NOVEL NEXT Chapter 157
The persecution of Beastmen had been going on for quite a long time.
It is said that it started with the Demon Race, but honestly, saying it started with them is a bit laughable.
The persecution of Beastmen has been around since I was Ronan, so perhaps it actually started with humans.
Well, anyway. What’s important is not the start. What matters is when the persecution of Beastmen ended and who ended it.
The persecution against Beastmen ended 400 years ago.
We ended it.
We went to the Demon Realm and saw the persecuted Beastmen. They had become slaves, pets, and objects for all sorts of vile desires.
So, we killed every last one of the Demon Race torturers.
After annihilating eight major cities of Gebihenum and tearing apart all of the high-ranking demon officials, there were no more persecuted Beastmen left in Gebihenum.
The liberated Beastmen were all sent to the Empire, and soon after we returned to the system, we found Beastmen who were being persecuted by humans.
So, we killed humans too.
We destroyed more than thirty noble families, erasing their names from the world. We killed commoners and merchants too.
With that, we ended the persecution of Beastmen once again, and after securing a blood pact with the Emperor, we left for Gebihenum again.
What happened after that, I don’t know.
I couldn’t return.
But just a little while ago, I heard Leona put forth the condition for the protection and home of the Beastmen.
From that, it seems that up until Leona became one of the six pillars, the lives of the Beastmen were in complete shambles.
It’s evident that they were just avoiding persecution, living in back alleys of the system.
So inevitably, Leona has put a leash on herself.
And after that… well, as Leona said, she hasn’t been able to kill those damn bastards out of fear that her actions will endanger all Beastmen.
Why didn’t Arisa, who returned from Gebihenum, take any action?
Of course, I’m not blaming her. I’m just… a bit curious. After all, Arisa poured the most anger into the liberation of the Beastmen.
Well… Arisa must have her own circumstances.
It’s not what I should be concerned with right now.
In the end, the Beastmen got comfortable and even gained a place to live, so there’s no point in worrying further.
But Leona’s issue… I think I could do something if I paid just a little attention.
The reason Leona can’t act recklessly is that she thinks breaking the pact could harm the Beastmen.
But before that, we made a pact in the blood of the royal family to end the persecution of Beastmen.
I can’t say which pact takes precedence, but anyway, it seems Leona won’t think of taking off her leash unless her safety is guaranteed.
However, the refuge for the Beastmen, which plays the role of that leash, is said to be in van Chaser’s territory.
And van Chaser claims he is a descendant of Ronan.
That Ronan is… Eliaernes Eustetia.
That’s me.
I am the reincarnation of Ronan Luzarack.
Moreover, in van Chaser’s territory, I need to be formally invited. I don’t know what conditions Arisa placed while impersonating me, but if Ashtar’s words are true, I’ll receive van Chaser’s heirloom.
With that, the likelihood of me gaining influence over van Chaser is already increasing.
So, I think if I handle this well… I might be able to take off Leona’s leash.
“Why the expression? Is it bothering you that your master is tied to the Empire?”
“I can’t say it doesn’t bother me.”
“You don’t have to worry too much about it. If a situation comes that’s impossible to ignore, I’ll take the leash off myself.”
“Even if it means abandoning your kindred?”
“Yep. And this isn’t just my opinion; it’s the consensus of all the remaining Beastmen too.”
“Why?”
“The liberation of Beastmen was something achieved by the Heroes 400 years ago. If they hadn’t helped us back then… we, the Beastmen, would still be stuck in Gebihenum, experiencing all sorts of horrors.”
A faint smile appeared on Leona’s lips.
“That’s how we were saved by the Heroes. We were saved without any cost, truly just saved. The Heroes… didn’t expect anything from us, but that doesn’t mean they could just turn their back on it.”
“Even after 400 years, it feels to me like they could just ignore it and wipe their hands clean. Besides… I don’t think the Heroes would care that much…”
They don’t care.
Why did we save the Beastmen? Because being Heroes, human decency, righteousness, and justice had nothing to do with it.
It was simply because we found it disgusting.
We couldn’t stand the sight of the Demon Race persecuting and dissecting the Beastmen, our sleep disturbed by the cries of Beastmen being raped by Demons, and the stench of corpses wafting from human experiment sites.
So, we killed the Demons and saved the Beastmen.
No one opposed us. There were no objections, complaints, or grievances. When the liberation of the Beastmen was fully achieved, we drank, got drunk, and laughed as usual.
“That’s right. If it were them… it would be like that. But we can’t afford to do that. So everyone came together. If there’s a target that we deem necessary to kill, or if someone tries to sully the name of the Heroes, we will eliminate them even at the cost of our own lives.”
“Sounds exhausting.”
“If the Heroes hadn’t existed, it would have been way more exhausting and difficult than this.”
Leona’s smile deepened.
It seemed she genuinely thought so.
That emotion slightly rubbed off on me.
I’m not sure… but it felt a bit fuzzy and surreal.
And heavy.
The name of Heroes, the history tied to it, the deeds we had done, and the results that came back from it.
It was heavy and burdensome.
Only Luna with the Holy Relic and Paulo should be called Heroes, so I don’t understand why all three of us remaining were branded as Heroes too. It just makes things heavier.
Clicking my tongue softly, I looked at Leona.
“I think I can help.”
“Help with what? Killing Uje?”
“The liberation of the Beastmen.”
Leona’s mouth dropped open. It seemed she wanted to say something but instead burst into laughter.
“Nya hahahaha! Why? Are you planning to move the Beastmen’s base to the Duchy of Eustetia?”
“Well, that doesn’t sound like a bad idea.”
“That’s a very commendable thought, but unfortunately, that’s impossible. The Empire and van Chaser wouldn’t just let the Beastmen go. They’re the shackles that bind me.”
“Who knows? There’s no such thing as absolute in this world.”
Should I explain the basis to Leona?
They’ll come looking for me in van Chaser.
The Deity created by Ronan.
They say he directly transmitted it to van Chaser.
Since then, that Deity has become a special vision that only the head of van Chaser can learn.
But, you know? If a human appears who can use it without ever having learned that vision, they say they’ll become a guest of van Chaser and receive the heirloom.
I don’t know what that heirloom is, but having it seems like I’d gain influence over van Chaser.
I’ll be heading north sometime this year, so if I go and do various things… hmm.
What about two years?
During that time, they can get ready to move.
Isn’t it hard to live in such a cold place?
Oh, do Beastmen not get cold?
This isn’t a racist remark, I’m just curious.
The Duchy of Eustetia has nice weather and beautiful scenery.
So let’s all move there together.
Asking for permission… I can definitely wear down Dad.
If all else fails, I’ll just resort to acting cute.
Should I say it?
If I do, Leona’s mind will lighten.
But if that doesn’t hold true? The disappointment and heartbreak would be too much to handle.
I won’t say it.
“Anyway, if I get the chance to help, I promise I’ll help without holding anything back.”
Deciding to keep my mouth shut.
“You’ve always been a slacker, and today you’re actually being commendable?”
Nya hahah, just like always, Leona stood up with a smile.
“Where are you going?”
The intensely powerful presence of the Flame Sovereign faded away.
Did she go to talk to Silina? Anyway, it signifies that her business is done.
Leona stood up in alignment with that.
“I’m coming with you.”
She then reached out her hand to me.
I tilted my head but took Leona’s hand and stood up.
“Where are we going?”
“Do you think I’d take you somewhere strange?”
“Still, I should at least know where I’m going.”
“It’s more fun to go without knowing. And besides, I want to see your surprised face, especially since you’re strangely so detached from everything.”
“Hmmm… I don’t get surprised easily. I probably won’t be shocked this time either.”
I’ve been surprised a few times in front of Leona, but never did I get overly shocked.
Well, I’m a human who has seen, experienced, and done most things. So it’s hard for me to get surprised.
“Huh? Really?”
“Just you wait and see. See if I’m surprised or not.”
*
“Whoa… why the hell is this in the Academy’s basement… this… this insane…”
“Nya hahahahahaha! You said you wouldn’t be surprised!”
I was so shocked, I was overwhelmed with embarrassment, the magnitude of my surprise was one of the biggest in my life, including my past life.
“It’s surprising that you’re surprised, but it’s even more surprising that you recognized this the moment you saw it!”
“Pfft, isn’t it weird not to recognize it? This is from the Hero’s story, isn’t it?”
“Is it?”
“Yes! In the Hero’s tale… in chapter 18 of the novel, it appears!”
“Do you have that all memorized? How many times have you read it to remember that?”
“…I just have a good memory.”
I hadn’t only seen it in books.
I had seen it 400 years ago too.
In fact… I had been somewhat expecting it since the very first day I set foot in the Academy.
But I never thought I would see it so openly… and in its exact original form.
“What are you doing? Aren’t you coming?”
Leona, who had walked ahead, looked back.
Behind her, a huge, reddish rock was visible.
No, it looks like a rock, but that isn’t a rock.
Red mana is wildly spilling out and distorting the surrounding scenery and space.
Even though I was still far away, my breath was getting short, and the manipulation of mana was limited.
That wild and selfish mana. A power that can’t be compared to dispel.
Only one race in this world can possess such a thing.
Dragon.
That red rock is the core of that Dragon.
“…Dragon Heart.”
The very form of the Dragon Heart, which I hadn’t seen since the Dragon Extermination War, illuminated the underground of the Academy.