Meanwhile, in Edria, a Permanent Member of the United Nations.
Count Caledra’s Study.

“This way, sir.”

Following the servant’s guidance, Sorten, Edria’s Minister of Internal Affairs, walked slowly through the labyrinth-like corridors of the study.

After weaving through its maze-like layout, Sorten finally arrived at the reading room.

Upon entering, he couldn’t shake an eerie impression.

Even though the room was on the third floor, only the faintest sliver of sunlight streamed through the windows.

Surveying the dim space, even at midday, Sorten soon spotted Count Caledra.

The Count stood at a tall desk, leaning on a cane as he flipped through the pages of a book.

His pale, snake-like eyes blinked slowly, sending an inexplicable chill down Sorten’s spine.

Caledra de Nortever.

Known more famously as the “Count of Blood” than by his actual name, he was, without question, the true power behind Edria.

With vast wealth, he had bribed high-ranking politicians and military leaders, ensuring that anyone who had taken his money—even once—could never escape his influence.

Sorten, standing here now, was no exception.

After all, the position of Minister of Internal Affairs had been orchestrated by Caledra himself.

Without even sparing a glance at Sorten, Caledra spoke first.

“What brings you here?”

His voice, carrying an icy undertone, set an uneasy atmosphere.

Unconsciously adjusting his tie, Sorten took a deep breath and replied.

“I’ve come to talk about Lucy Emilia.”

Though Sorten had started the conversation, no response came.

However, Caledra’s silence was not out of displeasure.

He was simply waiting for the rest of the explanation.

Sensing this, Sorten awkwardly continued.

“…What I mean is, I’m concerned that Lucy Emilia has spent too much time in enemy territory. If she were to turn against us, it would be a devastating loss for the Allied Nations.”

Caledra remained silent.

Sorten swallowed nervously and pressed on.

“I’ve heard she’s left the heavily guarded capital and is now in Nordia, inside the Kingdom. Wouldn’t this be the perfect chance to order her to eliminate Daniel Steiner and return?”

“…”

“Listen. Even I can see that Daniel Steiner has made remarkable achievements. He’s just a major for now, but if he keeps getting promoted and ends up commanding larger forces, what do you think will happen?”

Sorten’s argument was clear—cut him down early before he became an even bigger threat.

After listening to everything, Caledra gently closed the book in front of him.

Running his fingers lightly over the book’s cover, he finally broke the silence.

“Lucy will not betray us. You, of all people, should know how strong the bond is between her and me. She sees me as a father, and I, too, think of her as a daughter.”

“But that’s only…”

Sorten’s words faltered.

Caledra’s snake-like eyes bore into him, silencing him completely.

After suppressing his anger, Caledra regained his composure.

“…And as for Daniel Steiner, we won’t eliminate him. Keeping him alive is currently more beneficial to the Alliance. Though, admittedly, there have been some complications.”

Daniel’s accomplishments had far exceeded Caledra’s expectations.

When news arrived about his success during the Nordia invasion, not only Caledra but also Edria’s military leadership had been left in shock.

Still, it hadn’t deviated from the bigger picture—at least not yet.

“Assassination will be our last resort. For now, we’ll keep Lucy close to him and exploit the situation.”

“…Exploit? How?”

“Objectively speaking, Lucy is exceptionally beautiful. As long as Daniel Steiner remains unaware of her true identity, he won’t be able to resist feeling some attraction to her. And we intend to take full advantage of that.”

Seduction tactics?

‘I suppose…’

Even in history, many so-called great leaders had fallen into ruin over women.

“No matter how rational a man may be, once he falls into the madness called love, he inevitably starts relying on his emotions. And controlling someone driven by emotions is child’s play.”

If Daniel Steiner, the so-called hero of the Empire, could be emotionally manipulated, then he would no longer be a threat—just another useful pawn.

After considering Caledra’s words, Sorten nodded.

“Understood. In that case, I’ll trust—”

Before he could finish, Caledra waved his hand dismissively.

It was a clear gesture—“Don’t waste my time. Get out.”

Despite the humiliation, Sorten didn’t dare protest.

Bowing slightly, he followed the servant and left.

Once Sorten’s footsteps faded, Caledra turned his eyes back to the shelves and muttered quietly.

“Daniel Steiner…”

Thinking back to the feats Daniel had achieved, Caledra shook his head.

For now, there were simply too many other variables to consider besides him.

*****

"We’re about to arrive in Nordia."

At the driver’s words, Colonel Ervin—recently appointed as the garrison commander—let out a low sigh.

Noticing his unease, Ervin’s adjutant asked curiously,

“Sir, is something troubling you?”

Ervin responded with a faint sigh.

“Let me ask you something. Do you think anyone could feel at ease heading to take command of a garrison post?”

“…But according to the General Staff’s reports, it seems the region has stabilized, hasn’t it?”

“And who do you think submitted that report to headquarters?”

“Well, that would be Major Daniel Steiner… Ah. I see.”

The adjutant nodded in understanding.

It wasn’t uncommon for officers obsessed with their performance to manipulate statistics before reporting them to headquarters.

But would Daniel Steiner—a so-called hero of the Empire—really submit a false report?

As the adjutant mulled over the possibility, the military convoy carrying their battalion began to enter Nordia in an orderly fashion.

Looking out the window, Ervin turned his eyes forward as Nordia’s scenery came into view.

‘It’s only been a month since Daniel Steiner took over as interim garrison commander.’

And yet, he supposedly stabilized the city and earned the support of the locals?

‘Bullshit.’

Ervin had served on the Eastern Front.

He had occupied—and lost—many regions during the back-and-forth struggles of war.

In all those occupied territories, he had never encountered citizens who were friendly to the garrison.

Most feared or despised the occupying troops.

No matter how much they called Daniel Steiner a hero of the Empire, he couldn’t be exempt from this basic rule.

So Ervin was sure the citizens of Nordia wouldn’t welcome him as he marched in with his forces.

In the worst-case scenario, a riot could break out the moment he stepped out of the vehicle.

Keeping his nerves sharp, Ervin absentmindedly fiddled with his holster.

That’s when his adjutant, looking out the window, suddenly spoke.

“Sir? The citizens are throwing something.”

“Don’t worry. It’s common for them to throw trash. Instruct the troops not to react—it might make us look like oppressors.”

“No, sir. It’s… flowers. They’re throwing flower petals.”

…What? Flowers?

Perplexed, Ervin turned his gaze out the window—and froze with his mouth hanging open.

The adjutant hadn’t been joking.

The citizens of Nordia were throwing flower petals from baskets, their faces blooming with smiles.

Their expressions clearly showed they were welcoming the troops with enthusiasm.

Seeing such an unbelievable sight left Ervin utterly dumbfounded.

‘This… this looks more like…’

Not a city welcoming an occupying force, but one celebrating the arrival of allies.

Still reeling from the surreal scene, Ervin barely noticed as the convoy came to a stop in front of the garrison headquarters.

Screeech—

Stepping out of the vehicle, Ervin looked around and was startled yet again.

There, in front of the headquarters building, stood a statue of the Emperor.

Though the statue’s design was crude and clearly hastily made, that wasn’t the point.

What shocked Ervin more was the sight of citizens voluntarily placing flowers at the statue’s base.

Utterly baffled, Ervin grabbed a nearby child and asked,

“Hey, kid. I’m just curious—who set up that statue?”

The child blinked at him before answering,

“The dark-faced man said we should build it. All the adults agreed. At first, we were going to make one of Daniel Steiner, but he said no way, so they made it for the Emperor instead.”

So… it wasn’t an official order?

The citizens had voluntarily pooled their money to build and erect a statue of the Emperor?

At a loss for words, Ervin stood there, speechless.

That’s when the headquarters’ front doors swung open.

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

Turning his head, Ervin saw Daniel Steiner approaching, wearing a military winter coat and flanked by several officers.

His demeanor was calm and natural, as if this entire scene was completely ordinary.

Still reeling from everything he had just witnessed, Ervin couldn’t help but speak with a hint of admiration.

“Major Steiner? I’ve visited countless occupied territories, but this is the first time I’ve ever seen citizens welcoming a garrison like this. How the hell did you manage it?”

Daniel glanced at the statue before letting out a dry, almost resigned chuckle.

“Well…”

The smile on his face carried a trace of helplessness.

“I honestly have no idea…”

And it wasn’t even a joke.

Daniel genuinely had no clue how things had turned out this way.