It Ain't Over Till It's Over
It Ain't Over Till It's Over
The nuclear test had been a success.
At the moment of the test, Selvia had worn a dazed expression at the immense power of the nuclear weapon, but she quickly pulled herself together and was overjoyed.
The sight of Selvia smiling brightly, saying the war could now be ended, was quite striking.
After the situation was settled, Selvia returned to the capital and made an official announcement.
She declared that the Empire possessed a 'new weapon' that would end the war.
The vast majority of people could not know what that new weapon was, but naturally, the leaders of the Republic and the Allied Nations would have been able to figure out what the Empire's new weapon was.
After Empress Selvia's official announcement, the Empire was, understandably, thrown into an uproar.
Curiosity about what the new weapon that would end the war was erupted like a volcano.
The person those flames of curiosity touched first was, naturally, Daniel Steiner.
Newspaper companies scrambled to request an interview with the military authorities, and Daniel, who had remained silent for some time, received the General Headquarters' approval and stood before the reporters.
Numerous cameras could be seen lining the conference hall where the Imperial crest was hung.
Standing before the podium and looking around at them, Daniel took a deep breath and opened his mouth.
"This is Lieutenant General Daniel Steiner. The military authorities wish to state that, for the sake of the people's right to know, I will answer questions limited to matters not covered by classified information."
The moment Daniel's words ended, a barrage of questions poured out from all over.
"Her Majesty the Empress once stated that she had developed a new weapon that would end the war. Could you explain what type of weapon this is?"
"How powerful is this weapon that Her Majesty is confident it can end the war?"
"Can we know when this weapon is expected to be deployed in the field?"
With countless questions coming from all sides, it wasn't easy to answer.
After taking a moment to catch his breath, Daniel raised his hand, and the reporters who had been pouring out questions fell silent.
"...The new weapon developed by the military authorities possesses destructive power without precedent. It is on a different order from existing conventional weapons. I believe this should sufficiently explain why Her Majesty was confident she could end the war."
Amidst murmuring in the audience, one reporter raised her hand.
When Daniel cast her his gaze, the reporter stood up from her seat and spoke.
"You stated that a detailed explanation is impossible due to classified matters. If that is so, how should we interpret the fact that the development of a new weapon has been disclosed to the press?"
"It is a disclosure on the level of deterrence. As you mentioned, the detailed matters are classified, so I cannot tell you, but the aspect of the war will change simply by virtue of Her Majesty the Empress's announcement."
"...Are you truly saying the war can be ended?"
Daniel nodded toward the puzzled reporter.
"You may consider that the opinion that the war can be ended is shared by both Her Majesty the Empress and myself. I, who have personally witnessed the power of this new weapon, hereby guarantee it."
"Understood."
Once the convinced reporter took her seat, another reporter raised her hand.
When Daniel made a chin gesture for her to speak, the reporter lowered her hand and opened the conversation.
"Lieutenant General, no matter how new the weapon is, isn't it useless if the enemy can counter it? Can you be certain the enemy won't be able to respond?"
It was a bewildering question.
Because, at least in this era, there was no weapon that could counter a nuclear attack.
"They cannot counter it. Any who attempt to do so will be crushed under the new weapon's firepower and perish alongside it."
"...Do the Allied Nations and the Republic also know of this fact?"
It was a sharp question.
Daniel had been mulling it over for a moment, but thinking there was no need to hide it, he nodded.
"They probably know. It would be strange if they didn't."
"Lieutenant General? Are you saying that even knowing this, the enemy will not be able to respond?"
"Yes. That is because the new weapon developed by the military authorities possesses enough firepower to change the rules of war. Even if they know, there is nothing they can do."
A murmur arose in the hall.
The reporter who had asked the question also froze for a moment before hurriedly collecting herself.
"In that case, Lieutenant General Daniel, could you say a word to the countless citizens who are paying attention to this conference?"
"If you wish, I shall."
Daniel, grasping the lectern, faced straight ahead.
Behind Daniel, the enormous Imperial crest was being illuminated.
"My dear citizens, I am not unaware that your hearts and spirits have been exhausted by this prolonged war. That weary state of mind is well known not only to Her Majesty the Empress but also to the military authorities. As such, we have now developed a new weapon that will end the war."
As a few reporters checked the focus of their cameras, other reporters held up their notepads and transcribed Daniel's words.
"This is by no means false propaganda or bluff. Data clearly exists proving the success of the new weapon's development, and I also personally witnessed it. Based on this data, Her Majesty the Empress plans to hold a negotiation meeting with the heads of the Allied Nations and the Republic."
As everyone held their breath, waiting for Daniel's next words, only the sound of reporters' pens scribbling in their notepads echoed softly.
"In those negotiations, the Republic and the Allied Nations will have to make a choice."
He paused for a moment before continuing.
"They can forget the past and join hands with the Empire."
Daniel's eyes narrowed sharply.
"Or they will face annihilation by the Empire."
At these truly shocking remarks, the reporters stopped what they were doing and stared blankly at Daniel.
Though the wording was a bit extreme, Daniel's remarks allowed the reporters to clearly ascertain that the military authorities' development of a new weapon was no lie.
A beat later, flashes began bursting from the cameras, and the reporters each broke into applause.
Amidst the loudly resounding applause, Daniel lightly bowed his head toward the reporters.
"That is all."
When Daniel, having spoken, stepped out of the conference hall, Lucy was waiting in the hallway.
In her hands, she held a thermos containing black tea and a single cup.
She had specially prepared it, thinking his throat might be sore after holding a press conference.
Opening the mouth of the thermos, Lucy poured the black tea into the prepared cup and handed it to Daniel.
"You've worked hard, Lieutenant General Daniel."
Though slightly flustered, it was a sincere gesture, so he could not refuse it.
Receiving the cup, Daniel drank the black tea it contained.
It was just warm enough to drink in one go, so it went down smoothly.
When he returned the cup, Lucy took a handkerchief from her bosom, meticulously wiped the inside, and placed it into the bag slung over her shoulder.
Thinking her preparedness was thorough, Daniel gave a low chuckle and moved his feet.
Lucy fell in beside him.
"Was the conference a success?"
To Lucy's question, Daniel answered in the affirmative.
"It wasn't bad. This news will soon be known by the Republic and the Allied Nations as well."
Since the Empress, after announcing the development of the new weapon, had started setting up a negotiation meeting, the Republic and the Allied Nations would surely have realized that 'the Empire has created a nuclear weapon' was now an established fact.
On top of that, Daniel had thrown down the gauntlet, saying they would have to prepare for annihilation if they did not respond to negotiations.
'Anyone who chooses to keep fighting in this situation has lost their mind.'
Even for someone like Count Kaledra, it seemed obvious he would raise the white flag.
'The war is finally ending. This means I no longer have to live in constant fear of losing my life on the battlefield. How long I've wished for this...'
Having set down his mental burden to some extent, Daniel looked back at Lucy.
"Adjutant. It seems the day when you and I go to see the sea is not far off."
At Daniel's lighthearted joke, Lucy blinked twice before giving a faint smile.
"Yes. I, too, hope that day comes as soon as possible."
*
A few days later. Edria, a Permanent Member State of the International Union.
The study in Count Kaledra's mansion.
"...Your Excellency. It appears that the Empire has indeed succeeded in developing a nuclear weapon."
Kaledra, having heard the report of Deputy Director Bek of the Central Intelligence Department, gave a low sigh.
The reason he was not greatly surprised was that he had already been anticipating it to some degree.
"They intend to show proof of their successful nuclear weapon development at the negotiation table. The bastards want us to surrender."
Setting aside the documents he was reading, Kaledra glared at Bek.
"What on earth have our scientists been doing all this time? Tell me why we haven't even properly established the theory while the Empire was developing a nuclear weapon."
Even if he pressed for an answer, there was no way Bek could say anything.
Making a clicking sound with his tongue, Kaledra shook his head, rose from his seat, and leaned on his cane.
Walking to the window just like that and looking down below, Kaledra bit his lip hard.
Only after the second hand of the clock had ticked several times did Kaledra open his mouth.
"...Even if the Allied Nations are defeated, they must not surrender."
Too much time had already passed for them to surrender now.
Moreover, surrendering would cause the nation to lose its sovereignty and produce the worst possible result in post-war negotiations.
They could not simply become the Empire's puppets.
Even if that resulted in countless sacrifices.
As he clicked his tongue with his eyes closed, Kaledra recalled Daniel Steiner.
'If it weren't for that bastard...'
The Empire would have collapsed several times over.
Respect, fear, and anger waged a three-way war, forming a knot inside Kaledra's heart.
"Daniel Steiner openly provoked me. In his recent speech, did he not say that on the day the war ends, he would be deep in the heart of enemy territory?"
Clicking his tongue in disgust, Kaledra gripped his cane tightly.
"Then let us grant that wish."
"Excuse me? What do you mean by that...?"
"There will be no negotiations."
As Kaledra raised his head, his eyes became engulfed in madness.
"The Allied Nations will fight to the bitter end."