I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander-Chapter 177

Meanwhile, inside the Eisenkrone Imperial Palace—

The Emperor Selvia’s bedchamber.

“Hmph.”

Selvia, clad in pajamas, sat on the edge of the bed once used by her father.

“To establish the National Security Oversight Bureau, I’ll need to enact a foundational law first. Then, I must order the Finance Ministry to review the budget and issue formal approval for the organization...”

She had to go over tomorrow’s agenda, but her eyes kept drooping with drowsiness.

She tried her best to fight it, but her body wouldn’t listen.

Drawn into slumber before she realized it, Selvia jerked her head forward—then snapped herself awake.

“...Hah!?”

The strange sound she made trying to wake herself echoed awkwardly in the quiet bedroom.

Embarrassed for no real reason, Selvia glanced around.

Confirming no one had seen her, she let out a small sigh of relief.

Then, half-lidding her eyes, she gave a self-deprecating smile.

“Maybe it’s post-meal drowsiness. I did eat dinner a bit late...”

Though truthfully, it was closer to sleep deprivation than food coma—Selvia forced herself to deny it.

For someone responsible for the Empire’s fate, craving sleep felt like a selfish indulgence.

She rubbed her eyes and reached again for the documents—

Knock knock—

The knock broke her concentration.

She turned her head, wondering who it could be at this hour—

The door slowly creaked open.

There was only one person in the palace who could open the Emperor’s bedroom door without permission.

“...Mother.”

Beyond the open door stood a noblewoman with golden hair and sapphire eyes, smiling gently.

It was Selvia’s birth mother, Marianthe.

“Sweetheart. How are you feeling?”

As Marianthe approached with concern, Selvia gave a slightly awkward smile.

“I’m fine. It’s not like I was imprisoned for long.”

“Still, this mother couldn’t sleep at all ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) for worry. Don’t you think you should take a break? Maybe lessen your workload?”

“I’d like to... but stabilizing the Empire takes priority.”

Marianthe gave her a look of sorrowful affection, then nodded as if she understood.

“You’re becoming more and more like your father. Only the good parts, of course. He would’ve been proud to see how admirable you’ve grown... if only he were still here.”

She exhaled softly, as if to chase away her melancholy.

Thinking there was no need for such sad talk, Marianthe sat next to Selvia.

She gently took her daughter’s hand.

“Sweetheart. I may not know much about politics, but there is something I’ve come to understand. That Colonel Daniel Steiner... he saved you, didn’t he?”

That Daniel had turned his army back from the eastern front and returned to the capital to protect the Emperor from traitors was a rumor that had already spread throughout the Empire.

It wasn’t exactly wrong, so Selvia nodded calmly.

“That’s right. He mobilized the military from the east to the capital for my sake from the start.”

“Then it’s certain—he has feelings for you. Whether it’s ambition, desire, or love... I’m not sure. What do you think, Selvia?”

Recalling the time they spent together in the Golden Sanctum, Selvia’s cheeks flushed.

Even after all this time, the words Daniel had spoken that night still made her heart race.

“It’s not ambition. That day, Daniel said he would give up everything he had for me. If he were ambitious, he would’ve demanded something in return.”

“Oh my. Then are we talking about desire? Did he say he wanted to hold you?”

“Of course not! Colonel Daniel isn’t that kind of man.”

It wasn’t ambition. And it wasn’t desire.

Which left only one possibility.

Eyes wide in surprise, Marianthe spoke in astonishment.

“Then... that young officer named Daniel... must love you.”

Selvia gave a small, awkward cough—clearly embarrassed.

But she didn’t deny it.

Because even to her, it was obvious that Daniel had feelings for her.

“I think so too... though I believe Colonel Daniel isn’t very good at expressing it. He’s never outright said he loves me.”

“...Sweetheart. That’s only natural.”

“What do you mean?”

“Think about it. Colonel Daniel is an orphan. For someone like him to say ‘I love you’ to the Emperor, the very sun of the Empire—do you think that would be permitted?”

Even if Selvia herself allowed it, those around them certainly wouldn’t.

“Of course, as I’ve said before, I think Daniel would make a fine husband. If we were living under the old caste system, it might’ve been impossible—but that’s no longer the case. Your father abolished all legal discrimination based on birth...”

Marianthe trailed off, then shook her head slightly.

“I’m sorry. I’ve gone and inserted myself again. Even if Daniel does love you, if you don’t return his feelings, it’s meaningless.”

Just as she was about to pull her hand away, Selvia spoke.

“...I feel the same way.”

The words were so soft they barely escaped her lips.

Thinking she misheard, Marianthe tilted her head.

Selvia averted her gaze and said again,

“I love Colonel Daniel too.”

Marianthe raised a hand to cover her mouth.

Her daughter—who had always treated men like rocks at every social event—was now talking about love. It moved her deeply.

“Oh, my daughter... you’re finally becoming a woman.”

Proud and touched, Marianthe smiled warmly and said,

“Then there’s no problem, is there? Why don’t you tell Daniel how you feel first? Then the two of you can move on to the next stage.”

“...Next stage?”

“Having a child, of course. That’s the fruit of love.”

Selvia’s eyes widened like saucers.

She thought her mother might suggest marriage—but Marianthe had skipped a few steps ahead. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm

“Sweetheart, do you remember when I gave you those lacy undergarments and that aphrodisiac? If you need them again, don’t worry. Just let me know. With those, even the densest man would—”

Marianthe stopped mid-sentence.

Selvia’s face had turned bright red, as if it might explode.

Eyes squeezed shut, she took a deep breath and spoke with a trembling voice...

“Get out.”

“My dear? I was only hoping the two of you would—”

“I said get out. Now.”

Faced with Selvia’s repeated command to leave, Marianthe shrugged and rose to her feet.

“Selvia, this mother will always be here with an open heart...”

Selvia slowly opened her eyes and glared at Marianthe.

It was her version of a threat—but with her face still flushed red from embarrassment, it only made her look adorably indignant.

Realizing that pushing further would only make things worse, Marianthe nodded.

“Very well. Then I’ll take my leave. If you ever need advice, don’t hesitate to come to me.”

With that, Marianthe turned and walked out.

Only after her mother left the room did Selvia finally steady her breathing.

“Having a child... what kind of absurd thing is that...?”

Of course, the act that led to having a child was the natural conclusion of love—she didn’t disagree.

But still, it wasn’t something that needed to happen now.

Not while the war was still ongoing.

There were far too many things left to do before she could lose herself in love.

Trying to refocus herself, Selvia returned to reviewing her documents—but Marianthe’s scandalous comments lingered in her head, bringing with them the occasional indecent fantasy.

“Ugh... seriously...!”

She found herself resenting her mother just a little.

****

The Next Morning

Central Security Bureau, Office of the High Commissioner

“Looks like everyone’s here.”

Currently, Daniel had summoned all senior officers of the Central Security Bureau to his office.

Among them were officers from the Grenadier Regiment—those who had chosen to remain behind to help purge the collaborators hiding within the capital.

Daniel looked them over with steady resolve.

“Now that we’ve secured the list from Duke Belvar, it’s time to act.”

To ensure his own survival and the Empire’s stability, surgically removing the traitors still rooted in the capital was now a necessity.

“Listen closely, all of you.”

In a firm but restrained voice, Daniel addressed the packed room of soldiers and law enforcers.

“We are those entrusted by Her Majesty the Empress with a sacred mission—to eliminate those who have betrayed our country and our people. To uproot the filthy collaborators who fed on the Empire’s treasury and leeched off the proud blood of our nation!”

All eyes locked on Daniel.

“Until now, we’ve lacked the means to properly deal with these rats...”

Daniel raised his hand.

In it, he held the list compiled from Duke Belvar’s testimony.

“But as of yesterday! We finally have what we need to begin the purge! Therefore, I ask you—will you stand with me and fulfill your historical duty? Are you prepared to carry out your mission for the glory of the Empire and Her Majesty the Empress?!”

In perfect unison, the officers shouted: “Yes, sir!”

In their sharp, blade-like gazes, Daniel saw raw hatred for the collaborators.

It unnerved him—just a little.

But he didn’t let it show.

For the sake of unity, Daniel, too, had to play the role of the “High Commissioner enraged by traitors.”

Centering himself, Daniel scanned their faces and continued.

“Then show the traitors the will of the Empire! The will of iron! Tonight...”

The room fell silent.

And in that silence, Daniel declared with grim finality:

“We will carry out the blood purge.”