episode_0223

Sadly, the clubs I had sought so eagerly didn’t exist at the academy. Upon realizing this, we Violets felt a pang of sadness for the state of Aegis Academy.

“They say there’s no bomb-making club!”

“They say there’s no revolution club either.”

Thinking about it, it was only natural. A prestigious academy like Aegis Academy wouldn’t have dangerous clubs.

I grumbled about this to Irene during lunch.

“The clubs are too mundane! Literature Club, Swordsmanship Circle, Orchestra Club… What’s with this? It’s boring.”

Irene asked.

“So, what kind of club do you want?”

“Democracy Club!”

“There’s no way such a thing exists.”

My friend’s firm reply left me speechless.

The dejected Unit 1681 stirred the bottom of the stew bowl with a spoon.

“But why democracy all of a sudden? What does it mean?”

“Huh? No way… You don’t know democracy?”

A shiver ran down my spine.

I recalled Kalia’s ignorance about communism just recently. No way, could the word ‘democracy’ not exist in Trist?

“Democracy! Like liberal democracy, social democracy. Haven’t you heard words like national referendum, equal suffrage?”

“Ah… of course I know that. It was a political ideology that was briefly popular before the Great War. The gist was that the people would elect leaders through voting, right?”

A sigh of relief escaped me at my friend’s answer. It seemed that the concept of democracy itself existed in Trist.

“Whew, that’s a relief.”

But the relief was short-lived; the Violets were aghast at Irene’s next words.

“But democracy in this day and age? Why all of a sudden? That’s a fanciful ideology, isn’t it?”

“Huh? Why? Democracy is good, isn’t it? Don’t you know freedom, equality, friendship?”

An ominous thought flashed through the Violet’s mind. Was our friend a fascist?

The apprehension quickly vanished as Irene’s next words made perfect sense to us.

“It makes no sense for Awakened and non-Awakened to each cast one vote equally. It’s unrealistic.”

At my friend’s words, I recalled Trist’s hierarchical society in the Crimson Scholar.

“Though there are individual differences, Awakened individuals’ physical strength and disease resistance are excellent thanks to Aether. Their aging speed is also slow. There are even stories of immortality when it comes to high-level Awakened like Valefor. So how could everyone be given equal political rights?”

This was true. Even the lowest-level Awakened possessed far superior bodies compared to non-Awakened.

“That’s true.”

In a fantasy world, you couldn’t give goblins and dragons an equal vote in the name of democracy. Unless it’s a goblin as strong as a dragon, that is.

“It might have been possible in the old days when there were no superhumans, but in modern society, elections and democracy are inefficient systems. It’s only possible in fantasy.”

The Violets understood. Or rather, they tried to. Until the memories of 21st-century Earth’s democratic society nudged the Violets.

“Wait, Irene. It’s not just a fantasy story!”

“…?”

“We Violets are faithful direct liberal democrats. And inefficient? Democracy is an excellent system. We Violets are proving it in real-time!”

The free expression of diverse individuals, guaranteed equal rights for all! I passionately expounded upon the virtues of democracy.

“The strength of us Violets comes from cooperation, equality, and freedom. Every clone can speak freely and equally!”

The driving force that allowed us to confront Magnabis came from the cooperation of equal and free clones. This is an undeniable achievement.

Irene, having heard our explanation, nodded as if she understood.

“…I don’t know if you can call that democracy, but it’s not wrong. However, there’s one flaw in it.”

“What is it?”

“Other people aren’t you… Hmm, a news flash just came out that’s a good example. Take a look.”

Irene pointed to the TV screen hanging in a corner of the dining hall. A news flash was playing with the Federal Parliament as the background.

[Plenary session of Parliament canceled due to bipartisan standoff… Filibuster enforced… 3 members seriously injured after violent clash]

[Senator Remar establishes new record of 35 consecutive wins in solo duels]

A man stood on the podium, shouting. His appearance, clad in a blood-stained suit, was utterly grotesque.

“Amending the bill? That’s preposterous. Hah! Absolutely!”

As the parliamentarian’s victory declaration continued on screen, the scene of injured individuals being evacuated on stretchers unfolded.

“…Is that parliament?”

Irene pointed at the news, murmuring with a sigh.

“Look at that mess. If everyone were given the right to vote, I can’t even imagine how much worse it would become than it is now. Even those chosen through recommendations and reviews based on certain standards are like that now.”

“If it’s like that, why did they create a parliament? It’s not like they’re elected by vote anyway.”

In fact, the Federal Parliament’s election process itself is a mess. They’re chosen through recommendations and support from influential families, large clans, and military generals. Unless their abilities are exceptionally outstanding, it’s difficult for even excellent Hunters to enter politics.

“Well, I don’t know about that. Politics is involved with old noble families and the military, so the internal affairs aren’t well known to the general public. Perhaps President Adela knows well?”

Irene shook her head. On the screen, sword energy and magic were being exchanged in the parliament.

“Sigh, Violet. I’m sorry, but let’s stop talking about politics.”

“Okay, I understand!”

Ignoring the news, we focused on our meal again. The debate continued in our minds.

“That’s not democracy! That’s not even a parliament!”

“I miss Earth’s national assembly members…”

The Violets thought that the invasion of monstrous beasts had twisted Trist.

Before the Great War, a world ruled by kings, nobles, and capitalists; chaos arrived with the invasion of monstrous beasts. Freedom was oppressed under the pretext of crisis, and the foundation of equality crumbled in the grip of the Awakened.

Interestingly, there were no official noble classes or kings in the Federation. A paradoxical situation where only a parliament was established.

“How strange.”

We Violets didn’t want to clumsily shout for democracy like high school students hit by a truck and transported to another world.

The world has its own laws. They had to be respected.

“But there are poor children being kidnapped and brain-surgically operated on!”

“Why should we respect that kind of thing? Let’s revise the world’s laws!”

“Our world needs freedom and liberation!”

We didn’t want to lose the belief that true freedom and happiness would one day reside on this planet.

From our friends’ perspective, it was bound to be viewed pessimistically. It was a scene unknown to those who grew up in this immature and irrational world, where social ideologies couldn’t emerge and liberalism didn’t exist.

However, we Violets are different. We had seen the prosperity of democracy in another world, and we had also gained the experience of directly triumphing over evil with the power of democracy.

“True freedom will come to Trist someday!”

I thought, dipping the remaining stew with bread.

“This world, ignorant of the greatness of freedom and democracy, is pitiful.”

**

After finishing lunch, I had some time left, so I decided to look for other clubs. It was partly because I was bored, but also because I wanted to try out a new hobby.

“I have a good idea!”

“What is it?”

“Let’s look for clubs related to food production!”

The Violet is a being that eats. Perhaps through club activities, we could improve our cooking skills, save on food expenses, and eat delicious food every day.

“Then we can eat lots of delicious things!”

“Right! It’s killing two birds with one stone.”

We made a decision immediately without hesitation.

“Alright, let’s start by looking for cooking-related clubs!”

It seemed best to find a club that made sweets like bread or cookies. How happy would it be to be able to bake and eat sweet and delicious snacks every day?

As I meticulously examined the school bulletin board and promotional flyers, a golden opportunity caught my eye.

[Dessert Club recruiting new members! Let’s make various desserts together, such as cookies, cakes, and macarons!]

“Are there any others?”

Even after that, we looked for several other cooking-related clubs. There were clubs specializing in barbecue, tea ceremony, and even one claiming to research monstrous beast cuisine.

“Monstrous beasts aren’t edible?”

Thinking it was a new and creative endeavor, we finished gathering information and returned to the dormitory.

“I’m back~”

Upon entering, Daphne was sitting at her desk, diligently reading a book, just as she had been. She seemed to be studying busily.

“Daphne, are you interested in club activities?”

“Club activities? It’s not bad. But for now, I’ve only skimmed what’s available. There are more things I need to do by the end of this month than I thought.”

“Things to do? There’s still some time until the exam. Daphne. Take it easy with studying!”

As I said this with a chuckle, Daphne mumbled with a bewildered expression.

“Exam? What are you talking about? It’s an experiential learning trip soon.”

“Experiential learning trip?”

“You didn’t check the announcements again, did you?”

After hearing the explanation, laced with a mild reproach, we realized that club activities were not the issue.

“Ugh! There really isn’t much time left.”

From what I heard, it seems we’re going to a dungeon again this time, though they said it wasn’t a qualifying exam to form separate parties.

“Nothing bad will happen this time, right?”

Daphne’s expression stiffened slightly, perhaps recalling the great disaster in the jungle dungeon last time.

“…Probably?”

Yes, this is a good academy, so nothing bad will happen. Nothing should happen.