NoveLight ™
Since defiance wasn’t an option, Daniel immediately selected the company-sized unit as ordered.
Afterward, he left Nordia, escorted by farewells from the local citizens, and set out for Marobark, where the 3rd Corps Headquarters was located.
Contrary to his earlier concerns, the weather remained clear, allowing Daniel to arrive in Marobark a full day earlier than the deadline stated in the orders.
Compared to Nordia, Marobark was a larger city, but its residents greeted the Imperial troops with cold, distant stares—hardly welcoming.
‘This is normal…’
Daniel still couldn’t understand why the citizens of Nordia had been so enthusiastic about the Empire’s occupation.
As he absentmindedly observed Imperial soldiers mingling with the locals, the driver carefully applied the brakes.
When the vehicle came to a complete stop, Daniel stepped out.
The first thing he noticed was the massive Imperial flag hanging like a banner over the headquarters building.
Against the backdrop of the starry night sky, the flag fluttered majestically.
It was enough to stir a sense of patriotism, even in someone like him.
‘They must’ve worked hard to put up something that size.’
Suppressing a chuckle, Daniel lowered his gaze and saw a lieutenant colonel walking out of the headquarters gate with a group of soldiers.
Daniel instinctively saluted, and the lieutenant colonel responded with a hearty laugh as he returned the gesture.
“So, this must be none other than the Empire’s hero, Daniel Steiner! We’ve been expecting you. I’m Carl Fren, the corps commander’s aide.”
“A hero? That’s hardly true. But if the aide has come to meet me personally, then…”
“Ah, the corps commander is waiting for you.”
“…The corps commander? For me?”
“That’s right. I know it’s unusual to summon you immediately upon arrival, but as you’re aware, we’re short on time. Follow me.”
Why would the corps commander be waiting for a mere major?
Although the situation puzzled him, Daniel had no choice but to follow Carl Fren into the building.
After climbing several flights of stairs, they stopped in front of the office on the fifth floor.
Carl Fren offered Daniel a quick piece of advice.
“He doesn’t like people who hesitate or beat around the bush. If you have an opinion, make sure you state it clearly.”
Then, he knocked twice on the office door.
“General, I’ve brought Major Daniel Steiner.”
A reply came shortly after.
“Send him in.”
The voice was deep and commanding.
Feeling tense, Daniel waited as Carl Fren opened the door.
Inside, he saw Lieutenant General Carl Peter Kraus sitting at his desk, reviewing documents.
Behind him, the imperial flag and the eagle crest of the royal family were displayed prominently, crossed like table banners.
The walls were covered with strategic maps and operation boards, reinforcing the impression that this was the command center of a general who led an entire corps.
Lieutenant General Carl Peter Kraus.
Aside from the imperial princess, he was the highest-ranking officer Daniel had ever encountered.
Taking a quiet breath to steady himself, Daniel stepped forward and saluted.
“General, I was informed that you summoned me.”
Only then did Carl Peter set his pen down and slowly lift his gaze.
Beneath his thick brows, sharp blue eyes gleamed.
His rugged face bore faint scars, and his square jaw gave him an imposing presence.
After acknowledging Daniel’s salute, Carl Peter leaned back in his chair.
“Daniel Steiner. According to the General Staff’s reports, you’re quite skilled at interrogation. I’ve heard about how you broke Major Reginald of the Kingdom and how you cornered a spy at the imperial banquet.”
Jumping straight to the point without any pleasantries, the general’s words left Daniel momentarily breathless.
The weight of the conversation made him offer an awkward smile.
“General, that was just luck, nothing more.”
“You’re too modest. Even if that’s true, I believe luck is a skill in its own right—especially on a battlefield where nothing is certain.”
Letting out a low breath, Carl Peter half-closed his eyes.
“And that’s exactly why I intend to borrow your luck and your way with words. Let me be blunt—I plan to send you as the chief negotiator and special envoy for the peace talks happening four days from now.”
Daniel, standing at attention, felt his fingertips tremble slightly.
Carl Peter’s request was utterly absurd.
‘…Negotiator? Me?’
Stunned, Daniel hesitated for a moment before finally speaking.
“General? I believe that someone like me—a mere major—isn’t suited for the role of chief negotiator. Surely, there are others in headquarters who are far more qualified.”
“There are. And we sent those capable men. The result? Two failed negotiations.”
“But—”
Carl Peter raised his hand, cutting Daniel off.
“You look like you’re about to crumble under the weight of responsibility, so let me make one thing clear—I, and the General Staff, don’t have high expectations for you. Headquarters is already reviewing plans for an all-out assault.”
In other words, even if the negotiations failed again, Daniel wouldn’t be held accountable. It was meant to put him at ease.
“So, what’s your answer? Are you in or out?”
Raising one eyebrow, Carl Peter scrutinized Daniel’s reaction.
“I…”
Daniel was about to refuse when a sudden thought struck him—a flash of inspiration.
Perhaps this was the opportunity he needed to escape the Empire once and for all.
Clenching his fists, Daniel met Carl Peter’s gaze directly.
“I’ll do it.”
Carl Peter’s eyes glimmered with interest as he picked up on the shift in Daniel’s demeanor.
“But,” Daniel added, “I have conditions. If I’m to be appointed as the chief negotiator, I’ll need the authority to match.”
“Authority? Be specific.”
“I need access to all operational and troop deployment information within the 3rd Corps. Additionally, I request full control over personnel assignments for the third round of negotiations four days from now.”
For a moment, Carl Peter was at a loss for words.
The corps’ operational plans and troop deployments were classified as second-tier field secrets.
Even though Daniel, as a staff officer, had occasionally worked with such information, those instances only involved fragmented data—not the complete picture of an entire corps.
‘And now he’s asking to see it all?’
It was beyond audacious—borderline ridiculous.
‘I think I understand why Cedric has taken a liking to this one.’
Cedric Vendel valued “calculated unpredictability” when designing strategies.
Unconventional tactics and surprising maneuvers had a way of throwing enemies into disarray.
And in this regard, Daniel Steiner was certainly an outlier.
Who else would dare demand unrestricted access to an entire corps’ operations and troop data while standing in front of the corps commander?
His confidence and boldness were almost incomprehensible.
“Fine.”
Carl Peter let out a low chuckle, fixing his gaze on Daniel.
“I’ll allow it.”
Once you placed your bet on a joker card, you had no choice but to see it through to the end.
*****
Meanwhile, Lucy was drying herself off after a bath in a hotel near the headquarters.
Originally, due to overcrowding in Marobark’s garrison, most lower-ranking officers had to make do with accommodations in dilapidated commercial buildings or repurposed schools.
However, as part of the “General Staff’s Direct Command Unit” and carrying the prestige of being “Daniel’s Company,” hailed as heroes of the Empire, the headquarters had arranged for their officers to stay in a hotel.
Lucy didn’t particularly mind staying in less comfortable lodgings, but being able to take a hot bath in the hotel wasn’t something she could complain about.
‘I feel alive…’
Dragging her tired body into the hallway, Lucy was in the middle of toweling off her damp hair when she suddenly stopped.
There was a leaflet slipped under her door.
A New Era of Revolutionary Music Begins Now!
Enhance your music experience with exceptional sound quality and elegant design!
Visit Torere Records today!
Why Torere Records?
Special Offer!
Bring this flyer with you and enjoy a 15% discount on all records!
It’s simply perfect! Don’t miss out!
Refer to the map below for store location details.
It looked like an ordinary advertisement, but Lucy’s sharp eyes caught the small, raised dots printed in braille in the top-right corner of the flyer.
It was a coded message, likely left by an active intelligence agent in the area to deliver orders.
Stepping closer, Lucy bent down and picked up the flyer.
Placing her fingers over the braille, she closed her eyes and began deciphering the code.
As the translation unfolded in her mind, the letters appeared jumbled.
It was a form of multi-layered substitution cipher.
Decoding it properly required a cipher book, but Lucy had already committed the book’s contents to memory, so she skipped that step.
After mentally rearranging the letters, she read through the message in her head.
“Daniel Steiner’s growing influence may pose a threat to the Allied Nations in the future. Measures must be taken to incapacitate his rational thinking and exploit him if necessary...”
Lucy’s eyes slowly opened as she continued decoding.
“Primary directive: seduce Daniel Steiner and gain emotional dominance over him.”
Her shoulders flinched involuntarily.
A subtle tremor ran through her crimson eyes as uncertainty surfaced.
For someone like Lucy, who had no experience with men, the order was unbearably cruel.