Chapter: 154
Late at night, as I surveyed the construction site, the weary expressions of the people, who had been laboring late into the night for several consecutive days, caught my eye.
Thinking of offering some encouragement, I approached them, only to be met with startled bows as they tried to dismiss my greeting. I cut to the chase and delivered the words that would most uplift them.
“Just hang in there a little longer. Thanks to your hard work, the construction is progressing quickly. Once my work is done, I’ll make sure to include generous bonuses for you.”
“! Is that really true, Diakonos?”
“Have you ever seen me make an empty promise?”
“I haven’t! Hey, everyone, did you hear that? Let’s keep pushing through!”
As soon as I mentioned the bonus, the atmosphere of the construction site revitalized. Just then, I noticed the squad leader of Astrape’s 4th Division, Martina Ivanova, who had approached with an impressed expression.
“…That’s impressive. Is that why people follow you so passionately?”
I turned slightly at the presence beside me, and the squad leader, Martina Ivanova, seemed astonished.
In response to her observation, I shook my head dismissively and replied.
“…It’s nothing special. I’m just capable of providing what they need. Anyone in a position like mine can do at least that much.”
Motivating people isn’t particularly hard.
You just need to figure out what drives them to push through, and once you provide that, they will happily follow.
And I, Diakonos Dolos, am the one who leads the wealthiest family in the city.
Because I have the capability to provide material support, people choose to follow me, I stated confidently. However, Martina merely chuckled and replied.
“What you’re doing is commendable, considering someone like you, in such a high position, comes all the way to the dangerous frontline to check in on the workers. You often come to support those handling demon beast disposal as well. With all your responsibilities, don’t you get tired?”
“I have to take responsibility for my family’s affairs and ensure there are no issues on the site. Am I just supposed to stay in my office and receive reports? Though I’ve aged a bit, I’m still quite fit. Honestly, I would love to help by lifting some of the loads myself, but everyone insists it’s too much of a burden for me.”
“Haha, really now. I can’t fathom how you maintain such enthusiasm.”
As Martina laughed heartily at her question, I calmly scanned the workers busy at work.
“Well, just like they’re working hard to earn money, I too have my own motivation to keep going.”
“…Motivation?”
“…Well, if I had to say.”
Turning my gaze toward the twinkling city lights in the distance, I contemplated.
Though it’s out of sight, humans can only live within a limited space surrounded by a barrier to fend off miasma.
As I took in that view, I quietly answered.
“…For the happiness of humanity.”
The happiness of humanity.
Upon hearing those words, Martina fell silent.
If they had been spoken by someone else, she might have thought them insincere, but she knew that Diakonos, standing before her, would never utter words he didn’t mean.
His eyes sparkled with a sacred sincerity that was almost saintly.
Although he wasn’t actively a hero, his intentions were those of a true hero, making him a figure worthy of respect. Martina quietly lowered her head in reverence.
As if reflecting that respect back at her, Diakonos bid her farewell and turned his gaze back to the city.
Whenever a victim arose in that city, he felt a sense of responsibility.
It pained him to see people unable to enjoy the happiness they rightfully deserved.
Thus, Diakonos Dolos prayed today, filled with compassion and empathy.
“Everything is for the happiness of humanity.”
Hoping that as many people as possible could experience true happiness like that.
*
Deep in the night, in an even deeper darkness.
Voices of women echoed.
“…For now, the tasks you assigned are almost complete.”
“I’m glad to hear it’s going according to plan! Aah, I just can’t contain my excitement. Now that I have a useful pawn, I wonder how things will unfold?”
As I trembled with excitement, I glanced sideways at the girl, who looked slightly perturbed at what I was focused on.
There, tied and muzzled, struggling with all her might, was Freede, the self-proclaimed Witch of Arrogance.
“Ugh-!!!! Ugh-!!!!”
Despite her restraints, Freede was making a racket, and the girl questioned the women, genuinely concerned.
“…Are you really going to use that? Is she okay?”
Seeing Freede’s frantic struggles, the girl was worried.
For a pawn, this one was way too rowdy.
To be honest, the girl preferred obedient types.
And she couldn’t grasp why the woman wanted to incorporate such a reckless individual into what seemed to be a well-planned scheme.
In response to the girl’s reaction, the woman grinned widely.
“It’s precisely because she’s like this that I want to use her. The fact that she has abilities that match my needs and is impossible to control—that’s charming in its own right, right? Don’t you think so too, you nitwit?”
“Don’t call me a nitwit! You wretched woman!!”
In a fit of rage, Freede managed to bite through her muzzle and shouted.
Despite that, the woman simply continued to pat her head, grinning.
“Since you lost to me, you’re free to call me whatever you like, right? You pathetic, weakling, nitwit! You’re trash who gets wrecked even by someone weak like me~.”
“Ugh-!! If you had fought me fairly, there’s no way I would have lost! If it’s a duel, stop being a coward and hit me back! And using your minions in a one-on-one battle? What do you think a fight is?! You cowardly wretch!!”
“Eh, I never claimed to fight you one-on-one. I doubt I’d lose to a nitwit like you in a duel, but why go through the hassle? As long as I win, that’s all that matters, right? And what’s this? Making excuses after losing? Pathetic, coming from a loser. The worst~.”
“Ahhhh!!! Let me go right now! I’ll kill you!!”
“It’s too noisy. Can you just shut up for a bit?”
“–!!! -!!!!”
“Ah, haha~!”
Having twisted space to seal Freede’s mouth, the girl shot a look of exasperation at the woman as she continued to toy with Freede.
The woman seemed to enjoy playing with Freede, but the truth was, Freede was no trivial matter to be treated like a toy.
Honestly, in pure physical combat, the girl had a higher probability of losing to Freede.
Moreover, when the girl had slyly peeked at the fight between the woman and Freede, she’d seen Freede, furious at being mocked, effortlessly slice through layers of demon beasts surrounding the barrier.
She knew this was no ordinary feat that could be accomplished casually.
That, she presumed, was Freede’s ability.
Of course, that didn’t mean she’d lose if she fought against her.
That said, the difference in their capabilities was clear.
Even so, deep down, the girl believed she could overpower Freede if they clashed.
Just then, after feeling she had toyed enough with Freede, the woman finally released the gag, and Freede, humiliated, lowered her head and muttered.
“…Ugh, just kill me. I’d rather die than be treated like this. Please, don’t humiliate me any further; just end it.”
“Hmph, too much pride, and yet you think I’ll grant your wish? Sorry, but that’s a no-go. I hold your life and death in my hands now.”
“…Then what exactly do you plan to do by keeping me here?”
“I told you, I intend to use you as my pawn. Since you lost the duel, I’m simply asking for one favor in return.”
“…Do you really think I’ll obey your words after being treated like this?”
Freede shot a rebellious glance at the woman, who chuckled lightheartedly.
“Of course, I didn’t think you would. Hah, if you weren’t such a nitwit, it could have been concise if I’d made a contract with you before our duel, but alas. Well, even without it, I have an expert for that. You’ll probably soon find yourself agreeing to any request I make.”
With that, the woman turned away, and the girl furrowed her brow.
“…You want me to do it?”
“Sorry, but I’m counting on you~!”
With a cheerfully chirpy voice, the woman winked, and the girl frowned for a moment before letting out a sigh of resignation.
I knew it would come to this.
As the girl looked at Freede, a sharp threat was aimed back at her.
Ugh, dealing with such a type is bothersome. Their self-importance is just excessive.
Of course, it’s possible, but…
Sighing in annoyance, the girl eventually grasped Freede’s head and forced her to kneel before her.
Realizing that something was about to happen to her, Freede glared up at the girl and growled.
“…Do you think I’ll succumb to pain? Even if it costs me my life, I will resist.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not trying to hurt you. Just—”
When it comes to making you feel pleasantly good, that’s all.
“Now, be happy.”
With the girl’s whisper, a liquid began to flow from her body and seep into Freede.
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