Chapter 32: The Theory of Weakness
Fisher’s carriage followed a troop of soldiers that looked luxuriously equipped. Next to their captain, several personal guards held the trembling goblin children, protected by soldiers in the front and back.
He carefully examined the soldiers’ attire and weaponry. Not only were their firearms the latest model from the Nali Tech Armed Company, but they even had military mortars. Fisher also caught a glimpse of the enchanted belt worn by Officer Harry, gleaming with magical light.
Such a configuration of equipment seemed to belong to the personal army of the King of Saint Nali, and Fisher believed it entirely.
If Feilon City could provide its troops with such equipment, then there are two possibilities. Either City Lord Feilon has royal connections, indicating that he is backed by a powerful figure.
Or, he is very wealthy.
Fisher leaned towards the latter. The Southern Continent Protection Agreement, reached a few years ago between Nali, Shivali, and Cardu, explicitly forbids any official from entering the Southern Continent. On the surface, the three nations present themselves as protectors of the Southern Continent; those currently entering it are merely “supportive” local friendly merchants.
If Feilon had official connections to Nali, such an obvious display would not go unnoticed by Shivali and Cardu.
Fisher withdrew his gaze from the soldiers ahead and turned to look at Raphael, who sat beside him silently staring at the fields.
Since boarding, she had not spoken a word, and Fisher guessed it was not due to sulking.
Rather, she was angry at those humans.
Since their last encounter in Kekken City, she had restrained herself a lot. Her thoughts were no longer so linear, but there were still traces of immaturity, especially this time.
The Crimson Dragon Queen, huh?
That is still a distant future.
“We agreed before that until my game ends with you killing me, you are forbidden from acting against other humans. This is the last time I will indulge you like this; next time don’t blame me for being rude.”
“Do you want me to kill you that badly? Is this going to count as an assassination and then you’ll punish me?”
Raphael turned to Fisher, her emerald eyes narrowed into slits.
“You haven’t been punished because I admire your courage in protecting children of other races, but I’m angry because you still haven’t kept a calm mind, only acting on impulse, bringing trouble to both of us.”
“My fault, I shouldn’t have done that.”
She turned away again, her voice much quieter this time.
Raphael was not a fool; she knew her actions were impulsive, but the anger ignited within her was like the steam in a steam engine, pushing her into irrational impulses.
“Let’s talk about the goblin race. In the Western Continent, goblins are synonymous with demons, never depicted as good beings in stories. But this is the first time I’ve seen living goblins.”
Goblins referred to themselves by that name, not given by humans. Fisher had seen this creature when the first exploration ship of the Western Continent arrived decades ago. The accompanying novelist wrote them into his stories, depicting them as demons who suck the blood of young girls and rob humans.
Fisher had seen many specimens of goblins in the Western Continent, all hunted by humans.
This time he wasn’t very angry with Raphael, so he took the initiative to ease the atmosphere.
Raphael did not turn around; after waiting a long time, she finally spoke calmly.
“Goblins, meaning ‘little earth spirits’, prefer to live in natural caves and are very friendly creatures. You might not believe it, but what they are best at is weaving. They take care of the leather from wild animals and create many crafts.”
“I see.”
The terrifying creatures from human tales contrasted starkly with Raphael’s description.
“For my eighteenth birthday gift, the goblin elder from the nearby Sart Tribe gave me a necklace made of shells. He said it was found in the rocks, the remains of ancient creatures.”
“That’s a fossil.”
Fisher added a term in Nali language.
“But they are truly, truly, truly, truly, truly, truly a very kind and peace-loving race. Throughout this continent’s long history, they have never stirred up conflicts, and even the humans residing here like to trade with them.”
“I just don’t understand what crime they committed that such small children cannot be kept. Are humans beasts that devour raw flesh? Even if they don’t understand goblin language, can’t they stop for such pleas and cries?”
This time, Raphael did not cry. So far, her words were very calm, but they carried doubt, as if she hoped Fisher could provide her with answers.
Fisher lit a cigarette, his mind actually filled with countless responses.
He could speak well of humans, saying there are also many good people among us, many kind-hearted people, and that not everyone is like this. He could also skip this topic, allowing the sadness to hide within her heart.
After all, it’s better than telling her the true thoughts of humans, isn’t it?
Because humans do not care at all.
Whether goblins or others, their weakness and primitiveness naturally lead to being plundered and invaded, stripped of everything.
Haha, isn’t that just cultivating the Dragon Queen who will exterminate humanity?
Fisher sneered, and the next moment he raised a finger at Raphael.
“Raphael, the sin of subhumans lies only in their weakness.”
Raphael suddenly turned to look at him, her emerald eyes narrowing into a thin line, terrifying like a city-slaying dragon from legends.
But Fisher remained unflinching,
“So weak that humans do not even care about your lives; such fragile lives cannot reach their ears even if they roar with all their strength. Compassion and empathy are choices afforded only to the strong. Because they are choices, it is foolish to pin all hope on subjective choices made by humans.”
The sound of hooves surrounded them. On the carriage surrounded by the human army, Fisher spoke outrageous remarks while remaining calm.
Her breathing was slow, and she stared motionlessly at Fisher.
“So, you must be strong enough—not to make any mistakes, not to be impulsive, not to be weak, not to hesitate, not to be arrogant. Instead of acting like a child now, impulsively, without considering the consequences.”
“Only then, after you become strong, will you have the means to escape the choices of humans, to have the chance to resist them. So, work hard, Raphael.”
“You, a human, dare to teach me this…”
Raphael said, then turned her gaze back to the fields, not allowing Fisher to see her expression.
“These are all simple truths. Even if I don’t say them, after witnessing more subhumans die, you will understand one day. I’m just telling you in advance to prevent you from dying due to impulsiveness next time.”
“And at your current level, the chances of defeating me are still minimal.”
This time, Raphael did not be stubborn; she merely emphasized,
“Haha, I am already preparing strategies to defeat you. When the time comes, after failing, you will remember today’s words.”
“I await that day.”
Raphael’s tail wagged. After the topic concluded, she leaned a little closer to Fisher.
The settings of subhumans in this book are all personal interpretations and differ from traditional settings. Please do not apply existing subhuman settings to avoid confusion.
Thank you immensely.
(ω)
(End of Chapter)
