Chapter 295: Recall Order
Three months later, in the Imperial Capital.
The gardens of the Imperial Palace.
“Has the Republic still not broken the stalemate?” Empress Selvia asked as she walked through the garden, where the hydrangeas were just beginning to bloom in the early summer.
Dressed in a pure white uniform with a red cape draped over her shoulders, she radiated imperial dignity.
Walking behind her, Chief of the General Staff Armand nodded.
“That is correct. The Imperial Army successfully repelled the Republic’s all-out offensive. Under Her Majesty the Empress’s wise leadership, our soldiers have once again proven why the Empire is a great nation.”
“...Just because we stopped them doesn’t mean the war is over.”
“You are not wrong. The Republic has suffered immense losses and is likely facing the limits of its logistics and industrial capacity. Their leadership must also be facing severe criticism.”
The chaos engulfing the Republic after its failed offensive was surely beyond imagination. It wasn't just that their attack had failed; they had also lost the fortress city of Lakedrapol to Daniel Steiner, a shock that must have struck the entire nation.
But it was too soon to be complacent.
“If this weren’t a two-front war, the Republic would have already raised the white flag. The only reason they haven’t is because they believe the Allied Nations holding out on the Eastern Front gives them enough time to regroup.”
Selvia let out a soft sigh.
“And they must be confident that the Imperial Army cannot counterattack. We, too, suffered considerable damage while fending off their invasion.”
“Your Majesty is correct.”
“Then the Empire has only one option. No matter how much we attempt to negotiate or act rationally, if the enemy insists on behaving like a beast off its leash…”
Selvia stopped walking and clenched her fist.
“Then we had best show them the trump card the Empire has been preparing. A beast, after all, only tucks its tail when it is shown the true disparity in strength.”
Her clenched fist trembled slightly.
Knowing what she meant, Armand bowed his head deeply.
“...Under Her Majesty the Empress’s leadership, the world will accept a new order.”
He couldn't begin to imagine the depth of deliberation Selvia, who had confined herself within the immense power of her title, had gone through to make such a statement.
As the wind blew in the silence, Selvia took a deep breath and unclenched her fist.
“The time has come. Summon everyone involved in what I am about to do to the capital.”
“Does that mean…”
“Yes. It means Major General Daniel Steiner is to return to the capital as well.”
About three months ago, the General Staff had recommended that Daniel Steiner return to the capital. Because it was a recommendation and not an order, Daniel had refused, stating, ‘I am still needed in the occupied territory.’
Since Empress Selvia had permitted it, the General Staff had accepted his decision.
But this time, Selvia herself was issuing the recall order.
As it was a direct command from Her Majesty the Empress, Daniel Steiner would have no grounds to refuse.
By summoning the great commander Daniel Steiner, she must be planning the final battle.
That was how serious Selvia was about ending this war.
“Too many have shed their blood.”
The blowing wind rustled Selvia’s golden hair.
“Too many have lost their families.”
Her blue eyes, etched with fatigue, were fixed on a distant point.
“As the one who stands above them all, I cannot be free from responsibility. That is why I have strived so tirelessly. Now that the fruits of that effort are within reach, I must not hesitate any longer.”
Armand remained silent.
“Chief of Staff. How will future generations record me as an empress?”
Armand bowed his head deeply.
“You will be recorded as a wise monarch who dedicated herself to the Empire.”
“A wise monarch.”
Selvia let out a low laugh.
“How amusing. How could I, who was targeted by countless assassination attempts and ultimately faced the threat of usurpation, be a wise monarch? If not for Major General Daniel Steiner, I would not even be standing here.”
Selvia’s eyes softened.
“History will always mention Daniel Steiner’s name when it judges me. I suppose he and I have become inseparable, even in the annals of history.”
Closing her eyes slowly, Selvia recalled Daniel’s face and voice.
“I have missed him all this time, but that feeling is especially strong today.”
It was thanks to Daniel that Selvia could endure whenever the immense weight of responsibility pressed down on her shoulders. Though their methods differed slightly, Selvia, like Daniel, desired peace for this world more than anyone.
To Selvia, Daniel was not only the man she loved but also a pillar of support who shared the same goal.
So…
She could only hope he would return to the capital as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, in the fortress city of Lakedrapol.
Daniel Steiner’s office, set up in the city hall.
“...Am I seeing this right?”
Daniel Steiner, standing by the window, spoke in disbelief.
Lucy, standing right next to him, was just as bewildered.
“This is certainly unexpected.”
In front of the city hall, a crowd of about a hundred citizens was holding a protest.
The problem was the content of their protest—something that would rarely happen in an occupied territory.
【Major General Daniel Steiner, Don’t Abandon Lakedrapol!】
【Keep Your Promise to Make Lakedrapol a Good City to Live In!】
【Please Don’t Leave the City, General Daniel!】
Every placard the citizens held bore words protesting Daniel’s return to the capital.
Daniel took a sip of the coffee Lucy had made for him and let out a weary sigh.
“What did I even do for them to support me like this?”
“Not only did you save a Republic child, but a recording of you speaking about caring for the city’s citizens also spread far and wide. Since then, you’ve managed the city without any major issues. It’s said that among some citizens, life is even better now than it was before the occupation.”
Daniel frowned.
“Better than before the Imperial occupation? Are there really people still saying such nonsense? As I recall, I haven’t done much to accommodate them.”
“There certainly are. When the Republic ran this city, they apparently conscripted laborers without pay quite often for trench expansion and fortress reinforcement. You, Division Commander, at least don’t force the citizens to do such things.”
…The Republic was truly insane.
His will to argue gone, Daniel sighed.
“But why do they think I’m going to leave the city?”
“It’s common for an occupation commander to be replaced once a city is stabilized. They’re probably protesting because they’re worried a competent commander will leave and some strange fellow will take your place, causing them headaches.”
“I suppose…”
In the past, when the General Staff had urged him to return, it was a recommendation, not an order, so he had been able to make excuses and refuse. But not now.
Any fool could see that Lakedrapol was now perfectly stabilized.
With the liaison officer dispatched from the General Staff, Rimshel (who for some reason hadn’t returned), sending real-time reports, it was clear he couldn’t hold out here much longer.
Just as he was wondering how much more time he had, a knock came at the door.
“Division Commander! It’s Lieutenant Colonel Phelps, your intelligence staff officer! I’ve come because a telegram has arrived from the General Staff!”
Believing the time had finally come, Daniel took a deep breath and spoke.
“Enter.”
The door opened, and Phelps came in.
Looking at the back of Daniel, who was staring out the window, Phelps delivered his report.
“Division Commander. The General Staff has requested your return. This time, it is not a recommendation. They said to inform you that Her Majesty the Empress has personally given the order, so there is no right of refusal.”
Daniel’s hand, which was about to lift the cup to drink the remaining coffee, flinched.
He hadn’t expected Selvia herself to issue a recall order.
Turning around, Daniel placed the cup on his desk and faced Phelps.
“Her Majesty the Empress?”
Selvia could be a bit childish at times, but she never let her personal feelings interfere in grave matters of state. If she had been moved by personal sentiment, Daniel would never have been allowed to stay in Lakedrapol for six months.
Sensing that Selvia had a purpose, Daniel asked again.
“Is there a particular reason Her Majesty ordered my return?”
“They did not state it explicitly, but…”
Phelps paused for a moment before continuing.
“I was told to relay the message that the Vargov Project is complete.”
At that, Daniel’s eyes widened.
After a brief silence, he trembled, unable to hide his astonishment.
The Vargov Project…
It meant that the development of nuclear weapons had succeeded.