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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: Deception Doesn't Work
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As I walked down the corridor after leaving the reception room, I silently cheered.
'Excellent!'
When Selvia summoned me, I'd worried what misfortune awaited me this time, but it was merely a groundless fear.
Because the proposal Selvia offered was closer to good fortune than ill.
'I was already feeling self-conscious about being in the capital, in many ways...'
Since I'd been given the opportunity to legally reside abroad, I couldn't help but be pleased.
Moreover, since Selvia, who was acting as regent, had stated she would positively review it, my appointment as the diplomatic ambassador to Bellanos was virtually confirmed.
'Indeed. There's always a way out.'
It was a moment when the adage, 'Even if the sky falls, there's a hole to rise through,' truly resonated with me.
'What's more...'
If I went to Bellanos as a diplomatic ambassador, I would undoubtedly receive excellent treatment.
As a neutral nation, they wouldn't want to create conflict with an empire possessing the world's top military power.
Therefore, being dispatched as the diplomatic ambassador to Bellanos was, from my perspective, a kind of vacation.
Simply escaping the threats lurking in the capital was cause for gratitude, but the thought of being able to reside abroad and be well-treated brought a spontaneous smile to my face.
Not bothering to hide my pleasant mood, I returned to my private office, opened the door, and then paused.
This was because Ernst, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, was waiting inside the office.
"...Deputy Chief? You haven't left?"
When I, surprised, asked, Ernst, who had his hands clasped behind his back, let out a cough.
"I was just curious what you discussed with Her Imperial Highness. Could you perhaps give me a little hint, just to me?"
Thanks to his sly request, I understood why Ernst had been waiting here.
Holding a deputy chief position in the General Staff Headquarters meant, in other words, that he was someone who had distinguished himself not only in practical work but also in politics.
Therefore, it was natural that he would want to gain an informational advantage regarding the news that 'Her Imperial Highness personally visited the General Staff Headquarters.'
Ernst was fundamentally a trustworthy person, so I didn't want to refuse him, but this wasn't something to blab about everywhere.
"I'm eager to tell you, but as it's not a finalized matter yet, I think it's best kept confidential."
"Confidential, huh... I see. But, would you mind signing something for me, if it's not too much trouble? My daughter's a big fan of yours, you see."
A signature? I was dumbfounded and remained silent, upon which Ernst extended the hand he'd held behind his back.
It was two sheets of paper and a fountain pen.
"I've bragged endlessly that Daniel Steiner is my subordinate, but if I can't even get a single signature, my reputation will be in tatters. Please help me out, think of it as saving a family man."
Could this really be his true objective?
I let out an involuntary chuckle and took the paper and fountain pen Ernst offered.
I figured there was no reason not to grant a request from a superior.
"...But why two sheets?"
Ernst, who had been needlessly glancing at Lucy, whispered just loud enough for me to hear.
"Actually, my wife's a fan of yours too. Yesterday, at dinner, she nagged me, saying if I have time to collect useless stamps, I should at least get Lieutenant Colonel Daniel's signature... That damn woman."
Ernst, letting out a deep sigh, spoke with a serious look in his eyes.
"You, never get married. The person who was no different from an angel when we were dating turned into a devil after marriage. Honestly, every day is a struggle. I only live because my children are pretty and cute; if it weren't for them, I might have just run away."
I felt a pang of pity for him.
"You truly go through a lot."
Daniel, echoing Ernst's words, signed both sheets of paper and returned them.
Ernst, having received the signatures, smiled contentedly, then, as if something suddenly occurred to him, raised a hand.
"Ah, look at me. There was a letter I was supposed to give you."
Ernst reached into his pocket, rummaged around, and pulled out a single envelope.
"It's a letter that came to the Operations Staff Office, and you're listed as the recipient. It's from the military academy, do you have any idea who it might be?"
"The military academy, you say..."
Could it be Frien?
Feeling an inexplicable sense of apprehension, I took the letter.
"I'll read it first."
I broke the seal on the envelope, pulled out the letter, and unfolded it, revealing sentences written in a neat hand.
『To my dearest Lieutenant Colonel Daniel,
My esteemed and admired Lieutenant Colonel Daniel.
I am truly sorry to make you read this letter amidst your busy schedule.
However, as I am on the verge of early graduation from the military academy, I judged it right to send you this letter as a report.
This is thanks to the Dean recognizing my excellent academic performance, as well as my achievements in the North.
Isn't that wonderful news?
Soon, under Lieutenant Colonel Daniel's command, we will be able to cull all the beasts of the Allied Nations and those who seek to ally with them.
Lieutenant Colonel Daniel, you must feel the same way, I presume.
After all, in your last total war speech, you unreservedly showed your true feelings about the beasts of the Allied Nations.
Lieutenant Colonel Daniel, you wouldn't know how many tears I shed, so moved was I after listening to your total war speech.
Thanks to it, my faith and loyalty to the Empire have grown even stronger.
Ah. I have much more I wish to convey, but it's almost lights out, so I must stop writing.
Stating that I would gladly sacrifice my life for Lieutenant Colonel Daniel, I will now conclude this letter.
Looking forward to the day we meet again, Frien Remiliat.』
Having finished reading the letter, I turned to Ernst, feeling a certain dread.
"...Deputy Chief. Surely Frien isn't being assigned to the General Staff Headquarters?"
Ernst nodded.
"Frien applied to a unit directly under the General Staff Headquarters, and both the Chief of Staff and the Deputy Chief of Staff are reviewing it favorably, so she will likely be assigned to the Headquarters."
This brought forth an involuntary sigh, but for today, I could bear it.
'Where there's good news, bad news is sure to follow.'
Considering the happiness I would enjoy by being dispatched as a diplomatic ambassador to Bellanos, the misfortune of Frien joining the General Staff Headquarters was sufficiently offset.
'So for now...'
Let's not dwell on future misfortunes and instead revel in the present happiness.
*
That evening, in the banquet hall of the Edria Royal Palace.
"Daniel Steiner is being dispatched as a diplomatic ambassador to Bellanos?"
Deputy Director Beck of the Central Intelligence Agency nodded in response to Count Khaledra's incredulous question.
"That's correct. According to intelligence, Princess Selvia, who is acting as regent, has ordered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to appoint Daniel Steiner as the diplomatic ambassador to Bellanos."
The banquet hall, filled with foreign dignitaries, buzzed with conversation and music, yet the area around Count Khaledra was quiet.
He had intentionally kept people at a distance to receive the report.
"Sending Daniel, a hero of the Empire and the one who delivered the successful total war speech, to a backwater position like diplomatic ambassador to Bellanos..."
As Khaledra fell into thought, Beck cautiously began to speak.
"From my perspective, it appears there's been a conflict with the Imperial family. They must have viewed the surge of public support for an individual like Daniel Steiner as a decline in imperial authority, wouldn't you agree?"
Historically, war heroes who accumulated too many merits often ended up becoming thorns in the Imperial family's side.
Beck had spoken, thinking Daniel was following a similar path, but to Khaledra, it was preposterous.
"Wrong. He's manipulated us into making the mistake of thinking 'Daniel Steiner has fallen out with the Imperial family.' His appointment as diplomatic ambassador to Bellanos was likely Daniel Steiner's own will."
While a normal war hero might be said to have fallen out with the Imperial family, Daniel Steiner is a genius strategist who has continuously pressured the Allied Nations with all sorts of outlandish methods.
Therefore, it was more reasonable to view this as another deception tactic to trick the Allied Nations.
"He's using a disgusting trick to divert our attention. Deputy Director. Have you found out how the Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to send Daniel Steiner to Bellanos?"
As Khaledra cast his gaze, Beck hastily picked up a document and examined it.
"Yes. He's said to be traveling by diplomatic mission vessel over two days. It's a short distance, and I understand they won't be providing an escort ship out of concern for diplomatic friction."
That was welcome news indeed.
"Good. Then contact the commander of the 12th District of the Bellanos Maritime Defense Force. Tell him the Allied Nations will send a submarine, and he should open their territorial waters at the time the Empire's diplomatic vessel departs."
Beck, upon hearing Khaledra's words, blinked blankly.
The commander of the 12th District of the Bellanos Maritime Defense Force was an individual the Allied Nations had cultivated as an ally over a long period.
Telling him to open their territorial waters was, in other words, tantamount to destroying the vessel Daniel Steiner was aboard using a submarine.
"...Your Excellency, Count. Even if the plan succeeds, we might have to cut ties with the asset we've planted in Bellanos. Is Daniel Steiner worth that much?"
Khaledra, casting a sidelong glance at Beck, replied instantly.
"He is."
For reasons unknown, Lucy was currently not obeying the Allied Nations' orders.
It meant that the man who should have been a corpse by now was walking around perfectly fine.
That meant he had somehow foiled Lucy's assassination attempt.
What would happen if such a Daniel returned to the Empire after completing his mission in Bellanos?
'He will undoubtedly become an opponent several times more formidable than he is now.'
Therefore, Daniel must be rooted out before he becomes even more dangerous than he is now.
Even if it means enduring any amount of damage.
'Daniel Steiner...'
It was almost laughable that he dared to try and deceive them.
Khaledra, gripping the head of his cane tightly, narrowed his eyes sharply.
'Your petty trickery will ultimately...'
Remember that it will lead you to your death.