I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander

The Next Morning
Eisenkrone Imperial Palace

“I dare to pray before You, my Lord. Please, guide this servant of Yours who lies before us now, that he may lay down the burdens of this world and enter eternal rest. And not as the Emperor of the Empire, but as a mere man, accept this pitiful soul into Your embrace and forgive his sins.”

Beside the Emperor’s bedchamber, a priest recited the prayer quietly.

In that sacred silence, the close aides all bowed their heads. Selvia, holding back sobs, clutched her father’s hand tightly.

Duke Belvar, watching this scene, narrowed his eyes slightly.

“So he couldn’t overcome the illness after all…”

To see Bertham—who once seemed immortal—standing at death’s doorstep brought a complicated mix of emotions.

It was Emperor Bertham who, inheriting the authority of his predecessor, introduced a series of progressive reforms that brought a fresh wind to the Empire.

It looked as if the Empire would step into a golden era.

That is, until the war broke out.

Once hostilities with the Allied Nations began, Bertham could no longer focus solely on domestic affairs. He even stepped onto the battlefield himself to inspire the troops.

He cut down on sleep to the bare minimum.

And so, Bertham’s health deteriorated rapidly.

This—this was the result of a ruler who neglected his own body for the sake of governance.

The seemingly eternal power now trembled like a candle before the wind.

“…We know that our Lord intercedes for us with mercy. So please, in Your boundless compassion, understand the hardships he has endured and the wrong paths he may have taken. Under the blessings of the angels, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray that You lead him to heaven. Amen.”

Having finished the prayer, the priest drew the sign of the cross and stepped back.

Bertham, sensing the end of the prayer, turned his head and, with difficulty opening his eyes, looked at Selvia.

“Come here… my daughter…”

Even while breathing as if each breath might be his last, Bertham didn’t forget to give advice to his daughter Selvia.

To Belvar, though, it all seemed like useless prattle.