Partners in the Same Boat
Partners in the Same Boat
Having been granted the position of Emergency Security Chief by Selvia, Daniel headed to the audience room inside the Imperial Palace after requesting an audience with His Majesty the Emperor from the Chief of the Inner Court Office as soon as the Royal Council summoned by decree adjourned.
He was determined to speak with her face to face once more, since he absolutely could not understand Selvia's decision.
'Although I doubt talking things over will change the situation...'
Given that she had awarded him the White Dragon Medal of Military Merit, her intent to push him forward was obvious, and there was no way Selvia would agree now even if he tried to persuade her to change her mind.
Seated on the sofa provided inside the audience room, Daniel exhaled a sigh and examined the newly added White Dragon Medal of Military Merit on the chest of his uniform.
Around the pure white medal, embossed with a stylized dragon's head, the Solar Branches, symbols of national prestige, extended outward magnificently.
Since the white color represented the Imperial Household and the dragon signified the Empire's protection, the White Dragon Medal of Military Merit carried the meaning of 'a single dragon protecting the Empire.'
It was clear from the metaphorical use of a mythical beast that receiving the White Dragon Medal of Military Merit was the highest honor a soldier could receive.
Of course, for Daniel Steiner, who wanted to shed his military uniform, it was not the slightest bit pleasing.
'On top of that...'
Even just receiving the medal was a headache, but Selvia had bestowed upon Daniel the position of Emergency Security Chief.
The position of Public Security Chief was a post normally granted to the police, not a soldier.
In modern terms, it could be seen as a position similar to the Commissioner of Police.
So, normally, it was only natural that Daniel could not assume the position of Public Security Chief.
However, this was a state of emergency shortly after a military rebellion had erupted, and the fact that the former Chief of Public Security, feeling responsible for the current situation, had recently resigned, made everything possible.
It was not uncommon for the military to assume police duties when the security system had collapsed.
'Though it's a position appointed on a temporary basis until the Empire stabilizes...'
The fact that Selvia herself elevated the Central Security Office to a direct imperial special mission agency made it clear just how formidable that authority was.
In carrying out the Emperor's special orders, the Central Security Office would be entirely free from interference from any other institution.
That freedom from interference meant that Daniel Steiner, as Chief of Public Security, could wield his authority without hesitation throughout the Imperial Capital.
Moreover, disobeying the orders of Daniel Steiner, the Chief of Public Security acting under the Emperor's special orders, constituted treason in itself.
It was not much different from standing at the very pinnacle of power.
'The problem is...'
Daniel did not want this kind of power, and he was deeply concerned that being active as the Chief of Public Security at the Central Security Office would lead to absurd misunderstandings.
'It'll also create a lot of enemies.'
Just imagine a young officer of orphan origin, not content with having been promoted to Colonel in just one year, now wielding full authority as the Emergency Security Chief of the Central Security Office.
There was no guarantee that some wouldn't act out of malice.
'We still haven't rooted out the remnants of the Noble Union either...'
The nobles who had gathered when Duke Belvar was arrested in the Grand Conference Hall were only a part of the union.
Arresting all the bastards entangled like a cell organization required extracting a confession from Duke Belvar, which was not as easy as one might think.
Even though Frien had been deployed to torture him, he stubbornly refused to open his mouth.
Therefore, sitting in the position of Emergency Security Chief was equivalent to holding power while simultaneously having a higher probability of being attacked by the hidden enemies of the Imperial Capital.
For Daniel, who had struggled for survival all this time, it was a position with nothing to recommend it.
He was frowning from the headache when it happened.
─ His Majesty the Emperor enters!
At the cry of the Chief of the Inner Court Office, the door to the audience room opened.
From there, Selvia, dressed in a white uniform, walked in slowly, her long blonde hair flowing.
Watching her elegant figure, Daniel rose from his seat and bowed his head.
"Your Majesty."
"Colonel Daniel."
After those light words, their eyes met.
After a short silence, it was Daniel who spoke first.
"Your Majesty. Isn't this different from what you promised? Instead of dismissing me, you awarded me the White Dragon Medal of Military Merit, and, not content with that, appointed me Chief of Public Security."
"...Is the position of Chief of Public Security not to your liking?"
"It is not a matter of liking or disliking. If I wield full authority in the position of Chief of Public Security, there will certainly be those who question the authority of Your Majesty the Emperor."
At Daniel's words, Selvia narrowed her eyes, as if displeased.
"Then do you want me to dismiss you, even now?"
Daniel did not answer.
In the silence that followed, Selvia spoke in a slightly agitated tone.
"As you know, Colonel Daniel, I was betrayed by those I trusted. Duke Belvar, who was once my childhood tutor, and Imperial Guard Captain Johannes, who served my father so loyally, took off their masks and attacked me."
Anger and sorrow mingled in her clear eyes.
"Now I cannot trust anyone. Everyone seems to be wearing a mask, and I feel like they could betray me at any moment. But in this Imperial Capital, there is just one person. The only person I can trust and rely on."
That was the man right before her eyes.
"Colonel Daniel Steiner. Not content with having saved me three times, this time you said you would lay down everything for me. Try thinking from a different perspective. Do you think I could possibly cast you aside?"
Daniel's mouth opened and closed as if to answer, then shut.
'I just wanted to take off my uniform...'
It didn't seem like she would believe him even if he explained, and he couldn't very well say right in front of His Majesty the Emperor, 'Daniel doesn't know anything like that, dismiss him.'
Realizing he couldn't change Selvia's mind, Daniel ultimately raised the white flag.
Placing a hand over his chest, Daniel bowed his head lightly to ask forgiveness for his rudeness.
"I apologize. It seems I made a thoughtless remark."
When Daniel conveyed his apology, Selvia's expression turned slightly remorseful and she hesitated.
Then, averting her gaze, she murmured.
"...It wasn't a thoughtless remark. It's not as if I don't know that Colonel Daniel requested dismissal for my sake. And, if the position of Chief of Public Security is truly uncomfortable, there is another way."
"What do you mean by another way?"
At Daniel's question, Selvia's face flushed subtly.
Ever since she realized that night that her feelings for Daniel were close to love, her heart had occasionally started racing on its own, distressingly so.
Uncharacteristically, Selvia showed a few odd behaviors, like clenching and unclenching her fists or biting her lips for no reason, then took a deep breath.
Having composed herself as much as possible, Selvia mustered her courage and looked at Daniel.
"Do you really want to know?"
Selvia's voice trembled once.
In the strange silence, Daniel, who had been reading Selvia's expression, shook his head as he felt an inexplicable chill.
"You seem troubled, so you needn't say it explicitly."
As Daniel calmly refused, Selvia, uncharacteristically flustered.
As a bonus, the Chief of the Inner Court Office and the maidservants, who had been watching the two of them from afar, wore expressions of pity.
"Huh? Ah. I suppose so. Well... it's much too early. I was only half-joking, anyway?"
With her face burning up for no reason, Selvia raised a hand and fanned her face.
"More importantly, why is it so hot? Don't you think? Spring these days doesn't feel like spring. Should I say it feels like summer is approaching faster? Ahaha..."
Daniel, who had been eyeing the rambling Selvia with suspicion, spoke.
"Summer is indeed approaching faster. Just as Your Majesty said, it does seem that summer will arrive soon."
Daniel turned his head and looked beyond the window of the audience room.
Under the brilliant sunlight, the trees in the courtyard were shedding their blossoms one by one and putting forth fresh green leaves.
"I will have to stabilize the Imperial Capital before summer comes. Since Your Majesty did not dismiss me and placed me in the position of Chief of Public Security, it seems I have no choice but to devote all my energy and sincerity."
Now, Daniel was effectively in the same boat as Selvia.
This meant that Selvia's downfall was directly linked to Daniel's death.
So now, he had no choice but to somehow produce the best possible results in the given situation.
Seeing Daniel's eyes narrow sharply, Selvia shifted the mood and spoke.
"Do you have some sharp plan?"
"I don't have a sharp plan, but the way forward seems clear. It looks like I will have to stage one grand, national performance."
"...A performance?"
Daniel nodded.
"The reason Duke Belvar launched a military rebellion was ultimately because Your Majesty the Emperor and I were looked down upon. The illusion that they could win is what drove them to act. So this time, I will ensure that everyone in the Empire knows."
An abyss flickered in Daniel's black pupils.
Of the fact that Your Majesty the Emperor...
...and those who go against my will shall meet a gruesome end.