[Layland Kleinhaus' POV]
Schluk!
"Gah!"
A groan comes out of the mouth of the Knight Captain of the County as I pull my hand out of his chest. He helplessly falls to the ground, clutching his chest in pain as his lungs fail to supply him with oxygen.
Raising my foot, I stomp his head to end his suffering. His body stops wiggling; I walk toward the man who outlived his subordinates, the Count of the County himself, Liam Allusia. He is a middle-aged man with a strong physique and a youthful look. One of the most loved rulers in Antares.
Why did I have a plan to still liberate the people despite them loving their ruler? You may ask. The answer is I don't care. I am not a benevolent, selfless Hero. I am a Demon—an egoistic man. All I care about is my benefit. So, what if he is a good ruler? There is more than one way to change people's views in a snap. Just like what I did to the people who loved Niles.
"What do you want…I don't get it. What do you, Demons, get from endangering people's lives!?" Liam shouts indignantly. He is clutching his bleeding abdomen that was cut a few moments ago with Rexorem.
"Why don't you ask yourself the same question?" I retort. "What do you get from killing us Cursed Creations? What did we do in the past for you to start massacring and hunting us down?"
"Because you are evil! No evil is allowed in this world!"
"Liam, Liam, Liam…how na?ve are you? You are old enough to know this world is not all butterflies and rainbows. If I ask you what the dichotomy between evil and kind is, how will you answer?"
"Those who take lives without remorse and thinking are evil—it's as simple as that!"
At this point, I am already right before Liam. Even though he is using his sword as a support, he still looks at me gallantly as if he is standing straight. A very righteous man indeed. No wonder many people love him.
"Have you ever felt remorse after killing a baby Monster or a young Demon?"
"I have never!"
"Why?"
"Because…!"
I smile as Liam widens his eyes and frowns. He seems to get what I am talking about, so he can't help questioning his mindset for all this time. He clutches the hilt of his sword tighter in the next moment. He looks straight at my mask, Adam's apple going up and down, not knowing what to say.
I walk behind him, put my hand around his shoulders, and gesture at the scene in the city with my other hand. He doesn't show any intention to attack me or shake me off; his eyes are focused on the burning buildings, dead bodies, and the silent street.
"Familiar, isn't it?"
"…."
"Do you know what's lacking? Civilians' dead bodies. When you raid our villages, you will see a lot of our powerless Monsters and Demons littering the ground at the end of the raid. If you think about it, I am rather benevolent, aren't I?"
"…."
I pat Liam's shoulder and then walk away, leaving him behind. His gaze is planted on my back. I can sense no hatred, fear, bewilderment, or resentment from it. It gives off nothing because the man is questioning himself. He is questioning his whole life.
What is evil and what is kind? What is…the difference between humans and Demons?
Roar!
Genelos dives down and I jump onto his back when he is 10 feet from the ground. The girls are already with him; none of them says anything as they look down at the masterpiece we have created.
The center of the County, the most beloved city, Dichotera has fallen. Fire engulfs it, covering the beauty it once had. Right before the city hall, the Count is standing silently, using his sword as a support. "What am I fighting for?" his eyes scream.
"It worked splendidly," I remark.
"What worked splendidly?" Millonia responds.
"[Anima Sordiem]."
"I didn't know you were learning Ancient Demonic Spell."
"I read the indecipherable book whenever I have nothing to do."
"So…what have you done to that poor Count?"
[Anima Sordiem] translates to the taint of the mind. It is one of the almost forgotten Ancient Demonic Spells that deal with the mind. Tier-wise, it is not among the top ones; however, I can think of a lot of good ways to use this.
This Spell makes it easier for you to manipulate your enemy's mind through words. Unlike any other Mind Manipulation Spells, it is not detectable at all since your enemy will fully believe that whatever he does after getting it is based on his decision.
Geas has been proven to be able to produce the same effect but [Anima Sordiem] uses way less Mana and a less lengthy process. Although eloquence is needed for it to work splendidly, which shies many people away; for me, this is what makes it preferable.
The feeling of seeing the idealism of my opponent crumble has always been a source of my amusement. Strange? Of course, it is. What do you expect from a Demon?
Someone taps me on my shoulder, awakening me from my musing. I turn my head slightly around and find Lunea looking at me with a light frown.
"Can I talk to you?" she asks softly.
"Of course."
Given the green light, she doesn't hesitate to pass Millonia and sit before me. She leans her body on me and sighs softly before speaking.
"I saw a mother leave her infant behind. She looked back when she noticed her infant had fallen from her embrace but she didn't stop. I ran to the infant but someone stepped on it, killing it before I arrived. I was angry about what they did until I realized who created the whole situation."
"Are you blaming yourself?"
"No…quite the opposite. It's just…that made me realize humans are no better than what they call Cursed Creation. I have seen Monsters protect their younglings at all costs. It makes me question myself who is to side on."
Lunea looks up, stares at me in wonder, and says, "In short, I am having an identity crisis. Now that I don't think like most humans, I wonder what it makes me. Am I a human or a Monster? Am I neither? Am I…corrupted?"
I stay silent as I look into her curious eyes. After five seconds passed, I put my left hand on her eyes to cover them and stop her from looking upward.
"Labels…. I don't know why many people think labels are important. What we name ourselves and what people name us—all of them don't matter. The way you live and what you believe in is what matters. You don't know what you should call yourself? What about Lunea? Lunea the person who chooses her own way."
"I have realized this long ago but you speak very well, Layland. I now know what to do." Lunea nods her head as if she is enlightened. "Can I call myself Lunea the person who is to be wed to Layland?"
"…Millonia has rubbed off on you more than I expected."
Although her serious look is a little bit off-putting, it adds more to the comedic sense. I ignore her afterward and focus on driving as the two girls behind me chuckle mirthfully.
Four hours later we arrived at Avares Barony.
….
"Let's make it quick, sir."
Facing the gate guard, I look at his extended hand. He is blatantly asking for money so he will give me entry. As baffling as it is, it is totally my style, so I just give him one gold coin. Widening his eyes in shock, he fixes his posture and treats me with utter respect immediately.
"May you have a good time in our Barony, sir!"
I ignore him and step into the Barony, followed closely by the girls. A depressive mood greets me as I look around. Regardless of age, everyone walks on the street with a hunched back. Stress and fatigue are visible on their face; their eyes are empty as they greet each other.
"Working hard for something you like gives you fatigue but not a burden. These people are burdened by the ridiculous demand from their ruler, which is why they are suffering…. These kinds of people are easy to steer. A glimmer of hope is enough bait for them to follow you around."
"Just as I thought you were empathizing with these people, you hit me with that manipulative thought of yours. You didn't disappoint as always, eh, Layland?" Millonia comments.
"Don't be a hypocrite. It is hard to relate to people you don't even know," I retort.
"Uh…where are we going now?" Winerva asks.
"To the residence."
The people of this Barony are hard workers. As we walk to the residence, we barely find anyone roaming around. They understand well they have no time to idle. Money doesn't come by itself; when they don't have it, the Baron will end their lives.
After a minute of walking, a three-story building on the right side of the bleak road attracts my attention. I stop before it, prompting the girls to do the same, and read the sign plastered on it.
"Oat warehouse. They are here," I say, earning the girls' attention. Motioning for them to come closer, I tell Teanosvera, "Bring us inside."
Shadow envelops us, coloring our visions black. When our visions return, we are in the middle of a room filled with people staring at us with awe and hope.
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