episode_0005

“Hmm.”

Enrico Dandolo, the 34th Doge (leader) of the Helvetian Republic, slowly scanned the documents submitted by his vassals.

“So, this is the booklet circulating among the citizens these days?”

“That is correct, Your Excellency.”

“We don’t know who created it, but judging from the writing style, it’s suspected to have come from abroad?”

“Yes. Possibly from the Elaine Kingdom area….”

“Interesting. Very interesting.”

A booklet containing the ideology of a certain something-or-other nation, which has been spreading rapidly recently.

It was just a short publication, less than 10% the length of an average book, but its influence was not to be ignored.

It was expected that at least 40% of the Republic’s educated class had read it.

And it had only been two months since it was published.

“Have you gentlemen read it as well?”

“We examined it for investigation purposes. If it becomes a problem, we will take responsibility and be punished–”

“No, I’m not trying to reprimand you. I’m just curious about your reactions. What did you think when you read it?”

It was hard to believe that this level of spread was happening in an era without the internet or radio.

Even a masterpiece written with great care by a world-renowned author wouldn’t be this popular.

But Enrico Dandolo could understand it.

After reading it, he felt like he would naturally want to proselytize and spread the word around.

“…I was captivated. At first, I clicked my tongue, but before I knew it, I was engrossed, scrutinizing every single word.”

“I felt like my blood was boiling. For the first time in my life, I became aware of my identity and pride as a Helvetian.”

“Even we, who are jaded by the realities of politics, feel this way, so I can’t even imagine how ordinary citizens must feel.”

“Indeed.”

It was direct and clear.

It laid out what it wanted to say directly, without the meandering style, fancy rhetoric, or metaphors that were the basics of literature in this era.

At the same time, it skillfully mixed the carrot and the stick.

Stimulating and inciting people’s minds, guiding them in the direction the author wanted them to go.

The skill of making people realize sorrows and complaints they hadn’t even been aware of, and making them feel favorably toward a new ideology, was truly artistic.

Even someone with a pacifistic, petty-bourgeois mindset would unknowingly turn into a radical nationalist after reading it.

The phrases, containing the essence of the best propaganda experts who dominated the 20th century, were that powerful.

“Trying to control foreign books now wouldn’t be of much use.”

Therefore, Enrico quickly became convinced.

This can’t be stopped.

No matter how much the government interferes, it won’t be effective; it will only increase the citizens’ dissatisfaction.

Clearly, this will spread widely throughout this country and neighboring countries on the peninsula in the near future.

No, perhaps it has already spread. The speed of rumor is always beyond imagination.

“Do the Kram Empire or the Navre Kingdom not know about the situation yet?”

“They probably don’t. It will take quite a long time for the news to reach their capitals.”

“They haven’t declared war or severed diplomatic relations, and they wouldn’t care about the public opinion of mere citizens….”

“Still, if they knew what was happening, they would surely try to take action. There’s a high probability they’ll pressure us to censor and confiscate all the booklets.”

However, those big guys wouldn’t understand such circumstances. He predicted that interference would come in some form before long.

“If that happens, make up excuses with lies.”

“Yes?”

“Make up stories about how we’re doing a good job and they shouldn’t worry. And behind the scenes, it would be good to actively export these booklets under the government’s initiative. No, we must do that. Until not a single person on the Helvetian peninsula doesn’t know about these booklets.”

If that happened, he intended to ignore them boldly.

In his view, this situation was an opportunity. A golden opportunity to unite all the people of Helvetia for the first time in 1,000 years.

The countries that had always been plagued by internal strife and competition now had a chance to join forces for the first time in a long time.

It was a situation that would never come again, so shouldn’t it be used?

For the sake of the nation’s sovereignty and independence.

‘Our republic alone cannot stand against foreign powers. We lack both financial and military power. But if we can utilize the capabilities of the entire peninsula, it’s a different story.’

Each of the small Helvetian states is weak. At most, they can barely mobilize 10,000 to 20,000 soldiers, and the population is only a few hundred thousand at most.

The only country with an industrial base and technology, including agriculture and commerce, is the Helvetian Republic.

“Make all Helvetians yearn for unification.”

However, if all of Helvetia unites, the problem is solved.

The productivity from a combined population of millions can easily support an army of over 100,000.

The overall industrial level and economic power will not be inferior to the surrounding powers.

It would be hard to surpass them, but at least they wouldn’t be looked down upon and could prevent interference.

In other words… ‘the minimum of a great power.’

It would meet the minimum requirements to not be inferior to the big guys in the international community.

“Y-Your Excellency. If we’re caught doing such a thing, the backlash will be…”

“A war might break out.”

“We can handle it. Have you forgotten? We’re a peninsula country.”

Even the geopolitical conditions were helping Enrico’s decision.

If he tried to drive out foreign forces from this land, there would surely be retribution.

Those who want to protect their colonies/protectorates/stooges would interfere from all over the place.

There’s a high probability they’ll use military force directly.

But Helvetia is a peninsula. A land surrounded by the sea on three sides except for the north.

To invade, they would have to bring a fleet or lead an army from the north.

This means that even if neighboring countries that hate Helvetians uniting and sticking together try to interfere, it will be easy to stop them.

“If we take the initiative, we can gain momentum first, and if we hold out, it’s worth trying.”

If internal stability is secured, the rest is no problem.

If the small countries unite and work together well, Helvetia’s independence is not a dream.

Until now, it was impossible, but… a new ideology has made it possible, so it’s time to abandon hesitation and take action.

“The sacrifice will be immense.”

“We have to pay the price. Did you think unification would be possible without shedding a drop of blood?”

Even if tens of thousands of people die fighting against foreign enemies, it’s fine. Rather, they must die.

The mountains and rivers of the peninsula must be stained with the blood of enemies and allies, and the glory of unification must be won on top of that.

The more sacrifices there are, the more the nation will be angered, and they will become one through hatred and pain.

In the short term, the damage may be enormous, but in the long term, that is the way to serve the nation.

And…

‘If the peninsula is unified, we will be the center. We are the only country capable of leading the rest.’

Enrico was greedy for power.

The unified peninsula would surely achieve political and cultural unity centered on the Helvetian Republic.

Among the various small countries, the only country capable of taking the lead and controlling them is here.

If he united the nation for the first time in a thousand years and expanded the territory… wouldn’t it be worth trying to change the system by highlighting that achievement?

Changing the current republican system to a kingdom.

He would become the first monarch of the kingdom, passing down the position of national leader to his descendants.

With these achievements, he thought he could do it with the support of the citizens. Only after succeeding, though.

“If you understand, go and prepare. To increase the territory, we must thoroughly prepare the groundwork first.”

“Understood.”

Enrico, having dismissed his vassals, sat on the sofa and closed his eyes.

A future he had never even imagined was approaching.

A chance to obtain the status of a noble royal, not just a lifetime-elected public official.

‘I must succeed.’

He could never miss it.

For himself and for posterity.

* * * * *

“He’s more greedy than I thought.”

“Is he trying to rule the unified peninsula before he dies?”

And Enrico’s decision reached our ears in just a few weeks.

One of the maids working in the Doge’s residence is our spy.

I expected him to incite public opinion or cause trouble, but he’s willing to risk war… quite a belligerent reaction.

“Ishmael, what are we going to do now?”

The branch manager urged me to give my opinion, as we had enough information. After contemplating for a moment, I opened my mouth.

“I think it would be better to help the Doge. The more he stirs things up, the easier it will be to carry out operations in other countries.”

“That’s true.”

“The Helvetian Republic’s military power won’t last long, so… we should give him a little hint.”

Technologically, the world has long since entered the modern age, but most countries still use mercenary groups as their armies.

Professional fighters hired for money are the core of military power.

I don’t know exactly why. Is it because the limits of individual combat power are higher than on Earth thanks to magic?

Even so, the most powerful attack magic is just a fireball or an ice arrow, so it’s not that great.

Anyway, in this situation, the Helvetian Republic, which lacks the financial resources to mobilize compared to foreign powers, will soon be at a disadvantage.

Wars fought with mercenaries are ultimately a money game.

So, I was thinking of presenting the Doge with a new concept. A citizen army, a new generation of army.

“I wonder if the Doge will understand what conscription is.”

This time, it’s time to get help from Mr. Machiavelli.