episode_0007

“Your Excellency, here is the book you were looking for.”

“Leave it there and go. I want to be alone for a while.”

“Yes.”

The Doge’s office in the Helvetian Republic.

Enrico Dandolo examined the new books his subordinate had brought with curious eyes.

‘A sequel, huh.’

From the same author as that bewitching booklet that has captivated the Republic, no, the entire Helvetian Peninsula.

If it’s openly called a sequel, there must be some connection in the content.

I wonder what story he’s going to use to incite the readers this time?

Enrico Dandolo opened the book with a hint of anticipation.

“…..”

He pored over the two books from beginning to end for over ten hours.

After dissecting and savoring the content to the point of analyzing each letter, he finally let out a weary sigh of relief.

“A conscription system, is it.”

The books emphasized a common theme: a system of conscripting citizens and using them as soldiers.

They added plenty of basis and logic to the idea that the paradigm of war must change with the times.

‘This feels more like a thesis than propaganda.’

The persuasiveness is high.

The writing style is beautiful, and it is full of excellent descriptions that naturally convince the reader.

However, it didn’t have the sensational instigating effect as last time.

In other words, it didn’t have the charm to awaken the reader into a nationalist without them even realizing it.

It felt like it was targeting people with a lot of knowledge and learning.

You could see the intention of wanting the talented people who lead the country to read it and act accordingly.

I don’t know who the author is, but he was presenting a strategy for the future to Helvetia, which was swept up in the storm of nationalism.

‘Too blatant.’

Enrico clicked his tongue inwardly.

Isn’t it too blatant?

It was only a couple of months ago that he decided to risk war.

But already, knowledge suitable for this is being created and made public.

This would be impossible without preparing in advance.

He predicted what this side would do and planned to use it in advance.

……In reality, it was closer to responding immediately after hearing the news from a spy, but anyway, it wasn’t wrong.

Kang Chun-soo judged that Helvetia would choose a pro-war stance and brought The Prince.

“But it’s not bad.”

Enrico twisted the corner of his lips.

It’s a situation where he’s being swayed by the intentions of someone he doesn’t know, but there was no reason to refuse.

The mastermind who spread this knowledge wants conflict.

The war that Helvetia is waging to be unified again.

And he will want the Republic to win the war, or at least fight a favorable battle.

To properly screw over the foreign powers that are trying to take control of the peninsula.

Otherwise, why would he bother to give us this additional knowledge?

“I’ll gladly go along with that intention.”

There’s no need to be upset.

I don’t know what his real purpose is, but as long as it helps us, we should accept it.

If Helvetia can be reunified, if he can get the power and throne he dreams of in his hands.

Enrico could play the puppet role as much as he wanted. Breaking up or antagonizing the other party is never too late after achieving the goal.

“Hey, go and call the generals.”

“Understood.”

Soon, the generals of the military arrived at the office, and Elrico asked bluntly.

“Did you summon us, Your Excellency?”

“Welcome. There’s something I’ve suddenly become curious about.”

“Please tell us.”

“Would a conscription system be possible in our country?”

The generals, briefly taken aback by the sudden question, exchanged glances and then slowly nodded.

“I don’t think it would be impossible. It’s a system that has never been implemented before, so there will be some growing pains.”

“If you give us enough budget and time to train and arm the troops, it’s worth trying.”

They had been using mercenaries all along, but they also knew that the way of war was changing more and more.

However, they hadn’t tried it because of inertia and fear of change.

If the leader had made up his mind, there was no reason to oppose it.

Either way, if they were going to fight against the Kram Empire or the Navre Kingdom, they couldn’t have too many troops.

It wouldn’t be bad if there was a new way to replenish troops in addition to mercenaries.

“However, it is questionable whether the citizens will respond to the conscription. Who would like to be suddenly told to go to the army…..”

“Do you need a way to turn public opinion around?”

“Yes. It would be ideal if everyone voluntarily wanted to become a soldier.”

“Hmm.”

Is that why they published Social Contract Theory together with The Prince?

To promote it to the people and use it to convince them of the necessity of the system?

Was the intention to indirectly carry out propaganda and agitation through this?

The writing style was a bit stiff for propaganda, so I wondered why, but that’s why.

If they openly encouraged readers to join the army, they would have thought, ‘Who is this guy to arbitrarily decide on national policies?’

He was trying to maintain this side’s face while appeasing them appropriately, and also achieve the goal of implementing the conscription system.

‘He’s a master.’

Enrico was slightly surprised.

To think he would write a book predicting what would happen while implementing the conscription system and the reactions he would show.

He was almost impressed by the other party’s meticulousness.

“…..I’ll take care of that. You guys get ready to train the conscripted personnel into soldiers at any time.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

Anyway, now that he had made a decision, there was no hesitation. Diplomatic friction with neighboring countries would soon arise, and it was expected to lead to full-scale conflict.

Before that, the Republic had to hurry to properly establish a foundation to stand against foreign powers.

‘I hope I can meet him someday.’

Enrico prayed. That someday he would be able to meet and talk with the guy who orchestrated all of this.

* * * * *

“Achoo! Is someone talking about me?”

I suddenly sneezed while eating.

Is someone talking behind my back somewhere? There aren’t many people in this world who know me.

“What’s wrong suddenly?”

“My nose was itchy. I’m okay now.”

I waved my hand at Kalia’s concern and picked up my fork again. I came out to eat good food for once, so I shouldn’t make her worry.

“Oh, this steak is delicious.”

“It’s one of my favorite places. It’s a famous restaurant in the neighborhood, so it’s always crowded.”

“It’s worth it at this level.”

The price per person is more than half the daily wage I used to get from manual labor, but it was worth it.

A restaurant that grills steaks the size of a plate. These places aren’t common even on Earth.

Ugh, how long has it been since I’ve had a meat dish?

“What are you planning to do from now on?”

“What do you mean?”

As I was diligently chewing and enjoying the sirloin steak, Kalia, who had already finished eating and was drinking coffee, asked me.

“You have brought war to Helvetia with just three books. Soon Kram and Navre will be swept up in the war, too.”

The Kram Empire, which seized northwestern Helvetia, and the Navre Kingdom, which dominates northeastern Helvetia. The fight between the Helvetian Republic and the two countries has now become inevitable.

Perhaps even the distant Hispania Empire, which has a small occupied territory in the west-central region, may participate.

Even if you exclude the principalities and puppet states established by foreign powers in the peninsula, at least three or more countries have already reserved their participation.

“Are you just going to sit back and watch them kill each other? Or do you have any additional measures in mind?”

“Um, not really. Not yet.”

I answered her question coolly.

From now on, the snowball will roll on its own without me getting involved.

“If this continues, the Helvetian Republic will lose the war. Almost 100% chance.”

I created a pro-war stance with nationalism, and made it easy to get collaborators within the same peninsula.

I also told them the method and theoretical basis for implementing the conscription system in a way that wouldn’t hurt the Doge’s pride (it was hard work to feed him so he could do it himself when it was easy to just incite them).

But that’s not enough.

If a full-scale war breaks out like this, the Helvetian Republic is doomed to lose.

No matter how high the morale and internal unity are, it’s still a small country.

If it becomes a war of attrition, they will eventually be pushed back.

No matter how advanced the military system and mental preparation are, there is a limit to overcoming the gap in national power.

Perhaps the Republic will collapse in the form of a well-fought defeat.

Well, unless they have chemical weapons or multiple rocket launchers….. but it will take another 300 years for those to come out, right?

“But other countries will interfere to prevent that from happening.”

Instead, other countries will step in to prevent such an outcome.

Countries that have bad blood with the Kram Empire and the Navre Kingdom, and would never allow them to prosper.

This world is like medieval Europe, where they will gang up and interfere with each other at the slightest sign of weakness.

“So we just have to watch. Watch the higher-ups raise the war on their own and create fronts in all directions.”

All we have to do is sit back in our easy chairs and munch on popcorn. Enjoy the sight of those bastards self-destructing.

* * * * *

And, as expected.

“Breaking news! There are signs that the Elaine Kingdom will participate in the war!”

Kang Chun-soo’s, no, Ishmael’s prediction came true.