Chapter 151
Chapter 151: The Wall of Species
“What do you think, Your Highness… about those poor, weak folks?”
Albar’s question caught me off guard.
“…Are you talking about the Demon Race?”
Given the context, that’s almost certainly the case, but I should confirm. Perhaps he wants to discuss the weak and impoverished without regard to species.
“Yes, that’s right.”
Oh, I was wrong. It’s exclusively about the Demon Race.
Poor and weak demons, huh…?
I can’t exactly answer, “Maybe they should just die.”
“Hmmm…”
I pondered for a moment, stalling for time. What kind of answer does he want from me?
Going by the vibe, it doesn’t seem like he wants to mock them together. Albar has a surprisingly gentle disposition for a demon.
Besides, he himself lives in the old district. There are those who tear others down to make themselves look impressive, but Albar isn’t like that.
Then, right after we passed through most of the old district, he brought up this topic—probably to avoid being overheard by the residents. Considering he posed the question to me, the Demon Lord Prince…
‘Is he perhaps intending to raise an issue?’
That might be it. One thing I can definitely tell is he’s gauging my response. I can feel Albar’s tension building as he waits for my answer.
‘Is it even necessary to think this deeply? What I say or what he thinks probably won’t matter much.’
Well, that’s a fair point, actually.
Instead of overthinking it, I decided to express my honest opinion and see how Albar reacts.
“Honestly, I didn’t even know there were poor demons.”
That’s my true feeling. After all, demons are part of the noble class in the Demon Lord Kingdom.
“I see…”
Albar slightly grimaced, as if to say, “Is that where you’re starting from?”
“I’ve lived and grown up in the Demon Lord Castle. The only demons around me were the typical kind.”
Only the flashy folks who exploit other races, flaunt their magic and power, and dress in barbaric noble attire.
“So, when asked ‘What do you think?’—I’m surprised. Why are they in such dire straits?”
If they live around here, they must belong to the Reiju Tribe, right? Why would a practitioner of valuable healing arts like the Teleportation Spell be impoverished?
“Well… it’s hard to say across the board, but there are various reasons…”
Albar scratched his head and began choosing his words carefully.
“For example… the household’s breadwinner could die in battle before the heir becomes capable.”
Well, that kind of thing happens. I’ve seen it countless times even in alliances.
“Or maybe they’ve made a contract with combat-focused demons, but they can’t go to war and thus miss out on opportunities to cultivate their magical power.”
Even though they’ve made a contract with a demon, it sounds like a spoiled problem, doesn’t it?
“Why can’t they go to war?”
“…Without connections, it’s quite difficult to be taken to the battlefield. The only time you can go without condition is during your first battle, and it’s tough to achieve merit on your first outing. In the end, it’s just the strong ones and their relatives who go…”
“I see…?”
I’m the Demon Lord Prince. It dawned on me that I’m lacking in understanding of the military system for ordinary demons since I’m always treated specially.
There seems to be fierce competition over who gets to achieve merits at any frontline and which clan will take on the next conquest, but I wasn’t aware of the specific flow of how the assigned clans deploy their forces.
“…So you’re saying ‘being taken’ means the clan pays for the various costs incurred for moving to the frontline?”
“Yes. There are costs for arranging skeleton carriages, food, and so on… so you can’t bring everyone who wants to go along.”
Ah, that’s why there’s competition for slots.
“Still, if they can’t be taken then they should go on their own—”
I almost said that but stopped myself, as I’d begun to see the core of the problem.
“—I see, if they’re too poor, they can’t even afford those costs.”
“Exactly.”
Albar nodded seriously.
‘The rich become richer, and the poor become poorer. This is a pattern I’ve grown tired of seeing… Is even the Demon Race not spared from this?’
Antedeixis remarked with exasperation and a hint of mockery.
“Wouldn’t it be simpler for those above a certain rank—like counts and above—to shoulder their own war costs and fill the open slots with young ones?”
“Well… that’s true, but—”
Albar seemed caught off guard by my simple question.
“Would those higher-ups readily agree to such a proposal?”
“Ah…”
Yeah, they’d definitely push back.
“Or… If Your Highness were to strongly advocate for it…”
Don’t give me that look! Don’t look at me with those pleading eyes!
Why should I have to help train the new recruits of the Demon Race!!
“Unfortunately, I’m just a prince and not the heir of the Reiju Tribe.”
I sighed dramatically.
“If I were to meddle with the clan issues, it could create friction. My mother has repeatedly warned me not to overstep in that regard.”
So don’t expect my help, I subtly stressed.
“Is that so… I suppose so…”
“Why not suggest it to your clan leader?”
At my suggestion, Albar made a face as if he’d bitten into a sour lemon. Had he already tried that and met a dead end?
Well, the Valt family seems to lack the solid footing to wield overwhelming power, so they probably can’t force through major reforms if mid-tier families unite in defiance. I can almost imagine the Dios family stirring up trouble to aim for the repeal of such policies…
“What a frustrating situation.”
If I were truly a member of the Reiju Tribe, I would have had a headache over this. But the reality is I’m a prince, and with my current mindset, it’s just not my problem.
Hypothetically speaking—if they were to narrow the ranks for seasoned fighters and increase the number of fledgling demons sent to the front lines.
It might increase the chances of the alliance vanquishing demons, which could make it worthwhile for me to take action, I thought—but—
‘Conversely, offering opportunities for growth to latent talent can be quite challenging.’
That’s exactly it. The scariest part about contracts with demons is that you never know what might trigger a rapid increase in ability.
Also, if I forcefully arrange for the impoverished demons to go to war, I think the slots for veterans would remain the same while new recruits would just pile on top.
It would ultimately increase the burden on the alliance. That wouldn’t work…
“…How do you see it, Albar?”
I asked the dejected Albar.
“You knew it would be difficult to tackle the fundamental problem, right? What do you want to do about it?”
“…I want to…”
Albar looked up.
“I want to help those kinds of people, if possible.”
There was a glint of resolve in his eyes. His grip on the spear tightened with determination.
“I might be thought of as weak for wanting to help the weak. But everyone is a baby when they’re born, and babies are inherently vulnerable. Without someone helping, they can’t become strong…!”
He spoke passionately, trying hard to suppress the intensity in his voice.
“…If they’re genuinely weak due to laziness, negligence in training, or it’s entirely their own fault, then they deserve it. But there are those who want to become strong but are merely lacking opportunities. I want to give chances to those people. …But right now, I’m just a viscount with no connections and insufficient power. So—”
Albar looked at me.
“—I want to become big. That’s why I volunteered to accompany you, Your Highness. I want to achieve enough merit to elevate myself—so I can help those kinds of people.”
…His aspirations are admirable, but Albar Aoril, you’re relying on the completely wrong person…
What an unusual fellow he is. How does a conceited demon come to possess such a personality?
“Why do you wish to help the less fortunate to the point of sacrificing your own well-being?”
When I asked out of curiosity, Albar seemed somewhat taken aback. Did he think I was criticizing him?
“Oh, don’t get me wrong; I’m not saying your philosophy is weak. In fact, I’m impressed. I used to think demons were all about selfishness, arrogance, and being strong enough to disregard those beneath them…”
I heard a muffled chuckle from behind. It seemed Viene nearly burst out laughing at my words. The continued thud might have been her colleagues giving her a gentle elbow.
“Or perhaps, you could be referred to as a philanthropist, Albar.”
“A philanthropist… is that what I am?”
He cocked his head, not quite satisfied with the label.
“I just feel… frustrated. I can’t stand the idea that it’s accepted as normal…”
Albar hesitated, showing signs of contemplation.
“…I have an older sister.”
“Oh, really? I thought you were an only child.”
“I get told that a lot. …My older sister is blind.”
…A Reiju Tribe member, yet?
“She was born that way.”
That’s…
As I stood speechless, Albar shared the story of his older sister, who would have otherwise been ‘discarded,’ and the decision made by their parents to protect her—
“Perhaps that had a big impact on me. Now I can’t even imagine living a life without her, and when I think about it, I can’t bring myself to say to others, ‘You’ll just die in the streets since you’re weak.’ I can’t just leave them be…”
…….
“Well, whatever I’m feeling is entirely my own business! But I’m sorry for being selfish!”
Jokingly, Albar gave a light bow. He was smiling, but the determination not to yield on his beliefs shone strongly in his eyes.
I see… you also have a strong will, even as a demon.
I felt a nameless sense of emptiness rising within me. Why—why do you, a demon, have such compassion?
While I was impressed, my heart remained cold… while I listened, I considered continuously.
So what about the Human Race?
In Albar’s story, if I were to replace the demons with humans, I could find many points of connection. In fact, I can empathize entirely. However, Albar only seems to care about demons. Which is only natural, I suppose.
A solid wall stands between us. A wall that’s a difference in species.
Moreover, even among the poor demons, at the very least, there’s the minimum salary of a squire to sustain them, so they’re not starving to death. Conversely, how many humans do you think are suffering in the alliance’s territories? How many families have lost their fathers or husbands to wars and now struggle with hunger?
Can’t make achievements because they aren’t taken to the battlefield? Don’t be so entitled. Have you ever considered the feelings of the human soldiers who are forcibly drafted and taken to war when the nation is in crisis?
Don’t joke with me.
—The emptiness within me began to heat up.
I can’t let this continue.
I switched gears and nodded with a nonchalant face.
“Your spirit is commendable. —However, I’m still just a viscount. All I can truly do is take you to the battlefield.”
I can take you to the battlefield.
But whether or not you can achieve merits safely—
That’s a different story.
“No, that’s the most appreciated! I had virtually no connections, so this is a huge help!”
Albar’s innocent excitement only grew, fueling my irritation and the void within me. My friendly smile began to feel like a mask.
“…By the way, if you don’t mind, could I ask something for reference?”
I asked.
“I understand your feelings towards the underprivileged, the weak, and the poor very well… but we are not the only ones living in this world.”
I locked my gaze on Albar, who looked perplexed.
“—What about the other races? There are beastmen, elves, dwarves, and—our enemies, humans. There must be many underprivileged and those who wish to be saved. Or maybe there are people who have lost their fathers or husbands in war and are now in distress. What do you think about that?”
If you think humans deserve to die, then—
You’re just like every other demon who says “the weak can die in the streets.”
“That is…”
Albar, evidently caught off guard, covered his mouth with his hand.
“…I’ve never thought about that. Well, I do hear various things about beastmen and the night elves, like the healing slots…”
Glancing at Viene and the others behind him, Albar spoke hesitantly.
“But… you’re right; if I think it through, unlike those raised in a barn, the humans of the alliance have families too…”
Musing, he looked up at the sky, hand on his head.
“—This complicates things. …I apologize. That’s quite weak of me.”
Saying that, he smiled sheepishly, seemingly troubled.
