NOVEL NEXT Chapter 131: Sacrifice
If he was being honest, Leon didn't have any deep opinion on this subject simply because he had so little knowledge about Vermithor.
But he needed to voice out his thoughts here. He needed to make sure the illusion continued even if it seemed cruel towards the people.
He stared at Amber, his words echoing in the silent stadium.
Amber returned his gaze and replied, "We can't say for sure what happened back then, or what was going through her mind while doing it. But she did choose to protect them."
"And that's where you're wrong in my opinion," Leon said. "We don't know what she was thinking when she chose to sacrifice herself, but I can put myself in her shoes and understand her actions."
He paused, taking a step forward and then continued.
"I wouldn't sacrifice myself for them. It's true. But never forget they're not the only ones there. Behind her were countless people. As you said, a whole continent. It includes innocent and dark-hearted people alike. Not only that, but it also included her loved ones. Without her sacrifice, all of them would have died, but due to her actions, many innocent were saved."
He looked around at the audience and smiled.
"She chose to save some dark-hearted people if it was the only way to save those innocent people and her loved ones. I would have done the same. I would gladly give my life if it meant my loved ones could live on."
His last words were directed at her and she knew it well. Her fist remained clenched as various memories passed through her mind.
That face full of smiles even as her life faded away. She had cried seeing that smile. She had called her dumb, stupid, and the biggest idiot for getting deceived like that.
But did she really get deceived or did she choose it herself?
Amber knew the answer well, but didn't want to admit it. She just couldn't do so because it would mean she had died of her own accord.
It would mean her master left her alone by her own choice.
It would mean she couldn't hate anyone for her death.
"Professor, many people consider the selfless hero dumb to sacrifice themselves for some dumb rulers, but I'll always ask in return. Were they really dumb?" Leon asked as he pushed his nail inside his palm to control his emotions.
Amber's emotions were flashing in her eyes and Leon so wished to rush forward and hug her tightly. He wanted to comfort her, to let her know that he was there for her, but he held himself back.
She was strong and this was something she would need to overcome by herself. He just needed to show her what she wanted to see but was hiding from.
So, he took a deep breath and said,
"That's why I will never consider their sacrifice in vain. Sure, some dark-hearted people are sitting on top, but they are there because they climbed over the bones of many too. But the selfless acts of those Legends saved so many people. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't be standing here right now, so I respect and admire every single one of them."
Amber took a deep breath, as she hid everything that was going through her mind. She composed herself, knowing where she currently was, and asked, "Then what about their descendants? She sacrificed herself and her blood had such a conclusion."
She decided to talk to Leon later on. She needed to, after he left her mind in chaos, but for now, she needed to do what she was supposed to do.
"I'll ask you something, Professor," Leon smiled and asked. "If my ancestors ran a human gladiator ring, the cruelest one, then am I supposed to be punished for their crimes?"
"A father's sin isn't something the son should bear," Amber stated. "So why would the descendants be punished for what their ancestors did? They are their own person and had no relationship with their ancestors aside from blood, which has also grown thin."
She knew where Leon was leading the conversation to, so she helped him.
"Exactly! Her sacrifice was immense and we can try giving her family the honor they deserve," Leon nodded with a smile. "But the descendants are far too much of a stretch. While I feel sorry for their loss, it also needs to be remembered that they were their own person. We should have protected them and given them shelter because they're innocent humans, not because they're descendants of someone."
"So you're saying I can give my life for the people and can't even expect to have my bloodline treated properly?" Amber sneered.
"Not exactly that. Her case is extreme so I can't say anything about it other than they deserved better," Leon responded. "But I'll ask you again. Let's say you are competing with someone, how would you feel if just because someone comes from a bloodline with an ancestor who did something amazing?"
"I would punch their face," was her straightforward answer. "I don't like nepo kids too much. Especially when they're leeching off the merits of their ancestors."
Leon smiled hearing her words and gave a light bow, saying, "That's exactly my point. While we can respect and admire the heroes for their sacrifice, we can also give special treatment for their direct family, but if the blood is too thin, is it really worth it?"
He gave a smile and said, "At least I wouldn't want this to happen if I somehow ended up sacrificing myself for this world. I want my family and loved ones to have a good life, but descendants? That's too much really. It will just produce spoiled, arrogant brats who only know how to use connections."
'Says the one who is relying on connections a lot.' Leon mentally chuckled at his own hypocrisy. 'But at least these connections are mine. I made them myself. Also, how much of it do I myself believe?'
Amber continued to stare at him, as the stadium remained silent, waiting for something she would say.
But she ended up just sighing as she said, "You do have a point, but I will disagree with a few points. Sadly, if we continued like this then the Conclave wouldn't even start, so come to my office after the Conclave."
"As you say, Professor," Leon smiled meaningfully at her.
It was then the silence was broken as the audience cheered for Leon for his bright ideas. Although they were still skeptical about a few things, it was still better than before.
They also began to talk around about his words, leading to a heated discussion among the audience and even on the internet as the world pondered over their debate.
Just then, they heard someone clapping and turned to the sides, finding one of the higher VIP boxes opened as a beautiful woman walked out of it.
She wore dark armor even on this occasion, but that armor fit her so well that it looked like normal clothes. Her short silver hair covered her forehead as she clapped with a smile on her face.
"Brilliant, young man! I am impressed by your words." The woman said, pride clear in her voice. "It is because of these selfless legends who didn't think twice before sacrificing themselves that we are safe and sound today. If humans began doubting themselves so much, we would go extinct."
Her eyes held a strange fondness when she looked at him as she continued, "We are fighting a terrible enemy, and while some people ended up using others' kindness for their cruel acts, I want to assure everyone that the other side of the coin also exists."
She spread her hand and declared, "I am Emilia Cross from House Cross. I'm sure you have already heard of my family. My clan has many martyrs and we respect them all."
She took a deep breath, as she let everyone digest the information and then added, "House Cross is one of the top current families of humanity so I'm representing them and showing the world who is leading them. My family has never hidden behind masks and it never will. We are what we are."
Earlier, Amber had asked if anyone was willing to show their faces to the world because they were the elites of humanity. Now one of the strongest House had shown their stance on the matter by opening declaring like this.
That was Emilia's intentions.
She wanted the world to know that there existed good people too. They weren't just being ruled by dark hearted people. And her actions seemed to have worked even better as many other panels opened, revealing the people inside.
'As expected. She really knows how to use the opportunity well,' Leon thought as he stared the silver haired woman. 'I didn't think we would meet this way, Sister-in-law.'