Fifteen days after the negotiation, the Kingdom of Belmore delivered Hans Zernmehart and the other Imperial engineers to Barheim.
After verifying the engineers' identities, Daniel returned Crown Prince Blef and the detained Belmore personnel as agreed. He then submitted a request for reassignment to Imperial General Staff Headquarters.
The General Staff, unwilling to leave the successful Daniel Steiner on the frontlines indefinitely, promptly approved his return.
Thus, Daniel escorted Hans Zernmehart and the engineers back to the capital. Upon their safe arrival, he requested an audience with Her Highness, the Princess.
It was not the Imperial Court that summoned him—Daniel Steiner had requested this audience on his own accord.
Ordinarily, a mere operations officer and field-grade officer would have no place making such a request. But when that officer’s name was Daniel Steiner, the situation changed.
The Imperial Household could not simply ignore a request from him. The court promptly informed Princess Selvia, and despite her busy schedule, she accepted.
[Inside the Audience Chamber]
“Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner.”
And so, Daniel now stood before Selvia, seated on the imperial throne.
There was something subtly different about her.
Though only a month and a half had passed since his departure, it seemed Selvia had experienced more than expected during that time.
The youthful air of a girl had been replaced by the composed presence of a young woman.
Her blue eyes, tinged with fatigue, flickered as she parted her delicate lips.
“You wished to see me?”
Daniel knelt on one knee before the crimson-carpeted chamber, his head bowed.
“Yes, Your Highness. I deeply regret imposing upon your precious time. However, the matter is urgent, and I deemed it necessary to report directly to you.”
“Whether it is regrettable or not, I will decide after hearing it. Speak.”
“Understood. The truth is…”
Daniel relayed everything.
From the suspicious circumstances of Crown Prince Blef’s ambush, to his investigation during the negotiation—where he discovered that Campbell, head of the Free Society Party, had been leaking Imperial secrets.
When his story ended, Selvia’s expression had hardened.
She had already heard that Daniel had turned Prince Blef’s ambush into a victory.
But the revelation that Campbell, the leader of the Free Society Party, had committed treason—this was entirely new.
If it was true, then, as Daniel had claimed, the matter was indeed urgent.
“Is this truly the case? Not a shred of falsehood?”
“Yes. If Your Highness requires a witness, my adjutant is waiting outside the chamber. She was present at the negotiation and can corroborate my testimony.”
Selvia’s brow twitched ever so slightly.
His mention of his adjutant—Lucy Emilia—irritated her for reasons she could not quite articulate.
“I am not asking for a witness, Lieutenant Colonel Steiner. I am asking you. If you are certain of your claim, then raise your head and answer me plainly.”
Daniel lifted his gaze, his expression unwavering.
“I am certain.”
At his resolute declaration, Selvia could no longer doubt him.
‘If he was willing to call his aide as a witness, then it’s no lie…’
But more than that—Daniel Steiner was not the kind of man to fabricate such a report.
Trusting him, Selvia made a small gesture with her hand, granting permission for him to rise.
Daniel inclined his head briefly in acknowledgment and stood.
Selvia, her hand resting on the armrest of the throne, asked directly,
“Lieutenant Colonel Steiner. Then tell me—what is it you want from me?”
Daniel paused briefly, considering his words before speaking.
“I request that Your Highness grant me temporary inquisitorial authority to thoroughly investigate this matter.”
Under Imperial law, if a politician posed a military threat, the Subversive Collaboration Act allowed military personnel to receive temporary inquisitorial powers until the threat was resolved.
Daniel was formally requesting that authority under the statute, to conduct an independent inquiry into Campbell’s treason.
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Though legally sound, Selvia felt a wave of caution.
“…You understand that granting you inquisitorial authority is no simple matter.”
If she empowered Daniel, it would incite the nobles—those who clung to the banner of Imperial legitimacy.
The uproar would be deafening. After all, an orphaned soldier like Daniel Steiner, daring to investigate a noble-born politician, would be seen as a direct affront to their privilege.
“Lieutenant Colonel Steiner,” Selvia continued carefully. “Are you certain you wish to proceed this way? Would it not be better to entrust this matter to the Security Bureau or the Military Police Corps?”
“Your Highness,” Daniel replied without hesitation. “The leader of a political party has committed treason. Do you understand what that implies?”
Selvia fell silent.
Because she did understand.
“It means corruption has likely spread beyond the Free Society Party—into the Security Bureau and the Military Police Corps as well.”
Her lips pressed together in thought.
“If we entrust the investigation to them,” Daniel pressed on, “we will only be feeding the inquiry into the hands of those who may already be compromised. No true investigation will take place.”
His voice was cold, but his conviction burned through.
“Therefore, I intend to root out the entire conspiracy myself, starting with Campbell—so that we can see just how far the rot has spread.”
Selvia’s fingers tensed against the armrest.
“I understand your resolve, Daniel. But if you fail to produce solid proof, I will not be able to shield you.”
A traitor of Campbell’s stature could not be condemned on the word of an enemy general alone.
In the end, the burden would fall on Daniel—to extract a confession from Campbell or gather irrefutable evidence.
In the process, if Daniel failed to secure evidence of Campbell's betrayal of the Empire, he would be attacked by the nobles and face a trial.
The nobles, who harbored resentment towards Daniel, would stop at nothing to increase the severity of his sentence, and in the worst case, a death sentence could be issued.
Although Selvia could not understand why Daniel would risk such a danger, from his perspective, he had no other choice.
“If I don’t strike a blow against them now, it’ll just be a matter of whether I die quickly or slowly.”
Only by showing them how far a cornered wolf will bare its teeth will they hesitate to act against him.
“I do not seek protection. I merely wish to dedicate myself to Her Imperial Highness and the Empire. Therefore, I humbly request that you grant me inquisitorial authority. I will bear all responsibility myself.”
Daniel, hiding his true intention of self-preservation, bowed as respectfully as possible.
Selvia, unwilling to accept this, found herself unable to refuse Daniel’s first-ever request.
In the end, Selvia, having decided to trust Daniel, nodded her head.
“Very well. I will write you a letter of authorization, so proceed with the investigation. However...”
Selvia looked down at Daniel as she continued.
“The deadline is before the coronation. I despise any rumors circulating during the ceremony. Do you understand my words?”
It was clear that she was instructing him to finish the task as quickly as possible and report back.
Even if he failed to achieve results, after the coronation, Selvia would have full imperial authority, and she could calm the nobles by revoking the inquisitorial authority.
This was a concession made solely for Daniel, and he, knowing this, placed his hand over his chest and gave a faint smile.
“I will keep that in mind, Your Imperial Highness.”
“Good. Now, please leave.”
With Selvia's dismissal, Daniel saluted courteously before turning and walking out.
As Daniel was about to leave, the guards opened the door, revealing a long corridor.
And there, waiting for him, was Lucy.
“Lieutenant Colonel Daniel.”
As Daniel stepped into the corridor, Lucy approached him.
“Did everything go well with Her Imperial Highness?”
Walking down the hallway, Daniel casually began to speak.
“Yes. Her Imperial Highness has agreed to write the letter of authorization. As soon as the day breaks tomorrow, I will head to Campbell’s residence. Prepare soldiers and bring me a blank cartridge, one that does not contain gunpowder.”
Lucy, puzzled by the request for a blank cartridge, did not ask further, knowing Daniel often took unexpected actions.
“Understood. I’ll prepare it quickly.”
Daniel nodded at Lucy’s reply, his expression somber as he continued walking.
As they walked together, Lucy couldn't help but recall the moment in the Barheim Brigade office when she overheard Daniel reminiscing about the woman he had lost.
The look in his eyes now somehow reminded her of that time.
“Lieutenant Colonel Daniel.”
Lucy, knowing it was not the right time, hesitated but decided to offer an apology.
“I unintentionally overheard you muttering about a photo in the brigade office. Since tomorrow looks busy, I wanted to apologize now.”
Photo? Daniel turned to Lucy, trying to piece together what she meant.
“Ah, it was just me reminiscing about old memories. There’s no need to apologize. It’s just sadness from the past; the girl left me, but that’s all.”
“...It seems like you were very close.”
“She was a friend I could never replace. I even made her a birthday present myself for the first time in my life.”
“A gift, you say?”
“Yes. It was a collar made from fine leather. Kelly liked walking with it around her neck.”
Lucy stopped in her tracks, stunned by his words.
‘A collar as a birthday present?’
Confused, Lucy widened her eyes and instinctively clutched the documents in her arms.
‘...But she liked walking with a collar around her neck?’
Lucy couldn't understand what Daniel meant.