Sometimes I Don't Think About My Surroundings

"So, national power can be broadly classified into Hard Power and Soft Power."

"Please continue."

Mr. Penguin started taking notes in his pocketbook.

"Hard Power refers to the ability to wage war. Soft Power refers to academics, arts, and information."

Pastel received a piece of memo paper. The fountain pen Ellie had gifted her scribbled across it.

"To put it differently, Hard Power is physical military strength, and Soft Power is mental diplomatic strength. You could just swap the words and understand Hard Power as physical diplomatic strength and Soft Power as mental military strength without much issue. To put it yet another way, Hard Power is short-term national power and Soft Power is long-term national power, but there's no need to know all that right now."

"Soft Power feels like the power of culture."

Mr. Penguin twirled his fountain pen.

"You mentioned that information is also included in this, but what exactly do you mean?"

"Espionage. If you simplify Soft Power, it's national charm, which makes persuasion easier. That's why it's very strong in espionage."...