Chapter 47 - Shaken ideal

2 months back.

At the castle in the royal capital, training, both physical and mental, continued. Today their teacher Marcou spoke for the first time about the discrimination in this world, after several months of theoretical lessons about mana, techniques, skills and many other subjects. And this precise theme could only provoke indignation, and incomprehension. Maïli was the first to stand up and be indignant about what she had just heard, while others were trying to understand what they had just heard.

"What does it mean!" Maïli said indignantly.

"It's true, explain it to us!" Followed then Éléonore.

"We don't know exactly when this discrimination started. But it was mostly put in place by the goddess Hamnesia." (Marcou)

"And why establish such a discrimination what is the point of all this!?" (Maïli)

"The goddess decided so, decreeing that the human race was superior to the other races and that consequently any other race should be considered inferior." (Marcou)

"Why is that, because they are different from humans? Because they have more hair, fur, scales?" (Maïli)

"She is right! Besides who is this goddess during these last months you hardly spoke to us about her. And it is now that our training is about to end that you talk to us about her. This is no coincidence, you knew we would reject such nonsense!" Eleanor then affronted.

The exchanges started to become more heated while some groups did not prefer to intervene while Maïli continued.

"I call that racism and megalomania. To judge an inferior race by ideology to justify acts of conquest, enslavement or extermination. It is here the whole madness of a crazy and cruel person, it is all that I see." Maïli replied.

"Be careful what you say!" Marcou declared in a rather angry tone.

"Why that! We are supposed to fight for this kind of disgusting ideal! You summoned us here to protect this world and its inhabitants and the other species are all part of it! Why should I fight for people who make others suffer?" Maïli replied without the slightest hesitation.

"Because people who oppose the goddess are hunted down by the church and its followers and the religion of the blue moon cult is the majority on this continent. So that means alienating the majority countries. I know that this is complicated for you who come from another world to accept. Even for you heroes who have privileges, going against the orders of the goddess could mean death!

A heavy silence then fell in the classroom.

"So you're asking us to protect humans but exterminate and enslave others if need be?" (Maïli)

"Yes." (Marcou)

"Because if we don't we could be considered defective weapons." (Maïli)

"That's right." (Marcou)

"So what is the meaning of our mission? What is the meaning of obeying this kind of filth?" (Maïli)

"To continue to live." Replied the professor curtly.

"It is a threat!" Declared Maïli of the mana beginning to escape from her body.

This time it was the last straw for Maïli who couldn't listen to this kind of absurd thing anymore. As the room filled with mana and a violent draft formed in the room, tables and leaves began to move.

"Calm down please." Said Marcou sensing the danger.

Éléonore, Eva then grabbed Maïli's shoulder to hold her back, because provoking this kind of incident could have serious repercussions for her and for the group. The course ended on that while they had to go to the training ground. 

But the morale of some was well affected, their minds were elsewhere during the training, asking themselves multiple questions. Will they be pushed to do abominable things against their will.

A water attack then hit Maïli who was lost in her thoughts throwing her to the ground.

"Bah then Maïli you got me used to much better than that!" Zem exclaimed.

Maïli then got up before leaving the training ground without a word, her face lowered, under the glance of her closest comrades. She then went up on the highest tower of the castle. Where the wind was blowing but also where you have the best view of the city and its surroundings.

She stood there silently, where she could also see the others practicing and where her mind tried to clear. Until a voice brought her out of her doubtful state.

"What's wrong with you, this is the first time I've seen you like this. And not only you others of your comrades left after you." Said then Zem who walked up beside her.

"Zem you knew about the discrimination against other races?" (Maïli)

"I see, so that's it, he told you about it today." (Zem)

"I conclude that yes, Zem I know how to judge people and I know that someone like you can't accept this kind of thing. So how can you fight for such people?" (Maïli)

"We just don't accept it, we keep this rage this feeling of injustice buried inside us. I have been serving this country for many years now and I have seen horrible things. Children, and women raped and slaughtered and genocide. But the worst part of it all is sitting there and watching and not being able to do anything."

"Yes but you made a choice to serve them, so why fight for them?" (Maïli)

"You'll learn that, it's closest to the executioners that you can help their victims." (Zem)

The wind then blew on the heights of the castle.

"Maïli you are good, and you will see and maybe have to do horrible things. If you are not ready, I can help you and your friends escape this place." (Zem)

"Me and my friends huh?" (Maïli)

The image of the small group she was leading popped into her head, and especially Logan's face.

"Wherever he is, he's not going to stand around and do nothing." She said as she thought of him.

Her face not having looked once at Zem finally turned to him.

"So I can count on you?" (Maïli)

"Of course and you probably have more allies than you think." (Zem)

"Alright then let's go train." (Maïli)

Maïli then jumped from the heights of the castle with Zem her mind a little lighter.

"Be close to your friends and even closer to your enemies." She thought then preparing herself to train ardently.

The two then had a long and arduous training session until late at night. While in that same night Professor Marcou reported to Moses, John and the King.

"So how did they take the news?" (King)

"As we expected it very badly for most of them, it's not going to be easy to condition them and make them accept this situation." (Marcou)

"Do you think they would go against the orders?" (King)

"It is very likely for some, they are upright and have a thirst for justice and want to save everyone considering that everyone is equal. For the most part, they will never accept that." (Marcou)

"For the most part?" (King)

"I noticed that some were less outraged than others by my words and those would have less trouble following whatever orders they had. But the most important point is when I told them about their own death, I felt their convictions waver." (Marcou)

"Wavering huh?" (Moses)

"Moses you have a plan." (King)

"Yes, it's time for us to force their hand." He said with a sly smile. 

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