Descending On France 1780
Chapter 307 - 300 Don Quixote

Chapter 307: 300 Don Quixote

What a terrifying thought.

This originated from a sub-genre of science fiction.

The sub-genre falls under the theme of time travel, specifically single timeline time travel.

In this sub-genre, any efforts to alter the timeline are futile because the original timeline has already incorporated the changes made by the time traveler.

The most famous novel of this theme is by science fiction master Heinlein, titled "All You Zombies", where every character in the story is actually the protagonist themselves, with the protagonist alone forming the cause, process, and result of the entire narrative.

Anning has also seen the domestic interpretation of this theme in the world of science fiction.

In that story, the protagonist and his close buddy are warriors in the Resistance Army or something, planning to execute a major operation, but the enemy becomes suddenly alert, gunfire erupts, leading them into a desperate battle, and eventually, the buddy dies.

Then, the protagonist travels back in time to save his close buddy, but his efforts are interrupted by a mysteriously appearing individual, turning the whole thing into a mess, and he is shocked to discover that it was himself who caused his buddy’s death, with his buddy giving him an incredulous look before dying, not understanding why his best friend would harm him.

That was the result of the protagonist’s first time travel.

So, to prevent himself from making foolish actions in the past, he travels back again, only to find out that he was the very person who emerged suddenly and muddled everything up.

That was the result of the second time travel.

Thus, to stop this version of himself wanting to prevent himself, he time travels for the third time, accidentally alerting the enemy in the process.

And here, the story ends, as the protagonist is killed by the enemy and the cycle ceases to continue.

This story is essentially a simplified version of "All You Zombies".

Additionally, famous manga artist Fujiko F Fujio also used this structure in a short story from the Doraemon series.

In that story, Nobita invites Doraemon for some dorayaki, then hands over his homework for him to take care of.

Doraemon comes up with a great idea to use the time machine to find his future self to complete the homework, but upon reaching the future, he finds himself brutally beaten by someone.

Still, he brings his future self back.

The more previous versions of himself, the more irritable he becomes, without understanding why, but he continues with the plan nonetheless.

After the homework is completed, several future Doraemons beat up the current-time Doraemon and leave furiously.

Doraemon thinks he can finally go to sleep, but after only two hours, his past self comes looking for him...

As a time travel theme, this structure is inherently suited to creating intense dramatic conflicts and building suspense, it’s just a pity that it demands a high level of control from the author, making it rare to find well-executed examples.

At this very moment, when Anning looks at the angry Dan Dong, he recalls the time travel stories of this genre.

The one intensifying the conflict between Dan Dong and Robespierre isn’t Paul Balas, but myself?

No, on second thought, this outcome should have been predictable, given that Dan Dong had already complained to his mistress about his dissatisfaction with Robespierre’s methods. His reaction now seems within expectations.

Why didn’t I consider this before?

Choosing to not assassinate and follow procedural justice was meant to stop myself from becoming a tyrant, but did it only make things worse?

Who is the bastard that came up with this cruel idea?

At this moment, Robespierre was also enraged. When the incorruptible man gets angry, his expression is entirely different from Dan Dong’s; his face turns as hard and cold as steel.

Robespierre stated decisively, "Dan Dong, both of us know he is an opportunist, a speculator. Wouldn’t it be good to take the chance to deal with him now?"

Dan Dong roared, "Do you know what I’m dissatisfied with about you? It’s right here! Just right here! We are both lawyers, we both know this is wrong, Maximilien, don’t you realize? If you continue like this, you will stray from the path, and you will become the enemy of everything we are fighting for! By then, I fear I’ll have no choice but to oppose you!"

Robespierre’s breathing noticeably quickened: "What’s wrong with eliminating a potential enemy for France? Do we have to wait for this enemy to usurp France before you realize I am right?"

Anning: "Excuse my frankness, but indeed, there is a possibility with Paul Balas—I mean, I see such a possibility."

Originally, Dan Dong was about to rebut Robespierre, but he stopped short upon hearing Anning speak, then turned and looked at Anning doubtfully: "You... agree with his methods? I thought you were a staunch moderate!"

Anning, pinching the bridge of his nose, felt the impulse to reveal everything—that he was from the future, knowing the future direction, and so forth.

Unfortunately, as this was an era before the birth of science fiction and time travel was unheard of by the people of this era, it would probably be more believable to say he was divinely inspired by God; after all, despite often making people forget that Dan Dong and Robespierre were believers, they indeed were.

In this era’s Europe, atheism was extremely rare.

Anning: "I feel since Balas so bluntly says he’s waiting for you and Maximilien to break, shouldn’t we be even less likely to break? Let’s not do something that hurts our loved ones and pleases our foes, George."

George Jacques Dan Dong fell silent for a few seconds, clearly greatly influenced by Anning.

It should be said, it’s fortunate that Anning has such influence over him, otherwise today the friendship between Robespierre and Dan Dong might have reached its end.

Just like Sankara and Compaore two hundred years later.

Robespierre also relaxed significantly: "Alright, indeed we shouldn’t be so arbitrary—upon reflection, Paul Balas indeed has great capabilities; letting him serve the Republic for a while longer isn’t a bad thing."

Indeed, Robespierre might not be good at gauging people’s expressions, but since Andy didn’t want him to fall out with Dan Dong, the incorruptible’s choice was to compromise.

Dan Dong, looking curiously at Robespierre, said: "You actually compromised? Have I got it wrong? We’ve argued so heatedly so many times, and you never gave in; I almost wanted to hit you several times."

Anning: "You might not have had such experiences, but as a child, I often fought with my brother, but that didn’t stop us from being good brothers."

Though Anning said this, in reality, after travelling through time, he rarely returned home and seldom saw his brothers back home.

At this moment, in fact, the one who breathed the biggest sigh of relief was Anning himself.

Thank goodness, with his great influence, he forcefully prevented a breakup.

—Historical inertia, you dreadful demon, just you wait and see.

I won’t let my story become like those typical time-travel stories on a single timeline!

Never!

Anning, watching Dan Dong and Robespierre revert to joking like old friends, thought to himself silently, unknown to others.

He suddenly decided to create a coat of arms for his family.

The crest would depict a knight charging at a windmill.