Ch.164Racial Extermination Policies Are a Bit…

The extermination of non-human races hostile to humanity…

…Wasn’t that similar to what the mustached man who failed art school and committed suicide did?

No, this might be slightly better.

What that gentleman did was a crime based on personal hatred and discrimination without legitimate justification, but at least this gender-swapped Adolf before me seemed to have the justification of protecting humanity.

“So in the end, it’s an agency specializing in werebeasts? When you talk about non-human races showing hostility to humanity, the only ones left are werebeasts.”

It was an obvious fact.

As long as the Empire remained strong, elves, dragonborn, or dwarves wouldn’t launch preemptive attacks against humans.

They were too busy with their own internal problems anyway.

“Well, that’s true for now.”

…For now?

“The only reason there’s no friction between humans and other races today is because the Empire is stronger than them. So we must never let our guard down, not for a moment. Those detestable non-humans are waiting like hungry dogs for the Empire to weaken.”

“‘Non-humans’? Who exactly are you referring to?”

Besides werebeasts, what other races are you planning to exterminate?

“The arrogant and disgusting elves, the greedy and self-righteous dwarves, and the hypocritical dragonborn too. They’re all heretics who reject Elpinel’s mercy and worship false gods, evil races who long for their vile past. Until we eradicate them all, we cannot say we’ve accomplished the mission Elpinel has given us—securing humanity’s right to survive.”

Lacy took a casual sip of holy water.

Her tone was incredibly calm, as if engaged in everyday conversation, but what she was actually suggesting was insane enough to start a world war.

Better, my ass.

This woman was even more radical than the mustached man.

Werebeasts, elves, dwarves, and dragonborn—that’s literally every intelligent race except humans.

She wasn’t talking about exterminating non-human races hostile to humanity, but exterminating all non-human races on principle.

I suppose she didn’t include the Ka’har because the woman sitting in front of her was half Ka’har.

“That’s not securing humanity’s right to survive—that’s advocating for the genocide of every race except humans. Is that even possible?”

“Realistically, it would be difficult. It’s merely my hope, not something I’m certain can be achieved. Non-humans are like insects—no matter how many you eliminate, they always hide somewhere and reappear.”

The saint smiled.

It was the same expression she wore when compassionately treating the wounded, but the emotion it conveyed couldn’t be more different.

“All I want to do is… destroy their strongholds and reduce their numbers so non-humans can never again threaten humanity. Perhaps leave only one-hundredth of their current population. With numbers that small, they could be contained in protected areas and managed to prevent any security concerns.”

With “Work Sets You Free” inscribed at the entrance to the camps?

Even if this world is closer to medieval times than modern era, isn’t this ideology extreme enough to be criticized even here?

“They’ll be able to preserve their species, so they should be grateful for Elpinel’s mercy.”

“As if they would…”

The ideology that Lacy Stardolf had just revealed was truly extreme.

I was starting to think that preventing her from becoming a saint might be the path to world peace.

…Though if she loses the saint election, she might become even worse. Like that man who failed art school.

“So, what do you think of my proposal? It should be appealing to you as a lord. While the Imperial House secretly dislikes the descendants of the Twelve Knights, the Holy State would welcome you warmly. After all, if the First Prince’s faction loses the succession dispute, you’ll have nowhere else to go, right?”

“…I need some time to think.”

I left it ambiguous for now.

I originally planned to help Leopold win, so I wouldn’t need to defect to the Holy State, but it wouldn’t hurt to have some insurance.

As for the racial extermination policy… I’d have to try to persuade her somehow.

Perhaps by suggesting that as long as she maintains that belief, she’ll have difficulty being elected as saint.

It might be hard now, but as we build more trust, my words should eventually get through to her. Probably.

I don’t think she was like this in the original story…

…Or was she?

—-

“You’re cautious. That’s also a knight’s virtue. We still have at least a month left, so I’ll wait hopefully for your positive answer.”

Despite my obvious hesitation, Lacy graciously understood.

As if she hadn’t expected me to accept right away in the first place.

“It’s getting late, so shall we end our conversation here, Lord Median? Or is there something else you’d like to discuss?”

Something else… there is one thing.

I wonder if it’s okay to ask Lacy about this.

“There is one thing. Take a look at this. It’s a phrase I found in what seems to be ancient ruins… do you know what it means?”

“Ruins? Then it must be either the Empire’s ancient language or… a non-human language. Let me see.”

I showed her the writing in blood on the stained bandage.

‘背信. 背神. 排神.’

‘Alföðr hlýtur að vera bölvað.’

It was inscribed on the wall of the temple where the deathknight appeared.

“Hmm… I don’t recognize the first sentence at all. The second one… seems similar to ancient Dane language. Would you like me to look into it for you?”

“Yes, please.”

I left the bandage with Lacy and stood up.

“I’ll be at the relief center for a while starting the day after tomorrow, so if you have anything to say about my proposal, please come find me anytime, Lord Median.”

“…About calling me ‘Lord Median’—you didn’t do that before, but now you do because I’m the owner of this sword?”

Lacy glanced at Durandal and nodded.

“Yes. Only descendants of the Twelve Knights are qualified to be the master of the Oath Sword. Since none of them had Ka’har bloodlines, Median must have been one of the Twelve Knights’ houses.”

I wonder if addressing me by my middle name rather than Aishan-Gioro or Haschal is her own compromise.

It must be the title she chose to accept me, someone with half Ka’har blood, despite her ideology that rejects non-humans.

Denying my Ka’har bloodline, denying my Imperial title.

Recognizing only Median—I’m not sure how I should take this attitude.

“Right. That’s not incorrect… Anyway, I’ll see you later. Maybe tomorrow—”

“Peace be with you until we meet again.”

Leaving Lacy behind as she made the sign of the cross to see me off, I left her room.

—-

Walking quietly down the corridor of the special wing, I pondered Lacy’s proposal.

Through the corridor windows, only the full moon hung brightly in the pitch-black night sky.

The Special Crusader Unit.

The fact that she wanted to recruit me as its commander means the specific plan is already complete.

Most of the members have probably already been recruited too.

In other words, regardless of whether I accept or refuse, the establishment of the Special Crusader Unit is already a done deal.

Such a crazy organization never appeared in the game.

Is this another butterfly effect caused by me?

Damn it. I’m trying so hard, yet not a single positive result comes from these butterfly effects.

Should I consider this a good thing from Elpinel Church’s perspective?

It’s not that I particularly like non-humans, and I know they would bare their fangs if the Empire weren’t around…

But that doesn’t mean exterminating them all is the right thing to do. We need to find some compromise.

I glared at the night sky with resentful eyes.

Elpinel, if you’re watching, answer me.

Is this really what you want?

A future where countless non-humans are destroyed, and countless people die in wars?

The sky gave no answer.

Even Durandal, which usually emitted light or vibrated to assert its presence, remained silent.

A bitter smile escaped my lips.

The world isn’t so different after all.

Whether in a world where God’s existence is proven or one where it isn’t.

The communists got one thing right.

Religion is like opium.

In moderation it might be medicine, but in excess it leads people to ruin.

—-

I returned to my room.

Since it was late at night, even the mana lamps on the ceiling had already dimmed to sleep mode.

Lena was in her nightgown, hugging her pillow and rolling around on her bed.

She sat up abruptly when I entered.

“Sister Haschal, did something happen? Your expression is…”

Lena cautiously asked after seeing my face.

…I must have forgotten to manage my expression while lost in thought.

I forced a smile to reassure her. No need to worry a child.

“It’s nothing. I’m just a little tired. Lena, you should go to sleep soon too. If you stay up late, you won’t grow tall.”

“Not growing tall… that’s an unusual way to put children to bed. Is that what Ka’har say? We’re usually taught that the gods will punish us if we stay up late.”

Lena grinned broadly.

I don’t know what Ka’har do either.

In my experience, those who stayed up making noise late into the night… ended up sleeping forever.

…Was that just in Hersella’s unit?

“It’s not just an empty saying to teach children, but a fact from long experience. Among those who stayed up late at a young age, not a single one grew properly tall later.”

“…Really?”

When I nodded emphatically, Lena quickly slipped under her blanket, ready for bed.

“I was going to sleep anyway. I was just waiting for you to return.”

I chuckled while looking at Lena, then took out a cigarette, lit it, and sat on the windowsill.

“You should sleep early too, sister. You must be very tired.”

“I will. Just after this one cigarette.”

Lena pouted, seemingly dissatisfied with my answer.

She must have fallen asleep quickly, as soon only the sound of her soft breathing could be heard.

“…Sleep well, Lena.”

A quiet whisper to myself. No answer came back.

I spent some time blowing smoke out the window into the night.

No matter how much mana herb I burned, my mind remained as tangled as a ball of thread.