I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander

Meanwhile, in the permanent member state Edria of the International Union.
The study of Count Calledra.

“This way, please.”

Following the butler’s guidance, Sorten, the Interior Minister of Edria, proceeded slowly.

After navigating the maze-like complexity of the study, Sorten soon arrived at the reading room.

Upon entering, he received a rather peculiar impression.

Despite being the third floor of the study, only minimal daylight filtered in.

Surveying the dim reading room despite it being noon, Sorten soon noticed Count Calledra.

The count stood before a standing table, leaning on his cane as he turned the pages of a book.

His slender, snake-like pale eyes blinked sluggishly, emanating an inexplicable chill.

Calledra de Nortebver.

Better known by his moniker, the Blood Count, he was the undisputed power behind Edria.

With his vast wealth, he had been bribing high-ranking politicians and military leaders, ensuring those who had accepted his money remained under his influence.

The Interior Minister Sorten standing here was no exception.

Even his position as Interior Minister had been arranged by the very Count Calledra before him.

Without sparing Sorten a glance, Calledra spoke in a chilling tone.

“What brings you here?”

An involuntary tension gripped Sorten at Calledra’s icy voice.

Subconsciously grasping his necktie, Sorten took a deep breath before speaking.

“I have come to discuss Lucie Emilia.”

Though Sorten spoke, no response came.

However, Calledra’s silence did not stem from displeasure at his words.

He was merely waiting for Sorten to continue.

Perceiving this, Sorten awkwardly resumed.

“…What I mean to say is, I am concerned that Lucie Emilia has been stationed in enemy territory for too long. If she were to change allegiances, it would be a tremendous loss for the Union, would it not?”

Still, Calledra remained silent.

Swallowing hard, Sorten pressed on.

“I have heard Lucie Emilia is currently in the Kingdom’s Nordia, far from the secure Capital. Perhaps it would be wise to order her to eliminate Daniel Steiner and return.”
“…”
“Look here. From what I can tell, Daniel Steiner has been achieving remarkable feats on multiple fronts. He is currently only a major, but if he continues rising through the ranks and commands a large force, what then?”

His implication was that eliminating Daniel Steiner while still a sprout would benefit the Union.

Having heard Sorten’s argument, Calledra closed the book with an eerie motion.

Gently stroking the cover, Calledra opened his mouth.

“Lucie will not change allegiances. Surely you are aware of the special bond between her and myself. That child regards me as her father, just as I consider her my daughter.”
“But that is merely…”

Sorten could not complete his sentence.

Calledra’s snake-like eyes had fixed him with a piercing gaze.

Silencing Sorten, Calledra suppressed his anger and regained his composure.

“…Moreover, we will not eliminate Daniel Steiner. For now, keeping him alive serves the Union’s interests. Although there have been some setbacks.”

Daniel Steiner’s exploits had far exceeded Calledra’s expectations.

Particularly upon hearing of his outstanding performance during the Nordia invasion, Calledra and Edria’s military leadership had been struck with shock.

However, he had not strayed too far from the intended path.

Not yet, at least.

“Assassination is a last resort. For the time being, we should keep Lucie by his side to exploit any advantages.”
“…Advantages, you say?”
“Objectively speaking, Lucie possesses exceptional beauty. As long as Daniel Steiner remains unaware of her true identity, he cannot help but harbor romantic interest. We shall make use of that.”

Was he implying they would order her to seduce Daniel?

‘Come to think of it…’

Historically, even great leaders had endured their share of troubles due to womanly issues.

“No matter how rational a man may be, love is a form of madness that forces reliance on emotion. And those reliant on emotion become mere puppets, easily manipulated.”

If the hero Daniel Steiner could be emotionally controlled, he would no longer be a threat, but a useful long-term asset.

After contemplating this, Sorten nodded.

“I understand. Then I shall trust your judgement…”

Before Sorten could finish, Calledra waved his hand dismissively.

It meant Sorten should leave and cease disrupting his reading with needless words.

Though demeaning, Sorten dared not protest against Calledra.

With a nod, Sorten followed the butler out.

Confirming Sorten’s departure, Calledra gazed at the bookshelf and murmured quietly.

“Daniel Steiner…”

Recalling his accomplishments, Calledra soon shook his head.

At present, there were far too many other matters demanding his attention beyond Daniel Steiner.

“We will be arriving in Nordia soon.”

At the driver’s words, Colonel Erwin, appointed as the new garrison commander, let out a deep sigh.

Noticing this, Erwin’s aide inquired with puzzlement.

“Your Excellency. Are you feeling unwell?”

In response to his aide’s question, Erwin let out a low sigh.

“Let me ask you this. Can one’s heart be at ease when assigned as a garrison commander?”
“…But according to headquarters’ reports, the civil administration seems to have stabilized, does it not?”
“And who do you think provided those reports to headquarters?”
“Why, Major Daniel Steiner… Ah, I see.”

The aide nodded in understanding.

It was not uncommon for officers blinded by achievements to falsify statistics in their reports to headquarters.

But had Daniel Steiner truly submitted false reports?

As the aide pondered this, the military vehicles transporting the battalion-sized force entered Nordia in an orderly fashion.

As the scenery of Nordia came into view through the windows, Erwin turned his head, fixing his gaze ahead.

‘It has only been a month since Daniel Steiner assumed the acting garrison commander position.’

To have stabilized the civil administration and secured support for the garrison troops within a mere month?

‘Preposterous!’

Erwin hailed from the Eastern Front.

Having experienced numerous advances and retreats across the Eastern Front, he had occupied and lost control of countless territories.

In none of those occupied areas had the citizens been welcoming towards the garrison troops.

Most had either feared or scorned the garrison troops.

No matter how highly acclaimed Daniel Steiner might be as the Empire’s hero, he could not be exempt from this rule.

Therefore, the citizens of Nordia would undoubtedly view Erwin, leading the troops into the city, with disfavor.

In the worst case, a riot could erupt the moment they disembarked, prompting Erwin to remain vigilant.

Needlessly fidgeting with his holster, his aide, who had been observing the scenery, spoke up.

“Your Excellency? The citizens seem to be throwing something.”
“Projectiles are common, so pay it no heed. If we detain those individuals on site, it may give the impression that the garrison troops are oppressing the citizens, so remain impassive.”
“Sir? Ah, no. They are throwing flower petals.”

…Flower petals?

Perplexed, Erwin turned his gaze outside and gaped in astonishment.

As his aide had said, the citizens of Nordia were indeed throwing flower petals from baskets.

Their beaming smiles suggested they were enthusiastically welcoming the garrison troops.

It was a sight Erwin had never witnessed before, leaving him dumbfounded.

‘This is like…’

They were being received not as an occupying force, but as allies.

Uncertain of the circumstances, he could only blink bewilderedly when—

Screech—

The vehicle carrying Erwin came to a halt before the headquarters building.

Alighting from the vehicle, Erwin surveyed his surroundings and was struck with another surprise.

A statue of His Majesty the Emperor had been erected before headquarters.

Though the statue appeared hastily constructed, its crude form was not the main issue.

What mattered was that the citizens were voluntarily placing flowers at its base, one by one.

Unable to comprehend the situation, Erwin approached a passing child and inquired.

“Young one, your uncle is curious about who erected that statue.”

The child looked up at Erwin before replying.

“A really dark-skinned mister suggested making it, and all the adults agreed. They originally wanted to make a statue of Daniel Steiner, but he absolutely refused, so they changed it to the Emperor Mister instead.”

So… It was not a commanded order, but rather the citizens had voluntarily collected funds to construct and erect a statue of His Majesty here?

Too dumbfounded to respond, Erwin stood frozen until the headquarters’ main gate opened.

“Ah! Colonel Erwin! We’ve been expecting you.”

Turning, he saw Daniel Steiner himself.

Clad in an officer’s winter coat, he approached naturally with a few aides.

Regarding him in a daze, Erwin spoke with a sense of reverence.

“Major Daniel? I have been to numerous occupied territories, but never have I encountered enemy citizens welcoming the garrison troops like this. How did you accomplish such a feat?”

Standing before Erwin, Daniel glanced at the statue before letting out a resigned chuckle.

“Well…”

A tone of resignation emanated from Daniel’s smile.

“I’m not entirely sure myself…”

It was no joke; he truly did not understand how events had unfolded in this manner.