chapter_0093

92 – Remember the Hero’s Resurrection

92 – Remember the Hero’s Resurrection

The next evening.

After finishing her work, Selvia headed to the art gallery located within the Imperial Palace.

She had heard from the members of the Inner Court that her father, whose condition had slightly improved, was on his way to the gallery to see the portraits of their ancestors.

Hurrying her steps, Selvia entered the gallery and saw her father standing quietly in front of a large portrait of her great-grandfather.

“Father!”

As Selvia approached with a bright expression, Emperor Bertham turned his head.

Upon spotting his daughter, Bertham smiled faintly.

“Selvia. You must be busy with state affairs; is it wise to waste your time on me?”

“If you think checking on you is a waste of time, then you will never become a wise ruler.”

“How charming. Your charm seems to grow day by day.”

Bertham chuckled softly.

“Indeed. Since we’ve met, let’s talk about what’s been happening in the world. A lot has happened while I’ve been bedridden these past few days, hasn’t it?”

Recalling recent events, Selvia nodded without hesitation.

“Fortunately, we managed to avoid the worst. Not only has the survival of Colonel Daniel Steiner been confirmed, but we were also able to strengthen the Empire’s influence over Bellanos.”

“I see. That’s good news. But about Colonel Daniel Steiner…”

Bertham looked down at Selvia with a subtle gaze.

“According to reports, he claimed to have gathered intelligence during the time he was stranded. Have you confirmed that information?”

“Not yet… They said they would inform me after his return due to concerns about communication interception.”

“To say they will inform me after his return. That’s quite a significant statement.”

Selvia frowned at the insinuating tone.

“Father, do you still suspect Colonel Daniel?”

“Then do you wish for me not to suspect him, Selvia?”

“Of course, I…”

“Do you think you could say such things in front of your great-grandfather?”

The atmosphere shifted.

Feeling reprimanded, Selvia fell silent.

After looking down at her for a while, Bertham turned his gaze back to the portrait.

“We are the children of usurpers. You know well how your grandfather seized the throne. Though he outwardly claimed the legitimacy of the imperial family, it was ultimately an act blinded by power.”

“Father…”

“I am afraid. Ever since the day I saw your grandfather’s gaze in Daniel Steiner, I haven’t been able to sleep properly. Selvia, you do not understand how dangerous a capable minister can be.”

Bertham, blinking slowly, continued.

“Your grandfather always said that the most dangerous time is when a capable minister believes in his own abilities and acts unilaterally. Selvia, let me ask you this: how many times has Daniel Steiner walked the path of self-righteousness?”

When the Imperial forces were apprehending the prince’s private organization in the southern Empire, and when he altered the content of a speech during a total war address to suit his own taste, Daniel Steiner did not seek permission from his superiors.

It was the same this time.

Daniel Steiner acted unilaterally without informing his superiors of his survival.

Using the pretext that there might be enemies within Bellanos as a shield.

“Does he claim to be working for the Empire?”

Shaking his head, Bertham chuckled softly.

“It is highly likely that he collected information for his own safety, not for the Empire. Many are mistaken, but I can see it. The one exerting influence in Bellanos right now is not the Empire, but Daniel Steiner himself.”

In Bertham’s view, it was clear that Daniel would engage in some sort of deal with the Prime Minister of Bellanos based on the information he had gathered.

Not for the Empire, but for his own safety.

After returning to the Empire, it was obvious that Daniel would select trivial information from what he had and present it as classified.

If that were the case, he had no choice but to strike first before being deceived by him.

“It seems that this time, I must sacrifice myself for you, Selvia. Since Daniel Steiner’s hatred will keep me alive, you must win his heart.”

Selvia, unable to understand what he meant, tilted her head in confusion when Bertham turned to the side and beckoned with his finger.

At that moment, the head of the Inner Court, who had been waiting nearby, approached Bertham and bowed.

“Your Majesty, is there anything you need?”

Bertham nodded.

“Bring me the decree.”

His troubled eyes narrowed sharply.

“I will personally convey a message to Daniel Steiner.”

–

At the same time, in the Great Church of Holy Flame in the southern Empire.

“Brothers and sisters.”

Frien’s voice resonated gently within the main worship hall.

The hall was filled to capacity, with no empty seats, as word of Frien’s worship had spread, drawing people from other regions to attend.

As a result, most people had no choice but to stand at the back, listening intently to Frien’s words.

This was an unprecedented occurrence for the Great Church of Holy Flame, and even Frien’s father had taken a step back, turning a blind eye to it.

Of course, Frien paid no mind to such things.

The only thing Frien cared about was her faith and Daniel Steiner.

“Today, I bring truly joyful news to my brothers and sisters.”

With her eyes closed, Frien continued in a tone much calmer than during previous worship.

“As you all know, the news of Colonel Daniel Steiner’s survival has reached us from Bellanos across the sea. Yes, Colonel Daniel Steiner is not dead.”

Frien shook her head gently.

“No, it would be more fitting to say he has returned from death.”

Her soft yet somehow weighty voice captivated the attention of the congregation.

“Why do I use the expression ‘returned from death’? Many of you may be puzzled. But if you examine the circumstances of the incident, you will all acknowledge that my expression is correct.”

Frien slowly opened her eyes.

“As you know, the filthy beasts of the Allied Nations sank the ship carrying Colonel Daniel Steiner with two torpedo attacks. Countless lives were lost.”

Her gentle gaze gradually turned sharp.

“However! Only Colonel Daniel Steiner overcame death from that horrific disaster. What does this mean? Was it merely luck for Colonel Daniel Steiner?”

Frien, gritting her teeth, shouted.

“No!”

Frien raised both hands and grasped the podium.

“Colonel Daniel Steiner was destined to leave this world with the sinking of the ship. But a miracle has occurred, and everyone here knows it! Who performed that miracle? What omnipotent being kept Colonel Daniel Steiner alive?”

Some of the congregation sitting at the front shouted.

─ God!

Frien smiled at them and then turned back to the congregation.

“Yes, God took the lambs, but kept Colonel Daniel Steiner alive. This is part of God’s important plan. Just as Jesus Christ returned from death according to God’s plan long ago!”

A stir arose among the congregation at her somewhat shocking statement.

However, Frien spoke with conviction.

“There is a saying in the First Epistle to the Corinthians! Now Christ has risen from the dead and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive!”

With the massive cross behind her, Frien passionately proclaimed as if she were a person conveying a sacred belief.

“O sleepers! O believers who have not been enlightened! I dare to ask you! Through the death of Colonel Daniel Steiner, you have witnessed the atrocities of the Allied Nations! Is that not so?”

Words are contagious.

As Frien began to speak with conviction, the congregation started to affirm one by one.

“Only when everyone witnessed the atrocities of the Allied Nations did Colonel Daniel Steiner return from death! Why!? For the lives of all those who died on the ship, so that through Colonel Daniel Steiner, all may gain life!”

The resounding voice spreading from Frien quickened the heartbeat of the congregation.

She had set the fuse for their excitement; now it was time to ignite it.

Frien extended her hands benevolently toward the congregation.

“We who have witnessed the miracle must join in God’s plan. Brothers and sisters! Let us pray and act! We must never allow our saint, Colonel Daniel Steiner, to be taken by the beasts of the Allied Nations!”

─ Right!

“In that sense, I will ask. Who is our enemy?”

─ The Allied Nations!

“Who is God’s enemy?”

─ The Allied Nations!

“Then, who are those who are worse than beasts?”

At Frien’s question, the congregation began to shout in unison.

─ The beasts are the Allied Nations!

The congregation’s chant echoed through the main worship hall.

Feeling a sense of ecstasy from that shout, Frien withdrew her hands and said.

“Let us pray for the noble ones who have provided us with the spark of enlightenment. For God, Jesus Christ, and Colonel Daniel Steiner!”

As soon as Frien finished speaking, the congregation stood up.

With a certain madness in their eyes, they began to chant one name.

─ For Colonel Daniel Steiner!

Soon after, voices calling for the extermination of the offspring of the beasts of the Allied Nations echoed everywhere.

Frien felt an overwhelming emotion at the sight.

It was moving to see the words she had been proclaiming alone now coming from the mouths of others.

‘Indeed. This must be the mission that Colonel Daniel has bestowed upon me.’

Amidst the cheers and anger of the congregation, Frien closed her eyes gently.

‘Now, do not worry at all, Colonel. No matter what choice you make in the future, I and these people will follow you to death.’

Following the saint was something a believer should naturally do.

With such a sacred resolve in her heart, Frien clasped her hands in prayer.

May Colonel Daniel Steiner lead us all well.