Chapter 262: Double-edged Sword(1)
Chapter 262: Double-edged Sword(1)
Philosophy occupies a vital place in civilization. It is, perhaps, the most fundamental form of literature.
Science, logic, politics, ideology, religion, language, psychology—by delving into the essence of the question "Why?", philosophy deepens human knowledge and enlightenment.
Without philosophy, humanity would have struggled to build a proper civilization, let alone a nation. Even if they had managed to build one, no further progress could be expected without the study of philosophy.
However, philosophy does not always yield positive effects. The most prominent example is Adolf Hitler, the central figure of World War II, a topic that has been revisited time and again.
Hitler’s atrocious and inhumane philosophy was, surprisingly, influenced by the famous Nietzsche. Similarly, Joseph Stalin of the Soviet Union found his origins in Marx, the father of communism.
Thus, philosophy is a double-edged sword, and it is an undeniable fact that it exerts a massive influence on the development of civilization. Even on Earth, where civilization is centuries more advanced than this world, society would stagnate without philosophy.
The importance of philosophy in this world is equally paramount. It has a formidable impact, particularly on warriors, mages, and priests.
The concept of "enlightenment," a staple in many novels, is closely linked to philosophy. Even setting those aside, philosophy accounts for a significant portion of this rapidly developing world.
In that sense, the Roseberry family, a philosophical house of the Minerva Empire, wields great influence.
While they lack the overwhelming military or capital strength of other great houses, the Roseberry family has made immense contributions to the empire's development.
Establishing the nation's foundation through deep philosophy was their baseline; their greatest achievement, however, was significantly narrowing the gap and reducing discrimination between the nobility and commoners.
To put it bluntly, if my father had been born a hundred years ago, he wouldn't have even become a knight, let alone a baron. That was how pervasive discrimination against commoners was in the Minerva Empire of the past.
Naturally, this led to no small amount of resentment from others. Again, because philosophy begins with the question "Why?", it is fated to inevitably clash with the status quo.
Simply put, it means they have many enemies. Philosophers, by nature, tend to be silver-tongued and logical, which is more than enough to leave an unpleasant impression on others.
Even the famous Socrates was considered insufferable by the citizens of Athens. To be fair, Socrates did have a habit of cornering random people and pelted them with countless philosophical questions.
Regardless, for these reasons, the Roseberry family is a house that possesses authority without power, much like the Rekilis family. Since there was nothing to be gained by attacking them, they have managed to preserve their authority until now.
But stagnant water always rots. While philosophy itself never decays, people do.
The Roseberry family, in particular, is famous for frequent internal divisions, leading them to avoid conflict altogether.
Furthermore, as seen in the examples of Hitler and Stalin, the moment one adopts a flawed philosophy, they are prone to becoming arrogant. A philosopher lost in arrogance has essentially abandoned the very fundamentals of philosophy.
Above all, there is no law stating that a philosopher will be good at raising children—especially if the parent has become arrogant through a twisted philosophy.
"Here are the drinks you ordered."
The waiter spoke in a businesslike tone as he placed our drinks on the table one by one. An Americano with ice cubes bobbing in it was set before me.
In front of the others, coffee and black tea with rich aromas were served. I looked at the drinks before slowly raising my head.
My eyes fell upon Cherry, still disguised with brown hair, and a middle-aged man with striking pink hair sitting opposite her.
One might wonder why a man would have pink hair, but that was simply 'genetics.' Just as my hair was red, this middle-aged man’s hair was the same.
Moreover, despite the pink hair, he was in a position that commanded respect. The man’s name was Letiz Blossom Roseberry.
As his hair suggested, he was the head of the Roseberry family and Cherry’s father.
"..."
Even after the drinks arrived, Letiz did nothing but glare at me with a grim, hardened expression. Unlike his hair color, his blue eyes were filled with intense hostility.
I met his gaze calmly, offering no reaction. Like the two of us, Cherry sat demurely, not uttering a single word.
We were currently in a newly established cafe in the developing Maishal territory—one that featured soundproof rooms.
As the seating arrangement suggested, only Count Letiz, Cherry, and I were in the room. I had asked Mari and Adelia for their understanding and requested they wait outside.
Mari had readily agreed, saying she could have a private chat with Adelia, and Adelia had followed my instructions without complaint. This was the result.
Clink—
In the room where a deathly silence had settled, Count Letiz finally picked up his teacup. I observed his movements closely.
His hands were slightly wrinkled, befitting his middle age, but the veins stood out prominently. Looking closer, I noticed a sturdy physique that even his white formal attire couldn't hide.
I had heard they were a family of philosophers, but he had the frame of a knight. Does he train privately?
Furthermore, despite the pink hair, he kept his beard neatly trimmed and his hair styled cleanly, making the term 'handsome middle-aged man' quite fitting.
While I was slowly taking in his appearance, Count Letiz brought the steaming coffee to his lips.
He took a sip, savored the taste, and then quietly set the cup back down.
Clink—
"You say you invited Cherry here?"
The heavy question flew at me the moment the cup touched the saucer. Since we had already introduced ourselves during our first meeting, he was getting straight to the point.
Count Letiz was a noble who had inherited a title. Thus, he could have spoken informally, but his tone was steeped in formal politeness.
At his question, I glanced at Cherry. Despite the drink being served, she hadn't moved an inch.
She simply sat there in silence, her head bowed like a criminal. I wanted to see her expression, but even that was difficult.
Perhaps she thought I had been dragged into a troublesome situation because of her. Given Cherry’s extremely low self-esteem, that was highly likely.
I shifted my gaze from Cherry back to Count Letiz and answered confidently, without hesitation.
"Yes. That is correct."
"For what reason?"
"Because I wanted Cherry to experience a wider variety of culture."
This was the truth. Cherry was currently rising as a new star in the literary world under the pen name 'Mary.'
With the fresh concept of a regression story combined with romance, her book was causing a sensation among female readers.
However, unlike me, who had memories of a past life, Cherry was a resident of this world. No matter how brilliant the concept, she would eventually hit a wall—a slump.
I had invited her to the exhibition to help alleviate that slump and to help her create even better works in the future. The difference between hearing about something and seeing it for oneself was as vast as the heavens and the earth.
Perhaps that was why Count Letiz frowned the moment he heard my words and spoke in a voice full of dissatisfaction.
"By what right do you do this?"
Oh. The classic question of a stubborn, overbearing father. Since I had fully expected this question, I countered with a bright smile.
"If a bird wants to fly in the sky, one should help it. Why would one stop it?"
"..."
When I countered clearly with a smile, Count Letiz raised an eyebrow. His expression said, 'Look at this brat.'
In the meantime, I picked up my glass of ice and took a sip. The weather was muggy, so the iced Americano felt incredibly refreshing.
As for why there was ice, I’ll summarize the answer: this, too, was magic integrated into daily life.
"You say interesting things. Indeed. As you say, a bird should soar through the sky by flapping its wings. Not swim in a river."
Count Letiz remained quiet until I set my glass down, attacking the moment he heard the clink. I let out a silent scoff at his words.
It seemed Count Letiz had no idea what his daughter was actually talented in. There was a reason he had gone beyond tearing up Cherry’s manuscripts to outright trampling them.
Was such a man truly a philosopher? Perhaps he was someone with misguided convictions.
If so, I would have to peel back the layers one by one. I looked straight into Count Letiz’s clear eyes and spoke.
"As you say, Count, a bird cannot be expected to swim. However, Count, as you can see with ducks, being a bird does not mean one cannot swim. In fact, there are species that must swim."
"Even so, it remains unchanged that a duck must also fly through the sky. Depending on the time and the season, it must take flight to move to a new place."
Count Letiz was right. The Roseberrys were a philosophical family, and it was an undeniable fact that Cherry had to receive a philosophical education.
The problem was that his methods were far too excessive. If Count Letiz had respected Cherry’s dreams, it might have been different, but his mistake was crushing them entirely.
Maintaining the curl of my lips, I threw a question back at Count Letiz.
"Then I have just one question. If you remove a duck's legs to force it to fly, what will become of that duck's future?"
"That would be..."
Count Letiz fell silent, seemingly at a loss for words. I wore a triumphant smile and spoke firmly before he could continue.
"It would die."
"..."
"The same goes for other animals and people, not just birds. If you sacrifice one thing to force another, you can never live a normal life. In the world, this is called being inflexible."
To say this to someone I was meeting for the first time—and a higher-ranking noble at that—was incredibly rude. However, I had a very sturdy backing.
Not the Xenon Biography, but the massive support of the Rekilis family. I intended to save the Xenon Biography as my absolute final card.
When no response came from Count Letiz, I moved on to the next topic. The initiative was always on my side anyway.
The only question was whether he was someone I could talk to or just a stubborn old man. Since he was a philosopher, he would likely have some inkling of the situation Cherry was facing through my words.
He was a man who had recognized his own daughter instantly despite her disguise. It couldn't be said that he lacked interest; rather, the child had been broken because his interest was far too excessive.
What had made him this way? I adopted a more cautious tone and questioned him.
"Count Roseberry. I'm sure you are aware that Cherry loves novels. Yet, you trampled her dreams to the point where they are beyond recovery."
"..."
"I am curious as to the reason why."
"...Before that."
Count Letiz spoke quietly, questioning me back with sharp eyes.
"Who are you to be doing this?"
"I'm not sure what you mean."
"I know very well who you are. You're famous for being the live-in son-in-law of the Rekilis family."
I'm not a live-in son-in-law; Mari is the one coming to me. Well, I suppose on the surface, it’s natural to assume I’m the one joining the Duke's house.
I didn't feel like correcting him, so I simply nodded. Letiz continued in a voice heavier than before.
"I don't understand why such a person is taking an interest in my daughter. For what reason did you approach her?"
I didn't approach her; Cherry approached me. But explaining that would be problematic in many ways.
Cherry had confirmed I was Xenon through her peculiar, dark deductive skills. I had wanted to deny it to the end, but I had no choice but to reveal my identity because I was afraid she might actually kill herself.
So, it was understandable that the ignorant Letiz would misunderstand. He might even think of me as a scoundrel who chases women despite having a fiancée.
I pondered how to answer and glanced at Cherry. She was still sitting there with her head bowed, doing nothing.
I have no idea what she's thinking.
Setting Cherry aside for a moment, the conversation with Count Letiz was the priority. I met his gaze and offered a truth mixed with a half-lie.
"I happened to see Cherry’s writing once. It was truly a coincidence upon a coincidence."
"..."
"And that writing was truly entertaining. As much as the Xenon Biography."
Shift—
Was it because her writing had been mentioned? Cherry, who had been maintaining her despondent posture, slowly raised her head.
Her eyes were still deep and dark like an abyss, but she looked much better than before. Because they were so dark, even a slight brightness made a clear difference.
Count Letiz’s brow twitched when he saw a reaction from Cherry. For some reason, his displeasure was palpable.
I observed the contrasting reactions of the father and daughter before continuing.
"Cherry’s writing is concise like the Xenon Biography, but her warm prose..."
"Enough. That’s enough. I think I understand the situation."
Count Letiz cut me off before I could finish. I had no choice but to fall silent and wait for him to speak.
Letiz stared at me in silence for a while before glancing at Cherry. It seemed he was about to say something related to her.
After some time had passed, Letiz finally opened his heavy mouth.
"How much do you know about philosophy?"
"Philosophy?"
"Yes. Philosophy."
What a random question. I tilted my head as if I didn't understand the intent behind it.
I wanted to say, "I probably know less than you, Count," but I felt an ominous premonition and kept it to myself.
Count Letiz let out a scoff as if he had expected as much and began to explain with a condescending nuance.
"Philosophy is fundamentally a discipline that explores a specific something. My family has delved into philosophy since the founding of the Minerva Empire, supporting the very foundation of the nation."
"..."
"I have reached my current state through the philosophy and spirit of inquiry shown by my ancestors. And I realized something. While there is no set path in philosophy, one must at least walk the authorized path."
What is he talking about? Isn't that just a typical stubborn mindset?
As I’ve mentioned repeatedly, there is no set path in philosophy, let alone an authorized one. The basic principle of philosophy is to resolve the fundamental "Why?".
Whether it’s through scientific verification, logical verification, or social verification, it doesn't matter. Philosophy, by its nature, embraces countless ideologies and beliefs.
And ideologies and beliefs are difficult to break unless one experiences a massive event. However, this was a flawed and deeply warped philosophy.
Because philosophy is a battle where one must question the obvious, affirm or deny it, and ultimately prove it.
"...Then are you making Cherry walk that authorized path? Even if it means her legs are broken?"
"I would call that a sacrifice. Even if her legs are broken, she will surely stand up again."
"..."
He’s hopeless. No, he’s just a typical stubborn parent. The fact that he says such things proudly in front of his daughter confirms it.
Actually, he’s the kind of parent you see often even in my past life. Parents who oppress their children with flawed educational methods, regardless of the child's will.
The future of such a child is as clear as day. They either run away to become independent or they turn wayward.
In the worst-case scenario, they commit suicide, unable to withstand the pressure from their parents. Cherry had reached that very brink.
I nodded, realizing the situation. Count Letiz smiled, seemingly thinking I had been convinced.
"It seems you understand now. Now that you know, stay away from my daughter. Don't go putting strange ideas—"
"Count. May I be so bold as to ask one question?"
"Don't... hm?"
Count Letiz was initially flustered when I cut him off, and then flustered again when he saw the bright smile on my face.
Though no words would get through to a stubborn man, Count Letiz was a philosopher. He should be able to understand the meaning of what I was about to say.
I looked at the hesitant man and spoke with my usual gentle smile.
"Count, do you know the meaning of 'homicide'?"
"...Do you take me for a fool?"
"I'm glad you know. As you think, homicide refers to one person killing another—in other words, murder. Then, what about this?"
I continued, looking toward Cherry.
"If someone doesn't kill another intentionally, but that person takes their own life because they cannot withstand the oppression from those around them... would that be suicide?"
I looked back at Count Letiz and finished the question.
"Or would it be homicide?"
"Hmm..."
Count Letiz pondered my question deeply before speaking his thoughts.
"It would depend on the degree of oppression and the situation... but it could be seen as homicide."
"Why is that?"
"Because when a person is pushed to their mental limit, they begin to see death as a refuge. The human spirit is not that strong."
"I thought you would say that."
I gave a thin smile and delivered the final blow.
"It’s a relief, then. You were almost a murderer, Count."
At those words, the light slowly returned to the eyes of Cherry, who had been watching silently.