LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 72
The crowd was utterly taken aback, mouths agape at Captain Daniel Steiner’s declaration of total war.
Everyone just stood frozen in place, exchanging bewildered glances as if to ask, ‘What on earth is he babbling about?’
Even the Anti-War Activists were too stunned to protest or criticize, their faces just blank slates.
Meanwhile, Hans, the public relations officer watching the speech from behind the stage, was silently screaming.
‘What in the world are you doing!?’
This speech coinciding with issuing bonds was no small matter—it was a critical national issue.
Plus, this was the first directive given by Selvia, the future Empress, to the propaganda department.
As a result, not just the citizens but also the politicians in Parliament and a whole bunch of nobles were glued to this speech.
It was Selvia’s first footprint, after all, so everyone’s eyes were naturally glued to it.
‘That means…’
If Daniel fluffed his speech while everyone was focused, the propaganda department wouldn’t escape Selvia’s wrath either.
Hans, thinking he could end up getting canned in the worst-case scenario, quickly turned to his subordinate.
“Hey! Get in touch with the broadcast director right now! We have to stop the radio transmission!”
“Uh, yes! Right away!”
Once Daniel’s speech about total war started echoing across the Empire, the propaganda department wouldn’t have any excuses left.
Thus, Hans was trying to mitigate the danger as much as possible by at least banning the radio transmission.
While Hans’s underling was dialing up the broadcast director, Daniel opened his mouth with a determined attitude before the crowd of ten thousand.
“Right now, my fellow citizens, you might be wondering why I am declaring total war. But the truth is, you already know. You understand why the Empire must engage in total war!”
The murmuring of the crowd intensified.
Daniel didn’t care.
After all, he was set on tanking the speech anyway.
The murmurs began to settle down.
Because there was nothing wrong with what Daniel was saying.
“Unfortunately! It will soon be only a matter of time until the duplicitous United Nations has the Federation and Republic turning their backs on the Empire! So we must make a choice! Negotiation or resistance!”
Daniel’s eyes gleamed with a fiery resolve.
At least, that’s how it appeared to the crowd.
“The Anti-War Activists say! That we must negotiate to save the Empire! That we should take the hand extended by the United Nations to achieve lasting peace! Then I wish to ask…”
Daniel glanced over at the section dominated by the Anti-War Activists.
“Can you be sure? Can you be naive enough to believe that joining hands with the United Nations will truly bring peace?”
The Anti-War Activists didn’t answer.
In fact, it would be more accurate to say they couldn’t answer.
Everyone was left speechless, their spirits dampened by the mesmerizing presence of Daniel.
After staring at their silence for a while, Daniel turned his gaze straight ahead.
“My fellow citizens! I have fought on the battlefield and witnessed the reality of the United Nations! They are vile, self-righteous, arrogant, and impulsive! The peace they desire is not equality! The United Nations seeks the subjugation of the Empire!”
The murmuring that had floated in the air vanished completely.
The crowd was now silent, honed in on Daniel’s speech.
The United Nations, claiming to seek negotiations, will be the first to seize our guns! After disarming us, they’ll take our food, then our farming tools, next our children, and finally attempt to put the Empire firmly in their grasp!”
Some of the furious crowd erupted in protest at Daniel’s words.
“We now know! We must not trust the United Nations! We absolutely must resist and drive a stake into their sinister designs! So, oh great citizens of the Empire! Do not hesitate! Do not fear!”
Daniel raised his right arm high once more.
“The Empire has achieved what no one else has! Citizens! Look up to the North! In less than a season, the Empire has scored a historic victory in the most fierce battlefield! Could this be mere coincidence?”
From the crowd came a roaring, “No!”
As the cheering turned into waves, Hans behind the stage stood with his mouth agape.
From deep inside, he couldn’t help but be impressed.
‘Whoa… It’s working!’
The charisma and perfect delivery possessed by Daniel had everyone wrapped around his finger.
Combined with his eloquence, the crowd was slowly being influenced by Daniel’s words.
Realizing this, Hans called over the subordinate he had been discussing with the broadcast director.
“Hey! Tell the director to keep the radio transmission going!”
The staff member, who had also been listening to the speech, nodded without a word.
Oblivious to the positive responses happening behind the stage, Daniel confidently turned back to the crowd.
“We have won, and we will continue to win! Even if the enemy pressures the Empire with an all-out assault, we will surely endure! I promise that we will proclaim the greatness of the Empire to the other side of the world!”
Cheers erupted from the crowd.
However, the Anti-War Activists remained silent.
Taking advantage of that, Daniel continued his speech.
“Despite our resolve, some Anti-War Activists ask—are you not afraid of war? To be honest with you, my fellow citizens, I am afraid. Each time I engage in battle on the battlefield, the fear of death chills me to the bone.”
Daniel clutched the lectern.
“But!”
With Daniel’s powerful shout, the crowd had no choice but to listen intently.
“Losing my life is nothing compared to losing my country under a subservient negotiation! That’s why I shall go to the battlefield! Losing my life is losing one, but losing my country means losing everything!”
Bursting with agreement, the crowd erupted in cheers.
Some had even begun waving the Empire’s flag above their heads.
At this point, the only group not responding to Daniel’s words was the Anti-War Activists.
They were just holding up signs reading ‘Ban War,’ murmuring among themselves with deep, troubled expressions.
Thinking they just needed a bit more prodding, Daniel slammed his hand onto the lectern.
“If you’re not afraid, then stand up, and if you understand, then act! Let’s declare that the Empire is the greatest nation in the world!”
Once more, cheers erupted.
The faces of the crowd were now brimming with a certain euphoria.
Taking a deep breath amidst the gazes from ten thousand people, Daniel gathered his thoughts.
After a brief pause, Daniel opened his mouth.
Daniel’s deep voice resonated through the large speakers.
As a result, cheers faded, and everyone began to listen intently to Daniel’s words.
“I, Captain Daniel Steiner… No!”
Looking up to face the crowd, Daniel shouted amidst the numerous flashes of cameras.
“We want total war!”
No sooner had Daniel finished speaking than applause erupted like a flood.
The cheers and applause mixed together, while the Anti-War Activists remained silent.
And that thrilled Daniel.
‘Alright.’
More than half of the Empire’s citizens were Anti-War Activists.
If they protested Daniel’s insistence on total war, his plan would be perfect.
‘What are they waiting for? They should at least throw some tomatoes.’
As he waited, one by one, the Anti-War Activists rose from their seats.
Thinking the time had finally come, Daniel readied himself for an absurd exit amidst flying tomatoes.
Just as he was fixing his tie, the Anti-War Activists suddenly broke into applause.
‘…What?’
In a flash, the crowd—including the Anti-War Activists—stood up in unison.
With applause ringing out, the crowd began to chant.
─ We want total war!
─ Better inevitable war than subservient negotiation!
─ For His Majesty the Emperor! For the great Empire!
The combined voices resonated like a deafening roar.
As cold sweat dripped down Daniel’s back, he found himself at a loss for words while the Anti-War Activists dropped their signs one by one.
They also stood up like everyone else, shouting at the top of their lungs.
─ Finally, for our hero, Captain Daniel Steiner!
The voices shouted by the Anti-War Activists quickly caught on, spreading to everyone’s lips.
─ Daniel Steiner! Daniel Steiner! Daniel Steiner!
As Daniel gazed at the throngs chanting his name, his hands trembled.
In a space where the roar reached a deafening level, Daniel gulped loudly.
‘I’m screwed…’
He realized things had escalated beyond control.