Chapter 218

As winter approached, the number of unemployed people wandering the streets increased.

Not only did the number of unemployed rise, but shops also began closing down. Thinking about cause and effect, it was because the shops closed that the people they employed became unemployed.

The weather grew colder day by day, and there was less food and fewer ways to keep warm.

The students at the Royal Academy didn’t know much about this.

They remained unaware until the time came to prepare for their midwinter final exams.

But something happened that they couldn’t ignore.

A protest group showed up in front of the Royal Academy.

Of course, the protests were quickly dispersed by the army stationed around the royal castle.

But it was enough to make everyone aware that something was going on.

Because of this, more people started reacting sensitively. Fights broke out—fights that normally wouldn’t happen—and bloodshed became more frequent.

I was just living my life without a care.

There’s really nothing I need to do.

Even if things get so bad that people start killing each other, it benefits me.

Most of the Harvesting Systems are already functioning pretty well. They weren’t bad to begin with. It’s not just about having more strength and intelligence; they can endure environmental pressures better, rarely get sick, and even regenerate fingers if they’re cut off.

Yeah.

It’s not just about getting stronger. Without magic, they’ve improved to what could be called Humanity 2.0. Though it’s uncertain, their disease resistance is probably much stronger too.

Even those Harvesters who have chosen a path of decline compared to others are healthier considering what they do and how they live.

A crisis isn’t always bad.

Even if the situation keeps deteriorating endlessly and hell comes to this country, in the long term, it will benefit me.

Because I know the Harvesting System will gain the upper hand.

Harvesters are more likely to survive.

If there’s anything truly lethal to Harvesters, it’s discrimination. Until they become the majority, they’ll constantly face threats.

In the first world, it happened during the early stages when Harvesters began spreading.

It was easy to stigmatize them with negative frames due to their purple hair and snow-white skin.

And that led to the worst scenario in the second world.

There, Harvesters were symbols of evil.

They were enemies that had to be defeated at all costs. There’s a saying: “The needle in the bag will eventually stick out.” Meaning, talented people tend to stand out.

So it’s easy for them to accumulate bad reputations. Even if it stems from jealousy, as long as humans run the world, there’s nothing we can do about it.

But this world is different.

The royal family has done a lot of good PR.

They framed Harvesters as good people, and that image has seeped into society. So now, even if someone isn’t trustworthy, they’re judged positively based solely on their appearance.

In short, the most dangerous weakness has been erased.

Rather, this dangerous situation is an opportunity.

After a terrible era where many people die, a better era arrives. Positions that couldn’t be ascended before because they were occupied…

When those spots become vacant, opportunities arise. Those who couldn’t climb before finally get their chance.

Humans don’t necessarily need rivers of blood to reach a better world, but for social mobility, this is the most reliable method.

“Stepping over mountains of corpses.”

Those with ability rise to the top.

Yep.

Harvesters.

Just being able to survive in these extreme conditions is proof of exceptional capability.

And that’s good.

This world isn’t about the strong surviving—it’s about those who survive becoming strong. Life has evolved this way all along.

Human history went against this, but in extreme situations, primal rules take hold.

Once Harvesters fill the gaps left by the shrinking population, a brighter age will come. They’ll flourish and spread further.

Human hair will turn purple, and skin will become pale, since Tisah’s descendants all took on that form.

I thought natural selection might apply, but memories of Daegon and the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign flash in my mind. It’s not all about genes determining everything.

Among countless replicas, only those variants suited to the environment survive.

That’s the basic framework, but it’s not that simple. Surprisingly, organisms pass on information learned during their lifetime to the next generation.

So, it’s not strange that my Harvester’s offspring would inherit the state after the contract ends.

Though I wonder how such a drastic mutation occurred, there’s no way to know.

Anyway.

I don’t plan to move to deal with this event.

If someone comes to me unable to bear their suffering and wants to become a Harvester, then I’ll create one.

But that’s all.

I won’t do more than that.

I can’t do more than that.

Because I lack the intelligence to solve the gradually worsening situation.

If I were smart, I’d step forward, resolve the issue, earn trust, and establish either a religion or a company to keep increasing the number of Harvesters.

Just because you acquire someone’s memories doesn’t mean you become as intelligent as them.

If it were possible, everyone would be smarter than the person teaching them after completing their education.

But most people aren’t like that.

No matter how much they learn, there are plenty of ignorant people. Beyond just acquiring knowledge, there are those who act foolishly.

That’s me.

So, I’ll move in a way that minimizes loss while still gaining some benefit.

Since I can’t live a short life and die, but must live forever, I’ll be careful.

If I were mortal, failure would end with death, but unfortunately, I can’t die. I’d have to pay off that debt forever.

Therefore, the safest path is to hide my most fatal aspects while living decently. There’s no need to be overly evil or overly good.

Though I don’t draw much attention, I aim to share benefits with others enough to be chosen as someone worth coexisting with.

That’s my goal—to be a sucker.

It’s fine if I appear to be one. All I need is warmth.

While thinking this, instead of heading home after class ended today, I noticed students gathered in the classroom.

Normally, it would be time for them to head home gradually. But due to another protest occupying the main gate, students who don’t live in the dormitories stayed in the classrooms.

“Another protest? Why can’t we just arrest and kill them?”

“What I mean is, why should we be trapped here because of commoners?”

“I’d gladly sweep them all away if only they’d give me a weapon.”

Students whose families are powerful usually leave school, so naturally, some want to clear the protesters out of the way. Actually, most feel this way.

Of course, they don’t actually harbor murderous intent.

It’s more like complaining. Like being stuck because the subway stopped running due to protests during quitting time.

The purpose of protesting is to make people think about what’s happening, but that rarely happens.

“Bell can’t even leave even though her accommodation is right nearby.”

Polaris spoke to me.

“I don’t mind waiting. How about you, Polaris?”

“Me? I hate it, but there’s nothing I can do, so I’m just waiting.”

“Aren’t you meeting faction people?”

At my question, Polaris let out a small sigh.

“It’s better to be here than to be used as firepower support for the prince’s entourage.”

Ah.

That’s right.

The entrance to the Royal Academy is only through the main gate. So even Sorindiges has to exit through the main gate when leaving school.

Since the Royal Academy is close to the royal castle, there must be secret passages, but using them in this situation would make them not-so-secret anymore.

So, Sorindiges is still at the Royal Academy.

Having the crown prince here means it’s time to build connections.

Thus, a small banquet was held.

You might expect only women aiming to connect with Sorindiges, but actually, there are more men.

Because he’ll be the future top boss, it’s good to leave an impression.

It becomes a place to showcase individual abilities.

And when meeting him there, individuals don’t go alone. A group forms, and the center of the group introduces them.

It’s a kind of etiquette.

Why do I know this?

Kanna is there. She’s smiling, but analyzing her unconscious muscle movements shows she’s quite distressed.

She’s observing other factions’ movements, figuring out what they’ll discuss, sending people to maintain order, etc., managing the whole thing.

She’s quite busy.

“Isn’t it dangerous to not work?”

“Work? Ah, nah. Bell. In these sudden gatherings, only urgent people attend. If you go unnecessarily, you might seem liked verbally but get disliked behind your back. Not going is safer; they’ll think you know your place.”

Polaris explained with a lackadaisical expression.

Political struggles are intense.

Glancing around, I noticed a few quiet students listening to our conversation, nodding knowingly.

By the way, the class is very quiet.

There aren’t many students, and with schedules disrupted, they’re just waiting.

Boarding students like Victoria have already left. Plus, recently, more students moved into the dorms, so there aren’t many living outside.

Even if someone lives inside, they aren’t necessarily resting there.

Freesia, a classmate, went straight to Kanna after class and is now working hard following Kanna’s orders.

With Sorindiges around, it’s already like this.

Next year, when Aurora joins, it’ll get even worse.

Will guys start coming around then, just in case? It’ll be fun to watch.

Ah. That’s right.

I stood up from my seat.

“Bell?”

“I’m going to see Victoria.”

“Huh? Why suddenly?”

“Victoria has to attend night classes at the Mechanical Knight School tonight.”

I have some affection for the Harvester who brings me warmth.

“I’ll go with her.”

“Ah, right. Poor Victoria. How does she manage two schools…? Okay, got it. See you tomorrow.”

I waved goodbye to Polaris and headed toward the dormitory where Victoria was staying.

Today’s going to be tough for Victoria.

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