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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: Words Are Contagious
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At Daniel's declaration of total war, the crowd was bewildered, unable to utter a sound.
Everyone remained frozen in their seats, merely exchanging bewildered glances that seemed to ask, 'What on earth is that man talking about?'
Even the anti-war activists had forgotten to protest or condemn, their faces simply wearing dazed expressions.
Meanwhile, Hans, the public relations officer observing the speech from backstage, let out a silent scream.
'What on earth is he doing!?'
This speech, delivered concurrently with the bond issuance, was no exaggeration to call a matter of grave national importance.
Furthermore, this was the first command proactively issued by Selvia, the future Empress, to the Department of Propaganda.
Consequently, not only the citizens but also politicians in the Imperial Parliament and numerous nobles were intently focused on this speech.
As it was Selvia's first significant step, it was only natural for all eyes to be on her.
'Which means…'
If Daniel were to botch the speech while everyone's attention was fixed on it, the Department of Propaganda would likewise be unable to escape Selvia's wrath.
Hans, realizing that in the worst-case scenario he could be dismissed from his post, quickly turned his gaze to a subordinate.
"Hey! Contact the broadcasting director right now! We have to stop the radio broadcast!"
"Ah, yes! Understood!"
If Daniel's total war speech began to spread throughout the Empire, the Department of Propaganda would be unable to offer any excuses for this blunder.
Thus, by prohibiting at least the radio broadcast, they aimed to mitigate the risk as much as possible.
While Hans's subordinate contacted the broadcasting director via telephone, Daniel, with a resolute demeanor, began to speak before the ten thousand strong crowd.
"Right now, you, the citizens, are likely questioning why I am declaring total war. But in truth, you already know. You know why the Empire must commit to total war!"
The murmuring among the crowd intensified.
Daniel paid them no mind.
After all, he intended to ruin the speech.
"Currently, the Allied Nations are ceaselessly condemning and slandering the Empire, urging the Federation and the Republic to join the conflict! Everyone here knows that the Federation and the Republic are also adopting a favorable stance towards the Allied Nations!"
The murmuring subsided.
Because there was nothing incorrect in Daniel's words.
"Regrettably! It is now only a matter of time before the Federation and the Republic, swayed by the Allied Nations' treacherous tongues, turn their backs on the Empire! Therefore, we must make a choice! Negotiation or resolute resistance!"
The resolve burning in Daniel's eyes flickered like a fierce blaze.
At least, that is how it appeared to the crowd.
"The anti-war activists claim! They say the Empire can only survive through negotiation! That we must grasp the hand extended by the Allied Nations and achieve lasting peace! To them, I ask this:"
Daniel turned his gaze towards the anti-war faction, who occupied a section of the seating.
"Can you be certain? Can you blindly trust? That joining hands with the Allied Nations will truly bring about peace?"
The anti-war activists offered no reply.
No, it would be more accurate to say they were unable to reply.
For, overwhelmed by Daniel's commanding presence, which held the entire audience captive, they merely remained silent.
After observing their silence for a moment, Daniel turned his gaze back to the front.
"Citizens! I have fought on the battlefield and witnessed the true nature of the Allied Nations! They are base, self-righteous, arrogant, and impulsive! The peace they desire is never equality! The Allied Nations seek the Empire's subjugation!"
The murmuring that had lingered in the air completely vanished.
The crowd now made no sound, utterly absorbed in Daniel's speech.
"The Allied Nations, who approach us feigning a desire for negotiation, will first seize our weapons! After seizing our weapons, they will take our food, then our farming tools, then our children, and finally attempt to seize the Empire itself!"
Several members of the crowd, enraged by Daniel's words, erupted in shouts of indignation.
"We now know! We know that the Allied Nations cannot be trusted! We must resolutely resist and drive a stake through their insidious intentions! Therefore, people of the great Empire! Do not hesitate! Do not fear!"
Daniel once again raised his right arm high.
"The Empire of today has accomplished what no one else ever could! Citizens! Lift your heads and look to the North! Before even a single season passed, the Empire achieved a historic victory in the midst of the fiercest conflict! Is this merely a coincidence!?"
A roar of 'No!' erupted from within the crowd.
As the shouts began to ripple like a wave, Hans, standing backstage, gaped in stunned silence.
Admiration welled up within him.
'This… is working!'
Daniel's inherent charisma and flawless elocution were uniting the audience as one.
Furthermore, with his fluent rhetoric added to the mix, the crowd was gradually swayed by Daniel's arguments.
Hans, noticing this, called over the subordinate who was still speaking with the broadcasting director.
"Hey! Tell the broadcasting director to continue the radio broadcast!"
The subordinate, who, like Hans, had been listening to the speech, nodded without a hint of disagreement.
Unaware of the positive reactions unfolding backstage, Daniel turned to the crowd and proclaimed with confidence.
"We have triumphed, and we shall continue to triumph! Even if the enemy pressures the Empire and launches an all-out assault, we shall assuredly overcome! And I promise that we shall make the Empire's greatness known to the farthest corners of the world!"
A roar erupted from the crowd.
However, the anti-war activists remained conspicuously silent.
Daniel, targeting their silence, continued his address.
"Despite our unwavering resolve, some anti-war activists question: Are you not afraid of war? To answer you honestly, citizens, I am indeed afraid. Every time I engage in battle on the front lines, the fear of death sends a chill down my spine."
Daniel gripped the podium.
"However!"
The crowd could not help but focus on Daniel's powerful cry.
"Losing the nation through a humiliating negotiation is far more terrifying than losing my life! That is why I go to the battlefield! To lose my life is to lose but one thing, but to lose the nation is to lose everything!"
As if in response to Daniel's words, cheers erupted from the crowd.
Some were even waving the Empire's national flag, which they had brought with them, high above their heads.
Now, only the contingent of anti-war activists remained unresponsive to Daniel's words.
They had lowered their 'No War' placards and were merely exchanging hushed words among themselves.
Their faces were etched with deep contemplation.
Daniel, thinking he just needed to provoke them a little more, slammed his fist on the podium.
"If you are not afraid, then rise! If you know the truth, then act! And thus, we shall proclaim that the Empire is the greatest nation in the world!"
Once more, cheers erupted.
Now, a distinct sense of exhilaration began to ripple through the crowd's faces.
Amidst the gazes of the ten thousand strong crowd, Daniel took a deep breath.
After a brief pause, Daniel began to speak.
"Finally, under the benevolent protection of His Imperial Majesty, I shall speak on behalf of the nation and its people."
Through the large speakers, Daniel's profound voice resonated.
As the cheers subsided, everyone listened intently to Daniel's words.
"I, Daniel Steiner… no!"
Daniel, lifting his head to face forward, cried out amidst the flashes of countless cameras.
"We desire total war!"
No sooner had Daniel's words ended than a torrent of applause erupted.
Amidst the harmonious blend of shouts and cheers, only the anti-war activists remained silent.
Daniel was pleased by this.
'Good.'
The majority of the Empire's populace consisted of anti-war advocates.
If they were to rebel against the assertion that total war must be waged, Daniel's plan would be perfectly executed.
'What are they waiting for? Throw those tomatoes you're holding.'
After a brief wait, the anti-war activists began to rise from their seats, one by one.
Daniel, believing the moment had finally arrived, braced himself for a ludicrous exit, ready to be pelted with tomatoes.
Just as he was adjusting his tie, the anti-war activists began to applaud.
'…What?'
In that moment of bewilderment, the entire crowd, including the anti-war activists, rose to their feet in unison.
The crowd, having risen instantly, roared amidst the thunderous applause.
─ We demand total war!
─ Inevitable war, rather than humiliating negotiation!
─ For His Imperial Majesty! For the great Empire!
The combined voices, echoing as one, were deafening.
As a cold sweat beaded on Daniel's brow and he remained utterly speechless, the anti-war activists began to discard their placards, one by one.
They, too, like the others, rose to their feet and shouted at the top of their lungs.
─ Finally, for our hero, Daniel Steiner!
The cry uttered by the anti-war activists instantly became infectious, spreading to the lips of every single person.
─ Daniel Steiner! Daniel Steiner! Daniel Steiner!
Daniel's hands trembled as he gazed upon the vast multitude chanting his name.
In the space where cheers reverberated deafeningly, Daniel swallowed hard, realizing with a jolt.
'I'm doomed…'
That things had spiraled far beyond his control.