I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander
Chapter 219

The next morning.

Snowfield highlands near the Republic's border.

“Is this the place? Where that weirdo’s supposed to live?”

At his subordinate’s comment, Bilov—an intelligence agent for the Republic—wiped the sweat from his brow.

Whether it was the climbing or the heavy mountaineering gear, he didn’t know. But even surrounded by snow, heat ruled his body.

“Yes. But don’t call him a weirdo. He doesn’t like that. He prefers to be called a ‘Great Mage,’ so keep that in mind.”

“...Great Mage?”

A Great Mage? In an era where magic had all but lost its effectiveness, save for a few rare abilities?

Even the title of “mage” had faded into history—calling someone a Great Mage now was almost laughable.

“It’s surprising that someone still clings to magic in this day and age. What’s even more surprising is that the government’s classed him as a high-risk individual.”

“That just shows you don’t know anything. He might be eccentric, but his abilities are real.”

“Seriously?”

Bilov nodded as he trudged through the snow.

There was no longer a need to keep things hidden—this man would be his successor soon enough.

“Do you remember the assassination of Al Repimel?”

“Of course I do. He was a Politburo member who rebelled against the High Council. Traitor to the state, colluding with the military for a full-scale coup.”

“Then you must also know that Al Repimel’s death remains something of a mystery.”

“Yes. At the time, he was holed up deep inside an air-raid bunker, giving orders while gripped by paranoia. But then, one day, without any warning...”

The subordinate stopped mid-sentence.

He finally understood why Bilov was bringing this up.

The one who had slipped through the bunker’s tight security, killed Al Repimel, and walked out untouched—

Was the very same “weirdo” they were here to meet.

The subordinate swallowed dryly, realizing this man was a far greater figure than he’d expected. Bilov gave a low chuckle and looked ahead.

“We’re almost there.”

Ahead, perched atop a sheer cliff, stood a three-story building.

Its structure looked slightly off-kilter, as if the balance was somehow wrong. The subordinate tilted his head.

“That’s... a strange building. I’m amazed it hasn’t collapsed.”

“You can think that all you like. Just don’t say it in front of him. He calls that place his ‘Mage Tower.’”

“...Got it.”

With that reply, Bilov walked up to the building and gave a light knock on the door.

And it opened inward—on its own.

As his subordinate stared in awe, Bilov simply shrugged.

“I don’t know how it works either. Some kind of magic, apparently. Anyway, follow me—and don’t touch anything.”

Bilov stepped inside.

The Gothic-style interior was cluttered with all manner of strange objects, most of which looked far too arcane to even guess their use.

Apparently used to this sight, Bilov headed straight for the spiral staircase at the center of the room.

Ignoring the second floor, which was filled with fish tanks, he climbed all the way to the third.

And there he saw him—

A man in a flowing robe, peering into a celestial telescope, gazing up at the morning sky.

The subordinate, arriving moments later, muttered without thinking, “Why’s he using a telescope in the daytime...?”

Whether he’d heard or simply felt the tone, the “weirdo” responded in a languid voice.

“A true star knows how to shine even through the veil of light. Not that a pebble like you could understand such things, even if I explained them a hundred times.”

His tone was sharp, almost barbed.

Bilov shot his subordinate a glance, then placed a hand over his chest and bowed deeply.

“A humble being dares to greet the Great Mage Serael. Please forgive my subordinate’s rudeness.”

“Well, what choice do I have? Pebbles like you make mistakes all the time.”

“We thank you for your gracious tolerance.”

Serael gave a light shrug.

“So? What are you here to bother me about this time?”

Bilov took a breath before replying.

“...Have you perhaps heard that Count Khaledra was recently defeated in Fenbark?”

“Of course. The stars whispered it to me. A most disgraceful defeat, I hear.”

“In relation to that loss, Count Khaledra and the Republic’s High Council would like to request your assistance.”

Adjusting the angle of his telescope slightly, Serael spoke casually.

“They want me to eliminate Daniel Steiner, don’t they?”

Blunt. The words left Bilov speechless for a moment.

After hesitating, he finally nodded.

“Yes. Count Khaledra has offered a Conversion Etherlium Stone in return. The High Council is also prepared to offer every convenience.”

“Hmph. The Republic... the Allied Nations... I’ve helped both of you before, haven’t I? And now you’re back, asking for more. No shame at all.”

Was that a rejection? Cold sweat trickled down Bilov’s back—until Serael chuckled softly.

“Fine. I’ll help. That Daniel Steiner fellow has piqued my interest anyway. But not now. You’ll have to wait a few months. Stargazing is more fun at the moment.”

Bilov exhaled in relief.

“On behalf of the High Council, I thank you for your patriotic decision. The Republic will prepare all necessary resources for your aid.”

“As you should. Now—tell me more about this Daniel Steiner. Who does he like? What foods does he prefer? What does he hate? I want everything.”

Serael finally turned from the telescope, a faint smile on his lips, his crimson eyes gleaming.

“I need to know...”

The smile sharpened, just slightly.

“...so it’ll feel good when I kill him.”

****

“Huh? That had to feel nice, right?”

Lucie immediately glanced around in a panic at Namerias’s remark.

Thankfully, the hallway was empty. She let out a quiet sigh of relief.

“Namerias. Keep your voice down.”

Lucie’s cheeks were faintly flushed as she whispered back. Namerias crossed her arms.

“What for? It’s not like I’m making anything up. Brigadier General Daniel Steiner’s in his prime, and you’re objectively pretty. There’s no way he didn’t enjoy kissing you.”

How had it come to this?

Simple.

After Lucie had granted her some freedom within the estate, Namerias had run into her in the hallway while fetching coffee for the Imperial Army staff.

Since they were headed in the same direction, small talk naturally turned to romance.

Recalling a romance novel she’d read ages ago, Namerias asked Lucie whether she’d ever kissed a man.

Lucie had fallen silent.

She hadn’t wanted to blurt out the fact that she’d kissed Daniel.

But silence alone couldn’t hide the flushed face and flickering eyes.

Namerias, already aware of Lucie’s feelings [N O V E L I G H T] for Daniel, had pounced.

“You kissed the Brigadier General, didn’t you?”

Lucie denied it at first, but under Namerias’s relentless questioning, she finally confessed.

And then—she voiced a concern.

“Was I just swept up in the moment...? Did I do something terrible to the General?”

To Namerias, it was the most ridiculous worry imaginable.

“If you’re that worried, why not just ask Brigadier General Steiner directly—”

“Ask me what?”

“HyAAAH!?”

Namerias jumped at the deep voice that suddenly cut in.

Daniel Steiner stood before them in full uniform, having just turned the hallway corner.

While Namerias clutched at her startled heart, Daniel tilted his head.

“...Were you talking about me?”

He looked toward Lucie, as if asking for clarification—but she, too, averted her gaze.

Puzzled, Daniel’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

“Lieutenant.”

His voice grew gentle with concern.

“You look unwell. If this is a side effect from the lab incident, don’t hesitate to tell me. I’ll do everything I can for you.”

“No—it’s not that...”

Wearing a faintly worried expression, Daniel suddenly reached for her hand.

“There’s no need to hide your feelings from me. Others may judge you—but I’ll always be on your side.”

Lucie’s cheeks flushed even deeper.

She squeezed her eyes shut, fighting the urge to cling to him like a child.

Watching the two, Namerias thought to herself:

“Why is he so good at this? Brigadier General Steiner... you’re not... you’re not a womanizer, are you?”

Eyes narrowing suspiciously, she studied Daniel with growing doubt.

Not knowing the full story, Namerias couldn’t help but see him as some kind of smooth-talking playboy.