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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: A Caught Fish Is Bait for a Bigger Catch
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Two days later, the Kingdom of Belmore.
Second Armored Division Headquarters, Division Commander's Office.
*Knock, knock—*
Hearing the knock, Count Magref, the Division Commander, gathered up the report he had been reading.
He raised a hand, took off his reading glasses, and spoke.
"Come in."
As permission was granted, the office door opened, and a sharp-looking man entered.
It was Magref's aide.
"Your Excellency!"
The aide, uncharacteristically flustered, blurted out his words in a rush.
"Urgent news! His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, has been defeated by Daniel Steiner's unit and taken hostage!"
At the aide's words, Magref's hand, which had been folding his glasses, froze.
He couldn't comprehend it.
"…What in the world are you talking about? Didn't His Royal Highness ambush Daniel Steiner? And with a battalion of the kingdom's elite troops at that."
"That's not wrong, Your Excellency. But Daniel Steiner had anticipated all of it."
The aide, gritting his teeth, continued after taking a deep breath.
"The report states that Daniel Steiner waited for His Royal Highness to enter the outpost and then formed an encirclement. His Royal Highness, unaware of anything, ordered a charge and was… just like that…"
Magref raised a hand, stopping him.
No further explanation was needed.
"Daniel Steiner anticipated the ambush?"
It was hard to believe, but given that an encirclement had been formed, it was a logical inference.
"No. How in the world…"
Magref, muttering in confusion, soon understood the entire situation.
*Was the person who gave us Daniel Steiner's location actually a double agent? Or perhaps a spy working for Daniel Steiner had infiltrated the kingdom…*
He wasn't sure which was true, but it was clear that Daniel Steiner had known all the information in advance and used it.
*Truly, a devilish stratagem.*
It was more than understandable why Daniel Steiner was called the Empire's Devil.
Magref, who had been muttering under his breath, turned back to his aide.
"Assemble a negotiation team immediately."
Daniel Steiner, having captured the Crown Prince, would undoubtedly propose negotiations with the kingdom.
The kingdom could not abandon its Crown Prince to the enemy, so they had no choice but to accept Daniel's terms, whatever they might be.
Therefore, it was imperative to move quickly and devise a negotiation strategy starting now.
The aide, understanding Magref's intent, regained his composure and replied.
"Understood, Your Excellency. I will issue the orders immediately. But have you decided who will lead the negotiation team?"
Magref let out a low breath and nodded.
"I will go myself."
"…You, Division Commander, personally?"
"Yes."
He needed to find out how Daniel Steiner was obtaining information about the Kingdom of Belmore.
Rather than sending some inadequate negotiation expert or government official, he had decided to go himself.
After a brief silence, the aide, understanding Magref's intentions, bowed deeply.
"Understood. I will relay that."
The aide, speaking respectfully, saluted Magref one last time and exited the office.
Left alone, Magref gazed out the window, lost in thought.
*Daniel Steiner…*
Could a person's name truly feel so intimidating?
Magref, calming his trembling hand unconsciously, narrowed his eyes and took a breath.
*Your Royal Highness, the Crown Prince. Bear with it just a little longer.*
*For I will rescue Your Highness from that villain.*
*
Having captured Crown Prince Blef, Daniel re-verified his identity, then requested support from the rear units.
The outpost had been damaged by mortar fire, and even if it hadn't, there wasn't enough space to accommodate the entire battalion, including the prisoners.
Upon hearing that Crown Prince Blef of the Kingdom of Belmore had been captured, the rear units promptly sent a support detachment to the outpost.
After a day's wait, dozens of transport vehicles and escort troops arrived at the outpost. Daniel ordered the prisoners to board first, then boarded himself last.
Once everyone was aboard, the transport vehicles headed for Barheim, a small city near the Eastern Front.
Upon arriving in Barheim, they were met by the Brigadier General in charge of the city's defense.
It was unclear whether he wanted to commend Daniel's military achievements for capturing the Crown Prince, but the Brigadier General treated Daniel's unit with utmost hospitality.
Daniel, wishing to rest and recover from his fatigue, did not refuse. After a few days of rest, he politely requested a place to conduct his duties from the Brigadier General.
The Brigadier General readily agreed, offering him the largest office in the Brigade Headquarters.
Thanks to this, Daniel, now able to spend his time at the Brigade Headquarters, summoned two officers today.
And so, now.
In front of Daniel, who was seated at his desk, stood Frien, wearing a gentle smile, and Lucy, holding a file folder with her usual impassive expression.
Daniel, sitting in his chair and quietly observing Frien, spoke, trying to hide his annoyance.
"Second Lieutenant Frien."
"Yes, Commander."
"I hear you've been going to the church here in Barheim during your free time for worship. Is that information correct?"
Frien nodded.
"That is correct, sir. Is there a problem?"
Was he serious? Daniel, dumbfounded, clicked his tongue and said,
"If you're going to worship, just worship. Why are you going around there peddling my name, spouting nonsense about me being a saint or something?"
"…Nonsense, sir? I was merely telling the congregants the truth."
Frien blinked as if he genuinely didn't understand, causing Daniel to feel a headache coming on.
*Just cut it out, please…*
It seemed Frien's "nonsense" had some strange credibility, as several "brainwashed" congregants had come to the Brigade Headquarters causing a ruckus, demanding to see the "Saint," causing Daniel no end of stress.
Yet, he didn't have the confidence to convince Frien that his ideas were mistaken.
Daniel, nursing his headache and pressing his temples, let out a deep sigh.
"If I say don't do it, then don't do it. If you go to worship, just worship, and don't spread strange rumors. Understood?"
"Understood, Commander. If that is what you wish…"
"Yes. That's enough. You may go now."
Frien, bowing with a smile, exited the office.
Confirming Frien's departure, Daniel turned his gaze to Lucy.
"Adjutant. Didn't you say you had something to report to me?"
Lucy blinked her red eyes once and nodded.
"The Kingdom of Belmore has accepted the negotiation proposal. The head negotiator is Major General Magref, who commands the Second Armored Brigade. According to the report, he has expressed his intention to come here to Barheim personally."
"What kind of person is Magref?"
"He is a general of noble birth. He has a cautious personality and, like most nobles, places great importance on the legitimacy of the royal family."
Daniel, listening to Lucy's words, fell into thought for a moment.
*Instead of sending a diplomat or an envoy, the division commander of an enemy armored division is coming as the head negotiator…*
It wasn't impossible, but it smelled fishy.
*The Kingdom of Belmore probably thinks I obtained their information through some means.*
Therefore, it's highly probable they judged it right to send someone who held information commensurate with negotiating with Daniel Steiner.
*That's likely why they sent Major General Magref.*
It was highly probable that Magref was the influential figure who held all of the kingdom's information.
*If so, he must also know the identity of the Empire-side individual who revealed my location to the Crown Prince.*
He had asked the Crown Prince before, but the Prince only knew that he received the information from an Empire-side individual, not who that person specifically was.
But Magref would know exactly who that individual was.
From Daniel's perspective, his safety was only guaranteed if he found the Empire's traitor through Magref.
If he couldn't expose the traitor this time, they would leak classified information again, creating another dangerous situation.
*How can I…*
…make Magref reveal the name of the Empire's traitor?
He wouldn't answer even if simply told to speak on the condition of releasing the Crown Prince.
If he feigned ignorance, Daniel wouldn't be able to extract anything further.
Daniel, stroking his chin and pondering deeply, felt an ingenious scheme flash through his mind.
*With this…*
…he might be able to get Magref to confess.
Daniel, having formulated the plan in his mind, looked up at Lucy.
"Adjutant. Instruct them to conduct shooting practice near the negotiation site on the day of the negotiations. Also, tell them to carry their radios and answer truthfully when I ask them questions."
Shooting practice? Lucy blinked blankly at the sudden order.
"The negotiation site is in the city center, sir. Are you saying we should conduct shooting practice in the city center?"
"Yes. Also, tell the Brigadier General that on Magref's route to the negotiation site… No. It would be better if I went and told him myself. This is definitely…"
Daniel's eyes, as he muttered and sorted out his thoughts, were filled with certainty.
Unconsciously feeling a sense of awe at his demeanor, Lucy cautiously spoke.
"Lieutenant Colonel, you have it all planned out."
"No. This isn't so much a plan as it is…"
Daniel let out a low sigh, as if reluctant but resigned.
"It's closer to a damn performance. Setting up the right 'props' to make the enemy fear me. Even if that's not the essence of it."
Lucy, hearing Daniel's words, looked puzzled.
*I'm not sure what he means, but if the enemy ends up fearing Daniel…*
*Wouldn't that no longer be just a performance?*