Chapter 484: Buildup(4)
Chapter 484: Buildup(4)
"…And that’s why it would be better for you to find your own style, Arwen. If Hitler’s oratory is a wave that swallows everything in its path, yours is an incoming tide—quiet, yet eventually covering everything. Do you understand?"
[Hmm… I see. It is a bit disappointing, but since it is your advice, I shall keep it in mind.]
Arwen’s voice flowed through the communication orb on the table. Perhaps because of the vast distance, there was a bit of static, but her melodious tone remained unchanged.
Even across great distances, two-way communication was possible through these orbs if specific enchantments were applied. As long as they underwent special processing, conversation was feasible regardless of the range.
Flash—
Soon, the light of the orb gradually faded, and the connection was severed. Once the call ended, Cecily flicked her finger, making the orb vanish.
'No matter how many times I see it, it’s fascinating.'
If someone asked me how communication was possible without the invention of electromagnetics, I wouldn't really know the answer. I only knew that the Elves were the first to invent it and that it utilized the principles of 'telepathy.'
Starting from the distant ancient past, the Elves had established most of the foundational sciences, and they possessed an untouchable expertise in physics and mathematics. After all, they were a race that could express even a fireball falling from the sky through mathematical formulas. In terms of pure academia, they were more highly developed than Earth.
"Noona. Those communication orbs are only given to national leaders, right?"
"Yes. Besides, you need the help of a mage to operate them properly. Queen Arwen and I are naturally talented mages, so it’s fine for us, though."
"So, they aren't distributed to the public?"
At my question, Cecily looked momentarily incredulous before letting out a soft chuckle. Then, she lightly tapped my forehead with her long index finger.
"Oh, you. You’re doing this on purpose, aren't you? Trying to subtly compare this world to the one you used to live in."
"No. I’m genuinely curious."
"For these to be distributed to the masses, every single person would have to be a mage. And not just any mage—they’d need to be professionally educated to the point of being called a 'mage' by Elven or Demon standards. Distributing them to commoners is something we can't even dream of."
As Cecily said, it wasn't that Earth's scientists were fools. On the contrary, to the people of this world, Earth's scientists would look like monsters.
Even the communication orb that just connected me to Arwen relied on telepathy and required a mage's assistance. Meanwhile, on Earth—a place without magic, let alone mana—people had invented the radio, the walkie-talkie, the television, the computer, and finally, the smartphone.
Even with their solid foundational sciences, there were likely countless instances where the people of this world couldn't even begin to grasp Earth's technology.
"I'm amazed every time I think about it. Just what kind of geniuses appeared in your world to invent such nonsensical things? And yet, you couldn't even use Teleport."
"If scientists back home heard you say that, they’d probably clutch the back of their necks and faint."
"Fascinating is fascinating. It’s a world without magic or mana, after all. I wonder what it would feel like to live in a place like that."
"It might feel foreign, but people are the same wherever they live."
I meant it. Humans are creatures of society and adaptation; any discomfort was brief, and I had long since perfectly adapted to this place.
And I had realized one thing: no matter where you are born, the most important part of life is human relationships.
The inconveniences of daily life? You get used to those within five years. It takes time, but I adapted quickly.
Human relationships, however, were different. Fortunately, I had been reincarnated into a harmonious family, so I had no issues there, but everything else was a challenge. Culturally and logically, there were so many differences that I used to maintain only the bare minimum of social contact.
It was only recently that I had fully integrated, revealed my identity, and started attending social gatherings. Before that, I had spent my time hidden away in my room, doing nothing but writing.
"Like that public execution part earlier, the overall social atmosphere is quite rigid. In some ways, it might be even more stifling than here."
"Hmm… I suppose that’s possible. Since there’s no magic, there must be many more inconveniences. I think I’d much rather just live like this with Isaac."
As Cecily spoke, she subtly grabbed my arm. I could feel the soft sensation of her chest against me.
I chuckled at her affection and silently stroked her horns. Having passed her demonic cycle, her horns had turned completely black.
"Mmm."
When I gave her the highest sign of affection one can show a Demon, Cecily let out a sultry hum. Then, she subtly rested her hand on my thigh. As the sun began to set and evening approached, it seemed her blood was starting to run hot.
I gently took her hand that was resting on my thigh. Even if we weren't heading straight to the bedroom this second, it was necessary to slowly build the mood.
Mari didn't seem inclined to stop her either; she huffed a bit in mock protest but didn't pull us apart. She’d likely be doing the same thing soon enough anyway.
"Isaac."
"Yeah."
"We’ll make you happy. So happy that you won't even think about your past life."
"…?"
For a moment, I blinked, not quite understanding what she meant. I glanced at Cecily, but she was just holding my hand with a gentle smile on her face.
I racked my brain to see if I had said something that could be misunderstood, but nothing came to mind. I couldn't tell if it was the atmosphere or if it was just because I was surrounded by the women I was involved with.
'What kind of misunderstanding is it this time… Sigh. Whatever.'
I was too tired to explain myself anymore. There was no need to ruin the mood, either. Instead of staying silent, it was better to give some kind of reaction. I squeezed Cecily’s hand and spoke quietly.
"…Thank you."
Oops. Maybe my tone was a bit too low.
As soon as I answered, Cecily flinched slightly. She even tightened her grip on my hand. I wanted to clarify things, but I felt like opening my mouth now would only make the atmosphere weirder, so I kept it shut.
"…You’re happy, right?"
The question came after a long, long silence. I almost let out a hollow laugh because of how absurd it felt.
Compared to my past life, I was so happy that I sometimes wondered if this was all a dream. That’s why I felt afraid occasionally—afraid that I would wake up and find myself all alone again, completely cut off and isolated from the world.
'Did they say I have a habit of clinging to people when I sleep?'
That’s what the women I’d slept with told me. They said that once I fall into a deep sleep, I always hug them with my arms and legs. Even if they gently pull away, I somehow end up sticking to them again. Perhaps that habit had deepened their misunderstanding.
'But that’s really just because I was lonely.'
It was a sleeping habit I developed after my parents passed away and I began living alone. I could endure anything else, but loneliness was hard to bear. Even so, it wasn't easy to just go out and meet friends. I could have if I tried, but I just gave up.
As for a girlfriend… well, as they say, she "wore her rubber shoes backward" while I was in the army. Objectively speaking, it was a lonely, lonely life. It was a miracle I managed to keep writing my novels. Even then, I died before I could finish the last one and ended up here.
I bet I made the news with a headline like, "Solitary Death of a Man in His 20s: The Rising Number of Isolated Youth…"
"I am happy. It would be a lie to say otherwise."
So, I answered honestly. There were probably very few people in this world happier than I was right now.
At my candid response, not only Cecily but also Mari and Adelia smiled as if relieved. I chuckled at their reactions. It wasn't like they were looking at someone who was about to vanish into thin air, so what was with the drama?
Still, it meant they cared for me that much, so I figured I might as well enjoy it.
"I’m glad. If there’s ever anything making you uncomfortable, tell us right away. We’ll take care of everything. Okay?"
"There’s no need to go that far. I’m not a child."
"And how old is our Isaac?"
Wow. Bringing up age at a time like this. I looked at Cecily with an exasperated expression at her playful question.
Regardless, Cecily just kept her mischievous smile. Her crimson eyes, curved into crescents, were full of affection. In the end, I was the one who gave in. I shook my head.
"Fine. But there won't be anything uncomfortable. I’m perfectly satisfied with my life right now."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Then…"
Trailing off, Cecily slowly pressed her body against mine. Her elegantly narrowed red eyes gleamed with a seductive light. Soon, by the time my arm was wedged between her breasts, she whispered into my ear in a voice thick with allure.
"We’ll make you even more satisfied."
Her whisper sent a heat through my body, and a moment later, Mari and Adelia slowly approached me. First, Mari began to trace her hands over every inch of my body, while Adelia hugged me from behind, her hands also wandering.
They hadn't even stepped away to the bathroom, yet they moved in the moment Cecily gave the signal. After a brief moment of fluster, I closed my eyes at the erotic sensations blooming all over.
'…This is reaching an impressive level.'
It was a build-up that would make even a world-class football manager marvel.
*
Volumes 7 and 8 of Blood and Iron did not cause Hitler to lose support, despite the controversy surrounding the oppression of the Jews. Instead, the public was too busy being ecstatic over the remilitarization of the Rhineland, which had been forbidden by the Treaty of Versailles.
More than anything, the fact that the remilitarization of the Rhineland had turned the Treaty of Versailles into a scrap of paper was the biggest factor. At this rate, it seemed like a simple matter for Germany to build up its military and grow its power. As most readers felt this shift, another question surfaced.
[It’s a foregone conclusion that Hitler will wage a war of conquest. In other words, we’ll finally see the true face of the military.]
[Xenon’s biological father is Baron Maishal, famously known as the Red Lion. If he gets advice from him, it should be fine.]
[But aren't science and culture different? Since the societies are different, the militaries can't be the same.]
The question was how the 'military' would be depicted. The speculation was that it wouldn't just end with "he conquered here and there," but would describe the fierce reality of the battlefield. Above all, Hitler himself had been nothing more than a common soldier—a Bohemian Corporal. A depiction of military life was inevitable.
I felt the same way. Could military life be the same when the worlds were so completely different?
To give the conclusion first: the lifestyle might be different, but the essence is the same. The military is a miraculous organization that turns even the smartest people into idiots. It’s a place where absurdities—which even the seniors doing the bullying don't recognize as such—are scattered everywhere, passed down from generation to generation to birth even more absurdities.
"You want me to tell you about my time in active service?"
"Yes. But not about the battles—about the daily life. Doesn't the military have all sorts of absurdities?"
"Hmm…"
So, I decided to ask my father directly. I had plenty of time and space, so it wasn't hard to call him to the dormitory. Besides, Adelia’s training, which had been paused, needed to resume. I had plenty of justification.
I wanted to call Clark and Ariel as well, but the space would have been too cramped. I heard the two of them were having a good time together anyway, so I felt bad about interrupting.
In any case, my father thought for a moment after hearing my question, then looked at me with a curious expression.
"Is this because of what you asked before? About the war that started because a soldier who went to take a dump was reported missing?"
"That’s part of it, but also because so many bizarre incidents happen. Even you thought it was nonsense, Father."
"I did at first. But after thinking it over, I realized it’s possible if someone just needed an excuse. Though the commander would have to be a moron."
"……"
That moron eventually becomes the commander of Operation Imphal. He certainly showed his 'potential' during the Second Sino-Japanese War.
"Anyway, absurdities aside, there were certainly a lot of lunatics. Even I have moments where I think, 'Why did I do that back then?'"
"Can you tell me about them?"
"It’s a bit embarrassing to just say it, so you go first. You’ve been to the military too, haven't you?"
Ah, that’s playing dirty. I recalled my past at my father’s suggestion.
The military—a place I never want to go back to. An organization famous for the saying that one shouldn't even urinate in its direction. The memories were over twenty years old now and a bit blurry, but ironically, the most vivid memories were all from the military.
For example…
"Once, while on patrol, a senior of mine threw his bayonet trying to hunt a bird and lost it."
"Did he catch it?"
Catch it? As if.
"No. The bird flew away with the bayonet stuck in it, and he just ended up in the brig."
"Hahaha!"
He got the maximum sentence. My father let out a hearty laugh at my answer. We rarely talked about common topics, so I hadn't realized it, but he seemed to be genuinely enjoying himself.
He nodded and then began to share one of his own 'stories.'
"There were plenty of fellows like that. Did I tell you before? In the Northern Region, if you dig just a little into the ground, black water comes out."
"Ah, yes. I heard the Barbarians use it for fire attacks."
"Right. It burns so well it can be used for fire attacks. We tried to use it to start a fire for firewood. Supplies weren't coming in well back then, and it was hard to endure the winter."
The story that followed was…
"But we poured too much of the black water, and it exploded. The whole base caught fire; it was a mess. Fortunately, the Barbarians didn't attack, so there were no major casualties."
"Who did that?"
"I did."
"……"
I could only say that it sounded exactly like the military.
"…People really are the same everywhere. Anything else?"
"Just that time we had a contest to see who could throw a rock the furthest out of boredom, and the enemy chieftain got hit and died?"
"……"
I think I have enough to write about now.