Chapter 36

The author is back from a trip, so maybe I can reply.

Even if I can't, I will read all the comments.

Natural Philosophy.

Natural Philosophy, in simple terms, is a way of thinking that aims to theoretically clarify phenomena occurring in nature.

Kirisia... especially Alto, has a well-developed slave system.

Since all the work is done by slaves, the citizens of Alto are always free.

So they thought of ways to pass the time.

That is, why is fire hot, why does water turn to ice when cooled, why do the sun and moon move up and down regularly...

They began to dissect and clarify phenomena that were previously attributed to 'the will of the gods.'

For this, they engaged in discussions.

This turned out to be quite enjoyable.

Thus, natural philosophy developed.

Nicolaos is a natural philosopher in Alto.

He married at seventeen and had his first daughter at eighteen.

He is now thirty-eight, with five children: his eldest daughter is twenty, his second daughter is twelve, his eldest son is fifteen, his second son is ten, and his third son is eight.

He owns ten slaves.

His specialty is astronomy.

That is, to derive the laws governing the movements of the sun, moon, and stars, grasp the true nature of the universe, and understand fate.

In contemporary Kirisia, it was believed that the Earth is a sphere... a planet, and that the moon and sun orbit around it.

Nicolaos initially supported this theory.

But as he continued his research, he suddenly realized something.

"Huh? The calculations don't add up, do they?"

What he meant was that the calculations didn't work out, or became very complex, with the Earth at the center—geocentrism. This led him to think that perhaps geocentrism was incorrect.

Nicolaos finally derived a theory.

Namely, that the center of the universe is the sun, and all celestial bodies except Earth orbit around the sun. Only the moon orbits around Earth.

He named this theory heliocentrism and published it.

However, the public reaction was cold.

He was treated as a madman by those who held the fixed idea that the celestial body inhabited by humans, chosen by the gods, must be the center of the universe, and was harshly criticized.

But he could have adequately countered them.

"You say that the celestial body inhabited by humans, chosen by the gods, should be the center. But can't you consider that the sun, a symbol of goodness, could also be the center?"

However, he was refuted by supporters of heliocentrism.

Why?

Because his theory had a fatal flaw.

If the sun were at the center, annual parallax should be observable.

But in reality, annual parallax cannot be observed.

Heliocentrism was observationally superior to geocentrism.

He argued that annual parallax could not be observed because the stars and Earth were too far apart, but no one listened.

It would have been better to lay down his arms.

Science does not develop without mistakes.

The natural philosophers of Alto understood this much.

But he did not give up and continued to assert his theory.

Naturally, he was disliked.

"Isn't he annoying?"

The defamation and slander directed at him eventually spread to his family.

"Damn!! Why can't everyone understand!! My theory is perfect. Damn, these stone-headed fools dominated by their fixed ideas!!"

Nicolaos crumpled up his calculation paper and threw it away.

He slammed his right arm on the table with all his might.

But hitting things did not satisfy the natural philosophers of Alto.

"Master Nicolaos, you have a letter."

"Huh?"

Nicolaos received the letter from a slave.

The letter was made of a mysterious material.

Thinner and lighter than parchment.

And white.

"Dear Master, how are you?

I am well. I took a bold step to move to Claris and then started a business in Rezado, and it seems to have been the right choice.

It is a thing called 'paper' that I obtained on the Adelnia Peninsula. I'm sure an intelligent brother like you can appreciate its usefulness. The barbarians of Adelnia are not to be underestimated.

When I returned to Claris to restock, I heard about your reputation.

Your reputation is known throughout Kirisia.

I believe your ideas are correct. But shouldn't you stop now? I can't bear to see you treated as a foolish madman. You have a family, don't you?

One day, your ideas will be recognized. It might be hundreds or thousands of years from now, but isn't that fine?

The Adelnia Peninsula is a great place. It's warm, and the food is quite delicious. The abundance of salt is a plus.

The Kirisia Peninsula is not easy to live in, is it? No one on the Adelnia Peninsula knows about you.

If you wish to move, I welcome you.

Until next time.

I look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,

Einz, President of the Eynsworth Trading Company, Rezado, Adelnia Peninsula"

"Hmph."

Nicolaos crumpled up the letter and threw it on the floor.

He had no intention of giving up.

"Master Nicolaos, your meal is ready."

Another slave informed Nicolaos.

"I'll be right there."

Nicolaos stood up and went to get his meal.

"What about Chloé?"

"She's outside. Honestly, playing until this hour... I'll have to scold her when she gets back."

Nicolaos's wife said this with a laugh.

The Nicolaos family decided to wait for their third son, Chloé, to return.

After a while, the door opened, and Chloé returned.

"I'm home..."

"What on earth... Why are you so late? And that bruise on your face."

Chloé had a large bruise on his face.

Upon closer inspection, his clothes were dirty with mud.

"I just fell. I'll go wash my hands."

Chloé said this and hurried away.

Is it possible to get a bruise on your face from falling?

No, it's not.

It was clearly a mark from being hit.

Then why was he hit...

Nicolaos thought about it.

He glanced at his eldest daughter.

She is not yet married, but it is about time.

But if it is his fault that she cannot get married?

It's not just her.

His children will be ostracized by society in the future. Because of him...

Nicolaos weighed his purpose against his family.

And then...

"Hey, everyone. I have a proposal."

Mr. Nicolaos's plans for Chapter 3 and beyond

I want to get Tera involved soon

By the way, the Earth being round was apparently well-known among scholars even in ancient times.