I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander

Never before had Selvia’s gaze felt so burdening to Daniel.

Flustered, Daniel remained silent for a while before finally opening his mouth with difficulty.

“…Your Highness? The speech related to the war bond issuance is a matter of national importance. Therefore, I believe it would be prudent to seek someone more experienced in public speaking and with greater eloquence than myself.”

Although he spoke as calmly as he could, Daniel’s insides were burning in real-time.

Since the speech was related to war bonds, Selvia would undoubtedly gather countless citizens.

If it were just citizens attending, it wouldn’t matter, but foreign press and politicians from the National Assembly would certainly vie for seats as well.

Moreover, they would likely broadcast the orator’s voice across the entire Empire via radio.

For Daniel, who did not wish to become any more famous than he already was, this was nothing short of a bolt from the blue.

‘So I must find a way to change Selvia’s mind.’

Swallowing hard, Daniel forced an awkward smile.

“Furthermore, I am an operations staff officer attached to the Imperial General Staff Headquarters. As Your Highness is aware, the General Staff has an immense workload.”
“Hmm. So?”
“If I were to take time off to prepare for the speech, the personnel in the operations room would have to share my excessive workload. In good conscience, I cannot impose such an inconvenience.”

Leaning back, Selvia regarded Daniel with a dubious gaze.

“You cannot inconvenience the operations personnel? While I can empathize with your intentions, Colonel Daniel, there is something I do not understand.”
“…What is it that you do not understand?”
“It’s a simple question. Why would Colonel Daniel prioritize the operations personnel over my request, as the future master of the Empire?”

Though spoken in a gentle tone, it sounded like a form of threat to Daniel.

“So unless you issue a command, I cannot comply with your request?”

It wasn’t just sounding like a threat; it was a threat.

Truly the blood of a ruler flowed through her veins.

While she spoke in a playful manner, her unique sense of pressure was conveyed to Daniel.

Realizing he could no longer refuse, Daniel lightly bowed his head.

“I have misspoken. For a moment, I forgot that the hardship of the operations personnel pales in comparison to the toils of Your Imperial Highness, who governs the nation.”

Satisfied with Daniel’s sincere apology, Selvia smiled.

“Then I shall take it that you have accepted my proposal. A public relations officer from the National Propaganda Department will explain the detailed schedule and speech format, so please take note.”
“…”
“Ah, I shall personally inform the General Staff, so you need not worry about disrupting your duties there. For the time being, you can dedicate yourself solely to preparing for the speech.”

Thanks to Selvia’s natural flow of words, as if she had prepared everything in advance, Daniel could be certain.

‘She intended to appoint me as the orator from the very beginning.’

It was safe to assume that everything had been decided the moment he set foot in the indoor garden.

Feeling like he had been had, Daniel let out a secret chuckle before regarding Selvia.

“Your Imperial Highness. If you’ll pardon my rudeness, may I ask one question?”
“I generally do not entertain questions, but I shall make an exception for Colonel Daniel. What is your curiosity?”
“I’m simply wondering… why did you summon me here? Even without meeting me in person and simply sending someone to issue the order, I would have had no choice but to comply.”

It was a sharp observation.

No matter his status as a war hero, as a mere colonel, Daniel could not have defied the Imperial Princess’s command.

Yet, Daniel was asking why she had gone through the trouble of meeting him in person to convey the order.

From Selvia’s perspective, the question was somewhat irksome.

‘Is he oblivious, or is he feigning obliviousness?’

Selvia had twice been saved by Daniel.

The first time was not particularly dangerous, but that was beside the point.

What mattered was that Daniel had risked his life to save her.

Moreover, this time, Daniel had personally apprehended the Crown Prince’s secret organization.

During that process, it was only natural for Selvia to develop affections towards Daniel.

Yet, what about Daniel? Throughout, he had remained rigidly formal, as if addressing a superior.

‘Could it be that Daniel is unaware of my fondness for him?’

Finding it incomprehensible, Selvia stared at Daniel before letting out a soft sigh.

“I shall leave it to you to ponder the reason at your leisure.”

With those words, Selvia slowly rose from her seat.

Just as she was about to depart, Selvia turned back towards Daniel, as if struck by a thought.

“Colonel Daniel? If the speech goes well… I would like us to meet more often going forward.”

With a faint smile, Selvia turned and walked away, her red cape fluttering behind her.

Watching her departing figure with a dazed expression, Daniel’s face grew serious as he raised his hand to stroke his chin.

‘What on earth did that mean? Is she implying she’ll exploit me as her mouthpiece?’

It seemed they were on completely different wavelengths.

A request from the Imperial Princess, who was currently serving as regent, was effectively no different from an Imperial decree.

For it was Emperor Bertram who gave the final approval for the Princess’s governance.

Thus, Daniel faithfully complied with Selvia’s request, or rather, command, to “prepare for the speech.”

He had spent an entire week coordinating with Hans, the public relations officer dispatched from the National Propaganda Department.

Daniel had even been conversing with Hans until today, the day of the speech itself.

“As I have repeatedly mentioned, you must avoid provoking the anti-war activists. The prolonged war has pushed the citizens’ fatigue to the brink.”
“…Is it truly that severe?”
“Yes. This is the most recent data. Please take a look, Colonel.”

From behind the outdoor theater stage where the speech would take place, Hans retrieved a file from the bundle he was carrying and handed it to Daniel.

After receiving the file, Daniel read through the public opinion survey statistics.

────────────

《Public Opinion Survey on the War》

Sampling Group: 1,000 citizens from major Imperial cities
Number of Respondents: Approximately 18,000
Question: What are your thoughts on the ongoing war waged by the Empire?

• Frequency Analysis

The war must continue – 8,208 (45.6%)

The war must stop – 8,298 (46.1%)

Unsure / No Response – 1,494 (8.3%)

────────────

As Hans had said, the anti-war faction narrowly outnumbered those in favor of continuing the war.

“As you can see, the anti-war activists have surpassed the war supporters for the first time. Of course, there may be Allied spy forces among those calling for an end to the war, but such a high percentage can also be seen as the will of the people.”

Indeed, with such a ratio, it would be difficult to dismiss the anti-war activists as merely instigated by spies.

After Daniel nodded in acknowledgment, Hans checked his wristwatch before handing him another document.

It was the speech manuscript containing the content Daniel would deliver in this speech.

“Therefore, we must explain the reasons for continuing the war without provoking the anti-war activists. Please keep in mind that we must not antagonize them.”
“Understood. Then…”

Like Hans, Daniel raised his wrist to check the time before turning his gaze towards the stage.

“It seems I should proceed to the stage and deliver the speech.”

Hans nodded in agreement.

“The National Propaganda Department is counting on you, Colonel Daniel.”

Upon hearing Hans’s words, Daniel gave a slight nod before heading towards the stage.

As Daniel ascended the steps and appeared on stage, the lights turned on, and cheers erupted from all directions.

Turning his head at the deafening cheers, Daniel could see the masses filling the audience seats.

‘An absurd number of people…’

The theater, which could reportedly accommodate ten thousand spectators, was packed to capacity.

Thanks to the National Propaganda Department’s relentless promotion throughout the week, advertising an important speech by the war hero Daniel Steiner.

While such a setting was daunting, as he had been ordered, Daniel had no choice but to proceed.

Amidst the roaring cheers, Daniel walked towards the podium and lightly tapped the pre-installed microphone.

As that sound reverberated through the massive speakers, the cheers quickly subsided.

After flashing a smile at the vast crowd, Daniel unfolded the document Hans had provided.

Familiar with the well-rehearsed speech manuscript, Daniel began speaking.

“Esteemed citizens. I am Colonel Daniel Steiner of the General Staff Headquarters.”

A modest cheer arose from the front rows.

After waiting briefly for them to settle down, Daniel continued.

“Before beginning the main speech, allow me to clarify my stance to avoid any unnecessary confusion. I, Daniel Steiner, am not in favor of the war…”

Unable to recall the next line, Daniel glanced down at the manuscript.

[“I do not advocate for the war. If anything, I am an anti-war activist myself. However, I understand the necessity of this war better than anyone.”]

It was written from a neutral perspective to satisfy both the war supporters and anti-war activists.

If he proceeded as written, the speech aimed at selling war bonds would likely achieve only a lukewarm success.

‘And then, I would…’

Undoubtedly, he would continue to be Selvia’s closest aide, dragged around at her whim.

And when Selvia ascended to the throne, Daniel’s fame would only grow further.

Which essentially meant his chances of being assassinated, without even facing a war crimes trial, would skyrocket.

For Daniel, who wished to live a long and quiet life, it was one of the most horrifying futures imaginable.

Was there no way out?

Desperately racking his brain, Daniel noticed the anti-war activists occupying a section of the audience.

Seeing them holding placards opposing the war sparked an ingenious idea.

‘If I provoke the anti-war activists and completely sabotage this speech…’

He would distance himself from Selvia and the world’s attention.

For no one would bother monitoring or fearing a man incapable of delivering a simple speech.

Having made his decision, Daniel closed the file containing the speech manuscript.

Then, he boldly faced the front, where countless camera flashes were erupting.

“I, Daniel Steiner, desire…”

Narrowing his eyes sharply, Daniel raised both hands to grasp the edges of the podium.

And, feigning the role of a warmonger, he swiftly raised his right hand.

“An all-out war unlike any in history!”