I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander-Chapter 192

Three days later.

Backstage at the outdoor amphitheater.

“Colonel... no, Brigadier General’s expression doesn’t look very good, does it?”

In the midst of the bustling crowd of people rushing around, Frien spoke.

Standing beside her was Lucy, both of them now wearing new insignias thanks to their recent promotions.

Lucy, now a captain, sat in a chair and stared intently at Daniel, who was seated and reading a newspaper. She nodded.

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

“Why do you think that is? Even on the day he was promoted to brigadier general, his expression was dark the whole time.”

“I don’t know...”

While Lucy and Frien whispered to each other, Daniel was frowning as he read the newspaper.

『Republic Issues Official Declaration of War Against the Empire!

Chairman Invertem of the Council of Ministers of the Free Republic announces his firm resolve to the public in a broadcast speech.

Chairman Invertem declared an official declaration of war against the Empire during a public radio address at noon yesterday, condemning the Empire’s territorial expansion as a ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) grave challenge to international order and vowing to join the war in the name of lasting global peace.』

Having finished reading the front-page article, Daniel folded the newspaper irritably.

“Territorial expansion? A grave challenge to international order? What a load of crap.”

It was the Allied Nations that had initiated the war, and the Republic was merely joining in to protect its own interests, not international order.

“No matter how much war is a battle over justification...”

Daniel couldn’t help but question how such a flimsy excuse could be considered legitimate.

“In the end, it’s the soldiers who are dying because of the greed of those bastards at the top.”

Despite wearing a star now, Daniel still felt a strong sense of empathy for the soldiers.

The reason was simple.

Among those soldiers dying on the battlefield, he could very well be one of them.

Just like the soldiers, he was being forced to the frontlines against his will.

“Why me? There are plenty of other capable generals, so why me...”

Contrary to his reputation as a ruthless, cold-blooded demon, Daniel was simply terrified of the battlefield.

Just as he was about to sink into despair at the reality of having to fight on the frontlines again, he heard footsteps approaching.

“Excuse me? Brigadier General Daniel?”

When he looked up, Hans, a public relations officer from the National Propaganda Bureau, was standing there.

“You’re about to give your speech to the public. I just came by to check if you’re ready. But... you don’t look well. Have you not been sleeping well lately?”

“...I’ve just had a lot on my mind.”

“I see. I, too, believe I am serving the nation, but standing before Brigadier General Daniel, I can’t help but feel small.”

Hans was clearly under some serious misconceptions, but Daniel had neither the will nor the desire to correct him.

Realizing that sitting there wallowing in self-pity would achieve nothing, Daniel stood up.

“I didn’t come here to compare levels of patriotism.”

“Ah. Of course not. If you’re ready, please step up onto the stage. The public is eagerly awaiting Brigadier General Daniel Steiner. We’ve prepared a speech for you at the podium, but there’s no need for you to follow it if you don’t wish to.”

Hans knew.

That whatever words came out of Daniel Steiner’s mouth would be far more powerful than any script the National Propaganda Bureau could provide.

Still, hearing a public relations officer explicitly say, “Feel free to go off-script,” was far from reassuring.

Daniel shot Hans a skeptical look before nodding and walking forward.

Since it was something he had to do anyway, there was no point in dragging it out.

“Brigadier General Daniel!”

“We’re counting on you once again! The entire nation will be listening to your voice!”

“Don’t be nervous! Just do what you always do!”

Amidst the enthusiastic cheers of the National Propaganda Bureau staff, Daniel ascended the steps to the stage.

As Daniel Steiner appeared on stage, the crowd gathered outside erupted into deafening cheers.

The roar was so loud that it felt as if his ears might burst, and camera flashes went off from every direction.

“What am I, a celebrity now...”

It was a familiar sight by now, so Daniel raised his hand and forced an awkward smile.

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

The sound of the microphone echoed through the speakers, and the crowd’s cheers gradually subsided.

All eyes were now fixed solely on Daniel Steiner.

Daniel swept his gaze over the crowd and then slowly opened his mouth.

“Citizens of the Empire. I am Brigadier General Daniel Steiner, currently serving as the Emergency High Commissioner of Public Security.”

In the now-silent space, only Daniel Steiner’s voice echoed.

“Before we get to the main topic, I’d like to address a rather heavy subject. Those of you who read the newspaper this morning are likely already aware. The Republic, waiting for the right moment, has now officially joined the war alongside the Allied Nations.”

The crowd’s expressions darkened at the grim news.

“Chairman Invertem of the Republic called the Empire a war criminal state engaging in a war of territorial expansion. Is that true? I ask the citizens gathered here today — is the Empire truly a war criminal state as they claim?”

From various parts of the crowd, shouts of “No!” rang out.

Bolstered by their response, Daniel continued without losing his momentum.

“That’s right! We all know the truth! The Empire did not initiate this war — it was the Allied Nations! And the Republic, now siding with them, is the true war criminal!”

Daniel raised his right hand into the air.

“The Allied Nations and the Republic are spreading falsehoods because they fear us! They mock our convictions, suppress our freedom, and seek to trample us underfoot! To force us into submission! To turn the Empire into a defeated state!”

Fury spread through the crowd, their faces now painted with anger.

And anger was both the most explosive emotion and the easiest to manipulate.

“But their ridicule and falsehoods won’t even put a dent in the resolve of our imperial citizens! Because what I see in the eyes of the people gathered here today is not surrender but a burning desire for victory! And the Empire will never let the people’s aspirations go to waste!”

Daniel lowered his hand and gripped the edges of the podium.

“People of the great Empire! Not only have we secured victories in numerous battles, but we have also purged the collaborators within our ranks! The Empire is now more unified than ever and is moving forward toward an ideal state! Should we, who stand so united, fear the Republic?!”

Cries of fury and shouts of pride erupted wildly from the crowd.

“The ones who should bow down are none other than the Allied Nations and the Republic! And so, before all of you here today, I declare this — I, Brigadier General Daniel Steiner, am stepping down from my position as Emergency High Commissioner of Public Security and will personally lead the brigade to the frontlines to fight!”

The crowd went wild at the announcement that Daniel Steiner was returning to the battlefield.

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

Everyone believed that Daniel Steiner was choosing to go to the frontlines of his own volition.

“We will press forward! Fight, citizens of the Empire! For Her Majesty the Empress and for our homeland!”

Waaaahhhhh—!

Amidst the waves of roaring cheers, chants of “Daniel Steiner” and “Her Majesty the Empress” echoed from all directions.

Just as Daniel thought it was enough and prepared to conclude his speech —

Bang—

A gunshot tore through the air, swallowing up the cheers.

As confusion spread, the man who fired the shot shouted from within the crowd.

“You bastard warmonger!”

A disheveled-looking man aimed a pistol directly at Daniel Steiner.

“All that pretty talk, but in the end, it’s no different from saying you’re going to continue the war!”

As the people around the man screamed and fled in panic, the entire area became chaotic.

Despite the turmoil, Daniel remained standing on the podium, silently looking down at the man.

To others, it seemed like Daniel was unafraid of the man pointing a gun at him. But in reality, he was simply too shocked to move, his body frozen in place.

‘...He brought a gun inside? How?’

Despite his fear, Daniel’s mind was working rapidly to assess the situation.

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

After some thought, he dismissed the idea.

If the man were a spy, he wouldn’t have made such a commotion.

‘A pacifist, then? I thought they were all wiped out, but some are still active, it seems.’

Even while fear gripped him, Daniel carefully observed the man.

The hand holding the pistol was trembling slightly.

Clearly, the man was nervous — likely regretting his impulsive actions now that the deed was done.

Daniel’s gaze shifted subtly.

Beyond the panicked crowd, soldiers were making their way through the chaos, pushing past fleeing civilians.

They were approaching the man to subdue or possibly eliminate him.

Unaware of the approaching soldiers, the man thrust the gun forward, shouting once more.

“Come on! Answer me! You talk big about risking your life, but now that your life is actually on the line, you can’t say a damn thing, can you?!”

Daniel’s eyes slid toward the man.

He needed to buy time until the soldiers could get close enough.

After a brief moment of thought, Daniel opened his mouth in full view of everyone.

“If you’re going to shoot, then shoot.”

The unexpected response left not only the man but also the crowd staring at Daniel in shock.

In the heavy silence, Daniel continued to speak in a calm, measured tone.

“You’re a citizen of the Empire too. If taking my life will help you assert your convictions, then I won’t stop you. But there’s one thing you should remember.”

His voice, amplified by the speakers, filled the entire amphitheater.

“The moment you pull that trigger...”

Daniel’s gaze sharpened, his eyes narrowing as if looking down on a pathetic insect.

“The Empire will lose its future.”