-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: Reason is often stronger than conviction.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Daniel's eyes in the rearview mirror were like those of a beast that had spotted its prey.
Because of that, his hands gripping the steering wheel involuntarily tightened, and his heart pounded a little harder.
From Prien's perspective, who already respected Daniel, Daniel's efforts to build his own power seemed brilliant.
Of course, Daniel was closer to struggling to survive in his current situation, but Prien had no way of knowing that.
Prien, who continued driving with a faint smile on his lips, suddenly opened his mouth as a thought occurred to him.
"...By the way, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel? Isn't Melbaroton an independent newspaper that doesn't receive government support or corporate advertising? It's also famous for its slogan to report only the truth."
"That's right."
"Then wouldn't there be difficulties in making them follow you? I'm sure they'd insist on not publishing biased articles."
That wasn't wrong.
But in Daniel's view, the Melbaroton Newspaper wasn't a media outlet burning with a sense of mission.
"Second Lieutenant Prien. Are you aware that Melbaroton Newspaper once advocated for anti-war protests?"
Prien shook his head.
"I don't read newspapers much. So Melbaroton Newspaper said such disgusting things."
"Yes. Advocating for anti-war protests itself is understandable. Many citizens were feeling fatigued as the war dragged on. But after I gave my total war speech, Melbaroton Newspaper withdrew their claims."
A question mark formed in Prien's mind.
"Why was that?"
"Because countless customers canceled their subscriptions. Unless they receive support from the government and corporations, they have to live off the support of the citizens. So it was a natural progression for them to publish articles that went against public sentiment."
There was something clear to be understood here.
Money was intertwined with Melbaroton Newspaper's convictions.
It was only natural.
Printing presses, ink, and paper needed to convey the truth weren't given for free.
Without money, the truth couldn't be conveyed either.
Nevertheless, Melbaroton Newspaper received no support whatsoever from the government or corporations to uphold its flimsy conviction of independence and neutrality.
No, it would be more appropriate to say that it had become so small that it *couldn't* receive support.
At this rate, Melbaroton Newspaper would not escape bankruptcy.
Daniel intended to exploit this point to put a leash on Melbaroton Newspaper.
"So about that..."
Daniel quietly whispered, looking at Prien who was focused on driving.
"Prien. I'd like you to help me a bit."
*
11 Volperferk Street.
Melbaroton Newspaper.
"Haa..."
Wölm, sitting at his desk in the editor-in-chief's office, let out a deep sigh.
His head ached because the number of subscribers was decreasing day by day.
'At this rate, I won't be able to maintain printing costs, let alone the distribution network.'
What good was a newspaper that couldn't even print?
And yet, when he thought about filing for bankruptcy, the faces of his employees who trusted and followed him, and his family waiting at home, flickered before his eyes.
'What should I do...?'
As he was contemplating ways to increase subscribers, someone tapped on the door.
Wölm, thinking it was a subordinate, frowned.
"Tom! I told you I needed to think! If you haven't come up with a solution, don't even think about showing your stupid face to me..."
Wölm stopped mid-sentence.
The person who entered as the office door opened wasn't Tom, but an Imperial officer.
And it was Daniel Steiner, known as the Empire's hero.
Accompanied by Prien, who was famous for using dark magic.
Daniel gave a faint smile towards Wölm, who was frozen as if dreaming.
"I've come to discuss a solution, so may I stay?"
Hearing Daniel's voice, Wölm quickly rose from his seat.
"L-Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner. What brings you to such a humble newspaper office...?"
He truly asked out of confusion.
Daniel approached, pulled out a chair in front of the desk, and sat down.
"Didn't I just tell you? I came to discuss a solution."
"A solution, you say...?"
"A way for Melbaroton Newspaper, which is facing financial difficulties, to revive. Please, have a seat."
Wölm nodded cautiously and sat down.
Daniel gazed intently at Wölm's tense face before opening his mouth.
"As far as I know, Melbaroton Newspaper is on the verge of bankruptcy. Is that correct?"
Wölm hesitated for a moment before nodding.
It wasn't something to hide anyway.
"You are correct. Subscribers are decreasing day by day, and now it's even difficult to cover printing costs."
"I see. Then, may I offer assistance to your newspaper?"
"...Assistance? What do you mean by that?"
In response to Wölm's question, Daniel raised his hand and pointed to Prien standing behind him.
"You may not be aware, but Second Lieutenant Prien's father, who is behind me, is the head pastor of the Great Church of the Sacred Flame of Glory. They have a considerable number of congregants."
Daniel lowered his hand and interlaced his fingers.
"I will ask Second Lieutenant Prien to have the congregants of the Great Church of the Sacred Flame of Glory subscribe to Melbaroton Newspaper. Wouldn't that put out your immediate fire?"
Indeed, if even 10% of the congregants subscribed to Melbaroton Newspaper, they wouldn't struggle with printing costs or maintaining the distribution network.
"Furthermore..."
Daniel took out a tape recorder from his pocket and placed it on the desk.
He pressed the play button on the recorder, and as the tape spun, a recorded voice flowed out.
—I confess. I, Campbell, leader of the Liberal Society Party, transmitted Imperial secrets to the Kingdom of Belmore.
What? The moment Wölm was aghast at the shocking revelation, Daniel pressed the pause button.
"This is information even the Imperial Daily doesn't know yet. If you wish, I can let you be the first to report this fact."
He was offering an exclusive scoop.
Wölm couldn't help but look at Daniel Steiner, who had offered to secure subscribers and even brought an exclusive scoop, with a bewildered expression.
"...What exactly do you want from me?"
There was no such thing as pure goodwill in this world.
Wölm, intuiting that Daniel had come to demand something, became wary.
Daniel, thinking it was good that Wölm was quick-witted, leaned back in his chair.
"It's simple. From now on, before publishing articles, Melbaroton Newspaper will submit them to me for review. If necessary, I will personally provide guidelines for the articles."
"Excuse me? What kind of..."
He wondered if it was a joke, but Daniel's expression was very calm.
Because of that, Wölm frowned and bristled.
"Are you saying you want to turn Melbaroton Newspaper into mouthpiece media loyal to you?"
"It's an exaggeration, but it could be interpreted that way, depending on how you hear it."
"Are you out of your mind?! Melbaroton is an independent newspaper! Its founding principle is to inform the citizens of the truth!"
Daniel silently watched Wölm, then quietly opened his mouth.
"Truth? That sounds good. Then let me ask you. What *is* truth?"
"Well, news without falsehoods is..."
"Who decides what is without falsehoods?"
Wölm opened his mouth to answer but couldn't make a sound.
Because the information an editor-in-chief of a small newspaper like Melbaroton could acquire was limited.
Seeing that, Daniel slowly straightened his posture.
"People always live by telling lies. And only a select few privileged individuals with power and authority can judge whether those lies are truth or not."
"But..."
"I assure you. You will never get close to the truth. You will merely interpret fragmented information handed down from above and repeat it like a parrot."
Wölm vaguely knew.
How those who had displeased nobles, corporations, or the government disappeared without a trace, only for a brief article to appear much later, stating they had been robbed or suffered an accident.
The truth that couldn't be revealed was right there.
"I can almost see your future, Editor-in-Chief. Living like a parrot, deluded into thinking you're reporting the truth, or getting too close to the truth and meeting your death."
Both were terrible ends.
"Or..."
Daniel's voice, for some reason, sounded like a sneer.
"Neither, simply going bankrupt, crushed by the weight of money."
Wölm's hand trembled slightly.
Because there was no hope in the future Daniel enumerated.
Amidst the despair that seized his heart, the whisper of a demon could be heard.
"Let's be honest, Editor-in-Chief. You don't want the truth, do you? You want the 'power' to speak the truth without being shut down, and the 'money' to protect your family."
Daniel's outstretched hand lightly enveloped Wölm's hand.
"I can give you both, Editor-in-Chief. The price is a single lie. If you swear to speak falsehoods for me..."
Wölm slowly raised his head and met Daniel's gaze.
The demon's eyes were disturbingly human.
"I will provide you with a thousand truths and money that will never crumble."
To preserve your conviction, abandon it.
Sacrifice the small for the great cause.
Take my hand for the sake of your employees and family.
The meaning embedded in Daniel's words weighed down Wölm's shoulders.
The moment he succumbed to that sweet offer, he would walk a path of no return.
But refusing and turning back meant a precipice of bankruptcy awaited him.
When conviction and reason clash, reason often prevails.
Wölm took a deep breath and opened his mouth.
"...What would you have me do?"
Wölm's voice echoed mournfully in the office.
Hearing the answer, Daniel withdrew his hand and rose from his seat.
"First, report the exclusive scoop I gave 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."
Daniel straightened his clothes, turned to leave, then paused.
"Ah. Just in case you're wondering..."
Daniel took out a folded piece of paper from his pocket and placed it on Wölm's desk.
"If you forget this favor and try to betray me, you will pay the price."
Daniel, having spoken the enigmatic words, smiled once, then turned and walked away.
Only after Daniel opened the door and left the office did Wölm pick up the folded paper and unfold it.
'This is...'
On the paper was the address of Wölm's family home.
Below it, his family's names, hobbies, and even their usual routes were all clearly marked.
Even information that Wölm's son had dabbled in drugs out of curiosity in the past was included.
Seeing that, Wölm, in a dizzy spell, raised a trembling hand to his forehead.
'Daniel Steiner, from the beginning...'
He had never intended to accept his refusal.