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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: Remember the Hero's Resurrection
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The next evening.
After finishing her duties, Selvia headed to the art gallery located inside the Imperial Palace.
She had heard from the imperial household staff that her father, whose illness had slightly abated, had gone to the gallery to view portraits of his ancestors.
Hurrying her steps, Selvia entered the gallery and saw her father standing silently before a large portrait of her great-grandfather.
"Father!"
As Selvia approached, her face brightening, Emperor Bertram turned his head.
Spotting his daughter, Bertram offered a faint smile.
"Selvia. You must be busy with state affairs; is it wise to waste your time on me?"
"If I considered looking after my father a waste of time, I could hardly become a wise ruler, could I?"
"How endearing. Your charm seems to grow by the day."
Bertram chuckled softly and spoke.
"Indeed. Since we've met, let's talk about what's been happening in the world. I hear much has occurred while I've been bedridden these past few days?"
Recalling recent events, Selvia nodded without hesitation.
"Still, we avoided the worst. Not only was Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner's survival confirmed, but we also managed to strengthen the Empire's influence over Bellanos as a result."
"I see. That's good news. But regarding Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner..."
Bertram looked down at Selvia with a subtle gaze.
"According to the reports, he claimed to have collected classified information in Bellanos during the time he was missing. Have you confirmed the contents of that information?"
"Not yet... He said he would brief us after his return, due to concerns about communication interception."
"Brief us after his return, you say. A truly significant statement."
Selvia frowned at his subtly probing tone.
"Father. Are you still suspicious of Lieutenant Colonel Daniel?"
"Then, Selvia, do you wish for me not to suspect Lieutenant Colonel Daniel?"
"Of course, I..."
"Do you think you could say such a thing even before your great-grandfather?"
The atmosphere shifted.
Feeling as if she were being chastised, Selvia fell silent.
Bertram, who had been looking down at Selvia for a while, turned his gaze to the portrait.
"We are the children of a usurper. You know well how your grandfather usurped the throne. On the surface, he claimed the legitimacy of the imperial family, but in the end, it was 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 don't truly understand how dangerous a capable subordinate can be."
Bertram blinked slowly and continued.
"Your grandfather always said: 'The most dangerous time is when a capable subordinate, trusting in their own abilities, acts independently.' Selvia, let me ask you something related to this: How many times has Daniel Steiner acted on his own initiative so far?"
When apprehending the prince's private organization in the southern Empire, and when he altered the original speech content to his liking during the total war address, Daniel Steiner did not obtain approval from his superiors.
This time was no different.
Daniel Steiner acted independently, without informing his superiors of his survival.
Using the pretext that there might be enemies within Bellanos as his shield.
"He claims he's working for the Empire?"
Bertram shook his head and chuckled softly.
"It's highly probable he gathered information for his own security, not for the Empire. Many are mistaken, but I can see it. It is Daniel Steiner, not the Empire, who is currently exerting influence in Bellanos."
Bertram believed it was clear Daniel would use the information he gathered to strike some kind of deal with Bellanos's Prime Minister.
Not for the Empire's sake, but for his own safety.
Afterward, Daniel would return to the Empire and undoubtedly present some trivial information from his collection as 'classified'.
In that case, he had no choice but to act first, before the man could deceive the imperial family.
"It seems this time, your father must make a sacrifice for you. I will bear Daniel Steiner's hatred, so you must win his heart."
Selvia, unable to comprehend what he meant, tilted her head just as Bertram turned to his side and crooked a finger.
At once, the Head of the Imperial Household, who had been waiting nearby, approached Bertram and bowed his head.
"Your Majesty. Is there anything you require?"
Bertram nodded.
"Bring me the imperial edict."
His deep-set eyes narrowed sharply.
"For I shall deliver the message to Daniel Steiner myself."
*
At the same time, the Great Cathedral of the Sacred Flame of Glory in the Southern Empire.
"Brothers and sisters."
Frienne's voice resonated softly within the Great Sanctuary.
The Great Sanctuary was currently filled to capacity, with not a single empty seat, as word of Frienne's sermons had spread, drawing people from other regions to take the time to visit.
Consequently, most people had no choice but to stand at the back, listening intently to Frienne's words.
This was unprecedented for the Great Cathedral of the Sacred Flame of Glory, to the point where even Frienne's father had stepped back and turned a blind eye to the situation.
Of course, Frienne paid no mind to any of this.
The only thing Frienne cared about was her faith, and Daniel Steiner.
"Today, I bring truly joyous news to my brothers and sisters."
Frienne, with her eyes closed, continued speaking in a much calmer tone than in her previous sermons.
"As you all know, the news of Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner's survival has reached the Empire from Bellanos, across the sea. Yes. Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner was not dead."
Frienne gently shook her head.
"No. 'He returned from death' would be a more fitting expression."
Her soft, yet subtly weighty voice captivated the congregants' attention.
"Why am I using the phrase 'returned from death,' you might ask? Many of you may be puzzled. But if you examine the true nature of the events, you will all agree that my words are correct."
Frienne slowly opened her eyes.
"As you know, those vile beasts of the Allied Nations sank the vessel carrying Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner with two torpedo attacks. Countless lives were sacrificed."
Her gentle gaze gradually sharpened.
"However! From that horrific catastrophe, only Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner overcame death. What does this mean? Was Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner merely lucky?"
Gritting her teeth, Frienne cried out.
"No!"
Frienne raised both hands and gripped the podium.
"Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner was originally fated to depart this world with the sinking of the ship. But everyone here knows that a miracle occurred! Who performed that miracle? What omnipotent being, pray tell, kept Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner alive?"
A few congregants sitting in the front row shouted.
"— God!"
Frienne smiled at them, then turned back to the congregants.
"That is right. God took His lambs, but spared Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner alone. This is one of God's important plans. Just as, in ancient times, Jesus Christ returned from death according to God's plan!"
A stir arose among the congregants at this somewhat radical statement.
But Frienne continued with conviction.
"In First Corinthians, it is written: 'But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive!'"
Frienne, with the massive cross behind her, passionately cried out like one delivering a sacred revelation.
"You who slumber! You congregants who have not yet been enlightened! I dare ask you! Through Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner's death, you witnessed the atrocities of the Allied Nations! Is that not so!"
Words are contagious.
As Frienne began to speak with conviction, the congregants one by one began to affirm.
"Only when you witnessed the atrocities of the Allied Nations and all became enlightened did Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner return from death! Why?! For the lives of all those who perished on that ship, and so that in Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner, all may gain life!"
The booming voice, spreading from Frienne's lips, made their hearts pound faster.
She had lit the fuse of their excitement; now it was time for the explosion.
Frienne extended both hands benevolently towards the congregants.
"We, who have witnessed this miracle, must partake in God's plan. Brothers and sisters! Let us pray and act! Never again shall we allow our saint, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner, to be taken by the beasts of the Allied Nations!"
"— Hear, hear!"
"In that spirit, I ask you: Who is our enemy?"
"— The Allied Nations!"
"Who is God's enemy?"
"— The Allied Nations!"
"Then, who are those worse than beasts?!"
In response to Frienne's question, the congregants began to shout in unison.
"— The beasts are the Allied Nations!"
The congregants' chants echoed throughout the Great Sanctuary.
Frienne, feeling even ecstasy from their shouts, lowered her hands and spoke.
"Let us pray for the noble ones who have provided us with the catalyst for enlightenment. For God, for Jesus Christ, and for Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner!"
No sooner had Frienne finished speaking than the congregants rose to their feet.
With a certain madness in their eyes, they chanted one person's name.
"— For Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner!"
Following this, voices calling for the extermination of the Allied Nations' beasts echoed throughout the space.
Frienne felt an overwhelming emotion at the sight.
It was deeply moving to hear the words she had advocated alone now spoken by the mouths of others.
'Indeed. This must be the mission Lieutenant Colonel Daniel has bestowed upon me.'
Amidst the shouts and fury of the congregants, Frienne, who glimpsed a fragment of heaven, slowly closed her eyes.
'Now, don't you worry, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel. Whatever choices you make from now on, these people and I will follow you, even unto death.'
To follow a saint was, as a congregant, merely one's duty.
With such a sacred resolve held in her heart, Frienne clasped her hands in prayer.
Praying that Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner would indeed lead them all well.