Chapter 466: A Bite(3)
Chapter 466: A Bite(3)
Volume 3 of Blood and Iron follows the news of the Duce Mussolini’s successful coup, the occupation of the Ruhr, and the Munich Putsch.
While the success of Mussolini’s coup is straightforward, the occupation of the Ruhr might be difficult to understand, but it’s actually quite simple.
It was an incident where France pressured Germany to pay war reparations while the country was already reeling from insane inflation.
In truth, "pressure" is a polite word for it; it was a forced shakedown. France even seemed to lose its mind for a moment, going as far as executing civilians by firing squad through military trials for interfering.
This pushed the German people's anger to its peak, but what could Germany do? They could do nothing but curse their incompetent government.
Furthermore, this incident caused inflation to skyrocket into hyperinflation, making the lives of Germans even more miserable.
[An incompetent government destroyed the country. Even if it wasn't Hitler, a revolution was bound to break out.]
[But with the Treaty of Versailles in place, was there really anything they could do?]
[They should have at least tried. Communism almost toppled the regime; does it make sense to just stand by?]
[I don't understand France's actions either. What on earth happened for them to execute innocent civilians via military trial?]
It was also an event where that cursed Treaty of Versailles continued to plague the Weimar Republic to the very end. In such a situation, a coup was the natural progression.
However, while the Munich Putsch had a clear "motive," it lacked a detailed "plan." Hitler had essentially improvised it after seeing Mussolini’s successful coup.
Because of this, the putsch itself was a total disaster. They let the high-ranking officials they had captured slip away, and eventually, Hitler himself was arrested.
[Talk about a plot twist. I thought the revolution would succeed, but I guess not.]
[To stage a coup, you need to cooperate with the military. How could he not know that?]
[Why did he even start it? He had plenty of justification but couldn't even utilize it.]
As the putsch ended in failure, many readers questioned the outcome. The plan was flimsy, and the execution was a mess.
In reality, Hitler was skilled at giving speeches, agitation, and seizing power, but he was naturally terrible at this kind of planning.
If one recalls his future actions during the German-Soviet War—specifically at Stalingrad—this could be seen as a sort of foreshadowing.
Anyway, with the Munich Putsch ending in failure and everyone harboring doubts, Hitler’s true colors began to show.
[I only wanted to change this incompetent government for the sake of Germany and on behalf of all Germans. If you had seen with your own eyes the kind of lives we are living, you would never have turned your backs on us. But you did not.]
The words he spoke in court were essentially the same as those above. They were the typical final words of a captured revolutionary.
However, Hitler transformed the courtroom into his own personal speaking hall and leaped to stardom overnight.
Since few records remain of exactly what he said back then, I didn't know the specifics. I only knew the general gist of what happened.
Therefore, I spent a long time agonizing over how to phrase it to captivate people's hearts.
And it worked perfectly.
[There is no patriot like this. Most people just complain, but a patriot shows it through action.]
[A man who took up arms against an incompetent government. The process was strange, but he achieved a result greater than that.]
[He who wins the hearts of the people is the true victor.]
Looking at the situation alone, Hitler seemed like a noble revolutionary and nothing less. As of yet, people had no idea how much madness filled his inner thoughts.
Afterward, he would write Mein Kampf while serving his prison sentence, but I didn't express that directly.
That’s because that single book would transform Hitler’s image from a revolutionary into a tyrant consumed by madness.
I planned to reveal the contents of Mein Kampf bit by bit, very slowly, as the Nazi Party seized power.
However, there was one quote I absolutely had to include.
[The authority of the State can never be an end in itself; for, if that were so, any kind of tyranny would be inviolable and sacred. If a government uses the instruments of power in its hands to lead a people to ruin, then resistance is not only the right but also the duty of every individual citizen.]
It’s surprising that the Hitler said such a thing, but it is a real quote. When he wrote that, he probably had no idea he would become a dictator himself.
Looking at that quote alone, he seemed like the noblest of revolutionaries. It showed that his "patriotism" for Germany was, at the very least, sincere.
The problem was that it went way too far. Regardless, that single quote moved the hearts of countless people.
[Even a powerful state is nothing more than a sandcastle if it fails to win the hearts of the people.]
[An empire that falls to foreign invasion can rise again, but an empire that collapses from within can never be revived.]
[These are words that every leader in the world should take to heart.]
As I’ve mentioned consistently, thanks to the Jayros Revolution, the monarchs of this world cannot commit tyranny at their own whim.
It means that while the authority of kings and nobles remains firm, they cannot arbitrarily violate basic rights, including human rights.
Of course, conflicts between nobles and commoners are scattered everywhere. It’s just that they can’t persecute them openly; the inherent problems of a monarchy still remain.
Furthermore, since there had been almost no explanation of democracy yet, it served more as a "warning" to corrupt leaders.
'It’s not like there are any leaders currently committing blatant tyranny anyway.'
King Friedrich, who had once been at odds with me—no, he’s the Prince Consort now.
Anyway, Prince Consort Friedrich also had the public image of a "wise ruler." Before our conflict, his relationship with the Commoners' Assembly had been amicable.
He had hardly been active since handing the throne over to Maria, but as they say, no news is good news.
I heard that Queen Maria is currently calming the kingdom's chaos and continuing a stable reign.
[The man watching the coup from afar is 'Doctor' Goebbels. Seeing him portrayed like this, he must be an important figure.]
[Will Dr. Goebbels stand by Hitler's side? Or as an enemy?]
[Great companions always gather around a hero.]
Finally, Volume 3 concludes with the appearance of the "soul duo" partner, Goebbels.
From Volume 4 onwards, Hitler’s prison life ends, the Nazi Party is founded, and the root of all evil, the "Great Depression," breaks out.
If the Great Depression appears, I naturally need to show the status of the world's strongest power, "the United States."
Above all, I plan to give a rough overview of what "democracy" is through the Great Depression. Only then will the rise of FDR, who was disabled, be understandable.
[Hitler’s physical defect is revealed. If so, then Xenon too...]
But for fuck's sake. This is going too far.
I couldn't help but squeeze my eyes shut as I looked at the text printed clearly in the newspaper. Just looking at it made me dizzy.
I was already slightly annoyed by the conspiracy theory that I am Hitler, and now this kind of talk was making me feel like I was going to explode.
Think of all the women I've been with so far. Besides, my nights are beyond pleasant—they're scorching hot.
I wanted to sue them right then and there, but a prosecutor's office doesn't even exist in this world yet.
Of course, I could ask to have the person who started this conspiracy theory caught. But if I did that, that person's life would be ruined.
'But I couldn't just leave it out...'
The reason I included Hitler’s physical defect? It’s simple.
It’s because that was the theme of a song the Soviet army would sing incessantly during the future German-Soviet War. For the record, the British army would sing it too.
It’s a mystery where the rumor started for soldiers to sing it, but I had to reveal it now to provide probability.
If I suddenly had them singing "Hitler has only one ball~" out of nowhere, people would be like, "What are they talking about?"
But seeing things turn out like this, I moved past anger and into hollow laughter.
'Fortunately, it’s a sensitive topic, so they got blasted for it...'
It was a situation that arose because people treated me as Hitler, but since it was a sensitive area to touch upon, everyone criticized the theory.
The critic who first proposed the hypothesis quickly apologized, but once words are spoken, they cannot be taken back.
I’m afraid people will whisper every time they see me now. In a different sense, it’s becoming a situation where I can’t go outside.
"This is nonsense! Who is the bastard who spat out this bullshit!"
And there was one person even angrier than me. My lovely fiancée, Mari.
As soon as she saw the news, she ran straight to me, her face flushed even though she wasn't the one directly harmed.
I heard that even a rumor like this causes a huge stain on one's "honor." Moreover, for an artist like me, honor is life and everything.
"This is a rumor that wouldn't be out of place if the perpetrator was executed immediately! Don't you think so too, Sister Adele?"
"Well, as for execution..."
Adelia reacted hesitantly to Mari’s rage. She also considered it nothing more than a mere tabloid rumor.
After all, I was a man who was not just physically healthy, but extraordinarily virile.
Since she was experiencing the truth firsthand (?) every night, Adelia couldn't help but be nonchalant.
I spoke up to calm Mari, who looked like a small, cute polar bear growling. I didn't think there was a need to get this worked up.
"I think execution is a bit much. Instead, we should make a statement to the press. Before any more strange rumors spread."
"Phew... fine. It’ll be better if I do it directly rather than you saying it yourself."
Mari said, brushing back her bangs and suppressing her anger. She still didn't look like her fury had subsided.
In fact, this tabloid rumor was a blow not just to me, but to Mari as well. People would gossip about how her husband was "lacking" and how she must be lonely every night.
For now, my reputation is sky-high, so it would be hard for them to say it openly, but the moment I enter politics, the story changes.
They would talk all sorts of trash behind my back, and I could even end up isolated. I couldn't live as a flower in a greenhouse forever.
Therefore, it needed to be corrected as soon as possible. Just as I was about to suggest how to handle it...
"The more I think about it, the madder I get. I feel like just showing them all."
"Mari?"
"Should I just reveal how amazing you are this time? That wouldn't be so bad. Being superior is better than being impotent."
"...What about my opinion?"
When I asked that, feeling a bit dumbfounded, Mari looked at me. After staring at me for a long time...
"Nom!"
She suddenly grabbed my face and bit my cheek. It was her own unique expression of affection.
I was used to this kind of affection, so I didn't say anything. I just winced slightly because the bite was a bit strong.
For a while, she expressed her affection by biting my cheek or pecking at it. Then, she pulled her head back.
"..."
Mari’s expression was truly serious. Except for the occasional glance at my lower half.
Then, she gripped my shoulders tightly and let out a deep sigh. I wondered what on earth she was worrying about.
However, the deliberation didn't last long. Mari shifted her gaze from me to Adelia, who was standing behind us.
"Sister Adele."
"Yes?"
"Can I use you for a bit? This is a grave matter involving Isaac’s personal honor."
"Uh... do as you wish."
Having received permission even from Adelia, Mari looked straight at me.
Her sparkling blue eyes held a deep longing. I had no idea what that longing meant.
Meanwhile, Mari slowly moved her hands from my shoulders to cup my face. My cheeks were naturally squished.
While we stared at each other like that for a long time, Mari whispered softly.
"Gosh... I wish you were at least ugly. Why do you have to be so unnecessarily handsome..."
"Mwari?"
My pronunciation was slurred because my cheeks were pressed. Mari toyed with my cheeks like a toy and lamented.
"How great would it have been if you were just a little ugly? No. Then my children might turn out ugly, so that won't do. Being too perfect is the problem. Wanting to keep a man like this all to myself was greed from the start."
"..."
"Isaac."
Since talking would only make my pronunciation worse, I just nodded. At my nod, Mari spoke in a serious tone.
"I heard from Sister Nicole. Whether you're going to live as a ruffian or as trash. And you chose the former. Right?"
"Ung. Thath's right."
"Then it's fine. We can just reveal it bit by bit now. Rumors about you being involved with Queen Arwen are already starting to surface anyway. Cecile is also in the middle of her work."
Mari said this while kneading my cheeks. She showed no intention of taking her hands off my face.
Of course, her touch wasn't unpleasant. Quite the opposite. It felt like she was acting spoiled.
It felt somewhat relaxing, so I quietly closed my eyes. Then, Mari...
"Ha. Seriously. Are you seducing me right now?"
"Mmm? What do you mean..."
Mwah!
She responded with a passionate kiss.
Afterward, Mari explained that it would be more effective for those around me to reveal the truth rather than me doing it myself.
I also knew that in cases like this, the testimony (?) of those close to the person is more effective, so I nodded.
Thus, the task of revealing that my body was perfectly fine was taken up by Mari—that is, the Ducal House of Rekilis...
[Xenon’s fiancée, Mari Hausen Rekilis. A night with him was like facing a beast with a massive weapon...]
[Unable to endure him, she eventually had no choice but to bring in another woman. But even then, there were many times it wasn't enough...]
[Xenon’s nights are as hot as a hero's should be. If he is so virile that his fiancée had to bring someone else in, perhaps other women too...]
[Rumors are spreading that Albenheim’s gift is the Queen herself. What is the truth?]
I was able to escape the misunderstanding—though it was replaced by another.
Of course.
[How many women have fallen for Xenon? Could it even be the Princess of Helium?]
[Women naturally flock to a hero.]
[The trial Xenon faced in the Kingdom of Ters in the past. Rumors say the reason was the Prince Consort Friedrich’s illegitimate child...]
Becoming a "rake" was unavoidable. If this were Earth, I would have been blasted by everyone.
But this world was the Middle Ages, just transitioning into the modern era.
"Mari. A letter came from my mother."
"Really? What does she say?"
"She says nobles are constantly requesting to push their daughters onto me."
"Tell her to rip them all up."
There was no such thing as being blasted. It just turned me into a man with zero defense.
"Are you really okay with this? Your standing could worsen."
"I’m going to be the first to marry and get pregnant anyway. Is there a problem?"
"...No."
I think I’ve met a truly wonderful woman.