Chapter 573: The Hole(4)
Chapter 573: The Hole(4)
As those in the know are aware, the geopolitical value of the Korean Peninsula is exceptionally high. It serves faithfully as a bridgehead.
Because of this, it was invaded by surrounding powers whenever the opportunity arose, and at one point, it was even under the direct or indirect rule of the Mongols and Japan.
Even in the modern era, the value of the Korean Peninsula has only increased, never diminished. It has reached a point where it is called a nuclear reactor, far surpassing a mere powder keg of the world.
From China's perspective, they need the Korean Peninsula to project power into the sea, and from the United States' perspective, it is an effective location to contain China.
While the U.S. has Japan, it is undeniable that its geopolitical value falls short compared to the Korean Peninsula.
China uses North Korea as a shield, though by the time I died, the relationship between the two had become quite strained.
When you combine all these factors, the diplomatic difficulty of South Korea can truly be described as 'Hell' itself.
They can't cast China aside because their economic dependence is too deep, yet they can't cast the U.S. aside because they cannot afford to offend the world's most powerful nation.
Consequently, the country's direction tends to shift drastically depending on the President and the ruling party.
Recently, however, China's thuggish behavior has caused Korea to slowly distance itself.
In such a situation, the President of South Korea changes by a margin of only two votes? A leader of South Korea, a nation that—like it or not—exerts a massive influence on the world?
"…Instead of just being angry, it wouldn't be strange if they declared war immediately."
At first, I thought it was simply because the natural order had been disrupted. But the reality was far more severe.
This isn't just a matter of being angry; I wouldn't have a leg to stand on if they just shouted, "Shut up and war!"
I find myself wondering how on earth they managed to move past this accident.
[Hmm… I think we should discuss this just between the two of us. Could the rest of you step out for a moment? The other stories are finished anyway.]
Perhaps because it was a sensitive topic, Mora dismissed the others.
Since it was a divine command, my family and lovers headed outside without a word of complaint.
As they walked out, they didn't forget to cast worried glances back at me.
Once Mora's conversation is over, they'll probably try to soothe and comfort me. Given the nature of the truth, that's a high possibility.
Soon, when I was left alone in the pure white space, Mora spoke.
[As you said, Earth's history hasn't just been twisted; it's undergone a total cataclysm. The gods of Earth were beyond furious when they saw this. Even the god who usually never gets angry had the veins popping out of his neck.]
Could it be Buddha? Given the mention of a god who specifically never gets angry, I'm about half-certain.
To put it another way, the situation on Earth is so dire that even Buddha would lose his temper.
It is the butterfly effect in its purest form. Only a single soul crossed over to this side, but the ripple effect is beyond imagination.
[I told you before. I bound you completely to this world, but I made it so your future couldn't be read. Since your future couldn't be read, I took measures so they couldn't prepare for the specific actions you might take.]
"And you made it so they couldn't touch me."
[Yes. But you realize that wasn't enough, right?]
I nodded. From the perspective of Earth's gods, this wasn't a plague; it was nothing short of a natural disaster.
You can prevent or treat a plague, but you can't do anything about this. Even if you take action, problems will just crop up elsewhere.
Furthermore, of all places, it had to be South Korea—a country where the national direction shifts drastically based on the President and the ruling party, and where the diplomatic difficulty is a literal hellfire.
Moreover, since she said the leader changed by a margin of two votes, their approval rating would likely be precarious at the start of their term.
However, considering the inherent value a President holds, even that might not mean much.
"I understand that history changed because the President changed. But I want to know exactly how much it changed…"
[I don't know. Even the gods of Earth are in a situation where they can't predict the future.]
"It sounds very serious. Then, what if I had been fine?"
[If you had been fine, South Korea would have changed for the better. A politician only in his 40s would have been elected President.]
My eyes widened at Mora's words. That's a more massive butterfly effect than I expected.
And since she said it would have changed for the better, at least South Korea's future would have been bright.
Just before I crossed over to this side, South Korea was quite ill.
After the Korean War, it achieved terrifying growth with the support of developed nations, but by the present day, only the side effects remained.
It had lost all its growth engines, conflicts were erupting everywhere, and the population—the source of labor—was steadily declining.
The situation was already broken beyond repair, yet no one showed the will to fix it.
[His tendency to act somewhat like a dictator is a flaw, but even considering that, it's not all bad. He resolves most of the conflicts that had been festering.]
"Wouldn't it be too late by then?"
[You don't need to worry about that. World War III breaks out before that person is elected President. That war will dilute the conflicts, at least a little.]
"……"
Wait a minute. What did I just hear? A World War?
While I was reeling from the sudden bombshell, Mora spoke as if wondering why I was so surprised.
[There's no need to be so shocked, is there? A major war broke out right before you came here. And originally, half of history is filled with war. The era you lived in was an exceptionally peaceful period.]
"Even so… is that war going to escalate into a World War?"
[It doesn't escalate directly, but it had an indirect influence. Though it was another country that lit the fuse.]
Could it be China? They're always eyeing Taiwan, and it's a country ruled by a dictator.
By nature, a country ruled by a dictator has no choice but to go downhill. No matter how powerful China's control is, there are clear limits.
Someday, the accumulated dissatisfaction is destined to explode. I know that dissatisfaction is already building up under the surface.
And there is only one most effective way to suppress internal discontent: diverting attention outward.
[As you know, war is suited for uniting the people. Using that as a pretext, the conflicts were diluted slightly, and the future President resolved them completely.]
"That sounds like more than just history changing because of a different President…"
[Correct. And it's because that President is your child's friend…]
"……"
Me in my past life. Just what kind of destiny did I have?
I didn't change the country directly. But the indirect influence is too massive.
It wasn't for nothing that the gods of Earth were throwing a fit.
[The gods of Earth ranted that they would have normally started a war. But since the situation was so severe, they decided to clean things up first. Sending your soul here was a bonus.]
"Is it even possible to clean it up?"
[It's difficult, but possible…? If they grant a 'Revelation.']
"A revelation, you mean…"
[Breaking their own philosophy and intervening directly in history. Revealing their existence.]
The gods of Earth strive not to exert direct influence on the mortal world. They merely observe.
Thanks to that, humanity on Earth was able to advance into space in a short amount of time. Simultaneously, the gods' range of activity expanded.
But now they were about to break that entire philosophy. Since it was a philosophy established by gods, their pride was about to be shredded to pieces.
The bigger problem is that even without the gods revealing their direct presence, the influence of religion is already incredibly powerful.
If they were to reveal their existence on top of that, I don't even need to see it to know what would happen.
"…Once they finish cleaning up, aren't they going to declare war?"
[I originally had that anxiety… but looking at them recently, it doesn't seem like it. They were laughing at us, as if saying 'serves you right.']
"They were laughing?"
[Yes. Just look at everything you've done so far. History has been so twisted that even we can barely handle it. To be honest, they've half-given up.]
Hearing that reminds me of what was said last time. Did they call me someone like the United Kingdom?
In world history, if something strange happens and you point at me, you're usually right. It's originally a meme related to Britain.
At least Britain was somewhat natural; I am not. My very existence is something that goes beyond abnormal.
From the gods' perspective, since they can't even touch me, they probably just laughed and reached enlightenment. I suppose I've taken revenge on their behalf against the gods here.
[At the same time, you've essentially saved us. My mother even added her persuasion to the mix. She asked if this didn't all happen because they intervened in our world first.]
"That must be the story related to the God of the Sea."
[Exactly. Because they injected useless ideologies… the gods of Earth accepted that part. So, it was all glossed over.]
In essence, it's like everyone gave each other a 'big screw you.' The gods of Earth really started a massive snowball.
Anyway, it's a relief that the gods of Earth won't be invading this place.
If they had invaded, my position would have been extremely awkward. As I've said repeatedly, I am quite satisfied with my current life.
"Then, is the outbreak of World War III on Earth a destined fate?"
[It is. The casualties are even worse than World War II. It's evaluated as being beyond the Soviet-German War.]
That's strange. I tilted my head.
The America I remember wouldn't suffer that many casualties. They didn't in World War II either.
Unless they were pushing China with overwhelming technology, they wouldn't grind through people like the Soviet Union or Nazi Germany did.
China, being a population powerhouse, could grind through its people, but the situation itself makes that impossible. America has to cross the ocean.
[There's India, isn't there?]
"Ah."
If that's the case, it makes sense. Both boast populations of over a billion.
Furthermore, India and China have a hostile relationship. They engage in melee combat at the border whenever they get the chance, so that says it all.
If that's the case, it would indeed leave behind more casualties than the Soviet-German War. Both are nations capable of grinding through human lives.
I nodded, then suddenly flinched. Since she said it was a World War, South Korea would have participated in the war as well.
And when war breaks out, it's common for not just front-line units but also the reserve forces to be deployed.
"…Then what about my friends? Are my friends okay?"
[Normally, they would have just been called up for reserve duty and the war would end… but I'm not sure now. History has changed too drastically.]
"I hope they're safe…"
I'm worried. Just the fact that I died must have left my friends with heavy guilt.
I truly hope they return home safely even amidst the war. I don't need anything else; that would be enough.
"Anyway, I don't have to worry about the gods of Earth invading this place, right?"
[Yes. So you can just enjoy your own life. We'll have to suffer a bit, though.]
At her grumbling words, I gave a weak laugh and said,
"You should suffer a bit. Especially you, Mora."
[…It's sad that I have nothing to say to that.]
Of course she has nothing to say. Just look at how many times she's trolled so far.
Did she read my mind? Mora asked in a puzzled voice.
[What's 'trolling'?]
"You don't need to know."
It's probably better that she doesn't.