I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander-Chapter 189

After the execution of Duke Belvar concluded, Worline and Lef boarded the ceremonial limousine once more and headed toward the Imperial Palace.

Having confirmed the death of the mastermind behind the military revolt, Duke Belvar, it was now time to discuss the research agreement.

Upon arriving at the palace, Worline and Lef were guided by the inner palace staff to the reception room. Shortly after, Daniel entered, taking a seat across the negotiation table.

The table was adorned with fresh flowers exuding a pleasant atmosphere, and the finest refreshments had been prepared, but Worline couldn’t pay attention to any of it.

The words and actions of Daniel Steiner at the execution of Duke Belvar were still etched vividly in his mind, refusing to fade away.

‘...Just watching him was enough to send chills down my spine. Is this the fate that awaits all of Daniel Steiner’s enemies?’

Not only did he thoroughly crush the defeated but also mocked them until the very end—Worline could only see him as nothing less than a demon.

In truth, he didn’t even want to speak to the man. But as Vellanos' diplomat, he couldn’t afford to stay silent forever.

As Daniel watched with a smile, Worline cleared his throat and finally spoke.

"Colonel Daniel Steiner. Or should I address you as the High Commissioner of Public Security?"

"Address me as you see fit. Titles aren’t something I particularly care about."

"Understood. Then I shall address you as Colonel. Also, the fact that you’re here must mean you’re a related party to the Varghof Project, correct?"

"Yes. That seems to be the case, somehow."

"Then, first..."

Worline picked up his briefcase and pulled out several documents.

After confirming the contents with a quick glance, he handed them over to Daniel.

It was an implementation schedule densely filled with dates related to the research agreement.

As Daniel accepted the document, Worline continued speaking.

"As you can see, the Empire has broken its promises. Not a single deadline has been met. I assume you will not deny this fact?"

"...While it was due to the military revolt orchestrated by Belvar, I understand that such an explanation would not be convincing to your country. The responsibility for failing to prevent the revolt rests solely on the Empire."

"I appreciate your candidness. Then, what kind of compensation can the Empire offer to Vellanos?"

The delay in the research agreement was undeniably the Empire’s fault.

Vellanos was now demanding compensation for the time and financial losses incurred.

It was a reasonable request, and Daniel, who had already anticipated this demand, responded without difficulty.

"I will grant you special access to classified research data."

"Special access? Could you clarify?"

"I’m saying that we will share exclusive experimental data with Vellanos. If the Empire successfully completes the development of the nuclear bomb, Vellanos will also gain access to that technology."

Worline maintained a calm expression, but inwardly, he was stunned.

A research agreement didn’t necessarily mean that both countries had to share all their data transparently.

The Varghof Project was clearly a one-sided deal, with the Empire holding the research initiative.

Thus, even if the project were completed, the Empire would have been within its legal rights to share only selective data or merely announce the results.

Yet here was Daniel Steiner, openly proposing to share classified research data with Vellanos.

"But there is one condition," Daniel said, his voice calm and steady.

As Worline struggled to mask his surprise, Daniel continued.

"I want Vellanos to formally enter into a military protection agreement with the Empire."

A sweet reward always came with a hidden trap.

After a brief pause, Worline collected his thoughts and responded.

"Under the Anti-Terrorism Act, we have already permitted the deployment of Imperial troops in the Vellanos port city of Tentarbaham. Given the current circumstances, is it necessary to enter into a formal military protection agreement?"

"Allowing deployment and officially entering into a military pact are two different matters. The reason I am making this request is that I want to solidify Vellanos as a clear ally of the Empire."

The moment Vellanos officially signed a military agreement, it would be recognized without question as an ally of the Empire.

The Anti-Terrorism Act could be revoked anytime should Vellanos choose to prioritize its own survival.

But a military agreement was a direct declaration of allegiance to the Empire.

Daniel’s bold demand made Worline’s brows furrow.

‘...If we wanted to, we could refuse. Vellanos is the injured party here, so we hold the upper hand in these negotiations.’

But as he looked at Daniel Steiner’s unwavering composure, Worline couldn’t help but feel that the power dynamic was completely reversed.

‘He knows. He knows that Vellanos can’t refuse this offer.’

Vellanos might claim to be neutral, but in reality, it was a small, powerless nation constantly tiptoeing around the whims of powerful countries.

‘But if we get our hands on the nuclear bomb...’

No nation would dare look down on Vellanos again.

If that meant bowing to the Empire temporarily to secure that power, it was a deal worth considering.

"What a cunning bastard," Lef muttered under her breath, a low chuckle escaping her lips.

Worline, deep in thought, snapped out of his trance at Lef’s sudden comment.

"It’s a tempting offer. But can you really complete the Varghof Project? From what I hear, developing a nuclear bomb could take several years," Lef said, her tone dripping with skepticism.

Daniel’s gaze narrowed as a question mark formed in his mind.

Not only had this so-called attendant rudely interrupted, but she also spoke in a highly informal tone.

Moreover, she was still wearing that wide-brimmed hat with a mesh veil despite being indoors.

"I suspected you weren’t just an ordinary attendant, but such blatant rudeness is a bit surprising. Who exactly are you to disregard basic manners like this?"

At Daniel’s question, Lef smirked as though she had been waiting for this moment.

She removed her hat, letting her long black hair cascade down, revealing her sharp, striking eyes.

The sight made Daniel’s eyes widen in disbelief.

He had thought the voice sounded familiar, and now he knew why.

"...Lef?"

The moment Daniel called her by name, Lef flashed a mischievous smile.

"Heh. Even if you’re a bastard, at least you’re a bastard with a conscience. You haven’t forgotten my name, have you? But isn’t it funny? You had the nerve to lecture me about manners while you were using me to threaten that old geezer."

Daniel felt a bead of cold sweat forming at the back of his neck.

The unexpected appearance of Lef rendered Daniel speechless, and the smile on Lef’s lips only grew wider.

"Looks like you've been living quite well here. Meanwhile, all hell broke loose for me because of you. That old geezer foamed at the mouth lecturing me. Even thinking about it now, it was a nightmare," Lef said, her voice laced with sarcasm.

Daniel had nothing to say.

Whether he intended it or not, he had indeed used Lef as a pawn, and that was an undeniable fact.

"But don't get me wrong. I don't hold a grudge against you anymore. After dealing with you, I learned that the old man hiding me away wasn't the only solution. Thanks to you, I even got to go on this lovely overseas trip. Isn't that great?"

Lef was talking as if she were catching up with an old friend, but Daniel felt as though he was sitting on a bed of nails.

Just as he was desperately wishing for a way to escape, Worline stepped in to mediate.

"Miss Lef! How many times must I remind you to maintain your decorum? Colonel Daniel, please forgive her rudeness. Regarding the proposal you offered, we will consider it carefully and provide a response soon."

Daniel, snapping back to reality, nodded somewhat awkwardly.

"Understood. Once you gather your opinions, inform me, and I will relay it to Her Majesty the Empress."

"Yes. I believe it would be best to adjourn for now," Worline said, quickly moving to wrap things up.

Lef looked visibly disappointed, but the two men began gathering their documents in haste.

Watching them, Lef stood up and spoke.

"You know, it feels like you’re avoiding me. Back then, you had no problem hanging out with me," she said, her eyes fixed on Daniel.

Daniel pushed his chair back under the table and replied,

"That was then, and ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) this is now. If you desire an apology for being used as a bargaining chip, I will gladly give you one."

"I already told you. I don’t care about that," Lef said, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "But if there's one thing I do want..."

Though she claimed not to hold a grudge, it was evident that her resentment hadn’t completely vanished.

Sensing that this might be her one and only chance to mess with Daniel, Lef stepped closer to him.

"I want you to come back as Rivelard."

"That was just a pseudonym. When I was Rivelard, I was nothing more than an actor playing a role," Daniel said flatly.

"Is that so? Then why do you still look like you’re acting right now?"

Lef’s seemingly casual remark struck a nerve.

Daniel clenched his jaw, letting out a heavy sigh, and started walking away, determined to get as far from her as possible.

Lef, however, followed close behind.

"Come on, why don’t we hang out like we used to? We had so much fun back then, didn’t we? Drinking at the bar, staying up all night talking in my mansion... Don’t you remember?"

Daniel ignored her, pushing open the door to the reception room.

And then—

He froze in place.

Standing in the corridor beyond the door was the most revered figure in the Empire—Empress Selvia.

Her face was unusually pale.

"...Your Majesty?"

Daniel barely managed to utter her title, and Selvia seemed to snap out of her daze.

"Oh. I, uh... Today’s schedule ended earlier than expected, so I was passing by. And, well, since the Chief of Staff was visiting the palace, I thought I’d drop by to discuss the state of the war with Colonel Daniel..."

Her voice trailed off, quivering with each word.

Selvia looked up at Daniel, her blue eyes filled with unease.

"But just now... What was that I heard? I mean..."

Selvia’s eyes trembled as she repeated the words that had shaken her.

"Something about ‘coming back together’... and ‘hanging out like before’...?"

Upon hearing Selvia’s words, Daniel squeezed his eyes shut and clenched his teeth.

‘This is a nightmare.’

At that moment, Daniel wished the ground would just swallow him whole.