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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: Watch Your Words
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Selvia's mouth slightly opened.
Selvia, who had been frozen as if she'd heard a shocking truth, looked around.
Confirming there was no one eavesdropping, Selvia lowered her voice and spoke.
"Why?"
"...What do you mean?"
"I'm asking because I don't understand why you're going to such lengths for me."
Daniel felt flustered by Selvia's question.
'Me?'
Daniel had merely been desperately searching for a breakthrough for his own self-preservation.
However, from Selvia's perspective, all of Daniel's actions were altruistic.
First, Selvia had been saved by Daniel twice before.
Furthermore, when she was troubled by the issue of imperial succession, Daniel had provided great assistance.
And that wasn't all.
This time, at a moment when imperial authority was wavering due to conflict among the nobles, Daniel brought information that some of the nobles were acting as collaborators.
And indeed, it was perfectly timed, right before the coronation.
Thanks to this, Daniel, acting on imperial orders, was able to conduct inspections against the nobles using a clear justification, which profoundly impacted the elevation of imperial authority.
Thus, for Selvia, who was soon to become emperor, Daniel was nothing short of an unparalleled loyal subject.
On the other hand, Daniel felt burdened by her gaze, as he hadn't done any of it for Selvia's sake.
Thinking there was no need to reveal the truth, Daniel offered an awkward smile.
"Because I judged that assisting Her Royal Highness the Princess was the path for the Empire."
"The path for the Empire, huh..."
It was a somewhat vague answer, but Selvia didn't find it bad.
Because she had once again confirmed that Daniel was acting for her benefit.
"I also believe that placing Lieutenant Colonel Daniel in an important position is the path for the Empire. So, after the coronation, I intend to promote Lieutenant Colonel Daniel in front of all the ministers."
Promoting Daniel to Colonel in front of the high-ranking officials gathered for the coronation was tantamount to declaring that Daniel was now the Emperor's man.
Daniel found this extremely burdensome, but he couldn't bring himself to refuse.
Not only did he have too many accumulated merits to justify a refusal, but from a macroscopic perspective, becoming Selvia's confidant would be more advantageous for his survival.
"If you would grant me that, I would accept it as the greatest joy of my life."
As Daniel placed a hand on his chest and bowed slightly, a smile spread across Selvia's lips.
She had wondered what she would do if he refused, so Daniel's ready acceptance pleased her.
"I'm glad you're satisfied. But..."
Selvia lightly raised the cup of black tea.
"What are your plans going forward?"
She was asking how he planned to spend the time while delaying the investigation to observe the nobles' reactions.
Daniel would have liked nothing more than to leisurely enjoy desserts and pass the time, but he didn't have that luxury.
"I intend to go down to the southern part of the Empire."
"The south? Are you planning to visit your hometown?"
"No, that's not it. I'm going down there to fulfill a promise I made with my subordinate's father."
Here, the subordinate was Frien, and her father was the head pastor of the Grand Church of the Holy Flame of Glory.
As might be expected, the Grand Church of the Holy Flame of Glory's financial support to the Bellbaroton Newspaper, at Daniel's behest, was not purely out of goodwill.
*
A few days later, near the Grand Church of the Holy Flame of Glory.
Cradle of Peace Orphanage.
*Screech—*
A luxurious sedan entered through the orphanage's entrance.
As the sedan slowly reduced its speed and came to a complete stop, the driver's side door opened.
The person who emerged from the open door was Frien, her light brown hair braided up at the back.
Frien glanced at the orphanage's scenery, then offered a faint smile as she opened the back passenger door.
"We've arrived, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel."
Daniel, who had been reading an inspection report, was drawn by the voice and looked to his side.
He saw children playing with a ball in the empty lot next to the orphanage.
Confirming their arrival, Daniel tossed the report aside, got out of the car, and stretched.
His body felt stiff from the long drive, and the pouring sunlight made him involuntarily frown.
'So this is the orphanage Frien's father runs. Seeing how sparsely populated it is apart from the children, I can guess why he wanted to meet here...'
Daniel's thoughts didn't continue.
*Thump—*
A ball, flying from somewhere, hit Daniel's abdomen and fell to the ground.
Wondering what it was, he looked down and saw a child scurrying over to retrieve the ball.
"I'm sorry. I..."
The child, who had approached and picked up the ball, lifted their head to apologize and then froze.
"E-eep..."
This was because a man in an Imperial officer's uniform was looking down at them with icy eyes.
Beneath his uniform cap, his emotionless, dry eyes held a sense of terror difficult for an innocent child to bear.
"H-hieek..."
Just as the child's shoulders trembled, unable to even scream, Daniel knelt on one knee.
The child, whose eyes met Daniel's, was on the verge of tears.
Daniel slowly extended a hand toward the child.
Unable to bear the fear, the child squeezed their eyes shut.
Daniel's hand gently settled on the child's head.
"No need to apologize. It's my fault for not dodging the ball."
Contrary to his appearance, his voice was warm and his touch gentle.
Gathering courage, the child opened their eyes and saw Daniel wearing a benevolent smile.
As the child hesitated, thinking he might not be a bad person after all, Daniel withdrew his hand and showed his empty palm.
"Now, watch closely."
Daniel, with his fist clenched, pretended to strain, then opened his hand again.
A coin lay in his wide-open hand.
Seeing it, the child's eyes widened in wonder.
"Wow! How did you do that!?"
"Well, it seems God made a coin appear in my hand to give to you, who has such a kind heart."
"Really?"
At the child's innocent question, Daniel smiled and offered the coin.
"Truly. Go buy yourself some tasty snacks with this."
Only then did the child realize Daniel wasn't a bad person, took the coin, and bowed deeply.
"Thank you!"
With that, the child turned and ran off, and Daniel stood up with a faint smile.
Daniel lightly brushed his hands together, then turned to Frien and paused.
This was because Frien was looking at him, her eyes shining.
'Don't ask why...'
Daniel, not wanting to hear any more strange praises, cleared his throat.
"Where is your father?"
"Oh. I'll show you."
Frien, regaining her composure, led Daniel inside the orphanage.
After navigating through the surprisingly spacious building for an orphanage, they arrived at the reception room.
"I'll wait here."
Daniel nodded at Frien's words, as she held open the reception room door, and stepped inside.
Then, Bellaph, the head pastor who had been sitting on the sofa, rose from his seat.
Bellaph let out an exclamation as if genuinely moved, then extended his hand toward Daniel.
"I am Bellaph, Frien's father and the head pastor of the Grand Church of the Holy Flame of Glory."
"Pleased to meet you. I am—"
"Aren't you Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner, the Empire's hero! Only a spy wouldn't know you! I can't tell you what an honor it is to see you in person like this!"
Behind Bellaph's boisterous laughter, the sound of the door closing could be heard.
Daniel took Bellaph's hand and exchanged a light handshake.
"Since you have granted my request, it's only natural that I grant yours as well, Pastor."
"To hear you say that, I don't know what to do with myself! Ah! Please, won't you take a seat and enjoy some coffee? I've brought the finest coffee for Lieutenant Colonel Daniel."
"I will."
Having finished their cordial handshake, the two naturally took seats on the sofa.
Bellaph, who had blinked several times as if seeing Daniel in person was a marvel, soon spoke with a hint of a smile.
"At first, I thought my daughter was playing a trick. And why wouldn't I? My daughter is known for using dark magic, isn't she? She's, so to speak, closer to the Empire's shadow..."
Bellaph openly clicked his tongue.
"It's hard to believe that such a child would be acquainted with Lieutenant Colonel Daniel, who is practically the Empire's light. But seeing you here in person, I now know my daughter's words weren't a lie."
"It seems you'll have to apologize to Frien regarding that. For suspicion is a betrayal, after all."
"Pardon? Ah, ha ha ha! Indeed. More importantly, has my daughter caused you any inconvenience, Lieutenant Colonel? She's a child with some flaws, not just regarding her magic, but her personality as well."
"Flaws, you say?"
"I'm not sure if it's due to issues in her upbringing, but my daughter tends to think in extremes about everything. It's certainly not a good sign."
Extreme, huh.
Considering Frien's actions and remarks so far, it wasn't entirely wrong.
"Regarding what you just said, I also agree—"
Daniel stopped speaking mid-sentence and closed his mouth.
He had unconsciously glanced at the door and seen it.
Frien, peeking through the slightly open door, watching inside the reception room.
Her steady gaze, holding an ominous and unsettling aura in her eyes, felt terrifyingly chilling.
He wasn't sure if it was his imagination, but it seemed as if dark magic was faintly swirling around her.
'...She didn't close the door, she just *pretended* to?'
He involuntarily broke out in a cold sweat.
Because if he were to badmouth Frien right then and there, he felt he wouldn't be able to preserve his life.
How could he predict what that nationalistic, insane woman would do?
After a brief silence, Daniel revised his answer.
"I do not agree. I don't care what you, Pastor, think of your daughter, but Frien is one of the people I cherish most, and she is a more dedicated and capable subordinate than anyone."
After speaking, Daniel subtly glanced at Frien.
Upon hearing Daniel's words, Frien's eyes widened in surprise, then she shyly smiled.
She looked like a girl in love, but to Daniel, it was simply chilling.
'Still...'
At least it seemed he had avoided the worst-case scenario.