Chapter 617: Lecture(4)
Chapter 617: Lecture(4)
Which comes first: freedom or order? Professor Virius’s question was philosophical in many respects.
It was the kind of question that was difficult to answer definitively. Furthermore, I could confidently say I had experienced both.
A world that watched over its inhabitants to the point of neglect, and a world that kept them safe within the confines of a birdcage.
Both had distinct pros and cons, and those advantages and disadvantages were so significant that it was difficult to explain.
"Before I answer, I’d like to hear your opinion, Professor Virius. What do you think?"
"I used to lean toward freedom, but my thoughts have changed recently. Specifically, after reading Blood and Iron."
"You’re worried that people like the Nazis might appear."
Professor Virius nodded, confirming my guess. Certainly, because of the Nazis' actions in the book, people were beginning to appreciate the existence of the gods.
Even if it was a story in a book, it was based on actual events. Combined with my reputation and the vivid sense of realism, the readers couldn't help but be immersed.
Moreover, hadn't Luminous himself directly intervened to suppress fanaticism, as seen in the Savior's massacre of the demons?
Of course, the Nazis represented laissez-faire disguised as freedom. Since they showed the worst-case scenario, one couldn't simply demand order without context.
"Indeed. Didn't you write Blood and Iron with that intention in mind, Professor Isaac?"
Actually, I just shamelessly plagiarized Earth's history. I had guessed it would have various impacts on the world, but I hadn't specifically targeted the balance of freedom and order.
It felt similar to the Xenon Chronicle, yet different. Sometimes, my work produced results entirely different from my intentions.
I gave a subtle smile and shook my head.
"Well, while Nazi Germany is the worst possible form, isn't it ironic that Nazi Germany was a country where order was so powerful it reached the level of total control?"
"Yes."
"Looking at it that way, I believe separating freedom and order is meaningless. Just as the heads and tails of a coin are different, they are still part of the same coin."
Freedom and order are like a coin. They seem like opposites, but in the end, they are the same entity.
People dislike those who only demand 'rights,' but they nod and accept it if those people also take 'responsibility.'
Conversely, if you tell people to take responsibility without giving them corresponding rights, they will despise it. It all comes back to the same point.
"Of course, there are worlds where order is stronger, like this one, and there may be worlds where freedom is stronger, like in Blood and Iron. In my opinion, both have their own unique strengths and weaknesses."
The audience looked puzzled by my words. Professor Virius was no exception.
I could say this as someone who had experienced both worlds, but they had no idea I was from another world.
Since someone might catch on if I wasn't careful, I had to explain as indirectly as possible. Fortunately, there was a perfect 'sample' to use.
"In a world like Blood and Iron, the existence of God is unclear. Therefore, it doesn't matter what humanity does. However, because there is no being to restrain them, humanity will continue to commit wrongs until they realize their mistakes themselves. Nazi Germany and the Holocaust are examples of that."
"Do you really think humanity would commit such horrific acts? It’s just fantasy, after all."
A male student asked, sounding skeptical. From his perspective, it was likely incomprehensible.
I could be certain because I had lived on Earth, but he couldn't. I opened my mouth with a slight smile.
"Couldn't we use the example of the demon massacre in Savior?"
"That’s history from over 2,000 years ago. Since then, we have achieved great civilizational progress. And while the Beastkin were massacred during the Race War 300 years ago, the gods didn't directly intervene then."
He was a rather bold student. It was true that the Savior's demon massacre happened right after the Demon War.
Chronologically, it was a record from over 2,000 years ago; in Earth terms, it was like mentioning something from the BC era.
It was only because the Elves and Demons, who live for thousands of years, remembered it clearly that it stayed relevant; otherwise, other races would probably react with a "That again?"
"Then what about the Demon Worshippers?"
I immediately used my finishing move. The Demon Worshippers, who committed all sorts of atrocities while hiding from the eyes of the gods.
As soon as I mentioned them, the male student shut his mouth tight like a clam. That was how significant the presence of Demon Worshippers was.
"Demon Worshippers commit all kinds of evil while avoiding the eyes of the gods. To put it another way, they are essentially living in the world of Blood and Iron among themselves."
"..."
"Let me tell you in advance: the madness of humanity—not just humans, but all races—is terrifying enough that the gods themselves must intervene. No one will be able to predict it."
No country expressed madness as well as Nazi Germany. A country that treated people like replaceable parts for the sake of the state.
They treated human lives like livestock for the sake of an absurd ideal and even went as far as creating death camps.
Human imagination is infinite, and that imagination is the driving force of progress, but sometimes it derails to an extreme degree.
"We’ve strayed a bit off-topic. Anyway, freedom and order are inseparable; they are destined to coexist. You can't weigh one over the other."
"..."
"Does that answer your question, Professor Virius?"
"That was a clear answer, Professor Isaac."
Professor Virius said this and began to applaud as if impressed. Starting with him, the others followed suit.
I felt a bit embarrassed, as if I were receiving unearned praise. After all, I was just borrowing memories from my previous life.
I tried to hide my flushing face and waited for the lecture hall to quiet down. My pounding heart began to settle slightly.
"Now, since the questions are over, let's begin the lecture. I think we might finish a bit late today. Is anyone busy?"
No one raised their hand. I was planning to let them go if they were busy, but it seemed everyone wanted to stay.
Moreover, since it was the last day, I planned to take individual questions from each student—excluding the debate-style questions like the one just now.
As the week-long lecture, which felt both short and long, was coming to an end, I looked around at the people and spoke with emphasis.
"Do not be afraid to state your theories boldly. If your theory is nonsense, I will prove it is nonsense, and even the small crumbs that come out of that process will have a value equal to gold. And if someone refutes that proof, and another refutes that, the world will progress further."
Because the rules of composition had been made excessively difficult, even a proper scientific revolution hadn't occurred yet.
Normally, when a theory is published in a book, technicians should read it and interact with it, but that was lacking here.
Fortunately, there was almost no illiteracy, but there were too many people who stayed away from books. I found that a bit regrettable.
"If you wish for anonymity, I can help you. I plan to establish a foundation soon."
"A foundation? What kind of foundation?"
"A place where anyone can conduct their research regardless of status or rank."
As I mentioned before, all mages were scholars, but not all scholars were mages. This created a form of discrimination.
Mages already had a massive advantage, yet they didn't include non-mage scholars. It was similar to how wizards in Harry Potter looked down on Muggles.
Perhaps that was why most scholars who entered the Holy Land of Albenheim were mages. This might be the cause of the unbalanced development.
And while I'm at it, I can help students who can't enter the Academy because they lack money. It'll promote my territory, too.
It was a win-win. I had more money than I knew what to do with anyway.
I’d heard that if I spent it all at once, it would cause hyperinflation in the Empire.
Since I didn't have many places to spend it, I planned to build a foundation to increase my prestige.
"That is the end of my lecture. Thank you all so much for listening to my lacking presentation."
The week-long lecture series was finally over. I felt a sense of relief as I listened to the thunderous applause.
Now I could go back to the mansion and lounge around with Mari or act as a referee for soccer matches. I was returning to my daily life.
Of course, before that, I had to do the Q&A session as I promised.
"Since it's the last day, I'll take one question from each person. If you're busy, you may leave now."
Naturally, no one left. Everyone seemed desperate to ask me something.
It looked like we really would finish late today. I started with the student sitting at the far left end of the front row.
She was a female student with deep brown hair reaching down to her waist, with round eyes and a pure, elegant aura.
"Do you have any intention of taking a concubine?"
"..."
A bombshell right from the first question. I was slightly flustered but managed an awkward smile as I answered.
"Not at the moment. I'm quite busy with many things. I'm sorry. Next person?"
"When will Mussolini start playing an active role?"
"..."
Why were the questions like this? Especially since Mussolini was destined to be hung at a gas station soon.
And alongside his lover, no less. I felt a bit uneasy and quietly asked back.
"That’s a spoiler, so it’s hard to answer. Are you a fan of Mussolini or Italy?"
"No. My name is Mussolini."
"..."
"The other kids tease me sometimes. They say I'm even worse than Hitler."
I’ll have to make sure I remember his face.
I wouldn't have a leg to stand on even if he sued me later.