I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander

Military Security Department under the Corps Headquarters.
Temporary Records Room, Basement Level of Headquarters.

“Major Daniel Steiner has been inside the Records Room for 10 hours now. Shouldn’t we be growing concerned and check on his condition?”

At the guarding soldier’s words, Sergeant Salodam of the Security Department shook his head.

“The Major instructed us not to enter the Records Room under any circumstances while he reviewed it alone. Don’t even think of disobeying his orders. I’d rather not get executed because of you.”
“E-Executed? What are you talking about, Sir?”
“You really don’t know anything, do you? The reason Major Daniel Steiner can wander the Security Department freely is because the Corps Commander himself granted him that authority. Do you understand the implications?”

In other words, to disobey Daniel Steiner’s orders here would be tantamount to defying the Corps Commander’s orders.

Consequently, the soldier’s face paled as he broke out in a cold sweat before abruptly standing at attention.

Amused by his reaction, Sergeant Salodam let out a low chuckle.

“Look at you, scared out of your wits. Can a coward like you even fight the Kingdom’s forces? Not that we’ll often see the battlefield, but still…”
“S-S-Sir!”

With his eyes wide, the soldier glanced furtively at Salodam.

Puzzled by his commotion, Salodam turned his head only for his face to pale as well.

Corps Commander’s Aide, Colonel Calphren, had been observing them from a short distance away.

Salodam reflexively saluted.

“A-Aide! What brings you here…”

Leaning back, Calphren wore a friendly smile.

“A surprise inspection, as well as checking if Major Daniel is progressing smoothly with his duties. My apologies for interrupting your delightful conversation, gentlemen.”

While Calphren’s words and tone were gentle, they carried an underlying sharpness.

Translated directly, it meant:

The guards at the Records Room entrance failed to notice someone approaching, instead engaging in idle chatter?

The soldier, assuming Calphren had come to motivate them, relaxed his guard, but Salodam, perceiving Calphren’s true intentions, remained frozen, unable to dismiss his salute.

“No need to worry. I did not come to harass you. Speaking of which, how is Major Daniel faring?”

Finally regaining his senses, Salodam stammered his response.

“Ah, well… He’s been inside the Records Room reviewing it alone for 10 hours now.”
“Today as well? Didn’t he practically live in the Records Room yesterday?”
“Yes. He said time was of the essence with only four days until the negotiations, so…”

Upon hearing Salodam’s words, Calphren inwardly marveled.

He had expected Daniel to either refuse the Corps Commander’s request, dismissing it as a means of passing the buck, or to accept yet make only a token effort.

‘The rumors about him giving his all in every task seem to be true.’

If a capable talent also possessed such diligence, their potential would be limitless.

As Calphren pondered Daniel Steiner, a soft knock emanated from the iron door Salodam and the soldier had been guarding.

It was a signal requesting to exit, as the door could only be opened from the outside.

“One moment, please!”

The soldier grasped the iron door’s handle and pulled it open, revealing Daniel Steiner within.

Though appearing fatigued, his wolf-like eyes steadily fixed their gaze ahead.

It was the unwavering gaze of a seasoned staff officer, not a newly promoted major, enough to make one’s shoulders twitch involuntarily.

After regarding Calphren for a moment, Daniel saluted respectfully.

“Aide. What brings you here?”

His tone was firm yet conveyed due respect to his superior.

Returning the salute, Calphren responded with a hint of tension.

“…On the Corps Commander’s orders, I came to inquire if you require any assistance with your duties. But are you alright? You appear to be lacking sleep.”
“I’m fine. More importantly, could you step aside? It’s time for me to finalize the negotiation plans.”

Only then did Calphren realize he was obstructing the way.

With a nod, Daniel passed by Calphren and ascended the stairs.

Watching Daniel’s retreating figure, Calphren let out a resigned sigh.

‘Tenacious, to the point of showing such determination to ensure the negotiations’ success…’

However, due to His Majesty the Emperor’s obstinacy, the prospects of reaching an agreement were virtually nonexistent.

‘Could he have devised a method to overturn the situation?’

While uncertain, Calphren saw a glimmer of hope in Daniel’s self-imposed hardship.

Perhaps he could conclude the negotiations, sparing countless lives.

As he walked down the corridor, Daniel ensured no one was following before letting out a relieved sigh.

‘…I thought I was caught.’

When the iron door opened and the Corps Commander’s Aide was standing there, Daniel’s heart had nearly stopped.

He had feared being discovered secretly transcribing classified information into his notebook within the Records Room.

‘If the Aide had noticed my attempts to smuggle out secrets, the situation would have become quite precarious.’

In the worst case, he could have been branded a traitor and executed on the spot.

However, contrary to his concerns, the Aide had merely come to inquire about his well-being.

Thanks to this, Daniel avoided having his notebook, densely filled with classified details, confiscated.

‘Now, I just need to document this…’

All he had to do was present it to the Kingdom’s Foreign Minister during tomorrow’s armistice talks and request asylum.

No matter how highly regarded as the Empire’s hero, if Daniel provided their Level 2 military secrets, they would not doubt his sincerity.

‘Finally, I’ll escape this accursed Empire.’

The prospect of a rosy future lifted his spirits, prompting a suppressed smile as he continued walking.

However, Daniel suddenly paused when Lucie approached from the opposite direction.

As the distance between them narrowed, a rich perfume scent tickled his nostrils.

Puzzled as to why she had applied perfume, Daniel found himself within close proximity as Lucie gave a slight nod.

“Major. You were here.”
“…Were you looking for me? Did the Corps Commander summon me?”
“No, that’s not it. I just…”

Lucie hesitated.

Applying perfume to entice Daniel was one thing.

But how was she supposed to naturally continue the conversation?

Initially, what did ‘seduction’ even entail? Lucie’s knowledge of winning someone’s heart was virtually blank.

Thus, she had hurriedly read romance novels that morning.

Taking a deep breath, Lucie spoke as she looked at Daniel.

“…Would it be possible to know your schedule for today?”
“From now, I need to finalize the negotiation plans. I’ve roughly outlined them, so I plan to leave early today. But why are you asking?”

She needed to be confident. Embarrassing as it was, this was her mission.

“If you have time this evening, would you join me for…”

The words would not come out properly.

Lucie was unsure how to convey the embarrassing lines she had learned from the books.

“Just the two of us…”

When Lucie said that much, Daniel concluded:

Her unstable gaze, slightly quickened breathing, and the suggestive request for the two of them to meet alone.

Running the calculations in his mind, Daniel arrived at a prediction.

‘…An assassination attempt?’

Had the Union issued an assassination order? He had anticipated such an event occurring eventually, but the timing seemed premature.

‘Yes, the timing is too soon.’

Just as he was about to dismiss it as a misunderstanding, Lucie seemed to gather her resolve as she looked at Daniel.

‘The books said to give a coy smile when seducing a man…’

But what exactly constituted a coy smile?

Having never properly smiled, let alone in a coy manner, the advice was rather perplexing for Lucie.

However, since the Union had ordered her to seduce Daniel Steiner, as an intelligence operative, Lucie had no choice but to comply.

After internally struggling, Lucie ultimately attempted to give Daniel a strained smile.

Upon witnessing it, Daniel could only inhale sharply.

With her eyes narrowed sharply and her lips curled into a thin smile, it was quite literally a ‘killer smile.’

It felt as though a hunter was studying her soon-to-be prey.

An overwhelming sense of oppression emanated from her.

‘This is undoubtedly an assassination attempt…!’

Unable to interpret Lucie’s actions as seduction, Daniel cleared his throat awkwardly.

He needed to distance himself from Lucie as naturally as possible.

“Aide? It seems I’ll have to work late today, after all.”
“…Pardon? But you just said you planned to leave early.”
“Suddenly remembered some pending tasks. Well then…”

As Daniel attempted to walk past her, he turned back to Lucie as if just recalling something.

“By the way, haven’t you applied too much perfume? Perfume is typically used to mask one’s body odor, but you don’t seem to need it.”
“Ah, I…”
“Your skin doesn’t emit any unpleasant scents. In fact, it’s quite fragrant. So don’t rely on such luxuries as perfume.”

Patting Lucie’s shoulder, Daniel continued on his way.

‘Good. By engaging in casual conversation, she shouldn’t suspect I realized her assassination orders.’

Just as Daniel let out a sigh of relief for averting the danger, Lucie’s ears flushed crimson as she stood motionless.

Daniel’s compliment had inadvertently caused her embarrassment.

She could not pinpoint the exact nature of this unfamiliar emotion.

Overwhelmed by this unprecedented feeling, Lucie leaned against the window and let out a low sigh.

‘How foolish…’

Both her superiors for issuing such a strange order and herself for following it seemed utterly foolish.

Yet, with the order issued, she would eventually have to seduce Daniel.

The prospect felt like an arduous task.

Biting her lower lip as she aimlessly gazed at her feet, Lucie fought to suppress her shame before slowly walking away.

For now, she decided to return to her quarters and rid herself of the perfume’s scent.