Chapter 476: The Golden Goblin(4)
Chapter 476: The Golden Goblin(4)
"Oh. Do you happen to know me?"
When I muttered the name, Viscount Kalas—Marshall—asked me with wide, curious eyes.
His eyes were already sparkling enough to be a bit overwhelming, but now that the intensity had increased, he left an even stronger impression.
"Ah, no. It's not like that. I just happen to know a similar name."
I quickly shook my head and replied. Marshall is a name you'll encounter often if you dig even slightly deep into World War II.
He was a soldier who could be called the God of Logistics, someone who went beyond making impossible supplies available for an army of millions and even personally ensured they received ice cream.
Winston Churchill praised him as the 'Architect of Victory.' Without Marshall, the US military wouldn't have been able to churn out such insane amounts of materiel.
The problem was that because he was too competent, his fame was relatively lower than that of other generals.
In fact, due to the Marshall Plan that sustained West Germany, many people even mistake him for a politician.
"Ah... I see. It seems I had some vain expectations for a moment. Hahaha!"
Marshall didn't seem disappointed by my denial and let out a hearty laugh. He seemed to have a positive mindset that matched his impression.
Combined with his thick lips and bright, twinkling eyes, he had a face you could never forget.
I had a strong feeling he would stay in my memory for a long time.
"By the way, may I ask what brings you two to see me?"
Ending the introductions with Marshall, I turned my gaze back toward Marquis Mathews and Marquis Götz.
Normally, these men should have gone to my father-in-law to beg, 'Give me a budget, waah.'
Even if they were soldiers and distant from politics, they weren't completely removed from it—especially when it came to the budget.
It was strange that such people would suddenly want to arrange a meeting with me through Count Kay.
"I have much to say, but first, I must apologize for the rudeness my daughter committed against you."
At that moment, Marquis Mathews bowed his head slightly and offered a polite apology. It was a straightforward apology without any unnecessary flowery language.
It was rare to see someone of the rank of Marquis bowing their head in greeting.
Perhaps because of this, the people around us seemed to flinch. In contrast, I remained calm.
"You're referring to the incident involving Lady Mathews. I heard a rumor that she joined the military; is that correct?"
"It is. According to Imperial Law, anyone who insults a soldier must join the military regardless of status. Furthermore, nobles are required to serve for at least five years."
In other words, Aira was still toiling away as a grunt. Instead of returning to school, she had to stay in the army with tears in her eyes.
I don't know why that woman acted like such a brat back then, but it's a memory I've mostly forgotten now.
It's not that I'm particularly broad-minded; I just tend to forget things quickly. Besides, the Mathews family handled the situation well, so I have no complaints.
"I see. I hope Lady Mathews develops a sense of respect for soldiers through this experience. As you know, my father and my brothers are all soldiers."
"I will keep that in mind. Since the rudeness was committed against the son of Lord Maishal, of all people, I felt even more apologetic."
I raised an eyebrow at Marquis Mathews' words. He was treating me not as Xenon, but as the son of Lord Maishal—my father's son.
Usually, people focus on Xenon's fame, but he didn't seem very interested in that.
It was just a guess, but it seemed like I could proceed with the conversation a bit further.
"You don't need to be so humble. The fact that you took responsibility is an example in itself."
"I am merely grateful for your broad-mindedness."
"Since we're on the subject, what kind of person was my father?"
A natural transition of the topic. In the past, I might not have known, but now I knew exactly how great my father was.
The reason I brought this up was partly to shift the subject and partly because I was curious about what Marquis Mathews thought of my father.
It was a conversation between families, not as Xenon.
"The word 'excellent' isn't enough to describe him. If it weren't for Lord Maishal, the Northern Region would have turned into a battlefield rather than a conflict zone."
Marquis Mathews had a pensive expression as if he were lost in thought, reminiscing about the past.
I nodded and took a sip of wine. I already knew about my father's reputation, but this was the foundation I laid to keep the conversation going.
"Marquis Götz, you said you're in charge of the Southern Sea, right?"
While Marquis Mathews was organizing his thoughts, I spoke to Marquis Götz, who was in charge of the Navy. It was to prevent him from becoming a mere wallflower.
By the way, is he really in the Navy?
His tanned skin made sense for a man of the sea, but his unkempt beard gave him the impression of a pirate.
While I was thinking that, Marquis Götz chuckled and spoke in a booming voice.
"That's right! I'm sweeping away all those who threaten the Southern Sea!"
"Is the Southern Sea as difficult as the North?"
"The sea is always dangerous. You have to risk your life every time you set sail."
I agreed with his serious words. The oceans of this world were far more dangerous than those of Earth.
Rough waves and foul weather alone were enough to make a ship feel like it was about to capsize, and on top of that, there were sea monsters.
Furthermore, because of the general perception, most people were reluctant to even go near the sea. But that didn't mean the sea could be abandoned.
The sea was crucial not only for food but also for trade. It was literally a profession where you had to risk your life, but the returns were enormous.
Long-distance voyages are probably out of the question.
For now, they were limited to coastal navigation. Even if a figure like Columbus appeared, it would be difficult.
In terms of overall technology, they were in the 17th century, but shipbuilding and navigation technology lagged behind by more than three centuries.
"I'm not very familiar with the sea, so I don't know much, but I do know it's dangerous. Do sailors board ships knowing this?"
"Of course! The sea has its own romance!"
"Then what do you think about something like a circumnavigation of the world using the sea?"
A question that pierced through Marquis Götz's pride. It was a question I personally wanted to ask a sailor.
The sea was a terrain created by demons, and since ancient times, the people of this world had been reluctant to even approach it.
However, humans are a race so full of adventurous spirit that they are willing to risk their lives. Moreover, being weaker than the surrounding races, they utilized whatever they could.
The sea was part of that. Navigation had continued steadily since ancient times, but no one had ever attempted a long-distance voyage.
I asked because I wanted to know the reason.
"A circumnavigation by sea? Haha. It seems even Xenon doesn't know how terrifying the Curse of the Sea is."
Marquis Götz let out a hollow laugh as if my question were absurd.
Then, with a smirk, he began to explain the 'Curse of the Sea.'
"It's not that we haven't tried. But even if you have a ship that can withstand the rough waves, it's meaningless if the crew collapses. The Curse of the Sea is a fatal curse for us sailors."
"Can you tell me exactly what the Curse of the Sea is?"
"It's exactly as it sounds. If you stay on the sea for a long time, the influence of the curse grows stronger, and the sailors start dropping like flies. Their gums start to bleed, and their teeth all fall out. If it gets worse, they die."
"...?"
If you just listen to the symptoms, it's exactly scurvy. I blinked my eyes.
Meanwhile, Marquis Götz continued to explain how serious the Curse of the Sea was.
"Even having a priest is meaningless. The sea is a horrific den created by demons. A priest on the sea is powerless, unlike on land. That's why we must return to port at least once every two months."
"You mean priests can't use their abilities?"
"It's because sea monsters are drawn to divine power."
Good grief. I wondered why navigation was so uniquely backward, and it turned out to be because of this.
The people here believed the sea was a terrain created by demons during the Demon War 3,000 years ago.
Sailors on Earth also suffered from scurvy during the Age of Discovery, and it took a long time for a proper cure to be found.
However, the mindset in this world was fundamentally different.
If Earth's reaction was, 'Damn it, this sucks. What the hell is this?' then the mindset here was closer to, 'A curse? Well, nothing we can do about it.'
It meant they had no intention of solving it. Because it was a curse created by demons.
Unlike Earth, the existence of the gods was clear, and this was a side effect of the divine right being too strong.
"Is there no way to break the curse?"
"It's simple. You just disembark and rest for a few days, and you'll get better soon. If the symptoms are severe, you can visit a temple."
"Hmm..."
Should I tell them they just need to consume fresh fruits or vegetables? However, I first needed to know what kind of food they ate on the ship.
The symptoms sounded exactly like scurvy, but it really could be a 'curse.'
Specifically, the fact that they were cultivating 'potatoes' weighed on my mind. Potatoes are rich in Vitamin C and were a specific remedy for scurvy.
After a moment of thought, I subtly dropped a hint.
"Then is there no problem with the food supply? Since you have things like potatoes, it should be fine..."
"You want me to feed potatoes to rough sailors? Dried meat is the best for strength."
"..."
How is it that sailors, whether on Earth or here, all have such macho personalities? Is it because the sea is so harsh?
Since my name carried weight, they would probably believe me, but the problem was where and how I found that out.
If I shouted, 'Potatoes are the cure for the Curse of the Sea!' what would they think?
It was only because I was Xenon that it might pass; if it were anyone else, they'd think it was crazy nonsense.
"But seeing as you specifically mentioned potatoes, do you know something?"
It was while I was chuckling inwardly. Marquis Götz, sensing something in my words, asked me in a suggestive tone.
I looked dumbfounded at his words. Just a moment ago, he was saying potatoes were out of the question for sailors, and now he had changed his tune.
The others were the same. Marquis Mathews, who had snapped out of his thoughts, as well as Viscount Kalas, were looking at me with interested eyes.
Kay was the same. Every single one of them was staring intently at me.
Finally, Adelia. As soon as she made eye contact with me, she smirked. Since she knew I was a reincarnator, she probably thought I had caused another incident.
I had to answer first. It was a complicated situation in many ways, but if I untangled it step by step, there would be no problem.
"Why do you think that?"
"Well, because you, the son of Maishal, are blessed by the gods. So I thought you might know a lot of things."
"You might have heard this before, but I am not a prophet."
Sailors, then and now, tend to have an absolute belief in 'superstition' or 'religion.'
As someone once said, between a sailor and the sea that would swallow everything, there is only a single thick plank.
Furthermore, since the perception of the sea in this world was in the gutter, they had no choice but to believe in religion fanatically.
"Even if you aren't a prophet, you must have knowledge equivalent to one, right? If you can solve the Curse of the Sea, I will give you a fitting reward."
"I don't particularly want a reward. Just make sure to pack plenty of potatoes. Throw away the ones that have sprouted."
There. I'll spill the bag of knowledge, so be satisfied. I threw out a rough solution before the situation got any more complicated.
Explaining Vitamin C or whatever would be incomprehensible to them, and I had a gut feeling about what would be said if I delayed any further.
He would have definitely offered his daughter or something.
There was a 99% chance of that. Or he would have offered a reward equivalent to it.
I wanted to avoid such cases as much as possible, so I blocked it in advance. I just wanted to build connections; I had no desire for a deeper relationship than that.
I might get beaten to death by Marie. I'm not joking; I'd literally die.
"Is that true? Is it really just that one potato that solves the Curse of the Sea?"
"It might not completely solve it, but it should prevent it. If it's hard to supply potatoes, provide fresh fruits or vegetables."
"Don't worry about that. Viscount Kalas?"
Marquis Götz turned to Marshall with a blissful smile. His face was full of the intent to believe.
However, Marshall was Marquis Mathews' adjutant. Marquis Mathews frowned slightly and spoke in a displeased tone.
"I'm sorry, but Viscount Kalas is my adjutant. Ask your own adjutant. This much is easy, isn't it?"
"Hmph. Fine, fine. Anyway, if the Curse of the Sea is solved... hehehe."
He was definitely a Marquis, but why did he keep feeling like a pirate? I didn't know if all sailors were like this.
Leaving Marquis Götz to his happy fantasies, I looked at Marquis Mathews.
Marquis Mathews was looking at Marquis Götz's somewhat unseemly behavior with a pathetic expression.
Then he let out a sigh and spoke in his characteristic deep voice.
"The Navy... no, no. Not all of the Navy is like that, so I hope you don't misunderstand. Still, it would be good if the Curse of the Sea is solved."
"I'll say it again, I am not a prophet."
"You don't have to worry about that. I don't dwell on such things. Instead, I have a few things to ask..."
Marquis Mathews trailed off, glancing at his surroundings. I sensed that the real questions were about to come.
Otherwise, there would be no reason for him to look around. Let's exclude Marquis Götz, who was lost in his imagination beside him.
I finished the rest of my wine. Perhaps the alcohol content was higher than I thought, as I already felt my face getting warm.
Still, I wasn't tipsy. Just a pleasant level of lightheadedness.
"What would you like to ask?"
"I'm curious about the battles that will be depicted in the Xenon Biography and Blood and Iron. No, to be precise, I should call it war."
"Hmm?"
Marquis Mathews' question was about the wars depicted in the works, not the works themselves. I was puzzled, unable to tell what he intended.
Moreover, he mentioned not only the Xenon Biography but also Blood and Iron. Blood and Iron was still closer to a political drama.
I hadn't shown a single battle scene yet, but he was predicting that a war would break out.
"I understand the Xenon Biography, but Blood and Iron hasn't had such depictions yet?"
"There aren't any, but I expect it will happen in the future. Am I wrong?"
At his confident words, I just shrugged. Anyone with even a bit of deep thought would have expected it.
Marquis Mathews nodded at my reaction and continued quietly.
"So I became curious. While Lord Hawk is your father, you are a writer. Therefore, I wonder if you possess military knowledge."
"Marquis Mathews?"
When a question that was beyond direct and more like a blunt strike flew in, Kay called out to him in surprise.
Even Marquis Götz, who had been lost in his imagination, widened his eyes. It was that provocative of a statement.
But I only showed a calm reaction. In fact, that question was very natural from a soldier's perspective.
Even if people were talking about prophets or regressors, I was ultimately just a writer. I was far from an expert.
If I put in faulty knowledge, it could lead to bloodshed in the wrong places.
"I was deeply impressed by the wars depicted in the Xenon Biography. You showed the strengths of each race while having them harmonize beautifully. The expression 'desperate yet elegant' would be fitting."
"I'm humbled by your words."
"But I hope you know that a war does not end with a single battle."
Marquis Mathews was also concerned about that part. Or perhaps, he might have already seen blood.
In fact, the 'Adventurer' profession had experienced similar incidents. Adventurers who grew their dreams while reading the Xenon Biography were frustrated by reality or died silently in obscurity.
While the influx of people increased, unfortunate events broke out in succession. There was even an 'impersonation' incident a few months ago.
"Unlike the Xenon Biography, real war doesn't end with a single battle. In most cases, the goal is achieved after several battles."
"I know."
"I hope you explain that part well in the war that will unfold in Blood and Iron. If you wish, I will send someone to pass on military knowledge."
"If it's a person..."
I immediately looked at Marshall. He was still looking this way with his eyes wide and bright.
"Ah. I'm sorry, but it's not Viscount Kalas. This fellow has work to do."
"I see. I appreciate the offer, but there's no need."
I think I roughly understood what Marquis Mathews was worried about. He was probably worried that I would include faulty knowledge.
But the fundamentals of war remain the same even as eras pass. This was no different for World War II.
I wanted to throw him the Art of War, but unfortunately, I didn't know the contents inside.
Still, I could say this. I spoke to Marquis Mathews with a smile.
"Because it's best not to have a war at all. It's just that the situation makes it so; I never recommend war."
"Then why do you depict war in Blood and Iron as well?"
"To show how horrific war is."
"..."
At my clear answer, Marquis Mathews looked dumbfounded for a moment, then soon wore a relieved smile.
It was an expression as if the anxiety that had been weighing on his chest had been resolved all at once.
"Thank you. Hearing that puts me at ease."
Then he offered his thanks to me. Seeing that it was full of sincerity, he must have been quite anxious.
"Don't mention it. I think I understand what you were worried about, Marquis Mathews. That won't happen, so you don't have to worry."
"I understand. But how do you know that war is horrific? I'm a bit curious about that."
"Hmm..."
This was a bit difficult to say. Then there was no choice.
"My father told me. That it's best not to have a war."
I had no choice but to use my father. But this was the best way, as Marquis Mathews was nodding in understanding.
Since he was a national hero and at the same time one of the biggest victims, he had no choice but to nod.
While Marquis Mathews was lost in thought, I looked at Marshall, who was still standing behind him with his eyes wide open.
"Viscount Kalas, do you have anything you'd like to ask?"
"......Oh. Wa-wait..."
As soon as he heard my question, Marquis Mathews became greatly flustered. As if he had been caught in something bad.
My bewilderment at seeing that was brief, as Viscount Kalas spoke loudly as if he couldn't miss this opportunity.
"What do you think of cannons, son of Maishal!"
"Pardon?"
"Sigh..."
When I flinched, Marquis Mathews covered his face with his hand. His feeling that this was troublesome in many ways was clearly revealed.
Regardless, Viscount Kalas shouted once more.
"I asked what you think of cannons!"
"Cannons?"
"Yes! Do you think cannons can be developed to produce power comparable to magic? And not just firing one shot, but multiple shots!"
Hearing those words, I unconsciously...
"...Artillery?"
...muttered.
"!!!"
And Viscount Kalas's eyes sparkled even more intensely.