I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander

Daniel’s declaration of an all-out war left the crowd dumbfounded, unable to utter a word.

Everyone froze in their seats, exchanging glances that seemed to ask, “What on earth is he saying?”

Even the anti-war activists had forgotten to protest or condemn, merely wearing dazed expressions.

In contrast, Hans, the public relations officer observing the speech from behind the stage, let out a silent scream.

‘What are you doing!?’

This speech, conducted in conjunction with the bond issuance, was no exaggeration to call a matter of national importance.

Moreover, it was the first directive Selvia, the future Empress, had taken the initiative to issue to the Propaganda Department.

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

For it was Selvia’s first step, naturally drawing widespread attention.

‘Which means…’

If Daniel botched the speech amid everyone’s rapt attention, the Propaganda Department would be unable to escape Selvia’s wrath.

In the worst case, Hans, fearing a potential dismissal, hastily turned his gaze towards his subordinate staff.

“Hey! Contact the broadcasting station director immediately! We must stop the radio broadcast!”
“Ah, yes! Understood!”

If Daniel’s all-out war speech began spreading across the Empire, the Propaganda Department would have no excuses for the blunder.

Hence, they sought to mitigate the risk by prohibiting the radio broadcast, if nothing else.

While his subordinate contacted the broadcasting station director, Daniel adopted a resolute demeanor before the crowd of ten thousand and began speaking.

“At this moment, all of you citizens must be wondering why I am declaring an all-out war. However, in truth, you already know. You know why the Empire must engage in an all-out war!”

The murmurs among the crowd grew louder.

But Daniel paid no heed, for he intended to sabotage the speech anyway.

“Currently, the Allied Nations are denouncing and slandering the Empire day after day, urging the Federation and Republic to join the conflict! I am certain everyone here is aware that the Federation and Republic are also displaying pro-Allied stances!”

The murmurs subsided.

For there was no falsehood in Daniel’s words.

“Unfortunately! It is only a matter of time before the Federation and Republic, seduced by the Allied Nations’ treacherous tongues, turn their backs on the Empire! In that case, we must make a choice! Negotiate or fight back!”

The determination burning in Daniel’s eyes flickered like fierce flames.

At least, that was how the crowd perceived it.

“The anti-war activists claim that negotiating is the only way for the Empire to survive! They say we must take the hand extended by the Allied Nations and achieve lasting peace! Then I must ask.”

Daniel turned his gaze towards the anti-war activists occupying a section of the seats.

“Can you be certain? Can you have faith that joining hands with the Allied Nations will truly bring peace?”

The anti-war activists did not respond.

No, it would be more accurate to say they could not respond.

They could only remain silent, their spirits crushed by Daniel’s commanding presence.

After observing their silence for a while, Daniel turned his gaze towards the front.

“Citizens! I have witnessed the true nature of the Allied Nations on the battlefield! They are vile, arrogant, overbearing, and impulsive! The peace they seek is not true equality! The Allied Nations desire the Empire’s subjugation!”

The murmurs hanging in the air completely dissipated.

The crowd no longer uttered a sound, fully engrossed in Daniel’s speech.

“The Allied Nations, claiming to seek negotiation, will first disarm us of our guns! After disarming us, they will seize our food supply! After our food, they will take our agricultural tools, then our children, and finally, they will attempt to bring the Empire under their control!”

Enraged by Daniel’s words, some in the crowd let out outraged cries.

“We now know! We cannot trust the Allied Nations! We must fight back and drive a stake through their wicked intentions! So do not hesitate, do not fear, esteemed citizens of the great Empire!”

Daniel swiftly raised his right arm once more.

“The present Empire has achieved what no one else could! Citizens, raise your heads and look northward! In less than a season, the Empire emerged victorious from the midst of the fiercest war, a historic triumph! Could this be a mere coincidence?”

From within the crowd, a chorus of “No!” erupted.

As the cries grew into a wave, Hans, behind the stage, stood slack-jawed in awe.

Deep down, he was filled with admiration.

‘This… is working!’

Daniel’s charisma and perfect enunciation were unifying the crowd.

Coupled with his fluent eloquence, the masses were gradually being swayed by Daniel’s stance.

Sensing this, Hans beckoned his subordinate, who had been conversing with the broadcasting station director.

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

Like Hans, the subordinate who had been listening to the speech nodded without objection.

Oblivious to the positive reactions behind the stage, Daniel confidently surveyed the crowd and shouted.

“We have triumphed, and we shall triumph again! Even if the enemy pressures the Empire with an all-out assault, we shall undoubtedly prevail! And I promise we shall make the Empire’s greatness known to the farthest corners of the globe!”

Cheers arose from the crowd.

However, the anti-war activists remained silent.

Seizing upon this, Daniel continued his speech.

“Despite our resolve, some anti-war activists may ask, ‘Are you not afraid of war?’ If I must answer honestly before all citizens, yes, I am afraid. Every time I engage in combat on the battlefield, the fear of death sends chills through my body.”

Daniel grasped the edges of the podium.

“But!”

Daniel’s powerful exclamation compelled the crowd’s undivided attention.

“I fear losing our nation through subjugating negotiations more than losing my life! That is why I go to the battlefield! For losing one’s life is the loss of a single thing, but losing one’s nation is the loss of everything!”

As if in response to Daniel’s words, cheers erupted from the crowd.

Some even waved Imperial flags they had brought, raising them above their heads.

At this point, the only ones not responding to Daniel’s speech were the anti-war activists.

They merely exchanged words among themselves, having lowered their “Ban War” placards, their faces etched with deep contemplation.

Believing he only needed to provoke them a bit more, Daniel pounded the podium.

“If you are not afraid, then rise up! And if you understand, then act! Thereby, we shall proclaim the Empire as the greatest nation in the world!”

Once again, cheers resounded.

Now, a sense of exhilaration seemed to spread across the faces of the crowd.

Amid the gaze of ten thousand spectators, Daniel took a deep breath.

After a momentary pause, Daniel spoke again.

“Finally, on behalf of the nation and its citizens, under the Imperial Majesty’s protection, I shall speak.”

Daniel’s solemn voice reverberated through the massive speakers.

As the cheers subsided, everyone lent their ears to Daniel’s words.

“I, Daniel Steiner… No!”

Raising his head to face the front, Daniel shouted amidst the countless camera flashes.

“We desire an all-out war!”

No sooner had Daniel finished speaking than a torrent of thunderous applause erupted.

Amidst the cries and cheers intermingling, only the anti-war activists remained silent.

And that was precisely what Daniel had hoped for.

‘Good.’

More than half of the Imperial citizens were anti-war activists.

If they rebelled against his assertion of the need for an all-out war, Daniel’s plan would be perfected.

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

After a brief wait, the anti-war activists began rising from their seats one by one.

Believing the moment had finally arrived, Daniel prepared to make a foolish exit while being pelted with tomatoes.

Just as he was adjusting his necktie, the anti-war activists began applauding.

‘…What?’

In that bewildering instant, the crowd, including the anti-war activists, rose to their feet in unison.

The spectators who had swiftly risen from their seats erupted into cheers and cries amidst the applause.

We desire an all-out war!

An inevitable war over subjugating negotiations!

For His Imperial Majesty! For the great Empire!

The combined voices rang deafeningly in Daniel’s ears.

Breaking out in a cold sweat, Daniel stood speechless as the anti-war activists began discarding their placards one by one.

Like the others, they rose from their seats and shouted at the top of their lungs.

And finally, for our hero Daniel Steiner!

The anti-war activists’ cries instantly spread like wildfire, taken up by everyone’s lips.

Daniel Steiner! Daniel Steiner! Daniel Steiner!

As the countless masses chanted his name, Daniel’s hands trembled uncontrollably.

In the space filled with deafening cries, Daniel swallowed hard as he realized:

‘I’m ruined…’

The situation had spiraled far beyond his control.