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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: Arise! Empire!
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In a space where shouts and cheers swirled with fervent enthusiasm, Daniel, paradoxically, felt a chill of fear.
'I definitely intended for this speech to provoke the anti-war activists…'
Before he knew it, he had swayed the anti-war activists, transforming them into proponents of war.
Of course, not all anti-war activists agreed with the content of the speech.
Some had merely risen with the tide, their faces still glaring at Daniel with clear displeasure.
The problem was that their number was so small it could be described as "a mere few."
Daniel let out a low groan, reviewing the speech's content, wondering where things had gone wrong.
'Damn. I got too absorbed in playing the warmonger...'
The problem was that he had unconsciously become engrossed when he heard the crowd's cheers during the speech.
Over-reliance on the statistics was also Daniel's undoing.
He had assumed that since anti-war sentiment was the majority, they would unconditionally oppose a radical speech advocating for total war.
'But…'
Far from opposing, they discarded their anti-war placards and rose to their feet.
The result was the scene Daniel now beheld.
— Daniel Steiner! Daniel Steiner! Daniel Steiner!
The sight of ten thousand citizens standing and chanting one man's name seemed almost surreal.
Yet, this was undeniably reality, a phenomenon Daniel had created.
Unable to deny it, Daniel simply gritted his teeth, gripping the podium.
As Daniel received the citizens' acclaim, Hans, the public relations officer for the National Propaganda Department, who was backstage, let out a cry of triumph.
"We did it! This… this will be a speech remembered throughout history!"
An excited Hans turned to his subordinate.
"Contact the news director immediately! Tell him to write an article about this speech and distribute it throughout the Empire! So that even citizens who couldn't listen to Lieutenant Colonel Daniel's speech on the radio can learn about it!"
"Yes! Understood!"
The subordinate picked up the phone without a moment's hesitation.
Other staff members were also clattering away at the telex machines installed backstage, reporting to their superiors.
Though everyone was silent, engrossed in their duties, the atmosphere was palpably electric.
Daniel's speech had ignited a fervent sense of national pride, even exciting the Propaganda Department, which planned everything meticulously.
Hans, too, clenched his fist, unable to hide his excitement.
'Lieutenant Colonel Daniel didn't read the speech we prepared, but…'
Since he had succeeded beyond expectations, he would surely avoid Princess Selvia's reprimand.
If they were lucky, the Propaganda Department staff might even receive commendations.
Just as Hans thought he could breathe a sigh of relief and smiled, the click-clack of footsteps echoed.
Turning around, Hans saw Daniel descending the stage steps.
Even though Daniel had disappeared from the stage, the audience was still chanting his name.
As if it were a symbol of the ideology that they must fight against the Allied Nations.
'But…'
Despite delivering a successful speech, Daniel showed no emotion.
It was common for successful speakers to be joyful or ecstatic, but Daniel's eyes, devoid of emotion, simply surveyed the propaganda department staff gathered backstage.
Hans felt awe at Daniel's demeanor.
He couldn't shake the feeling that he was witnessing an iron man, one who had transcended human limitations.
Even his contemplative eyes seemed to gaze not at the present, but into the future.
Thinking so, it was difficult to even approach him.
Meanwhile, Daniel was simply lost in thought, pondering the mess he had created.
'This is insane…'
He had no idea how to proceed.
As Daniel blinked blankly, his mind a tangled mess, Hans slowly approached him.
"Um, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel?"
When Daniel turned with a sharp gaze, his shoulders twitched, and he offered an awkward smile.
"Ah, it seems you weren't pleased with the speech. Had you informed us in advance, we would have revised it. It's entirely the National Propaganda Department's fault."
Hearing Hans's words, Daniel let out a low sigh.
"…I'm tired. I'd like to return to my quarters."
"Ah. Yes! Of course! A vehicle is waiting outside, so you can go directly!"
Hearing Hans, Daniel nodded once and slowly began to walk away.
One of the staff members watching him approached Hans and spoke.
"Remarkable. I've never seen someone frown after successfully delivering a speech. What could be the reason?"
"How can we mere mortals understand the ego of a genius? But one thing is certain…"
Hans looked at Daniel's retreating figure, a smile of reverence on his face.
"As long as that man lives, the Empire will never fall."
*
Two weeks later, at the Imperial National Propaganda Department.
The office of Schiller Dyness, Minister of the National Propaganda Department.
Knock, knock—
Schiller, who was reviewing documents, looked up.
The wall clock above the door pointed to noon, indicating who the knocker was.
Hans, the public relations officer.
He had instructed Hans to compile the data and report to him at noon.
"Come in."
No sooner had Schiller spoken than the door opened.
Hans was hugging a stack of documents, and he grunted as he approached, then dropped the stack onto Schiller's desk with a thud.
"…What on earth is all this?"
Hans wiped the sweat from his brow and replied to the bewildered Schiller.
"This is all the data we've collected on the changes that have occurred in the Empire since Lieutenant Colonel Daniel's speech. You asked me to compile and bring it. Would you like to see the most important statistics first?"
Hans pulled out a statistical document from the pile and handed it over.
Receiving the document, Schiller's eyes widened as he checked the statistics.
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"War Opinion Poll Statistics"
Sample Group: 1,000 citizens from major Imperial cities
Respondents: Approximately 18,000
Question: What is your opinion on the ongoing war of the Empire?
• Frequency Analysis
1. The war must continue – 14,166 people (78.7%)
2. The war must stop – 2,376 people (13.2%)
3. Unsure / No response – 1,458 people (8.1%)
────────────
More than half of the anti-war activists had changed their opinion to support the war.
Now, those advocating for peace were a mere minority.
Just two weeks.
This change had occurred in just two weeks after Daniel Steiner's speech.
Stunned by the immense impact, Schiller, who had been frozen in place, finally looked up.
"Is this real? Did so many people truly change their minds?"
"Yes. Those who were swayed by Lieutenant Colonel Daniel's total war speech are changing their opinions. And the percentage of those supporting the war is increasing in real-time. Moreover…"
Hans pulled out several more documents and handed them to Schiller.
"As you can see from these documents, the number of military volunteers has exploded since Lieutenant Colonel Daniel's speech. Training centers are so overwhelmed that they're postponing induction dates for volunteers until the year after next."
"Hmm…"
"Furthermore, military production has surged. While we need to observe further, the current trend suggests approximately a 43% increase in additional output compared to last month."
Schiller blinked, then asked.
"Military production? Why?"
"Workers in factories have volunteered to work overtime, even when told they wouldn't receive extra pay. It's a miracle born of patriotism. Also, thanks to a flood of support for the military industry from various corporations…"
Hans pulled out one more document and handed it to Schiller.
"We've secured enough funds to build about two more large-scale military factories. Thanks to this, a situation where major military supplies fall short of the increased enlistees won't happen."
"…War bonds? How much have the bonds sold?"
"The bonds…"
Hans paused for a moment, then spoke with excitement.
"They're selling at an astonishing rate! Not only civilians but also corporations are buying them! In just two weeks, bonds worth 27 billion have already been sold!"
27 billion was three times the original estimate of 8.5 billion.
It meant they had sold three times their target in just two weeks.
'This incredible achievement, a ripple effect from just one speech by Lieutenant Colonel Daniel…'
Schiller, who had been staring blankly, let out a hollow laugh.
"Perhaps… we are standing at a historical turning point."
Since Daniel's total war speech, the Empire was surging with intense vitality.
It was as if it were breaking out of its shell, preparing to spread its wings and soar across the world.
Among the myriad of documents, Schiller could see it.
The future of the Empire, once again reborn as a great nation.
Feeling the flame of hope ignite within him, Schiller clenched his fist.
'Indeed. Daniel Steiner might be able to create…'
A new era, a great empire, destined for eternal greatness!