Chapter 530: The Invasion of Poland(1)
Chapter 530: The Invasion of Poland(1)
War is an inseparable part of history and a tragedy that has existed since the birth of human civilization.
Many people condemn war, claiming it is unnecessary and brings nothing but misery, but unfortunately, humanity cannot escape it.
Humanity is comprised of numerous races and ethnicities, each with differing ideologies, cultures, appearances, environments, strengths, and weaknesses.
These differences inevitably transform into 'conflict,' and as that conflict grows, it escalates into war. So, how has the nature of war changed throughout the ages?
In ancient times, the absolute priority of war was securing farmland and population. Territory was a secondary concern, and even kingdoms engaged in wars of conquest generally left civilians alone.
As time progressed into the medieval and early modern periods, and international politics developed significantly, war transformed into a 'refined means of communication' between kings.
When diplomacy reached a stalemate where neither side would yield an inch, they used war to determine who was right. The soldiers dying on the field were of little concern to them.
In the modern era, as everyone knows, World War I served as the turning point where war turned into 'hell' itself. In this way, the face of war has changed in various ways as time has passed.
This world, though not Earth, is no different. Even with diverse races and the existence of mana and magic, the nature of warfare remains similar to the medieval and early modern periods.
That isn't to say wars are fought solely as an extension of diplomacy, as they were in the Western medieval period. There are also wars fought to achieve 'unity,' much like in ancient China.
The Human Alliance, the predecessor of the Minerva Empire after the Race War, is a prime example. After signing a treaty with Albenheim, they turned their blades against one another.
Regardless, at this point in time, the style of warfare here closely resembles that of the Western medieval period.
[War is harsh and cruel. At the same time, it is noble and honorable.]
Medieval warfare is indeed honorable in its own way. Nobles often took to the front lines to practice noblesse oblige.
Furthermore, it wasn't uncommon for highly skilled knights to engage in single combat. Most battles took place in areas recognized as strategic strongpoints.
Consequently, 'civilians' were rarely caught in the crossfire.
Even if they were, it was usually brushed off with a simple 'Oops, my bad,' and 'massacre' was an act that was absolutely intolerable.
The civilians themselves held the mindset that as long as their bellies were full, it didn't matter who their leader was.
Some even said it was better to be ruled by a foreign conqueror than a domestic tyrant.
Thus, in the medieval era, civilians were practically sacrosanct. Unless they took action first, they were never touched.
At least, not until the invention of the 'gun' and various other 'war machines.'
[The Invasion of Poland vividly demonstrates how the development of machinery affects war.]
[Bombers ruthlessly dropping bombs. And beneath them live civilians.]
[I think I'm starting to understand what the 'Blood' in Blood and Iron really means.]
The World War was a conflict that completely shattered the unwritten rule that civilians should be left alone, no matter how dire the situation.
The advancement of firearms and cannons meant that while high ground was still advantageous, the terrain no longer mattered. Naturally, the damage was inflicted directly upon the civilians.
In this world, the extent of warfare is usually pointing spears and swords at each other or unleashing volleys of arrows and magic.
While cannons exist, they aren't particularly favored because magic is 'still' considered more efficient.
[The gun was truly a weapon of the devil. The fact that anyone could possess the power of a mage meant even a child was capable of it.]
[Guns and steel that don't just build strength, but place it directly into one's hands.]
[This isn't the kind of war we wanted. Where on earth has the honor gone!]
In that sense, the Invasion of Poland—which was essentially a dress rehearsal for Nazi Germany—delivered a terrifying cultural shock.
The shock was doubled because the Nazi German army committed anti-humanitarian massacres during the invasion.
Furthermore, Blood and Iron is a novel enjoyed by everyone, regardless of social status.
Even civilians are horrified by the realization that their own lands could become such a battlefield.
[Death falling from above. Bombers completely dominate the sky.]
[Is it actually possible to build an airplane?]
[It's impossible. The sky is a domain where only the chosen can roam freely. Even in a fantasy, it would be impossible for a human creation.]
[But the Dwarves have already built mana engines and even tanks. Isn't it only impossible because we think it is?]
The bombers—airplanes—that dropped bombs on soldiers and civilians alike also garnered significant interest.
The idea of flying through the sky in a man-made creation... heated debates broke out over whether such a thing was truly possible.
Some argued it was absurd to fly without magic or wings, as the sky is a realm reserved for the chosen.
Others pointed out that airplanes do have wings, and that machinery can make anything possible.
While many opinions were exchanged, the tide of the conversation shifted due to one person's comment.
[Let's say we can fly. I want to ask first if we can fly 'freely' up there.]
That's right. Because of those damn monsters.
In this world, there are flying monsters that roam the skies just as freely as creatures in the sea.
Even in the modern world, bird strikes are a major headache for airplanes; what would happen with monsters?
The moment a Wyvern—often called a lesser version of a Dragon—attacked, an airplane would be blown to bits.
Once this fundamental problem was raised, everyone shifted their mindset to 'let's just enjoy the novel as a novel.'
[To want to fly through the sky without mana or magic... that is romance itself.]
[Just as Eins invented the mana engine and mana locomotive after seeing the steam locomotive in the Xenon Biography, a similar invention might come from this work.]
[As long as it can fly, right?]
Of course, there were those who didn't give up. Especially in Machina, where they were reportedly in an uproar over the airplane issue.
After the success of the Geist revolution, the Dwarves had returned to being true craftsmen, and the airplane had added fuel to that fire.
Of course, while the mana engine is revolutionary, it's still an engine with clear limitations, so it would likely take decades to develop.
Furthermore, the airplane itself was a machine invented only after overcoming massive failures, during which many people were injured or killed.
So, I didn't forget to include a bit of an explanation. I described the scene of the airplane racing down the runway and soaring into the sky in quite some detail.
It might not be enough, but unfortunately, my own knowledge of airplanes was limited, so that was the best I could do.
[Was Hitler truly a tyrant? Is there any chance for redemption?]
[He never stopped persecuting the Jews to seize absolute power for himself.]
[If he pushes even his own citizens so harshly, then the citizens of other nations... it goes without saying.]
Evaluations of our protagonist, Hitler, were also prominent. Hitler, who had been showing unsettling behavior, saw his reputation plummet following the Invasion of Poland.
There had been many hints that relations with Poland were poor, but the general sentiment was that this was going too far.
Even the Polish declaration of war turned out to be a staged event, so public opinion could only sink further.
[Hitler is a mass murderer. This cannot be denied.]
[The Führer of Nazi Germany has committed an irreversible sin.]
[Can we really call this normal? If you think this is normal, visit a temple immediately.]
Once the massacres in Poland were depicted, everyone was busy tearing him down.
The fact that the flames of war had spread to the civilian sphere due to mechanical advancement could be dismissed as cultural shock.
However, no one was willing to defend the 'intentional' bombing of civilians. Everyone unanimously called him a son of a bitch.
[It's the nature of war. Poland and Germany have had bad blood for a long time, and their people hated each other.]
[The massacre was clearly wrong, but this is what war is. A situation where killing is justified.]
That's not to say there were no defenders at all. People who still hadn't lost faith in Hitler began to offer a desperate defense.
Some argued that the Nazi Germans' hatred for Poles was as strong as their hatred for Jews, and that the unique circumstances of war had to be considered.
[Humans also committed massacres against Beastkin out of hatred during the Race War. It was only later that they realized it was wrong.]
[Won't Hitler follow a similar path? He is, after all, a veteran of the previous Great War.]
[As someone who fought in the Great War, he must know the horrors of war well. He will put a stop to it soon.]
It was truly a desperate defense that one couldn't watch without tears.
From my perspective, I knew they were clinging to a rotten rope, but I suppose they didn't think so.
Above all, they still didn't know the true nature of Operation T4. Once that is fully revealed in the next volume, even this kind of defense will become impossible.
[The Nazi German army's war preparations are very lacking when examined individually. It's as if they used Poland as a dress rehearsal.]
[The Nazi German army is one thing, but the Polish army was even worse.]
Others analyzed the militaries of each nation from an objective standpoint.
[Just how bad was the previous Great War that Britain and France are just standing by and watching?]
[We cannot die for Danzig! People protesting against the war in Paris.]
[Britain occupied the North Sea with its powerful navy, but it had no practical effect.]
[The contrast between Poland and the Anglo-French alliance is too stark. One side is hell, and the other is peace itself.]
The 'Fake War' drew a lot of criticism and discussion.
The criticism directed at Britain and France was almost as intense as that directed at Hitler.
People argued that even if they were hesitant due to the fear of war, it made no sense to offer no resistance while a madman was running wild next door.
If I were to offer an excuse, it was because the previous war had been so horrific, but the people of this world had no way of knowing that.
Above all, unlike the living hell of Poland, the Fake War was full of absurd, almost comedic episodes.
[The Nazi German army is even considering the family circumstances of the enemy. They're sending Poles to the afterlife without discrimination.]
[Only the British would have a unit that sings military songs just to do laundry.]
[The three countries should just get together and form an orchestra.]
Dropping leaflets that said, 'While you are here, someone else will steal your lover. So go home.'
Creating a military song about going to the front lines to hang laundry.
Kindly informing the enemy to move back because they were about to blow up a bridge.
And finally, clarifying that a power plant failure was due to a mechanical breakdown, not political reasons.
Perhaps because the Fake War was filled with such ridiculous episodes...
[It feels like Xenon's setting is a bit forced to contrast hell and peace.]
[Just declaring war puts soldiers under immense stress.]
[Is that really how a country that has declared war behaves? Sometimes I think Xenon has some strange ideas.]
They didn't believe it. All of it was historically accurate, yet many people criticized it as being too far-fetched.
It seemed that compared to the hellscape of Poland, the Fake War was just too peaceful.
In fact, for those very reasons, the Anglo-French alliance was heavily criticized in the future. As the name 'Fake War' suggests, they did nothing.
The fact that France was 'six-weeked' as a result of this karma is a story for later. For now, I planned to focus on the Invasion of Poland.
[How much does Xenon actually know about war? Inconsistent events are happening one after another.]
I'm telling you, it's historically accurate. I don't know why they won't believe me.
I simply ignored such criticisms. I had merely recorded the history of my previous life; I couldn't exactly hold the authors of Earth accountable.
"So..."
A few days had passed since the release of the new volume of Blood and Iron.
I was met with a completely unexpected guest.
"Lord Luminous is calling for me?"
Golden hair that always reminded me of a field of wheat, and clear blue eyes.
A beauty whose purity and subtle allure were highlighted by her snow-white nun's habit.
"Yes. Lord Luminous has requested that you visit him once. He said the timing does not matter."
Cardinal Kate had returned to the dormitory after a very long time.
Her beauty was as striking as ever, but her aura felt somewhat different.
If before there was a certain stiffness and stuffiness, now she felt much more relaxed.
While I was momentarily dazed by her unexpected appearance, I quickly addressed the thing that caught my eye the most.
"By the way, who is this child?"
Kate was one thing, but the young girl clinging to her side drew my attention.
Brown hair and brown eyes. She had a modest beauty that made me look forward to her future.
Unlike Kate, she was wearing ordinary clothes. It seemed she hadn't officially become a member of the clergy yet.
"Ah, um..."
At my gesture, the girl didn't know what to do and clung even tighter to Kate.
I wasn't sure if she was wary of strangers in general or just me. I'd heard that even children read the Xenon Biography.
Meanwhile, Kate gave a gentle smile, placed her hand on the child's head, and spoke quietly.
"She is the one who will be my successor."
"..."
Is she a child with extraordinary potential from the start?