How To Live As A Writer In A Fantasy World-Chapter 473: Golden Goblin (1)

News about introducing democracy to Animers spread, and several days passed.

Countless people expressed both concern and anticipation.

It was a political system no one had dared to implement, yet at a glance, it appeared fair.

There was also a psychological hope behind it: if such a radically different system could adapt well in a new world, maybe other things could too.

Unlike other races, Animers had a highly complex ethnic makeup, resembling the real-world United States, often called a “melting pot of races.”

However, even the U.S. had to fight a War of Independence to achieve democracy, and even then, it wasn’t perfect.

It was none other than George Washington, America’s first president, who truly established democracy and the presidency.

Although called a “president,” Washington wielded power almost equivalent to that of a king during his administration.

Given the surrounding circumstances, it would not have been strange if he had continued ruling indefinitely — he had the ability, the support, and had won the people’s hearts.

Yet Washington voluntarily stepped down after just two terms.

Considering how difficult it is to relinquish power, he could be considered someone who entered the realm of a “superhuman.”

Of course, later on, Franklin D. Roosevelt would be elected for four terms, but that was under special circumstances like the Great Depression and World War II.

The subsequent passage of the law banning three consecutive terms shows just how much Americans respected Washington.

“I hope it takes root well…”

Predictably, even if democracy were introduced, it was highly likely that a civil war resembling an independence war would break out.

Especially since the race of beastkin (Animers) overflowed with individuality to the point of excess.

Moreover, before the founding of Animers, beastkin had lived almost like outlaws, relying solely on their own strength.

In many ways, they were walking a path similar to America’s history, but the outcome at this crossroads would be crucial.

“I should mention Washington when explaining America.”

Personally, I didn’t care whether Animers adopted democracy, monarchy, or communism.

Each system carried clear advantages and disadvantages, and as I’ve often said, the very nature of this world was different.

Especially due to the existence of mana with immense potential — it was as if everyone carried a loaded gun.

Whether they loaded a bullet or left it alone was their choice.

Those who awakened their mana were essentially armed.

‘Besides, I’ll be showing soon enough how democracy can completely collapse.’

The rise of the Nazi Party after the Great Depression was a process too complicated for words.

The masses, having lost faith in the government due to the Depression, were ensnared by Hitler and Goebbels’ speeches and propaganda.

Yet the road was anything but smooth.

Feeding 400,000 members of the SA alone required 2.5 million marks per week, and internal strife plagued the Nazi Party.

Despite these hardships, Hitler never gave up and pushed forward relentlessly.

As the saying goes, “Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet,” and Hitler eventually reaped his reward.

In the 1928 general election, the Nazi Party only garnered 2.6% of the vote, but by the 1930 election, they had jumped to a stunning 18.3%.

This propelled them to the position of the second-largest party, boosting Goebbels’ confidence enough to encourage Hitler to run for president.

Of course, unfortunately (or fortunately), the war hero Hindenburg had overwhelming popularity, so Hitler lost — but he still achieved an astonishingly high voter turnout.

‘I’ll skip the whole Enabling Act struggle because it’s tedious.’

Once the Nazi Party fully seized power and Hitler became Chancellor, they passed the Enabling Act.

In simple terms, the Enabling Act placed Hitler himself above the constitution — it was a showcase of absolute power.

In a normal democracy, such a law would have been unthinkable, yet the Weimar Republic passed it.

‘If only Papen hadn’t screwed up so badly.’

The political battles leading up to the Enabling Act were extremely complicated.

That’s just politics, especially under the façade of democracy.

Rather than explaining every detail, I’d focus mainly on Hitler to avoid confusing the narrative.

Although Goebbels would cause some major incidents along the way, I’d just gloss over those.

‘I should also explain the Manchurian Incident in the middle.’

The Manchurian Incident, the precursor to the Second Sino-Japanese War, was another aftermath of the Great Depression, this time perpetrated by the Japanese Empire.

Judging purely from the incident itself, it was a blatant overreach on Japan’s part — a blunder that would snowball into full-blown war.

Anyway, the fifth volume of Blood and Steel would conclude with the passage of the Enabling Act and the Manchurian Incident.

Afterward, the Nazi Party’s “party” would truly begin.

‘At the same time, Hitler’s incompetence will gradually become clear.’

While Hitler was highly skilled at seizing power, his abilities in other areas were decidedly average or worse.

He was mentally unstable, almost to the level of a paranoid patient, and was essentially a large, childish man.

Although other politicians like Papen tried to use him, ironically, Hitler ended up turning the tables on them.

It would be interesting to see whether people would continue to worship him once his true nature was revealed, or whether doubts would arise.

‘After the Enabling Act, I should also highlight Roosevelt’s election.’

While Hitler obtained absolute power through the Enabling Act, FDR became president through a legitimate election.

Despite being paralyzed from the waist down, FDR became president — whereas Hitler, through the infamous T4 Program, killed all disabled people.

The irony could not be starker.

Despite being on opposite sides of the globe, their paths diverged dramatically.

Had the U.S. not been crippled by the Great Depression after WWI, FDR might have crushed Germany before things escalated.

‘I’ll have to wait a bit for the portrait I asked from Karls…’

This upcoming portrait would be incredibly meaningful.

It would depict Hitler, who became a “king” through the Enabling Act, and FDR, who became a “president” through the people’s vote — facing each other, highlighting their stark contrast.

If Stalin was Hitler’s rival, Roosevelt would be the ultimate boss or even a cosmic horror by comparison.

In any case, volume 5 of Blood and Steel would end like this.

“I’m bored.”

Since I had no plans to release the volume until receiving the illustrations from Karls, boredom was inevitable.

Starting volume 6 immediately felt like too much of a hassle.

The monotony of daily life left me feeling listless.

“Are you bored? Want a kiss?”

“Yeah.”

“Mwah!”

“Ack!”

Thanks to my lovely fiancée, though, I wasn’t too bored — aside from moments like now, when she bit my cheek.

I rubbed my stinging cheek and looked at Mari.

She was giggling like an innocent young girl.

Usually, lovers grow apart as time passes, but that’s not the case with us.

We’re exactly the same as when we first started dating.

Moreover, the current situation was very favorable to Mari.

Because of our individual circumstances, we hadn’t been able to spend much time together.

“Can you bite more gently? It hurts.”

“Then can I bite somewhere else?”

“Where?”

“The other cheek! Nom!”

“Aaagh!”

Maybe that’s why Mari was unleashing all the affection she had been holding back.

She had been like this ever since the semester started.

I don’t know if I should call it cohabitation or not, but after classes ended, she would come straight to me, and we would even spend the night together.

We were practically living together, even if we called it something else.

“I can’t help it—your cheeks are so chewy and soft, I want to keep biting them. It’s a good thing nobody else knows this.”

“Adel’s right next to us, you know?”

I grumbled, massaging both of my stinging cheeks.

Behind us, Adelia was standing there, watching.

Mari turned her head to look at Adelia and said in a mischievous voice,

“Adel, you can have anything else, but the cheeks are mine, okay? Don’t even think about it.”

“Uh… okay, I got it.”

“Good!”

“Phew…”

I shook my head in disbelief.

A little affection is nice, but at this rate, I’m not sure my cheeks will survive.

I’d rather be doing night activities instead.

Whether day or night, Mari was passionate about showering me with affection, but at moments like this, she was treating me like a toy.

If we were to have a proper wedding ceremony, I suppose we’d get to enjoy this kind of happiness every day.

But even that isn’t enough.

There’s a reason humans are called social animals.

Even if we’re happy for now, connecting with others is essential.

As I’ve consistently mentioned before, we can’t just stay sheltered forever.

Even though there are threats like demon worshippers lurking around, we still have to meet people.

‘Even if I’m fine for now, I still need to build connections.’

It’s not just about building a network—I also needed to break down the mystique around me.

The way people kept treating me like some kind of saint had caused trouble more than once.

Simply put, it’s all a bubble.

Before that bubble grew any larger, I had to pop it.

For the sake of my own future, and for the children I would have with the women I love.

I looked at Mari, who was radiating a pink aura while clinging to my arm.

She was humming softly with her eyes closed.

“Mari.”

“Hmm?”

“Don’t you want to meet more people?”

“Everyone I meet is already a big shot, though?”

“…”

Hearing her say that left me speechless.

From Princess Cecily of Helium to Queen Arwen of Alvenheim…

All the people she met were basically national leaders.

In many ways, her network wasn’t just solid—it was more like steel.

“Still, like you said, it’s probably about time we started appearing in public more.

Mystique is nice and all, but bubbles form with it too.”

Apparently, Mari also felt the need for public appearances instead of just being content with the current situation.

Even though she hated politics like I did, she understood it couldn’t be avoided entirely.

She was probably thinking along the same lines as me.

We might be fine now, but would our future children be okay too?

“I think it’d be better to start laying some groundwork, like we did with people close to us.

Rather than a ‘saint from the future,’ wouldn’t it be better if I was just considered a ‘reincarnator’?”

“How is that better?”

“A saint from the future is a bubble, but a reincarnator is the truth.

Of course, don’t announce it publicly.

It’s better if only close family knows the truth.”

“I see…”

Since I wasn’t very good with political matters, I couldn’t be completely sure.

But since it was advice from the more experienced Mari, it was probably fine.

As I tilted my head with a confused expression, Mari giggled and said,

“You don’t have to overthink it.

I’m just saying that truth is better than lies.

Anyway, you want to debut in society too, right?”

“Yeah.

Eventually, I’ll have to guide my kids there.

It would be weird if I had no experience myself.”

“Then I’ll tell my dad about it.”

“Okay…”

“Wait, is it really that easy?”

I thought social events usually happened only on special occasions.

While I was wondering about that, Mari said cheerfully,

“Yup! My dad’s birthday is coming up soon. freewebnoveℓ.com

Most of the nobles in the empire will probably attend.”

“Can’t we just skip it?”

“Are you scared?”

“…”

She really knew how to hit a man’s pride.

In the end, I had no choice but to accept, even though I felt reluctant.

It was all happening so fast, but honestly, I didn’t have anything better to do anyway.

Besides, there were hardly any people who could mess with me now.

Just showing my face should be enough.

“But since it’s a birthday party, I should prepare a gift or something…”

“Just don’t take your birth control pills today. That’ll be the best gift.”

“That sounds like it could also be the worst gift…”

Chatting quietly like that, we wrapped up the conversation.

“Just in case, we should do a surprise visit.

It’s better not to leak information unnecessarily.”

“Got it.”

I felt like some kind of event mob character.

★★★

Meanwhile, around the same time, at the Marquisate of Mathius:

“Viscount Callas.”

“Yes, sir! What are your orders?”

“You can tell Duke Requilis whatever you want about budgets or whatever.

Just don’t bring up that damned shell project. Understand?”

“Yes, sir! Understood!”

“Haa…”

The Marquis of Mathius let out a deep sigh at Viscount Callas’s spirited reply.