Side Story 20. [After Story] Meeting of Racial Representatives (4)
“The Jupiter Foundation… You mean that historical foundation you established?”
At Kellibey’s question, I nodded.
“That’s right. Until now, we’ve focused solely on selecting and training historians, but it’s time to start moving forward in earnest.”
I looked around the room at everyone gathered and continued.
“As the foundation’s first trial project, we plan to meticulously document the final three years of the war against the Beasts fought here in Crossroad.”
Together with Junior, who had spent the last decade mastering the basics of becoming a historian, and the many historians I’ve selected and trained, we will record every detail of the three years of war waged on the Southern Front against the Beasts.
‘Originally, the Jupiter Foundation’s first project was supposed to be on a different topic.’
The initial plan was to research and document the history of the now-destroyed Kingdom of Camilla—more specifically, the Empire’s invasion of the Kingdom of Camilla.
This was the war that determined the fates of Jupiter, Reina, Junior, the three mages, Hecate, and countless others. Exploring and uncovering the truth of that war had been the intended focus of the foundation’s inaugural project.
However, it was a politically sensitive and deeply challenging subject to tackle without the proper resources and maturity. The Emperor, still very much alive, as well as numerous high-ranking officials of the Empire, would likely disapprove. It was a subject fraught with political landmines.
Of course, we could have pressed forward, disregarding the risks, but I feared the possibility of failing due to haste and ambition.
For that reason, we decided to postpone the Camilla project until later—until I ascended the throne and could lend the project more political weight, and until the Jupiter Foundation itself had matured.
Instead, we would begin with something more achievable: documenting the history of the Southern Front’s war against the Beasts. It was a way to test the foundation’s capabilities and ensure the war’s memory wouldn’t fade from people’s minds.
Before all the veterans were gone.
While their voices could still be heard.
“And for this project, I’ll need the help of everyone here.”
I looked around the room again, emphasizing my point.
The three years of the Southern Front War were not just a history of fighting the Beasts. They were also a history of the world’s united effort—of every race coming together to stand against a common enemy.
It was only fitting to include perspectives not only from humans but from every race that had contributed to this struggle.
“And for the nature of this project, Evangeline, I’ll be relying on your help a lot.”
Since the project was about documenting the war fought in Crossroad, it was natural that the Lord of Crossroad’s assistance would be essential.
“Of course, I’ll gladly help. But… what exactly would I be doing?”
Evangeline looked puzzled, unsure of her role. I smiled gently.
“We’re planning to build a war memorial museum here in Crossroad.”
“…!”
“In addition, I’d like to see monuments erected at major battle sites, along with plaques or markers explaining the events that took place there. We could even hire guides to provide tours.”
To put it more directly:
“I want to develop a tourism course that can faithfully convey the story of that war to visitors who come to this city.”
The Jupiter Foundation would conduct interviews with soldiers who had fought in the war, witnesses who had seen the battles firsthand, and even the rulers of the various nations involved. Historical records would be gathered and analyzed. From this, we would create a comprehensive history.
At the same time, we would build a war memorial museum in Crossroad, filling it with exhibits based on the Jupiter Foundation’s research.
The countless defensive battles we fought, the lives lost in the process, the names of those who participated, and the achievements they accomplished—all of it would be preserved so it wouldn’t be forgotten.
This would be a monumental project requiring at least ten years to complete.
“…The idea had crossed my mind before.”
Evangeline hesitated as she spoke.
“But I was cautious. That war cost so many lives and caused so much suffering. Would it really be okay to use it as a tourist attraction for the city?”
“…”
“Is it really right to turn that war, and the deaths that came with it, into something for people to visit and observe?”
I listened to her question and smiled softly.
Once, in this world, death had been as common as wildflowers.
Especially here in the Southern Front, where mercenaries with nowhere else to go flocked to keep the front lines alive with their lives, death had long been treated as a trivial thing.
But now, things were different.
People now believed that deaths for the greater cause were noble and meaningful. At the very least, they believed that none of the lives lost in that war had been meaningless.
Evangeline’s question represented this shift in perspective.
The once-overlooked deaths of so many have now been acknowledged, their memory carefully preserved in cemeteries. People now treated those deaths with reverence, even hesitating to let others view them carelessly. These deaths were understood as sacred and beautiful.
It was time to move to the next step.
“This is how I see it. That war, and those deaths, must not be treated lightly. But…”
I spoke the words I had considered for so long.
“It’s better to ensure that people remember—even if it’s through fleeting visits to this city—than to let it all fade into obscurity.”
In truth, this was one of the reasons I had subtly supported Crossroad’s transformation into a tourist city.
The more Crossroad thrived as a tourist destination…
The more people come to this place, the more people will remember the war that took place here.
“It’s not just about mourning the deaths. I want to share the experience of how we all united under a single banner during that war.”
I glanced around at everyone present—people of different genders, races, and origins.
That precious memory of people coming together before the brink of annihilation…
I hope the world never forgets it and continues to reflect on it endlessly.
“Crossroad has risen rapidly as a tourist city thanks to successful marketing. But as a tourist destination, it still lacks depth… it lacks content.”
Evangeline let out a small groan at my pointed remark.
“You’re hitting me where it hurts…”
“You’re doing well, Evangeline. But there’s no need to focus only on showing the pretty and polished side of things. Don’t be ashamed to show Crossroad for what it truly is.”
A warm southern city, brimming with the fragrance of flowers and ripe fruit.
That’s one side of Crossroad.
But it’s also a military city, a fortress city—the southernmost frontline that stood against the Beasts.
That is what sets Crossroad apart from every other city.
When I toured Crossroad recently, I could feel Evangeline’s inner turmoil.
The Crossroad of steel and oil, and the Crossroad of flowers and fruits. She must have struggled deeply, thinking the two were at odds with one another, unsure of how to reconcile them.
“A city of flowers and fruits, and a fortress that repelled the Beasts—both are Crossroad. You don’t have to hide or cover up either of them. Just show them both boldly and proudly.”
Evangeline swallowed hard.
“Do you think… those two things can coexist?”
“Of course.”
In this stark, steel-laden fortress city, your mother opened a flower shop, and your father fell in love with her.
If it’s you—someone who carries on both your parents’ legacy, from the weapons of your father to the orchard of your mother—then surely, you can embrace both flowers and steel.
“I’ll handle the initial investment for this historical project. The profits from future endeavors will go toward honoring the fallen and improving the welfare of veterans. Meanwhile, Crossroad gains a valuable tourist attraction.”
At that, Kellibey suddenly spoke up.
“We’ll invest, too!”
I waved my hand in surprise.
“Your offer is appreciated, but this isn’t a large-scale project. You really don’t need to. It’s enough if you just help with creating the historical records and filling the museum…”
“Still, let us chip in a little. At least let us put our names on it. This is a project to honor our comrades, after all.”
Kellibey grinned.
“If we skip out on something like this, Kellison would probably scold me from the afterlife.”
Verdandi raised her hand.
“We’ll join as well, Ash.”
Then Kuilan followed, along with the Rompeller siblings.
“You wouldn’t leave us out, would you, Captain?”
“We’re broke, but IOUs work too, right?!”
Kellison, Skuld, Kureha, King Poseidon…
Everyone here had someone they wanted to honor, someone whose memory deserved to shine just a little longer because of this project.
Even Hannibal and Evangeline were smiling now as they raised their hands to join in.
Looking around at everyone, I couldn’t help but smile awkwardly.
“Alright. Let’s record this together… and let’s honor them all together.”
Even though ten years had passed, the memories of those days still felt as vivid as if they had happened just yesterday.
Nodding, I raised my glass.
“The history we all created together. The moments we all shared together.”
Everyone lifted their glasses, clinking them with mine as we toasted.
And so, the first project of the Jupiter Foundation began.
The next day.
A new guest arrived late at Crossroad’s north gate.
“Ah—it’s been so long since I’ve been to Crossroad…”
He tapped the ground with his long staff and stroked his lengthy white beard…
At the same time, he was dressed like a tourist, wearing a floral shirt, shorts, and oversized sunglasses that sparkled under the sun.
It was none other than Dearmudin, the Lord of the Ivory Tower.
“It’s much warmer here than in New Terra. Is this why people always rave about the South?”
“Dearmudin!”
Evangeline and I rushed out to greet him together.
Evangeline smiled warmly as she quickly took his luggage from him.
“How was your trip? Everything alright?”
“Thanks to Crown Prince Ash sending a carriage, it was a very comfortable journey. And how have you been, Lady of Crossroad?”
“Oh, the same as always! And you, Lord Dearmudin, look as lively as ever!”
“Hahaha! I always make an effort to live younger than my age.”
As the two laughed and chatted, I followed them slowly from behind.
Ten years since the war.
Even though Dearmudin had already been elderly during the final battle, he was still holding strong.
However, the noticeable weight loss and the way his back hunched more than before were undeniable signs that time spares no one.
“…”
True to his declaration after the final battle, Dearmudin had transformed the Ivory Tower into a foundation dedicated to the study of magic’s history.
As magic wielders in this world often overlapped with scholars, the Ivory Tower still served as a great repository of knowledge.
This also meant that the Ivory Tower had a close partnership with the Jupiter Foundation. All historians affiliated with the Jupiter Foundation studied at the Ivory Tower as part of their training.
Dearmudin and I met frequently to discuss the future direction of the Jupiter Foundation.
“Did you speak with the others, Crown Prince Ash? How did it go?”
“Yes. Everyone agreed to help without hesitation. They even offered to invest.”
“That’s good to hear. The Jupiter Foundation’s historians may be young, but they are brilliant minds. Once things start moving in earnest, they’ll be able to make a positive impact on the world.”
Dearmudin and I had already agreed on all matters concerning the Jupiter Foundation.
Still, I had insisted on bringing the elderly sage to Crossroad—not only because his presence added credibility to the meeting, but also because he himself wanted to see his old comrades again.
“The Crossroad branch of the Ivory Tower is already set up. I’ll stay there for a while. A bit of warm sunlight might do wonders for these aching old bones.”
His visit also doubled as a vacation and recovery period for him.
Dearmudin had been longing to visit ever since he saw an advertisement for Crossroad on the outer wall of New Terra’s central square. However, he’d been too busy to make the trip until now, using the meeting as an excuse to hastily take leave. Just look at his floral-patterned shirt, his sunglasses, and his meticulously braided hair and beard…
The so-called Crossroad branch of the Ivory Tower wasn’t anything extravagant. It was simply a small building constructed on a plot of land that had been transferred to the Ivory Tower long ago. It was more of a villa than a proper branch, but it was sufficient for the old sage to rest and recuperate.
“Well, it seems there’s nothing more for me to do here. Maybe I’ll just meet my old comrades, drink myself silly, and let the sun tan my pale skin…”
Dearmudin began humming a cheerful tune, already slipping into vacation mode.
I subtly interrupted him.
“By the way, Lord Dearmudin, there’s something you need to do.”
“Hmm? I’m on vacation, you know? Besides, didn’t you say we’ve already agreed on everything? What else do you want me to do?”
“It’s about Sid.”
I lowered my voice, recalling what the other kings had told me yesterday about Sid’s manifested trait.
“It might lead to a clue in your ongoing research on the ‘remnants’ of magic.”
“…”
The aged archmage’s weary eyes, which had dulled with time, suddenly gleamed with an intense, piercing light—the unmistakable spark of unquenched curiosity.
–TL Notes–
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