Chapter 80: Reckless(4)
Chapter 80: Reckless(4)
The pen is mightier than the sword. It is a famous proverb that most have heard at least once, carrying a variety of meanings.
The phrase "the person holding the pen" that Dmitri mentioned to me was similar. While it was a metaphorical expression, it could literally refer to a literary author writing a work with a pen, or perhaps a journalist writing for a newspaper.
However, we must consider Dmitri's position once more. Dmitri is a Duke, holding the highest rank in the Minerva Empire after the Emperor himself, and is naturally deeply involved in "politics."
In other words, the person holding the pen Dmitri referred to was likely a "politician." But since he used a metaphorical expression, it was only right to assume he meant all of the above.
Above all, I could roughly guess the intention behind Dmitri's question. He was likely referring to Xenon Biography, the book that had not only exerted a massive influence on the cultural sphere but was also beginning to seep into everyday life.
Since there had never been a book that shook the world like this before, it was certainly an object that anyone holding a pen had to be wary of.
I suppose he has no choice but to be cautious.
If one wanted to realize the power of the pen, they didn't have to look far. There was Adolf Hitler, a name no one from Earth could possibly be ignorant of and the central figure of World War II.
Hitler maximized the power of the pen to brainwash all of Germany, using the nation for his own ends and eventually triggering World War II. That single war engulfed all of Europe in flames and played a part in awakening the two giants, the United States and the Soviet Union.
If such a catastrophe could occur from just one country, what if the influence spanned the entire world? Naturally, one would have to be on guard.
Furthermore, this was a fantasy world. A place where mana, magic, monsters, and non-human races existed, and where social civilization was merely at a medieval level.
Even on Earth, where society was several stages more advanced, a single instance of incitement had carved a horrific history; it would be even more so here, not less. Moreover, Xenon Biography had long since taken a sharp sword—the "Demons"—into its possession.
If the author of Xenon Biography—that is, I—so desired, I could commit atrocities using the tempered sword that was the Demon race. Of course, I would never be crazy enough to do such a thing.
However, that was strictly from my perspective; for others like Dmitri, the story was different. Xenon Biography was a literal time bomb that could go off at any moment, a dangerous element that could lead to mutual destruction if handled incorrectly.
Furthermore, Dmitri belonged to the Rekilis family. As he said himself about conversing with the past and glimpsing the future, his was a family that boasted broader knowledge of history than anyone else.
Having gained much from history, he would clearly recognize the power held by those who wield the pen. And he had asked me the question with all these factors in mind.
"A natural phenomenon... and you say history proves it?"
"Yes. That is correct."
"Do you understand the intent behind my question?"
When Dmitri asked with interest and expectation rather than reproach, I nodded silently.
Even if one person influences the entire world, when viewed through the lens of history, it is not an element of instability but merely a single current of the era. Hitler in my previous life had a massive impact on the world, and even fifty years later, that influence persisted to the end.
Moreover, a similar history existed in this world as well. The "Race War," the very subject of the book currently sitting on the table.
In terms of my previous life, it was a Great War comparable to World War II, and its influence remained even now, five hundred years later.
"The person holding the pen you mentioned likely refers to several things, Your Grace. It could literally be a novelist, or it could be a politician. Both share the commonality of expressing their will powerfully without using direct 'physical force.' Whether that expression is direct or indirect."
"You understand well."
"And as for the pen currently changing the world... with my shallow knowledge, I can only think of Xenon Biography. A novel that isn't just leaving a mark on the cultural sphere but is creating an entirely new culture."
It was an embarrassing evaluation to voice myself, but it was how the newspaper critics had described it. I was merely borrowing their words.
Dmitri just stared at me blankly even after hearing my explanation. I couldn't tell what he was thinking due to his near-expressionless face, but I felt it best to continue.
"The influence Xenon Biography has on the world is powerful enough that those holding the pen cannot possibly ignore it. Not only has it changed the perception of Demons, but it has also redefined theology by presenting the new concept of the Seven Deadly Sins. Depending on what stories appear in Xenon Biography in the future, changing the target of that influence would be child's play."
"Last time, there was even a story criticizing the nobility. Fortunately, because it portrayed both the bright and dark sides of the aristocracy, there wasn't a major backlash."
"Yes. In this way, Xenon Biography is slowly changing the world. As the perception of Demons changed, more nations began to welcome them, which naturally led to exchange and many countries reaping diplomatic benefits."
"And recently, the Princess of Helium enrolled in Halo Academy. Things that were utterly unthinkable even five years ago are appearing in reality one by one."
Dmitri then slowly leaned his upper body forward and continued in a grave voice.
"I am also one of the readers who loves Xenon Biography, but I can pride myself on knowing history better than anyone. Therefore, I cannot possibly ignore it."
"..."
"Do you not also know well what kind of calamities occur when the world changes in an instant?"
Dmitri asked me, pointing to the books related to the Race War on the table. As he said, the rapid change of the world was synonymous with the process being chaos itself.
It didn't have to be a large-scale war like World War II. The greatest example was the "Industrial Revolution," which literally transformed the world overnight.
"Machines" made their full-scale appearance, "time" was extended, and the global population exploded simultaneously. But as a trade-off, "Imperialism" emerged, leading to the plunder and suffering of countless nations.
If the world changed so abruptly, many people would bleed, and pens and swords alike would be easily broken without even making a sound. Change is a process that accompanies that much pain.
Duke Rekilis judged that the currently ongoing Xenon Biography would be the same.
As someone who loved and understood history better than anyone, he treated Xenon Biography not as mere culture, but as a powerful pen.
"The world changing doesn't just mean seeking development. It inevitably exerts a great influence on society, whether for better or worse. In the past, the concepts of King, Noble, and Commoner did not exist. We, too, initially imitated the Elves, having only a council, the ministers beneath them, and finally the people who served as the roots."
"..."
"However, as time passed and the Race War broke out, it began to take its current form. The three classes: King, Noble, and Commoner. But even this is fraught with problems. The conflict between nobles and commoners is intensifying, and in the Ters Kingdom, even the Jayros Revolution occurred. Recently, when Xenon Biography went on hiatus, protest groups were even formed. Do you truly believe all of this is a natural phenomenon and of no great significance?"
To that, I answered without a moment's hesitation.
"Yes. That is correct."
"Then, if the author of Xenon Biography were to misstep with their pen and a horrific tragedy were to occur, would you still dismiss that as a natural occurrence? I find that view far too optimistic."
For some reason, I felt as if Dmitri was issuing a direct warning to me. If you misstep with your pen, I will personally destroy you.
But contrary to his worries and concerns, I was writing Xenon Biography purely as a hobby. I could guarantee that I would never do something like trying to change the world.
However, as Xenon Biography was already changing the world, the fact that I had to take "responsibility" remained unchanged. Dmitri had reminded me of that once again.
Does he vaguely suspect that I'm the author?
For now, I thought it best to answer without dwelling on that. I looked at Dmitri, who was waiting for my response with a serious face, and spoke.
"It's not optimism; it's a phenomenon that has already occurred several times in history. When society changes, 'people' naturally change as well. Of course, there will be a lot of noise at first. They must fully accept knowledge they couldn't previously grasp as common sense, and it's no different from exploring the unknown. Humans fear change, but ironically, they are intellectual beings who can only develop by embracing it."
"Hmm."
"You love history, Your Grace, so you must know well. How we humans fought to oppose the Elves during the Race War. And through what process the Minerva Empire was founded. To the people of that era, those were surely radical changes, but they are strictly matters of the 'past.' To us living in the 'present,' they are events that have already passed and are accepted naturally."
The reason I became interested in history was simple. It was just because I was born in the Republic of Korea.
To explain accurately, as everyone knows, the Republic of Korea experienced the tragedy of the Korean War only fifty years ago. Not long after achieving independence, everything collapsed like a sandcastle due to one man's greed, resulting in horrific loss of life.
But now? The Republic of Korea has developed into a powerful nation to the point where one might wonder if such a war ever even happened. Although traces of the war remain here and there, looking at the skyline of Seoul, such a thought would never cross one's mind.
That was why I became so interested in history. To understand, even just a little, how the people of that time felt about the "past" that we now accept so naturally.
I locked eyes with Dmitri, who was listening intently, and finished my thought.
"People of the future will think of this moment as just something that happened in the past. As a past they accept as a matter of course."
"..."
"From our perspective living in the present, it may be very chaotic, but in the end, we are merely immersed in the long flow of history. To the people of the future, it will be history they pass over naturally, thinking, 'So that's how it was.'"
"So what you're saying is that everything occurring within a great change is entirely natural from a historical perspective. Therefore, whether one stands by as a bystander or resists, it's all meaningless. Because change is natural."
"Yes. That is correct. However, while that is strictly a historical perspective, realistically, it is better to be prepared. To receive a better evaluation from future generations."
"Hmm."
When I finished speaking, Dmitri began to stroke his chin, lost in thought. During that time, I picked up my teacup to moisten my parched lips.
I felt like my sugar levels had dropped from squeezing out that explanation. As I sipped the tea, its sweet aroma was exquisite.
"I understand your thoughts well. You tell a quite interesting story."
Dmitri, who had been lost in thought while stroking his chin, spoke to me with a gentle smile. I set the teacup down completely before replying.
"I'm glad you found it interesting. This is the limit of my shallow knowledge."
"Not at all. Thanks to you, I feel as if one of my worries has been resolved. Then, I shall ask another question. Actually, this is the main point and the most important part."
Perhaps because he mentioned it was the most important part, I grew even more tense than before and waited for him to speak.
Dmitri then clasped his hands and rested them against his face, looking at me intently before speaking in a low, grounded voice.
"What is it about my daughter that you like so much that you're dating her?"
"..."
"I'd like you to answer this honestly. She's the man my daughter chose, but this isn't a matter I can just let slide easily."
His aura as a Duke had vanished without a trace, replaced only by a doting father. I barely managed to suppress a hollow laugh and put on a wry smile instead.
Just in case, I glanced at Mari sitting next to me; she had her head buried low as if she were dying of embarrassment. Seeing her face buried in her hands, she seemed mortified.
Unable to hold back a short chuckle, I gave a simple and honest answer.
"Because she's pretty."
"Hey! Don't answer that!"
As soon as I answered, Mari shrieked from beside me. That alone would have been enough to shame her, but Dmitri took it a step further.
"Hmm... an honest answer. My daughter is indeed pretty, taking after her mother."
"Dad! Stop! Please!"
Mari had reached the point of nearly wailing.