Mistaken for a War Hero

Chapter 72
Words Are Contagious

『 Translator – Divinity 』

The crowd was dumbfounded by Daniel’s declaration of all-out war, unable to speak.

They all froze in place, exchanging glances with expressions that seemed to ask, “What is he talking about?”

Even the pacifists were simply bewildered, having forgotten to protest or criticize.

Meanwhile, Hans, the public relations officer, who was watching the speech from backstage, screamed silently.

‘What is he doing!?’

This speech, given alongside the issuance of war bonds, was a matter of national importance.

Moreover, this was the first order Sylvia, the future Empress, had given to the Ministry of Public Information.

As a result, not only the citizens but also the politicians in the National Assembly and numerous nobles were focused on this speech.

It was only natural for it to attract attention, as it was Sylvia’s first move.

‘That means…’

If Daniel ruined the speech with all eyes on him, the Ministry of Public Information wouldn’t be able to escape Sylvia’s wrath.

Thinking that he might even be dismissed from his post in the worst-case scenario, Hans hurriedly turned to his subordinate.

“Hey! Contact the broadcasting director right now! We need to stop the radio broadcast!”

“Y-Yes, sir! Understood!”

If Daniel’s all-out war speech spread throughout the Empire, the Ministry of Public Information wouldn’t be able to justify their mistake.

Therefore, they were trying to mitigate the damage by at least stopping the radio broadcast.

As Hans’s subordinate contacted the broadcasting director, Daniel spoke with a resolute attitude in front of the ten thousand people in the crowd.

“Right now, you must be wondering why I’m declaring an all-out war. But the truth is, you already know. Why the Empire must engage in an all-out war!”

The murmuring in the crowd grew louder.

But Daniel didn’t mind.

He was planning to ruin the speech anyway.

“Currently, the Allied Nations are criticizing and slandering the Empire day after day, urging the Federal Republic and the Republic to join the war! Everyone here knows that the Federal Republic and the Republic are favorably disposed towards the Allied Nations!”

The murmuring subsided.

Because there was nothing wrong with what Daniel said.

“Unfortunately! It’s only a matter of time before the Federal Republic and the Republic, swayed by the cunning tongues of the Allied Nations, turn their backs on the Empire! Then we have to make a choice! Negotiation or all-out war!”

Daniel’s eyes blazed with determination, like a fiery inferno.

At least, that’s how it appeared to the crowd.

“The pacifists say! That the Empire can only survive through negotiations! That we must join hands with the Allied Nations and achieve lasting peace! Then I ask you.”

Daniel turned his gaze towards the pacifist faction in the audience.

“Can you be sure? Can you blindly believe that joining hands with the Allied Nations will truly bring peace?”

The pacifists didn’t answer.

No, it was more accurate to say that they couldn’t answer.

They were all intimidated and silenced by Daniel’s commanding presence.

After a moment of silence, Daniel turned his gaze back to the front.

“Citizens of the Empire! I have witnessed the reality of the Allied Nations while fighting on the battlefield! They are vile, arrogant, haughty, and impulsive! The peace they seek is not equality! The Allied Nations desire the Empire’s submission!”

The murmurs that had been filling the air disappeared completely.

The crowd was now focused on Daniel’s speech, not even making a sound.

“The Allied Nations, who approach us with offers of negotiation, will first try to take away our weapons! After taking our weapons, they will take our food, and after our food, our farming tools, and then our children, and finally, they will try to seize the entire Empire!”

Some of the angered citizens in the crowd started to jeer.

“We know now! That we cannot trust the Allied Nations! That we must resist and drive a stake through their wicked hearts! Therefore, citizens of the great Empire! Do not hesitate! Do not fear!”

Daniel raised his right arm once again.

“The Empire today has achieved what no one else could! Citizens! Raise your heads and look to the north! In less than a season, the Empire has achieved a historic victory in the midst of the fiercest battle! Could this be a mere coincidence!?”

“No!” A shout erupted from the crowd.

As the shouts rippled through the audience, Hans, who was backstage, gaped in surprise.

Inwardly, he was filled with admiration.

‘This… is working!’

Daniel’s charisma and perfect delivery united the crowd.

And with his eloquent speech, the people were gradually being swayed by his words.

Noticing this, Hans called out to his subordinate who was talking to the broadcasting director.

“Hey! Tell the broadcasting director to continue the radio broadcast!”

Hans’ subordinate nodded in agreement.

Unaware of the positive reaction backstage, Daniel looked at the crowd and declared confidently,

“We have won, and we will continue to win! Even if the enemy pressures the Empire and launches an all-out attack, we will prevail! And we will spread the glory of the Empire to the other side of the globe!”

Cheers erupted from the crowd.

However, the pacifists remained silent.

Daniel, aiming for that, continued his speech.

“Despite our determination, some pacifists ask, ‘Aren’t you afraid of war?’ To be honest with you all, I am afraid. Every time I fight on the battlefield, the fear of death chills me to the bone.”

Daniel gripped the podium.

“But!”

His powerful shout forced the crowd to focus.

“I am more afraid of losing our nation under a humiliating negotiation than losing my life! That is why I go to the battlefield! Losing one’s life is losing one thing, but losing one’s nation is losing everything!”

Cheers erupted from the crowd, echoing Daniel’s words.

Some even waved the Imperial flags they had brought above their heads.

Now, the only ones who weren’t responding to Daniel’s words were the pacifists.

They simply exchanged words among themselves, their signs with “No War” written on them lowered.

Their faces were filled with worry.

Thinking that he just needed to provoke them a little more, Daniel slammed his hand on the podium.

“If you’re not afraid, rise! And if you understand, act! And we will declare that the Empire is the greatest nation in the world!”

Cheers erupted once again.

Now, the faces in the crowd were filled with a sense of elation.

Daniel took a deep breath, bathed in the gazes of ten thousand people.

After a brief pause, he spoke,

“Lastly, under the protection of His Majesty, I speak on behalf of the nation and its people.”

Daniel’s deep voice echoed through the large speakers.

The cheers subsided, and everyone listened attentively to his words.

“I, Daniel Steiner… No!”

Raising his head and looking straight ahead, Daniel shouted amidst the countless camera flashes,

“We desire an all-out war!”

As soon as Daniel finished speaking, thunderous applause erupted.

Cheers and shouts mixed with the applause, and only the pacifists remained silent.

This pleased Daniel.

‘Good.’

The majority of the Empire’s citizens were pacifists.

If they opposed his call for all-out war, his plan would be perfect.

‘What are they waiting for? Throw the tomatoes you’re holding.’

He waited for a moment, and then the pacifists began to stand up one by one.

Thinking that the time had come, Daniel prepared to make a comical exit while being pelted with tomatoes.

Just as he was adjusting his tie, the pacifists started clapping.

‘…What?’

He was bewildered, and then, in an instant, the entire crowd, including the pacifists, rose to their feet.

They erupted in cheers amidst the applause.

— We want an all-out war!

— Inevitable war rather than humiliating negotiations!

— For His Majesty! For the great Empire!

Their unified voices were deafening.

As Daniel stood speechless, the pacifists began to throw away their signs.

They also stood up like the others and shouted at the top of their lungs,

— Lastly, for our hero, Daniel Steiner!

Their voices spread like wildfire, and soon everyone was chanting,

— Daniel Steiner! Daniel Steiner! Daniel Steiner!

Daniel’s hands trembled as he looked at the countless people chanting his name.

In that deafening space, he swallowed nervously and realized,

‘I’m doomed…’

Things had gotten out of hand.