576 – Karma (3)
Currently, Hitler is enjoying tremendous popularity as a ‘villain’ and a synonym for ‘evil’, on par with Stalin.
Originally, I cleverly twisted it to make him look like a good man, but in the end he was nothing more than a war-seeking villain.
Those who realized this eagerly cheered Hitler, who committed ruthless massacres, while treating him as a twin in the world.
Although it is a very ironic situation, it is because blood and steel is nothing more than a fantasy.
The Nazis are an evil that has begun to spread its demonic hand toward the world, and the one who reigns at the pinnacle of that evil is Hitler.
Britain and France, which could have been opponents, collapsed under the power of Nazi Germany.
Now, the magic beast was on the verge of spreading toward the Soviet Union, but it stopped just at this timing.
Thanks to this, I was able to raise the charm of Hitler and Nazi Germany, that is, the evaluation as villains.
Churchill in England, Charles in France, Mussolini in Italy, Hideki Tojo in Japan, Franklin Roosevelt in the United States, etc.
Other leaders also had enough charm and strengths, but compared to Hitler, their presence was somewhat buried.
An evil that will never be forgiven. It is meaningless to distinguish between good and evil in war, but Nazi Germany and Hitler were defined as evil.
The only ones worth dealing with are the Soviet Union and Stalin. Many people are looking forward to who will win between the devil and the monster.
“So you’re copying Hitler’s beard and not just his hairstyle?”
“Yes that’s right.”
“Why, among many, many characters, is Hitler…”
I said in an incomprehensible tone to the man sitting across from me. A man who really suits the modifier muscular Hitler.
Then he smiled for no reason and replied in a confident voice.
“That’s because he’s the main character who appeared in Zenon-sama’s new work.”
“Only one?”
“Isn’t this enough?”
“······”
I am at a loss for words. In the past, I would have said what kind of bullsh*t was that.
However, as time passed and I was subjected to all kinds of bullying, I can understand this much enough.
Unlike Zenon’s biography, which is loved by people of all ages, both men and women, Blood and Steel is a genre with mixed likes and dislikes.
First the dirty politics part, then the brutal war story.
Besides, even if there are attractive characters, most of them are male. Men with eccentric tempers.
Of course, thanks to the popularity gained from the life of Zenon and the establishment of the genre called ‘fantasy’, it is gaining popularity as much as the life of Zenon.
‘There’s nothing like the biography of Zenon to follow, but…’
If you can prepare for blood and steel, you can follow it. It’s because it’s hard to find clothes.
However, it is easy to do ‘cosplay’ if you can prepare thoroughly. Just trim the beard and hair and you’re done.
However, this muscular Hitler, Roy, was cosplayed because Hitler is the protagonist of blood and steel. There is no other reason.
And the most decisive reason was different.
“The main characters in Zenon’s life are all pretty, so it’s hard to imitate them. But isn’t Hitler a normal face?”
“Yes?”
“I like Zenon-nim’s writings. I was able to develop my dream as an adventurer by reading Zenon’s biography in particular. However, I couldn’t show my sincerity…”
Since then, praise towards me has been the main thing, but I heard it with one ear and let it flow with the other. I’m all embarrassed.
And the other adventurer Anne sitting next to him must have felt the same way as I did.
She had a pretty beauty for an adventurer living a rough life.
Shorter bobbed hair than Adelia’s, and a slender body. Overall, it is a sharp impression.
“······ Instead, I’ll apologize. He’s a bit seriously ill.”
While Roy praised him excessively, Anne delivered a soft apology.
Judging by the reaction, it seems that he has perfectly adapted to Roy’s unprecedented praise.
Seeing Anne’s reaction, which seemed to have reached liberation, I smiled wryly, then cleared my throat.
As he cleared his throat, Roy, who was at least alert, stopped singing. Judging by his shy smile, he must have known what he had done.
“I’m sorry. It looks like you were in a good mood after having dinner with Zenon-nim.”
“I understand. Anyway, how did you two meet?”
“I met by chance while working as an adventurer. Anne is also a fan of Zenon’s biography.”
“Honestly, among adventurers, there is no one who is not a fan of Zenon’s biography.”
As I said before, there was a period when the number of adventurers exploded thanks to Zenon’s life story.
The time when both you and I expressed our aspirations to become Zenon. However, that aspiration soon waned for the most part.
“I heard that the number of adventurers increased thanks to Zenon’s life story. I heard that Mr. Roy is such a case, and Mr. Ann is similar?”
“Yes. At first, I had a hard time because it was so different from fantasy, but as time passed, I got used to it. And I also learned the lesson to leave ideals as ideals.”
As Anne said, the gap between ideal and reality was terrifying. Most of the adventurers ran away saying they couldn’t even subdue the goblins.
Even if they go out on a private plane, there are countless cases where they die or go missing.
As a result, there were more cases where the number of monsters actually increased.
“That’s romance! Taking a risk and going on an adventure! If you’re an adventurer, you should embrace it more than once! Isn’t it?”
But Roy seems to have nothing to do with it. He shouted romance and asked for my consent.
When I heard that, I thought deeply. The romance Roy mentioned would seem attractive at first glance.
However, romance is literally a ‘challenge’ that takes risks and moves forward. If it succeeds, it is romance, and if it fails, it is nothing but dog death.
‘Still, the world is developing because there are people like that.’
However, this also has a condition. It’s just that you have to have a definite ‘plan’.
Rather than blindly chasing after the ideal, one must approach the ideal with a step-by-step plan.
“I agree with what Mr. Roy said. Romance is not called romance for nothing. Instead, I think that romance can be achieved only when a plan is established step by step.”
“Is that so? I’ll listen.”
“Then let me ask you something. What is Roy’s goal?”
Roy’s answer without hesitation came back to my question.
“Pursuing romance like Zeno’s life story. That’s my goal.”
“It’s abstract.”
“What do you mean abstract? Nice to hear.”
“······”
I heard that even though the strap of the bag is short, the activity as an adventurer is excellent. I just have to work hard to support his goal.
“What is Anne’s goal?”
“I’m going to watch him from the side so he doesn’t die.”
“It must be quite difficult.”
“Yes. But I think it’s worthwhile, so I’m satisfied.”
Apparently, Anne has feelings for Roy. The proof is that even when Roy continued to talk nonsense, he was only embarrassed and did not refute it.
Besides, judging by the occasional glancing at Roy, I’m half-sure. I smiled and opened my mouth.
Now, the time has come to end this meeting.
“Have you brought any books or papers to be signed? If not, I will get one for you.”
“Oh, thank you!”
“Can I be here?”
The signing must have been finished, Roy and Anne headed out of the mansion to enjoy the festivities.
“What’s left now is…”
I’m going to go help my father. I walked to my father’s office.
It was a busy body right before the festival.
*******
Roy and Ann receive an autograph from Isaac. They came out on the streets of Myshal, unable to hide their happy smiles.
Roy got Isaac’s autograph for Volume 1 of Blood and Steel, and Ann got the autograph for Volume 1 of Zenon’s Biography.
In particular, since Roy had been autographed the last time, it was no different from having something with a strong rarity.
“I’ll have to be careful about assassination from now on. If I put that one book up for auction, would it cause a stir?”
Anne’s non-jokes are true to some extent. Currently, there are almost no people who have received Isaac’s autograph.
Gartz and a few acquaintances received it, but they are ‘unofficial’ autographed copies.
Not to mention, the autographed copy of Gartz was taken away and has not yet been returned.
In other words, only Roy has Isaac’s autograph.
“Heh. There’s no way. From now on, I’m going to sleep hugging not only Zenon’s biography, but also blood and steel. If things don’t work out, I’ll leave them in the bank.”
“Just leave it at the bank. If you sleep hugging it, it will be dirty and I won’t be able to take it.”
“You don’t know how warm and cozy my arms are. Can you give me a hug tonight?”
“······You really don’t say anything weird.”
Roy was sincere, but it was a rather dangerous remark to Anne. She tidied up her hair to hide her hot ears.
Fortunately, Roy, who was immersed in Zenon, didn’t notice. Ann was both relieved and frustrated by his dull behavior.
Everything else is good, but the emotional aspects are all directed towards Zenon. All the hair styles and beards were copied like Hitler’s, so that’s all I said.
‘Still, it’s a relief that there aren’t as many assholes like this one.’
Anne looked around. As the festival approaches, people with various costumes and appearances are coming and going on the streets.
Among the passers-by, there were people who wore disguises, or cosplays, like Roy, but most of them are related to Zenon’s life.
Speaking of blood and steel, there are only people who wear uniforms or imitate beards.
A high-quality (…) muscular Hitler like Roy could not be found without washing his eyes.
‘What a wonderful villain he is.’
Nazi Germany and Hitler are definitely cool villains. But a villain is still a villain.
A villain who will be torn to pieces by a good hero who will appear one day. Hitler even abetted the genocide and oppressed the Jews.
Ann had a hunch that his end would be bad. Because most of the villain’s end was miserable.
‘I hope there’s no such thing as saying that this guy was a good guy later.’
Currently, Nazi Germany is an obvious villain, but not to the extent of ‘scum’. If you look at their history, there are many parts that are understandable enough.
Defeat in World War I and inequality in the Treaty of Versailles. Furthermore, to the problems scattered inside.
It is a delicate case that even sympathizes with him because he was a villain with unfortunate circumstances.
Anne, who did not like this setting, would rather be a perfect villain.
‘It will be difficult unless you massacre the Jews like pushing them into a slaughterhouse. We have to go to war with the Soviet Union.’
Would you push that precious labor force into a slaughterhouse just because you were crazy? A ‘normal’ person wouldn’t do that.
It was around the time Anne was walking down the street, guessing the future development.
ridge! ridge! ridge! ridge!
The sound of drums in my ears as I was walking down the street. Roy could hear the drums as well as Anne.
As soon as I heard that sound, I had to stop walking. Looking around, the other passers-by also stopped in their seats.
[We don’t even care about things… but…]
Except for the sound of drums, the sound of singing that can be heard in the ear. The sound starts getting louder.
“What is this sound?”
“Well. Is it getting bigger?”
“Come over here.”
chuck! chuck! chuck! chuck!
Soon after, even the sound of restrained footsteps caught my ears.
At the same time, even a song that seems to have been heard somewhere. I’m not familiar with the sound, but I’m used to the lyrics.
“Is this it? A Nazi SS marching song.”
“what?”
“There is a marching song that appeared at the end of part 1. It was originally Conrod’s division marching song, but it was changed.”
I don’t know. Anne tilted her head as she listened to Roy’s explanation.
Unlike Roy, who reads each and every text carefully, Anne is the type to focus only on the plot.
If it’s the marching song that appears in the middle of the article, I’ll know, but I don’t know the details other than that. I know because it’s Roy.
[Wherever we are, there is always progress.]
[The devil sees this and just laughs.]
[under. under. under. under. under.]
The sound of singing reached right in front of my nose. The magnificent sound of drums and the sound of hard footsteps combined to create a strangely addictive sound.
In the midst of concentrating on the sound, those who were truly ‘virtuous’ appeared.
Not a uniform, but a military uniform worn by ordinary soldiers. hard iron helmet. Even guns made as models.
The tallest soldier stood in the forefront, holding aloft the ensign of Nazi Germany. The insignias of Nazi Germany blowing in the wind are unnecessarily cool.
[We fight for Germany.]
[We fight for Hitler.]
[The Reds will never rest!]
chuck! chuck!
Unidentified soldiers, or rather, concepters, stand tall in front of Roy and Ann along with the chorus.
Ann didn’t know why she stopped in front of them, but she soon realized what Roy was like.
Currently, Roy is decorated to the point of being close to Hitler. Isaac judged the muscular Hitler.
Not only his distinctive beard, but also his hairstyle are similarly decorated, to the point where anyone would mistake him for Hitler.
“Hail-!!”
At that moment, the man with the captain shouted loudly.
“Hitler!”
He threw his right arm forward to the muscular Hitler (Roy) and shouted loudly.
“””Heil! Hitler!”””
Right after that, the people marching in the back shouted loudly with a Nazi salute.
Towards Roy, who is doing a cosplay that is not a cosplay in front of him.
Really, it was unnecessarily showing superior quality.
It also shows what form those who are properly preoccupied with the ‘concept’ can take.
If it went on like this, it would have been treated as just such a happening. Anne thought so too at first.
“Excellent! Gentlemen! The discipline is properly held!”
If it weren’t for Roy, who was influenced by men’s unique ‘stupidity’.
Ann stared at Roy’s sudden action, widening her eyes.
I wanted to ask what he was thinking, but it was already too late.
“I salute you guys for your bravery! If it’s you, you’ll be able to easily occupy the filthy reds’ territory!”
“Is it a preconceived performance?”
“Did you see that?”
Passers-by assumed that it was a play by a theater company because of the natural acting. Of course, it was nothing more than an impromptu event, not a play.
If Isaac had seen this, he would have remembered his previous life. In an amusement park, some characters do their own acting for children.
However, it is to protect the children’s ‘innocent mind’, not simply for ‘fooling around’ like now.
Since there is no entertainment culture, it is not a new culture.
“Hurry up and move! Join the brave 22nd Army Group and dye those filthy reds even redder! I, Hitler, will support you!”
“””Heil! Hitler!”””
As soon as Roy finished speaking, a loud Nazi salute spread. Passers-by who were watching with interest also responded with enthusiastic applause.
From a distance, it reminded me of the national military parade. However, this is the Myshal estate where the Zenon festival will take place.
Even if a scene like this is staged, it doesn’t matter at all. After all, it was a ‘play’ shown by people who love the work.
Soon after, the man holding the insignia began to move forward, and the marching song began to resonate widely.
[We fight for Germany.]
[We fight for Hitler.]
[The Reds will never rest!]
chuck! chuck! chuck! chuck!
The soldiers pass by Roy and start wandering the streets. Perhaps it was intended to turn round and round, but instead of the mansion, it turned sideways.
Ann stared at their backs in dismay, then shifted her gaze to Roy. He was smiling at what he was proud of.
“Kiya! These are memories and romance! How is it? Were you okay?”
“…don’t pretend you know.”
How come all men are like that?