me and chuckled.
"Congratulations! Gukseonjang Captain Daniel Steiner!"
As the informal award ceremony was announced to be over, Ernst and the other staff members rose from their seats and gave me a round of applause.
Cheers erupted from various places, but I couldn't feel happy at all.
"..."
Because Lucy, who was silently watching me from among the personnel department staff, filled me with profound dread.
A cold sweat trickled down.
'It seems...'
I felt like I had to escape the Empire as soon as possible.