After reuniting with Princess Selvia, the tide of battle shifted dramatically.
Following Daniel's orders, the platoon disembarked and dispersed to assist reinforcements from the Special Operations Unit. Together, they annihilated the Crown Prince's forces, who had been disguised as Allied soldiers.
Captain Heinz had also requested additional support, prompting nearby air squadrons to deploy reconnaissance helicopters and fighter jets. Faced with such overwhelming force, the Crown Prince's troops stood no chance.
From the beginning, they had only been a small unit meant for a swift, decisive strike.
Even the Special Operations reinforcements alone were enough to overpower them. With air support in play, their defeat became inevitable.
Cornered, the Crown Prince's soldiers chose to end their lives en masse, bringing the skirmish to a close.
Now—
Daniel and his platoon stood at attention in the forest clearing, holding a parade rest stance.
In front of the transport helicopter that had landed in the center, Selvia blinked her sapphire-blue eyes as she surveyed them.
'So it's true. Exceptional soldiers always follow an exceptional commander…'
Daniel and his men were stained with blood.
It meant they hadn't hesitated to fight the Crown Prince's troops.
Of course, except for Daniel, none of them realized who their enemies truly were.
"Lieutenant Daniel."
After scanning the formation, Selvia locked eyes with him.
She beckoned him closer, and Daniel stepped forward without hesitation.
"You called for me?"
Selvia nodded and leaned in, rising on her toes to whisper in his ear.
"Keep everything you saw and heard today to yourself. No one must know that my brother was involved in this."
"…Understood. Without solid proof, accusing the Crown Prince could backfire badly."
"As expected. You're so easy to talk to."
Her soft whisper in his ear was almost sweet.
Then, Selvia stepped back.
"Well then, I'm returning to the capital. Honestly, I'd love to ride with you to General Staff HQ and chat more, but… this matter has grown too big. I need to act quickly."
Indeed, it had escalated. News of the Princess's ambush had likely already reached military leaders in the capital—thanks to Captain Heinz, who deemed the situation urgent enough to call in air support.
If Selvia didn't return promptly, she'd face scrutiny from the Emperor—and the sharp gazes of the court nobles.
Understanding her position, Daniel bowed.
"It has been an honor to meet you. I look forward to serving you again."
Selvia gave him a small smile.
"I'm sure we'll meet again soon."
A loaded statement.
Before Daniel could reply, she turned and boarded the helicopter.
The Royal Guards followed, closing the doors behind them with military precision.
One guard signaled the pilot, who began pre-takeoff procedures.
The helicopter's rotors spun faster and faster, roaring as they pushed against the—
No. The ground. It felt more accurate to say they pushed against the ground.
Snow scattered in every direction as the aircraft rose, heading straight for the capital.
Inside the cabin, Selvia sat by the window, gazing down.
She could still see Daniel and his platoon saluting the departing helicopter.
After a moment of silence, she turned to a Royal Guard inspecting his weapon.
On his shoulder was a golden wing insignia—the mark of the Royal Guard's chief bodyguard.
Lieutenant Colonel Hartmann Edelstein.
A veteran known as a killing machine.
One of his most infamous feats involved charging through a hail of bullets with nothing but a sword.
Yet there was one person even Hartmann feared—Selvia von Amberg, who now stared at him without a word.
Most days, he found her adorable, like a beloved granddaughter.
But when she wore this look—silent and piercing—it made his blood run cold. He couldn't read her.
Still, silence wasn't an option.
Hartmann set aside his weapon and removed his gas mask, a bead of cold sweat running down his weathered face.
"Your Highness. Do you have something to say?"
"I do. Why didn't you rescue Lieutenant Daniel immediately?"
"…What do you mean?"
"Do you take me for a fool, Hartmann? You clearly arrived before Daniel engaged the enemy. Why didn't you intervene right away? Explain."
As expected—her instincts were razor-sharp.
Hartmann glanced around for help, but the other guards kept their heads down, pretending to focus on cleaning their weapons.
'Cowards…'
Shooting them a glare, Hartmann turned back to Selvia with a strained smile.
"As I understand it, Your Highness's order was to rescue Lieutenant Daniel Steiner unharmed. Since he wasn't injured, I believe we fulfilled your command."
"Are you seriously trying to justify yourself right now?"
"Your Highness, I understand your frustration. But we needed time to assess the man you're placing your trust in. That, too, is our duty."
It was true. The Royal Guard had to evaluate not just Daniel's skills, but his loyalty.
"And, if I may add, we did gain something useful."
Daniel Steiner possessed the rare ability to accelerate his nervous system.
Though outdated due to its mana cost and short duration, modern warfare had changed the value of such a skill.
In the past, it couldn't pierce a knight's armor or a mage's barrier.
But now, with firearms, even milliseconds could decide life or death.
A few seconds of enhanced speed could change the course of a battle.
In short, Daniel Steiner was an asset.
If he hadn't belonged to the General Staff, Hartmann might have already recruited him into the Royal Guard.
"Lieutenant Steiner's combat skills are superb. With a little luck, he could have handled all six enemies alone."
"…..."
Selvia narrowed her eyes, clearly unimpressed.
Hartmann immediately understood the meaning behind that look.
It was the silent message: That's not what I asked.
He needed to give her something more—something that mattered.
After a brief pause, he straightened his posture and spoke more seriously.
"If Your Highness truly intends to recruit Lieutenant Daniel Steiner as an ally, I don't believe you'll need to test his loyalty."
Selvia blinked.
Hartmann continued.
"During the clash, Lieutenant Steiner openly declared in front of the enemy that 'the incompetent Prince will never become Emperor.' He followed up by saying, 'The one who will become Emperor is the Princess.'"
Selvia's eyes widened.
She hadn't arrived in time to hear those words herself.
"…Are you sure he said that?"
"Yes. Everyone here heard it."
The Royal Guards nodded silently.
Seeing that, Selvia's lips curled into a faint smile.
"I see… So that's what Lieutenant Daniel said…"
She turned back to the window.
Though the clearing was far behind, her eyes searched instinctively for Daniel.
"Hmm. To think he said something like that…"
She didn't quite understand why, but those words had stirred something in her.
'Is she just pleased to have recruited someone capable?'
Hartmann found it odd.
She seemed more excited than usual.
'Wait… could it be that she sees Lieutenant Daniel as a possible romantic—?'
No. That couldn't be it.
After enduring years of her brother's schemes, Selvia treated most men like rocks—cold, lifeless, irrelevant.
Still… seeing her show a bit of emotion was oddly refreshing.