Chapter 74

The entire Empire was going wild over Captain Daniel Steiner’s Total War Speech, but the man himself felt utterly wretched.

“…….”

In the break room of the General Staff Headquarters, Daniel stood staring out the window with a paper cup of coffee in hand.

Far off, beyond the entrance to the headquarters, he could see Citizens holding placards.

The placards read things like “We Demand Total War!” or “Empire’s Hero! Daniel Steiner!”

These were Citizens who had been moved by his speech on the radio and had gathered hoping to catch a glimpse of Daniel himself.

Mixed among the crowd were Journalists with cameras, which only made Daniel sigh inwardly.

‘There goes any hope of leaving early today…’

The moment he stepped out, he’d undoubtedly be bombarded with unwanted cheers and endless questions.

Not that this was mere speculation—this was based on past experience.

A few days ago, when he tried to ignore them, it caused quite a commotion. Surrounded by an even larger crowd drawn by the noise, Daniel spent nearly two hours fielding questions.

Just thinking about it gave him chills.

‘I kinda get why idols hate obsessive fans now…’

With a troubled expression, Daniel lifted his paper cup and took a sip of coffee.

It was at this moment, as he pondered how to proceed, that a voice called out from behind him.

“Oho! And who do we have here?”

Daniel turned slightly to see none other than Colonel Ernst Bark, Head of the Operations Staff, approaching.

Ernst grinned warmly as he came closer.

“Our hero, Daniel Steiner, is it not? I’ve been worried since you’ve been holing yourself up in your office without stepping foot outside lately…”

As Ernst looked up to make small talk, his smile faltered slightly.

He noticed the dark circles under Daniel’s eyes seemed worse than before.

“…You don’t look so good. Haven’t been sleeping well lately, have you?”

“It’s all these problems weighing on my mind.”

“What troubles? From where I stand, it looks like you’ve got nothing but smooth sailing ahead. The higher-ups are all praising your total war speech.”

Unbeknownst to Ernst, that very praise was part of Daniel’s problem.

The impact of the speech exceeded anything Daniel had imagined.

It wasn’t just about cheering up the Empire’s citizens—it was affecting every aspect of society positively regarding war.

Foreign press was reporting on it nonstop, leaving Daniel feeling utterly doomed.

Before the speech, fleeing the country might’ve been like threading a needle; now it felt like trying to pass through a concrete wall.

In short, it was practically impossible.

‘Which leaves me with two choices…’

Either turn the Empire into a hegemonic power or launder his identity through a reliable broker and flee abroad.

But both options seemed highly improbable.

Through the speech, preparations for global conflict had accelerated, but the Empire faced three powerful nations forming a geographic encirclement, forcing them to fight a war while covering all fronts.

‘Unless the Empire pulls off consecutive miraculous victories…’

The likely outcome would still leave them as a defeated nation.

And escaping via a broker? That was even more absurd.

‘So long as they know I’m alive, both the Empire and Allied Nations will hunt me down.’

Without faking his death convincingly, it was near impossible.

‘Is there some other way out…?’

While contemplating this bleak future, Daniel shook his head, realizing it wasn’t proper to space out in front of his superior.

“Indeed, the road seems open, as you say, Colonel. But to me, it feels like the bridge supporting the road was built poorly and is dangerously unstable.”

At this, Ernst hesitated.

‘Poor construction? Is he saying the current leadership of the Empire is incompetent?’

Breaking out in cold sweat, Ernst cautiously probed further.

“Perhaps… you’re considering finding and eliminating the causes of this poor construction?”

To Daniel, this oddly sounded like “Are you looking for another way to escape the Empire?”

‘Ernst probably meant this as concern about rapid promotions…’

But Daniel found himself strangely agreeing with the sentiment and chuckled softly.

“Yes. If possible, I intend to eliminate them.”

Ernst’s shoulders trembled.

Daniel’s casual mention of pointing out flaws in the Empire’s leadership, followed by declaring he’d root them out, struck fear into him.

‘This isn’t idle talk. With Daniel, there’s a chance he’d actually follow through.’

Swallowing hard, Ernst asked hesitantly,

“Daniel, Colonel… Do you consider me incompetent?”

Confused by the sudden question, Daniel turned back and shook his head.

“No. You’re not incompetent, Colonel.”

Relieved, Ernst exhaled deeply.

“…Thank you. I’ll do my best to remain competent.”

Watching this strange exchange, Daniel simply nodded.

There was no need to contradict someone who was clearly trying their best.

*

Meanwhile, in the dining room of the Imperial Palace.

In the excessively grand dining hall, maids lined up against the walls, waiting attentively.

Ignoring their presence entirely, Emperor Berthelm sat at the long table, sharing a meal with his daughter and wife.

“Selvia. It seems your decision was the right one.”

Cutting his meat with a deep voice, Berthelm continued.

“Putting Daniel in charge of speeches was a brilliant move. Thanks to Daniel, the Empire has never been more united. To the point where I don’t even need to intervene.”

Hearing her father’s praise, Princess Selvia smiled faintly.

“I merely applied what I learned from you, Father. Placing the right person in the right position was your teaching.”

“Hmm. Learned from me, you say? Then you’ve learned poorly.”

Selvia’s smile vanished.

Just as she wondered what he meant, Berthelm elaborated.

“Had it been me, I wouldn’t have placed Daniel in such a public speaking role. Appearing before large crowds wasn’t something Daniel Steiner desired.”

“…Did Daniel want this role?”

“Exactly. Daniel’s sharper than I thought. He likely picked up on my wariness of him during our last encounter at the shooting range.”

Taking a bite of his meat, Berthelm chewed slowly.

After swallowing, he sipped his red wine before continuing.

“He must’ve considered the possibility that the old emperor might pressure him. This would create a sense of urgency. So what’s the easiest way to escape that?”

“…What would that be?”

“To spread his influence across the entire Empire through his speech. Making himself untouchable, even to an emperor. And his plan worked beautifully.”

Selvia frowned as she listened.

“Father. That’s pure speculation. Daniel isn’t that kind of person.”

Berthelm chuckled softly.

“Speculation? Do you not remember what Daniel said at the end of his speech, Selvia?”

“At the end…?”

“That he would represent the state and people under the protection of His Majesty the Emperor. As if his message aligned closely with the emperor’s own intentions.”

Putting down his utensils, Berthelm looked directly at Selvia.

“Was Daniel’s speech reflective of the emperor’s will? Tell me, Selvia. Did you instruct Daniel to give such a speech?”

She couldn’t answer.

Because what Selvia had requested from the National Propaganda Department and Daniel was not an extreme total war speech.

In light of its success, she’d forgotten that Daniel had rejected the prepared script and proceeded with his own words.

It was almost insubordination.

“Daniel didn’t follow orders. Yet you can’t punish him, can you, Selvia? The entire Empire is riding high on the wave of his speech. Punishing him now would alienate the populace.”

Wiping his lips with a napkin, Berthelm continued.

“Selvia, you’re still young. Politically immature. You’re being used by Daniel, yet you believe you’re using him.”

Clenching her fists discreetly, Selvia managed to speak.

“Daniel resisted when I suggested making him a speaker. I had to insist. Are you saying I’m being used despite that?”

Berthelm chuckled again, wiping his mouth.

“The wiser one is, the less they reveal their true thoughts. Why do you think Daniel initially resisted your suggestion? Was he truly disinterested? No. He knew you’d insist anyway.”

“…”

“So why resist at all? Likely to create an excuse: ‘I didn’t want to, but Your Majesty insisted.'”

Folding the napkin neatly and placing it on the table, Berthelm concluded.

“Selvia, through this choice, you’ve strengthened the Empire—but also fattened the wolf threatening the royal family’s authority. Do you understand what this means?”

Silent, Selvia met her father’s gaze as he narrowed his sharp eyes.

“It means you might get your throat ripped out by him. Remember this: Daniel Steiner is an extraordinary talent the Empire may never see again…but…”

The atmosphere grew heavy.

After a pause, Berthelm spoke sincerely.

“…he’s also a dangerous double-edged sword.”