The Crown Prince Who Raises Alt Characters

#Chapter 250 Hunter Mogers (20) - Morana's Future Some things in the world often have aftermaths that are more troublesome than the incidents themselves. The incident that occurred in the Ostern Palatinate was exactly such a case. Mass massacre by a demon. And it wasn't just killing people outright, but an extremely vicious and cruel method of transforming humans into beasts and making those beasts kill their own kind. The survivors first felt relief at having survived, then mourned the dead, and finally wandered around in anger searching for the culprit behind the incident. In that sense, it was fortunate that Marcosius's corpse remained as a physical entity rather than turning to ash or decomposing into mana like ordinary demons do. Since the corpse of an obviously extraordinary monster was brazenly sprawled in the center of the palatinate, even those who didn't understand how this incident had unfolded could think, 'Ah, this guy was the leader.' Of course, if everyone were satisfied that the demon was the bad guy and since that demon was dead, everything was over, they would be residents of utopia rather than ordinary humans. "Aren't those Belastok guys suspicious? I heard they were the only ones who suffered almost no damage." "The demon looked like a beast to begin with. Didn't those guys do something to summon the demon?" Humans who fall into misfortune blame something. If it's someone they've been subtly looking down on and despising even in normal times, the psychological barrier becomes even lower. Some residents of the palatinate readily began spreading 'Belastok conspiracy theories,' which gained support from quite a few residents. However, that public opinion did not become mainstream. "No! Those people saved me and my daughter!" "If the Belastok hadn't quickly established a defensive line and fought back, the damage would have been much greater." "The big brothers and sisters with white hair and eyes helped us! The adults who say those people are bad are all liars!" First, there was the fact that survivors who had received help from the Belastok defended them. Since not all survivors had received help from the Belastok, it was impossible to completely quell the conspiracy theories with their voices alone, but it was sufficient to at least somewhat dampen the blazing flames. "Centurion Hoffman!! We must punish the Belastok immediately! They must be the cause of everything!!" "...Are you asking me to attack my comrades right now? If you're going to spout nonsense, get lost immediately." "Com-comrades? Those beast bastards are..." "Can't you hear the commander telling you to get lost? To begin with, did you even fight together during the defensive battle? I don't think I saw your face." The second factor was that the soldiers who would carry out violence on behalf of the palatinate residents did not respond favorably to them. Since the source of the incident was the main castle, the upper echelons and soldiers of the palatinate were the forces that suffered the most devastating blow from this incident. Most of the executive-level officers had been wiped out, and even those who had barely survived had fled after the incident, abandoning their residents and subordinates. The only one who maintained proper command authority and respect was Centurion Hoffman, who had joined the Belastok defensive line and fought alongside them. And Hoffman had absolutely no intention of responding to such conspiracy theories and fighting. Of course...while it was true that he felt genuine goodwill toward the Belastok who had fought alongside them in extreme circumstances, he was equally a realistic person. "If a physical conflict breaks out with the Belastok right now, we're finished." Even if they were guys who spent their days drinking and were more familiar with steak knives than longswords, the knights and executive-level commanders who had officially represented the palatinate's military force, as well as a considerable number of soldiers, had met their deaths in this incident. In contrast, while the Belastok numbered only in the hundreds, excluding the extremely young or old among them, all were skilled in armed combat regardless of gender. This was the result of the palatinate itself forcing them to live as soldiers or hunters, but thanks to this, the actual military strength between the two sides had become dangerously tilted. The palatinate residents still had the numerical advantage, but what good was that? Most of them were civilians who had never swung a sword at a living being. In this situation, suggesting they draw swords against the Belastok was just the nonsense of idiots who failed to realize that reality had changed. Even aside from Hoffman, there were some who noticed this situation, and they conveyed this fact to the residents in subtle voices. The very clear message of 'If we fight now, we're screwed' was very effective in silencing those who either hadn't received help from the Belastok or secretly harbored discomfort despite having received help. The flames of conspiracy theory, beaten by the water cannon of Belastok advocacy and the mud-slinging of realistic power differences, inevitably had to die down. How could fire-type endure when water and earth were hitting twice as hard? Still, not all problems had been completely resolved. There were those who rationally knew they shouldn't antagonize the Belastok but continued their hatred driven by emotion, collateral relatives emerged from somewhere claiming succession rights after the Count Palatine and his direct line died, and inspectors were dispatched from the Hasht Sacred State. What particularly made people nervous was the reaction of the Hasht Sacred State, as they had become an extremely closed and radical group after the fall of the Pantheon. People trembled at the thought that they might say, 'A demon appeared? The summoner is unknown? Then we'll arrest and interrogate everyone suspicious!' and throw all the palatinate residents into prison, but contrary to expectations, they merely recovered Marcosius's corpse, appointed a new Count Palatine, and left without any other interference. The residents breathed sighs of relief, saying the widespread infamy had been exaggerated, but Mogers knew the truth. The Sacred State was truly radical. Originally, they would have thoroughly investigated the demon's identity, summoning process, causal relationships, and disposed of countless people judged to be 'out' in the process. Mogers had also made various arrangements in preparation for that. The reason he didn't need to use them was probably thanks to Vestania's intervention. Though Mogers didn't particularly revere or worship beings called gods, he decided to remember this favor. "...By the way, Morana. Are you really thinking of staying here?" "Yes, Professor." Unlike the original plan that aimed for a massive ethnic migration, the Belastok chose to remain in the palatinate. There were several reasons. First, as the palatinate's situation changed in various ways, the Belastok's living conditions improved significantly compared to before. Life in residential districts was no longer forced, no one could say anything if they walked proudly through the city, and restrictions on career choices also disappeared. Of course, it was an improvement in treatment brought about by differences in actual military strength rather than equality through harmony and exchange, but the Belastok were greatly satisfied with just this. Some even said they couldn't go anywhere else because they enjoyed watching the palatinate residents nervously glance at them. "I apologize to you, Professor. You went to such trouble in various ways." "No, it's fine. Actually, if it's not a matter of struggling to make a living, it would be more comfortable to stay where you originally were rather than going to live in some unfamiliar, distant land." However, Mogers added. "I'll keep the residence we planned to move to empty, so if needed, go there anytime." For now, the palatinate residents' situation is dire and the Belastok have become relatively stronger, so there might not be any particular problems. It's not impossible that they could build an equal relationship like this, or that the two peoples could merge with each other. But conversely, there was also the possibility that palatinate residents who regained their strength might try to ostracize the Belastok, or that the Belastok side might stir up the residents as revenge for the past and something might explode. Even in preparation for when both sides fall into extreme situations, it would be good to leave at least one refuge. Morana stared intently at Mogers speaking casually. "...Professor, you're trying to give us so much until the very end. Without expecting anything in return." "I've received plenty in return. Studying Belastok culture and ruins was quite enjoyable." "That's not enough. However, I suppose there's nothing proper I can offer you in return right now. If I still maintained the goddess Marzanna's power it might be different, but I'm just an ordinary soldier now." The goddess, who had already been weakened by losing faith, had most of her power and divine abilities disappear in the process of reviving a child who had already died. What remained was a constitution slightly more exceptional than her kinsmen. And sharp senses. She was still far too lacking to give meaningful repayment to the man who single-handedly dealt with a demon that could have destroyed the entire palatinate and saved a people who might have perished. "So, I'll grow and repay you." However, Morana was not pessimistic about it. Just because she lacked ability and had nothing now, where was it written that it would be the same later? The girl who held no expectations for the future, the soldier who just lived day by day as circumstances led her, was no longer here. She could now dream of a new future and knew that the blizzard scene she had watched from an isolated outpost was not the entirety of the world. "So if I someday manage to repay you properly, would you be willing to become my guide then?" Mogers looked dumbfounded for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter. "Alright. I may not look like it, but I have wide connections, so if there's anywhere you want to go, I'll gladly guide you." As if those words were permission, Morana suddenly embraced Mogers. Due to the size difference, it looked more like a child clinging to an adult rather than an embrace, but Morana didn't mind. There was plenty of time. Someday, there would come a day when he would see her not as a child, but as an equal adult. So, until then, for a little while. Let her enjoy this touch, gently stroking her head.