Chapter 461: Fishing(1)
Chapter 461: Fishing(1)
The World War II novel that everyone had been waiting for finally made its debut.
Until now, the only information released—including the prologue—consisted of three things: Hitler, Stalin, and finally, guns. Yet, even with just that, the public's reaction was explosive.
Part of it was the provocative subject matter and the teasers I’d dropped, but the deciding factor was my reputation.
Who wouldn't buy a new book by a man revered as either a regressor or a prophet?
It was essentially as if someone who had predicted and written about World War I or II was releasing another work.
However, the biggest difference was that this wasn't an ordinary story; it was set in a world completely detached from the current one—a so-called 'fantasy.'
A world where mana and magic didn't just lack influence, but didn't exist at all. A world where the only race was humans. That was the story I was telling.
And I intended to slowly reveal the details of the worst war in human history that had unfolded in such a world.
First, let's look at the contents of Volume 1. It covers the end of World War I and its aftermath.
In the prologue, World War I breaks out starting with the Austro-Hungarian Empire's invasion of Serbia. Just hearing that wouldn't give people much of a clue about what kind of world it is.
However, they would understand that a country called the German Empire was defeated and the disadvantages it would face.
[It was too punitive to be called a reconciliation, yet too generous to prevent Germany's recovery.]
As one historical critique from my previous life put it, Germany gave rise to the Nazi Party and started World War II. In fact, a certain French Marshal had even vented his frustration upon seeing the Treaty of Versailles.
The Treaty of Versailles was conducted according to the logic of victors and losers, but the biggest problem was that it cultivated a massive sense of hatred and 'revenge' within Germany.
[Beating someone to a pulp and then tossing them a single piece of bread. No, they even snatched that piece of bread away right before their eyes.]
[If you're going to make a peace treaty, make a peace treaty. If you're going to crush them, you should crush them properly, shouldn't you?]
[At the very least, the economy should be kept alive, but it's impossible to pay back an amount that large.]
[It would have been better to completely absorb the German Empire. I cannot understand why such a generous disposition was given.]
[They should have been left in tatters so they couldn't even feel humiliation.]
People who read about the Treaty of Versailles evaluated it from various perspectives. What was noteworthy was that they were divided into two camps here as well.
One side argued that the Treaty of Versailles was unreasonable, while the other argued that Germany should have been crushed completely so they couldn't harbor any futile ambitions.
At this point, some people asked: Why did the Human Alliance sign a treaty instead of crushing Albenheim during the Race War?
[The Race War was lost because Albenheim did something stupid.]
[The Human Alliance realized long ago that they could never beat Albenheim, even if they died and came back to life. It's just that Albenheim didn't know that.]
[Albenheim's greatest enemy was Albenheim itself.]
A clear answer came back to that question. During the Race War, the idiotic mistakes committed by Albenheim were more than plenty.
The Human Alliance was similar, but they simply had a high quantity of blunders, whereas Albenheim's mistakes were on a different level of quality.
Dismissing the Commander-in-Chief, Iker, just because they didn't like him was something that should never happen, yet Albenheim actually did it.
Anyway, while all sorts of pros and cons regarding the Treaty of Versailles were being discussed, Hitler—whom everyone assumed to be the 'protagonist'—made his appearance.
[This is impossible! How could Germany have been defeated!]
He was depicted despairing upon hearing of Germany's defeat. In reality, records exist stating he was bedridden and suffered a great shock.
Furthermore, Hitler was a fairly good soldier during World War I. He was brave enough to receive medals and adapted well to military life.
Hitler himself even certified it as his most brilliant moment, which explains what a decent soldier he was.
How much of a shock would such a loyal soldier receive if the country he served was defeated?
[The world created by Xenon is a place where an individual cannot save the world through martial prowess.]
[How will Hitler ever escape this despair?]
[But why did an Austrian enlist in the German army?]
People sent looks of genuine pity. What soldier wouldn't be shocked when their country lost a war?
Also, some people questioned why he was in the German army instead of the Austrian one.
At this point, I shed light on Hitler's past. As those who know might be aware, Hitler was a 'bad seed' from the start.
It started with his mess of a family history, his rebellious school days, and further on to his application to art school—which could be called the turning point(?) of his life.
Through flashbacks, I described why he became obsessed with Germany and how much he enjoyed the profession of a soldier.
[A troubled family history and an anti-socialist personality, much like Xenon in the Xenon Biography. However, there must be warm emotions within his heart.]
[Seeing as he likes art, he must have creative abilities.]
[Truly, he is a sprout destined to become a hero.]
It was a classic case of a 'better interpretation than the dream.' I almost burst out laughing while reading those evaluations. In their minds, Hitler was already etched as a hero among heroes.
I could ignore other things, but that 'warm emotion' part... I just couldn't let that slide. In reality, Hitler was very kind and affectionate in his private life.
He even refused to hold a concert, saying he didn't want to bother artists just for his sake.
It's only because the videos of him shouting with veins popping in his neck are so widely spread, but during Germany's peak, he 'appeared' to be a generous man.
Lastly, it would be perfect to describe him not as a sprout destined to be a hero, but as a sprout destined to be a 'disaster.'
['Junker' must be a term for nobility. Seeing as there's a middle name, it's certain...]
[The place Hitler belongs to is the army. But what does 'Corporal' mean here? There are various other ranks...]
[Even the military ranks are completely different. They are clearly separated, making it a structure where it's easy to receive or give orders.]
[We must consider that there is no mana or magic. Applying our logic blindly will lead to great harm.]
Even with just Volume 1, a mountain of information poured out, and since the protagonist(?) belonged to the military, the ranks also garnered great interest.
For now, it was set to proceed as a political drama, but as the story progressed, it would turn into a desperate tale of war.
Because of this, an explanation of military ranks was essential, and I explained them as I knew them with Mora's help.
'They'll probably just accept it and move on.'
In this world, military rank tended to be determined by 'seniority' and 'skill.' Since people themselves, rather than weapons, were the combat power, it couldn't be helped.
If it's hard to understand, imagine the Hegemon-King Xiang Yu. Would such a man be the type to be bound by something as trivial as rank?
Rather than taking orders, he would likely take his superior's head and become the commander himself.
Though it's an extreme example, 'power' was often determined by an individual's 'martial prowess.' It would be even more so in a world where mana exists.
Therefore, it would take a long time to accept modern military ranks.
Unless science developed and all sorts of war machines poured out, it might be better to maintain the status quo for now.
[Marquis Mathews: I believe an improvement in military ranks is necessary for smoother commands and reporting...]
Wait, you shouldn't be the one saying that.
I almost flipped over in shock when the Mathews Marquis family, who were essentially field commanders, said such a thing.
Even though military ranks in my world evolved slowly from the Middle Ages, this was too radical.
Moreover, it wasn't just the 'family' saying it; Marquis Mathews himself had spoken directly to the press. It was a story on a completely different level.
'...Come to think of it, what happened to that bitch Aira?'
Suddenly, I remembered the bitch from a year ago who tried to free-ride on a group project. The noble lady from a military family who had made remarks insulting soldiers.
As I mentioned before, in the Minerva Empire, if you make remarks insulting soldiers, you are immediately sent to a training camp.
Especially for nobles, the punishment is even greater; I heard they are forcibly sent to a knight academy rather than just as a regular soldier to have their mindset completely overhauled.
'Well, not my problem.'
I'm sure she's living her life. It's not like she can retaliate just because she holds a grudge against me.
However, the fact that Marquis Mathews himself showed interest was a major point of interest for me.
Originally, Marquis Mathews only showed interest in the military and didn't care for politics or power.
Because of this, even Lina hardly knew what he was up to, so his statement to the press was bound to draw intense focus.
[The Staff of Science, the Gun. This weapon wasn't issued only to specific personnel; it was a 'personal weapon'!]
[A world that supplies every individual with a weapon of power comparable to magic?]
Along with the military ranks, I also introduced the 'gun' that I had revealed just before publication. The Muggle's wand and the miracle weapon that turns everyone into a mage.
Most people thought of guns as weapons given only to a special class, but they were strictly 'individual firearms.'
It was possible to turn every individual into a mage, and if they had enough magazines, they could fire 'magic' indefinitely.
[You might as well say it can fire Explosion. If such a weapon could be given even to ordinary soldiers, that army would be the strongest.]
[It's best to view fantasy as fantasy. This is a story I simply cannot believe.]
They didn't believe it.
It seemed they thought of it as a weapon that only those in professions as precious as mages could use.
The problem was that weapons capable of firing 'Explosion' did exist, and in the future, 'Hitler's Buzzsaw' was scheduled to appear.
I was looking forward to seeing their reaction when a machine gun that fires 1,200 rounds per minute appeared.
[If such weapons existed, they wouldn't have fought each other. The defensive side would be too advantaged.]
Tada! That's why I'll be giving you tanks and fighter planes soon! Though Hitler taking power comes first.
I couldn't stop grinning as I watched the reactions popping up one after another as soon as Volume 1 was released.
I was flustered when the Xenon Biography gained unexpected popularity, but I had laid the groundwork for World War II well in advance.
Thanks to that, I could enjoy the critiques in a pure sense.
[Hitler, heading to the German Workers' Party on his superior's orders. What does the Workers' Party signify?]
[It seems they adhere to a political system completely different from this world's. Is it similar to the Commoners' Assembly of the Kingdom of Ters?]
[The bitter first footsteps of a hero.]
Volume 1 ended with Hitler infiltrating the German Workers' Party—the predecessor of the Nazi Party—following his superior's orders.
Even with just Volume 1, all sorts of headcanons—that is, inferences—flowed out, delighting my heart.
[The plot will likely be about rebuilding a collapsing Germany. However, the Treaty of Versailles will be a major obstacle.]
[How will Hitler resolve the Treaty of Versailles? Is it even possible to pay back such a staggering amount of reparations?]
[The story will likely continue with him firmly establishing a collapsing Germany to block Stalin's Soviet Union.]
How could they come up with such cute reactions? Just imagining the moment these speculations are shattered makes me feel like I'm going to go crazy with joy.
Above all, there is something they haven't realized at all.
First, let's look at the title I gave it. The title of the book I released isn't 'World War II.'
I decided on the title 'Blood and Iron,' a title that immediately conveys what kind of war World War II was.
In other words, they have no idea that World War II is going to break out.
Of course, I had already dropped a massive teaser and foreshadowing right from the prologue. Someone quick-witted would have guessed to some extent.
And that was the fact that 'World War I' had broken out. When World War I broke out, people at the time described it as 'the war to end all wars.'
However, because all the attention was on the book itself, no one cared. They were only focused on the new work I was writing.
[One man's will shall change the world.]
Indeed. He certainly is a man who will change the world.
"Hehe..."
"...Why are you laughing like that? It's creepy."
"It's nothing. By the way, Mari. Do we really need to wait until after marriage to live together?"
At those words, Mari licked her lips and spoke with a mischievous expression.
"You have to save the best for last. Otherwise, we'll be doing it three times a day instead of once every three days. Are you okay with that?"
"Oh... I didn't know that."
For now, let's enjoy daily life. Though I don't know how long it will last.