Ch.262The Double-Edged Sword (1)

“Philosophy” holds a crucial position in civilization. It might be considered the most fundamental of all literature.

Science, logic, politics, ideology, religion, language, psychology, and more. By digging into the essential question of “why?”, it deepens human knowledge and enlightenment.

If philosophy didn’t exist, humanity wouldn’t have properly cultivated nations, let alone civilization. Even if civilization were cultivated, without addressing philosophy, development cannot be expected.

However, philosophy doesn’t always produce positive effects. The prime example would be Hitler, the protagonist of World War II, which has been exploited like bone broth until now.

Hitler’s cruel and inhumane philosophy was, surprisingly, influenced by the famous Nietzsche. Not only that, but Stalin of the Soviet Union also originated from Marx, the father of communism.

As such, philosophy is like a double-edged sword and clearly has an enormous impact on the development of civilization. Even Earth, which is centuries more advanced than this world, would become obsolete without philosophy.

The importance of philosophy in this world goes without saying. It has a particularly terrifying influence on warriors, mages, and clergy.

This is because the “enlightenment” that might appear in any novel is closely related to philosophy. Even without these, philosophy occupies a significant portion in this developing world.

In that sense, the philosophical family of the Empire of Minerva, the Roseberry Earldom, wields great influence in the empire.

Unlike others, they aren’t strong in military power or capital, but the Roseberry Earldom has made significant contributions to the empire’s development.

Establishing the foundation of the country through profound philosophy is basic, and their greatest achievement is significantly reducing the discrimination and gap between nobles and commoners.

To put it simply, if my father had been born 100 years ago, he wouldn’t have even become a knight, let alone a baron. That’s how prevalent discrimination against commoners was in the past Empire of Minerva.

But naturally, there are many who harbor resentment because of this. As mentioned earlier, philosophy starts with the question “why?”, so it was destined to inevitably fight against things considered obvious.

In simple terms, it means they have many enemies. Philosophers are generally eloquent and logical, which is enough to give an impression of being unlikable.

Even the famous Socrates was perceived as unlikable by Athenian citizens, which says it all. In fact, Socrates had a habit of grabbing people and firing countless philosophical questions.

Anyway, for these reasons, the Roseberry Earldom is a family with only authority and no power, like the Reckyless Duchy. They’ve been able to maintain their authority because attacking them would yield no benefits.

However, stagnant water always rots. While philosophy itself never rots due to its nature, people do.

Especially, the Roseberry Earldom is famous for frequent internal divisions, leading them to start avoiding conflicts altogether.

Moreover, as exemplified by Hitler and Stalin, the moment one embraces a wrong philosophy, they tend to become arrogant. A philosopher who falls into arrogance is essentially ignoring the fundamentals of philosophy.

Above all, there’s no rule that philosophers are good at educating their children. Especially if the parent has embraced a wrong philosophy and become arrogant.

“Your ordered drinks are ready.”

The waiter placed each of our ordered drinks on the table with a businesslike tone. An iced Americano was placed in front of me.

In front of the others, coffee and tea with strong aromas were placed. I looked at those drinks and slowly raised my head.

I saw Cherry, who still had brown hair through her disguise, and in contrast, a middle-aged man with striking pink hair.

One might wonder why a man would have pink hair, but it’s an unavoidable “genetic” trait. Just like my red hair, the middle-aged man is the same.

Moreover, despite having pink hair, he’s not someone to be treated carelessly. The middle-aged man’s name is Ratish Blossom Roseberry.

As evident from his pink hair, he’s the head of the Roseberry family and Cherry’s father.

“… …”

Even though the drinks had arrived, Ratish just glared at me with a hardened expression, taking no action. His blue eyes, unlike his hair, were filled with intense hostility.

I, too, faced him calmly without any reaction, just like him. Like us two, Cherry also sat modestly without saying a word.

Currently, we are in a café newly built in the developing Mayshall territory. It’s a café with a soundproof room.

As you can see from the layout, only Earl Ratish, Cherry, and I are seated in the room. I asked Marie and Adelia to wait outside for a moment.

Marie readily agreed, saying she could have a personal conversation with Adelia, and Adelia followed without a word because it was my instruction. The result is what we see now.

Clank-

In the room where silence had fallen like a dead mouse, Earl Ratish finally picked up his teacup. I observed his actions in detail.

His hands showed some wrinkles befitting his middle age, but the reddish veins were particularly noticeable. Looking closely, I could see a firm body that wasn’t concealed even by his white ceremonial attire.

I was told he’s from a philosophical family, but his appearance is no less than that of a knight. Perhaps he trains separately.

Also, despite having pink hair, he has a neatly groomed beard and a tidy hairstyle, making the term “handsome middle-aged man” suit him well.

While I was examining his impression, Earl Ratish brought the steaming coffee to his lips.

After taking a sip and savoring the taste, he quietly put the teacup down.

Clank-

“Were you the one who invited Cherry here?”

A heavy question flew as soon as he put down the teacup. Since we had already introduced ourselves during our first meeting, he went straight to the point.

Earl Ratish is a nobleman who has inherited a title. So, he could speak informally, but his tone is full of courtesy.

Hearing this question, I glanced at Cherry. Despite the drinks being served, she didn’t make any movement.

She just kept her head down like a criminal, remaining silent. I wanted to know her expression, but it was difficult.

Perhaps she thinks I’m caught up in a troublesome situation because of her. Given Cherry’s extremely low self-esteem, that’s highly likely.

Turning my gaze from Cherry to face Earl Ratish, I answered confidently without any hesitation.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“For what reason?”

“Because I wanted Cherry to experience a more diverse culture.”

This is the truth. Cherry is currently rising as a new star in the novel world under the pen name ‘Mary’.

A romance fantasy with a fresh theme of regression and added romance. Her book is causing a sensation among female readers.

But unlike me, who has memories of a past life, Cherry is a resident living in this world. No matter how excellent her material is, she will soon face a slump, a blockage.

I invited her to the exhibition to alleviate that slump a bit and, furthermore, for a better work than now. The difference between hearing and seeing is like heaven and earth.

Perhaps that’s why. After hearing my words, Earl Ratish frowned and spoke with a voice full of dissatisfaction.

“By what right?”

Oh. A typical old-fashioned father’s question. Since I had anticipated this question, I countered with a smile.

“If a bird wants to fly in the sky, shouldn’t we help it? How could we stop it?”

“… …”

When I countered with a clear smile, Earl Ratish raised one eye. A look that says, “Look at this guy.”

In the meantime, I raised the teacup with ice and took a sip. It was a hot and humid day, and drinking an Americano with floating ice made me feel better.

By the way, to answer the question of why there’s ice, I’ll sum it up in one go. This is also magic integrated into daily life.

“You say interesting things. Yes. As you said, a bird should soar into the sky through its wings. Not swimming in a river.”

Earl Ratish remained quiet until I put down my teacup, and as soon as the clank sound was heard, he attacked. Hearing those words, I inwardly chuckled.

It seems Earl Ratish doesn’t know at all what his daughter is talented in. There’s a reason he tore up and even trampled on Cherry’s manuscript.

Is such a person really a philosopher? He might be someone with a misguided belief.

If so, I need to understand him in detail. I opened my mouth while directly facing Earl Ratish’s clear eyes.

“As you said, a bird can’t swim. But, Earl, as you can see with ducks, not all birds are incapable of swimming. Some species actually need to swim.”

“Even so, ducks still need to fly through their wings. Depending on the time and season, they need to fly and change locations.”

Earl Ratish is right. It’s undeniable that Roseberry is a philosophical family and Cherry also needs to learn philosophical education.

But the problem is that the method is too excessive. If Earl Ratish had respected Cherry’s dream, it might have been different, but he completely shattered it, which is his mistake.

To this, I maintained my curled lips and asked a question to Earl Ratish opposite me.

“Then let me ask one thing. If you remove a duck’s legs to force it to flap its wings, what will be the future of that duck?”

“Well…”

Earl Ratish seemed to be at a loss for words and closed his mouth. I smiled triumphantly and firmly said before he could continue.

“It will die.”

“… …”

“Even without birds, it’s the same for other animals, including humans. If you give up one thing to force another, you can never live a normal life. In the world, this is called inflexibility.”

For someone I’ve just met, especially a nobleman higher than me, these words lack even a speck of courtesy. However, I have a solid backing.

Not the Biography of Xenon, but the massive backing of the Reckyless Duchy. I plan to use the Biography of Xenon as the very last card.

When there was no response from Earl Ratish, I moved on to the next topic. Anyway, the initiative is always on my side.

The key is whether he’s someone who can be reasoned with or just an old-fashioned person. Since he’s also a philosopher, he probably has a rough idea of what situation Cherry is facing from my words.

Despite her disguise with brown hair, he recognized his daughter at once. He can’t be said to have little interest; rather, the child is broken because of his excessive concern.

What made him like this? I asked him with a more cautious attitude than before.

“Earl Roseberry. You must know that Cherry loves novels. Yet, you trampled on Cherry’s dream to the point where it’s irreparable.”

“… …”

“I’m curious about the reason.”

“…Before that.”

Earl Ratish quietly opened his mouth and asked me with sharp eyes.

“Who are you to do this?”

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

“I know well who you are. You’re famous as the son-in-law of the Reckyless Duchy.”

It’s not that I’m the son-in-law; it’s Marie who’s coming to me. Well, on the surface, it’s natural for me to go to the Duchy.

I didn’t have any intention to correct it, so I nodded. Then, Ratish continued with a heavier voice.

“I don’t understand why someone like you is interested in our daughter. For what reason did you approach our daughter?”

It’s not that I approached her; Cherry approached me. However, there are many complications in saying this.

Cherry confirmed that I am Xenon through her uniquely gloomy deductive reasoning(?). I also wanted to deny it to the end, but I had to reveal my identity for fear that Cherry might commit suicide.

So it’s understandable that Ratish, who knows nothing, might misunderstand. He might even think I’m a playboy who chases women despite having a fiancée.

I was contemplating how to answer when I glanced at Cherry. She was still keeping her head down, doing nothing.

‘I don’t know what she’s thinking.’

For now, the conversation with Earl Ratish takes priority over Cherry. I faced him and revealed a half-truth mixed with lies.

“I happened to see Cherry’s writing once. It was truly a coincidence upon coincidence.”

“… …”

“And that writing was really interesting. As much as the Biography of Xenon.”

Swish-

Perhaps because it’s related to her writing, Cherry, who had been maintaining a dejected posture, slowly raised her head.

Her eyes were still deep and dark like an abyss, but it’s much better than before. Since it’s so dark, even a slight brightness makes a clear difference.

Earl Ratish also twitched his brow when Cherry showed a reaction. For some reason, his reaction clearly shows displeasure.

After confirming the contrasting reactions of the father and daughter, I continued.

“Cherry’s writing, like the Biography of Xenon, has a concise yet warm style…”

“Enough. That’s enough. I think I roughly understand the situation.”

Before I could continue, Earl Ratish cut me off. I had no choice but to close my mouth and wait for his words.

Earl Ratish stared at me silently for a while and then glanced at Cherry. It seemed like he was about to say something related to her.

Eventually, after some time had passed, Earl Ratish’s heavily closed mouth opened.

“How much do you know about philosophy?”

“Philosophy?”

“Yes. Philosophy.”

What a strange question. I tilted my head as if I didn’t understand the intention of the question.

I’d like to answer, “I probably know less than you, Earl,” but I felt something ominous, so I didn’t voice it.

Earl Ratish snorted as if he expected that and began explaining with a tone suggesting it was laughable.

“Philosophy is fundamentally a discipline that explores something specific. Our family has delved into philosophy since the establishment of the Empire of Minerva, supporting the foundation of the country.”

“… …”

“I’ve reached where I am now through the philosophy and spirit of inquiry shown by my ancestors. And I’ve realized that while there’s no set path in philosophy, one should at least walk a recognized path.”

What is he talking about? It’s just a typical old-fashioned mindset.

As mentioned repeatedly, there’s no set path in philosophy, nor even a recognized one. The basic principle of philosophy is to resolve the fundamental “why?”.

Whether it’s scientific verification, logical verification, or social verification doesn’t matter. Philosophy alone encompasses numerous ideologies and beliefs.

And ideologies and beliefs are hard to break unless one experiences a significant event. But this is a wrong and severely misaligned philosophy.

This is because philosophy is a battle to question the obvious, affirm or deny it, and crucially, prove it.

“…So you’re making Cherry walk that recognized path? Even if Cherry’s legs break?”

“I would call that sacrifice. Even if her legs break, she will surely rise again.”

“… …”

There’s no answer. No, he’s just a typical old-fashioned person. Seeing him confidently say such things in front of his daughter confirms it.

In fact, this is a type of parent commonly seen in my past life. Parents who oppress with wrong educational methods without regard for their child’s will.

The future of such a child is predictably bleak. They either flee to independence or become twisted.

In the worst case, they commit suicide, unable to withstand parental pressure. Cherry had reached just before that point.

Having roughly understood the situation, I nodded. Seeing me nod, Earl Ratish smiled, thinking I had understood.

“It seems you’ve understood. Now that you know, stay away from my daughter. Don’t put strange ideas…”

“Earl, may I dare to ask one question?”

“Into… Hmm?”

Earl Ratish was initially surprised when I interrupted him, and then showed a second wave of surprise when he saw my smiling face.

Although no words would get through to an old-fashioned person, Earl Ratish is a philosopher. So he should understand what I’m about to say.

Looking at his disgruntled expression, I opened my mouth with my usual gentle smile.

“Do you know the meaning of homicide?”

“…Do you take me for a fool?”

“I’m glad you know. As you think, homicide refers to killing someone, which is murder. Then, how about this?”

I continued, looking at Cherry.

“Not someone killing intentionally, but a person taking their own life because they couldn’t withstand the oppression around them. Is this truly suicide…”

Looking back at Earl Ratish, I concluded my question.

“Or is it homicide?”

“Hmm…”

After pondering my question, Earl Ratish voiced his thoughts.

“Depending on the degree and situation of oppression… it could be seen as homicide.”

“Why?”

“Because when a person is mentally pushed to the extreme, they see death as an escape. The human mind isn’t that strong.”

“I thought you’d say that.”

I smiled and delivered the final blow.

“It’s fortunate that you almost became a murderer, Earl.”

With those words, Cherry’s eyes, which had been watching silently, gradually returned to life.