Chapter 577: Karma(4)
Chapter 577: Karma(4)
Even after my meeting with Roy and Anne, preparations for the Xenon Festival continued steadily.
Because there were even more theater troupes, orchestras, and various minor artists participating than last year, just looking at the paperwork made my head feel like it was going to explode.
Fortunately, the Imperial family had dispatched civil servants to help, which made things much easier. Otherwise, the sheer volume of work would have left me bedridden long ago.
Though, my father, claiming he didn't trust the Imperial family, insisted on doing the final approvals himself.
"My Lord! Something has happened!"
"What is it?"
"Dwarves at the checkpoint...!"
"At the checkpoint?"
To make matters worse, a commotion broke out because the dwarves from Gaist had brought not just a tank, but 'tanks.'
My father knew they were bringing a tank, but he probably never imagined there would be several of them.
Since this wasn't an issue my father could resolve on his own, I went out to handle it personally. I used teleportation for a quick trip as a bonus.
"No! We didn't come here to start a war— Oh! The Prophet has arrived!"
As soon as I reached the checkpoint, I saw a line of imposing tanks.
I also saw the dwarves, who looked tiny compared to the massive machines, arguing with the checkpoint guards.
I recognized that face, but what did he just call me? A prophet?
"...Explain what's going on—no, never mind. Just let them in."
"But, are we really going to let those things..."
"They won't be driven much."
Knowing that arguing would only waste my breath, I gave them the green light. Afterward, I spoke with Eins, the dwarf who had led the tank unit here.
I didn't care about him calling me a prophet or whatever. I didn't even care that they brought a fleet of tanks instead of just one.
If there was one thing the dwarves of Gaist, including Eins, had to follow, it was this:
"If I catch you driving a tank after drinking, you'll be deported immediately. Consider this an order, not a request."
"Ugh... Can't we just have a little bit?"
"Don't you remember the accident you caused while drunk driving last year?"
No driving tanks while drunk. Last year, the dwarves of Gaist had the 'honor' of causing the world's first-ever traffic accident.
Back then, it was just a small car, so it wasn't a total disaster. But who knows what kind of catastrophe would occur if they drove a tank while intoxicated?
It wouldn't just be about crushing things with the treads; the moment they fired the main gun, it would escalate from a catastrophe to a full-blown calamity.
If that happened, the Minerva Empire would have no choice but to go to war with Machina.
"I can't let these dangerous things in without any precautions, so sign this pledge first. It's a formality, so you have no choice."
"Understood."
Only after they signed the pledge did I allow the five tanks into the territory.
Soon, the tanks rumbled into the estate, emitting heavy, mechanical roars. The ground shook as if an earthquake were occurring every time the caterpillar tracks moved.
I had only heard about them being used in the revolution, but this was my first time seeing them in person. From my perspective, I had only passed on a very shallow bit of knowledge.
'I hope they don't end up making airplanes next.'
Given the dwarves' technical prowess, it wasn't impossible. My concern was them producing something like that in such a short period, just like the tanks.
Airplanes were a technology that would be developed eventually. However, with the current mana engines modeled after steam engines, it would be difficult.
'I'll worry about that later.'
Now that the commotion was over, it was time to get back to work. I had dealt with the tanks, which could have been the biggest problem.
I had already planned where to park them. The only variable was that there were several instead of just one.
I'm sure they'll manage. Our territory has always been unnecessarily large, so there are still plenty of empty spaces.
As I've mentioned repeatedly, this land has great potential. It's land where you can succeed whether you're farming or doing anything else.
Later, whether it's a magical locomotive station, an airport, or whatever else comes along, I can fit it all in.
Of course, the people managing it will have their heads spinning. I wonder if my descendants will curse me for this.
"Well then, keep up the good work."
"Thank you."
*
Time passed, and the day of the Xenon Festival finally arrived. Leading up to it, I was so busy being pulled in every direction that I barely had time to breathe.
Being that busy meant I had no idea what was happening in the Maishal Territory.
Even when I went to the checkpoint to check on the tanks, I used teleportation to save time.
So, when I headed to the plaza where the festival was to begin with my family, my father asked me a question.
"Son."
"...Yes."
"May I ask since when our Maishal Territory became Berlin?"
I couldn't offer a single rebuttal, let alone an answer, to that question.
That was because a fantasy version of Berlin was unfolding before our eyes.
A tank sat squarely in the center of the plaza, and dwarves were perched on top of it, merrily chugging beer.
That was relatively mild. If you heard the song being sung by the dwarves and the 'German soldiers' around them, it was truly a sight to behold.
[Wherever we are, there is only the advance.]
[The Devil sees this and merely laughs.]
[Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha.]
[We fight for Germany.]
[We fight for Hitler.]
[The Reds shall never find rest!]
It was 'The SS Marches in Enemy Territory,' with lyrics modified from the Conrad Legion's marching song.
It was a song so deeply associated with the Nazi SS that it would be immediately taken down if uploaded to any media in my previous life.
Because it was a marching song symbolizing the SS, I had included it in Blood and Iron. However, I had only included the lyrics; I never included the melody.
It wasn't that I didn't include it; I couldn't. If I could have embedded an OST into the book, I would have done so long ago.
Perhaps because of that, the military song they were singing now was quite different from the one in my previous life. But that wasn't the problem.
'...I'm not really going to be struck by divine punishment, am I?'
I tried my best to ignore the scene, but my family watched with interest. The other tourists were the same.
To them, Nazi Germany and Hitler were closer to Star Wars and Darth Vader. Their alignment wasn't even Chaotic Evil, but Lawful Evil.
One might ask how Nazi Germany could be Lawful Evil, but since the state was maintained, they weren't outlaws.
Even the Holocaust was a madness where 'order' was maintained, so it was an undeniable fact that Nazi Germany was Lawful Evil.
"I bet the Soviet Union will be here next year, right? I'm curious to see how they'll turn out."
"I wonder if many other countries will appear besides the Soviet Union?"
The problem was that, for now, only Germany was enjoying popularity. In the upcoming German-Soviet War and the Pacific War, the Soviet Union and the United States were set to gain prominence.
The Soviet Union would project the image of a wild man hungry for revenge, while the United States would represent justice standing against evil.
I predicted both would be just as popular as Nazi Germany. What about Japan?
What else? They'd play the role of the one who picked a fight with big brother America and got beaten like a dog.
It's not because I'm Korean; that's just how history actually went. Japan's actions at the time were truly incomprehensible.
"If Blood and Iron is already like this, I wonder how surprised they'll be when they see the movie Isaac showed us? I'm a little curious."
"We agreed to watch that among ourselves. It's our own special privilege."
"I hope our standards don't get too high. The Xenon Biography movie is definitely a great work too."
I couldn't help but chuckle as I overheard my beloved fiancées chatting.
The work following Blood and Iron would be set in the distant, ancient past—the era when the gods were active.
A time when they didn't just deliver oracles as they do now, but occasionally descended to the earth to unleash their divine authority at will.
For that to happen, I first had to finish Blood and Iron. Next year's Xenon Festival would be very different from this one.
[Yes. It won't be that easy. The world that will accept me.]
[It's not a comfortable, sweet space that comes easily.]
[But still, I will fly.]
Blood and Iron wasn't the only thing at the Xenon Festival. While Blood and Iron was causing a sensation, Xenon Biography was the work being called the 'foundation.'
The song the bard was currently singing on stage was one I had included in the Xenon Biography side story, the Jin and Lily side story.
Since the lyrics were close to a tribute to Jin, who was a demon, the bards were singing it according to their own individual styles.
Some with a fast tempo, some with a slow tempo, some with a cheerful tone, and some with a calm tone.
Each showed off their own charm, reinventing a song that had previously only existed as lyrics.
As someone who knew the original song, I was impressed, thinking, 'So it can be sung like that too.'
"Aren't there many songs better than that in your world?"
"There are many songs. As for songs better than that... I'm not sure. There are just so many good songs."
"Then tell me about them later. I can listen to them for prenatal education."
Marie, who had just heard a good song, gently stroked her belly with a satisfied face.
I gave her a warm smile, as loveliness exuded from her every action.
If the most precious woman in the world wanted it, I would gladly comply. If she wanted, I could even carry her there myself.
"Hello. It is an honor to meet you, Lord Xenon."
"It's a pleasure to meet you."
The Xenon Festival wasn't just about the festivities. Given my reputation, meetings with numerous people were inevitable.
Among them were the Stavirk people, whom I had been watching closely, but honestly, no significant conversation took place.
They just invited me to visit their region if I had the chance. Of course, I had no intention of going.
The Stavirk representative seemed to know this and gave a bitter smile, but they appeared to find meaning just in the fact that they had met me.
And as for the Kingdom of Ters, which I had been most worried about...
"Sister Adele!"
"Lara? Is it really you, Lara? You've grown so much!"
I only met Princess Lara, whom I had called my last conscience. About a year had passed, and Lara had grown from a girl into a proper young lady.
She was currently clinging to Adelia, but her once childlike demeanor had become quite mature.
Also, according to her, Laos was busy with other matters, and Hiriya hadn't come out of the inn.
In the end, she had been enjoying the festival by herself when she spotted us.
"You can hang out with Sister Adele if you want."
"Really? Is that okay?"
"Yes, of course."
Even though it was a festival watched over by two gods, it was dangerous for a princess to be alone. So, I arranged for her to hang out with Adelia, with whom she was close.
In this way, the festival, for which so much had been prepared, proceeded as planned without any incidents or accidents.
I had some tedious meetings in between, but for once, I enjoyed myself to my heart's content.
"""Heil! Xenon!"""
"..."
Except for facing my karma. People wearing German uniforms or military outfits did that every time they saw me.
It wasn't as if I could perform a Nazi salute myself. I might end up in hell after I die.
Instead, I vowed to get back at them with the Holocaust. I'm really looking forward to seeing how those people react when they see the Holocaust later.
'I'll make sure every single mustache is ripped off.'
As the eventful festival passed and the dark evening approached.
"Daddy. Daddy. Look at this."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"Heil! Xenon!"
"..."
I ended up facing the worst karma of all from Ariel.
'I... I have to write the Holocaust...'
I hope the day passes quickly.