chapter_0117

116 – What is Stronger than Belief is Reason

116 – What is Stronger than Belief is Reason

Daniel’s eyes, visible through the rearview mirror, were like those of a predator that had spotted its prey.

Thanks to that, Frien’s hands gripping the steering wheel involuntarily tightened, and his heart beat a little faster.

Originally respecting Daniel, Frien was now seeing Daniel’s efforts to build his power base as something magnificent.

Of course, Daniel was merely struggling to survive the immediate situation, but Frien had no way of knowing that.

Maintaining a faint smile as he continued driving, Frien suddenly spoke up with a thought that had occurred to him.

“…But, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel? Isn’t Melbaroten an independent newspaper that doesn’t receive government support or corporate advertising? It’s also famous for its slogan of reporting only the truth.”

“That’s right.”

“Then wouldn’t there be difficulties in making them follow you, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel? I’m sure they’ll insist that they won’t publish biased articles in the newspaper.”

That wasn’t wrong.

But in Daniel’s view, the Melbaroten newspaper wasn’t a media outlet burning with a sense of duty.

“Lieutenant Frien, are you aware that the Melbaroten newspaper once advocated for anti-war protests?”

Frien shook his head.

“I don’t read the newspaper often. The Melbaroten newspaper said such disgusting things.”

“Yes. Advocating for anti-war protests is understandable in itself. Many people were feeling fatigued as the war dragged on. But after I gave my total war speech, the Melbaroten newspaper retracted their claims.”

A question mark appeared above Frien’s head.

“Why is that?”

“Because countless customers canceled their subscriptions. Without the support of the government and corporations, they have to live off the support of the people, so it’s a natural consequence when they publish articles that go against the public sentiment.”

There was something certain that could be understood here.

The Melbaroten newspaper’s convictions were intertwined with money.

It was obvious, if you thought about it.

The printing press, ink, and paper needed to convey the truth weren’t given for free.

Without money, the truth couldn’t be told either.

Nevertheless, the Melbaroten newspaper wasn’t receiving any support from the government or corporations in order to maintain its shallow convictions of independence and neutrality.

Or rather, it would be more accurate to say that it had become too small to receive any.

At this rate, the Melbaroten newspaper wouldn’t be able to avoid bankruptcy.

Daniel intended to exploit this point and put a leash on the Melbaroten newspaper.

“So, what I’m saying is…”

Looking at Frien, who was focused on driving, Daniel quietly whispered.

“Frien, I’d like you to help me out.”

*

11 Volberberg Street.

Melbaroten Newspaper.

“Haa…”

Wölm, sitting at his desk in the editor’s office, sighed deeply.

He had a headache because the number of subscribers was decreasing day by day.

‘At this rate, I won’t be able to maintain the printing costs, let alone the distribution network.’

What was the point of a newspaper that couldn’t print newspapers?

But when he thought about filing for bankruptcy, the faces of the employees who trusted and followed him, and their families waiting at home, flickered in his mind.

‘What should I do…’

While he was pondering how to increase the number of subscribers, someone knocked on the door.

Wölm frowned, thinking it was a subordinate.

“Tom! I told you I needed to think! Unless you’ve come up with a solution, don’t even think about showing me that stupid face of yours…”

Wölm stopped talking.

The person who entered as the office door opened wasn’t Tom, but an Officer of the Empire.

Moreover, it was Daniel Steiner, who was known as the hero of the Empire.

Accompanied by Frien, who was famous for using black magic.

Daniel gave a faint smile to Wölm, who was frozen as if he was dreaming.

“Since I’ve come to discuss a solution, I don’t have to leave, do I?”

Hearing Daniel’s voice, Wölm quickly stood up.

“L, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner. What brings you to such a humble newspaper…”

He was asking because he really didn’t know.

Daniel approached him and pulled out a chair in front of the desk and sat down.

“Didn’t I just say? I said I came to discuss a solution.”

“When you say a solution…”

“A way for the Melbaroten newspaper, which is in financial trouble, to make a comeback. Let’s sit down first.”

Wölm nodded cautiously and took a seat.

Daniel stared intently at Wölm’s face, which was filled with tension, and then opened his mouth.

“As far as I know, the Melbaroten newspaper is on the verge of bankruptcy. Is that correct?”

Wölm paused for a moment before nodding.

It wasn’t a fact that needed to be hidden.

“You see right through it. The number of subscribers is decreasing day by day, and now it’s even difficult to cover the printing costs.”

“I see. Then may I offer some help to your newspaper?”

“…What do you mean by offering help?”

At Wölm’s question, Daniel raised his hand and pointed to Frien, who was standing behind him.

“I don’t know if you know, but the father of Lieutenant Frien, who is behind me, is the head pastor of The Great Church of Holy Flame. The number of believers is also considerable.”

Daniel lowered his hand and clasped his fingers together.

“I will ask Lieutenant Frien to have the believers of The Great Church of Holy Flame subscribe to the Melbaroten newspaper. Then you can put out the immediate fire, can’t you?”

Certainly, if only 10% of the believers subscribed to the Belbaroten newspaper, the problem of struggling to maintain printing costs and the distribution network wouldn’t occur.

“Also…”

Daniel took out a tape recorder from his pocket and placed it on the desk.

When he pressed the play button on the recorder, the tape turned and a recorded voice flowed out.

─ I confess. I, Kemble, the leader of the Liberty Socialist Party, have passed on the Empire’s secrets to the Belmore Kingdom.

What? The moment Wölm, who heard the shocking fact, was shocked, Daniel pressed the pause button.

“This is information that even the Empire Daily doesn’t know yet. If you wish, I can let you be the first to report this fact.”

He was saying that he would hand over an exclusive scoop.

Wölm could only look at Daniel Steiner, who had come forward to secure subscribers and even brought an exclusive scoop, with suspicion.

“…What exactly do you want from me?”

There was no such thing as pure goodwill in this world.

Wölm, sensing that Daniel had come to demand something, became wary.

Daniel, thinking it was good that he was quick-witted, leaned back in his chair.

“It’s simple. From now on, the Melbaroten newspaper must have me review the articles before they are reported. If necessary, I will directly provide the guidelines for the articles.”

“Excuse me? What does that…”

He wondered if it was a joke, but Daniel’s expression was very calm.

Thanks to that, Wölm frowned and became angry.

“Are you saying that you’re going to turn the Melbaroten newspaper into a mouthpiece that is loyal to you?”

“There is some exaggeration, but depending on how you listen to it, you can interpret it that way.”

“Are you out of your mind!? Melbaroten is an independent newspaper! The founding ideology is to inform the people of the truth!”

Daniel, who had been silently staring at Wölm, quietly opened his mouth.

“Truth? It’s a good word to hear. Then let’s ask. What is the truth?”

“Well, news without lies is…”

“Who judges that there are no lies?”

Wölm opened his mouth to answer, but couldn’t make a sound.

The information that the editor of Melbaroten, a small newspaper, could obtain was limited.

Seeing that, Daniel slowly raised his upper body.

“People always live by lying. And only a small number of privileged people with power can judge whether that lie is true or not.”

“But…”

“I guarantee it. You can never get close to the truth. You just interpret the information that comes down from above in a fragmentary way and repeat it like a parrot.”

Wölm knew vaguely.

Those who were disliked by the nobles, corporations, and the government disappeared without a sound, and only after a long time did an article appear saying that they had been robbed or had an accident.

The truth that could not be told was right there.

“I can see the editor’s future. Either you fall into the illusion of reporting the truth and live like a parrot, or you get too close to the truth and face death.”

Both were terrible ends.

“Or…”

Daniel’s voice sounded like mockery for some reason.

“Neither of those, and you are crushed by the weight of money and go bankrupt.”

Wölm’s hand trembled slightly.

There was no hope in the future that Daniel was listing.

In the despair that occupied his mind, the devil’s whisper was heard.

“Let’s be honest. You don’t want the truth, do you? You want the ‘power’ not to be fired even if you tell the truth, and the ‘money’ to protect your family.”

Daniel’s hand, reaching forward, lightly covered the back of Wölm’s hand.

“I can give you both. The price is one lie. If you swear to tell a lie for me…”

Wölm slowly raised his head and met Daniel’s gaze.

The devil’s eyes resembled those of a human.

“I will provide you with a thousand truths and money that will not collapse.”

Abandon your beliefs to protect your beliefs.

Sacrifice the small for the greater good.

Hold my hand for the sake of your employees and family.

The meaning contained in Daniel’s voice was weighing down on Wölm’s shoulders.

The moment he fell for that sweet offer, he would have to walk a path of no return.

But if he refused and turned back, the cliff of bankruptcy was waiting.

When beliefs and reason collide, reason usually wins.

Wölm took a deep breath and opened his mouth.

“…What should I do?”

Wölm’s voice echoed gloomily in the office.

Hearing the answer, Daniel withdrew his hand and stood up.

“First, report the exclusive scoop I gave you. Before the Empire Daily beats you to it, you must let the whole world know that the leader of the Liberty Socialist Party is a traitor. Then wait for my instructions.”

Daniel, who had straightened his clothes, was about to turn around but stopped.

“Ah. Just in case…”

Daniel took out a folded piece of paper from his pocket and placed it on Wölm’s desk.

“If you forget the favor and try to betray me, you will have to pay the price.”

Daniel, who had said something incomprehensible, smiled once and turned around and walked away.

Only after Daniel opened the door and left the office did Wölm pick up the folded paper and unfold it.

‘This is…’

The paper contained the address of the house where Wölm’s family lived.

Below, all the family’s names, hobbies, and even their usual routes were marked.

Even the information that Wölm’s son had once touched drugs out of curiosity was written down.

Seeing that, Wölm raised his trembling hand to his forehead in dizziness.

‘Daniel Steiner from the beginning…’

He had no intention of accepting his refusal.

Author’s Note

Thank you for the 2,000 coin donation, BeastBeastBeast-nim! Teacher…! I don’t know what to do with myself because you donate such a large amount every time…! You told me to focus on heating, so I will buy pajamas and a thick blanket with the money I received! I was thinking about buying a new blanket anyway, so I will put it into action right away! Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to write hard!

Thank you to all the readers who read it!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Then I’ll see you again tomorrow!