Chapter 605: Stalingrad(1)
Chapter 605: Stalingrad(1)
Even after Mora’s advice—or lack thereof—the world remained embroiled in a heated debate over mass-energy equivalence.
Some argued it was impossible because of mana, while others claimed it was possible only if mana were excluded. Since there was no way to prove it yet, theories were flying wild.
However, the consensus was leaning toward the idea that it held true even with mana, citing the Elves' forbidden magic, Unification, as evidence.
The problem was that even Unification was shrouded in theory, meaning one would need Queen Arwen’s permission to study it properly.
Since nuclear bombs lead to the end of the world—not just because of radiation, but because of their sheer power—I decided to step in.
[So, you are asking me to wait until you finish your book?]
Arwen’s beautiful voice flowed through the crystal ball. She sounded slightly fatigued, likely due to the sudden chaos.
I couldn't help but feel guilty for causing her such a headache. Still, I had to say what needed to be said.
"Yeah. Researching the theory is fine, but I want you to stop any actual experiments. You saw how much power it had in the Xenon Chronicle, right?"
[……Does it truly possess such power? Enough to completely annihilate the World Tree?]
Arwen asked back, her voice a mix of bewilderment and skepticism. It was my turn to be puzzled by her reaction.
I had learned that Unification was a forbidden magic through Piren, the former head of the Elder Council. Before that, even Arwen hadn't known of its existence, and I’d heard she had only looked into the theories since then.
"You didn't believe it? I thought you would."
[Wasn't Unification designated as forbidden magic because it was unethical? Does it truly yield such destructive force?]
"Well..."
How was I supposed to explain this? Should I tell her that Earth has thousands of weapons capable of destroying the world?
When I told Lina last time, she practically spat out her tea. She was so horrified she completely forgot her imperial decorum.
If Unification triggered a sort of nuclear fission, its power would indeed rival a nuclear bomb. It would vaporize the World Tree with ease.
"It’s a long story, but in our world, there are weapons built on the principles of Unification. In terms of pure destructive power, even the World Tree would vanish. I can guarantee that."
[I find it hard to believe, but… I understand for now. I shall allow the theoretical study but strictly forbid any experiments. Sigh…]
Arwen let out a long sigh. It seemed the situation was even more complicated than I thought.
Normally, she would have given me a gift, but that had been pushed to the back burner. Feeling apologetic, I spoke softly to comfort her.
"If you have some free time, you're always welcome to visit the mansion. I'm always here."
[May I speak my true mind?]
"Of course."
What followed was a torrent of complaints and suggestive remarks. It seemed the stress from her grueling administrative duties had piled up quite a bit.
I listened to every word while nervously glancing around, terrified someone might overhear.
Fortunately, Mari was fast asleep in bed, and Ariel was busy playing outside with her friends. The other women were currently at the Academy. They were likely buried in their studies right about now.
[I shall wrap things up quickly and come to you. I wish to see you this very instant.]
"Me too. Sorry for starting all this trouble."
[It is fine. Is it not better this way? Thanks to you, our academic knowledge has leaped forward. Perhaps we might even need Helium’s help to prove the theory.]
Mass-energy equivalence requires not just physics, but the power of chemistry as well. They’d need to discover atoms or something first.
And Helium was a nation where alchemy was highly developed, even if they didn't call it chemistry. They were so proficient that even the Elves had to acknowledge their superiority.
Arwen’s words implied that, for the first time, Elves and Demons might cooperate to prove a theory. The world was about to advance another step.
[I am truly sorry for making you listen to my whining. I should not use you as an emotional dumping ground…]
"I don't mind being an emotional outlet. I can be a 'desire outlet' too, you know?"
[……You truly are mischievous.]
Despite her words, Arwen laughed. She was clearly looking forward to our meeting.
[Then, I shall take my leave.]
"Yeah. I'll be waiting."
The call with Arwen ended there. As soon as the connection broke, the light in the communication crystal ball quietly faded.
Normally, a mage would be required to facilitate communication, but after some 'magical modification' by Cecile and Arwen, it now only required an injection of mana.
It was a massive leap in communication technology, but since it was ultimately just a modification, the efficiency was terrible. It drained an enormous amount of mana.
As for me, my body was overflowing with divinity, so I didn't have to worry about mana. Furthermore, Mora wasn't kidding when she said my mana would replenish just by drinking water.
‘Is the fact that mana is blue related to water being blue?’
I shook off the idle thought and returned to my work.
Everyone was busy with their own tasks, so I wouldn't be disturbed. However, since Mari was sleeping, I made sure to stay quiet. I was careful even when turning the pages of my manuscript.
‘The North African front has tilted toward the Allies. It’s about time for that battle to appear.’
The North African front, which even Rommel’s desperate struggles couldn't save. Now, it was time to return to the Red Army.
The US military would be busy with minor battles and refitting after the Battle of Midway.
‘The Battle of Stalingrad.’
The Battle of Stalingrad, often called 'Hell on Earth.' Anyone with even a passing interest in World War II would have heard of it at least once.
An FPS game set in WWII? The Battle of Stalingrad was a mandatory inclusion.
It was that fierce, and it was the turning point where the tide of war shifted toward the Soviet Union.
Of course, Nazi Germany was no pushover, and they managed to make things tense again with a major victory in the Third Battle of Kharkov.
However, most consider Stalingrad the turning point because the Soviet Union, which had been desperate just to defend until then, finally went on the offensive.
‘I tried to depict it as hellish as possible, but…’
As I mentioned, it was a battle so horrific it was dubbed a living hell. The fact that it was a six-month-long urban war said it all.
Urban warfare requires fighting within a city center, where the distinction between soldier and civilian blurs as everyone focuses solely on combat.
In truth, urban warfare has existed throughout history, but the variable here was that Stalingrad was a modern 'city.'
‘Some say modern urban warfare is essentially a siege.’
A siege is a battle over whether a castle can be breached. Urban warfare usually follows that.
However, Stalingrad was a hybrid of both. Unless every single building was leveled, surrender was impossible.
Furthermore, structures like apartment buildings were incredibly sturdy; they wouldn't fully collapse even under heavy bombing or shelling. This meant infantry had to go in personally.
‘Nazi Germany’s greatest strength, their armored forces, couldn't be used properly, leading to an extreme war of attrition.’
It was a fight that exhausted both sides. The Nazi German army strained every nerve to break through, while the Soviet soldiers defended with their very lives.
The story that the average life expectancy of a soldier there was only 24 hours is very famous. In reality, several soldiers died every minute.
The Soviet Union couldn't give up Stalingrad because it was vital both geographically and symbolically.
But while that was Stalin’s position, Hitler was different. His infamous stubbornness had kicked in.
‘Ego battles are truly terrifying.’
The reason for the defeat in the Battle of Moscow was Hitler’s obstinacy, and he displayed that same stubbornness again at Stalingrad.
Ultimately, due to supply issues, the arrival of General Winter, and finally the Soviet counteroffensive, Nazi Germany suffered a total defeat.
To make matters worse, as they were losing, Hitler promoted the commanding general to Field Marshal. There was a tradition that no German Field Marshal had ever surrendered.
In other words, he promoted him as a hint to commit suicide rather than surrender. Naturally, the pissed-off general basically said, "Fuck off," and surrendered anyway.
‘Didn't he actually say he had no intention of dying for a Bohemian Corporal?’
Regardless, Stalingrad was the battle that redefined urban warfare—a six-month descent into hell.
While minor and major battles occurred in North Africa and the Pacific, Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union focused solely on Stalingrad.
‘For a while, the Red Army’s story will focus only on the Battle of Stalingrad. I hope people don't find it boring.’
I planned to show a battle devoid of hope, filled only with despair and madness. It would go on for quite a while.
I felt a bit uneasy about this, but the Red Army’s story was characterized by people dying like flies, unlike the Giants.
Since I had set the concept that way from the start, I just had to accept it if it didn't perform well.
I nodded as I looked over the manuscript, then quietly tucked it into an envelope. Now I just had to send it to the publisher.
‘Come to think of it, wasn't the Northern Region where my father served similar to the Battle of Stalingrad?’
It wasn't recorded in history books and was a relatively recent event, so I wasn't sure.
Besides, it was only similar in terms of sheer brutality; the North wasn't urban warfare.
Still, the situation of endless killing was the same, so I worried it might trigger his PTSD.
My father was a strong man by any measure, but his past trauma was just as deep as mine.
Though he visited the temple regularly and trained himself to focus on his family, the scars on his heart would never truly heal.
‘……Just in case, I should talk to Father about it.’
Not show him, but tell him. Describing the situation through text was enough.
I stood up carefully so as not to wake Mari and headed toward my father’s office.
After walking down the long hallway, I arrived at the door to his office.
[Oh, honestly. Dear, really? In the middle of the day? What if someone comes by?]
Just as I was about to knock, a familiar voice reached my ears. I froze.
The office was supposed to be soundproof, but after my body changed, I could hear everything. Unless it was an incredibly faint sound, nothing escaped me.
I could even hear the thoughts of animals, but let’s ignore that for now. I focused on the voices coming from beyond the door.
[Everyone is busy, so no one will come. It’s fine, isn't it? I just can't help myself when I look at you.]
[What if we end up with a fifth child? We have to think about our age.]
[So, are you saying you don't want to?]
[Of course not. Come here.]
It was the voices of my mother and father. Even after all this time, the fire between them showed no signs of fading; if anything, it seemed to be burning hotter.
I quietly lowered my hand and turned around. I couldn't very well interrupt their 'quality time.'
‘I guess I can just send the manuscript right away.’
Father had Mother, so I didn't think I needed to worry.
‘But they are taking their medicine, right?’
I had a feeling the family tree was about to get even more tangled.