I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander

With the help of the soldiers, the doctor was able to retrieve the auxiliary chamber from another sector.

Once the auxiliary chamber was placed next to the central chamber where Lucy was housed, the researchers approached it.

At the doctor’s gestured instructions and brief orders, the researchers nodded and moved quickly.

Their hands worked fast, connecting the wiring, before one of them raised his hand.

“Neural interface connected! Please begin monitoring!”

The doctor nodded and pressed a few buttons on the control panel.

“Confirmed. ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ Synchronization complete. Reporting stable connection.”

Having finished the synchronization, the doctor turned to Daniel.

“...Brigadier General Daniel Steiner. Preparation is complete.”

Daniel, who had been staring at Lucy, gave a slight nod and walked toward the auxiliary chamber.

Stopping in front of it, he quietly spoke.

“So I just go in here.”

“Yes. Once you’re inside, I’ll activate the auxiliary chamber to place both of your consciousnesses in a shared state. That will allow you to naturally enter the young lady’s consciousness. But there are precautions you must keep in mind.”

“Precautions?”

The doctor raised a hand to adjust the position of his glasses.

“Yes. As I mentioned earlier, the young lady is currently in a state of mental withdrawal. If you try to forcibly restore her memories, she’ll reject it.”

After a short pause to think of an example, the doctor continued.

“For instance, directly saying the name ‘Daniel Steiner’ or confronting her with ‘Why don’t you remember me?’—those would provoke resistance.”

“You’re saying I have to make her recall it on her own, naturally.”

“Correct. That’s also why I said we don’t know how much time will pass inside her mind, even if only minutes pass in reality.”

In the worst-case scenario, Daniel could become trapped inside Lucy Emilia’s consciousness.

That was the doctor’s warning—but Daniel didn’t care.

“It doesn’t matter.”

He had already steeled himself.

“Because I’ve made up my mind to save this foolish woman, no matter how long it takes.”

As Daniel shrugged off his officer’s coat, a soldier stepped forward to receive it.

“And, Doctor.”

Daniel handed the coat to the soldier as he spoke.

“Fenbark will soon belong to me. You know what that means.”

It was a warning not to try anything foolish—because now, not only the doctor’s life, but his family’s as well, were in Daniel’s hands.

Understanding the implication immediately, the doctor lowered his head in fear.

“I will take full responsibility and do my utmost.”

Hearing the response, Daniel handed over his revolver as well and stepped into the auxiliary chamber.

Taking his position inside, Daniel took a deep breath before speaking.

“Begin.”

The doctor nodded and operated the panel.

The chamber’s door closed, and the magnetic rings began spinning rapidly.

After a short wait, Daniel’s consciousness began to blur as his body slowly floated upward.

The noise of the spinning magnetic rings began to sound like a comforting lullaby.

And as it did, Daniel slowly closed his eyes.

****

When he opened them again, the first thing Daniel saw was light pouring in through a window.

Antique decorations stood along the hallway like ornaments, gleaming in the sunlight.

Looks like someone’s mansion...

As he stared blankly at the sight, voices drifted from nearby.

“Did you hear? That girl Melli got attacked by a thief and... died.”

“What? Melli? Wasn’t she the young lady Lucy’s personal maid?”

“They called her a maid, but I heard they were practically friends. Still, it’s terrifying. Don’t you think something’s going on with the young lady? Ever since she was adopted by the Count, there’ve been all sorts of accidents in just one year.”

Turning his head, Daniel spotted a group of mansion staff gathered and gossiping.

And he was among them.

Looking down at his neat clothes, Daniel realized he had entered Lucy’s consciousness in the form of a servant.

“I’m seriously scared these days. That guy Malton got hurt, too—barely lasted two months before injuring his leg serving the young lady. Wouldn’t even say how it happened.”

“I shouldn’t say this, but doesn’t it feel like she brings misfortune? Her red eyes give me the chills whenever we make eye contact.”

“Totally agree. Ugh. With Melli gone, one of us will have to attend the young lady now. I’m worried the Count will assign me. Aren’t you?”

The last remark was directed at Daniel.

Having figured out his status, Daniel responded with a faint smile.

“Not at all. I consider serving the young lady to be an honor.”

Half of that was sincerity.

One of the maids looked at him strangely, then chuckled.

“Well, that’s perfect then. We’ll let the Count know. That you want to be her attendant.”

Sensing an opportunity, the others added in their own support.

“That’s right. You’d be the perfect fit.”

“This kind of thing should go to someone who actually wants it, don’t you think?”

“Aww, our little one’s so thoughtful. Thank you, for volunteering.”

With unanimous agreement, the decision was passed on to Count Khaledra.

He didn’t care much who served Lucy, so he accepted the recommendation, and Daniel naturally became her attendant.

Though calling it an attendant was a stretch—his main job was to bring meals to her room.

The problem was, even that simple task wasn’t easy.

“Young Lady! I’m the one newly assigned to serve you! May I come in?”

Though he had come to deliver her meal, Lucy gave no permission to enter.

Despite knocking several times and requesting entry, there was only silence.

Normally, one would just leave the food outside and go—but Daniel didn’t.

Worried, he opened the door and stepped inside.

“Young Lady. I don’t know what’s going on, but you must eat—”

Daniel trailed off mid-sentence.

Lucy, sitting on the edge of the bed, looked worse than he’d expected.

In her childhood form, her body was small and clearly emaciated at a glance.

Her long, silver-white hair was dry and rough. Her red eyes were lifeless.

Her gaze drifted aimlessly, as if she’d already given up on the world.

Her eyelids, puffy from how long she’d cried, still bore clear streaks of tears.

After a moment of silence, Daniel set the meal tray down on the floor and slowly approached her.

Kneeling before her, Daniel looked up at her face and spoke.

“Why are you so disheartened? Do you perhaps believe that Melli’s death is your fault?”

Lucy didn’t respond.

But there was no need—her eyes reacted to the name Melli, and fresh tears welled up.

When she blinked, a tear rolled down her cheek in a single line.

Unable to watch any longer, Daniel pulled out a handkerchief and gently wiped her eyes.

“If the other servants have been spreading nonsense, please ignore them. Let me tell you the truth—none of this is your fault.”

As he spoke, Lucy clenched her teeth.

Then, suddenly, she slapped his hand away and began to sob.

“Young Lady...”

He wanted to comfort the young Lucy more, but any more interference would likely backfire.

So Daniel instead placed the handkerchief in her hand, rose without a word, and left the room—hoping for a next time.

But even the next day, things hadn’t improved.

Lucy lay unmoving on the bed, and the meal he’d brought remained untouched—just as he’d left it the day before.

Heart aching, Daniel replaced the meal and murmured softly.

“You can’t go on like this. Even Melli wouldn’t want you to starve...”

And then—

Thunk—

A small doll flew at him and hit his chest.

Lifting his head, he saw Lucy glaring at him with ragged breath.

Her eyes, sharp and fierce, practically shouted: Get out.

Daniel was a little taken aback—but he remained composed, calmly picked up the doll, placed it on the table, and bowed before leaving the room.

Then, the next day.

Daniel entered to deliver her meal and noticed something different.

Though Lucy still lay motionless on the bed, the soup on the tray had been partially eaten.

Perhaps she had taken a few bites while retrieving her doll from the table.

A small thing—but for Daniel, it was a positive sign.

Rather than rushing to restore her memories...

Daniel wanted to see her regain her strength first. And so, he acted.

From that day on, he began sneaking desserts from the kitchen—or even making them himself—to include with her meals.

“This is a dessert called parfait. You see the layers of ice cream, cookies, fruit, and chocolate syrup in this glass? I promise, it’s impossible for it to taste bad.”

Appetizing descriptions were included free of charge.

Lucy didn’t react at first—but Daniel was not one to give up.

“Today’s dessert is an éclair. You can have it after finishing your meal. This little guy is so soft and sweet, it’s addictive after a single bite. Don’t you want to try it?”

And so a month passed.

“Young Lady. You must try this. I went through great trouble to sneak it from the head chef. Curious what dessert it is? Behold—mint chip ice cream. A refined, luxurious flavor.”

Then two months.

“It’s not Christmas, but there’s no law saying you can only eat stollen on Christmas. Can you see the powdered sugar-covered beauty tempting you? Take a slice—you’ll taste heaven.”

By the third month, Lucy had begun to regain her energy.

Her dry silver-white hair regained its luster. Her colorless red eyes began to glow again.

Though she still gave him the cold shoulder, never speaking to him, that was fine.

The important thing was that she was getting better.

“Well then, I’ll be taking my leave for now.”

Daniel turned to exit, thinking so.

“...You.”

The unfamiliar voice of young Lucy stopped him in his tracks.

Sitting at the table after getting down from the bed, she mumbled without looking at him.

“Come sit. Eat the stollen. With me.”

Frozen, unsure if he’d heard correctly, he remained motionless—until she added in a whisper:

“...That’s an order.”

It was the moment when the firmly shut door to her heart finally began to open.