I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander-Chapter 92

The Next Evening

After finishing her daily affairs, Selvia made her way to the art gallery located within the Imperial Palace.

She had heard from the Inner Palace attendants that her father, whose condition had slightly improved, had gone there to view the portraits of their ancestors.

Hurrying her steps, Selvia entered the gallery and immediately spotted her father standing still before a large portrait of her great-grandfather.

"Father!"

Brightening as she approached, Selvia called out, making Emperor Bertham turn his head.

Upon seeing his daughter, Bertham offered a faint smile.

"Selvia. You must be busy handling state affairs, yet you would waste your time on me?"

"If I considered checking on my father a waste of time, I wouldn’t be fit to be a wise ruler."

"How endearing. Your way with words grows more charming by the day."

Bertham let out a low chuckle before continuing.

"Very well. Since we’ve met, let’s talk about the state of affairs. I hear much has transpired while I’ve been bedridden these past few days?"

Recalling recent events, Selvia nodded without hesitation.

"We managed to avoid the worst. Not only has Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner’s survival been confirmed, but as a result, the Empire has strengthened its influence over Vellanos."

"I see. That is good news. But about this Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner…"

Bertham looked down at Selvia with a knowing gaze.

"According to the reports, he claimed to have gathered classified intelligence in Vellanos during his time stranded. Have you verified the details?"

"Not yet… He said he would report everything upon his return, citing concerns about intercepted communications."

"'He will report upon his return'… A rather intriguing choice of words."

The subtle probing in his tone made Selvia furrow her brows.

"Father. Are you still suspicious of Lieutenant Colonel Steiner?"

"So, you would rather I not suspect him, Selvia?"

"Of course, I—"

"Would you say the same before your great-grandfather?"

The atmosphere shifted in an instant.

Feeling as though she was being chastised, Selvia fell silent.

Bertham, watching her for a moment, then turned his gaze back to the portrait.

"We are the descendants of a usurper. You are well aware of how your great-grandfather seized the throne. Outwardly, he claimed legitimacy for the royal family, but in the end, it was an act driven by ambition."

"Father…"

"I am afraid, Selvia. Ever since the day I saw that same look in Daniel Steiner’s eyes, I have not been able to sleep properly. You do not understand how dangerous a capable subject can be."

Bertham slowly blinked before continuing.

"Your great-grandfather always warned us—there is no greater threat than a competent vassal who, believing in their own abilities, begins to act independently. So, let me ask you this, Selvia. How many times has Daniel Steiner walked the path of unilateral decision-making?"

When he dismantled the prince’s secret organization in the southern provinces.

When he altered the speech for the Total War declaration to suit his own words, disregarding the original script approved by the high command.

And now, once again.

Daniel Steiner had survived, yet he had not reported his survival to the high command, choosing instead to act on his own.

He had used the possibility of enemies within Vellanos as a shield to justify his secrecy.

"And you say he serves the Empire?"

Bertham shook his head with a low chuckle.

"It is far more likely that he gathered intelligence for his own survival rather than for the Empire. Many are under an illusion, but I see it clearly. The one exerting influence over Vellanos right now is not the Empire—it is Daniel Steiner himself."

In Bertham’s mind, it was obvious what Daniel intended to do.

With the intelligence he had gathered, he would likely make secret dealings with Vellanos’ Prime Minister.

Not for the Empire, but for his own safety.

Then, upon returning to the Empire, he would select a handful of trivial pieces of information and present them as classified intelligence.

If that was the case, Bertham had to act first—before the man had the chance to deceive the royal family.

"This time, it seems I must make a sacrifice for your sake, Selvia."

Selvia tilted her head in confusion, unable to grasp his meaning.

"I will bear Daniel Steiner’s resentment, so you must win his loyalty."

Just as she was about to ask what he meant, Bertham turned and made a small beckoning gesture.

At his silent command, the head of the Inner Palace staff, who had been waiting nearby, stepped forward and bowed deeply.

"Your Majesty, do you require something?"

Bertham nodded.

"Bring me the imperial decree."

His weary yet sharp eyes narrowed coldly.

"I shall personally deliver my words to Daniel Steiner."

*****

At the Same Time, the Empire’s Southern Region – The Grand Cathedral of the Sacred Flame

"Brothers and sisters."

Freen’s voice resonated softly throughout the vast cathedral.

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The great hall was packed to the brim, with no empty seats remaining. Word of Freen’s sermons had spread far and wide, drawing people from other regions to make time and travel here.

With nowhere left to sit, most of the congregation stood at the back, listening intently to her words.

It was an unprecedented sight in the history of the Grand Cathedral of the Sacred Flame, to the point that even Freen’s father had taken a step back and turned a blind eye.

Of course, Freen paid no heed to such matters.

The only things she cared about were her faith and Daniel Steiner.

"Today, I bring you joyous news, my brothers and sisters."

With her eyes gently closed, Freen continued, her voice far calmer than in previous sermons.

"As you all know, word has spread across the sea from Vellanos to the Empire—Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner is alive. Yes, our revered Lieutenant Colonel did not perish."

She slowly shook her head.

"No. It would be more fitting to say that he has returned from death."

Though her tone remained soft, there was an unmistakable gravity to her words, holding the congregation’s attention captive.

"Some of you may wonder why I speak of returning from death. But once you hear the full story, you will understand why my words are true."

Opening her eyes, Freen continued.

"As you all know, those filthy beasts of the Allied Nations launched not one, but two torpedo attacks on Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner’s vessel. The ship was sunk, and countless lives were lost."

Her once serene gaze sharpened.

"But! Amidst that horrific tragedy, only Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner emerged, defying death itself! What does this mean? Was it mere luck?"

Biting her lip, Freen suddenly raised her voice.

"No!"

Gripping the edges of the pulpit with both hands, she leaned forward.

"Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner was fated to leave this world alongside that sinking ship. But we all know what happened—a miracle occurred! And who, I ask you, performed this miracle? What omnipotent being kept him alive?"

A few devoted believers in the front row shouted without hesitation.

— God!

Freen smiled at them before sweeping her gaze over the gathered faithful.

"Yes. God took many innocent lambs into His embrace, yet He allowed Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner to live. This is part of His divine plan. Just as, long ago, Jesus Christ returned from death in accordance with God's will!"

Murmurs spread among the congregation.

It was a radical statement, and some hesitated.

But Freen spoke with unwavering conviction.

"As it is written in 1 Corinthians: ‘But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive!’"

Standing with the massive cross behind her, Freen raised her voice in fervor.

"Oh, you who have slumbered! You who have yet to see the truth! Let me ask you this! Through the supposed death of Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner, have you not witnessed the heinous crimes of the Allied Nations? Have you not?"

Words are infectious.

As soon as Freen spoke with absolute certainty, the congregation began to nod, one after another.

"It was only after everyone bore witness to the atrocities of the Allied Nations that Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner was brought back to us! Why!?"

She slammed her hands down on the pulpit.

"Because his life was restored for the sake of all those who perished aboard that ship! So that through him, all may live!"

Her powerful words sent a surge of energy through the congregation.

The spark had been set. Now, it was time to ignite the flame.

Stretching out her arms in a gesture of benevolence, Freen looked upon her followers with compassion.

"We who have beheld this miracle must take part in God's grand design! Brothers and sisters, let us pray and act! We must never again allow the beasts of the Allied Nations to steal away our saint, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner!"

— That’s right!

"In that case, let me ask you—who is our enemy?"

— The Allied Nations!

"And who is the enemy of God?"

— The Allied Nations!

"Then tell me, who are the true beasts?"

This time, the congregation roared in unison.

— The beasts are the Allied Nations!

Their cries shook the cathedral.

Overwhelmed by the moment, Freen felt a near-euphoric joy.

To hear the words she had once spoken alone now echoed by so many others—it was divine.

‘Of course. This must be the mission that Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner has bestowed upon me.’

With the deafening chants of her followers ringing in her ears, Freen slowly closed her eyes.

‘Fear not, Lieutenant Colonel. No matter what choices you make in the days ahead, these people and I shall follow you to the death.’

To follow a saint was the natural duty of a devout believer.

With that sacred resolve burning in her heart, Freen clasped her hands in prayer.

May Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner lead us all toward salvation.