How To Live As A Writer In A Fantasy World-Chapter 461: Fishing (1)

The World War II novel that everyone had been eagerly awaiting has finally been revealed to the world.

Until now, the only information that had been made public was the prologue, something about Hitler, Stalin, and finally, a brief overview—just three elements in total.

But even with just that, people reacted with fervent enthusiasm.

The intriguing themes and well-placed hints surely played a role, but ultimately, it was my reputation that had the biggest impact.

After all, who wouldn’t buy a book written by someone revered as a regressor or prophet?

It’s essentially the same person who predicted and wrote about World War I and II bringing out a new work.

However, this isn’t an ordinary novel—it’s entirely disconnected from the real world, set in what one might call a “fantasy” realm.

It’s a world not where mana or magic exists, but one where they don’t exist at all. A world populated solely by humans.

And this story is about that world.

Specifically, it’s about the worst war in human history that broke out in that world, and I intend to gradually reveal its details.

First, let’s look at Volume 1. Its content covers the end of World War I and its aftermath.

The prologue begins with the Austro-Hungarian Empire’s invasion of Serbia, which sparks the start of World War I.

From that alone, you probably can’t grasp what kind of world this is.

But you’ll know that the German Empire was defeated—and what consequences that defeat brought upon them.

[It was too punitive to be called reconciliation, yet too lenient to truly prevent Germany’s recovery.]

Just like a certain evaluation in my past life, Germany went on to start World War II with the rise of the Nazi Party.

In fact, even a French marshal reportedly fumed with rage upon seeing the Treaty of Versailles.

The Treaty of Versailles followed the logic of victory and defeat, but its biggest flaw was that it instilled a deep hatred for “revenge” in Germany.

[They beat them senseless, then tossed them a piece of bread. No, even that piece of bread was snatched away in front of their eyes.]

[If you’re going to sign a peace agreement, then sign one. If you’re going to crush them, then crush them properly.]

[At the very least, you have to keep the economy alive. It’s impossible to repay that amount.]

[It would’ve been better to fully absorb the German Empire. I don’t understand why they went easy on them.]

[You should’ve left them so utterly broken they couldn’t even feel humiliation.]

People who saw the Treaty of Versailles had differing opinions.

What’s noteworthy is that these opinions split into two camps even here:

One side argued the treaty was unjust, while the other insisted it should’ve been far more oppressive to snuff out any lingering ambitions.

And so, some people asked:

Then why, during the Racial War, didn’t the Human Alliance crush Alvenheim instead of making a treaty?

[The Racial War ended because Alvenheim did something incredibly stupid and lost.]

[The Human Alliance had already realized they could never defeat Alvenheim, not even in death. Alvenheim just didn’t know that.]

[Alvenheim’s greatest enemy was Alvenheim itself.]

Those questions received clear answers.

During the Racial War, Alvenheim made countless foolish decisions.

The Human Alliance wasn’t much better, except they had strength in numbers—while Alvenheim’s issues were on an entirely different level of incompetence.

For example, dismissing Supreme Commander Eiker simply because they didn’t like him? That should be unthinkable. But Alvenheim actually did it.

Anyway, while debates over the Treaty of Versailles raged on, the man everyone thought was the protagonist—Hitler—finally appeared.

[This is absurd! How could Germany have lost?!]

He reacts in despair upon hearing of Germany’s defeat.

There are even records that he suffered great shock while bedridden.

Also, Hitler was quite a capable soldier during World War I.

He was brave enough to earn medals and adapted well to military life.

Hitler himself even described those days as the most brilliant period of his life—proof of what a solid soldier he had been.

So imagine how great the shock must’ve been for such a loyal soldier to witness the defeat of the very country he served.

[Zenon’s world is one where no individual can save it through sheer force alone.]

[So how will Hitler overcome this despair?]

[Wait, why did an Austrian enlist in the German army in the first place?]

People looked on him with genuine pity.

When your country loses a war, what soldier wouldn’t be shocked?

And some were curious why he, an Austrian, served in the German military.

That’s where I delved into Hitler’s past.

Those who know already understand—Hitler’s future was already questionable from early on.

A broken family background, a rebellious attitude during his school years, and then the pivotal turning point of his life: the art school entrance exam.

Through flashbacks, I portrayed how he came to fall in love with Germany and how much he valued the role of a soldier.

[Like Zenon in “The Life of Zenon”—a troubled family and antisocial personality, yet surely a warm heart lies within.]

[Liking art suggests he has creative talent.]

[He may just have the makings of a hero.]

It’s all in the interpretation, isn’t it?

Reading those evaluations nearly made me double over laughing.

In their minds, Hitler is already imprinted as the hero of heroes.

Even if nothing else, that supposed warm heart—now that, I absolutely can’t overlook.

In reality, Hitler was known to be very kind and considerate in private.

He even declined to host concerts because he didn’t want to trouble the artists on his account.

There are plenty of widely spread videos of him raging and shouting, but during Germany’s peak years, he appeared to be a benevolent person.

Lastly, it would be perfect to say he’s not a budding “hero”—but a budding “disaster.”

[“Junker” clearly refers to nobility. Seeing a middle name included makes it certain…]

[Hitler belongs to the military. But what exactly does the rank of “corporal” mean here? And with so many other ranks existing…]

[Even the military hierarchy is completely different. It’s clearly structured for ease of receiving and giving orders.]

[We need to consider that mana and magic don’t exist. Blindly applying what we know would cause massive misunderstandings.]

Even in just the first volume, a flood of information was revealed, and since the protagonist(?) is part of the military, there was great interest in military ranks as well.

For now, the story will proceed as a political drama, but as it continues, it will become a brutal war tale.

Because of that, explaining the military hierarchy was essential, and with Mora’s help, I explained it as best I could based on what I knew.

“I mean, they’ll probably just shrug it off.”

In this world, military ranks are determined more by seniority and individual skill than by traditional structure.

Since people themselves are the primary combat force, not weapons, there’s no avoiding it.

If that’s hard to understand, just imagine Xiang Yu, the Conqueror of Western Chu.

Would a man like him ever be restrained by something as trivial as military rank?

Rather than follow orders, he’d probably cut off the superior’s head and take command himself.

It’s an extreme example, but in many cases, power is determined by individual might.

And in a world where mana exists? Even more so.

That’s why it will take a long time for them to adopt a modern military hierarchy.

Unless, of course, science develops to the point of producing overwhelming war machines—

But for now, maintaining the current system may be for the best.

[Marquis Matthius. I believe a reform in military hierarchy is necessary for smoother orders and reporting…]

Except you’re the last person who should be saying that.

When Marquis Matthius—practically a field commander—said that, I nearly fell out of my chair.

Sure, military hierarchies slowly began forming since the Middle Ages, but this is just too radical.

What’s more, it wasn’t his household that said it—it was Matthius himself, directly, through the media.

That’s a whole different story.

‘Now that I think about it… whatever happened to Aira, that bitch?’

Suddenly, I was reminded of that leech from a year ago during a group project—

The noblewoman who tried to freeload and made insulting comments about soldiers, despite being from a military family.

I mentioned this once before, but in the Minerva Empire, anyone who speaks ill of soldiers is immediately sent to a training camp.

Especially nobles—

Their punishment is even harsher. They’re forcibly sent to a knight academy to have their entire mindset reprogrammed.

‘Well, not my problem.’

She’s probably getting along just fine. Just because she resented me doesn’t mean she could actually take revenge.

But the fact that Marquis Matthius personally took interest is what really got my attention.

He normally only cares about the military—not politics or power.

Even Rina barely knows what he’s up to most of the time, so for him to make a public statement like that naturally drew all eyes to him.

[The staff of science: the gun. This weapon wasn’t restricted to a specific class but was a personal weapon!]

[A world where each individual is equipped with a weapon as powerful as magic?]

Yes, military ranks were one thing, but just before the book’s release, I also explained “guns.”

The muggle’s wand—

A miraculous weapon that turns anyone into a wizard.

Most people assumed guns were reserved for elite forces only.

But no—they’re personal firearms.

They allow anyone to become a mage in disguise, and with enough ammunition, one can essentially cast magic endlessly.

[Might as well say they can fire “Explosion” spells. If even common soldiers can use such weapons, that army would be unbeatable.]

[Maybe we should just view this as fantasy. This is too absurd to believe.]

Yeah, they didn’t buy it.

They probably assumed such weapons could only be used by precious professionals, like mages.

But here’s the kicker—there are weapons that can shoot explosions.

And in the future, I’ll even be introducing “Hitler’s chainsaw.”

Imagine their reaction when they find out about machine guns that fire 1,200 rounds per minute.

[If such weapons exist, wars wouldn’t even happen. Defending would be too easy.]

Ta-da! Soon, we’ll be bringing in tanks and fighter jets!

Of course, for now, the priority is Hitler’s rise to power.

I couldn’t stop smirking as I watched all the reactions pour in the moment Volume 1 was released.

The Chronicle of Zenon gained popularity by surprise.

But World War II had already been seeded with foreshadowing in advance.

Thanks to that, I could enjoy all the reviews in a pure and detached way.

[Hitler, under his superior’s orders, heads toward the German Workers’ Party. But what exactly does the “Workers’ Party” mean?]

[It seems this world has a completely different political structure. Is it similar to the commoners’ assembly in the Kingdom of Teres?]

[The hero’s bitter first steps.]

Volume 1 ended with Hitler infiltrating the German Workers’ Party—the forerunner of the Nazi Party—under his superior’s orders.

And even just from that, all kinds of theories and speculation exploded, which made me genuinely happy.

[Seems like the plot is about restoring a crumbling Germany. But the Treaty of Versailles will likely be a huge obstacle.]

[How will Hitler deal with the Treaty of Versailles? Can he even pay off that massive amount in reparations?]

[The story will likely continue with Hitler solidifying Germany to stand against Stalin’s Soviet Union.]

Such cute reactions.

Just imagining the moment when all their assumptions are shattered—

It already thrills me to death.

More than anything, there’s something none of them have realized yet.

Let’s start with the title I gave this book.

The title I chose was not “World War II.”

It’s “Blood and Steel”—

A title that reveals what kind of war World War II truly is in a single glance.

In other words, no one has noticed that a Second World War is going to happen.

Of course, I already scattered major foreshadowing in the prologue.

Sharp readers might have picked up on it.

That is, the First World War had already broken out.

When it began, people back then called it “the war to end all wars.”

But because everyone is so focused on the story itself, they’re missing the bigger picture.

They’re only paying attention to the fact that it’s my new novel.

[One man’s will shall change the world.]

Oh yes.

He’ll definitely be someone who changes the world.

“Kukuku…”

“…Why are you laughing like that? It’s creepy.”

“Nothing. By the way, Mari. Do we really need to wait until marriage to live together?”

At that, Mari licked her lips and gave a seductive smile.

“You’d better save your strength. Otherwise, it won’t be three times every three days, but three times a day… You okay with that?”

“Oh… I didn’t know that.”

Let’s just enjoy the present for now.

We don’t know how long it’ll last.