That Guy Is the Wolf's Prey
That Guy Is the Wolf's Prey
I sat in the back seat of the limousine, taking deep breaths.
The softness and comfort of the leather seat, covered in a luxurious velvet cover, enveloped me.
It was a sensation I could never experience in a military vehicle, yet I couldn't take any pleasure in it.
Because sitting in the very next seat was the Imperial Princess, one of the most highly esteemed figures in the Empire.
'Even if His Majesty the Emperor summoned me, did the princess really need to come in person?'
As I grew more bewildered, Selvia turned her gaze from the window and looked at me.
Her blue eyes, like a clear sea, narrowed with seriousness; it looked as though she had something to say.
"Major Daniel."
Selvia lowered her voice, whispering so that only I could hear.
"I hate to say this to someone who's just returned from the battlefield, but I doubt I'll have another chance, so I'll dispense with courtesy and speak directly."
I'd had my suspicions, and just as I thought.
Just as I felt a sense of foreboding, Selvia continued.
"Right now, in the capital, attacks on me are happening constantly. More precisely, attacks on my support base. If it were only attacks through the press, I wouldn't even care, but..."
Selvia let out a low sigh.
"It's been escalating, and recently they've even started threatening the lives of politicians who support me. Anyone can see it's my brother's doing."
As I listened quietly, Selvia bit her lip.
"Their movements are organized and systematic. There must be a command structure issuing orders from somewhere. But no matter how much we search within the capital, we can't find them."
"In that case..."
"Yes. They must be issuing orders from a safe place outside the capital. Those bastards are siding with my brother, manipulating the media, and trying to shake my support base. Disgusting sons of bitches..."
Selvia frowned as if it galled her.
From the sound of it, this was a succession battle to become Emperor.
They were fiercely clashing behind the scenes, something ordinary citizens knew nothing about.
In modern political terms, it was like a power struggle between rival political camps.
The problem was, this era wasn't modern but near-modern.
Given the times, it was clear they wouldn't hesitate to use extreme propaganda, and even violence.
I absolutely did not want to get involved.
However, Selvia telling me about the unfolding situation meant only one thing.
'She's trying to recruit me...'
If she could win over someone known as the Empire's hero, she could not only solidify her support base but also lend weight to the legitimacy of her becoming the Emperor.
Selvia's aim was crystal clear, but I absolutely couldn't accept.
'I'm already struggling like hell and you want me to make an enemy of the prince too?'
If I accepted the princess's offer, it was as good as a double death sentence.
'But if I outright refuse, I'll earn the hatred of Selvia, the future Emperor...'
Just as I was calculating the odds in my head, Selvia, having composed her anger, looked up at me.
Her gaze, filled with a kind of expectation, was extremely burdensome.
"Major Daniel? So, what I'm getting at is..."
No...! The moment an offer to join forces came out of Selvia's mouth, there would be no going back!
Feeling the urgency, I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.
"Your Highness, the Princess. Speaking of which, you've become much more beautiful since I last saw you."
At the sudden compliment on her appearance, Selvia forgot what she was going to say and blinked in surprise.
"Ah. Huh?"
Now, while she was frozen in confusion, was the perfect moment to change the subject.
Sweating inwardly, I leaned toward Selvia as naturally as possible.
"It seems I've been on the battlefield for quite some time. I hadn't realized Your Highness had become so beautiful."
Selvia's lips parted slightly.
Perhaps embarrassed by the repeated compliments about her looks, her cheeks flushed faintly.
Thinking this was working, I pushed a little further.
"Your Highness. Do you remember the time I spoke with you, disguised as a war correspondent?"
"...I remember."
"That's a relief. I feared the memories shared only between Your Highness and myself might fade. Back then, Your Highness had the air of an innocent girl; now you've become a most refined lady."
As I spoke, even smiling, Selvia turned her gaze away, blushing.
After closing her eyes tightly once and opening them again, Selvia gave me a sidelong glance.
"Don't say strange things. As I've told you before, you're too forward."
"If I have committed a rudeness, I beg your forgiveness."
Selvia, who had been fidgeting with her fingers for no reason, cleared her throat and muttered.
"...I never said it was rude."
At Selvia's curt voice, I let out a low chuckle and pulled back.
After that, an awkward silence hung between Selvia and me.
That awkward silence felt truly fortunate to me.
Because the conversation didn't continue any further.
'I'm saved...'
I'd nearly been dragged into the succession battle, so it was a relief.
Except, I was a little worried that I had pointlessly flirted with the future Emperor.
*
After arriving at the Imperial Palace, Daniel underwent a brief body search and was directed to the Emperor's location.
Since Selvia apparently had her next schedule and did not accompany him, the Emperor's personal aide guided him instead.
The place he arrived at following the aide was not the audience chamber, but the Emperor's bedchamber.
The reason was that His Majesty the Emperor did not have the energy to get properly dressed and go out to the audience chamber.
"Your Majesty. Major Daniel Steiner has arrived."
When the aide knocked and spoke, an answer came a moment later.
"Enter."
Upon hearing the reply, the aide opened the door.
The Emperor's bedchamber, visible beyond the opened door, was simpler than expected.
Apart from the fact that the furniture and bed were high-class and the room was unimaginably spacious, there weren't that many luxury items.
The Emperor sat at a table in the center of the room, playing chess. Upon seeing the rank of the person sitting opposite him, Daniel flinched in surprise.
Four stars were embedded in the rank insignia on his shoulder.
With an impressive mustache spreading out to both sides, he was the highest-ranking general and Captain of the Imperial Guard of the Imperial Household, Johannes Kunz.
He was also the person the current Emperor personally trusted the most.
After recognizing Johannes, Daniel turned his gaze to the Emperor.
He was so gaunt one could say he was little more than skin and bones, yet his spirit hadn't faded.
Bertram von Amberg.
He was the undisputed master of the Empire and the enlightened monarch who had made the Empire what it was today.
Facing two such titans made his body tense up for no reason.
Daniel walked forward nervously and gave a salute.
"Your Majesty the Emperor! I have arrived in answer to your sum-"
"Enough of that, come here."
Cut off mid-sentence, Daniel nodded sheepishly and walked closer to Bertram.
Bertram looked down at the chessboard and stroked his short beard.
"Do you play chess?"
"...I learned a bit by looking over others' shoulders."
"Is that so? Then, what do you think of this current situation? I seem to be at a great disadvantage."
Daniel scanned the chessboard once and answered cautiously.
"Your Majesty. In my humble opinion, I believe it is not Your Majesty but the Captain of the Guard who is at a disadvantage."
"Huh? I have far fewer pieces, yet the Captain is at a disadvantage?"
"That is correct."
Bertram playfully glared at Johannes, the Captain of the Guard.
"What do you say to that?"
"Haha. That may very well be true."
As Johannes laughed it off, Bertram turned back to Daniel.
"Good. Our Major Daniel. Then, explain why I am at an advantage."
"Understood. First, let's assume Your Majesty's rook captures the pawn on the left. Then, it will be check. Since Your Majesty's queen is on the diagonal, the Captain of the Guard's king must inevitably flee to g8."
"Hmm, hmm. That's right."
"At this time, if the rook returns, it's check again. Because the moment the king captures the rook, it will be attacked by the queen. The king has no choice but to flee to h8 again. If this is repeated..."
Johannes, who had been listening to the explanation, raised both hands as if dumbfounded.
"Oh dear, it's my loss. It's obvious all my pieces will be eaten. It is Your Majesty's victory."
"To be precise, it's Major Daniel's victory. A breathtaking tactic. I can't help but admire it."
"I agree. He would have excelled greatly even as a chess player."
Johannes shrugged his shoulders once and rose from his seat.
Seeing that, Daniel stepped back two paces, then knelt on one knee.
Because he knew that now the chess was over, they would move on to the main topic.
As Johannes began clearing the chessboard, Bertram turned to face Daniel and looked down at him.
"Major Daniel. Not only did you capture Nordia, but you also concluded armistice negotiations with the Kingdom. On behalf of the Empire, I express my gratitude for your hard work."
"I am merely deeply honored."
"It's still too early to be honored. I have something to give you. Johannes?"
At Bertram's words, Johannes, having cleared the chessboard, lifted the box he had placed next to the table.
When he opened the box, a medal was revealed.
It was the Golden Cross Medal, the Empire's first-class diplomatic merit medal.
Since his achievements were clear, he couldn't refuse it.
"Rise."
Hearing Johannes, Daniel rose from his seat.
Johannes patted Daniel's shoulder once and then pinned the medal to his chest.
"To my knowledge, the Golden Cross Medal has never been awarded to a young man like you. Which means you've accomplished something truly great."
Along with this well-wishing remark, Johannes patted Daniel's shoulder again and stepped back.
Once Johannes stepped back, Daniel knelt on one knee again.
Because the Emperor, Bertram, was watching.
"Praise for your achievements must already be pouring in from all sides, so I won't bother repeating it. Instead, let me ask you about a critical current issue."
"A critical issue, you say?"
"Who do you think, among my daughter and son, is more qualified to be Emperor? In my eyes, neither of them is reliable."
Cold sweat trickled down.
I'd barely shaken off the princess, and now the Emperor was asking directly.
Daniel racked his brain as hard as he could and said, bowing his head.
"I dare not express an opinion."
"What? Are you ignoring my question right now?"
As Bertram's voice sharpened, Daniel spoke out urgently.
"Your Majesty! That is not it. I am a soldier of the Empire. The Empire's law explicitly states that soldiers shall maintain political neutrality. Therefore, the moment I state my opinion, I would be disregarding not only Your Majesty the Emperor, but also the strict laws of the Empire."
Daniel bowed his head even deeper.
"So, if you wish to hear my answer, I believe it would be right for you to order me to set aside my status as a soldier. If you do so, I could answer according to my convictions."
Upon hearing Daniel's answer, the corners of Bertram's mouth slowly rose.
'What a shrewd bastard.'
By invoking the Empire's law as the reason he couldn't answer, he was insinuating that even the Emperor himself would be undermining the Empire's foundation if he ordered him to answer again.
His argument was not only firm but also logical, meaning even the Emperor couldn't call it wrong.
And since he also couldn't order him to take off his uniform, from Bertram's perspective, it was a perfect checkmate.
In the end, Bertram, who had raised the white flag, let out a low laugh.
"I think I know what kind of man you are. You must be tired, so you are dismissed."
"...Yes. Your Majesty the Emperor."
I was suspicious of the Emperor's words, but I was in no position to refuse an order.
Rising from his seat, Daniel gave one salute, turned, and left the room.
Bertram, who had been quietly watching that figure, spoke without letting his smile fade.
"Do you see it? The man's inner nature, I mean."
"To some extent, yes."
When he had first asked for chess advice, Daniel had briefly feigned fluster, but soon gave Bertram a frank opinion.
"An ordinary person, even knowing the answer, would have replied that they didn't know it well themselves—not wanting to embarrass His Majesty, whose strength is fading, by offering help."
"Indeed. Usually, people try to walk a tightrope. But Daniel did not."
"Being able to state his opinion confidently without watching for reactions is a good attitude for a soldier. However, he maintained silence on the question about His Highness the Prince and Her Highness the Princess."
Bertram nodded and let out an amused laugh.
"It means he only bows his head to those he personally acknowledges. I am undeniably the master of the Empire, but my children are not. He's probably deliberating carefully. About who to throw his support behind."
Bertram took a drink from the water glass on the table to wet his throat, then continued.
"In my eyes, that man is a wolf. A creature loyal only to the strong. But a wolf, by its nature, will bite its leader if it judges him to be weaker than itself."
Johannes gulped.
"That means..."
"Yes. That man is a capable but treacherous double-edged sword. I don't know which of my children will end up wielding him, but the moment they show weakness, they will be bitten."
To Bertram's eyes, Daniel's cool gaze resembled that of his own grandfather, who had once usurped the throne.
Bertram put down the glass and looked back at Johannes.
"So you must protect my children well, so that wolf does not bare its fangs. So that the Empire does not fall into his hands."
Johannes, nodding, stared at the spot Daniel had left.
'A wolf that will swallow the Empire...'
While he wanted to think it was just the Emperor's unfounded concern, recalling Daniel's gaze made him shiver for no reason.
Unconsciously gripping the hilt of the sword at his waist tightly, Johannes thought.
He hoped all of these predictions were nothing more than His Majesty's excessive concern.