Chapter 5. Belief and Reality (4)

It’s not that there’s no basis for the judgment.

First of all, it’s irrational to act solely on Gloria’s word, even if I’ve seen similar beings.

We often mistake it, but an individual cannot represent an entire civilization. While the tendencies of a civilization can certainly exist, an individual’s disposition cannot be exactly the same as that of the civilization.

If an alien met an Earthling, and that first Earthling killed one alien, wouldn’t it be a bit much for the entire Earth civilization to be destroyed?

It would be infuriating for the other party, but it’s also true that the remaining Earthlings are being wronged.

Moreover, if an individual cannot represent a civilization, can one civilization represent all countries on Earth? Even if globalization has progressed to the point where popular cultures are similar across Earth, many people would get angry if you said that.

……Besides, there’s no evidence that this world is the same world where Gloria’s country existed. If that’s the case, then that goblin might not be a ‘Gubling’ at all.

Also, the only elf that I and the people here know is Gloria, who is here. Another elf came separately, but her mental state is such that we can’t properly converse with her.

Ultimately, rationally speaking, from my perspective as a representative of civilization, Gloria and one goblin are the same. Though Gloria would get angry if I said that directly.

“So… what should we do with these?”

The hunter asked with an expression of not knowing what to do, even though they had been tied up.

The goblins were indeed tightly bound. Since they had to capture creatures from beyond the gate, hunters often carried ropes and the like.

There were a total of twelve captured goblins.

……Or, twelve individuals.

It turned out that the place we were in was just facing a goblin horde, and other hunters were already surrounding the goblins. So, the capture itself was quite swift.

It seems the magic assessment wasn’t wrong; some resisted, but our numbers and skill were far superior.

“…….”

I looked down at the goblins.

The goblins were trembling with fear. Well, at least that’s what I judged. Honestly, it was difficult to judge accurately due to their fierce faces. In a way, it looked like they were angry, and given the current situation, that would be understandable.

Gloria, who had suggested dealing with these goblins in the ‘elven way’, was watching me from a short distance away.

Is she watching to see what judgment I’ll make? She’s not angry or anything, which… well, it doesn’t reassure me.

I looked at Ria.

When our eyes met, Ria nodded and stood a little in front of me.

As the two of us approached, the goblin at the very front got scared and tried to run away. Unusually, it was looking at me, not at Ria, who was wearing a sword.

Holy power.

That’s the only power that would make goblins fear. Monsters are creatures that live by magic, and their bodies repel holy power.

……In the eyes of these goblins, I must be a terrifying being who can burn them to ashes with a single finger.

Yes. This was the second reason I didn’t suggest dealing with the goblins.

These beings, at least, made clear judgments based on the situation. While fleeing from danger is an animal instinct, these beings systematically warned each other, and even helped up those who fell while fleeing.

“When you first met elves, you couldn’t communicate right away, could you?”

“That’s right.”

The hunter said, scratching his head.

“I heard that it took quite some time for people to be sent to research their language before they could communicate fully. Although they say that after learning magic, methods for quickly learning communication were developed…”

No way?

The hunter looked at me with that kind of expression.

I nodded, even though I knew what I was saying would be taken strangely.

“Are you saying you’ll accept groups that survive by raiding?”

Gloria finally interjected.

“……Are there no such beings among elves?”

I asked.

Even if there were, Gloria might not have seen them. She’s a princess.

“…….”

But the fact that she’s closing her mouth suggests she’s at least heard of it.

“There are such beings among humans too.”

Not just raiding.

The reason we can think of crime as bad is, ironically, because humans have defined it as crime. It’s because we’ve established those criteria that we feel discomfort when we see crime, or things that seem like crime.

And those criteria change over eras. They change according to the standards of civilization, and there are things that seem like crimes but are not recorded as crimes, or conversely, things that don’t seem like crimes but are.

Rape, plunder- yes, of course, it’s not good. At least, I think so, living in modern society.

However, there were times when humanity clung to virginity before marriage, and times when they openly kept slaves. There were too many eras and civilizations where all of that was legally recorded.

……And even today, when all of that is defined as a crime, such things still happen.

I haven’t seen them commit such acts. But even if they have committed such acts, it could be only a part, and the standards of civilization could be different from ours.

If we absolutely cannot agree, we may have to fight back, but it is far too early to make such a judgment.

“I’m truly sorry to say this, but what Sister Gloria said alone cannot be a basis for judgment, I think.”

“…….”

Gloria closed her mouth again after hearing my words.

It was quiet all around.

Everyone was looking at me silently.

……If I were just an ordinary nun, I wouldn’t have this much say.

“First, I’d like to investigate… please.”

Feeling embarrassed that I was speaking too confidently in front of experts, I said in a voice that was barely audible, and everyone nodded.

“Well, it’s necessary to capture at least one of the newly seen monsters and take it with us.”

Usually, that’s for dissection and research, and it’s naturally less effort than what I’m asking for.

But for now, it seems everyone here has agreed to listen.

I bowed my head deeply.

*

I have no intention of acting like a thick-skinned person.

To prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, I decided to stay at the accommodation just outside the gate for a few days.

If those goblins were to injure anyone, I intended to heal them. Because if such a thing happened, it would be my fault.

Naturally, Ria also decided to share the same room with me.

“Was it a foolish thing to say, perhaps?”

“Huh? What?”

After finally returning to the room and washing up, Ria asked me as I lay on the bed.

“……Would it have been better to fight?”

“If we can avoid fighting, that’s the best.”

Ria also said, lying down on the bed.

To be honest, the bed here was better than the beds we use. It’s not that the convent’s beds are bad, but these beds are much more luxurious.

……And, Ria probably used much better beds than this normally.

Because of me, she’s staying in a place much worse than usual. Even though she could quit and leave if she wanted to.

While I was lost in such thoughts, Ria’s words continued.

“Is it because of what I said last time?”

I couldn’t answer, but in fact, that silence was tantamount to an affirmation.

Ria chuckled and said,

“Hey, of course.”

Ria said.

“That’s when we’re fighting. If a tiger charges, of course, you have to cut it down.”

“…….”

“But, at least this time, it wasn’t like that.”

“Is there a reason… you left the decision to me?”

“Hmm.”

Ria paused in thought.

“If it wasn’t you, there would have been no other choice. Honestly, even from my perspective, it was just a dangerous monster. I just asked because the expression you had at the time was different from usual. There’s nothing else.”

“……Is that so?”

I pondered for a moment and said,

“So, you mean it didn’t seem like a foolish choice?”

“Hmm…….”

“Ria?”

“As I’ve spent time with you, I’ve thought that you don’t seem like a fool, you know?”

“……And?”

“Rather than a fool, you’re too naive. Sometimes to the point of seeming a bit foolish.”

Hmph.

“Isn’t that the same as saying you’re a fool?”

“Ah, does it?”

“Hmph…….”

However, hearing Ria say that made me feel a little relieved.

It’s not that I’m not annoyed at all, but well. It’s because ‘Ria’ said so.

The original novel… It’s a bit strange to constantly think based on the original novel while having the actual person next to me, but if I were to compare.

The Lee Chae-eun of the original novel was, at least, a person who acted rationally in combat.

Although she had irrational aspects in her daily life.

Even in that situation, if she thought she couldn’t control the situation, she would never have asked me for a decision.

So, I felt a little relieved.

“……Thank you.”

“Huh?”

“But I have no intention of saying it twice.”

“No, why? I didn’t hear you.”

“It’s Ria’s fault for not hearing.”

“No, if you’re going to say thank you, you should say it so the person listening can hear it.”

“……You heard it after all, didn’t you?”

Ha, honestly.

Ria smiled at me.

I looked at her face with a bewildered expression, then quickly turned my gaze away.