chapter_0193

192 – If You Can, Go Ahead and Try

192 – If You Can, Go Ahead and Try

Three days later.

Behind the outdoor performance stage.

“Colonel… no, it seems like your expression isn’t very good, General?”

Frien spoke up in a space bustling with numerous people.

Next to Frien stood Lucy, and both of them had their rank insignias changed thanks to their recent promotions.

Lucy, wearing the insignia of a captain, stared intently at Daniel, who was sitting in a chair reading a newspaper, and then nodded.

“Yeah. He definitely doesn’t look happy.”

“Why could that be? He had a gloomy expression even on the day he was promoted to general.”

“Well….”

As Lucy and Frien whispered among themselves, Daniel furrowed his brow while reading the newspaper.

“Republic officially declares war on the Empire!

Chairman Inbertem of the Free Republic announces a firm resolve to the people through a speech.

Chairman Inbertem declared an official declaration of war against the Empire during a nationwide address broadcasted via radio yesterday at noon. He asserted that the Empire’s expansionist war is a serious challenge to the international order and expressed the intention to participate in the war for the sake of lasting peace in the world.”

After reading the article on the front page, Daniel irritably folded the newspaper.

‘Expansionist war? A serious challenge to the international order? Ridiculous.’

It was the Allied Nations that led the war, and the Republic had merely decided to participate for its own interests, not for the sake of international order.

‘No matter how much the war is a matter of justification….’

He wanted to ask if it was reasonable to rise up with such a hastily constructed justification.

‘In the end, it’s just the soldiers who are dying because of the greed of those in power.’

Despite having earned his stars, Daniel still empathized with the soldiers.

The reason was simple.

He could also be among those who were dying.

Being thrust into the battlefield against his will was similar to the soldiers’ plight.

‘Why me? There are many capable generals; why must it be me….’

Contrary to the public perception of him as a heartless demon, Daniel was simply afraid of war.

Just as he was about to feel sorrow again over the reality of having to perform on the battlefield, footsteps approached nearby.

“Excuse me? General Daniel?”

Looking up, he saw Hans, the public relations officer from the National Propaganda Department, standing there.

“I thought I’d check if you were ready to speak before the people. But you don’t look too well. It seems you haven’t been sleeping well lately?”

“…I’ve been deep in thought.”

“Indeed. I also believe I’m dedicated to the nation, but I feel infinitely small in front of you, General Daniel.”

Though Hans was seriously mistaken, Daniel had neither the will nor the need to clarify.

Knowing that continuing to wallow in self-pity would yield no benefits, Daniel stood up from his seat.

“I didn’t come here to compare the size of our patriotism.”

“Ah, of course not. If you’re ready, I’d like you to head up to the stage now. The people are waiting for you, General Daniel. Just in case, we’ve prepared a speech for you at the podium, but you don’t have to follow it if you don’t want to.”

Hans understood.

He knew that the words coming from Daniel Steiner would resonate more deeply than the speech prepared by the National Propaganda Department.

Even so, it was hard to take the public relations officer’s request for a “freestyle speech” seriously.

Looking at Hans with some reluctance, Daniel nodded and began to walk.

He thought there was no need to drag out something that had to be done anyway.

“General Daniel!”

“We’re counting on you again! The whole nation will hear your voice!”

“There’s no need to be nervous! Just act as you usually do!”

Amid the cheers of the National Propaganda Department staff, Daniel climbed the steps to the stage.

As soon as Daniel Steiner appeared on stage, the crowd gathered outdoors erupted in cheers.

The roar was so loud it felt like it could deafen him, and flashes from cameras erupted from various directions.

‘It’s not like I’m a celebrity….’

Since it was a familiar sight, Daniel raised his hand and offered an awkward smile.

Standing at the podium, Daniel adjusted his tie and tapped the microphone.

The sound of the microphone tapping echoed quietly through the speakers set up on stage.

Soon, the crowd’s cheers subsided, and all eyes were focused on Daniel Steiner.

Daniel glanced around at them and slowly opened his mouth.

“Dear citizens, I am General Daniel Steiner, also serving as the Emergency Security General.”

In the now quiet space, only the words of Daniel Steiner floated in the air.

“Before I get into the main topic, I would like to bring up a somewhat heavy subject. Those of you who read the morning newspaper will know that the Republic has joined the war, assisting the Allied Nations.”

The crowd’s expressions darkened at the unwelcome news.

“The Chairman of the Republic, Inbertem, has called the Empire an aggressor nation continuing an expansionist war. Is that really true? I want to ask the citizens here: Is the Empire truly an aggressor nation as they claim?”

From various places, voices shouted, “No!”

Encouraged by the crowd’s agreement, Daniel continued without losing momentum.

“That’s right! We know! It is not the Empire that led the war, but the Allied Nations! The Republic, which arose to defend the Allied Nations, is the true aggressor nation!”

Daniel raised his right hand high.

“The Allied Nations and the Republic are fabricating lies out of fear of us! They mock our beliefs and oppress our freedom to keep us beneath their feet! To subjugate us! To make the Empire a loser in this war!”

Anger flared in the faces of the crowd.

This was the most explosive emotion and also the easiest to manipulate.

“But their mockery and fabrications cannot tarnish the will of the citizens of the Empire! In the eyes of the citizens I see before me, there is only a desire for victory, not submission! Therefore, the Empire will never let the aspirations of its citizens go to waste!”

Daniel lowered his hand and grasped the podium.

“O great citizens of the Empire! We have not only achieved victory in numerous battles but have also neatly dealt with the internal collaborators! The Empire is more united than ever and is leaping forward for an ideal nation! Do we need to fear the Republic?”

Voices mixed with anger and pride erupted chaotically among the crowd.

“It is the Allied Nations and the Republic that must submit! Therefore, I declare before the citizens! I, General Daniel Steiner, will resign from my position as Emergency Security General and lead the troops into battle as the commander of the brigade!”

The crowd erupted in excitement at the news that Daniel Steiner would return to the battlefield.

In reality, it was due to the orders of the Chief of Staff, but that didn’t matter now.

Everyone thought that Daniel Steiner was voluntarily going to fight.

“We will move forward! Strive, citizens! For His Majesty the Emperor and our homeland!”

A wave of cheers rose as people shouted the names of Daniel Steiner and His Majesty the Emperor.

Just as Daniel thought it was time to conclude his speech, a gunshot rang out, cutting through the air.

Everyone was thrown into confusion as the shooter shouted from among the crowd.

“Shut up! You war-mongering bastard!”

A disheveled man aimed a gun at Daniel Steiner.

“What’s the difference between your flowery words and your intention to continue the war!?”

As people around the man began to scream and flee, chaos erupted everywhere.

Yet, Daniel stood on the podium, quietly looking down at the man.

To others, it might have seemed like he was unafraid of the person aiming a gun at him, but in reality, Daniel was simply frozen in shock.

‘…Did he come in with a handgun? How?’

Even so, he was quickly assessing the situation in his mind.

‘Is he an Allied Nations spy given orders to assassinate me?’

After thinking it over, he concluded that it wasn’t the case.

If that man were an Allied Nations spy, there would be no need for such a commotion.

‘Is he an anti-war activist? I thought they had dried up, but it seems they’re still active.’

Despite feeling fear, Daniel scrutinized the man closely.

The hand holding the gun trembled slightly, indicating he was extremely tense.

Having acted in anger, regret must have come rushing in afterward.

Glancing aside, Daniel saw soldiers pushing through the panicked crowd, moving to subdue and eliminate the man.

The man seemed unaware of this, as he thrust the gun forward and shouted again.

“Answer me! You talk about risking death, but now that you’re in danger, you can’t even speak!”

Daniel rolled his eyes and stared at the man.

He had to buy time while the soldiers approached the man.

Thinking quickly, Daniel opened his mouth in front of everyone.

“Go ahead and shoot.”

The unexpected response surprised both the man and the crowd, who looked at Daniel in shock.

In the ensuing silence, Daniel quietly continued.

“You are also a citizen of the Empire, so if you can fulfill your will by killing me, I won’t stop you. But remember this one thing.”

His voice flowed through the speakers, filling the performance hall.

“The moment you pull the trigger….”

Daniel narrowed his eyes sharply, looking down at the man as if he were a mere insect.

“The Empire will lose its future.”

A word from the author (Author’s Note)

It’s a lovely weekend again today!

I hope you have a fun and happy time!

Then, I’ll see you again tomorrow! Thank you for always reading!