Off-board tactics were simple.
First, the strategy for the Galactic Empire.
By framing the situation as "We don't have proof yet, but... you know who it is, right?" regarding the terrorism, Chronos was depicted as a victim in a state of total collapse.
The Taikyoku Nation, Latarnia, the Ogre God Nation, the Battle Dome Nations Alliance, and my own nation organized the International Relief Activity Unit to carry out rescue operations.
That was the gist of it.
Since I occupied the role of the "funny commander," I pushed serious types like Eddie into the spotlight to produce more grounded news reports.
I left that part to the Imperial state broadcaster.
The state broadcaster was highly competent—or rather, it seemed they felt a deep sense of regret for failing to report properly during the early stages of the Zork War.
They read every book and thesis the graduate students put out and even provided detailed commentary on them.
They consulted university professors—not just in politics, but in biology and other fields—to provide expert analysis.
Dissatisfied with mere military PR, their reporters swarmed the site.
A flood of daredevils from the commercial broadcasters descended as well.
The relevant nations even signed treaties regarding the treatment and extradition of criminals, essentially agreeing that "the death penalty is on the table."
The mass media really has no sense of restraint.
While I struggled a bit with how to handle them, I eventually welcomed the media in droves.
In fact, I essentially authorized a full information release.
What first stunned the commercial media was the sight of me and Eddie conversing with people from various nations in their native tongues.
Apparently, they'd assumed that the reports of the Grand Duke speaking the Latarnia language were just government propaganda.
I can handle daily conversation, at least!
I can even read the script!
I understood their skepticism, though, considering how often the Duke Association pulled stunts like that.
Regardless, the theory that we were being excessively hyped up vanished in an instant.
Actually, it was still pretty excessive.
Like the fact that I was a Brigadier General.
We flooded the airwaves with "refined" programs showcasing our cultural exchanges with Latarnia and the Taikyoku Nation.
Oh, and regarding the people who tried to make programs that might cause diplomatic incidents in the chaos before we could release the "refined" ones—well, they were exiled to frontier planets. But that's not important.
Latarnia and the Taikyoku Nation did the same.
Several people received harsh punishments as a courtesy to us.
As for the Ogre God Nation, I'd been told I could just punch them, so I stuck to iron fist sanctions.
They were easy to deal with because they understood you once you hit them.
Some media outlets reported critically on the sight of me being challenged to a test of strength and mercilessly beating the Ogre God citizens on the spot.
However, testimony from a veteran returning from outer space—who claimed, "The Brigadier General is actually punching them gently so he doesn't seriously hurt them"—caused a wave of apologies from the media.
Incidentally, in the Ogre God Nation, if you beat someone up, they become your subordinate. I actually have hundreds of direct retainers within that country now.
If you count their followers, the number swells to tens of thousands.
It makes no sense, so I've just left it alone.
As a result, the domestic media's coverage was generally positive: "Only Leo Kamishiro could pull this off. You guys are doing great!"
Right now, we're producing documentaries with Latarnia and the Taikyoku Nation.
The state broadcaster's version is academic and a bit dense.
The bulk of the content consists of entertainment-style travel shows and programs about our respective cultures.
That was where we slipped in the real payload.
A documentary on the unprecedented biological terrorism using Ghouls.
And a story of friendship between the Veronica Fleet and the surrounding nations as we faced that threat.
When I turned on the television in the dining hall, a drama about Tatiana's exploits was playing.
A bearded, macho man in sunglasses filled the screen.
"I promised I'd kill you last. I lied."
"Gyaaaaaaaaaaa!"
Why is the person playing Rikochi in these reenactments always a macho guy?
For some reason, he was even carrying a missile launcher on his shoulder.
Then, a super-beautiful idol appeared.
"I will fight destiny! For everyone's sake!"
Kyururin ♪
"I... I never said anything like that, sir," Tatiana said with a look of pure disgust.
On screen, my character—played by a butt-chinned pro wrestler—gently embraced Tatiana.
Why is it a pro wrestler every time?
...Because an actor can't replicate the movements?
Oh. Right.
"I will always be there for you."
"Grand Duke..."
Seeing this, Wifey, Claire, Melissa, and even Ren finally lost it, bursting into hysterical laughter.
"Nyahahahaha! Look! Look at the Lord Groom!"
Wifey kicked her legs while tugging on my sleeve.
"Ahahaha! This is the best!"
Melissa laughed while pointing at the screen.
"(Hyperventilating from laughter)... wheeze, wheeze, wheeze, I can't... I'm done!"
Claire was out of commission.
"(Looking down, desperately trying to stifle her laughter) ...It's too much."
Ren was laughing so hard she had tears in her eyes.
While it was a total comedy to anyone who knew us, it was a massive hit in the Empire.
It was also a smash hit in Latarnia, the Taikyoku Nation, and even the Ogre God Nation and the Battle Dome.
They say it reached a 100% viewership rating.
Once something is a hit in Latarnia, the content is distributed throughout the galaxy.
Bundled right alongside the Ghoul documentaries.
The effect of the drama was staggering; donations poured into the Chronos Relief Fund we'd established with Latarnia and the Taikyoku Nation.
A circle of goodwill expanded across the stars.
Our real activities were showcased alongside it.
Tatiana's heroic figure as she deployed the barrier was reported on incessantly.
The poor Ghouls had effectively become the enemies of the entire universe.
And while we never said it explicitly... well, the Zen God Race was absolutely getting flamed.
It reached the point where people within the Zen God Race were asking, "What the hell is our leadership doing?"
Naturally, the surrounding countries began treating them like a crazy neighbor.
Hahaha.
Once one drama becomes a smash hit, a slew of others focusing on different people follow.
Stories about the Latarnian rescue teams, political dramas from the Taikyoku Nation, and more.
The commercial broadcasters, experts at making dramas, went all out.
These weren't the low-budget versions made by the state broadcaster with limited materials.
These were high-budget productions.
With the Kamishiro Group, the Battle Dome, and the Latarnia Bank providing full financial backing, a massive wave of joint productions between the Taikyoku Nation, Latarnia, and the Ogre God Nation was created.
Man, it went exactly as planned!
Sure, some people complained.
But you know, people who complain when their own country is being praised tend to be disliked by everyone else.
So, the voices of opposition were quiet.
The Taikyoku Nation, currently under reconstruction, was especially eager to ride this big wave.
I mean, it's not our fault.
The Zen God Race were the ones who picked the fight.
We were simply defending ourselves through non-military means.
And so, the cultural overrun via the power of content began.
On a separate, trivial note, the photobook of Rikochi and Usapyon took first place in the military category.
"Why are all the marriage proposals coming from women?!!"
Probably because they only let people take photos of them in full armor.