As I walked down the hallway after leaving the reception room, I couldn’t suppress an inner cheer.

    “Yes!”

    When Selvia had summoned me, I’d braced myself for some new misfortune waiting to unfold, but it turned out to be an unnecessary worry.

    The proposal Selvia had presented wasn’t misfortune—it was closer to a stroke of good luck.

    “I’ve already been feeling like staying in the capital puts me under too much scrutiny...”

    Now I had the chance to legally stay abroad, and I couldn’t help but feel elated.

    What’s more, with Selvia overseeing the regency and giving a favorable response, my appointment as the diplomatic envoy to Vellanos was practically guaranteed.

    “They say even when the heavens fall, there’s always a way out. It’s true after all.”

    The proverb had never felt so real.

    “And on top of that...”

    If I went to Vellanos as an envoy, I was sure to be treated well.

    As a neutral nation, they wouldn’t want to provoke the Empire, which boasted the world’s most powerful military.

    For me, being sent as the envoy to Vellanos was essentially a vacation.

    Escaping the threats lurking in the capital was already a relief, but the thought of being treated well while staying abroad brought an involuntary smile to my face.

    Unable to hide my good mood, I returned to my personal office and opened the door, only to freeze mid-step.

    Colonel Ernst, the Operations Chief, was waiting for me inside.

    "...Colonel? You’re still here?"

    I asked in surprise, and Ernst, who had been standing with his hands clasped behind his back, gave a small cough.

    "I was curious about what you discussed with Her Highness. Care to share a little hint with me?"

    His casual request made it clear why he had lingered.

    A senior position in the General Staff wasn’t just about operational work; it also required political acumen. Naturally, Ernst wanted an informational advantage regarding Selvia’s unexpected visit.

    While I trusted Ernst, this wasn’t something I could share freely.

    "I’d love to tell you, Colonel, but since nothing has been decided yet, I think it’s best to keep it confidential for now."

    "Confidential, huh... Fair enough. But could you do me a favor and give me an autograph? My daughter’s a big fan of yours."

    An autograph? I stared at him, dumbfounded, as Ernst produced two sheets of paper and a fountain pen from behind his back.

    "I’ve already bragged plenty about having Daniel Steiner under my command. If I go back empty-handed, it’ll be embarrassing. Think of it as saving my dignity and help me out."

    Was this his true motive all along?

    Unable to stop a chuckle, I accepted the pen and papers. It was a superior’s request, after all—how could I refuse?

    "...But why two sheets, Colonel?"

    Ernst glanced around nervously, as if checking for eavesdroppers, before whispering just loud enough for me to hear.

    "Actually, my wife’s a fan too. Over dinner yesterday, she scolded me, saying if I had time to collect stamps, I should get your autograph instead. Honestly, my wife is such a—"

    Ernst sighed deeply, his face a picture of exasperation.

    "Let me give you some advice: never get married. She used to be an angel when we were dating, but after marriage, she turned into a devil. If it weren’t for how cute and lovable my kids are, I might’ve run off long ago."

    "Daniel Steiner is being sent to Vellanos as a diplomatic envoy?"

    Count Kalendra raised an eyebrow as Deputy Director Beck of the Central Intelligence Agency nodded.

    "Yes, sir. According to our intelligence, Princess Selvia, acting regent, has ordered the Foreign Ministry to appoint Daniel Steiner as the envoy to Vellanos."

    The banquet hall, filled with dignitaries from foreign nations, bustled with conversation and music, yet the area around Count Kalendra was silent. He had deliberately distanced himself from the crowd to receive this report.

    "The hero of the Empire and the man who delivered the successful Total War speech... being sent to a minor post as the envoy to Vellanos?"

    Kalendra fell into thought, and Beck cautiously spoke up.

    "I believe it’s a sign of friction between Steiner and the Imperial family. They must see the public’s growing support for Daniel Steiner as a threat to their authority."

    Historically, war heroes who achieved too much often became thorns in the side of ruling dynasties. Beck’s assessment was based on this precedent, but Kalendra dismissed the idea outright.

    "You’re wrong. He’s deliberately leading us to believe there’s a rift between him and the Imperial family. His appointment as envoy to Vellanos was likely Steiner’s own idea."

    A typical war hero might indeed fall out of favor with the ruling family, but Daniel Steiner wasn’t a typical hero. He was a genius strategist who used unconventional methods to relentlessly pressure the Allied Nations.

    This, Kalendra reasoned, was yet another ploy to deceive the Allies.

    "A clever distraction to divert our attention. Beck, have you determined how the Foreign Ministry plans to send Daniel Steiner to Vellanos?"

    At Kalendra’s sharp gaze, Beck hurriedly flipped through his documents.

    "Yes, sir. He’ll travel aboard a diplomatic vessel, a short two-day journey. Given the proximity and diplomatic concerns, there will be no escort ships."

    Kalendra’s expression sharpened further at the report.

    "Good. Contact the 12th District Commander of Vellanos’s Naval Defense Force. Inform them that the Allied Nations will send a submarine and instruct them to open their territorial waters at the designated time."

    Beck blinked, momentarily stunned.

    The 12th District Commander was an asset the Allies had spent years cultivating. For Kalendra to issue such an order meant he intended to destroy the diplomatic vessel carrying Daniel Steiner using the submarine.

    "...Count, even if the plan succeeds, we may lose our foothold in Vellanos. Is Daniel Steiner worth such a sacrifice?"

    Kalendra glanced at Beck with a cold smirk.

    "He is."

    For reasons unknown, Lucy was no longer following Allied orders.

    A man who should have been a corpse by now was alive and well, walking around freely.

    This could only mean one thing: Daniel Steiner had somehow thwarted Lucy’s assassination attempt.

    If Daniel completed his mission in Vellanos and returned to the Empire, what then?

    "He’ll undoubtedly become an even more formidable adversary than he is now."

    Thus, Kalendra resolved to eliminate Daniel before he could grow into a greater threat, no matter the cost.

    "Daniel Steiner..."

    The audacity of the man to attempt to deceive them was almost laughable.

    Gripping the head of his cane tightly, Kalendra narrowed his eyes, his expression sharp as a blade.

    "Your clever tricks... will ultimately..."

    Lead you straight to your death.