The Next Day

    I reported for duty at the General Staff headquarters and sat down at my desk in my private office, unfolding the morning newspaper.

    【Breaking News! His Majesty the Emperor Selects a Successor!】

    【Princess Selvia Named as the Next Emperor... Regency to Begin Soon】

    【Princess Selvia’s Closest Advisor—None Other Than Daniel Steiner?】

    The last headline irked me, but it wasn’t the most pressing issue at the moment.@@@@

    Flipping through a few more pages, I found the article I had been dreading.

    【Edria, Permanent Member of the Allied Nations, Strongly Criticizes the Empire】

    Beneath the headline was a black-and-white photograph of a familiar face giving a press conference.

    Pale, snake-like eyes and a gaunt face.

    It was Count Caledra of Edria, the man holding the real reins of power there.

    A man who was certain to push the Empire into a corner in the near future.

    I stared at Caledra’s photo for a moment before proceeding to read the article.

    _____________________

    『...Count Caledra condemned the Empire for effectively turning the Kingdom of Eldresia into a puppet state. Throughout the press conference, he criticized the Empire’s expansionist warfare and called on neighboring nations to rise against it...』

    _____________________

    I let out a low sigh as I folded the newspaper.

    “Damn it.”

    "Headquarters has approved your special promotion. Opinions were divided initially, but after your arrest of the rebels, no one dared to object."

    No one dared—rather, no one could.

    Selvia, the future emperor, must have exerted some pressure behind the scenes.

    And considering the merits I had earned in the northern campaign, a promotion was only a matter of time. Still, I hadn’t expected it to happen this quickly, leaving me somewhat dazed.

    “Come here. I’ll pin the insignia myself.”

    Half-resigned, I stepped forward and stood before Cedric.

    He unfolded the flag and opened the box, pulling out the badge of a lieutenant colonel.

    With practiced hands, he removed the major’s badge from my uniform and replaced it with the new insignia.

    After fastening the badge, Cedric stepped back and studied me for a moment.

    “Congratulations on your promotion, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner.”

    His tone was flat, devoid of embellishments—exactly what I expected from Cedric.

    Maintaining a slight tension, I responded formally.

    “Thank you, sir. Though I’m lacking, I’ll continue to devote myself to the Empire.”

    “Lacking?”

    Cedric’s sharp eyes blinked slowly.

    “You stabilized Nordia, perfectly negotiated with the Kingdom, and captured the traitorous faction. How could you possibly be lacking?”

    He blinked again, this time even slower.

    “Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner, on behalf of the Empire, I thank you for your service. And I’ll take your words about devotion to heart.”

    ...Something about that statement felt wrong.

    I couldn’t shake the sense that I had just said something I’d regret later.

    Just as unease began to creep in, Lucy spoke up from her spot near the entrance.

    “Congratulations on your promotion, Lieutenant Colonel Steiner.”

    Her congratulatory tone felt suspiciously like she was mocking me.

    Feeling dissatisfied, I turned back to Cedric.

    “Sir, if I may, the reason I said I was lacking is that much of my accomplishments were thanks to my adjutant.”

    “Your adjutant?”

    “Yes, sir. While I won’t deny that I issued the orders that stabilized Nordia, it was my adjutant who executed them swiftly and effectively, establishing the administrative systems.”

    Cedric turned to look at Lucy, his expression mildly surprised.

    “Is that true?”

    Caught off guard, Lucy quickly bowed her head.

    “Deputy Chief of Staff, sir. I only followed orders. All credit belongs to Lieutenant Colonel Steiner.”

    Lucy had been sent here as a spy to deal with internal traitors.

    It was clear she never intended to stay long.

    But what would happen if she were suddenly promoted and brought to the attention of high-ranking officials?

    While not as extreme as my case, leaving the Empire would become significantly more difficult for her.

    So, naturally, she was desperate to deny any merit.

    But I had no reason to sympathize with her predicament.

    “It’s true, sir. My adjutant is simply too modest to take credit for her achievements. I hope you’ll acknowledge her contributions as well.”

    “Hmm.”

    Cedric pondered for a moment before nodding.

    “I trust you wouldn’t lie about something like this. I’ll review Second Lieutenant Lucy’s role in stabilizing Nordia and proceed with a special promotion review.”

    I bowed my head deeply in gratitude.

    Lucy, visibly flustered, couldn’t find the words to protest.

    Cedric gave her a meaningful look, shrugged, and then turned toward the door.

    “I’ll take my leave. Focus on your duties.”

    As Cedric left the office, Lucy turned to me with an expression of disbelief.

    No one dared—rather, no one could.

    Selvia, the future emperor, must have exerted some pressure behind the scenes.

    And considering the merits I had earned in the northern campaign, a promotion was only a matter of time. Still, I hadn’t expected it to happen this quickly, leaving me somewhat dazed.

    “Come here. I’ll pin the insignia myself.”

    Half-resigned, I stepped forward and stood before Cedric.

    He unfolded the flag and opened the box, pulling out the badge of a lieutenant colonel.

    With practiced hands, he removed the major’s badge from my uniform and replaced it with the new insignia.

    After fastening the badge, Cedric stepped back and studied me for a moment.

    “Congratulations on your promotion, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner.”

    His tone was flat, devoid of embellishments—exactly what I expected from Cedric.

    Maintaining a slight tension, I responded formally.

    “Thank you, sir. Though I’m lacking, I’ll continue to devote myself to the Empire.”

    “Lacking?”

    Cedric’s sharp eyes blinked slowly.

    “You stabilized Nordia, perfectly negotiated with the Kingdom, and captured the traitorous faction. How could you possibly be lacking?”

    He blinked again, this time even slower.

    “Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner, on behalf of the Empire, I thank you for your service. And I’ll take your words about devotion to heart.”

    ...Something about that statement felt wrong.

    I couldn’t shake the sense that I had just said something I’d regret later.

    Just as unease began to creep in, Lucy spoke up from her spot near the entrance.

    “Congratulations on your promotion, Lieutenant Colonel Steiner.”

    Her congratulatory tone felt suspiciously like she was mocking me.

    Feeling dissatisfied, I turned back to Cedric.

    “Sir, if I may, the reason I said I was lacking is that much of my accomplishments were thanks to my adjutant.”

    “Your adjutant?”

    “Yes, sir. While I won’t deny that I issued the orders that stabilized Nordia, it was my adjutant who executed them swiftly and effectively, establishing the administrative systems.”

    Cedric turned to look at Lucy, his expression mildly surprised.

    “Is that true?”

    Caught off guard, Lucy quickly bowed her head.

    “Deputy Chief of Staff, sir. I only followed orders. All credit belongs to Lieutenant Colonel Steiner.”

    Lucy had been sent here as a spy to deal with internal traitors.

    It was clear she never intended to stay long.

    But what would happen if she were suddenly promoted and brought to the attention of high-ranking officials?

    While not as extreme as my case, leaving the Empire would become significantly more difficult for her.

    So, naturally, she was desperate to deny any merit.

    But I had no reason to sympathize with her predicament.

    “It’s true, sir. My adjutant is simply too modest to take credit for her achievements. I hope you’ll acknowledge her contributions as well.”

    “Hmm.”

    Cedric pondered for a moment before nodding.

    “I trust you wouldn’t lie about something like this. I’ll review Second Lieutenant Lucy’s role in stabilizing Nordia and proceed with a special promotion review.”

    I bowed my head deeply in gratitude.

    Lucy, visibly flustered, couldn’t find the words to protest.

    Cedric gave her a meaningful look, shrugged, and then turned toward the door.

    “I’ll take my leave. Focus on your duties.”

    As Cedric left the office, Lucy turned to me with an expression of disbelief.

    “Major—no, Lieutenant Colonel. I only followed orders.”

    She looked like she was silently pleading for me to retract what I’d said to Cedric.

    Not a chance.

    Smiling, I walked over to her.

    “Lieutenant, do you know how difficult it is to carry out orders properly? Your promotion is more than justified.”

    Her stoic mask cracked ever so slightly.

    It was subtle, but I could sense her frustration.

    ‘And what exactly can you do about it?’

    I was just a benevolent superior taking care of my subordinate.

    “I plan to continue praising your efforts wherever I go. It’s only natural to highlight the accomplishments of someone as capable as you, isn’t it?”

    “...Lieutenant Colonel.”

    “No need to be overwhelmed. It’s simply my duty as your superior. I look forward to your continued success—soon-to-be First Lieutenant Lucy.”

    Still smiling, I patted her shoulder lightly.

    “Let’s aim for the top together.”

    Lucy bit her lower lip, falling into deep thought.

    After a brief silence, she lowered her gaze and murmured quietly.

    “...Thank you, Lieutenant Colonel.”

    She didn’t look thankful at all.