Chapter 494: Panic(3)
Chapter 494: Panic(3)
The Great Stagnation originating from the Minerva Empire had thrown the global economy into chaos, but in truth, this was an event bound to happen sooner or later.
No matter how good-natured the Dwarves were, it would have been stranger if a revolution didn't occur after they had been exploited like slaves for over three hundred years.
Of course, there were many unexpected elements—the introduction of Communism, the leaking of blueprints for mana engines, the appearance of tanks, and so on.
However, a revolution breaking out in Machina was an almost inevitable step, and it was entirely predictable that the resulting Great Depression would engulf the world.
Much like the Great Depression in the United States, there had been signs here and there, but they were ignored until the world finally took a blow to the back of the head.
Similar situations were a dime a dozen back on Earth. People focused on other things, completely unaware that a bubble was steadily inflating.
Furthermore, the current panic was a bubble that had been growing, both overtly and covertly, for a staggering three hundred years.
If the previous Emperors had been even slightly more prudent, they might have established separate supply chains, assuming the worst-case scenario where Machina collapsed.
But the problem was that the Dwarves' abilities were simply too exceptional. They churned out work that was impossible for humans with such ease that it was impossible not to depend on them.
It wasn't that the Emperors were incompetent; it was a detrimental side effect born from the disparity in racial capabilities. Thus, this economic downturn was an expected outcome.
[Could humans truly do nothing? Could they not have learned those techniques and trained their own engineers?]
[It is true that the Dwarves' abilities are superior. However, because we relied on another race, humans have made zero progress.]
[Even in the Race War, the Human Alliance would have been defeated without the Dwarves. Now is the time to cultivate human potential.]
Numerous scholars offered sharp critiques, stating that it was time for humanity to stop relying on others and develop on its own.
While it was true that the human race held more global hegemony than in the past, the gap between the races was one that could not be closed no matter how hard they tried.
Voices began to rise, arguing that instead of relying on other sectors, they needed to achieve self-sufficiency.
[Xenon, the man who plunged the world into chaos with a book? Or was this a preordained event?]
[If it were Xenon, he would have foreseen this situation. Yet, he was far too irresponsible.]
[There are accidents that can be prevented and those that cannot. Xenon eradicated the parasites living within the body, or perhaps he failed to remove them.]
[Xenon never claimed to be a prophet himself.]
Aside from that, a fierce debate broke out between those leveling sharp criticisms at me and those defending me.
If he's a prophet, how did he not see this coming? Even if he didn't predict it, isn't this too irresponsible?
No. He never called himself a prophet, and this is an incident where we were consuming ourselves, not something caused by Demon Worshippers. It's a separate issue.
Didn't he predict the Great Depression in Blood and Iron? Even if he gave a prophecy, we were the ones who ignored it.
That was a problem of demand; this situation is a problem of supply. It's different.
Then how do you explain the Communist revolution breaking out in Russia before the Soviet Union? It's true that we ignored the signs.
...Somehow, I was being pushed into the role of a prophet again, and people were fighting tooth and nail over it.
[Several artists have released paintings satirizing the connection between the current situation and Xenon...]
Not only that, but "satire"—a medium that always appears when society is in turmoil—had also emerged. Artists who had always looked at me with a jaundiced eye took the opportunity to criticize me.
The ones where unknown screams echoed from the manuscripts while I was writing were the mild ones. Various other satirical paintings made their appearance.
They were hyenas rushing in to gain fame by exploiting social chaos. They didn't utter a single word when I was writing the Xenon Biography; it was absurd.
Well, one way or another, the fact that I was being seen as irresponsible and a total bastard didn't change. Even I was starting to wonder if this was right.
If I followed my heart, I’d disparage Bourgeois V right now and drag him down, but the timing was bad.
'Even if I dragged him down, nothing would change.'
What if I labeled Bourgeois V a "harmful monarch"? Who would be the first to pounce with fire in their eyes?
Not only the Holy Nation 'Savior' that worshipped Luminous, but even Helium might step in.
Think about what happens to a country that plots a rebellion with the help of foreign powers, or conversely, what happens to the country that stops it.
The Republic of Korea ended up in such a state that it eventually led to the Japanese Occupation Period. If people started shouting for "independence" now, the situation would become uncontrollably complicated.
It would be better to just have a clean and concise "revolution." Since the Dwarf Trio would be the central force, that would lead to a better result.
'Luminous. This is really okay, right?'
Still, I was anxious, so I didn't forget to ask Luminous for confirmation. This situation had long surpassed the level of a frog being struck by a carelessly thrown stone.
Even with my diminished sense of reality, I couldn't help but feel that things were well and truly screwed. Even the usually demure Lina had grabbed me by the collar and shaken me senseless.
The Great Depression that started in the Minerva Empire. Just like when I saw the Demon Worshippers, this was something I couldn't stop with my power alone.
[It is alright. It will be chaotic for a while, but think of it as growing pains for the sake of progress.]
As if sensing my anxiety, Luminous soothed me with a gentle voice. It was a voice that naturally put the mind at ease just by listening.
[The Great Stagnation occurring now was something bound to happen eventually. If things had gone according to the original plan, it would have broken out before the worst-case scenario.]
'Before the worst-case scenario...?'
[The Great Demon Invasion.]
I tilted my head in confusion for a moment at the mention of the Great Demon Invasion. However, I understood immediately upon hearing the following explanation.
[Do you remember? Thanks to the works you wrote, the scheduled Demon Invasion was delayed by 2,000 years. Originally, they would have begun their invasion in 146 years.]
'Ah. Yes. I remember.'
[A revolution would have broken out in Machina three years before the demons invaded. The worst stagnation would have overlapped with the worst invasion. Humanity would have united as one against the demons, but because the weapon supply chain would have been utterly ruined, the damage would have been catastrophic. Mana engines would have been invented in the middle of it, but they wouldn't have been commercialized, making them practically meaningless.]
'......'
Hearing that, it sounded like a truly hopeless situation. The Great Depression on Earth was solved by inexhaustible demand—namely, World War II—but the stagnation occurring here was different.
This stagnation didn't need inexhaustible demand; it absolutely required inexhaustible supply.
If the demons had invaded in that state, humanity might have united, but the lack of supplies would have led to extreme casualties.
Even the World Tree would have lost its function due to pollution. It would have been like a disaster where a Meteor Storm falls during a drought that has cracked the earth.
'But according to the original history, you said the revolution would have taken a hundred years, right?'
[Yes.]
'Does it usually take that long?'
I thought that was a bit too long, regardless of the circumstances.
[Ideologies don't just fall from the sky, do they?]
So I was the one who moved it forward. I felt a bit sheepish for no reason.
'......So it's true that I moved it forward?'
[Indeed. However, that... bubble?]
As if reading my mind, Luminous paused for a moment after saying the word "bubble." It seemed she was contemplating the terminology.
[Anyway, since that bubble burst earlier than originally intended, the damage will be less than expected. The revolution will also end sooner thanks to the new weapon known as the tank. Based on this event, you will be able to lay the foundation for tremendous development.]
'Then what should I do?'
In my heart, I wanted to spread money around and perform acts of charity, but it was meaningless. What good is charity when you can't buy anything even if you have money?
Lina had forced me to shut up and just write, but that was one thing, and this was another.
At the very least, I wanted to take some responsibility for what I had caused.
[You do not need to do anything. Instead, just ensure that those who fall into despair do not take their own lives. That is enough.]
'Will this cause any harm to you or Mora?'
[We may grant power, but we do not provide goods or money. Our believers know this well, so there is no need to worry.]
In many ways, it was a very god-like answer. Come to think of it, I hadn't seen a single critique blaming the gods in the newspapers.
There were believers who visited the temples and begged for a solution, but even they likely knew.
The current situation was not something a god could solve. They were merely seeking comfort from the divine.
It was a situation where the things humanity had built up as civilization over time had finally reached a breaking point.
It wasn't a case of a god being angry and delivering divine punishment or a disaster breaking out; from the gods' perspective, it was just an ordinary(?) Great Depression.
The fact that the depression was practically a disaster was a bit of a flaw, but it was simply a matter of scale.
'I understand. I suppose I have no choice but to watch for the time being.'
[That is not a bad idea, but... Isaac?]
'Yes. Please, go ahead.'
[When do you plan to release the next volume?]
I tilted my head at the somewhat random question. This was practically the first time I had been asked this by her.
Even while writing the Xenon Biography, I had heard many people ask when the new book would be out. But this was the first time hearing it from Luminous.
Of course, she had asked jokingly once in a very long while. Back then, I had laughed it off, but now it was slightly different.
There was a hint of genuine sincerity and anticipation in her voice. It was a subtle difference, but it was enough to raise a major question in my mind.
'I'm not sure. Lina is pestering me, but given the situation, there are things I need to discuss first.'
Volume 9 hadn't been released because of the circumstances, but in Volume 10, the annexation of Austria—the "Anschluss"—was expected to take place.
The problem was that this Anschluss was heavily seasoned with "National Self-Determination." It was the biggest reason Germany was able to start World War II.
Of course, National Self-Determination wasn't a bad thing. The March First Movement in Korea was also a movement derived from National Self-Determination.
However, the stumbling block was that there were regions in this world in a similar position to Korea. Even now, people were shouting for independence, taking advantage of the Great Stagnation.
If I released Volume 10 without any consultation in this situation? I wouldn't be able to say a word even if Lina slapped me across the face.
'I'm going to make sure we can respond properly using this incident as a catalyst. Still, since it's an important part, I won't be leaving it out.'
[Is that so?]
Luminous's voice sounded almost delighted. She usually spoke in such a kind and gentle manner that it was subtle, but the excitement was showing.
'......Luminous?'
[Yes? What is it?]
'Um... No, it's nothing.'
I must have misheard.
Why would she be happy when an independence war might break out?
*
Around the time Isaac finished his conversation with Luminous and returned to the dormitory.
The world was experiencing chaos upon chaos due to the entirely unexpected Great Stagnation. It was an unprecedented event, completely different from any economic downturn seen before.
Because it was truly "unprecedented," no one could come up with a clever solution. The best they could do was raise interest rates to stabilize prices.
However, even this was nothing more than a temporary fix, so the high-ranking officials of the Minerva Empire had no choice but to hold meetings day after day.
"We must stop the revolution in Machina immediately! If a civil war breaks out, things will only get worse, never better!"
A middle-aged man with a "toothbrush mustache" and a hairstyle that looked familiar from somewhere shouted loudly, slamming his hand on the table.
Because he had raised his voice, there was a raspy quality to it, but it wasn't unpleasant at all; it was quite captivating.
If Isaac had seen him, he would have covered his face with his hands, but that wasn't all.
"Do you think stopping the revolution in Machina will solve anything? The cause is our Empire's productivity! This is the result of relying solely on the Dwarves; shouldn't we solve the root cause first?"
A man also sporting a toothbrush mustache (......) calmly retorted. Unlike the previous man, he had an exceptionally large build.
"Count Zeke is right. Our Empire is strong, but it is hollow inside. This situation is what happened when we ignored that fact."
"But we can't just give up on Dwarven products, can we? Who else can handle the mass production that only Dwarves are capable of?"
"We must learn the technology. We must develop the technology ourselves so that we are also capable of production."
"The difference in racial abilities is an unavoidable factor. Therefore..."
There were those who argued the revolution must be stopped, those who argued the revolution should be helped, and finally, those who argued they should just watch.
Various opinions were clashing, creating a scene of frenzy, but among them were calm faces.
Sitting in the highest seat was the Emperor of the Minerva Empire, Berit. Beside him was Dmitri of the Duke Rekilis family, known as his partner.
Berit watched the meeting room where everyone was just shouting at each other in silence before finally letting out a sigh and speaking quietly.
"Quiet."
"......"
"......"
"......"
His heavy voice cut through the noisy meeting room. As if they had never been screaming, the nobles shut their mouths all at once.
"I'm going to die from the noise. The prices of goods for the people are skyrocketing as we speak, and what? Stopping the revolution or not? What on earth are you all thinking, spouting such nonsense?"
"Ahem."
"Hmph. Hmph."
The nobles coughed awkwardly, feeling embarrassed by Berit's sharp lecture. It seemed they were at least capable of feeling shame.
Berit scanned the crowd once more. They were very familiar faces, but due to that damn "trend," their mustaches were all similar.
While some had toothbrush mustaches, others had very lush Kaiser mustaches. It suited those it suited, but there were many it didn't.
Hadn't he himself tried growing a mustache only to change it because it looked completely wrong? Berit sighed and spoke quietly.
"I'm warning you now, just in case. The moment you start immersing yourself as if you're a character in a book, I will have your mustaches forcibly shaved by imperial decree. Understood?"
"......Yes, Your Majesty."
"I will take it to heart."
The nobles fidgeted with their mustaches, looking guilty. With that, Berit began the meeting in earnest.
"At any rate, not just our Empire, but the entire world is in a state of chaos due to the revolution that broke out in Machina. At the same time, our Empire's weakness has been exposed to the whole world."
The Great Depression originating from the Minerva Empire affected the economy, but it also exposed all of the Empire's vulnerabilities.
They had grown large on the back of Dwarven productivity, but when the revolution broke out in Machina, they shriveled up like a deflated balloon.
Their once-powerful economic strength was now nothing more than scrap paper. They had realized too late that their economic power was full of bubbles.
"If we cannot resolve this situation, our Empire will no longer be worthy of the name. Put the revolution aside for now; we must find a fundamental solution."
"But Your Majesty, we cannot leave the revolution in Machina as it is. If we're not careful, it could lead to a civil war and prolong the stagnation."
A noble sitting to Berit's left cautiously offered his opinion. A few other nobles nodded in agreement.
When Berit's brow furrowed at the short-sighted solution, Dmitri, sitting beside him, countered directly.
"Are you suggesting we deploy troops? In a situation where even supplies aren't being properly delivered like now? That would be like pouring oil on a fire."
"......"
"It would be better to discuss based on that assumption—so that our Empire can become self-sufficient without relying on Machina."
Dmitri presented a clear topic. As he said, in a situation like this, assuming the worst makes the future easier to handle.
"First, we must prevent the merchant guilds and companies from going bankrupt one after another. Or, it wouldn't be a bad idea to take this opportunity to strike at the problematic guilds."
"What do you plan to do about the debts they owe? It's meaningless if we can't recover the debts."
"Wouldn't it be better to freeze the debts for the time being?"
"It would be better to provide subsidies instead."
They were told to suggest fundamental solutions, but in the end, it was nothing more than "plugging the holes." But since the revolution had broken out in Machina, there was no other choice.
Berit kept that in mind and didn't scold them. Moreover, some of the opinions were quite useful.
"Above all, we must create a zone that will be responsible for the Empire's productivity."
"Don't we have Stavirk for that? If we obtain their productivity..."
"They're currently shouting about whether to gain independence or not; I'm sure that will go over swimmingly."
"Watch your tongue. Regardless, we need a region other than Stavirk to take responsibility for productivity..."
"We must also categorize production. Instead of just blindly making swords, we should categorize them one by one..."
Since it was an unprecedented national crisis, the nobles shared their opinions cautiously. If even public sentiment turned against them, the Empire might truly collapse.
Of course, they didn't forget to look out for their own interests in between. Still, they didn't cross the line, so it was tolerable.
'A zone solely for production...'
Berit thought as he listened to the nobles sharing their opinions. He already knew several pieces of valuable information through Lina.
The most valuable among them was the public release of mana engine technology. Eins had declared that if the revolution succeeded, he would distribute the blueprints for the mana engines.
'I should mention this once the general direction is established.'
But he couldn't say it right now. Because the moment he said it, everyone would start clamoring to have it placed in their own region.
A region solely for production was incredibly attractive. Not only could one make an enormous profit from it, but their power would naturally grow stronger as well.
He wanted to designate the Maishal Territory, but that place was already becoming a cultural city. For the sake of its appearance, it was right to exclude it.
While they were deliberating with their own hidden agendas...
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"
A noble rushed into the meeting room as if he had urgent news. Everyone in the room turned their gaze toward him.
Normally, they would have scolded him for being rude, but his face looked so urgent that no one shouted.
They were just wondering what could be so urgent.
"What is it?"
Berit was equally curious and threw a question at the messenger. The messenger caught his breath and shouted loudly.
"A-A revolution has broken out in Machina!"
"A revolution?"
"That already happened."
At first, everyone's reaction was lukewarm, but...
"That's not it! Bourgeois V has...!"
The news the messenger brought was...
"He has fired arrows and cannons at the protesters!"
It was the fantasy world's version of the Bloody Sunday Incident.