Chapter 164

The annihilation of races hostile to humanity…

…Didn’t a mustache guy who failed to get into art school do something similar?

Well, this is slightly better, I guess.

What that guy did was a crime driven by personal hatred and discrimination without any justifiable cause, but at least this “Saint Adolf” seems to have a purpose—protecting humanity.

“So, it’s a specialized agency for Suin? Even if there are non-human races hostile to humanity, the only ones left are Suin, right?”

It was an obvious fact.

As long as the Empire stands strong, races like elves, dragonkin, or demi-humans wouldn’t dare attack humanity first.

They’re too busy dealing with their own internal issues anyway.

“Maybe. For now, that’s the case.”

…For now?

“Today, the reason there’s no friction between humanity and other races is solely because the Empire is stronger than them. So, we must never let our guard down. Those despicable non-human races are like starving dogs, waiting for the Empire to weaken.”

“Non-human ‘races’? Who are you talking about?”

Besides Suin, what other races are you planning to annihilate?

“Arrogant and disgusting elves, greedy and self-righteous demi-humans, hypocritical dragonkin—all of them are heretics who reject Elpinel’s mercy and worship false gods, longing for their ugly past. Until we eradicate them all, we cannot say we’ve achieved the task given by Elpinel—securing humanity’s right to survive.”

Lacey calmly sipped holy water.

Her tone was as calm as if she were having an everyday conversation, but the words she spat out were on the level of starting a world war.

Slightly better, my foot.

This woman is even more extreme than the mustache guy.

Suin, elves, demi-humans, and dragonkin—that’s every intelligent race except humans.

It’s not about annihilating races hostile to humanity; it’s about annihilating any non-human race.

The only reason Ka`har isn’t included… is probably because the woman sitting in front of me is of Ka`har descent.

“You’re not talking about securing humanity’s survival; you’re talking about exterminating every race except humans. Is that even possible?”

“Realistically, it’s difficult. It’s just my wishful thinking. I’m not entirely confident it can be achieved. Non-human races are like insects—no matter how many you kill, they always hide somewhere and reappear.”

The saint smiled.

It was the same expression she wore when tenderly healing the wounded, but the emotions it conveyed were worlds apart.

“What I aim to do is simply… destroy their strongholds and reduce their numbers so they can never threaten humanity again. To the point where only a fraction remains. With numbers that small, it’ll be easier to manage them in protected zones to prevent any instability.”

And carve “Work will set you free” at the entrance of the camps?

Even if this world is closer to the medieval era than the modern one, isn’t this ideology still worthy of criticism?

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

“Yeah, sure they will…”

Lacey Staldorf’s ideology, laid bare, was truly extreme.

Preventing this woman from becoming a saint might just be the path to world peace.

…Though if she fails the saint election, things might get even worse here. Like that guy who failed to get into art school.

“So, what do you think of my proposal? As a knight, it should be something you’d welcome. The Imperial royal family secretly looks down on the descendants of the Twelve Knights, but the Holy Kingdom would welcome you with open arms. If the first prince loses the succession conflict, you’ll have nowhere else to go, right?”

“…I need some time to think.”

I dodged the question for now.

I originally planned to make Leopold win, so I have no intention of defecting to the Holy Kingdom, but having a backup plan wouldn’t hurt, right?

As for the whole “exterminate all races” policy… I’ll have to try to persuade her somehow.

Like convincing her that as long as she holds onto that belief, she’ll never be elected as a saint.

It’ll be tough for now, but if we build more trust, my words might get through. Maybe.

I don’t remember her being like this in the original…

…Or was she?

—-

“You’re being cautious. That’s also a knight’s virtue. There’s still a month left, so I’ll wait patiently for a positive response.”

Even though I showed hesitation, Lacey readily understood.

It seemed she never expected an immediate agreement in the first place.

“It’s getting late, so let’s end the discussion here, Sir Median. Unless there’s something else you’d like to say?”

Something else… There is one thing.

Would it be a problem to ask Lacey?

“There is one thing. Take a look at this. It’s a phrase I found in an ancient ruin I explored before… Do you have any idea what it means?”

“A ruin? Then it’s probably the Empire’s ancient language or… a non-human race’s language. Show me.”

I showed her the blood-stained bandage with the writing on it.

‘背信. 背神. 排神.’

‘Alföðrhlýtur að vera bölvað.’

It was a phrase carved on the wall of the temple where the Undead Knight appeared.

“Hmm… I have no idea about the first part. The latter part… seems similar to an ancient language from the Dane cultural sphere. Should I look into it for you?”

“Yeah, please do.”

I handed the bandage to Lacey and stood up.

“I’ll be at the relief shelter starting the day after tomorrow, so if you have anything to say about my proposal, feel free to visit anytime.”

“Please, Sir Median.”

“…So, calling me ‘Sir Median’ now, huh? You didn’t do that before. Is it because I’m the owner of this sword?”

Lacey glanced at Durandal and nodded.

“Yes. Only the descendants of the twelve knights are qualified to be the master of the Oath Sword. Since none of them had the blood of Ka`har, Sir Median must have been from one of the twelve knight families.”

Calling me by my middle name instead of Ai-shan Gi-or or Ha-shal-leur must be her way of compromising. For someone who denies the existence of other races, this is her way of accepting me, who is half Ka`har.

Denying the blood of Ka`har, denying the Empire’s title. All that’s left is acknowledging Median. I don’t know how to take that attitude.

“Yeah, you’re not wrong… Anyway, see you later. Maybe tomorrow.”

“Until we meet again, stay safe.”

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

—-

As I pondered Lacey’s proposal, I quietly walked down the corridor of the special quarters. Through the window, the full moon hung brightly in the pitch-black night sky.

The Special Holy War Unit. The fact that they wanted to appoint me as the leader means they must have already finalized the plan. They probably have most of the members ready too.

In other words, whether I accept or refuse, the formation of the Special Holy War Unit is already a done deal. A crazy organization like that never appeared in the game.

Is this also some kind of butterfly effect caused by me? Damn it. I’m working so hard, but not a single positive outcome from this butterfly effect? Should I just consider this a good thing from the perspective of the Elpinel Church?

It’s not like I like other races, and I know that if the Empire didn’t exist, they would bare their fangs… But exterminating them all isn’t the right thing to do. We need to find a compromise.

I glared at the night sky with resentment.

Elpinel, if you’re watching, answer me. Is this really what you want? A future where countless other races are annihilated, and countless people die in war?

The sky remained silent. Even Durandal, which usually glows or vibrates to assert its presence, stayed quiet.

A bitter smile escaped me.

Well, the world isn’t so different after all. Whether it’s a world where the existence of gods is proven or not.

The communists were right about one thing.

Faith is like opium. Used properly, it can be medicine, but in excess, it leads to ruin.

—-

I returned to my room.

Since it was late, even the magic lights on the ceiling had dimmed to a sleep mode. Rana, already in her pajamas, was rolling around on her bed hugging a pillow. She sat up abruptly when I entered.

“Ha-shal-leur unnie, is something wrong? You look a bit…”

Rana asked cautiously after seeing my expression.

…I must have forgotten to manage my expression while lost in thought. I forced a smile to reassure her. I didn’t want to worry the kid.

“It’s nothing. Just a bit tired. Rana, you should get to sleep too. Staying up late stunts your growth.”

“Stunting growth… That’s a unique way to put kids to sleep. What about Ka`har? They usually teach us that if we stay up late, the gods will scold us.”

Rana chuckled.

I don’t know what Ka`har does. In my experience, those who stayed up late making noise… ended up sleeping forever.

…Was it just Hersela’s unit?

“It’s not just a lie to get kids to sleep. It’s a fact from experience. None of the kids who stayed up late at a young age grew up to be tall.”

“…Really?”

When I nodded emphatically, Rana quickly slipped under the covers and got ready to sleep.

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

I smiled faintly and watched Rana before pulling out a cigarette and sitting by the window.

“You should sleep early too, unnie. You must be really tired.”

“Yeah. I’ll sleep after this one.”

Rana pouted at my answer, clearly not satisfied.

Soon, the sound of her steady breathing indicated she had fallen asleep.

“…Sleep well, Rana.”

A quiet whisper. No response came. I spent the night exhaling smoke out the window.

No matter how many magic herbs I burned, my mind remained as tangled as a knotted thread.