Chapter 184

In the empty lot where the castle walls had completely collapsed, it seemed like Kanna hastily rebuilt a wooden wall, just as she built up her mental barriers.

But Kanna did her best to hide that and went on with the story she originally wanted to tell.

It was gratitude.

Gratitude for how much things had changed after becoming a Harvester.

As I gradually explained the facts I already knew, I described how my life had changed from before.

I expressed how the way my family looked at me had changed, how the amount of things I could do had skyrocketed, and how happy it made me feel to have returned to normal.

“Ah, I see.”

“You’re really unresponsive. Is this not what you wanted?”

Ah, so that’s why you said that?

You seem to think I’m building Harvesters to feel some sense of accomplishment.

Since I plan to live my life pretending to be a good person, I might as well say something appropriate.

“More.”

“More?”

“I hope you aim even further, Kanna.”

The happiest future a Harvester can achieve…

This world is zero-sum. For one person to be happy, many others must become unhappy. And when they die in that unhappiness, I can take their warmth.

If the cause is causally linked to the Harvester, I can harvest their warmth. Of course, it doesn’t seem to work perfectly from start to finish, and there appear to be limits, but who knows?

I learned a lot from Tisah.

For example, if Tisah gave an order to clear out thieves from the royal castle, no matter how far away, I’d get the warmth from the thieves’ stolen goods.

Kanna is in a similar position.

Therefore, like Tisah…

“At the very least, I should be able to rest peacefully with grandchildren by my side.”

It would be even better if I could get great-grandchildren.

Upon hearing my words, Kanna blinked her eyes trying to understand, then smiled faintly.

“What is that? Aren’t you looking too far ahead?”

“It’s soon for me. Kanna. You might not know because of my current appearance, but I’m a monster? A very, very long-lived one.”

While knowing I sound like a kind person, I speak this way.

I don’t even know if I can die of old age. Forget aging, I can’t even die from injuries. There’s nothing I can do to end my own life.

“Hmm, even though you’re called a monster… Are you really a monster? Maybe you’re some kind of god? Seriously? Until now, haven’t you been saving people?”

“I’m neither omniscient nor omnipotent. I often make mistakes on complicated matters, and sometimes I realize later that what I thought was good was actually dangerous. I just live longer than most people.”

Living a long life while stealing the warmth of living beings… I’m that evil monster. But I don’t plan to say that much. I’ll cut it off right here.

Speaking like a benevolent superhero but making it sound like self-deprecation…

When people start thinking of me as someone extraordinary yet humble, that’s perfect.

Good people are easy to use, aren’t they? They’re seen as convenient fools who benefit you somehow.

Plus, I live a long time. People will look at me with anger and envy while trying to obtain whatever scraps they can from me.

Compared to cults that manipulate people with non-existent leftovers, I’m refreshingly honest about having harsh penalties. But sometimes, people still want to change their reality despite those penalties.

Or maybe they ignore them entirely, like gamblers.

“Whenever I talk to you, I feel like you’re not human.”

That’s intentional.

Instead of responding with words, I answer with a smile. Kanna lets out a small sigh.

“To be honest, I wonder if I can use you like this.”

“Use me however you want. I give myself freely. If I don’t die, I’ll improve your body next time.”

“I suspect you’re taking something truly precious in return.”

I didn’t say anything.

Though Kanna’s expression stiffened slightly, as if she’d brushed against the truth without quite reaching it.

Since I might be pushing her too hard, let’s steer the conversation toward something simpler.

“If this feels too burdensome… I have one favor to ask.”

“What is it?”

It’s been days, but there’s still no news from the royal castle. The situation in Bern City continues to worsen.

There’s a good chance my request has been forgotten. Or maybe they dismissed it, saying that many deaths in Bern City weren’t significant enough to act on.

“Victoria sent a letter to her parents in Bern City, but they haven’t replied unusually. Could you look into it?”

A northern power projects influence over the south.

Now, how would the royal family view this? If it were a friendly power group, they’d likely resolve it somehow, but Kanna feels indebted to me.

No matter what response, she needs to bring it to me.

The fact that we’re approaching the subject of Bern City remains.

And there’s room for excuses.

I told King Highpion that people were dying in the south.

To Kanna, I said Victoria’s family hasn’t been able to communicate.

At first glance, these are entirely different issues.

They just happen to be in the same place. So if I’m suspected of trying to drive a wedge between parties, I have plausible deniability.

Though I’m worried if this will work, my actions so far should lend some credibility.

“Victoria Bet. What’s your relationship with her? She’s not family, right?”

At that moment, Kanna looked at me with genuine confusion.

Eh? That direction?

Ah, right. Since I intentionally created a more human aspect, I assumed everyone would think I was included in Victoria’s family circle.

Actually, we have no relation, and she seems to know it.

Let’s reinforce that connection a bit more.

“Victoria was the first person I contracted with when I came to this world, and she gave me the name Bell.”

It sounds like we have a deep relationship.

Parent-child relationships form through such coincidences too. So superficially, it looks similar. Like a family bond.

Unlike real families, there’s no genetic continuation.

Yeah, we’re not family. We have absolutely no relation.

The name Bell can be discarded anytime, and the first contractor isn’t special.

Though I’ve hit the truth, I’ll steer it in the opposite direction, making them seem like my family, adding humanity.

An easily understandable weakness.

For now, even in survival-of-the-fittest noble families, family is generally considered one unit.

And that unit is a weakness.

“So that’s why you two hung out often.”

Kanna looked genuinely surprised.

Should she be that surprised? Based on the context so far, shouldn’t Victoria and I be considered close friends?

Victoria is a Harvester, meaning she’s contracted with me. During the Bern City incident, we became famous together and transferred to the Royal Academy.

Doesn’t seem like something to be that shocked about, right?

If you don’t know, you should ask.

“Is that strange?”

“Yeah, it’s strange. I thought Victoria was the type, but you always seemed detached from worldly affairs. You’d let your own problems slide while asking me to handle others’.”

Right.

Accurately observed. That’s why you were surprised.

Like when I almost got bullied for meeting the prince.

But honestly, I didn’t care about that. If attacked, I’d have used it as an opportunity to turn them into Harvesters.

Your skin improves, your body shape becomes just right. Normally, people call this getting prettier.

Beautiful people have many who would do anything.

Thus, anyone jealous was an easy potential customer for becoming a Harvester.

Anyway.

You know me too well. To erase that understanding, I need shock value.

At times like this, vague explanations aren’t as impactful as simply saying…

“Can Maleficent be compared?”

“No. That’s different. That was just girls’ jealousy. How can you compare that to some witch who’s lived for hundreds of years… Ah, so you dealt with her.”

Ah, come to think of it, the royal family handled it that way. But since they didn’t specifically tell me not to reveal the truth, it should be fine.

I took Maleficent’s items as both bribe and trap and passed them along.

“That’s beyond something that can be overlooked. Many people died.”

Not only Harvesters but also those who will become Harvesters were wiped out. Because of that, the capital is still in chaos.

Currently, my goal is to spread Harvesters far into the distant future.

In that case, it’s better if people live happily and prosper.

Why did I want to destroy Bern City again?

Oh.

Because I could gain warmth. Hehe. Lots of warmth.

Moreover, during the fighting, I’d gather items from there. Among them would be something to resolve the situation.

And I wouldn’t necessarily need Morris to use it. I’ve already implanted the necessary knowledge into the Harvesters’ minds.

Necessity drives technological development.

Unlike Brightshin, which only had the poor, the Harvesters made in Bern City come from all walks of life.

If these people were doing well, the data I sent would likely disappear into thin air. This is because healthy-minded individuals haven’t accessed the information I sent.

However, all the Harvesters in Bern City are currently in extreme situations.

It’s perfect for my knowledge to infiltrate their minds.

In fact, there are already several people tinkering with clockwork mechanisms.

As soon as we entered Bern City, we seized numerous war machines that had become like coffins containing people.

Soon, weapons that can function in areas where magic cannot be used will emerge, wielding powerful abilities.

When that happens, many things will change.

As I contemplated the benefits of connecting Bern City with the Shiodore family, Kanna chuckled at how absurd it was to kill someone for being too dangerous.

Then, quietly sipping tea, we ended our conversation.

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