9th Grade Civil Servant In Another World Chapter 149 - Necessary Evil (6)

“The great cause, yes, the great cause.”

Jauhar’s face was somehow glowing brightly.

“Due to the nature of our work, we have many opportunities to observe human countries. We may not have grasped wealth and honor like the merchants in old tales, but it’s convenient for hearing all sorts of news. That’s how we know. How rapidly humans have been developing.”

“I am an art dealer. When I first went to Rubellia, humans exchanged letters just like us. But at some point, telegraphs appeared, and then this new technology called telephones popped right up.”

An elderly female elf sitting behind Jauhar, who had been quietly listening, interjected.

“I am also a mage. I was tremendously shocked to realize magic could be used in such ways. If you make phone calls instead of writing letters, you can do much more work in that spare time. Though it may seem trivial, that time accumulates and becomes a huge difference. Then it becomes impossible to catch up!”

Her face was flushed as she slowly but angrily poured out her words.

“We all had similar thoughts.”

Jauhar naturally picked up the conversation.

“Humans are frightening. If we keep hiding away in the Great Desert like this, we’ll get caught eventually. But even knowing this, there was nothing we could do. We didn’t know how to shake up the tribes that lived quietly.”

And you must have been afraid too.

Fael sneered inwardly.

These people were, so to speak, nobles. Those who monopolized money and power under the great chieftain families, who could be called royalty.

Those who would immediately lose their vested interests if the Great Desert’s system collapsed in preparation for human invasion.

That’s why they could react most sensitively to the changes Fael, Namir, and Daniel had brought about.

Whether aware of Fael’s contempt, Jauhar was passionately arguing.

“We must change. We must build our own nation! The moment Lord Elhar shouted this, I realized it. That we must follow Lord Elhar! That this is the best way for us elves to survive!”

And it would also be a way to maintain your wealth.

Fael sneered once more.

“Some people condemn us as traitors to our people for joining hands with humans. However, rather than being devoured by humans, we would use them…!”

They probably would have unhesitatingly sided with humans if humans had conquered the Great Desert.

Fael realized what that bright light on Jauhar’s face was.

It was a ray of hope harbored by someone cornered who had suddenly discovered a way to survive.

Just like the great chieftains.

Whether to cling to meager power and wealth in the declining Great Desert while trembling in anxiety, or abandon everything and escape to the human world.

A third path had appeared in this binary choice.

Rather than siding with humans, it was much better to side with Fael, who appeared with the justification of “for the elves.”

Preserve your pride and preserve your wealth too.

‘The epitome of self-rationalization.’

But.

‘Conviction is always self-rationalization.’

He can’t even remember how many lives he’s harmed, how many people he’s pushed into hellish pits.

All of it was done under the excuse that it was for the great cause. So it was okay.

Fa-Elhar was like that, and so was Lucas.

That’s why Fael drew a beautiful smile.

“I’m grateful for your words. But may I ask why you came to see me on the day of the execution? I thought you had come to plead for Ashtard.”

Jauhar, who had been chattering with flattery mixed in, snapped his mouth shut.

“That is…”

“Surely not.”

A young male elf stepped forward in place of Jauhar.

“We don’t like humans either. As we mentioned earlier, it’s closer to wariness and fear. But bombing terrorism! Such extreme actions only make the situation worse. Violence is just violence—it cannot be a solution.”

“Th-that’s right. Actually, we came to apologize. Not everyone thinks of Lord Fa-Elhar as a traitor like Ashtard does, and we believe murder is wrong regardless of who the target is.

No matter how much we hate humans, it was a thoughtless and terrible act. Though I’m not someone who represents the Ban tribe, as someone from the same tribe and an adult who knows that child well, I deeply apologize.”

Jauhar hurriedly added while bowing his head deeply.

Fael looked down at his sparse back of the head and realized.

All of them were sincere.

Their fear of humans, their desire to preserve power in the newly established nation, their love for their people, their empathy and pity and resentment toward Ashtard who had acted foolishly—all of it.

Finally, he could understand.

These people were certainly not angel-like good people. Rather, they were despicable opportunists.

But being opportunists didn’t mean they completely lacked tender and kind hearts. Above all, perfect villains don’t bother with self-rationalization.

Besides, even without showing such understanding, he had no choice but to accept these opportunists from a realistic standpoint.

They were essential for the newly established nation. For a smooth regime transition, they had to keep at least some of the existing power structure.

‘Whether human or elf, they’re truly complex beings.’

Fael, who had sighed deeply inside, looked at the clock on the wall and stood up.

“It’s time.”

“Pardon?”

“The execution time.”

Outside the window, Daniel was in the middle of his speech.

“I’ll ask one last thing. Do you all agree to Ashtard’s execution?”

Silence flowed through the room. Then, one by one, they nodded.

They all agreed. To throwing Ashtard as bait to appease human anger.

Because humans are frightening. Because they’re useful too. And because Ashtard is a terrorist. Because he committed crimes deserving death.

‘Self-rationalization after all.’

The executioner began striking down the prisoner’s arm with an axe.

***

“This is fraud, this is…”

Ashtard clutched his head and muttered. His face was soaked with tears.

Ashtard knew Jauhar well. He was his uncle’s longtime friend.

The uncle who had cherished young Ashtard and slipped him candy and cookies. Who had even attended his uncle’s funeral recently and cried bitterly.

“Why did you do that, you stupid friend!”

Those words—calling his uncle stupid—had been sincere. Come to think of it, Jauhar hadn’t even come to the protests.

He had been on the great chieftain’s side from the beginning.

“He said it was okay to kill me! He said that!”

Ashtard shouted in a cracking voice. His whole body trembled with rage.

“What’s even sadder is, what’s even sadder is! I understand it! Uncle must have been scared too!”

“The bet isn’t over yet.”

Someone grabbed his hand to stop him from self-harm. The office door had opened wide at some point.

“You were crying, so you probably didn’t hear. Jauhar said there were people trying to save you. But they couldn’t come because of Ban-Diyab’s interference.”

Fael’s voice was ice-cold. Ashtard’s tear-soaked eyes gleamed.

“Oh, really? Then we tied.”

Namir approached him.

“…Tied?”

“The side saying to kill you and the side saying not to kill you. Both showed up.”

“So what should we do?”

Ashtard roughly wiped away his tears and growled. Namir pondered for a moment, then exchanged glances with Fael.

“Ashtard, I told you. We’re going to build a nation that no one can ignore. So that elves won’t be discriminated against and oppressed on the continent. So they can live freely, away from humans.”

They truly believed it. In the liberation of all elves. That impossible dream.

When Ashtard just stared at him blankly, Namir smiled awkwardly and continued.

“Look, it’s true that I’m close with humans. But those friends are also risking their lives fighting right now. We want to create a better world. A world where both humans and elves can be happier. And Ashtard, you have power. So…”

He hesitantly met Ashtard’s eyes.

“Join us.”

“…”

When Ashtard remained silent, Fael stepped forward.

“You’re already dead. Officially. So I want to show you a way to live. How about becoming our shadow?”

“…”

“Where there’s light, there’s darkness. We need someone who knows how to do dark work. Like killing humans.”

“I’m not a murderer.”

“I know. You’re not a murderer—you’re a revolutionary.”

“…Revolutionary.”

Ashtard muttered quietly.

“You can watch us. Whether we really change the world or not.”

Ashtard hesitated.

Their words had no logic or anything else. But that was the same for Ashtard.

If he had been logical, rational, and cold-headed, he wouldn’t have committed bombing terrorism. What moved him was emotion, conviction, and passion.

Just like the hopeless brothers before him.

‘Revolutionary.’

Ashtard had learned hatred.

He hated humans, hated traitors, and hated his own stupid and hasty self.

But right now, in this moment, there was a heart rising with strange hope and anticipation.

“…Alright.”

Finally, Ashtard grasped Namir’s outstretched hand. His heart pounded with strange elation.

***

“Cold, cold, cold, fucking cold!”

I nervously muttered while burning Daniel’s letter in the fireplace.

Various documents and canil bottles were scattered messily across the desk.

“I want to go home.”

I recalled Mrs. Schmidt’s warm and cozy boarding house.

Pontinell is too cold.

Of course, Schufaben wasn’t exactly a country with warm winters either, but it’s much better than here. Lucas Redan’s body is just too sensitive to cold.

About six months since starting the war.

Half of that was spent devouring the west and north. And the other half has been stuck in Pontinell.

I’m quite happy about it, but I didn’t know I’d be spending winter here.

New Year’s Eve is coming soon.

“Lonely, so lonely!”

At least things are going well in the Great Desert.

Knock knock!

Someone knocked on the door. I wiped my nose with a handkerchief and shouted.

“Come in!”

The door opened and Appel Damier appeared without a sound of footsteps, holding out a medicine bottle.

“Oh, thanks.”

Damier is currently monitoring me.

“What are you planning to report today? To Commander Michael.”

“Why should I tell you that?”

The same conversation every time.

Damier received approval from Ferint Commander Michael and periodically delivered drugs—canil—to me.

Every time, no, he constantly monitored my every move and reported to Michael. It would be passed on to Kruger.

Such blatant surveillance and spying that no one even tried to hide.

“Well, just curious. I’m bored. Besides, I can’t do anything anyway, right? And Damier, don’t forget I saved your life.”

“That was a long time ago.”

“A long time ago! It was January 1st this year. Not even a year has passed yet. It’ll be a year in about ten days.”

“I wouldn’t have minded dying.”

“You know what? People who say things like that actually cling to life more desperately. You’ll probably live until you’re a bearded old man. I guarantee it.”

“…”

Damier just stared at me with his usual dry eyes without saying anything. I sighed deeply and shook the canil bottle I’d received from him.

“Fine, whatever. Thanks for this anyway, and I’ll see you again next week.”

“…Scared.”

Damier muttered something.

“Couldn’t hear you. Could you say that again?”

“Constantly attempting to win over. Always acting friendly. That’s what I’ll report.”

Damier’s voice was low and rigid as could be.

“Oh, was that supposed to be a joke?”

I asked in bewilderment after a long pause, but Damier had already disappeared far away.