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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: The Empire Wants a Reversal
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Selvia's gaze had never felt so burdensome before.
Daniel, flustered, remained silent for a while before finally managing to speak.
"…Your Highness? A speech concerning the issuance of war bonds is a grave matter of state. Therefore, I believe it would be more appropriate to seek someone with extensive public speaking experience and eloquent speech, rather than myself."
He tried to speak as nonchalantly as possible, but inside, Daniel was burning up in real-time.
As it was a speech related to war bonds, Selvia would undoubtedly gather countless citizens.
It wouldn't matter if it were just citizens, but foreign correspondents and politicians from the Imperial Parliament would surely vie for seats.
What's more? Radio broadcasts would accompany the event, allowing the speaker's voice to be heard throughout the entire Empire.
That was tantamount to imprinting the name Daniel Steiner across the entire Empire, and simultaneously spreading his reputation to distant foreign lands.
For Daniel, who desired no more fame than he already had, this was like a bolt from the blue.
'So, I have to change Selvia's mind, no matter what.'
Daniel swallowed dryly and forced an awkward smile.
"Furthermore, I am an operations staff officer belonging to the Empire's General Staff Headquarters. As Your Highness knows, there are a great many tasks to be handled at the General Staff."
"Hmm. And so?"
"If I were to be absent to prepare for a speech, the staff in the General Staff Office would have to bear the burden of that excessive workload. In good conscience, I cannot impose such an inconvenience."
Selvia leaned back, regarding Daniel with a skeptical gaze.
"You can't impose on the staff of the General Staff Office? It's not that I don't understand Lieutenant Colonel Daniel's sentiments, but there's something I don't quite grasp."
"…What is it you don't understand?"
"It's a simple question. Why would Lieutenant Colonel Daniel prioritize the staff of the General Staff Office over a request from me, who will one day be the ruler of this Empire?"
Her tone was gentle, but to Daniel, it sounded like a form of blackmail.
"Will you only comply with my wishes if I issue a command rather than a request?"
It didn't just sound like blackmail; it *was* blackmail.
Was this truly the blood of a ruler flowing within her?
She spoke as if jesting, yet her unique pressure was unmistakably conveyed to Daniel.
Realizing he could no longer refuse, Daniel gave a slight bow of his head.
"I misspoke. I momentarily forgot that the hardships of the General Staff personnel are incomparable to Your Imperial Highness's arduous efforts in governing the nation after careful deliberation."
At Daniel's respectful apology, Selvia smiled with satisfaction.
"In that case, I'll take it that you've accepted my proposal. A public relations officer from the National Propaganda Department will explain the detailed schedule and speaking arrangements, so please pay close attention."
"…"
"Oh. I'll personally inform the General Staff Headquarters, so you don't need to worry about any disruptions to your duties. For now, you just need to focus entirely on preparing your speech."
Thanks to Selvia's effortless flow of words, as if she had prepared them in advance, Daniel was certain.
'She intended to make me the speaker from the very beginning.'
It was safe to say everything had been decided the moment he stepped into the indoor garden.
Daniel, feeling outmaneuvered, secretly let out a chuckle before looking at Selvia.
"Your Imperial Highness. If it wouldn't be too rude, may I ask one question?"
"Normally, I don't entertain questions, but for Lieutenant Colonel Daniel, I'll make an exception. What are you curious about?"
"It's just… I was wondering why you summoned me in person. Even if you hadn't met me directly and simply sent an order through someone, I wouldn't have been able to refuse."
A sharp observation.
No matter how much of a war hero he was, a mere lieutenant colonel could hardly defy the Crown Princess's command.
Yet, Daniel was asking why she had specifically chosen to deliver the message in person.
From Selvia's perspective, that question was a bit vexing.
'Is he oblivious, or is he pretending to be?'
Selvia had been saved by Daniel twice.
The first time wasn't actually that dangerous, but that didn't matter much.
What was important was that Daniel had risked his life to save her.
And this time, Daniel had personally stepped forward to apprehend the Prince's private organization.
In that process, it was only natural for Selvia to feel affection for Daniel.
But what about Daniel? He consistently acted stiffly, as if addressing a superior officer.
'…Could it be that Daniel doesn't realize I have feelings for him?'
Selvia, utterly dumbfounded, stared intently at Daniel before letting out a soft sigh.
"As for the reason, you can think about it slowly yourself."
Having said that, Selvia slowly rose from her seat.
Selvia, who was about to leave, suddenly turned back to Daniel as if something had just occurred to her.
"Lieutenant Colonel Daniel? If the speech goes well… I hope we can meet often in the future."
Selvia, offering a faint smile, strode away, her red cloak swirling behind her.
Daniel, watching her retreating figure blankly, adopted a serious expression, then raised a hand to stroke his chin.
'What on earth does that mean? Does she intend to use me as her spokesperson?'
They were truly on completely different pages.
*
In a broad sense, a request from the Imperial Princess, who was performing regency duties, was no different from an Emperor's command.
After all, Emperor Berthram was the one who granted final approval for the Imperial Princess's performance of state affairs.
Thus, Daniel faithfully carried out Selvia's request—or rather, her command—to 'prepare a speech.'
This was because he had been working in tandem with Hans, the public relations officer from the National Propaganda Department, for an entire week.
Even today, the day of the speech, Daniel was still discussing with Hans.
"As I've repeatedly told you, we must not provoke the anti-war activists. The prolonged war has pushed the public's fatigue to its limit."
"…Is it that severe?"
"Yes. This is the latest data. Please take a look, Lieutenant Colonel."
Backstage at the outdoor performance venue, where the speech was to be held, Hans pulled out one of several folders he was carrying and handed it to Daniel.
Daniel took the folder and began reading through the survey statistics.
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"Public Opinion Survey Statistics on War Approval/Disapproval"
Target Group: 1,000 citizens from major Imperial cities
Number of Respondents: Approximately 18,000
Question: What are your thoughts on the current war the Empire is waging?
• Frequency Analysis
1. The war should continue – 8,208 people (45.6%)
2. The war should stop – 8,298 people (46.1%)
3. Don't know / No response – 1,494 people (8.3%)
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Just as Hans had said, those who believed the war should stop were slightly ahead.
"As you can see, the anti-war activists have, for the first time, outnumbered the war proponents. Of course, there might be some Allied spies among those calling for an end to the war, but such a high percentage indicates it can also be seen as the will of the people."
Indeed, with such a ratio, one couldn't claim that the anti-war activists were merely a faction incited by spies.
Daniel nodded, and Hans, after checking his wristwatch, handed him another document.
It was the speech manuscript, detailing what he was to say in this address.
"Therefore, we must explain why the war needs to continue without provoking the anti-war activists. Please keep in mind that we must not incite them."
"Understood. Then…"
Like Hans, Daniel raised his wrist to check the time, then turned his head towards the stage.
"It seems it's almost time to go up and deliver the speech."
Hans nodded.
"The National Propaganda Department will put all its faith in Lieutenant Colonel Daniel."
Hearing Hans's words, Daniel gave a slight nod and then moved towards the stage.
As Daniel ascended the steps and appeared on stage, the lights came on, and cheers erupted from all directions simultaneously.
Daniel turned his head at the ear-splitting cheers and saw the multitude filling the audience seats.
'An unbelievable number of people…'
The venue, said to accommodate ten thousand spectators, was completely packed.
This was thanks to the National Propaganda Department, which had been continuously promoting the "important speech by war hero Daniel Steiner" for a week.
Although such a position was a burden, Daniel had no choice but to perform, having received the order.
Amidst the cheers of the crowd, Daniel walked to the podium and lightly tapped the pre-installed microphone.
As the sound echoed through the large speakers, the cheering quickly subsided.
Daniel smiled once at the vast crowd, then unfurled the document Hans had given him.
Daniel glanced at the familiar speech manuscript, which he had already seen several times, and began to speak.
"Esteemed citizens. I am Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner, of the General Staff Headquarters."
A modest cheer arose from the front rows.
Daniel waited briefly for them to quiet down, then continued.
"Before beginning my formal address, I wish to clearly state my position to avoid any unnecessary confusion. I, Daniel Steiner, the war…"
Unable to recall the next words, Daniel glanced down at the speech manuscript.
『I do not advocate for war. If anything, I am an anti-war activist myself. However, I know better than anyone why this war is necessary.』
It was written from a neutral perspective to satisfy both war proponents and anti-war activists.
If he spoke as written, the speech for bond sales would achieve a lukewarm success.
'If that happens, I will…'
He would undoubtedly remain Selvia's closest aide, dragged around from one task to another.
Then, if Selvia became Empress, Daniel's reputation would soar even higher than it was now.
That was synonymous with the growing possibility of dying prematurely by assassination, without even needing to go to a war crimes tribunal.
For Daniel, who wished to live a long and quiet life, this was one of the most dreadful futures imaginable.
Was there no other way?
Daniel, desperately racking his brain, spotted some anti-war activists occupying a portion of the audience seats.
Seeing them holding placards protesting the war, a brilliant idea sparked in his mind.
'If I provoke the anti-war activists and utterly ruin this speech…'
He would distance himself not only from Selvia but also from the world's attention.
After all, no one would be wary of or fear a man who couldn't even deliver a proper speech.
Having made his decision, Daniel closed the document containing the speech manuscript.
And with that, he confidently faced the front, where numerous cameras were flashing.
"I, Daniel Steiner, the war…"
Daniel narrowed his eyes sharply, then raised both hands to grip the edge of the podium.
And, acting the part of a warmonger, he boldly raised his right hand.
"I desire a total war, unlike anything seen in history!"