Chapter 25

Following the terrorist attack at the banquet—now dubbed the "Etherium Displacement Grenade Assassination Incident"—Imperial forces quickly tracked down and either eliminated or captured the culprits hiding in the old city.

The survivors were handed over to the military police for interrogation. During this process, Cedric Bendel, Deputy Chief of Operations in the Imperial General Staff, who had arrived to gather intelligence, overheard something curious.

"It was that bastard… That's why we failed…"

The words came from Rakal, the captured leader of the terrorists, muttered while strapped to a chair in the underground interrogation chamber.

His eyes were glassy, his mind clearly drifting. But none of that mattered—after enduring hours of torture in silence, he had finally broken.

The interrogators murmured among themselves until Cedric stepped forward.

"Interrogator. Give him water."

Bendelin, the assigned officer, gave a quick nod and poured a cup of water, lifting it to Rakal's cracked lips.

Rakal drank like a man dying of thirst, greedily swallowing every drop.

"That's enough."

At Cedric's signal, the cup was pulled away. Rakal cursed weakly, but he was too tightly bound to do anything else.

Cedric stared at him in silence, then offered a thin smile.

"I'd like to hear more. Specifically, about the 'bastard' you mentioned. Give me a name, and maybe I'll give you another cup."

Rakal slowly blinked, awareness returning to his eyes. When he finally locked gazes with Cedric, his pupils widened.

[Imperial General Staff – Deputy Chief of Operations / Brigadier General Cedric Bendel]

A pale face. Sharp bones. Eyes like faded steel.

One of the Allied Kingdom's top assassination targets.

Rakal's jaw clenched. Rage trembled through his bound frame. But powerless and defeated, all he could do was laugh bitterly.

"So you didn't know? Then it wasn't an official order—just someone acting on a hunch? How pathetic…"

He scoffed at his own words.

"…Daniel Steiner. That bastard caught on to us. Forced us to scrap the banquet attack and move everything to the old city."

Daniel Steiner.

Of course Cedric knew the name. The man credited with saving the Imperial Princess, and more recently, racking up impressive victories on the battlefield.

But Cedric hadn't known this—Daniel had been the first to catch wind of the attack?

If Rakal was telling the truth, it meant Daniel's actions had forced them to alter their plans. That changed everything.

Impressive.

Combat, logistics, tactics, intelligence, counterintelligence—

Cedric had seen young officers shine in one or two areas. War produced talent.

But someone who excelled in all of them?

That was rare.

They say a true gem still shines in the rough.

He wasn't ready to make conclusions. But he couldn't deny what was in front of him.

Perhaps… this Daniel Steiner might be the weapon the Empire needs to win this war.

Later...

After accidentally saving the princess, I spent the next week getting dragged to every kind of event imaginable.

Even when I refused politely, they insisted. Politicians wanted photos. Nobles invited me to dinner. My schedule was a nightmare.

By the time I got back to headquarters, I'd shaken so many hands I couldn't remember who was who.

I thought I could finally rest.

But no.

"Where is Captain Daniel Steiner? Report his location immediately!"

A group in Royal Guard uniforms burst into the operations office. Leading them was a tall, broad man wearing the golden-wing insignia—the mark of the Chief Bodyguard.

I recognized him instantly.

The same man who had saved Selvia and me back in the waste disposal facility.

"C-Captain Steiner is right there…"

Everyone froze. I sighed and stood up.

"I'm Daniel Steiner. What's going on?"

The large man grinned and approached.

"Pleasure to meet you, Captain. I'm Lieutenant Colonel Hartmann, Chief of the Royal Guard."

"The pleasure's mine, sir. I still owe you my thanks for saving us the other day."

"Hah! Don't thank me. I should be thanking you! Her Highness returned alive thanks to you."

His voice boomed like a war drum.

Ernst, my superior, peeked from his office, eyes wide.

"Lieutenant Colonel Hartmann? What brings you here?"

Though Ernst outranked him, he looked uneasy. Honestly, I didn't blame him. If the Royal Guard shows up unannounced, it usually means bad news.

"Ah, Colonel Ernst. I come bearing a command from His Majesty."

Ernst paled.

When the Emperor sends the Royal Guard, it's either a reward... or a death sentence.

"Don't tell me… someone from the General Staff is being purged?"

Hartmann blinked, then roared with laughter.

"No, no! Quite the opposite! I'm here to deliver the Medal of Honor for National Service to Captain Daniel Steiner."

…

Wait, what?

Ernst let out a long breath and nodded.

"I figured it'd come, but this is sooner than expected."

"As it should be! Reward and punishment are the Empire's foundations. His Majesty wanted to present it personally, but he's currently tied up with preparations for the northern campaign."

"Understood. Please proceed."

Ernst gave me a thumbs-up and stepped aside.

I was still in shock when Hartmann pulled out a scroll—a royal decree.

It looked very expensive.

With practiced hands, he untied the ribbon and began reading aloud.

"Hear the words of the ruler of the Empire—Captain Daniel Steiner!"

Everyone in the room, myself included, dropped to one knee.

"According to verified reports, you identified a spy during the banquet and remained vigilant, even as he tried to deceive you. Your actions forced the enemy to change their plan, preventing disaster."

When did I do that...?

"Furthermore, you risked your life to protect my daughter, Selvia von Amberg, the Empire's radiant light. For these reasons, I award you the Medal of Honor for National Service, Second Class—the Gukseon Medal."

…

The Gukseon Medal!?

A cold sweat ran down my back.

No captain had ever received that medal before. It was normally reserved for colonels or above.

This would make me the youngest, lowest-ranking officer ever to receive it—and the most watched.

It also meant Allied spies would be gunning for me even more.

I instinctively looked at Lucy. She showed no expression at all.

That scared me even more.

"Rise, Captain Daniel Steiner."

I stood.

A guard approached with an ornate box. Inside were the medal, ribbon bar, and a gold badge.

Hartmann pinned the badge on my chest.

"Wear it proudly. From now on, wherever you go, people will recognize your accomplishments."

It didn't feel like an honor.

Hartmann leaned in.

"Ever thought about joining the Royal Guard? With your talent, you'd rise through the ranks in no time."

…

If I join the Royal Guard, there's no escape from the Empire.

I forced a smile.

"I'm honored, but I believe I'm most useful on the front lines."

Hartmann paused, then nodded knowingly.

"A battlefield man. I respect that."

He stepped back and raised his voice.

"Congratulations, Captain Daniel Steiner—recipient of the Gukseon Medal!"

Applause erupted. Cheers filled the room.

But all I felt was dread.

Across the room, Lucy's eyes met mine.

Still expressionless.

But in that stillness, I felt a chill crawl up my spine.

Sweat trickled down my back.

No matter what…

I need to escape this Empire.