Kingdom's Bloodline, page 381
Hicks' gaze flickered. "But at the same time, a lot of people neglect the fact that a few thousand years ago, the tradesmen in this world only started getting used to bartering, and the farmers could only rely on iron and fire to collect their crops. People did not even know how to tame messenger crows, and the states could only communicate with one another through messengers. To the people of today, the royal courts of many of the kingdoms in the past would even look like the gathering of barbarians.
"A few hundred years ago, Eternal Oil and Crystal Drops were still hidden under the sea beds, and under the ground. Mystic Guns had not appeared in this world either, and the Bright God's teachings were spread throughout the continent and posed no room for doubt. Our ships, made to travel long distances, can only pray for good weather and hope that the trade winds bring them to their faraway destinations…"
Thales lowered his head and quietly pondered over the history of this world.
Hicks tapped the ground gently with his walking stick, and was a little lost in thought.
"However, it's not just these. Every year, every month, every day, every minute, and every second, change is happening to every single part of the world, not just when it comes to the suzerains' rule, the tradesmen coins and the farmers' grain production… Some changes are so minor that it cannot even be sensed or perceived. Some changes are connected to changes in other things, bringing about an eventual transformation."
Hicks' tone was serious, and his gaze was stern. It caused Thales to unknowingly straighten his back in the cold wind.
"But it is precisely these trivial changes that move forward together with history, and they are of great importance to the formation of history. Because of them, it is difficult for people like us to move forward. We, who try to sum things up into patterns, learn from experience, unearth the truth, and make conclusions based on cause and effect.
"And when many people talk about history, draw references from history and compare history, it is easy for them to unwittingly neglect these changes, even if it had only been eighteen years. Only after experiencing failure would one have the energy to spare to turn and search for the existence of these changes. People often compare together the Great Emperor Camelot's establishment of the Ancient Empire, Kessel the Sixth's rebuilding of the Final Empire, and King Tormond's establishment of Constellation. But these three men faced totally different worlds, people, and circumstances."
Once he said this, Hicks let out a few soft coughs. "We cannot just look at the things we are concerned with, Thales. There are too many factors determining each historical case, so many that it is easy for us to neglect them. At the same time, these factors change so fast that it is hard for us to grasp them.
"So, when we confidently and complacently came out with the conclusion that it was because of 'the boundaries of governance'..."
Hicks heaved a deep sigh. All sorts of emotions welled up in him, and he did not seem to expect Thales to understand what he was talking about. "We are looking at the past, where time had stopped, and which is vastly different from the current situation of the present, where time is still passing with each second, and where our current circumstances will change greatly due to various factors.
"Our arrogant selves always think that nothing under the sun is new, but in truth, everything under the sun is new."
Thales' eyes sparkled.
"We learn from history that… we do not learn from history," the prince said subconsciously.
Hicks' eyes immediately brightened when he heard this while he was lamenting. "Hmm… A paradox that provides much food for thought. An interesting tautology." The Old Crow digested the meaning behind this sentence. "'We do not learn... Hmm… I can feel that it does not just mean 'the repetition of mistakes', which is what it appears to convey."
Thales snapped back to attention. He sighed, too. "Of course it doesn't."
"Did you think of this sentence yourself?" There was approval and admiration in Hicks' eyes.
"Of course…" In face of the Old Crow's inquiring gaze, Thales gave up the moment he opened his mouth to speak. "Of course not."
He said lamely, "Someone else said it. Someone who's not from this world. He's quite a mighty person. If I'm not mistaken, his family name is Hegel."
Hicks smiled.
"Very well, I guessed that you didn't either… Sincerity and introspection are much needed during my lessons, and what I don't need the most are personal feelings and vanity."
"So…" Thales asked, testing waters, "So, what you want to tell us in the first lesson…"
Hicks tapped his walking stick gently and returned into the old man with a hunched back from earlier
"Next, as people who are far away from that era, any judgement we make on history will only pale in comparison to what truly happened in the past."
The Old Crow's eyebrows were tightly furrowed. He seemed to be rather troubled. "Since we can't restore the past, we lose too many foundations that we could base our judgements on. We judged the ruler based on his intentions and interests, but was that really how King Nuven thought? We resorted to the vassals' standpoints and behaviors, but what else did the counts do, and in which order did they do it? We attributed Eckstedt's disadvantage to the fact that the land they conquered was rumbustious. But what were the Constellatiates' true behaviors like? Have we left out any important historical facts?"
Hicks' tone was filled with endless lamentation.
"No matter how you look at it, trying to ignore the process and narration of historical details with excuses like 'grasping the essence' to simplify one's decipherment of and opinions on history is quite dangerous.
"And with every detail we leave out or misjudge, the deviation between our judgement and what actually happened in history becomes massive. And if we make our conclusions in accordance to this foundation, it's deviation with the actual situation would be catastrophic.
"The world is connected and boundless, with every component being indispensable. And yet, we can only have a limited view of it. What does this signify?"
The Old Crow shook his head with a chuckle. "According to an ancient saying from Mane et Nox: an error the breadth of a strand of hair can lead you a thousand miles astray.
"And it is just like the ancient elves' warning when they teach their young archers: One slight deviation from your course, and you will miss your target by a mile."
Thales was stunned. He remembered something.
"That's not all," Thales said, as if he was talking to himself, "There is also the problem of endogeneity and multicollinearity. And interactions, infection of samples, deviation on many levels, and causal inference. And when you broaden individual behavior to a collective level…"
Hicks was baffled by the string of unfamiliar terms. He frowned. "What?"
This was when Thales came to his senses. He immediately shook his head and said, "Nothing much. I was just talking to myself."
Hicks gave him a strange look and continued speaking,
"So, that day, when we easily made a claim about what happened eighteen years ago, and simply attributed the entire incident to 'the boundaries of governance' after making a deduction and supposition that we think is precise and substantial but is actually erroneous and full of omissions… Even though it sounded quite reasonable, even though we could convince ourselves with it, it was definitely a far cry away from the truth we want. Moreover, it can never fit into our future and serve our lives today. A lot of things can change in eighteen years, and we are not omniscient either."
Hicks dragged his walking stick on the uneven ground, making an unpleasant noise. He said dejectedly, "So, every time we attempt to use history as a lesson, we will realize that it is not a flat mirror that is going to show us exactly what we want to see. And the images it reflects are always twisted, blurry, and hard to utilize."
Hicks heaved a loud sigh. "Remember, Thales. In Dragon Kiss Academy, when confronting history, the world and the crowd, even the most famous scholars, have to deal carefully, humbly, and meticulously with the disparity between their perception and the truth."
Thales stared at the old man in front of him with furrowed eyebrows. He said nothing.
Hicks snorted a seemingly mocking laugh. "And with that day as an example, most of the conclusions made in our daily lives by listing out argument after argument that are then declared with absolute certainty, more or less carry the barbarism of a fledgling scholar and the naivety of a child. For example, conclusions such as 'the Empire faced its demise because of these reasons', 'these are the incidents and things that led to the prosperity of a certain kingdom' and 'this wouldn't have happened without that'.
Hicks pointed at his forehead, and then at Thales who had a solemn expression.
"You are very quick-witted, Thales. I believe that your eloquence has brought you many conveniences. But sometimes you need to stop, think more, and speak less. Wise men rarely engage in arguments attempting to convince others of their views."
Thales still said nothing. He stood quietly on the spot and listened to Hicks.
"Modesty." Hicks finally went to the main point of his entire speech gravely and earnestly. "Thales, modesty. This is what you truly should learn from the first lesson."
Hicks' tone suddenly went from flat to forceful. "...Instead of the conclusion I lured you to make with my meticulous and intentional indoctrination by asking questions that sounded open and reasonable, but were actually bullsh*t deliberately used to guide you to make that conclusion. Yet you had every confidence in it and believed that it came from your thoughts. Often, this is how modesty is lost."
Thales nodded slowly. He seemed to be burdened by his thoughts.
Hicks could not help but lament, as though he was recalling the past, "When one is learning, it is the easiest for him to lose his modesty and become arrogant. When your empty mind is suddenly filled with something, then aside from the excitement of having improved yourself, you rarely take notice that the things filling up your mind is actually a large pile of shit or… Oftentimes, both look similar."
'The things filling up my mind…'
The moment this crossed his mind, Thales thought of something. He raised his gaze.
"Speaking of, I thought of something." The prince spoke apprehensively, but also as if he wanted to discuss something. "Sir, do you remember the book you refuted us with during the first lesson? 'War History of the Northern Territory'?"
Hirk frowned. He coughed lightly.
"I specifically went to look for this book. So, erm…" Thales seemed rather embarrassed, but he still spoke slowly as he observed the ghost of a smile on Hicks' lips. "The author's name was written on the book's title page. It was…"
Thales waved with an awkward look. "Meryl H. Hicks, from the Dragon Kiss Academy."
Hicks narrowed his eyes a little. Thales looked at the author before his eyes helplessly. "Is that… a large pile of shit?"
A few seconds later, the Old Crow dissolved into joyful laughter. "Hahahahaha…"
The Old Crow's laughter was not pleasant to the ears. It was comparable to a crow's cawing. Still, it was obvious that he was very happy.
Hicks was rather out of breath from laughing. He supported himself with his walking stick, and his shoulders trembled. He laughed loudly as he looked at Thales. "You really... You really went to… hahaha…"
Thales shrugged in resignation and forced an awkward smile.
'To review the source of a quotation, and to look at the publishing information. Aren't these the basic qualities of a postgraduate student?'
"So…" Thales smiled awkwardly, wanting to end the topic. "My thoughts were never mine, but everyone else's?"
Hicks stopped laughing. "Another interesting sentence." Hicks paused and revealed a thoughtful expression. "Did you think of this?"
Thales shrugged. "I really want to say no. But, this sentence? Yes."
"Very good." Hicks stopped smiling. He looked firmly and seriously at Thales. "And the only weapon that can guarantee that your mind is not immersed in a large pile of sh*t, Thales…"
Thales nodded respectfully and finished his teacher's words, "Modesty."
Hicks flashed a smile again.
But Thales then changed his tone. "But you missed a point, introspection. To reflect and try to find fault in your thoughts. Do you remember the lesson rules that you told us before this? That it is better to look into ourselves first before questioning something."
'Thank you, Bourdieu.' Thales chuckled internally.
Hicks' expression changed slightly. He squinted his eyes and started sizing up the teenage boy in front of him again.
"Not just this. Not just 'before this', Thales," he said flatly. "That is a high-level curriculum, an advanced level of thinking, but optional.
"Not everyone has the aptitude to get to that stage." Hicks winked. "And we do it step by step… starting from modesty. And then we try to strive for other things."
Thales smiled. 'Step by step.'
As he stared at the bafflingly interesting old man in front of him and remembered that the road ahead was uncertain, Thales suddenly felt somehow emotional.
Thales suddenly raised his index finger. "Sir, I'm thinking that… Although you told me that the significance of the first lesson are things such as 'modesty' and 'wise men seldom engage in arguments to convince others of their thoughts'..." Thales narrowed his eyes. "But when I thought about it again…"
The prince clicked his tongue and looked up and down at the old man with the kind of gaze one used when sizing up a suspect. "Is this possible? That when you turn and go back to Heroic Spirit Palace, you will tell Little- tell Saroma…"
Hicks revealed a puzzled expression.
Thales cleared his throat. He spoke slowly, deepening his voice to imitate Hicks' usual tone. "'My dear Miss Saroma, you must know that… wise men are not afraid of making convincing arguments.
"'My Lady, what you need to do is to confidently shove your opinions into other people's minds, even though those opinions are only a large pile of shit—'"
Before Thales could finish, Hicks laughed loudly, very amused. His expression was exaggerated, and he knocked the ground continuously with his walking stick. "Hahahahaha…"
Thales laughed as well. Under the moonlight, the old man and the teenager, both thousands of miles away from their homes, laughed loudly.
A distance away, Kevin who was waiting for them while he rested his head on his hand, yawned in resignation.
Finally, the two people's laughter faded. Thales closed his mouth. Hicks also stopped smiling. He looked calmly and peacefully at Thales.
It was time.
Thales instinctively began to speak, but Hicks was one step faster than him.
"You know, your mother did tell me where she wanted to go," the Old Crow said flatly, but his words startled Thales.
Hicks straightened his back in the dark. He faced the vast, starlit sky and heaved a long sigh. "Before we bade farewell, she stood alone with her back to us while her face was turned towards the blood red setting sun of the boundless desert. She chuckled and said…"
Thales felt a hint of unexplainable anxiety. He knew that whatever came next would be that woman's original words.
Hicks said flatly, "'Now that I have managed to escape, of course I want to go and look at the vast world. Who knows, maybe I'll be able to affect this dull and boring world?'"
Thales was stunned.
'Affect… this dull and boring…'
"I believe that she managed it." Hicks spoke in a soft voice, but his words echoed, clear and unmistakable in the quiet night, and traveled into Thales' ears. "...Or will be able to do it in the end."
A gentle breeze blew through the holes in the wall behind them and produced a long, drawn out moan.
Hicks adjusted his scarf and nodded slightly at Thales with a solemn and respectful expression. "Take care of yourself, young sir."
Thales stopped mulling over his thoughts and nodded solemnly as well. "You too… sir."
And then, Thales stood alone in the quiet night. He listened as the sound of Hicks' walking stick faded away, and watched as the old man's hunched figure gradually disappeared into the dark.
He listened as Hicks boarded the broken, low-quality carriage that was just as worn down as Shield District, then listened to him explaining to Kevin why Thales did not join him.
He watched from afar as the rattling carriage left with the accompaniment of Kevin's whip and the horse's dissatisfied neighs, never to return.
The prince inhaled a mouthful of cold air greedily in the dead of the night, but in the end, he only caused his lungs to be filled with so much cold air that he shuddered.
Thales turned around in resignation. The problem he had to face and the sadness filling his heart surged to the forefront of his mind once more.
From now onwards, he was alone again, just like how he was in the past.
Thales absentmindedly kicked a rather large piece of rubble, it almost caused him to trip. He stared at the ground full of corpses that Gleeward left behind, then at the 'magnificent scene' of Shield District. He felt extremely troubled.
All of Dragon Clouds City was looking for him. And it was not just Dragon Clouds City, there were also people like Lampard, Count Lisban, Count Nazaire, and the other vassals looking for him…
'What should I do?' Thales scratched his head in agony. 'Go back to the secret passage? Find Putray? Hide in Shield District and act according to circumstances? But I don't have enough food and clothing—'
"Hey! Brat!"
Thales raised his head in shock.
Under the moonlight, half a face with a very anxious expression appeared from behind a broken wall in front of Thales' left side.
