BXBX NOVEL Chapter 254: The Country of Steel and the Faceless Men (3)
People who got angry at objects were fools because they wasted their efforts on meaningless things.
Those who burned with hatred towards a nation were idiots because they exhausted their emotions on something they didn’t even understand.
In truth, they were all searching for the humans beyond those objects, just like me.
｢The most common choice would be to destroy the facility and free the laborers.｣
Regardless of my feelings, I would follow Zigrund’s script for now.
As she envisioned, I turned to the Regressor and Historia, who had led me here, and demanded:
“Let’s destroy this place right now! Destroying this labor camp, which symbolizes the Military State\'s sins, and freeing the laborers will deal a huge blow to the Military State!”
｢However, anyone who knows the true nature of this refinery would not agree with that statement.｣Zigrund’s script flowed seamlessly.
The stage she chose evoked a shared sense of anger, and the actors she invited moved exactly as she intended.
“Hurry up! There’s no reason to delay!”
Despite her discomfort with this place, the Regressor showed reluctance at my proposal.
“Destroy it? Here? Now?”
“What do you mean by ‘now’?”
“At this point in time, the alchemic steel refinery is a place where heinous criminals are imprisoned. Everyone here is a criminal.”
In the future the Regressor saw, there might be other people imprisoned here besides heinous criminals.
By then, the Military State was driven to the brink.
But for now, only those who committed the most horrific crimes were in the alchemic steel refinery.
If you delved into the memories of those suffering here, many of them wouldn’t even begin to pay for their sins even if they went to hell.
An officer who tested new weapons on innocent citizens, a woman who kidnapped children for their blood because she wanted to become a vampire, and a foolish man who ruled like a king after seizing a holding company with hired thugs and forming a private organization.
These were unforgivable sinners who would make you question if even hell is enough for their atonement.
“Still! Even if they’re heinous criminals, this isn’t the way to treat them!”
“So what do you suggest? We can’t just let them go without any measures.”
Thus, inevitably, opinions clashing with mine emerge.
This, too, followed Zigrund’s script.
｢Especially, the Gunmaster cannot simply release them. Some of them might have been captured by her personally. So, her course of action is clear.｣
“There is one way.”
While the Regressor and I couldn’t decide and were arguing, Historia, having made a decision, spoke up.
｢A simple solution to all the dilemmas. Just kill them all. These are already condemned criminals, and the Gunmaster has the authority to summarily execute them.｣
“The actions of the laborers are controlled by chains piercing their Bio-receptor. And in case the laborers rebel, there is a device prepared for that.”
“A device prepared by the Military State in case the laborers rebel? Doesn’t sound like a good device.”
“...It’s a device for executing their postponed death sentences.”
In short, she meant to activate that device and kill everyone here.
While everyone was stunned by the enormity of her suggestion, Historia left those words and walked ahead.
｢The Gunmaster has a limited self-preservation instinct. She fiercely protects those within her defined boundary but easily abandons those outside it. The laborers of the refinery are clearly outside her boundaries. To the Gunmaster, the laborers of the alchemic steel refinery are not worth saving.｣
Thus, Historia decided to kill them all.
Just as I was about to get indignant according to Zigrund’s script, the Regressor showed her discomfort before I did.
“You mean to kill them all? This many people?”
“The laborers here are already condemned, level-5 major criminals. They have no chance of rehabilitation, and even if they did, I wouldn’t allow it. The Military State is merely using those who are as good as dead. If you knew the crimes they committed, Huey, you’d want to tear them apart with your own hands.”
I don’t have strong feelings about it, but considering the severity of their crimes, they’re not likely to survive.
The Military State kept them alive for utility, but in the Kingdom era, they would’ve been brutally executed by wandering knights called execution knights in a duel in broad daylight, and their heads would’ve been displayed to the cheers of the citizens.
Which method was better, I didn’t know.
The Regressor grumbled.
“Still, killing them all is a bit...”
“It wouldn’t be a bad thing for you, who wants to prevent war. For now, the Military State can hold out with the stockpiled Alchemic Steel, but without additional supplies, a prolonged war is impossible. The facilities can be rebuilt, but dead humans cannot be replaced.”
“Ugh, that’s true, but...”
｢No matter the conclusion, you will all inevitably head to the control room in the depths.｣
No clear conclusion was reached.
Tired of the dragging conversation, Tyr, who had been silently listening, intervened.
[This conversation is not going anywhere. If you have that much time, I can wait for you for a thousand years, but do you not have urgent matters? Instead of worrying about what to do, let us first move.]
Tyr turned and called out to ‘Kerapald’.
[Guide!]
Startled, ‘Kerapald’ realized a bit late that he was the guide and answered.
“Huh, me?”
[Lead us. That is your task, yes?]
“Yes, yes! I will guide you to the control room!”
｢Good actors. They are doing justice to the script I revised all night.｣
Thanks for the compliment.
You’re quite a good scriptwriter yourself.
You have a keen eye for observing humans.
｢Hmm, but if the roles are full, I can’t join the play. That wouldn’t be fun. Let’s split them up a bit.｣
About to lead us further inside, ‘Kerapald’ hesitated and worriedly looked at the Princess and Shiati.
“Princess, please secure the escape route. I’ll take care of the inside.”
The Princess, who had been cowering from the screams around her, asked in return.
“Secure the escape path? Do you mean you want me to stay here alone?”
“No, you can watch from outside. The inside... it’s not something a princess should see.”
‘Kerapald’ fumbled for words, unable to find a proper explanation.
Although he didn’t say it explicitly, his meaning was clear.
The inside held more horrific scenes, and the Princess was better off staying outside.
The Princess understood his meaning.
“Kerapald, are you trying to keep me away so I don’t get shocked...?”
“That’s not it! But someone needs to secure the escape route, and you’re the best fit for that, Princess...”
｢It’s better to keep the Princess away. She’s not suitable for the role of an actor as she can influence human emotions. The genuine impact of a well-directed play comes from the actors’ earnest performances. The Princess... I’ll leave her with the machinery.｣
The Princess was about to insist on following us.
But, timely, a horrific scream echoed, and she shrank back in fear.
The Regressor also shook her head.
“No matter what we do here, the Princess won’t have a role to play. There are no enemies here, so her abilities won’t be needed.”
Sorry, but you’re wrong.
There are probably enemies hidden in the depths.
That’s why Zigrund wants the Princess out.
However, Zigrund’s acting was so natural that no one suspected anything except me.
Even if I revealed ‘Kerapald\'s’ true identity, people wouldn’t believe it.
It was unreasonable for me to be suspicious when neither Shiati, who was recently with him, nor the Princess noticed.
Revealing my mind-reading ability wasn’t an option either.
“Ugh, t-then, I’ll stay here...”
The Princess decided to stay, and everyone nodded.
I too spoke with a troubled expression.
“…Tyr, Mr. Shei, sorry, but can I step out for a moment too?”
Tyr examined my complexion and spoke.
[Hu. You look pale. Are you alright?]
“Yes, it’s just a matter of the heart. Whatever the conclusion... I find it hard to watch.”
Lowering my gaze slightly and clenching my fists, I looked like someone genuinely angry at the refinery’s blasphemous scene.
My changed demeanor puzzled Tyr for a moment, but then she nodded understandingly.
[You must be tired. Have you not been running without rest all this time? Unlike a tireless vampire, you might need a bit of rest.]
“Thank you, Tyr. I’ll stay with Azzy... Wait, where is Azzy?”
The Princess pointed behind us.
“Ms. Azzy is there… she stayed at the door and didn\'t come in.”
“No wonder I didn’t hear any barking.”
Turning around, I saw Azzy peeking through the door, hesitant to step inside.
It was like she was blocked by an invisible barrier.
Whenever a laborer groaned in pain, Azzy bared her teeth and growled uneasily.
Sensitive to human emotions, this place must be like hell to Azzy, where countless humans were being tortured.
“Might as well. I couldn’t leave Azzy alone anyway. I’ll stay outside with the kings and keep watch.”
The Regressor readily agreed.
“Yeah, fine. I didn’t sense anything outside earlier. We don’t really need your power for simple destruction anyway. Stay outside. We’ll finish quickly and come back.”
With the Regressor’s permission, I openly showed my discomfort and swiftly headed out as if wanting to get away.
｢I’ve separated them. The Princess and the Staff Officer. Good roles. If I play those roles, we’ll get some interesting scenes.｣
I think so too.
If you take my place, there’ll be some interesting scenes.
So, I’ll prepare the stage too. It’s not fair if you hog the stage alone, right?
Slam.
The steel door of the alchemic steel refinery closed.
I shut it tightly, ensuring no gaps, and reached out to pet Azzy.
Despite my petting, she was still growling and remained uneasy.
“Um... Mr. Huey?”
“Yes? What is it?”
I smiled warmly at Azzy.
The Princess, hesitating, glanced at my face and asked.
“Your expression changed suddenly... Did something pleasant cross your mind?”
“Pleasant? After seeing that sight, how could I be happy?!”
“I-I’m sorry...! It’s just… your eyes are smiling...”
“What do you know about my expressions?!”
“Eeek!”
Smiling?
I should be angry.
Those criminals deserved to die.
Humans had the right to judge others in the name of the greater good.
Punishing those who had sinned in the name of that good was the right thing to do.
But humans still had dignity.
Even criminals deserve respect, their dignity as humans should be respected.
That’s only proper.
Ironically.
“Isn’t it funny, Princess? Those people inside are those who deserve to die, and they’re eventually going to die anyway. Yet, here we are. Feeling pity for them just because they suffer and are tied up.”
“B-But... they should face their end through a fair process, their crimes revealed to everyone and let them face their judgment. This... treating them like livestock, this is too much!”
The Princess clenched her fists and trembled.
Having never encountered such malice, this must be her first experience with the evil of the Military State.
“Is it wrong to exploit them like livestock?”
“What are you saying?! Of course, it’s wrong!”
“Why? The Military State needs facilities like this and has the capability to run them.”
“Just because you can doesn’t mean you should! You must never cross the line. Because we couldn’t keep it, my parents… !”
I finished the sentence for the Princess, who couldn’t continue.
“Yes, your parents mismanaged the Kingdom, leading it to ruin. They didn’t cause it, but their experience makes what happens in there resonate with you, right?”
“Y-Yes? But you didn’t have to put it that way!”
“But it’s true, isn’t it?”
“Yes, but still! Even if I never meet them, they’re still my parents! At least in front of me, please mind your words!”
Smirking, I got into the automaton carriage with Azzy.
The Princess, still fuming, followed and naturally sat in the automaton carriage.
｢Really, that was too harsh! I’m not one to nitpick, but that was utterly lacking in etiquette and grace! No consideration at all...!｣
“Doing something you shouldn\'t do is wrong. But it’s still possible to do it.”
I started the automaton carriage. The Thundergear roared to life, breathing life into the entire machine.
The halted automaton carriage began to move with a heartbeat again.
The Princess, surprised, asked.
“Wait, Mr. Huey? Didn’t you say you were going to keep watch? Where are you going?”
“Words are just sounds made with our mouths and tongues. Depending on how you articulate and arrange them, they become words you shouldn’t say.”
Rumble.
The accelerating automaton carriage reached its top speed.
I turned the control stick to drive along the outer wall of the vast alchemic steel refinery.
On the left, the endless gray concrete wall stretched on.
No matter how far I went, the same sight repeated, making it hard to tell if I was moving or standing still.
“If you can’t do it, you shouldn’t be able to do it from the start. Yet we can still say it.”
“...So, what you’re saying is if something is possible, it means it can be done.”
She understands quickly.
Sharp and perceptive, she communicates well.
“But it’s different. Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. That’s barbarism and a crime. The Kingdom fell because it couldn’t distinguish between what it could do and what it shouldn’t do.”
“You scold me for saying that, yet you blame your parents.”
“They’re my parents, so it’s my place to do it!”
The Princess, fuming, shouted, eyes wide open.
“Yes! The Kingdom deserved to fall! That’s why there are things you can and can’t do! The execution knights who once kept the Kingdom’s law roamed the land, executing criminals and upholding the rules. But eventually, those duels… turned into horrific executions! They even framed innocent people merely for the sake of executing people!”
“That was the fault of the corrupt execution knights isn’t it?”
“It was a kingdom of knights! The Kingdom approved of their action, so my parents, the King, and the Queen were ultimately dragged down by everyone!”
Contradiction... or should I say ironic?
The Princess’s words had a slight inconsistency, which I carefully pointed out.
“By that logic, the existence of this refinery must be welcomed by you. It’s better not to destroy it, right? Eventually, this refinery will imprison not just heinous criminals but everyone who opposes the Military State, leading to the State\'s downfall. Long live the Resistance!”