Chapter 86 – Preparation (1)

April 19th, 2023

While admiring the view outside the window, I discussed with my father and mother the idea of designating the Michelle territory as a cultural city, just like the Kim Kwang-seok Street which was beautified based on the fact that famous people were born there. 

I expressed my opinion that if we decorate the territory with just one piece of evidence of a famous person’s birthplace, it would definitely lead to the development of the territory. 

Of course, I was worried about the aftermath of such a decision, but I suggested that I could keep my birthplace as it is and just not disclose our actual residence.

I thought that even if someone were to investigate, there would be no disturbance as long as I deny my actual residence and play it off smoothly. 

Since I had witnessed the development of the previously quiet territory with my own eyes, I couldn’t help but be a little greedy.
However, I judged that there would be no problem since my suggestion was convincing.

As for my parents’ reaction to my story, my father seemed to be deep in thought, but my mother’s response was ambiguous.
Even though my father was someone who thought deeply, it was surprising that my mother didn’t seem to agree. 

When I asked if there were any political problems with my idea, my mother looked at my father without saying anything.
After pondering for a while with his hand on his chin, my father looked at me with a solemn expression.

Isaac.”

“Yes, Father.”

“What you suggested is definitely a good thing for you, for our territory, and for its development.
It will allow us to increase our potential for growth even faster and maximize the effects of tourism.
Who knows, this place may become the fixed location for exhibitions.”

In reality, the latter part was the biggest goal of the idea.
I wanted to show exhibitions in our territory every cycle without the need to wander around here and there.

Force them to do it only in our territory! It’s not like that.
You can display your artwork as you please until the exhibition.
The exhibition is only significant in that artists from around the world gather to showcase their work.
Of course, the condition for that is that the popularity of my work must continue steadily, but given the current situation, that is simple.

Father looked at me with a questioning expression, then chuckled quietly before speaking in a low voice.

“But that’s short-sighted thinking.
There are many concerning factors if you look at the bigger picture.”

“Concerning factors?”

“Yes.
First of all, I have realized a few things while working as a knight in this country.
The Minerva Empire has too much greed, it is even well-known that we are aiming for the Ters Kingdom.”

Father opened his mouth with a solemn voice, extending his index finger.
I could only tilt my head at his words.

I knew well of the cultural ambitions of the Minerva Empire.
They were absorbing other cultures to swallow up the Ters Kingdom and firmly establish their dominance in the world. 

The military and economic powers were already raised as high as possible, and through centuries of history, they had also established a solid foundation.
It was only natural to turn their eyes to neighboring countries.

However, the Holy Kingdom Xavier could not be touched due to religious issues, and the commercial country of the Belua Kingdom was far away, and It was challenging to handle other places where different species were established.

So, the priority is on the Ters Kingdom, whom we share the same human race with, and with whom we have been enemies since the war of the races.
But I couldn’t understand how that relates to turning the Michelle Territory into a cultural city.

“I know that too.
If I ask them not to use us politically, wouldn’t the Empire stop too?”

“Maybe for now, but do you think they will do that even after 100 years?”

“What do you mean?”

“I asked if our empire will just sit still even after you die.”

I struggled to understand what my father was saying.

My father must have read my expression and continued to explain seriously.

“Isaac, the true power of culture lies in its steady continuation not only in the short term but also for future generations.
Even after you die, including Xenon’s Biography, your works will take their place in culture.
And if your true identity is revealed, our territory could also become what you said it could be.”

“So, it’s not the right time now?”

“That too, but it’s also because you were born in the wrong era.
Sadly, that’s the truth.”

“What?”

“If you die, your works will naturally increase in value.
And the Empire won’t miss that.
They can create a pretext for invasion by deliberately taking your manuscripts away from the Ters Kingdom or, in the worst case, they can burn them all and frame them for it.” 

“… …”

“Even now, if they were to find the culprit of the high-level theft case, they would be quick to eliminate three generations.
But what if all the manuscripts disappear? A war wouldn’t be surprising.
It just proves how immense the cultural value you possess is.”

Here, I realized once again that this world is in the medieval era.
Common sense from my past life hardly applies, and it’s a society that’s socially backward.

For example, let’s say that in a past life, a country burned all the high-level documents because they insulted J.K.
Rowling’s masterpiece, the Harry Potter series.
Many people around the world, including the British, would be outraged, but there is a high chance that each country’s government would only issue a statement of condemnation and let it end there.

If you still don’t understand, a great example (?) would be China.
Even if China is acting ridiculously, the countries that suffer damage can only issue critical statements and cannot declare direct war.

Of course, this is also because of China’s overwhelming power, but it’s worth remembering that even the United States could not use force recklessly.
In the same way, China cannot use force without a valid reason.

In a highly developed society and civilization like this, even drawing a knife is difficult.

‘… It’s really medieval times’

However, this is a fantasy world set in the medieval era.
This is a place where they unreservedly commit to common sense that humans on Earth would consider barbaric, where honor is more precious than life itself.
It’s not surprising to start a war over a trivial reason.

If my manuscripts were all burned by some country, they would inevitably receive a declaration of war, and after that, it’s natural that they would be destroyed.

As my father explained, as long as I live my life steadfastly, a war may not break out, but the problem is after I die.
As human greed knows no bounds, it wouldn’t be strange for them to do crazy things with my works.

It’s been 17 years since I was reborn into this world, but common sense still seemed difficult to accept.

“…I understand.
Listening to what my father said, there seem to be many problems.”

“Isaac, don’t be too disappointed.
Your father’s words are just predictions and not necessarily certain.
There may come a time when you get what you want.”

As I became dejected, my mother comforted me.
Her kindness made me feel a little better, but I still felt regretful.

It was a rare plan that I had planned with enthusiasm, but the idea of the butterfly effect scared me.
My father didn’t say that I was born in the wrong era for nothing.

My father, who had been silently watching me, opened his mouth in a calm tone.

“It’s natural for someone like you to have ambitions when visible results appear.
It’s a normal reaction.
But I sense a bit of impatience in you.”

“…Yes.”

“However, I’m not saying not to do it at all.
I’ve only given you advice, I’m not forcing your choice.
If you’re willing to take responsibility, I’ll gladly support you.”

My father only speaks words of agreement.
He was a soldier who had served on the front lines, so he knows more than me.

Above all, my father was born and raised in this world.
As someone whose common sense is deeply rooted in my past life, my thoughts could differ in various ways from his.

‘Immediate progress in this era is unlikely to happen…’

How can I prevent my work from being politically exploited? There may be no problem as long as I am alive, but the problem lies in the future.
Like everyone else, no parent wants to give their child a terrible future.
I will eventually get married and have children, but I cannot pass on such a future.
Especially if the cause of that future is directly related to me, it is horrific to even imagine.

‘I still have time.
It’s better to think slowly.’

I almost lost my mind in greed.
I overlooked even the most basic part by trying to fit common sense from my past life into this world.
I looked at my parents and decided that I should postpone developing our territory into a cultural city. 

Both of them were waiting for me to finish thinking.

“…But it’s hard to give up on ambition.”

Father seemed to agree with my embarrassed laugh. 

“If you were born as a man, you should have that kind of ambition.
Honor is a precious thing that cannot be measured by money.
Of course, you may discover something more valuable than that honor.”

“Right, dear.” 

Father subtly touched Mother’s hand and smiled.
Mother was embarrassed, but she still leaned her head against Father’s solid shoulder.

Regardless, my plan, full of ambition, was put on hold, but the preparations for the exhibition continued without any interruption.
Thanks to the support from the palace, the territories were changing in real-time almost every day.

However, that didn’t mean our family’s life had changed.
I sent a letter to the publishing company, and my parents were sweating over the incoming payment documents.

Of course, there were some changes.

“Hi! Our cutie pie!”

“Oh? Adelia? Are you going to the exhibition too?”

“Of course! How can I miss such an event?”

Nicole, who was expected to be at the academy during the break, came to the mansion with Adelia.

While Nicole was family, I never thought Adelia would be invited to the mansion.

“To be honest, I also came to see our cutie pie…”

“Stop talking nonsense and I’ll show you the room where you’ll be staying.”

“Ah~ why~ I wanted to talk more with our Isaac.”

“What kind of trick are you trying to pull on a guy who has a girlfriend? Stop talking nonsense and follow me.”

Adelia was dragged by Nicole.
Seeing her waving goodbye with a bright smile, I couldn’t help but think that she was still the same.

“She’s definitely close with Adelia.”

Nicole had never invited anyone to the house before.
It might be because she was busy working as a martial arts assistant, but it could also be that our territory was not worth showing off.

However, now that the exhibition is being held, it seems Adelia has come out of curiosity.
And she probably asked Nicole for an invitation.
Although I haven’t seen it with my own eyes, I can imagine it since it’s Adelia.

“I wonder who will come as guests?”

There were originally rumors of people attending from various countries around the world, but as soon as I said something, they all disappeared.
So I don’t know exactly who is attending.

“Well, I think I know a few of them.”

And as expected.

“Isaac~”

The day before the exhibition started, Marie visited our mansion.
Since she sent a letter instead of making a surprise visit, we could welcome her visit.

“Hello, I’m Sara Hausen Requilis, the hostess of Duke Requilis.
Nice to meet you.”

“My name is Kay Hausen Requilis, the eldest son of the Duke of Requilis.
Nice to meet you.”

Marie’s mother and older brother also visited with her.
I had seen her brother once before, but this was my first time meeting Sara.

Sara was a beauty with brown hair and brown eyes, and she looked so much like Marie that you could tell instantly where Marie’s appearance came from.
She exuded an elegant yet gentle atmosphere like our mother, giving off a sense of dignity.

‘…But isn’t the exhibition opening tomorrow?’

I couldn’t help but have that doubt as I greeted them.
Unless they had mistaken the time…

“I’m sorry, Isaac.
I ‘misremembered’ the date and came a day early.”

“… …”

“Can I impose on you just for today?”

Looking at Marie, who was smiling cheerfully, she glanced back.
Her mother, Sarah, was also smiling like Marie and Kei was shaking his head.

‘She’s becoming more demanding.’

So what was there to do? I smiled reluctantly as if accepting it.

“Okay.”

The exhibition was just around the corner.

*****

Meanwhile, in Alvenheim at a similar time…

“You understand, Rain? You must not get into an accident this time.”

“I understand, Your Majesty.
I won’t cause any accidents.”

“That’s right.
Let’s hurry before we get caught by the Council.”

Two elves hid their tracks by teleporting somewhere.

“What should I wear? I showed this one last time, so I should wear something else… Should I wear this?”

“I think this one is better than that…”

“Don’t you have anything else besides this?”

At Helium, Cecily was busy choosing a dress.

‘What should I wear to get his attention?’

Thinking of Isaac in her heart.