With a look, Louis ordered the soldier to free the second prisoner.
There, the children could finally see her face.
She didn't just have blood-like eyes, her skin was separated between some kind of purple and black skin that were particularly present around her breathing axes. From that, one could tell that this color was spreading all over her body around the most important parts.
She was what they called a corrupted. Someone who listened to demons, even daring to use their demonic energy.
And that skin of her was just a minor side effect.
The truth was that she was no longer human. Her mind seemed vacant, with no emotion present in her eyes. Yet all along she had been struggling as if it had become innate to her. As if she wanted to exterminate all humans in this world.
''Making a pact with the demons, she missed her transformation leaving her in this state. Still biologically human, can we still definite her as such? She's no better than a beast.''
He walked coldly towards her. Once within a meter of her, as if she had sensed him, she moved more and more frantically. Seeing that she couldn't free her hands, she attacked him with her mouth, missing him.
Strangely enough, there wasn't much trouble in completing this test. Demonic creatures as well as demons were the worst enemies of humanity. Half demon and mindless, she looked like a demonic creature more than anything else.
''Only one more test to go''
- - -
My hand was still shaking from killing two humans. I did try to calm myself but I didn't succeed. I thus told myself that it was for the good of humanity, that they would have died without me anyway, and that as treacherous as they were, they deserved to die.
But my words prove to be useless. What made me tremble wasn't logic, it might not even be sentiments. I felt like I was missing something, something huge, something extremely important.
What was it again? Damn... I can't remember.
No matter how long I thought about it, I couldn't remember.
''Only one more test to go'' Hearing my father's words refocused me.
''An innocent. Insulting the royal power and the army, as well as being a little too close to the tribes, he even dared to stole from the imperial treasury. The real reason he was captured and killed, however, is because he had a coveted position. Kill him and you can participate in the war. ''
My body froze. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Rather, I did not want to believe it. I didn't even have the time to think. After a short moment of silence, the other three walked up to the man and killed him.
I stood in my place in shock. I knew that this kind of thing existed, that some innocent people would always have to die. But still... I didn't want it to happen.
''Rodolphe'' My father lowered himself ''The first two tests didn't represent what war is. There is no morale in war, nor is there justice. Some may fight for values, others for the future, or most frequently for money, that's why all wars are desired. You don't go in because you're obligated, or because this is the only way to survive. To go to war means you are willing to kill anyone as long as the benefits outweigh the losses. Being afraid isn't something shameful, you still have time before you.''
He gave me a hug.
My father tried to reassure and protect me.
Yet I wasn't shocked by the news. I just... I didn't want to see him like this, I didn't want to see this side of my father. I still wanted to idealize him, to think that life was a value he would have given a great place in his heart.
But also... I was shocked by how easy my movements had become. In that short second, it was as if I had no stress at all. As if killing him wouldn't have caused me any pain or effort.
I remained silent on this subject. A little disappointed, I waited for my father to finish his visit to the viscountess before returning with the group to the cart.
- - -
2 days later – Nirl.
Today, Eloise, Alain, and Emilie have left accompanied by 40-some men. Hopefully, they had left before the rain began.
As we couldn't just leave Nirl defenseless some of the elites had to remain here. To mention the important ones they were Louis, Manon, Michael, and Celia.
''Louis ?'' Manon called me '' Are you sure about that ?''
''That ?''
''Letting Rodolphe leave for the battlefield.''
''Ah… I don't think there are any other options, to be honest. Someday he would need to go.''
''Even then, isn't he too young ?''
''He will only watch by the sidelines while being protected by Cleppe so there really aren't any problems. To say the truth, he's safer there than here.''
''I wasn't speaking about that…''
''Manon. I know what you're thinking. But we can't measure them the same way as humans. They are monsters, both of us know it well enough.''
Louis thought about it.
Someone who would sacrifice himself for others, one who would overuse her body craving for strength, another one whose crimes should have put her to death, and then… him. Why can't they just live happily here? he thought about Alain, Eloise, Emilie, Rodolphe but also Michael, Celia, Lucas, Ema (= the strongest after those mentioned before) and then about the next generation.
He could only describe them as monsters. Was it because he couldn't understand them? Because they have already chosen their path? He didn't know.
''Why doing this test then ?'' Manon gently asked
''Because I wanted to think I was wrong, that they wouldn't be able to do it. But in the end, monsters are still monsters. And besides, if I deprive them of their freedom, wouldn't they be nothing but beasts ready to be slaughtered ?''
''Enough ! even if they have their default, they are still humans, friends and he is your son.''
''…'' he paused for a second ''You're right… Sorry, I'm not in my right state of mind.''
She turned to face him only to notice the tears in his eyes that poured down mixed with the rain.
''Louis.'' She said in a kind and hopeful voice ''Them may change as they have done it years ago, and even if Rodolphe is a deman (demon + human) his blood won't control him''
''Thank you.'' he leaned lightly on her.