374 Moving Forwards
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Elizabeth had already seen me slay a human before, or well, half a human, Erdrich’s mother. After she went berserk, it was Ellergest and me the ones that slain her before she were to completely wipe out the entire noble’s house. However, even now I felt doubtful.
“W-What with that question out of nowhere?” Wondered Chris.
“It is clear what I meant, Chris.” I said. “In this world there’s people that will always get in your way. There will be people that will do unforgivable things to you or those you care for. If you were to ever meet them, would you spare their lives so one day they can come back to you even stronger than before, just to try to ruin your life once more… or will you slay them and put an end to their threat in there?”
Silence quickly took ahold of the group.
I knew I would get this response; it is not easy for them at their age to really decide of such a caliber. Although they had slain demons which have as much intelligence as humans sometimes, and even monsters… killing human themselves still feels bad for them. It is inherent in their race as a whole.
Even I felt that slight sensation when I killed my first bandits in this new body. Human nature simply tells someone, inherently, that killing another human is somehow incorrect. Perhaps it is a way for the preservation of our race, or whatever other instinct.
Well, there’s also the instinct of desperation, where a human would kill another if they had someone they desperately needed, such as food, water, or shelter. Of course, that’s all just a case in the endless variables.
But it is a well-known fact that you must slay your enemies if the chance is given. It is better if they’re gone out of the picture than let them live so they can come back later.
Only the most self-centered cowards would easily spare another without conditions.
Of course, if you can make a Soul Enslavement deal, or something else, sparing an enemy might be possible, maybe if I turn them into loyal subjects… but in most cases, beheading is the way.
“Well, I am asking you this because the foes we’ll fight in the future are not just monsters or demons. In this world it appears there are many corrupt people, some would use their own powers to torment others, or you. The Cultists we had been dealing with are all humans, you know? Priests themselves hunt them down and kill them mercilessly because they know they’re a threat. Would you be willing to kill these cultists? There’s probably one of them controlling these monsters, and if my speculation is true, he might be planning to completely destroy our village with the demonic beasts he’s been amassing here.”
I went straight to the point.
For a moment there was more silence.
Well, if they’re not willing I will just take out those by myself and let them just slay the demons and monsters, it is not a big deal at this age, maybe later they’ll learn.
However, Chris stood up, gripping his fists.
“Well… Of course I think its bad…” He sighed. “But… my father once told us that he had joined a Bandit Extermination team with most of the hunters in the village. He told me that the bandits were getting out of control, kidnaping children and women, and that the village men gathered together to kill them all… He said he killed people because he wanted to protect his family…” Chris said. “I want to be someone like my father, or even better… So I am willing to do this as long as these people deserve it!”
“Hmph, that’s an unexpected response but that’s good enough.” I said with a nod.
“M-Me too!” Erika suddenly said. “If those people are bad, then I won’t have mercy! …B-But I might let my dolls do it instead of me.”
“Hm, that’s good enough as well-“
“I will too.” Erdrich added.
“Me too.” Elizabeth then said.
“Oh?” I was honestly surprised the two of them decided the same. “There’s no turning back after this point. But don’t worry, I won’t force you if you’re really not prepared.”
“Papa has already done it… he says he slays those that strive from the path of righteousness so I’ll do the same!” Said Elizabeth.
“I just hate those damn Cultists for brainwashing my mother, I wont have mercy.” Said Erdrich.
“Hm, I see… Well, Elizabeth, try not to be guided too much by black and white perspectives, there might be a time you’ll be driven into a corner if you only decide to slay those you consider only evil. There might be “good” people that, at the end, could be worse than those you consider “evil”.” I told her.
“Huh? Really?” Wondered Elizabeth.
“Yeah but I guess in these circumstances it doesn’t matter much…” I said.
Eric was the only one that didn’t seem to want to kill people.
“I-I… There’s no way I can do that… I… I’m sorry, Blake…” Sighed Eric.
However, instead of feeling angered, I patted his back.
“Don’t worry about it. There’s a role for every person in the world. Don’t feel forced if you can’t. We’ll take care of it.” I said.
“Ah… Thanks…” Eric thanked me while lowering his head in shame.
“Well now, as we step forward, we’ll finally find the swamps, there’s an underground area I’ve already detected, which my rabbits had dug an entrance. Follow me. I can sense several presences from there.” I said, leading my party. They seemed to have cheered up a bit, and didn’t seemed as gloomy as I had imagined.
I suppose the kids in this world are stronger willed than I had imagined. This might be a world with civilizations, but it still wild, death is common, bandits terrorize the small villages, and crazy cultists want to bring demons to consume the entire world. If they don’t steel themselves soon enough, they’ll end up regretting it in the future. Eric might be a special case, but I am sure he only lacks resolve. He’ll slowly learn as he lives that mercy can only do more bad than good.
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