Reason Is Stronger Than Conviction
Reason Is Stronger Than Conviction
The look in Daniel's eyes, visible through the rearview mirror, was like that of a predator who had locked onto its prey.
At that, Frien involuntarily tightened her grip on the steering wheel, her heart pounding a little harder.
To Frien, who already respected Daniel, the sight of him attempting to build his own power base in earnest looked utterly radiant.
Of course, Daniel was closer to someone flailing desperately just to survive the situation at hand, but there was no way Frien could know that.
Driving along with a faint smile, Frien suddenly spoke up as a thought struck her.
"...By the way, Lieutenant Daniel? Wasn't the Melbaroton an independent newspaper company that doesn't receive government support or corporate advertising? It's famous for its slogan about reporting only the truth, too."
"That's right."
"Then won't there be difficulties in making them follow you, Lieutenant Daniel? They'd surely come out insisting they won't print biased articles in their newspaper."
She wasn't wrong.
But in Daniel's view, the Melbaroton Newspaper Company was not a media outlet burning with a sense of mission.
"Lieutenant Frien. Are you aware that the Melbaroton Newspaper Company once advocated for anti-war protests?"
Frien shook her head.
"I don't read the newspaper much. So the Melbaroton Newspaper Company spouted such repulsive nonsense."
"Indeed. Advocating for anti-war protests in itself is understandable. The war had entered a protracted phase, and many citizens were feeling fatigued, after all. But after I gave the total war speech, the Melbaroton Newspaper Company withdrew their argument."
A question mark practically appeared above Frien's head.
"Why was that?"
"Because countless customers canceled their subscriptions. Since they don't receive support from the government or corporations, they would have to survive off the patronage of the public. Printing articles that ran counter to public sentiment would naturally lead to that outcome."
This made one thing perfectly clear.
Money was bound up with the Melbaroton Newspaper Company's convictions.
Which was only to be expected.
Printing presses, ink, and paper—all the things needed to convey the truth—weren't handed out for free.
Without money, even the truth could not be conveyed.
Yet, to protect their flimsy convictions of independence and neutrality, the Melbaroton Newspaper Company was accepting no support whatsoever from the government or corporations.
No—it would be more accurate to say they had become too insignificant to receive any.
At this rate, the Melbaroton Newspaper Company would inevitably face bankruptcy.
Daniel intended to exploit this point to put a leash on the Melbaroton Newspaper Company.
"So, what I mean to say is..."
Watching Frien, who was focused on driving, Daniel quietly whispered.
"Frien. I'd appreciate it if you could help me out a bit."
*
11 Volberferk Street.
Melbaroton Newspaper Company.
"Haaah..."
Sitting at the desk in the editor-in-chief's office, Bölm let out a deep sigh.
His subscribers were dwindling by the day, which was giving him a splitting headache.
'At this rate, we won't even be able to afford printing costs, let alone maintain the distribution network.'
What on earth was the point of a newspaper company that couldn't print a newspaper?
But the thought of filing for bankruptcy made the faces of the employees who trusted and followed him, and the family waiting at home, flicker before his eyes.
'What should I do...'
While he was agonizing over ways to increase subscribers, someone knocked on the door—tok, tok.
Assuming it was a subordinate, Bölm furrowed his brow.
"Tom! I told you I needed to think! Unless you've come up with a solution, don't you dare shove that dumb face of yours in front of me..."
Bölm stopped mid-sentence and shut his mouth.
Because the person who walked in when the office door opened wasn't Tom, but an Imperial officer.
And not just any officer—it was Daniel Steiner, hailed as the Empire's hero.
Accompanied by Frien, famous for wielding black mana.
Daniel directed a faint smile at Bölm, who had frozen, wondering if he was dreaming.
"I have come to discuss a solution, so shall I take it that I don't need to leave?"
Upon hearing Daniel's voice, Bölm hurriedly rose from his seat.
"L-Lieutenant Daniel Steiner. What business brings you to such a humble newspaper company as ours..."
He had asked that because he truly had no idea what this was about.
Approaching him, Daniel pulled out the chair in front of the desk and sat down.
"Did I not just say so? I have come to discuss a solution."
"By solution, you mean..."
"A way for the Melbaroton Newspaper Company, which is currently in dire financial straits, to snatch a lifeline. Please, take a seat."
Nodding cautiously, Bölm sat down.
Gazing steadily at Bölm's face, which was taut with tension, Daniel spoke.
"I understand that the Melbaroton Newspaper Company is on the verge of bankruptcy. Is that correct?"
Bölm hesitated for a moment before nodding.
It wasn't a fact worth hiding, after all.
"You're right. Our subscribers are steadily decreasing, to the point where covering even the printing costs is becoming difficult."
"I see. Then, may I offer some assistance to your newspaper company?"
"...What do you mean by assistance?"
At Bölm's question, Daniel raised a hand and pointed to Frien standing behind him.
"I'm not sure if you are aware, but the father of Lieutenant Frien here behind me is the head pastor of the Glory's Holy Flame Cathedral. Their congregation is also quite substantial."
Daniel lowered his hand and interlaced his fingers.
"I shall ask Lieutenant Frien to arrange for the congregation of the Glory's Holy Flame Cathedral to subscribe to the Melbaroton Newspaper. That should allow you to put out the immediate fire, wouldn't you agree?"
Indeed, even if just 10% of the congregation subscribed to the Melbaroton Newspaper, he would no longer struggle to cover printing costs, let alone the distribution network.
"Furthermore..."
Daniel produced a tape recorder from his coat and placed it on the desk.
When he pressed the play button, the tape began to turn, and a recorded voice flowed out.
—I will confess. I, Kembal, leader of the Liberal Society Party, conveyed the Empire's secrets to the Kingdom of Belmore.
What? As Bölm reeled from the shocking revelation, Daniel pressed the pause button.
"This is information that even the Imperial Daily does not yet know. If you wish, I shall allow you to be the very first to report this fact."
He was saying he would hand over a scoop.
Bölm could only stare at Daniel Steiner in wonder—the man was not only offering to secure subscribers but was also bringing an exclusive story.
"...What exactly do you want from me?"
There was no such thing as pure goodwill in this world.
Sensing instinctively that Daniel had come to demand something, Bölm grew wary.
Daniel, appreciating the man's quick perception, leaned back against the chair's backrest.
"It's simple. From now on, the Melbaroton Newspaper Company shall submit all articles to me for review before they are published. As necessary, I will personally provide guidelines for the articles."
"Excuse me? What on earth..."
Surely this was a joke, but Daniel's expression was utterly composed.
At that, Bölm bristled, his brow furrowing.
"Are you saying you intend to turn the Melbaroton Newspaper Company into a state mouthpiece loyal to you?"
"That is a bit of a leap, though depending on how one listens, it could be interpreted that way."
"Are you in your right mind!? The Melbaroton is an independent newspaper! Its founding principle is to deliver the truth to the people!"
Daniel, who had been silently observing Bölm, quietly opened his mouth.
"The truth? That sounds noble. Then let me ask you. What is the truth?"
"Well, that would be news without falsehood..."
"Who judges whether something is without falsehood?"
Bölm opened his mouth to answer but could produce no voice.
The information obtainable by the editor-in-chief of a small newspaper like the Melbaroton was limited, after all.
Seeing this, Daniel slowly straightened his upper body.
"People live their lives constantly telling lies. And only a privileged few with strength and power can judge whether those lies are the truth or not."
"But..."
"I guarantee it. You will absolutely never be able to approach the truth. You will merely interpret piecemeal information handed down from above and repeat it like a parrot."
Bölm had a vague inkling of it.
The way people who had incurred the disfavor of nobles, corporations, or the government would vanish without a trace, and only much later would a single line appear in an article stating they had been robbed or met with an accident.
The truth that could not be told was right there.
"I can almost see the editor-in-chief's future. Either living like a parrot, trapped in the delusion of reporting the truth, or drawing too close to the truth and meeting your death."
Both were dreadful fates.
"Or else..."
Daniel's voice somehow sounded like a sneer.
"Doing neither, crushed under the weight of money, and going bankrupt."
Bölm's hand flinched and trembled.
Because there was no hope to be seen in the futures Daniel was listing.
Amid the despair seizing his heart, a devil's whisper reached him.
"Let's be honest. Mr. Editor-in-Chief, you don't truly desire the truth, do you? What you really want is probably the 'power' to speak the truth without being purged, and the 'money' to protect your family."
Daniel's hand, reaching forward, lightly covered the back of Bölm's hand.
"I can give you both. The price is a single lie. If you swear to speak that lie for me..."
Bölm slowly lifted his head and met Daniel's gaze.
The devil's eyes resembled those of a human.
"I shall provide you with a thousand truths and unwavering wealth."
Abandon your convictions to protect your convictions.
Sacrifice the small for the great cause.
Take my hand for the sake of your employees and family.
The meaning laden in Daniel's voice was pressing down upon Bölm's shoulders.
The moment he succumbed to that sweet offer, he would have to walk a path of no return.
But to refuse and walk away meant the precipice of bankruptcy awaited him.
When conviction clashes with reason, reason usually wins.
After taking a deep breath, Bölm opened his mouth.
"...What must I do?"
Bölm's voice echoed gloomily throughout the office.
Having received his answer, Daniel withdrew his hand and rose from his seat.
"First, report the scoop I have given you. Before the Imperial Daily beats you to it, you must reveal to the world that the leader of the Liberal Society Party is a collaborator. After that, await my instructions."
After straightening his uniform, Daniel began to turn away, then paused abruptly.
"Ah. I mention this just in case..."
Taking a sheet of paper folded in half from his coat, Daniel placed it on Bölm's desk.
"If you forget the favor and attempt betrayal, you will have to pay the price."
Having left these cryptic words, Daniel offered a single smile, then turned and walked away.
It was only after Daniel opened the door and left the office that Bölm picked up the folded paper and unfolded it.
'This is...'
Written on the paper was the address of the house where Bölm's family lived.
Below it, he could see not only the names and hobbies of his family members but even their usual travel routes marked out.
Furthermore, information was even recorded that Bölm's son had once touched drugs out of curiosity long ago.
Upon seeing it, Bölm felt a wave of dizziness and raised a trembling hand to his forehead.
'Daniel Steiner, from the very beginning...'
had had no intention of accepting a refusal from him.