[FMMIKA] Chapter 282: Gudako's Diary (I)

5th year of the Dragon Emperor's New Calendar.

This marks the fifth year since the Dragon Emperor made France part of his empire and seized control of Europe in the Hundred Years' War's Singularity, replacing Charles VII.

The Dragon Emperor had also decided to change the empire's name from the 'Holy Roman Empire' to the 'Pendragonius Empire', using his family name as inspiration, with the hope that his family would always strive together with the empire.

In the wake of the empire's dominance over Europe, conquests abroad continued to unfold.

Naturally, there was the involvement of a Master named Fujimaru Ritsuka, serving as a special envoy, accompanied by her partner, or more like an observer—Mash Kyrielight, heading towards the New World.

===

March 12th, 5th year of the Dragon Emperor's Calendar.

First diary entry.

Before, during our adventures, life was quite intense. It's either a daily brawl or getting beaten up, so there isn't a dull moment.

But after becoming a prisoner of the empire, life slows down. That Dragon Emperor doesn't even assign me any real work.

Of course, even if he had, I wouldn't do it properly.

I slack off to prevent burnout.

Workers of the world, unite!

Well, that's a bit off-topic. Anyway, in this age without the internet, games, or wifi, what's there to do for entertainment?

My first thought is dating. Preferably with handsome guys and cute girls; I'm open to both.

By the way, I can understand now why some Servants left me. Even though I'm good at courting them, it's hard to compete with the kind of pleasure they can get with that Dragon Emperor. Thinking about it, even I can't help but be drawn to him.

But no, that's not right. Despite being a shameless pervert, he doesn't even cuddle me. Does he think I'm not good enough? Bastard! My body is pretty good, you know!

Every time I think about how he spends his nights with the Servants while I'm left alone, I can't help but feel resentment.

So, in this age without the internet and no way to vent, I don't really enjoy activities like chess, music, or reading.

Studying magecraft used to be somewhat interesting, but when I showed interest in learning it, that jerk handed me a daily schedule with 10 hours of classes. Hobbies turned into mandatory studies, and my interest disappeared.

So, after some thought, I decided to write a diary as a part of my daily entertainment.

Usually, serious people don't write diaries. Fortunately, I'm far from serious.

In general, you're not supposed to write down your inner thoughts; otherwise, they're not really inner anymore. But I sometimes tear out the diary entries and feed them to Fou, so no need to worry about leaks.

...

August 12th, 5th year of the Dragon Emperor's Calendar.

Mash and I board a ship bound for the New World, the continent of America.

At first, riding on a steamship is quite novel. I even think about cosplaying as characters from the Titanic with Mash, but she rejects the idea.

My ice-cold little eggplant is growing more distant lately, and it's definitely that jerk's fault. Creating a calendar with his own title is the epitome of narcissism.

What's even more baffling is that, by revealing his true identity, he doesn't incite a revolt in Europe at all. What the heck, it's truly a strange occurrence.

What happened to freedom? Is being oppressed really better than being free?

There is an invader you've never even heard of, what's more, he's from another world. Yet you all debate whether he's an angel or a demon?

Where's your spirit of resistance? Don't tell me you all have given up!

Of course, having a fighting spirit doesn't make much difference. After all, ordinary folks can't stand a chance against those steam-powered soldiers.

Well, to be precise, even well-trained regular armies and mages, let alone all sorts of creatures like werewolves and other peculiar beings, crumble under the might of steam. Just thinking about it sends shivers down my spine.

...

August 13th, 5th year of the Dragon Emperor's Calendar.

We've arrived in the New World, or more accurately, Long Island, New York in North America. As the leader of the second wave of adventurers, we get a warm welcome from the locals.

The beef at the banquet is quite delicious.

These are the legendary American bison. In the future, no matter how much money I have, I won't be able to taste it.

This thought slightly improves my opinion of that Dragon Emperor.

In addition to the pale-skinned colonizers at the banquet, we also meet the local indigenous people. Their attire isn't much different from the colonists, with some minor embellishments, like a few bird feathers in their hair.

I don't really understand the specifics, but if I remember right, they are called Indians, I think?

It seems like the relationship between the local indigenous people and the colonizers is quite good, which is different from the history I know. After all, in proper human history, European colonization of the New World led to the deaths of millions.

But Mash said to me that in the history of the new humanity under the Dragon Emperor, such things won't happen. She says those with a smile as if she can read my thoughts.

At first, I couldn't help but think that she was quite impressive, but that feeling disappeared in an instant. Whether she's impressive or not is none of my business; I just need to remember that she betrayed me, so I have to get even.

...

August 20th, 5th year of the Dragon Emperor's Calendar.

I got a suite in Long Island, New York, and it's a beachfront villa.

So, in the good old days, did they have all kinds of steam-powered construction gear like cranes and bulldozers? I thought those were only around when they started using internal combustion engines.

The tech stuff for this empire is kinda weird, right?

...

August 22nd, 5th year of the Dragon Emperor's Calendar.

Today, I met some indigenous friends, and their perception of the empire is quite different.

I try explaining for a while, but they can't understand that the empire isn't simply a massive tribe. It encompasses the population, technology, and organizational structure, among other aspects.

People and their perspectives can be incredibly diverse. There is only one thing I disagree with, and that is, that Artorius Pendragon is not the greatest being in the world.

He's just a narcissistic pervert.

...

August 25th, 5th year of the Dragon Emperor's Calendar.

We visit the ranch built in collaboration between the indigenous people and the empire. Using empire technology, they domesticate North American bison and combine it with green storage techniques, grass cultivation, and feed production. Many indigenous people left their nomadic ways to join the empire as ranch workers.

Apart from ranches, the empire also constructed large farms and plantations.

Mash finds them intriguing, but I can't be bothered.

Isn't it stated in proper human history that the indigenous people of the Americas resisted European farms and plantations? Why the heck are these indigenous people so eager to join?

Because the empire's propaganda is too strong, and its reputation is even stronger.

As I ponder this, Mash provides the answer to me and says that in proper human history, these farms, ranches, and plantations have nothing to do with these indigenous people. Resistance is natural when they are enslaved. But when these changes genuinely improve their lives, even the most conservative will try to adapt.

Mash, a mere Servant, leaves me momentarily speechless.

Yes, in this version of history, this singularity, the European colonizers are not slaughtering millions. They aren't oppressors, slave masters, or crazed killers.

They just want to cooperate with these native inhabitants, coexist, and build a new, beautiful homeland.

What a jerk.

For a brief moment, I am moved by this realization and feel embarrassed.

Of course, it's only for a moment.

===

And so, Gudako—or rather, RItsuka tore the diary page out and handed it to Fou.

"Fou, open your mouth!"

Fou stared at her with a bewildered expression.

"Come on, this is your favorite paper."

Fou continued to gaze at her like she was an idiot.

"Fine, I guess there's no helping it." After saying this, Ritsuka opened her own mouth, tossed the paper into it, and started chewing.

After finishing, she turned over in bed and quickly fell asleep.

For someone with such thick skin, falling asleep was always straightforward. So, not too long after, Fou covered its ears to avoid being disturbed by Ritsuka's snoring.

===

Meanwhile, in the beachfront villa adjacent to Ritsuka's, Mash held a communication crystal. Her voice was gentle, filled with affection as if the person on the other side of the crystal was her lover.

Indeed, that was precisely who the person on the other side was.

"Your Majesty~"

"..."

"Yes, indeed... Senpai has been doing quite well recently."

"..."

"Although there is still some lingering resentment towards Your Majesty, there's a willingness to improve."

"..."

"After all, Senpai isn't a demon or anything."

"..."

"Yes, yes, I understand."

"..."

"I'll continue guiding Senpai."

"..."

"Your Majesty, please take care of yourself too."

"..."

"Um, goodbye."

===

Artorius completed his regular communication with Mash.

"You seem to really like that little girl, Big Brother. Is it because of Galahad~?" Mordred said with a teasing tone from beside him.

Artorius responded with a smile, ruffling her hair. After Mordred let out a contented hum, he picked up a pen and began writing the annals of the new human era.

—Since humanity discovered the power of steam, history has turned a new page.

—Mages, in the face of diminishing true ether, enhanced their cooperation with the regular world.

—Through the fusion of magecraft and steam technology, the 'Age of Steam' was inaugurated.

—The world was irrevocably transformed.

—Empowered humans embarked on journeys into the sky, across the oceans, and deep into the continents. The pace of conquest and transformation marched onward.

—The world became more closely connected than ever before.