Chapter 31: Revolutionary Period - To the Person You Are
Translated by Mara Sov
Revolutionary Period To the Person You Are
In a dungeon where the sun didnt reach.
Creeeak-.
With the creaking sound of the dungeon doors opening, the echo of footsteps grew closer.
Halphas tried to suppress the shivers that coursed through his body, but it was of no use.
When the demon saw the one approaching him was a woman in a black dress, Halphas felt a faint sense of relief.
This is a little exaggerated.
Christine frowned as she approached Halphass shackled body.
UghThe smell.
The demon trembled in equal parts shame and humiliation when Christine covered her nose as she approached.
Bound to a chair, unable to even relieve himself, it was only natural for Halphas to be steeped in all sorts of foul odors.
Usually, he would have torn this weak human to shreds, but now, his body had become extremely frail due to the long torture sessions, while the shackles sealed his mana.
With a frown on her face, but having gotten used to the smell, Christine soon sighed and offered the prisoner a bottle of water.
Halphas didnt even hesitate as he bowed his head, frantically drinking from the bottle offered to him.
Only after quenching his thirst did Halphas realize his current condition was no different from a bird being fed by humans, as he was seized by a burning sense of self-loathing.
The anger felt towards his torturers had long since faded. The demon was simply too exhausted to harbor such emotions towards these barbarians.
Never before had he resented the overflowing vitality characteristic of the demonkind as he would now.
Wouldnt it be better to die, than to suffer like this?
Just as Halphas entertained such thoughts, Christine opened her mouth.
Theres some good news for you, Halphas.
G-GoodNews?
Halphas frowned at the sound of his own hoarse voice, but Christine continued.
The Abyss Corporation reached out to us. It seems they dont want us to hand you over to the Holy Theocracy.
Halphas sighed in relief as he heard the news.
While Abyss Corporation wouldnt hesitate to cut their losses, even if it meant disposing of one demon in the process, However, they seemed against the idea of a High-ranking demon being handed over to the Holy Theocracy.
Without even looking at him, Christine resumed her speech.
Honestly, I dont have any personal grudges against you demons since Ive been dealing with the Abyss Corporation for a while now. It would be more profitable for me to hand you over to them. The Marquis, however
Halphass entire body shuddered just by hearing the mention of that man.
As she watched the demon squirm, Christine let out an awkward laugh.
As you know, as a Knight he naturally despises demons. Moreover, hes been brooding over the fact that he knows the information you gave to him was false.
Halphass face went from a ghastly pale to a nauseating blue.
Initially, Halphas believed that Christine and Pierre were in cahoots.
However, compared with the demented individual who always made him wish for death, Christine, who visited him occasionally only made a light conversation without causing him any harm. Because of this, Halphas naturally became more predisposed towards her.
As I said, I would much rather send you back to Abyss Corporation, should the Marquis agree, of course. I know that Abyss Corporation would skimp on such matters, and it would be too much of a loss for me to cut ties with them just because of this.
Christines tone was filled with feigned regret.
But as we know, the Marquis will never agree with me until he believes he has extracted everything of value from youIm sure you understand what I mean. I certainly dont desire a scenario where the enraged Marquis loses control and ends up killing you.
Halphas nodded as fervently as he could upon hearing Christines words.
He was on the brink of losing all hope when faced with the unimaginable fate of being sold to the Holy Theocracy after nothing but the most excruciating torture. But now, if he managed to return home, he could have a new opportunity, even if he lost everything he had worked so hard for.
Even the worst punishment handed to him by Abyss Corporation would be better than being sold to the Holy Theocracy.
When the faint glimmer of hope was restored in his eyes, Christine smiled, her own deep black eyes twinkling in response.
Very well then, I hope to bring you even better news soon.
The tenacity and vitality of demons displayed by Halphas were more remarkable than I thought.
Unless you destroy their head or their core the equivalent to a humans heart a demon was capable of regeneration from nearly any wound, given some time.
Thanks to the shackles, his regenerative abilities were greatly diminished, so I simply believed I could torture him to death, but he proved to be unexpectedly tough.
After she said this, Christine stared at me, awaiting my answer.
Her question had merit. Could I, a Knight who has been graced with the gift of mana, truly consider the common folk as my equals?
The noble Knights of Francia will uphold their power to protect the people, because of this, the people must submit to them.
This saying has been passed down for hundreds of years in this Kingdom.
It is also a statement that showcases the superiority of Knights over the common folk, ensuring the continuation of the feudal system. Even if such a system is already waning in other countries.
The way I see things is simple. Im a Knight. But unlike you Christine, Im not adept at managing finances or dealing with information.
The lamp hanging from the ceiling swayed with the carriages advances, creating an illusion that Christines pitch-black eyes were also trembling.
Commoners educated in paperwork have been assisting nobles who are inexperienced in such matters for a while now. If human superiority must be determined by our ability, then why base it solely on martial strength? Even among the common folk, some could match our strength if given the chance.
This was proven correct by none other than Sir Gaston. All humans possess mana.
The superiority of Knights over the common folk is merely because they had been educated and taught to harness this power.
But could they overwhelm the commoners by force? Doubtful. It wouldnt have been easy even before the Civil War, but now? with most of the Knights dead? Its hopeless.
In Francia, most nobles aspire to be Knights, so the majority of mages within the Kingdom are commoners employed by the nobility.
The fact that commoners could become Mages meant that they could also become Knights.
However, the nobility would never allow this to happen.
Most of all the great Knights do not even possess half of the domestic skills of their vassals. They are less capable of managing their resources than the merchants they scorn. The fact that being a good knight does not translate to being a good ruler has been well proved by none other than King Louis himself. In the end, Christine, the notion of human superiority is nothing more than a logic put forth by the privileged to serve their own interests.
These supposedly great Knights, deemed vastly superior to the common man, were defeated by Raphael Valliant due to their own hubris and arrogance.
By that logic, shouldnt Raphael be superior to them? Being the one with the rightful right to rule? Christine seemed to think about my words before speaking.
I understand your thoughts, Marquis. But if you think about it, the revolutionary government is not much different. The wealthy hold all the power. They merely replaced the nobles being the privileged ones, fattening their own bellies with the spoils taken from the nobility. Look at all the trouble we are going through just to join them, but youYou never once doubted, never once wavered in this path.
After staring at me for an uncomfortable amount of time, Christine sighed and continued.
Even I, a girl born into a merchant family, sometimes have my doubts whether this is the right path. So how can you, a genuine noble, be so certain of this? Tell me, Marquis, are you perhaps a prophet?
With a bitter smile, I answered her.
No, no. In fact, I dont hold much hope in this revolutionary government.
As soon as I said this, Christine frowned, but I continued.
But one thing Im sure of. If I had joined hands with King Louis and tried to stop this revolution, even if we had won, we would have drenched this land in blood and would certainly become a puppet for the other nations, the Germania Empire most likely. Had we lost, I, along with all my people would have been sacrificed before the wrath of the revolution.
At least of this, Im sure of, having both lived and seen the future of this rotten kingdom.
This revolution is a bloody one. Although the anger of the commoners built upon the oppression of the old regime is justified, the chaos they are causing isnt. Clearly, they are a problematic group, immature and one that risks running rampant. We will pay a hefty price to stand with them despite our nobility. Failure could even mean death.
Even then, the things Ive experienced after regressing, and the truths Ive undercovered only served to strengthen my conviction. There will be no future for this land if we maintain the old regime.
But the possibility is there. Despite the sacrifices we might make, the possibility of having a better future is not a lie. Even if its the hands of people too immature to consider their past, or too desperate for something new. We have to try, I have to believe in them.
Before my regression, those who followed me all met a wretched fate just because I carried the blood of the Earl of Toulouse. I want to change that.
Perhaps Ive only chosen the lesser evil. But Im certain that this was for the best. Because of this, I came this far, persuading those who would doubt the path.
I could still hear the jeers, the ridicule, and the hatred of the crowd as they invalidated all that I assumed to be right.
So, I will join them. Even if I have to sell the lands that nobles hold dear, even if I have to dirty these hands with blood, I will endure any hardship to reach a better future than this miserable one we would have.
At the very least, when death claims me, I wish to say that I was a better person than my father, who sacrificed countless people just to further his legend.
Im not a prophet, Christine. Im merely a human struggling to avoid the worst and striving for a better future. Its somewhat embarrassing to admit this since Ive come this far, butthats why I desperately need peoples help, your help.
For a moment Christine simply stared at it, but then, she allowed a beautiful smile to decorate her face.
That smile was not the one she usually had, the fake noble smile she usesNo, this one was more sincere, more fitting for a person of her age. And I continued to dumbly stare at it, she said.
Pierre. You finally feel human.
And please, pray tell, I felt like until now?
HmmmLike a devil who knows everything and manipulates young maidens from behind the scenes?
I couldnt help it but a dry laugh burst out from within me at her words.
While I laughed, Christine reached out her hand toward me.
This time, let me ask for your cooperation once more, but not to the Devil, but to you, Pierre.
With a sincere smile, I took her hand.
Then I will also ask for your help. Not to the bloody witch, but to you, Christine.
TL Note: Lads and Lasses, Mama wants to thank yall for the support given to my New project! Im already doing ch 45 as this goes out. Shoooo gib more Genesis-friendly reviews on NU!
Also how yall thinking of dis novel? Plase leave sum comments I.I have a little addiction to reading commentsI check the Discus page every 4-5 hours.
/genesisforsaken