Remember the Hero's Resurrection
Remember the Hero's Resurrection
The next evening.
After finishing her duties, Selvia headed to the art museum located within the Imperial Palace.
It was because she had heard through the Inner Court Office personnel that her father, whose condition had slightly improved, had gone to the museum to view the portraits of their ancestors.
She quickened her pace and entered the museum, where she found her father standing silently before a large portrait of their great-grandfather.
"Father!"
As Selvia approached with a bright expression, Emperor Bertram turned his head.
Spotting his daughter, Bertram offered a faint smile.
"Selvia. You must be busy with state affairs. Is it right for you to waste time on me?"
"If I considered looking after you a waste of time, I could never become a wise ruler."
"How endearing. Your charm seems to grow day by day."
Bertram let out a low chuckle and spoke.
"Well then. Since we've met, let's talk about how the world is turning. I've heard much has happened in the few days I've been bedridden?"
Recalling the recent events, Selvia nodded without hesitation.
"Still, the worst was avoided. Not only was Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner's survival confirmed, but as a result, we were able to strengthen the Empire's influence over Bellanos."
"I see. That is good. But speaking of Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner."
Bertram looked down at Selvia with a probing gaze.
"According to the report, he claimed to have collected classified intelligence in Bellanos while he was shipwrecked. Have you verified that information?"
"That is... he said he would report back after returning due to concerns about communication interception."
"He will report after returning. That is indeed a very meaningful statement."
At the subtly probing tone, Selvia furrowed her brow.
"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's portrait?"
The atmosphere shifted abruptly.
Feeling rebuked, Selvia closed her mouth.
Bertram, who had been looking down at the silent Selvia for a while, turned his gaze to the portrait.
"We are the descendants of a usurper. You know well how Grandfather usurped the throne. Outwardly, he claimed the legitimacy of the Imperial family, but ultimately it was an act blinded by power."
"Father..."
"I am afraid. Ever since the day I saw Grandfather's look in Daniel Steiner's eyes, I have been unable to sleep properly. Selvia. You do not understand how dangerous a capable subject can be."
Blinking slowly, Bertram continued.
"Grandfather always used to say. He said the most dangerous moment is when a capable subject, trusting in his own abilities, acts arbitrarily. Selvia. Let me ask you something in that regard. How many times has Daniel Steiner walked the path of self-righteousness so far?"
When he arrested the prince's secret organization in the southern Empire, and when he altered the total war speech to his own liking, Daniel Steiner had done so without his superiors' permission.
This time was no different.
Daniel Steiner had acted arbitrarily, without notifying his superiors that he had survived.
Using the justification that there might be enemies within Bellanos as a shield.
"That he is working for the Empire?"
Shaking his head, Bertram let out a low chuckle.
"It is highly likely he collected the information for his own safety, not for the Empire. Many are mistaken, but I can see it. What is exerting influence over Bellanos right now is not the Empire, but Daniel Steiner himself."
In Bertram's estimation, based on the information he had collected, Daniel was clearly going to make some kind of deal with the Bellanos Prime Minister.
Not for the sake of the Empire, but for his own security.
After returning to the Empire, Daniel would no doubt select some trivial pieces from the information he held and present them as classified intelligence.
If that was the case, there was no choice but to strike first before the bastard deceived the Imperial Household.
"This time, it seems the time has come for this father to sacrifice himself for you. I shall bear Daniel Steiner's hatred, so you must win his heart."
Just as Selvia, unable to understand what he meant, tilted her head, Bertram turned to the side and crooked his finger.
The head of the Inner Court Office, who had been waiting nearby, approached Bertram and bowed his head.
"Your Majesty. Do you need something?"
Bertram nodded.
"Bring me an imperial edict."
His eyes, filled with deep concern, narrowed sharply.
"For I shall personally deliver my words to Daniel Steiner."
*
At the same time, in the Glory's Holy Flame Cathedral in the southern Empire.
"Brothers and sisters."
Frien's voice resonated calmly inside the main worship hall.
The main worship hall was packed with people to the point that there were no empty seats, since word of Frien's service had spread and people from other regions had taken time to come.
Because of this, most people had no place to sit and were standing at the very back, listening intently to Frien's words.
This was an unprecedented event for the Glory's Holy Flame Cathedral, so even Frien's father had taken a step back and was turning a blind eye.
Of course, Frien was paying no mind to any of that.
The only thing Frien cared about was her faith and Daniel Steiner.
"Today, I have truly joyful news to share with you, brothers and sisters."
With her eyes closed, Frien continued speaking in a much more serene tone than in the previous worship service.
"As you all know, the news of Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner's survival has crossed the sea from Bellanos and reached the Empire. Yes. Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner did not die."
Frien gently shook her head.
"No. The expression 'returned from death' would be more fitting."
Her voice, soft yet somehow weighty, captivated the congregation's attention.
"Why am I using the expression 'returned from death'? Many of you will be puzzled. But if you look into the details of the incident, you will all agree that my expression is correct."
Frien slowly opened her eyes.
"As you know, the filthy beasts of the Allied Nations sank the ship carrying Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner with two torpedo attacks. Numerous deaths followed."
Her gentle gaze gradually sharpened.
"However! In that terrible disaster, only Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner overcame death. What does this signify? Was Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner merely lucky?"
Gritting her teeth, Frien shouted.
"No!"
Frien raised both hands and gripped the pulpit.
"Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner was originally destined to leave this world with the sinking of the ship. But everyone here knows a miracle occurred! Who performed that miracle? Just what all-powerful being kept Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner alive?"
A few believers sitting in the very front shouted.
─ God!
Frien smiled at them and then looked back at the congregation.
"That is correct. God took the lambs up, but kept only Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner alive. This is one of God's important plans. Just as Jesus Christ returned from death according to God's plan long ago!"
A stir arose among the believers at this rather unconventional statement.
But Frien continued with conviction.
"There is a passage in First Corinthians! But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive!"
With her back to the giant cross, Frien cried out passionately, like someone proclaiming a holy conviction.
"You who are sleeping! You believers who have not yet been enlightened! I dare to ask you! Through the death of Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner, you witnessed the atrocities of the Allied Nations! Is that not so!"
Words are infectious.
As Frien began to speak with conviction, believers began to affirm one by one.
"It was only when everyone witnessed the atrocities of the Allied Nations and was enlightened that Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner returned from death! Why!? So that for the lives of all those who perished on the ship, all might gain life through Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner!"
The resounding voice spreading from Frien's lips quickened heartbeats.
She had laid the fuse for their excitement; now it was time to ignite it.
Frien benevolently extended both hands toward the congregation.
"We who have witnessed the miracle must take part in God's plan. Brothers and sisters! Let us pray and act! We must never again allow our saint, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner, to be taken from us by the beasts of the Allied Nations!"
─ Hear, hear!
"In that sense, I ask you. Who is our enemy?"
─ The Allied Nations!
"Who is the enemy of God?"
─ The Allied Nations!
"Then, who are those who are worse than beasts!"
At Frien's question, the believers began to cry out in unison.
─ The beasts are the Allied Nations!
The congregation's chant echoed through the main worship hall.
Ecstatic at the outcry, Frien withdrew her hands and said.
"Let us pray for the noble ones who have provided us with the beginning of enlightenment. For God, Jesus Christ, and Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner!"
No sooner had Frien finished speaking than the believers rose up.
With a kind of madness in their eyes, they chanted one person's name.
─ For Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner!
Following that, voices calling for the judgment of the Allied Nations' beastly brats echoed from everywhere.
At that scene, Frien felt an overwhelming emotion.
It was moving that the voice which had once spoken alone was now being carried on the lips of others.
'Indeed. This must be the mission Lieutenant Colonel Daniel gave to me.'
Seeing a glimpse of heaven within the believers' shouts and fury, Frien gently closed her eyes.
'Now, worry no more, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel. Whatever choice you make in the future, these people and I will follow you even if it costs us our lives.'
Following the saint was a natural duty as a believer.
Holding that holy resolve in her heart, Frien clasped her hands together and prayed.
Hoping that Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner would guide them all well.