Trench Bolts and Magic

Chapter 47 Internationalist Fighter
In the meantime while waiting for the first batch of castings to cool, the intense work finally had a brief pause.

The makeshift workshop was filled with the smell of metal and sweat. Everyone was exhausted and found a place to sit down and rest.

Morin took a water bottle and some black bread from his orderly Hans and distributed them to the chemistry professor and a few workers.

"Have something to eat first, gentlemen, we still have a lot to do."

The workers didn't stand on ceremony and took the food and started eating it heartily.

The professor politely thanked him and sipped his water.

The bearded commander of the International Brigades also came over, plopped down next to Morin, and pulled out a dented metal flask from his pocket.

"Want a sip? It's strong liquor from my hometown, it'll get you up and clear-headed."

Morin smiled and waved his hand: "Thanks, but never mind, I never drink before a fight."

"You really are a disciplined Saxon."

The bearded commander took a big gulp and exhaled a strong smell of alcohol.

Looking at the busy international brigade volunteers not far away, Morin couldn't help but ask a question that had been on his mind for a long time:

“Andrei, I’ve always wanted to ask you, why did you come here? You traveled all the way to Aragon to fight a war that has nothing to do with your own country.”

Andrei exhaled a smoke ring, his eyes becoming somewhat profound.

"For his ideals, Lieutenant Morin strives for a world without oppression, where technology can serve everyone."

He turned to look at Morin, his tone revealing a sense of indignation at the injustice.

"Look at those Britannians. They bully everyone around the world because of their monopoly on magical energy, treating other countries as their sources of raw materials and dumping grounds for their goods!"

"They enjoy the benefits of technological progress but are unwilling to share them with others. If they were to control King Aragon again, the consequences would be unimaginable! We are here to break this monopoly."

"We believe that technology and knowledge should be the wealth of all mankind! Only when every country develops and the quality of life of ordinary people is improved will the world become a better place!"

Upon hearing Andrei's words, Morin fell silent.

He hadn't expected that the international brigade in this world would have a different starting point than the international brigade he was familiar with.

But even in its ultimate ideal, it is so grand.

Soon, Maureen asked another question that had been bothering her for a long time:

"But why would internationalist fighters like you choose to ally with an autocratic empire like Saxony?"

"Hahahaha!"

Upon hearing Morin's words, Andrei suddenly burst into laughter, though his laughter was filled with helplessness.

"Because looking at the whole world, only your Saxon emperor and generals are willing and dare to challenge Brittany's hegemony. Only you are willing to provide us with weapons, supplies and transportation support."

Morin: "So this is actually a deal."

“That’s right, Lieutenant Morin, we all know very well that this is a deal.”

The bearded man, Andrei, sharpened his gaze and continued:
"Your Saxon Empire wants to drag us into weakening your old rival, the Britannian Empire, and expanding your influence on the continent. We, on the other hand, need an opportunity and a battlefield where we can put our ideals into practice."

"Our common enemy is the old order established by the Britannians, based on their monopoly on magical technology. We must break it, so that the fruits of technological progress can be shared by the whole world, and ordinary people in every country can live a better life."

His words, filled with passion and power, inspired the International Brigades soldiers who were resting nearby.

Everyone nodded, their eyes gleaming with idealism. One young man exclaimed excitedly, "We want to build a new world without oppression or exploitation!" Looking at these idealistic warriors, Morin couldn't help but ask the next question.

"I understand your ideals."

Morin organized his thoughts, trying to make his question sound less offensive.

"But even if you help Prince Alfonso win this war, the Kingdom of Aragon will ultimately still be a kingdom, a monarchical state. This seems somewhat different from the 'new world' you are pursuing?"

Upon hearing this, Andrei laughed again and patted Morin on the shoulder.

"My friend, revolution is not a feast that can be accomplished overnight, but a long and tortuous expedition. We never thought we could get fat in one bite."

He took a swig of his drink and continued.
"His Highness Alfonso is a recognized enlightened monarch. He has promised to implement reforms, improve people's livelihoods, and most importantly, he is willing to embrace new ideas and technologies."
Under his rule, the people of Aragon would have lived at least a hundred times better lives than they do now; they would have enough to eat, jobs, and the conveniences brought by technological progress.
That's enough, at least for now.

"Revolution is a high ladder, not an easy leap."

A voice came from the side; it was the chemistry professor from Western Lucia. He adjusted his glasses and calmly added:

“We have to climb up step by step, first overthrowing the most reactionary and oppressive rule, establishing a relatively enlightened order, and then moving step by step toward the ultimate ideal.”

Morin fell silent, finding himself unable to refute this pragmatic theory of "stages of revolution" for the moment.

He could sense the sincerity and ideals of these people.

But in his view as a time traveler, these beautiful visions conceal a huge historical paradox.

The rollout of new technologies will indeed lead to increased productivity, but it will also quickly lead to market saturation, and then almost inevitably inflation and economic crises.

In this world setting, similar to the early 20th century he traveled through, it is obvious what would happen after a global economic crisis.

At that time, what will likely rise is not a more noble ideal, but rather a more extreme form of nationalism and fascism.

These international brigade fighters are now using their blood and lives to ignite the spark of technological revolution for the world.

But they may not have realized that this spark could also ignite an unprecedented powder keg.

Thinking about all this, Morin felt a strange heaviness in his heart.

He decided to move on from this heavy topic and instead asked another question that had been bothering him for a while.

“Professor, Andrei, you just mentioned that you are from the ‘Provisional National Government of Western Lucia’. To be honest, this is the first time I’ve heard of that name.”

The bearded commander shrugged: "Not surprising. Our 'government' is still just a makeshift operation; you can't even find it on a map. It's normal that you haven't heard of it, Lieutenant Morin."

"I've never heard of that before. As far as I know, it's something like that where you're from."

Morin had intended to say 'Tsarist Russia,' but he wasn't sure if that was the correct name in this world, so he paused.

"Lieutenant Morin, you mean the 'Greater Lucia Empire'?"

Mentioning this name, both the bearded man and the professor displayed complex expressions, a mixture of disgust and感慨 (a sense of mixed feelings).

Meanwhile, a notification sound rang in Morin's ears, a sound he hadn't heard in a long time.

[Current information collection rate: 20%]

[New terms have been unlocked in 'Information']

(End of this chapter)