Chapter 19

After accepting Professor Elena's proposal, my daily life changed slightly. Originally, after all classes, I went to the library or went to the dormitory after a quick meal, but recently I visited Professor Elena's lab.

And today is Friday, when all classes end. After I mailed the manuscripts of the eight volumes of Zeno's biography to my parents, I went straight to the lab. I forgot to knock before entering the lab.

After a while, I opened the door and entered the lab, and a characteristic musty smell greeted me. As soon as I opened the door, I saw Cindy sitting at her desk and writing something diligently.

"Hello. Cindy."

"Oh no…"

Anyway, upon entering the lab, Professor Elena is often absent for business trips, but not Cindy. She always greeted me like a dead corpse of hers. I also got used to her looks, so I didn't pay much attention to her.

"How are you today? Are you still tired?"

"Maybe a little better…? I don't know…"

That sloppy tone of voice can't be fixed unless you fix it. I've been told I've been tried for years, not months, but it's hard to fix.

If it were a human, it would have been normal to die from overwork right away, but an elf seems to be able to endure it.

I sat at my desk and looked at Cindy, who seemed to be writing a dissertation, and then crept aside.

I don't know how to write a thesis, but Professor Elena asked for help with the writing itself rather than that. Therefore, he once watched how serious …

"…Cindy?"

"Yes…?"

"Would you like to stop writing for a moment and read what Cindy wrote?"

"Why?"

That's how serious it is.

I held back the above words and urged Cindy again.

"Read it. From the middle here."

"Ugh… The human war that occurred after the tribal war can be said to clearly show the dark side of humans, and it was the reason that the Minerva Empire was able to establish itself as a powerful power until now, and it was the reason why many countries are still crying for independence. The Empire's rival, Mechterton Kingdom, formed an alliance with the neighboring kingdoms…"

"Stop."

roughly like that It's legible and naval, and it's at the level it was five minutes before the release.

'It's like watching my first movie…'

In my previous life, I was praised for my writing skills, but it was never good from the beginning. Rather, what kind of story is this first little thing? The readability was so bad that the words came out of nowhere.

Currently, Cindy's thesis follows the same mistakes that first-time writers make.

Mistakes of linking together or repeating the same word without breaking a sentence in the middle for readability. This is one of the most common mistakes beginners make.

I'm well aware of the underlying problem," I asked her, facing Cindy with a puzzled expression on her face.

"Cindy. Cindy, do you understand what this means?"

"Are you going…?

She tilts her head and asks questions. I took a deep breath at Cindy's situation, not knowing what the problem was.

'Even so, this is a bit harsh…'

I have criticized the novels of this world as being like an English test for the SAT, but the thesis is an exception. A thesis is a kind of record written by a researcher through his/her own research, so it does not matter if technical terms appear.

However, the thesis should clearly communicate what the researcher wants to say to the other person.

I do not know how to write a thesis, but I clearly know what purpose the thesis is used for. At the very least, it should never be used randomly like a synth.

As I was contemplating where to start, I asked a question in a curious voice.

"Cindy. Have you ever read Professor Elena or someone else's paper?"

"In many ways…"

"But you write like this?"

I once read a thesis she wrote with the help of Professor Elena. I was in a bit of trouble because technical terms came out in the middle, but thanks to the many books I've read so far, I was able to read it thoroughly.

Cindy slowly blinked her eyes to my absurd question and answered quietly.

"Even if I try to write like that… If I keep writing, it becomes similar to the thesis I read…"

"If you are evaluated later, will you be rejected for being similar?"

"Yes…"

The memory is good, but the application ability is inferior. From my human standards, I'm just an idiot, but from an elf's point of view, Cindy is perfectly normal.

As mentioned before, human beings are inherently lacking in strength and ability compared to other races, but there are 'acquisition' and 'adaptation' that can make up for them. Comparing the whole race, elves are normal, and humans are abnormal.

One example is magic, and as I said before, magic has historically been praised as a 'power' that can only be used by those chosen by the gods. Right up to the tribal war 300 years ago, magic was an ability that only elves, demons, and very few humans could use.

Demon Wars 3000 Years Ago? There are no records of humans using magic at that time, only a few elves using it. The race war 300 years ago was the time when magic flowed into humans in earnest.

In any case, in less than 300 years, humans have been transformed into abilities that can be used by anyone with background, talent, and hard work supported. From the point of view of a long-lived elf, the speed of development is truly terrifying.

'I'm suddenly curious. Why are humans so quick to learn?'

In a world where only humans exist, that is, it is something we took for granted when we were on Earth. Even in creations, there was a setting that humans learn faster than other races.

But since I was actually reincarnated in this world, I was really curious. Why do humans learn things faster than other races?

As I was repeating the question in my head, Cindy asked me in a sarcastic tone.

"So, when are you going to teach me…?"

"Oh, yes. Professor Elena told me to teach you, so I have to teach you. I only ask one question."

"What is that?"

"Didn't Cindy ever learn to write?"

I should already tell you basic knowledge, but I asked just in case. If you learn roughly, you will see hope.

Cindy blinked slowly at my question and answered quietly.

"How many people have taught me to write…"

"Huh? What do you mean? Didn't you say Professor Elena wasn't there?"

"It was the person who helped, and there were a few people who paid for it and taught me…"

Then she answered in a more complex, subdued voice than before. Her pointy ears drooped down below her.

"Don't run away saying you can't teach everything anymore…"

"… …"

"I'm a little… I guess I'm on the dull side by human and elf standards…"

It would not be a mistake to feel that I was somehow caught properly.

*****

Zeno's biography has always been like this, but in particular, Volume 7 caused a bigger wave than before as soon as it was published. It is because the author cut off the story at the decisive moment, and it has wrung the hearts of many readers.

As a result, the Crown Prince of Minerva will immediately arrest the author and imprison him in the imperial palace, or the Princess presses him to publish the next volume promptly.

There was a lot of commotion in many ways, but there was a saying that time was medicine, and that it slowly stopped and waited for the next book. The subscribers also calmed their minds and concentrated on their main job, waiting for the time to pass.

After that, the 7th volume of Zeno's biography was published, and about a month after that, the news that the 8th volume everyone had been waiting for was published was written in the newspaper. There was, however, one sentence that caught my attention.

[It contains scenes that may be offensive to the nobles.]

The above text was published by the publisher who first reviewed the manuscript. The phrase had no choice but to arouse questions from not only the aristocracy, but also the majority of commoners.

What kind of scene is it that there is a phrase that says that it may offend the aristocrats who are not commoners? The answer to that question could only be known after the publication of a new biography of Zeno.

[There is a noble above the people, there is a king above the nobles, and a king exists because there is a state. But it is the people who sustain the country. In other words, whether a king or a nobleman is nothing in front of the people. But Count Crosst. You're framing the nation's foundations just because it's offensive. It is truly the conduct of a true nobleman. Isn't it?]

The character in the novel, as well as the aristocratic class, said it, but it was a harsh criticism. Even if it is a fictional story, it is solely the responsibility of the author to create it.

So far, there have been no books or paintings that satirize or criticize the atrocities of the nobles, but Zeno's biography was too straightforward. Considering the ripple effect of Zeno's biography, it must have been a very dangerous statement, although not unusual.

– A scene that clearly exposed the dark side of the aristocracy.

– In reality, there are many cases in which nobles intimidate commoners. It was just hidden from anyone.

– History repeats itself. If this goes on, an incident like the 'Zeros Revolution' will happen again.

Actually, there is an event similar to the 'French Revolution' on Earth. It is the 'Zeros Revolution' that broke out in the Kingdom of Teres, which has been regarded as the eternal enemy of the Minerva Empire.

Since a great man named Zeiros was the leader, it is called the Zelos Revolution for convenience.

In that one revolution, the kingdom of Terce stumbled and many corrupt nobles were brought down. Although the revolution itself was not successful, its aftermath was truly terrifying, enough to raise awareness.

However, despite such a major incident, the aristocrats still looked down on commoners. On the contrary, there are cases where it is more viciously concealed and thoroughly prevented from being known externally.

– Nobles and commoners are different from birth. Even the author of Zeno's biography doesn't think it's such an insult.

– A novel is just a novel. If it were a commoner like Zeno, he would have been given the title rather than opposed to the nobles.

Because of this, some nobles brought out intense criticism of the first half of the 8th volume. However, only a few nobles are pouring out criticism that is close to criticism, and most of the nobles are only showing bitter reactions.

One reviewer commented on these numerous responses.

– Most of the nobles who read this story and get angry are treating commoners as slaves. Wouldn't the prisoners be openly treated as slaves? It can only be said to be a truly noble mind.

The mouths of the nobles who poured criticism and reproach on such a heavy fact were shut tight. There was no such scene.

Anyway, due to the beginning of the 8th volume, countries with aristocratic classes became noisy for a while, but countries without a noble class went on.

The nobleman who put Zenon, the main character, in danger, was eventually stripped of all his posts and imprisoned, and Zenon headed to the land of the dwarves for a brief rest.

Many subscribers expected it because it was the first time in Xenon's biography to go to a country of a different race, rather than a human country. Naturally, among them, the Dwarves had the greatest expectations and concerns.

"Umm…"

"How about it? Isn't it worth a try? Here's a rough description and pictures."

A dwarf with a thick gray beard, a wacky-looking face and, finally, a tall dwarf was paying close attention to the picture drawn on the paper.

Next to him, a young Dwarf with a beard that barely covered his face was pushing with an excited expression. The gray-bearded dwarf focused only on the drawing, not paying attention to the urging of the dwarf who was chattering next to him.

What he is currently seeing is a painting that appeared in the mid-to-late part of the 8th volume of Zeno's biography published this month. It was attached with some kind of adhesive to prevent it from falling off while reading it, but I found it later.

Then, the gray-bearded dwarf tilted his head and muttered the name of the picture mentioned in the book.

"Is this iron locomotive the name of the steam locomotive?"

"Yeah!"

"By the way, this huge iron ball moves through a special organ? Only on a special road called 'railway'? Not only in the front, but also in the back, like a wagon?"

"Yeah!"

"Is the principle of moving the wheel maximizing the rattling phenomenon of the lid when boiling water in the kettle?"

"Yeah!"

A young dwarf who gives a bright answer whenever the gray-bearded dwarf asks a question. At this, the gray-bearded dwarf burst out laughing.

"Heh heh heh. Son? Don't say anything that doesn't sound like a word. You should read a novel as a novel. It gives a headache if you substitute it for reality. We just need to make better weapons."

"But Dad. There is reality. Wouldn't it be better than nothing at all?"

In response to his son's question, the gray-bearded dwarf waved his hands and said in a voice that was absurd.

"It's realistic and Nabal, and this father is old and can't afford to make these things. Rather than gathering like-minded people and making them all together. And here they call it coal? It's full of rocks, so let's do it ourselves. 'Because I need more."

"Then won't you help?"

"I can't help you directly, but if you have money, I can support you. There will be reckless fools like you out there, but it will be easy to find."

"Okay! Wait a minute! I'll collect it soon!"

The young dwarf responded vigorously and ran back and forth out of the forge. The gray-bearded dwarf smirked at his son's passionate look, then glanced down at his paper once more.

The quality of the paintings cannot be said to be good with empty words, but the approximate appearance was clear. There is also an explanation attached to the book, so you can see what it is used for.

'Your imagination is great. How did you come up with this idea?'

It is an idea that even the dwarves who are called masters of artisan artisan creation and, moreover, the gray-bearded dwarves with excellent skills, can't help but admire.

In the current situation where many people conclude that there is no substitute for magic, if such a 'machine' appears, it will cause a huge impact.

In particular, it is clear that 'humans' will benefit the most. Even if they lack natural abilities, their ability to learn and adapt is unmatched.

Perhaps the moment the steam locomotive was invented, it could turn to machines instead of magic.

'Did this guy really come from another world?'

The gray-bearded dwarf had no choice but to ask such a question sincerely.