Chapter 458: The Sequel(5)
Chapter 458: The Sequel(5)
Some might wonder: why does the sequel have to be about World War II?
They might ask why, of all the stories from Earth I could write, I chose one of the most horrific conflicts in human history.
Truthfully, there isn't much of a reason. Just like when I first wrote the Xenon Biography, I'm writing it because I want to.
Besides, as the saying goes, "War is the distillation of history," and World War II can be considered the pinnacle of Earth's history.
Science, culture, ideology, thought, society—everything collided and clashed until it finally exploded into war.
While World War I was largely a matter of territorial conquest, World War II was closer to a "war of convictions."
Unless a third world war breaks out, few conflicts possess such a complex blend of elements as the Second World War.
In terms of science alone, you have military advancements like tanks, fighter planes, and warships, alongside innovations like the radio, wireless communication, radar, and computers.
Because it gathered the essence of every field of that era into one place, it serves as a perfect vehicle to explain what kind of world it was.
'I say all that, but the biggest reason is just that I want to write it.'
I write because I want to. I wrote the Xenon Biography to kill time, and World War II is no different.
Besides, even though I'm only releasing information bit by bit, people are already incredibly excited.
What they're paying the most attention to is, of all things, the "genre." Unlike the Xenon Biography, World War II is a story from a completely different world.
Because of this, even scholars are showing great interest, claiming I've established a new field called "Fantasy."
'As expected, it's treated as fantasy in this world.'
I once mentioned that Earth's history would feel like fantasy to the people here. That prediction hit the mark perfectly.
To Earth, which is culturally much more developed, the concept of fantasy is familiar, but not here.
Even myths, which could be the origin of fantasy, are considered a matter of course. After all, mana and magic exist, so what use is "fantasy"?
As I've said repeatedly, to the people here, a world without mana and magic is the true fantasy.
[The "Adolf Hitler style" is trending. His dignified appearance and unique mustache have made him immensely popular.]
Now, this was something I didn't expect at all. I only released a single portrait, and people are already going crazy trying to imitate him.
The mustache, often called a "toothbrush mustache," remains Hitler's symbol. Consequently, people in the future never wear it unless they're cosplaying.
Furthermore, Hitler actually had a fairly intense, passionate look, so the portrait alone has sparked a sensational following.
Since he was mentioned in the prologue and even had a portrait revealed, many speculate that he must be the protagonist and a hero.
'Well, he is the protagonist.'
Just not a hero. The early parts of the story will depict his days as an art student who failed his entrance exams and the process of an ordinary young man lifting a defeated Germany back up.
Looking at that process alone, he could certainly be called a "hero." I expect people will be most impressed by his speeches.
Moreover, up until the occupation of France, the people of this world will likely view it as a standard "war of conquest."
When "Imperialism" first appeared, most people reacted by asking if it wasn't just the same as conquest.
However, conquest and imperialism are slightly different; the fundamental cause of conquest is "food."
As a population grows, the food required to sustain it increases, but land is finite. What if a famine hits on top of that?
Even the most powerful empires often crumble helplessly before a famine, and they frequently launch wars of conquest just to survive.
'I'll have to explain this well, too.'
On Earth, where the existence of mana, magic, and even God was uncertain, people had no choice but to rely on science, and through it, they solved the food problem completely.
It might be hard to accept, but they'll be able to wrap their heads around it. Everything is being treated like fantasy anyway, so what's the problem?
Of course, in the distant future, if artificial nitrogen fertilizer is invented, people might scream about it being a book of prophecy, but I don't care.
By then, I'll have long since returned to the embrace of nature. And unlike the Xenon Biography, this one actually is half-prophecy.
'I'm looking forward to the moment everyone starts frantically shaving off their mustaches.'
When his image shifts from a great conquering monarch to a racist, genocidal madman, how will people react?
I'm curious. How will Hitler be perceived by the people of this world?
Most people in the future judge him as the incarnation of evil, but the people of his time worshipped him as a god.
So, I'm curious to see how he'll be evaluated from a past perspective.
'The beastkin will obviously hate him.'
Describing the Holocaust alone is like pressing a "berserk button" for the beastkin. It's only natural, given they suffered massacres during the Race War.
Hatred of Jews is an inseparable part of Hitler's identity.
If you read Mein Kampf, which he wrote while imprisoned, you can see just how much he hated Jews and what kind of ideology he held.
I spent my time organizing the content for Volume 1 of my sequel, World War II. I didn't forget to check the newspapers every now and then.
'Winter break is almost over, but...'
Actually, it doesn't matter to me if winter break ends. Elena and Cindy have left for an expedition to the Grey Desert.
Because of this, there's nothing for me to do even if I go to the Academy. I'm like a graduate student whose advisor has suddenly vanished.
Normally, an advisor would take their grad student with them, but since I'm not a real grad student, I've been left high and dry.
'The Academy said I don't have to come until Elena returns...'
Mari, Lina, and Cecile are planning to take Political Science. Of course, given their positions, it doesn't mean much.
Leona was supposed to join me in History, but that's been delayed due to Elena's absence.
Instead, if she takes other major classes during the semester, she'll receive credit for them.
So, I expect to spend most of this semester just staying in the dormitory.
'Should I take this chance to build some connections?'
The Academy hosts various events, including freshman orientations. I'm a bit of a homebody, but I know many events have been held in the past.
As I've mentioned before, I can't stay cooped up in my room forever. It might be safe, but it's no different from being a bird in a cage.
Above all, I'm most curious about the reaction when World War II is released. I've become curious not just about the critics' evaluations, but also about what the people around me think.
The Xenon Biography is already finished, so there's nothing left to speculate on, whereas World War II is "fantasy."
I'm sure I'll be flooded with questions I haven't even anticipated. An author is always happy to receive questions about their work.
'The Xenon Biography felt like it was being worshipped, but this is different. This is writing a real piece of fiction.'
The atmosphere surrounding the Xenon Biography was close to "blind worship," which was often burdensome even for me.
In the first place, since "truth is stranger than fiction" moments kept happening, I wasn't in a position to say anything.
But this sequel is a story of a completely different world. It means it's just fantasy, not some book of prophecy.
Of course, Luminous prophesied that the three dwarves would bring a tank, but let's overlook that.
If I just think of the dwarves as having the position of "Western geeks," that's enough.
'I just have to get past the nitrogen fertilizer somehow.'
But nitrogen fertilizer is a no-go. The moment that's invented and its effects are seen, the possibility of this being labeled a book of prophecy will skyrocket again.
The Minerva Empire was recently turned upside down by a famine; what if nitrogen fertilizer appears now?
Furthermore, there's news that Lina is currently gathering alchemists from all over the world to redefine "Chemistry."
In other words, it'll be a long time before nitrogen fertilizer is invented.
'Even if it is invented, I just have to make sure no one knows I told them. It's better to credit it solely as Lina's achievement.'
Lina is very tight-lipped, so I can trust her. I started moving my hand, which had paused for a moment.
Knock, knock, knock—
[Isaac? A painting arrived from Mr. Carls.]
While I was organizing the future plot in my notebook, Mari's voice reached my ears from outside.
Judging by her voice, it seemed the commission I had requested earlier had just arrived.
At that, Adelia, who was standing beside me, met my eyes once before walking toward the door.
Creeak—
When the door opened, Mari and a knight holding a painting came into view. For the record, the painting was well-packaged so it couldn't be seen.
After receiving the painting, Adelia returned to her spot. Meanwhile, Mari stepped inside.
After receiving the painting from Adelia, I asked Mari as I tore off the wrapping.
"What are the others doing?"
"What do you think? They're playing Baduk. Even Grandfather Clark has joined in now."
"Haha..."
The addictiveness of Baduk is increasing day by day. Not to mention Cecile and Arwen, and now even Clark.
I'm seriously worried they might postpone their own funerals just to play one more game.
Rip! Tear!
In the meantime, I finished unwrapping the painting. Finally, the image revealed itself.
I looked at the painting and nodded with satisfaction. Carls was definitely a painter born in the wrong era.
"Whose portrait is it this time? Last time was the protagonist, but this looks like someone else."
"Let me see too. You're right. Who is it?"
At Adelia's words, Mari hurried over to check the painting. Hearing their questions, I answered in a satisfied voice.
"The Grand Marshal of Steel. And..."
The dictator famous for being Hitler's one and only rival.
"The Human Butcher of Georgia."
At the same time, the General Secretary of the Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin.
It was a time when Hitler's portrait had been revealed, and countless people were busy imitating his style.
[Another portrait revealed! This time, it's presumed to be a completely different figure...]
After grinding Carls down... no, no. After giving him the appropriate carrots, the portrait I received was immediately made public.
The identity of the revealed portrait was Hitler's rival and the leader who would later divide the world in two: Joseph Stalin.
While Hitler had a somewhat passionate appearance, Stalin was quite unique.
At times he looked benevolent, at others he exuded a taciturn, general-like image, and at still other times, he seemed as full of passion as Hitler.
Looking at this alone, it would be difficult to get a sense of what kind of person he was, but uniquely, I provided snippets of information to introduce him.
[The Grand Marshal of Steel, Joseph Stalin. Given the nickname 'Grand Marshal of Steel,' he is presumed to be a supreme leader...]
[The General Secretary of the Soviet Union, a nation with vast territories. Based on the map revealed previously, the Soviet Union was an empire that swallowed half the world...]
[What does 'General Secretary' mean? A leader? Or a rank comparable to a Duke?]
The Grand Marshal of Steel. This title alone was enough to infer what kind of person he was.
At the very least, he was definitely not of a low rank. Rather, everyone predicted he belonged to the highest echelon of power.
In particular, the fact that this figure belonged to a country called the Soviet Union drew the most attention. The Soviet Union was an empire with vast territories.
However, that didn't mean there were only good points.
[The Human Butcher of Georgia. This suggests he committed indiscriminate massacres.]
[How did someone born in Georgia become the General Secretary of the Soviet Union? Is birth irrelevant?]
Stalin's other nickname: the Human Butcher of Georgia.
Originally, it was a nickname earned by committing the horrific "Great Purge," but the people of this world had no way of knowing that.
Instead, given the nature of the nickname, everyone was predicting that Stalin was a cruel, cold-blooded killer.
Aside from that, the thick mustache—different from Hitler's—specifically the Kaiser mustache, caught people's eyes.
Furthermore, while Hitler's toothbrush mustache had mixed reviews, the Kaiser mustache was more than enough to flaunt masculinity.
[Demand for hair growth tonics surges following the release of Stalin's portrait...]
[Is this a style one can just copy?]
Perhaps because of this, a ridiculous situation erupted where sales of hair growth tonics skyrocketed as people tried to grow mustaches.
Despite the negative image from the nickname "Human Butcher of Georgia," the reason he enjoyed such popularity was simple.
[Looking at the Soviet Union's territory, he must be someone with an immense greed for land. Moreover, it shares a border with Austria, where Hitler was born.]
[The fact that portraits of both Hitler and Stalin were released suggests a close relationship between the two. They are likely rivals...]
[A 'hero' always appears when a country is in crisis. Hitler will become such a hero and push back the Soviet Union.]
Whether due to the influence of Isaac's previous work, the Xenon Biography, or perhaps a general antipathy toward empires, people were viewing it as a typical underdog story.
It was a phenomenon often called "underdogma," but the people were completely unaware of it. They were simply focused on the Soviet Union's unbelievable territory.
[I'm looking forward to the battle between the two. Even if it's tragic, it will be a battle full of romance...]
The German-Soviet War, where only blood, iron, and tragedy existed.
[The one to fall in the end will be Stalin's Soviet Union.]
Isaac had once again scattered poison upon the world.