[wellis]

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China and Korea are automatically presented as antagonists, who are said to cry 'aggression' and condemn anything Japan has done. The socialists and communists in the Diet are presented as fools who oppose everything.

I have not read that far and don't know if it will get any worse than that. But then the activities of the JSDF in the story stretch the definition of self-defence as allowed by the Peace Constitution imposed on the nation after its defeat in WW2.

IMO the author does have a political stance, but does not intend to use the novel as a means to further his political agenda. I assume at the very start the story was just a personal one, to be shared among his friends who likely had similar political views. Put it in another way, you can see the author obviously leaning towards the right, but at least he doesn't shout at your ears like all other right-wingers. His effort to rewrite the whole novel and publish only the watered-down version shows that he intends to keep all the naughty stuff with himself and doesn't want to make his novel a propaganda machine.

"It is truly an outstanding performance and I can't further comment on it, Lelei. Now, tell me more about the 'truth'."

Lelei bowed politely, and started presenting the "truth" as if she was in an academic conference.



It is often said that we, the Lindon School of wizards, will be feared and rejected by the public if we openly use magic in wars. However the reality is not that one-sided.

The whole concept behind using magic in wars is to intervene natural phenomenons - a manifestation of the "Surface Truth" - in such a way usable in fights.



"Just like this."

Upon hovering the stones that she had just picked up, Lelei shot them into the withering trees around her.



As you have seen, the "Counter Truth" has just intervened the "Surface Truth" of the stone pellets being still. However, similar effects can also be achieved by arrows or catapults. Therefore, our objective is to bring in practicality to overcome such a reality.



This time, Lelei simultaneously floated over ten stones around a specific target. The stones shot into the target from every direction. What was left was a bark lying on the ground with thousands of holes.



A trick like this can never be achieved with a single arrow or a single catapult. This is the reason behind the public's fear towards war magic.

However, even if the typical audience is satisfied, how about jugglers who know alternate tricks? Fire magic is nothing more than the burning of objects. Why not simply use oil or firewood? Even for water magic, at the end of the day it is not much different from pouring water on an object.

All of these can be recreated by machines and tools. However, the effect of "Counter Truth" lasts for a short period, and is incomparable with the strength of massive machineries.

Such a problem is insignificant in the small-scale military conflicts in the past. However recently the scale of wars increases dramatically, while at the same time wizards are becoming more and more obsolete. Of course there is no point to waste such talents. That is why they are currently used for medical and indirect support - areas that are essential nowadays. Nevertheless, being a major school in magic fights ever since ancient years, the Lindon School can never be satisfied at the current situation. Just as how our current status is built up on our forefathers effort, we have to continue to move forward by advancing our researches.

But, facing the strong weapons of the JSDF such as "guns" and "cannons", it may also be true that by paying the same degree of effort we may still be unable to cope with the tide of times.

As long as we stick with using "Counter Truth" merely as a means of directly interfering the "Surface Truth," this is a problem we have to face sooner or later. The reason is that the most effective way to bring about any change within the "Surface Truth" is to work within the framework of "Surface Truth". Given enough time we will always be caught up, and eventually overtaken, by technological advances.

However, researches in regard of the "Surface Truth" are much deeper and more extensive at the other side of the Gate. Is it possible that we can achieve a better result by using magic to complement, instead of directly interfering of the "Surface Truth"? This is Lelei's focus.

For example, at the other side of the Gate, there are researches in regard of "flames".

The wise men said, burning is a result of the combination of the "burning essence" and the "object essence."

The wise men also said, explosion is a result of such burning within a short time frame. However the reason for the bottleneck of our research is that we have been mistaking the breaking of utensils upon heating as detonation.



"I shall hereby present an authentic detonation."

Lelei created an orb of light in the air.

"Across the Gate, the Object Essence is called Oxygen. The Burning Essence is equivalent to their Carbon, Water and a number of other materials. Oxygen is prevalent in the air. What Lelei is going to do is to draw and accumulate the Burning Essence, lock it in a force field with a suitable density, float it in the air, and release it by the use of Counter Truth."

Lelei bent a finger, and the orb busted.

"A material called Explosives across the Gate is equivalent to this orb."

The Old Sage nodded in response. "Um... It fits the 'truth' and can expand the scope of magic usage. Although you are clearly inspired by the researches in the other world, your achievement of fitting their theories into ours with practical results makes you deserve a doctorate degree."

"If the phenomenon of explosion can be controlled effectively, the value of magic will further increase. Not only for the military, but also for industrial and construction work, this will be very useful," Katou the Old Sage added and was about to end the assessment.

"But, there is not enough power."

Lelei looked at Katou's direction. A JSDF officer was standing there.

"Sorry. What I'm going to say will be a bit complicated. Would you mind interpreting for me?"

Lelei gave a small sigh, made a bow towards her teacher, and walked towards the officer.