The young lady had jet black hair, long enough that it effortlessly flowed down her back. Her red irises shone like a prized ruby, and her defiant expression added a certain kind of allure to her face.
'Interesting...' Kuzon smiled as he watched her.
He observed as the villagers had her on a leash—one covering her mouth, and the others holding tightly to her arms and legs.
They probably didn't want her to get into any trouble, or doom the entire settlement.
'A place with so many people, yet she's known by them. Her notoriety must be quite high.' He mused.
"What is your name?"
At that moment, Kuzon's eyes went straight for hers, and he signaled everyone around her to cease their actions.
As a result, they all let go of her, freeing the young lady.
"My name is Kuzon Midas. What is your name?"
For another few seconds, she didn't say anything.
"Don't tell me you're too scared to tell me your na—"
"I'm Maya. Just Maya!" She barked, almost in rage.
Kuzon leaked out an amused chuckle as she spoke. He knew someone like her would most likely respond if he decided to rile her up a little.
And it worked.
"Maya. That's a nice name..."
"W-what..?!" Her response was shock, but also downright suspicion.
"I said you have a nice name. Your personality is also pretty interesting."
"W-what are you... saying...?" Her voice trembled, and she looked utterly confused.
She probably wasn't used to hearing those kinds of statements, and she most definitely wouldn't have expected such a compliment from a Midas.
"Maya, please tell me more about what you were saying earlier."
"A-ah..."
At this point, she began to look around her, seeing the worried expressions of the people. Despite her earlier outburst, she seemed quite considerate of her people.
'Maybe she can't properly control her emotions? Maybe she reached the limits of what she could tolerate before speaking up? Either way...'
"Don't worry about them. I won't hurt anyone as long as my questions are answered honestly. You have my word."
Using [The Emperor] would have been much faster, but ever since he came to this world, the Arcanas that fused with his body seemed to be completely dormant.
It bothered him to no end, but he chose to shelf the matter until he gained more information.
"W-well..." Maya muttered, her expression turning a little darker.
"Yes? Go on." Kuzon nodded on encouragement.
He was truly interested in the true history that these people were avoiding to address.
"The Midas Empire resorted to Mass Genocide, killing everyone who defied them and their new system. That is the true meaning of the 'Cleansing'. They cut off the strong, leaving only the weak and powerless behind."
'A-ah... so that's what I've been missing.' Kuzon's thoughts echoed.
"Only the weak and docile remain. We can't do anything about the situation, and we've accepted it as our fates." She seemed to be seething in anger now. (f)reewebnovel.com
It pleased him.
"I often ask myself... if the Midas Empire was so perfect, and so loving, and so powerful, couldn't they have found a better way to ensure peace and order? Why would they have to kill so many people—even innocents—just to give us this reality we have now? We barely get by every day, and none of us are allowed to want more. This can't be the work of a just system. This... this... there's something wrong somewhere!"
Kuzon's eyes beamed once he heard those words.
'She's different from the rest of them!' It genuinely made him happy to see someone who strayed from the hive mind.
However, it was also a wonder how she had managed to survive for so long despite her strong views against the Midas.
'The Midas Empire most likely can't see everything. They just detect Magic waves and respond to them as well. However, the dogma has formed an assumption in their hearts that the Midas Empire is all-powerful and can do anything.'
Since they were the only ones who could use Magic, it was only natural that the Midas Race would reign supreme in this new world.
"Keke... kekekeke..." Kuzon laughed at himself, grabbing his face as he felt an uncontrollable emotion rise from within him.
"Hahaha... hahahahahahahaha... hahahahahahahaahahaha!!!"
His laughter echoed the surrounding, enough to send the entire area into a wave of silence and confusion.
"It's funny, isn't it? This is why dictatorship is always doomed to fail. It's not sustainable. Hahahaha!"
This time, the people stared at each other in confusion. They didn't really understand what he was implying, but it was their duty to support the words and actions of their Midas superiors
"Y-yes, my Lord. It is most hilarious!"
"Indeed. Very funny, my Lord.."
"Yes. You have rightly said so, my Lord."
"Your sense of humor is transcendent, my Lord."
"Right as always, my Lord."
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"
Before Kuzon realized it, everyone was already copying him, laughing as hard as possible.
Their laughter rang empty and hollow, yet they kept it up.
"What the fu...?!" Kuzon's face twisted in annoyance.
'Who told you to laugh? Why are you guys so—?!'
Before he could conclude his statement, Kuzon felt an incoming energy from behind him, so he glanced in it's direction.
'Spatial Magic?'
And, just as he guessed, space warped and a portal formed.
>VWUUUUUUUUUMMMMMM!!!<
The portal resembled a puddle of water, but standing vertically.
It was also golden in color, radiating the signature color of none other than the Midas Empire.
'So they're here, huh?'
Footsteps echoed in the silent expanse, and a group emerged from the portal.
They were garbed in golden armor from bottom to top, taking the form of knights. The dignified designs on their armor and helmet showed a form of dignity that couldn't be replicated.
There was a sharp contrast between them and the kneeling residents of the slums.
One of them, dressed in a different, more exquisite, set of armor compared to the others, stepped forward.
He was also not wearing any helmet, so everyone could see his crimson eyes and golden hair.
"We are the Midas Inquisition, Division 15. Magic activity has been detected in this area, and as such..." The man's eyes gleamed and a grim smile formed on his face.
"... On behalf of the Midas Empire, we are here to purge the heretic."
Silence and dread instantly filled the air.
"Praise to the Midas Emperor."
* freeweb novel.com
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[A/N]
Looks like an action scene is incoming...
Hope you're enjoying the read so far.
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