Chapter 511: Back-to-Back Chapters(3)
Chapter 511: Back-to-Back Chapters(3)
Now that I’d vented the desires and stress that had unknowingly built up over the past month, all that remained was to show the world the books I hadn't been able to publish.
Due to the Great Depression, I’d only managed to release up to Volume 8, but it was finally time to get back to it.
However, if I just started publishing blindly, I might end up breaking Musk’s back. Even though Machina was slowly stabilizing, there were still countless problems scattered about.
Once the mana locomotives appeared and the railways were laid, the supply issues would improve relatively, but it still wouldn't be enough. The factories in Machina weren't just going to produce goods like before; they planned to invent all sorts of machinery according to their new ideology.
From what I heard, Bourgeois V had hoarded far more funds than expected, so the budget was plenty. It was just the materials that were lacking.
The Minerva Empire, the watershed of the Great Depression, had also begun to stabilize slightly through administrative orders based on the New Deal. However, they were still struggling because they couldn't keep up with Machina’s monstrous supply capacity. The same went for other countries that used to import goods from the Empire.
Right now, people were struggling just to put food in their mouths, so almost all trade had been cut off.
The only silver lining was that, thanks to Albenheim, the food shortage was somewhat manageable. It had been mentioned that they even cultivated land they hadn't used before.
Given the situation, if I published without solving the supply shortage, I’d likely be buried under a mountain of insults. As I’d seen during my ascetic training, humans are incredibly fickle. It meant that resentment toward me could skyrocket.
[An oracle has descended from Luminous! This Great Depression was an inevitable problem. Do not blame Xenon.]
[An oracle has also descended from the Temple of Mora... Xenon merely lanced a festering boil.]
Quite timely, the two gods who had been thoroughly scolded by Hirt stepped up to defend me. With actual gods defending me, who would dare resent me?
No matter how bold someone might be, they’d have to face not just public backlash but the threat of divine punishment. As a bonus, the criticisms directed at me vanished instantly.
Still, since the Great Depression was triggered by the revolution in Machina, I wasn't entirely without responsibility. There were still those who pointed this out painfully.
[Xenon finally speaks on the current situation! The mana engine is the key to solving this crisis.]
[Machina’s help is desperately needed. Even with blueprints, manufacturing is difficult. We need artisans capable of production.]
[Instead of building heavy machinery like tanks, we must create separate machines for manufacturing smaller goods.]
So, I decided to start talking out of my ass like the Elon Musk of my previous life... no, no. I decided to offer advice based on my knowledge.
Even if the principles of operation were different, a mana engine was a machine that provided 'power.' It wasn't much different from when the steam engine was first born.
The current Great Depression occurred because production couldn't keep up with the population. Even if the quality was lower than dwarven-made goods, solving the supply shortage was the priority.
While cold weapons like swords, spears, and arrows unfortunately had to be handled by hand, things like clothing, paper, and wood products—items whose prices were currently skyrocketing past the heavens—could be brought under control.
[Machina’s Geist: We will gladly follow Xenon’s words. Soon, the head of the Geist, Eins, will visit in person.]
[Minerva Empire: We have machines ready for automation, provided we have the power source.]
[Coal is what’s needed for mana engines. The Minerva Empire is focusing on mine development and hiring the unemployed...]
The results were immediate. Despite his busy schedule, Eins gladly accepted my request, and the Minerva Empire took the opportunity to put momentum behind its policies.
Eins would manufacture the mana engines, but automating them was strictly the Empire’s responsibility. I’d worried that automation might be difficult since they relied so heavily on Machina for supplies, but fortunately, the Empire wasn't completely incompetent.
There’s one thing I’ve mentioned consistently: in this world, the level of scientific development is unbalanced due to mana and magic. Specifically, thanks to the existence of 'mana'—which acts as a substitute for electricity—automated machinery was already somewhat prepared.
They just lacked a machine like the mana engine that could convert a specific substance into mana. It wasn't called a world-changing invention for nothing.
[Not only the Minerva Empire but other nations are also requesting the installation of mana engines...]
[The unemployment rate is beginning to decline. It will take several months to see if Xenon’s words are true.]
[In a situation filled with despair, hope is beginning to sprout.]
As things began to move exactly as I wanted, people who had been in despair started to find strength. They began to lift their bowed heads.
The Minerva Empire hired the unemployed for coal production and even offered high wages. They even brought in high-level personnel for coal transport.
However, since developing a single mine required massive manpower and budget, they were bound to be feeling the pressure. If automation and factory establishment failed, the blow would fall squarely on the Minerva Empire.
Furthermore, it would have a negative impact on me, since I was the one who’d basically spouted off the idea. But if there was one thing I was sure of, it was this:
[Automated machines using mana engines have already been produced in Machina. We just need to build based on those.]
[Those who seek quality should continue to use dwarven-made goods. We need items for immediate use.]
[Dwarven-made goods will continue to rise in price even after the Great Depression.]
[There are calls to hurry the utilization of mana locomotives as well...]
A plague with a clear cause can be prevented, but without a cure, it’s all for naught. However, for this Great Depression, a clear cure had been presented.
Though it wouldn't be solved immediately, things would slowly improve over time as mana engines were introduced. Even if prices were a mess, people were able to escape despair as the unemployment rate gradually decreased.
They told themselves that this was just a difficult time. That it was better than a war breaking out. That Xenon had given them a clear solution.
The leaders of the nations, including Emperor Berit, were busy enough to wish they had ten bodies, but since they could see the improvement with their own eyes, they continued to grind themselves down despite the fatigue.
I, too, felt relieved as the situation progressed, but my relief was short-lived as I found a new cause for concern.
‘Now that the mana engine has appeared, we can regain productivity. But the moment productivity surpasses food supply, the Malthusian Trap might return.’
The issue was none other than 'food.' It’s a matter of historical hindsight that the population exploded thanks to the Industrial Revolution. If Fritz Haber hadn't invented artificial fertilizer, Earth’s population would have barely surpassed 2 billion, let alone 7 billion.
World War I and World War II would have played out differently as well. The ability to support such massive wars was thanks to the vast amount of food.
Even with the invention of artificial fertilizer, famine continued to plague humanity. Even China, unable to be self-sufficient, imports food from the United States, doesn't it? Unless you have a ridiculously blessed land like the US, even self-sufficiency is difficult.
That’s why Albenheim, which remains perfectly fine even after exporting massive amounts of food, is called the land of milk and honey.
In this way, even if productivity is met thanks to the mana engine, the Malthusian Trap won't be broken unless the food shortage is solved. This was something that absolutely had to be addressed.
Until now, I’d maintained an "I don't know~" attitude, but after experiencing the Great Depression firsthand, my thoughts had changed.
I didn't care if people made all sorts of assumptions. For as long as I lived, the majority of people would treat me as a prophet anyway, so there was no point in denying it now.
But if I just ran my mouth blindly, I really might become an Elon Musk. I wanted to decline that at all costs.
Moreover, as seen with this Great Depression, the world itself was different. The distorted economic structure was 'normal' for this world. Add to that the mana engines and tanks that shouldn't have appeared for at least another two centuries. There were too many unbalanced elements for me to speak lightly.
So, I would only point out things that would be helpful to 'humanity.' I would make use of my reputation, which was already piercing the heavens.
"You're going to create a foundation?"
My father’s eyes went wide as he questioned me. Seeing my mother’s similar expression, it seemed they hadn't expected me to say such a thing.
I had returned home briefly after releasing a few statements to the press to help resolve the Great Depression. I called my parents and presented a plan.
It was to establish a foundation in my name. It was a declaration of my intent to no longer just watch from afar but to step forward myself.
"What is that? I assume it's not something you eat."
"..."
Ah, right. While the concept of sponsorship existed here, the concept of a 'foundation' did not. It was understandable that my father would react that way.
In fact, the families themselves acted as foundations. Perhaps because of this, nobles didn't easily sponsor things under their own names. If the person they sponsored committed a crime or failed, the stigma would fall entirely on the individual and their family.
At that, I cleared my throat and explained the concept of a foundation in detail.
"It's a concept similar to sponsorship. Usually, when a sponsored person's reputation rises, the reputation of the sponsoring family rises too, right? It's similar to that."
"The difference?"
"While sponsorship is focused on individuals, a foundation has a much broader scope. Also, while reputation is part of it, it contributes greatly to social contribution. That’s closer to why I’m establishing a foundation."
My parents still looked puzzled even after my explanation. Well, since it was similar yet different from sponsorship, it must have felt quite foreign.
The reason I was establishing a foundation was for one thing: the advancement of science. To put it more broadly, the STEM fields.
One might ask, 'Don't they teach physics or math at the Academy?' but even that was insufficient. The Academy was divided into 'Martial Studies' and 'Literature,' not 'Liberal Arts' and 'Sciences.'
This was unavoidable because the existence of monsters made those with great martial power important.
Elves, who were the most advanced in basic academia, were naturally gifted in martial arts and could focus on other areas, whereas humans struggled just to protect themselves.
Lina had started supporting my advice before, but in reality, it was no different from supporting mages.
Just as the Scientific Revolution between the 16th and 17th centuries separated philosophy and science, there was a need to distinguish magic from science.
The reason I say 'distinguish' rather than 'separate' is that the two fields sometimes merge. Just look at the tanks that incorporate mana engines.
It was about helping people delve into their respective fields while touching as little as possible on things that defied common sense. As the old saying goes, a person who digs only one well will succeed; I just had to build that well myself.
"Hmm... if that's what you've decided, I don't mind. We have more money than we know what to do with anyway, so it's not a bad idea."
"I find it interesting as well. There’s no better way to increase one's honor. I’ll help however I can."
After I explained everything, both of them nodded in agreement. To anyone listening, I would sound like nothing less than a literal angel of charity.
And it was true. There were many people in the world who couldn't let their dreams bloom due to various circumstances.
Above all, the most important thing I valued in establishing the foundation was for people to cast aside their status and act as equal researchers.
One of the reasons the Scientific Revolution occurred in Western civilization was democracy. In Eastern cultures, questioning or criticizing an opponent? It was unthinkable in such rigid cultures. In contrast, Western civilization was quite free to present and criticize each other's opinions thanks to democracy.
This was similar to Albenheim. The Elven race was so conservative it was almost boorish, making it an environment where a scientific revolution was unlikely to happen. On the surface, it looked like scholars from all over the world gathered to share opinions, but since Elves were the mainstream, it had become stagnant.
In contrast, the foundation I would establish would be a place where people were completely free from status, exchanging opinions regardless of their rank.
"Thank you both. However, given the current situation, I’ll establish it after the Great Depression has settled. I’ll slowly build the framework until then."
"Do as you wish. As we always say, we are always rooting for you."
"You seem to have matured quite a bit. Nothing happened while you were away, did it?"
My mother asked a sharp question with a smile. I couldn't help but flinch at her words.
As expected, no child can hide a secret from their parents. I gave a troubled smile at her question. Since I’d already flinched, it was obvious. My mother seemed to realize this and nodded.
"I understand. If there’s anything difficult, please ask us anytime. You don't have to carry it all alone."
"...Thank you. Then, may I ask for one thing?"
"What is it?"
After going through the ascetic training, there was one thing on my mind.
"I want to visit my brother and sister."
I wanted to show more concern for my brother and sister, who were often in harm's way. I was already anxious about them being stationed in the border region, and after the ascetic training, I was even more worried.
Though it was a future that had almost vanished, if a future where I truly had to cut off my own wrists ever came, it would mean only one thing: my family or the women I loved had suffered a great misfortune. They might be critically injured, or in the worst case, dead.
Naturally, I couldn't help but worry about Dave and Nicole. Moreover, hadn't it been said that the movements of the Barbarians were unusual lately?
"A visit? It’s possible, but..."
"Did the gods tell you something about the future?"
Since I, of all people, was the one bringing it up, my parents couldn't just brush it off. I looked back and forth between my parents, who were questioning me with anxious faces, and waved my hands as I answered.
"It's nothing like that. I’m just curious how they’re doing, and I want to see what the Navy Knights are like."
"Hmm... if that's the case, it should be fine. But they might be on a mission, so I’ll ask separately."
"Thank you. Is there anything I should bring when I visit?"
"Just bring some food. Or you could ask that painter, Calz, for some erotic art..."
"What on earth are you saying!"
He might have been serious in his own way, but all he got in return was a smack from my mother. My father looked truly wronged, though. Well, since he was speaking from his own perspective, I suppose he would feel that way. I let out a faint laugh as I watched my grumbling father.
"Oh, by the way, where are Grandfather Clark and Ariel?"
"Go to your bedroom. You’ll probably see something interesting."
Following my father’s words, I returned to my bedroom for the first time in a while. I’d met my parents first as soon as I arrived home, rather than going to my room.
Knock, knock, knock—
"It's me, Grandfather Clark. May I come in?"
I spoke while knocking just in case, but there was no answer. Thinking they might be sleeping, I carefully opened the door.
What followed was a scene that naturally brought a smile to my face.
[Child. Could you let me take that back just once?]
Grandfather Clark was grumbling and making a tentative request, seemingly caught in a trap.
"Not even for you, Grandfather! This is a match!"
And there was Ariel, her sprout standing tall and straight as if expressing her high spirits, as the two of them played Baduk.
No wonder it was so quiet; these two were completely absorbed in the game. They looked both well-matched and adorable.
Clack—
"Huh? Oh? Uhhh? Wh-what?"
[I told you that you should have listened to your grandfather.]
"Th-this isn't right..."
Whether it was a high-level psychological play or not, as soon as Clark placed a black stone, Ariel became flustered. The sprout that had been standing tall immediately drooped, as if expressing her panic. Ariel really wouldn't be able to handle psychological warfare, if only because of that sprout.
"Ugh... Huh? Papa? It's Papa!"
Ariel, who had been agonizing over the trap, brightened up the moment she spotted me. Then, she came running toward me at full speed.
I opened my arms wide and pulled her into a tight hug. She felt much heavier, as if she’d grown while I wasn't looking.
By the way, it felt like she’d run to me to find a way out of her predicament, but that must be my imagination.
"Papa! Help Ariel! Grandfather is being mean to Ariel!"
"..."
It wasn't my imagination. This little troublemaker.
Still, she was cute, so I’d let it slide. It wasn't a bad idea to play a game of Baduk as a greeting.
"...Sorry. This one’s a lost cause."
"Ptooey! Why not!"
[Hahahaha.]
Of course, some things just can't be helped.
As the Great Depression showed signs of gradually subsiding, I released Volume 10 of Blood and Iron ahead of schedule.
This was both to test the waters and to continue the plot that had been stalled. Since the paper supply had stabilized to some extent, public opinion wasn't bad.
Volume 10 of Blood and Iron was the point where 'tanks' first appeared and the 'Second Sino-Japanese War' broke out.
While the tanks were interesting, people focused on the absurd cause of the Second Sino-Japanese War.
[Listen to how ridiculous this sounds. A soldier went to relieve himself and was reported missing? What kind of group is this?]
[Did Xenon push it too far for the sake of the plot...?]
Was it from this point on?
[All sorts of things happen in the military, but this seems a bit much.]
People gradually stopped believing in the 'historical accuracy.'