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“People… what?”

“Yes. People.”

Jinseong nodded at Ella, who looked at him as if listening to a creepy urban legend, swallowing hard.

“First, I should explain the ‘Gathering to Find the Lost Link.’ This organization consists of white people.”

“…What?”

In Africa, there’s a group made up solely of whites that studies people? And it’s even secretive?

It was a combination that evoked ominous and disgusting thoughts.

And this foreboding feeling… was spot on.

“The organization was created… although I can’t say for sure, it’s presumed to have originated at least a century ago. It started with white supremacists believing that Blacks are beings in the ‘missing link’ and that whites are the completed evolution… and it has continued to this day.”

White supremacy.

A group that has persisted since the imperialistic times.

At Jinseong’s words, Agnes and Odilia’s faces stiffened. Especially Odilia’s expression was quite rigid.

Having witnessed the evils of pride in claiming to be a superior race… Jinseong’s words must have struck her gravely.

“It began with intellectuals wanting to uncover the missing link and prove Darwin’s theory of evolution correct… But as science advanced and evolution became accepted as fact, the organization shifted its focus to studying racial differences.”

Jinseong paused for a moment before continuing, as if taking a breath before something important.

“Of course, there are some intentions resembling the organization’s nature behind this research.”

“…Research?”

“Research to prove that whites are superior beings and the most evolved race.”

“…That’s horrific.”

“Hahaha. Yes, it is horrific. It’s narrow-minded as well. But the truly dreadful part comes next.”

“What?”

“The problem is that this organization collects ‘specimens’ from all over the world for that research.”

Specimens.

Isn’t that a word that sounds ominous just hearing it?

“…Specimens?”

Odilia looked at Jinseong with a dubious expression.

“Yes. Specimens… Or rather, people.”

To conduct research, materials are needed.

To conduct research, specimens are needed.

Thus, they collect specimens.

To study people, they gather people.

“They collect ‘ordinary specimens’ through human trafficking, gather ‘unique specimens’ using mercenaries or corrupt armies and police, and acquire ‘special specimens’ using their connections and private soldiers.”

And thus, they conduct research on the gathered ‘specimens.’

They dissect genes, bombard them with various medications, cut and splice genes with scissors, and continuously morph genes in horrific and unethical ways… to prove it.

To prove that whites are the most superior race.

“Presumably, the ‘Research Institute’ is located in Africa, with influence extending to some parts of Eastern Europe and certain parts of Africa. So as long as you stay away from those areas, you likely won’t get involved with them… But conversely, entering places where they have influence indicates danger.”

Jinseong looked at the witches after saying this.

The witches showed various reactions to his shocking story.

Anastasia was gazing at Jinseong with a suspicious expression, while Ella looked slightly shocked with her mouth slightly open. Agnes frowned, seemingly pondering something as she stared at the ground, and Odilia rubbed her brows to dispel her discomfort.

“Haha. It wasn’t a pleasant story, was it? But since it’s a real threat, I had no choice but to bring it up.”

Snap!

Jinseong clapped his hands to lighten the atmosphere and draw attention back to himself.

With everyone focused on him, he began speaking again.

“Now, let’s talk about the second organization.”

The People Shaped from Mud.

Similar to the previous ‘Gathering to Find the Lost Link,’ but it was a group at the extreme opposite.

“This organization, known as the People Shaped from Mud, stands in stark contrast to the aforementioned group. While the Gathering to Find the Lost Link consists solely of whites, the People Shaped from Mud is exclusively made up of Blacks.”

“Only Blacks…?”

“Yes. Only Blacks can be members of this organization. That’s the tradition.”

“…Tradition.”

“I’m not sure of all the details, but… I know this organization has a long history. It was reportedly established about three centuries ago, around the time when the slave trade was rampant, created in response to the resentment towards Europeans and Muslims who were capturing Africans. The name is derived from a common myth among African tribes that ‘humans were shaped from mud.'”

The birth of this organization was intended to rescue Africans captured as slaves and to fight against the invaders.

Unfortunately, their wishes could not be fulfilled.

They couldn’t withstand the powerful military forces of the Europeans and Muslims. Even among Africans, it became common to see Black people selling out other Blacks. Thus, they were compelled to retreat into darkness, suffering numerous oppressions without even being able to utilize their power properly.

And those who had been oppressed and pushed into darkness began to change gradually.

This organization, once comprising brave warriors, slowly began to adopt a religious tone, growing more extreme as they suffered from the various oppressions and sorrows of colonialism. Moreover, as Christianity spread in Africa, they further retreated into the shadows, transforming into a secretive cult… and with their encounter with ‘evolution,’ they developed warped beliefs.

What emerged from this was the present-day ‘People Shaped from Mud.’

“They assert that Blacks are the most superior, most fundamental, and perfect race.”

“….”

“They claim that Africa is the origin of humanity, and that Africans are a perfect existence unlike any other race that has evolved according to their environment.”

They look at the yellow people.

The yellow people succeeded in evolving to adapt to cold regions but, as a result, lost their perfection. Their physiques became smaller, and their strength weakened. Their growth rate slowed, and their potential as warriors diminished.

They look at the white people.

The whites failed to adapt properly to their environment. While being able to survive by accumulating fat isn’t bad, it led to excessive odors, increased body hair, and skin that became so pale that it couldn’t withstand sunlight, along with a severe increase in inedible foods.

Thus, they say.

As the original model of humanity, Blacks are the most perfect beings, with Blacks representing humanity’s ideal.

“Wow…! What a mess!”

After hearing Jinseong’s explanation, Anastasia was in awe.

A perfectly symmetrical organization of racists exists!

And both of them coexist on the same continent!

If this isn’t a mess, what is?

“Haha. That’s right. It’s a mess. And they even do similar things… You can only call it a mess.”

Polar opposites.

White supremacy and Black supremacy.

Yet paradoxically, the two groups, which will never mix, resembled each other more than anyone else.

“This organization also conducts research on people. They seek to find the ‘pure essence’ of Blackness that has faded over time, and they aim to perfectly restore the ‘Black race,’ which they believe to be the ideal race. And for that, they also use humans as specimens.”

The People Shaped from Mud were doing exactly what the Gathering to Find the Lost Link did.

They collected white and yellow specimens through human trafficking, gathering Blacks throughout Africa as specimens according to their own standards. Sometimes they hired mercenaries or criminals, and when it came to specimens they deemed essential, they would resort to any means necessary.

“In that sense, Frau Lentz and Frau Winter can be deemed truly dangerous.”

Jinseong turned to look at Anastasia and Ella, speaking with a voice filled with concern.

“Y-yes…? Why is that…?”

“Because Frau Winter and Frau Lentz belong to what this organization considers ‘must-have specimens.'”

“…No way.”

Ella’s face went pale as she inferred something from Jinseong’s words.

“Yes. This organization places great importance on individuals with genetic disorders.”

“Yikes.”

Ella let out an odd sound, seemingly frightened by Jinseong’s words.

“Oh dear. It seems I startled you too much.”

To reassure the visibly terrified Ella, he spoke softly.

“You don’t need to worry too much. Since this organization is made up of Africans, they really can’t exert much power outside of Africa. They are linked to human trafficking organizations, but… well, you can avoid them as long as you don’t go to regions with poor public safety, and even criminal organizations wouldn’t typically target capable individuals unless they are exceedingly foolish… So, as long as you don’t go to Africa, you probably won’t get entangled with them.”

“That’s a relief….”

“But.”

Jinseong abruptly shifted his gentle tone to a low, serious one, addressing Ella.

“Conversely, this means that if you do go to Africa, it would be dangerous.”

“….”

He struck this warning into Ella’s mind like a nail.

Then he slightly turned his head and made eye contact with Anastasia, saying, “Do you understand why I said you shouldn’t go to Tanzania?”

 

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