I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander-Chapter 71

For the first time, Daniel found Selvia’s gaze to be overwhelmingly burdensome.

Caught off guard, he remained silent for a moment before finally managing to speak with difficulty.

“...Your Highness, giving a speech related to war bonds is a matter of national importance. I believe it would be more appropriate to choose someone with experience in public speaking and exceptional eloquence.”

He spoke as calmly as he could, but inside, Daniel was burning with anxiety.

A speech about war bonds would undoubtedly draw a large audience of citizens.

But it wouldn’t stop there—foreign journalists and influential politicians from the parliamentary assembly would surely vie for a spot at the event.

And if that weren’t enough, the speech would likely be broadcast across the Empire via radio, ensuring that the voice of the speaker—and their identity—would reach every corner of the nation and even foreign lands.

For Daniel, who had no desire to become more famous than he already was, this was nothing short of a nightmare.

‘I have to convince Selvia to change her mind.’

Swallowing dryly, Daniel forced a strained smile.

“Additionally, as an operations officer with the General Staff, I have numerous responsibilities. As you’re aware, the workload at headquarters is immense. If I were to divert my focus to preparing a speech, my colleagues would have to bear the brunt of that burden. I can’t in good conscience impose such a hardship on them.”

Leaning back slightly, Selvia regarded Daniel with a skeptical expression.

“You’re concerned about inconveniencing your colleagues? While I appreciate your consideration, there’s something I don’t quite understand.”

“...What is it that you don’t understand, Your Highness?”

“It’s a simple question. Why would Lieutenant Colonel Daniel prioritize the General Staff over the request of the future ruler of the Empire?”

Her tone was gentle, but to Daniel, it felt like a veiled threat.

“Would you comply only if I gave you a direct order rather than a request?”

It wasn’t just veiled—it was a direct threat.

As expected of someone with the blood of a ruler, even her casual words carried an innate pressure that Daniel couldn’t ignore.

Realizing he could no longer refuse, Daniel inclined his head slightly.

“I misspoke, Your Highness. I momentarily forgot that the struggles of my colleagues at the General Staff pale in comparison to the burdens borne by the Crown Princess as she charts the course of our nation.”

Selvia’s expression softened into a satisfied smile.

“Then I’ll take that as your agreement. Someone from the Ministry of Propaganda will brief you on the schedule and details of the speech, so pay close attention.”

“...”

“Oh, and don’t worry about your responsibilities at the General Staff. I’ll personally ensure that no disruptions occur. For now, focus solely on preparing your speech.”

Selvia spoke so naturally, as if everything had already been planned in advance, that Daniel was left with no doubt.

‘She intended to make me the speaker from the very beginning.’

From the moment he stepped into the garden, everything had been decided.

Realizing he had been outmaneuvered, Daniel let out a quiet laugh and looked at Selvia.

“Your Highness, may I ask you one thing, if it’s not too presumptuous?”

“Normally, I don’t entertain questions, but I’ll make an exception for you, Lieutenant Colonel. What is it?”

“I’m simply curious why you summoned me personally. You could have sent someone with a direct order, and I wouldn’t have been able to refuse.”

It was a sharp observation.

No matter how renowned Daniel was as a war hero, he was still just a lieutenant colonel. There was no way he could disobey a command from the Crown Princess.

So why had she gone out of her way to meet with him in person?

Selvia found the question mildly irritating.

‘Is he truly this oblivious? Or is he pretending to be?’

She had saved Daniel’s life twice.

The first time wasn’t particularly dangerous, but that hardly mattered. What mattered was that Daniel had risked his life to save hers.

More recently, Daniel had personally led the effort to dismantle the prince’s secret organization, securing her position.

Through it all, Selvia had developed an inevitable affection for him.

And yet, how did Daniel treat her? Always stiff and formal, as if she were just another superior officer.

‘...Could it be he doesn’t realize I’m fond of him?’

Frustrated, Selvia let out a quiet sigh, fixing her gaze on him.

“Why don’t you take your time and figure out the reason for yourself?”

Rising gracefully from her seat, Selvia appeared ready to leave.

But just as she began to walk away, she turned back as if she’d remembered something.

“Lieutenant Colonel Daniel? If your speech goes well… I hope we can meet more often in the future.”

With a faint smile, she turned, her crimson mantle fluttering behind her as she walked away.

Left staring after her, Daniel’s expression grew serious as he rubbed his chin.

‘What does she mean by that? Is she planning to use me as her spokesperson?’

He couldn’t have been more wrong.

*****

The Crown Princess’s request, being a regent in all but name, carried the same weight as an imperial order.

Since Emperor Berthram had the final say on all decisions Selvia made, Daniel had no choice but to fully comply with her "request" to prepare a speech.

For an entire week, Daniel worked closely with Hans, the public relations officer from the Ministry of Propaganda. Even on the day of the speech, Daniel and Hans were reviewing the final details backstage at the outdoor amphitheater.

“As I’ve emphasized repeatedly, we mustn’t provoke the anti-war faction. The public’s fatigue with the prolonged war has reached its peak.”

“...Is it that bad?”

“Yes. Here are the latest statistics. Please take a look, Lieutenant Colonel.”

Hans pulled a folder from the stack of documents he was carrying and handed it to Daniel.

Opening it, Daniel scanned the survey results.

《Public Opinion Survey on the War》

Sample Group: Citizens from major imperial cities (1,000 people per city)

Respondents: Approximately 18,000 people

Question: What are your thoughts on the ongoing war?

________________

Frequency Analysis:Continue the war: 8,208 people (45.6%)End the war: 8,298 people (46.1%)Unsure/No response: 1,494 people (8.3%)

_________________

As Hans had said, for the first time, the anti-war faction had overtaken those in favor of continuing the war.

“As you can see, the anti-war faction has gained the upper hand. While some among them may have been influenced by Allied spies, such a high percentage reflects the genuine sentiment of the public.”

With a ratio like this, dismissing the anti-war faction as mere foreign agitators would be impossible.

Nodding in acknowledgment, Daniel watched as Hans checked his wristwatch before handing over another document.

This one contained the finalized speech.

“That’s why we need to explain why the war must continue without provoking the anti-war faction. Please keep that in mind, Lieutenant Colonel.”

“Understood. Then...”

Daniel glanced at his watch as well before turning toward the stage.

“It seems it’s time for me to give the speech.”

Hans nodded.

“The Ministry of Propaganda places its full trust in you, Lieutenant Colonel Steiner.”

With a brief nod in response, Daniel made his way toward the stage.

As he ascended the steps and appeared onstage, spotlights lit up, and the crowd erupted in deafening cheers.

The sheer volume of the applause momentarily stunned Daniel as he glanced at the packed audience.

‘This is absurd...’

The amphitheater, with a capacity of ten thousand, was completely full.

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The Ministry of Propaganda had spent the past week heavily promoting Daniel Steiner’s speech as a key moment delivered by a war hero.

Though the pressure of such a grand stage weighed heavily on him, Daniel knew he had no choice but to carry out the order.

Walking to the podium amid the thunderous cheers, he tapped the microphone, letting the sound echo through the speakers. The crowd quickly quieted.

Offering a brief smile to the audience, Daniel unfolded the speech Hans had given him.

Having already read it several times, the contents were familiar to him.

Taking a deep breath, he began.

“Respected citizens, I am Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner of the General Staff.”

A small cheer erupted from the front rows.

Pausing until the noise subsided, Daniel continued.

“Before I begin, let me make my stance clear to avoid any unnecessary confusion. I, Daniel Steiner, do not...”

He trailed off, glancing down at the speech.

“...support war. If anything, I would consider myself an anti-war advocate. However, I understand better than anyone why this war is necessary.”

The speech had been carefully crafted to strike a neutral tone, appealing to both supporters of the war and the anti-war faction.

If he delivered it as written, the speech would likely achieve moderate success, boosting bond sales just enough to meet expectations.

‘And if that happens...’

He would solidify his position as Selvia’s closest ally, remaining tethered to her influence.

When Selvia eventually ascended the throne, Daniel’s fame would only grow, painting an even bigger target on his back.

Such notoriety could lead to assassination long before any war crimes tribunal could convene.

For someone like Daniel, who preferred to live quietly and unremarkably, it was a nightmare scenario.

‘There has to be another way.’

Desperately searching for an alternative, Daniel’s gaze fell upon a group of anti-war protesters holding placards in the audience.

A bold idea struck him.

‘If I provoke the anti-war faction and completely ruin this speech...’

Not only would he distance himself from Selvia, but he would also diminish the world’s interest in him.

No one would fear or bother with someone who couldn’t even deliver a proper speech.

Decision made, Daniel closed the folder containing the prepared speech.

Facing the flashing cameras with a confident expression, he firmly gripped the edges of the podium with both hands.

Then, with a dramatic flourish, he raised his right hand high into the air and declared,

“I, Daniel Steiner, demand a total war the likes of which history has never seen!”