episode_0022

A secluded classroom in the East Lecture Hall of the Academy.

“……”

“…..”

An area usually so deserted it was practically abandoned.

A space that was usually filled with nothing but dust now had several students gathered.

Different grades, ages, genders, and family circumstances.

However, the reason they had gathered in one place was simple.

It was to attend the special political science lecture that was starting anew today.

They had registered for the class and attended, curious to know what the instructor of the hour, Raemis, would teach.

“Ah, hello.”

“Nice to meet you all.”

They exchanged shy greetings, but the atmosphere was a bit awkward. Which was to be expected.

With thousands of students enrolled in the Academy, only about ten had gathered here. What connection could they possibly have?

It would be surprising if they even vaguely recognized each other.

“Did you come because of Instructor Raemis’s lecture too?”

“Yes. I’m from a merchant family, so I thought it would be beneficial to take a class like this later on.”

“Similar reason here. I’m from a backwater barony in Nabre.”

Still, their tone towards each other wasn’t sharp.

Even though they were clearly meeting for the first time, there was a sense of camaraderie.

This lecture was hastily arranged by the instructor’s discretion in the middle of the semester.

It wasn’t a formal subject like finance, swordsmanship, or magic, so no credits would be given.

And yet, they had deliberately chosen to allocate their precious study time to attend?

They must have their own desperate reasons, a need to learn this that would make things difficult if they didn’t.

If the desperate reason was to study international politics, wouldn’t they all be somewhat similar?

It wasn’t an era where society was so complicated.

Knowing they were in similar situations, the students weren’t mean-spirited enough to be prickly.

“But there seem to be fewer people than I thought? I expected at least 30.”

“Didn’t the instructor select us? Only students who are capable of understanding the lecture.”

“Come to think of it, that could be the case. Instructor Raemis is skilled, but I heard the teaching style is difficult.”

“It’s not the style but the content itself that’s difficult. But once you learn it, it’s incredibly useful.”

As they gradually conversed and chattered in a more comfortable tone.

The front door of the classroom opened.

The ones who stepped through were a pair of men and women with black and white hair.

“Ah, so everyone’s here already? Nice to meet you all. I’m Raemis, and I’ll be leading this special lecture with you from today.”

* * * * *

Standing at the teacher’s desk, I looked through the attendance book.

A total of 17 people.

From the sixty or so applicants, this was a list of carefully selected rebels whose thoughts and actions could be trusted.

‘This one looks revolutionary right from the face.’

The successor of a trading company. A poor student who miraculously found a sponsor. The children of insignificant noble families, and so on.

Their backgrounds were diverse, and there was no common ground to be found.

Except for one thing: dissatisfaction with the current system.

Not foolish enough to openly express their grievances and ruin their reputation and careers, but also not willing to submit to the system in the slightest.

They were excellent candidates to be nurtured as revolutionaries who would overthrow society.

“Now… everyone, it’s the first day. Let’s have a simple discussion today. What do you think of the current world?”

Chalk in hand, I lightly moved my feet and asked the question. Unfortunately, there was no answer.

Was the expression too broad?

Then I’ll have to tell them the answer.

“If you don’t know, I’ll tell you. The world is a mess. The leading powerful nations are all embroiled in war, throwing away precious lives and tax money into the mud.

Regardless of the country, the livelihoods of the people have deteriorated, and the national treasury is empty because of the need to procure military supplies and war expenses. I can say with certainty that this is the most chaotic time on the continent in the last 100 years.”

It was a direct statement, but there was nothing wrong with it.

Everyone seemed to understand, as they subtly nodded their heads.

“I don’t know how many more years the war will continue. 2 years? 5 years? Maybe more than 10 years? Even if you graduate, the probability that it will continue is not small at all.

Then the most necessary knowledge for you will be background knowledge about the rapidly changing systems and social structures of each country.”

“Instructor? What do you mean by system?”

A question from one of the female students. Come to think of it, they wouldn’t be familiar with this word yet, would they?

Every Tom, Dick, and Harry had either a monarchy or an empire, and republics were as rare as beans in a drought.

Everyone was managing their country with mercantilism and protectionism, and it would be a long time before other methods emerged.

So it was normal for them to be unfamiliar with distinguishing different types of national systems.

“A system refers to the way a country operates. It’s distinguished by who holds the political power, how the economy works, what the head of state is called, and so on.”

Pointing to the continental map that Kalia had prepared in advance with a cane, I opened my mouth.

“Shall we briefly explain it? The Kram Empire here used to be run by various nobles in accordance with their agreements.

Then, they enthroned a certain great victorious general as emperor. This is a change in the system from an oligarchy of nobles to an empire.”

“Conversely, the neighboring Hispania Empire was unified by the first emperor after various small kingdoms were in disarray, and declared itself an empire. This can be said to be a case of promotion from a monarchy to an empire.”

Both were fairly common systems that also existed on Earth.

If you look at history books, you can find a few.

On the other hand, the next country I pointed to… belonged to a very rare category, regardless of time or place.

“The Helvetia Republic… is very special. In the past, it professed to be a republic as its name suggests, but now it’s completely different. Because of a writer named Ismael.”

“Ismael?”

“I’ve heard of him. Isn’t he the writer who wrote ‘The Prince’?”

“I heard ‘Leviathan’ is also his work.”

“I heard that Duce Enrico Dandolo likes that writer’s books.”

The students suddenly buzzed when a familiar name came up.

I never thought I would be a famous person here as well.

It feels a little embarrassing to be bragging about myself.

“The parliament has been reduced to a nominal existence, and all power is concentrated in the hands of the Doge, or rather, the Duce. To explain this, the expression ‘totalitarian dictatorship’ would be appropriate.

I’ll slowly tell you what totalitarianism means in future lectures.”

After having Kalia fold the map again, I turned my gaze to the students.

“Now we have simply distinguished them according to the way of politics. But the more you increase the criteria for judgment, the more diverse the classifications become, and the easier it is to distinguish the differences between countries.”

For example, if you use the economy as a standard, you can broadly divide it into capitalism and socialism.

Depending on whether private property is recognized, whether welfare policies are supported, and the perspective on the role of the government, it can be made even more detailed.

Social democracy, communism, democratic socialism, neoliberalism, modified capitalism, national socialism, and so on. There are dozens of them.

If you add the element of ideology, it will become even more diverse.

You can divide all the countries in the world into different categories and define each of their identities.

“I will tell you all of this during the remaining semesters. All the advantages and disadvantages, features and methods.”

I will do my best to pass on the knowledge I have to these students.

I will make them realize that there are endless systems far superior to stupid autocracies and class societies.

I probably won’t be able to discuss it at the level of a true expert, but at least they’ll be able to dream and talk about ideals.

So that they can join our organization with a grand dream of overthrowing the world, or become a lone wolf aiming for a grand ideal.

With pride and honor as a professor.

I will teach them that there is no need to fear an uncertain future even if they break the current system.

‘I will not apologize.’

As a result, I have added difficulties and trials to your fate, but please do not resent me.

Rather than being crushed and suppressed by oppression for the rest of your lives, it’s better to fall knowing what freedom is, right?

I’m just trying to show you the world outside the well.

“That’s all for today. Let’s meet here again at the same time the day after tomorrow.”

Looking at the pillars who would ruin the future of the world, I bowed deeply.

With a bit of bitterness, anticipation, and overflowing hatred for the Goddess.

* * * * *

And that evening.

Kalia and I, who had gone out to buy groceries and eat out for a change, were caught in an unexpected incident.

“Goddess’s Paradise, Hell for Non-Believers! Get out of here, you damned heretics!!”

“Heretics are you! You’ve been insulting us and sucking our blood with all sorts of excuses, and now you’re mentioning the Goddess?!”

“Everyone, take up your weapons! Let’s beat down the heretics who threaten the cathedral and the priests!!”

“You think we’ll just stand by and take it? Kill the greedy pig bastards!!”

People clashing in the city center with spears and swords.

Screaming and brawling mobs.

“…The effect of Article 115 is amazing.”

“You can say that again.”

A religious war had broken out in the heart of the Elaine Kingdom’s capital.