At the familiar coffee shop...
With the same cups of coffee and a dreamy atmosphere, as if in a dream...
It's still me (Aldo), Veritas, and Zihao.
"Well, I got out of that stone house in less than 24 hours, all thanks to those baseless accusations," Veritas smiles smugly, adding, "Especially when I saw the furious face of that Sapphic cult member who accused me."
He nods in agreement, "I must admit, this tactic really works. This world also suffers from the flaw of 'a man is guilty until proven innocent, while a woman is innocent until proven guilty,' doesn't it?"
"According to the law, a 15-year-old here is held to the same responsibilities as an 18-year-old on Earth. Gender inequality still exists in both sexes, whether on Earth or in Terre—the Medieval Fantasy World. Men and women often fail to recognize the privileges they possess while clearly noticing the injustices they endure," Zihao responds calmly, taking a sip of hot coffee.
"The consequence is gender stereotypes for both men and women. For instance, masculinity or femininity. It really is a double-edged sword, creating a model that gradually reveals its flaws over time," Zihao adds.
"I don't think so. While both masculinity and femininity have their toxic elements, you cannot deny the admirable qualities inherent in these social norms, as they were formed and developed over millions of years during humanity's struggle for survival against the harshness of nature," I counter in my usual emotionless tone.
"I understand that. Most of human history revolves around men risking their lives to provide and protect the tribe while women care for children and ensure the continuation of the species. Those qualities are deeply ingrained in the human subconscious: Men strive to conquer nature, and women strive to conquer men. That is an undeniable truth. This long history has hardwired these qualities into the human brain. Gender equality on Earth has not existed for long, and humanity has not yet fully adapted to these new conditions. Feminism and anti-feminism are merely consequences of the conflict between these new conditions and primal instincts," Zihao gently nods, responding.
"I do not doubt or dismiss the admirable qualities of masculinity. I even practice those qualities, like sacrificing for women, which is termed heroic masculinity—enduring hardship, diligence, courage, etc. I just think that in the context where gender issues are more tense than ever in human history on Earth, where a significant number of both women and men are facing related problems, it seems it's time to adjust masculinity and femininity to align with these new conditions," Zihao replies.
"In my opinion, gender equality should only be applied in areas such as law, education, healthcare, social welfare, and other aspects like military service. It must be truly fair and unbiased, regardless of whether it's towards men or women. In families, the traditional model can still be applied, but gender equality can be practiced if the couple feels it suits them," I respond.
"Wait, what are you two discussing? This seems off-topic. We're supposed to be discussing the current situation, not gender issues on Earth. We're not even on Earth anymore," Veritas raises an eyebrow, urging.
"So, have you adjusted our actual ages on the ID cards of our group members yet?" I ask.
Veritas looks at my expressionless face and monotone voice, smiles, and replies, "Yes, but today is August 13th. My birthday is February 8th, Helzard's is April 15th, Fermos's is April 10th, Auburn's is July 11th, and Zihao's is August 8th. According to the law, we're all considered adults. But since your birthday is September 29th, you're still not considered a legal adult yet..." he tries to stifle a laugh.
"And what about Neva? According to the information, Neva is two years younger than us and still considered a minor..." I say.
"No, Aldo, after rechecking, Neva was born the same year as us. With a birthday on June 18th, Neva is now considered a legal adult like the rest of us. In fact, Neva was born 103 days before you," Veritas replies, still trying to hold back his laughter and watching for my reaction.
"Well, that's fine. After all, intentionally falsifying age is more complicated and risky," I respond, still showing no emotion on my face.
"Huh? No reaction at all? I feel like the part of your brain responsible for emotions has been completely taken over by other parts..." Veritas, no longer holding back his laughter, looks at me with suspicion. "You don't seem like the same person from the 23 days we spent executing the escape plan. Afterward, you reverted to your bookish, introverted, and asexual (Asexual) self."
"Come on, Veritas, all the members of our group are heterosexual. I like beautiful women just like you and everyone else," I reply, my voice still emotionless, but with a slightly higher pitch.
"There's a stark difference between how Helzard and you express that. You act like those Asian guys in Western movies who aren't interested in sexual matters," Veritas rolls his eyes, complaining.
"Well, let the West think what they want about Asia. We don't need to care or conform to their opinions of us," I respond.
"Remember the time you rejected a girl's confession so bluntly that she nearly attempted suicide? How could you just say, 'I don't even know who you are,' like that?" Veritas continues to complain about me.
"Why should I care about love at the age of 12? And during that entire school year, didn't you date a senior who was two years older than you?" I respond.
"So, you do have some appeal!" Veritas exclaims, pointing a finger at my face.
"Students usually fall for their peers. As they grow older, most boys tend to prefer younger women, while girls often like older men. My father, with his fifty relationships, understands that very well," Zihao calmly states, taking a sip of his coffee.
"Oh, right, Zihao. You must have many girls chasing after you, don't you?" Veritas eagerly asks.
"There are a few, but I usually have to maintain an ambiguous stance, which isn't very comfortable. Chinese parents, like many others, are strict about teenage romance, though mine aren't. In fact, sometimes I feel like they push me into it," Zihao sighs and replies.
"Did your parents and sister ever think you were gay?" I ask.
"Yes, I remember New Year's 2017 when I was reading a novel about two brothers carrying each other over mountains to reunite with their parents. My sister walked in and thought I was reading a gay love story. She almost grabbed me by the collar and tried to punch me," Zihao sighs, explaining.
"Let's get back to the main issue. Overall, Chinese and Vietnamese societies have many similarities, so it's the same for the youth in both countries," I state.
Zihao and Veritas nod seriously.
"Yesterday, Fermos's group explored a dungeon, which turned out to be a research facility for new Fleshmorph forms. They also encountered Goblins. As expected, they confirmed that the Parasitals are not extinct but have instead adapted to parasitize Goblins," I calmly explain.
"But Fermos and his team haven't returned yet. Has something happened to them?" Veritas asks, tilting his head slightly.
"They encountered the Sapphic Church, and a devotee shrank them down to 1/20th their size. Fermos used his acid-shooting ability to bore a hole, discovered the Hienoa River's underground stream, entered it, and escaped," I summarize.
"Here we go with geography again. So where might they be now?" Veritas continues to inquire.
"The Hienoa River begins in El'mr and ends in the Runic Grand Duchy. But that underground stream leads to a part of the river that ends in the Hedoni Grand Duchy. So..." I begin to answer.
"They're in Hedoni?" Veritas exclaims.
"How do you know where they are when you spent the entire day with me yesterday?" Zihao questions.
"Fermos and I use a communication gem, specifically this blue orb," I pull out a softly glowing blue spherical stone and then put it away. "This can only establish a two-way connection, but it only requires one person to supply the mana to operate the line. Naturally, I have a bit of mana after more than a month of trying to increase my Mana Pool."
"Then let's go find them!" Veritas urges.
"No need!" Zihao calmly responds.
"Huh? Do you have another plan?" Veritas raises an eyebrow, puzzled.
"I have a friend, or rather, an ally, a Japanese person in our age who is in a situation like ours. His nickname is Demon Slaughter. I will ask him to handle it," Zihao calmly answers.
"Is he trustworthy?" Veritas asks.
"Yes," Zihao responds.
The two of them exchange looks for a long moment... Veritas narrows his eyes suspiciously before finally relaxing.
"Oh, fine," Veritas replies.
"Great. Now, it's my turn. You two are about to become Class D in the landless noble system! Since you'll be joining the ranks of those scrutinized down to their very bodies and faced with terrifying ordeals, I'll take you on a tour of this city, showing you the five forces ensuring the smooth operation of the system for enslaving Earth-based minors, and how to deal with them," Zihao stands up and heads outside, waving us along.
"Wait, what about the bill for the three cups of coffee?" Veritas tugs on Zihao's sleeve.
"I already paid it. Now, you two should come with me," Zihao smiles and replies.
We leave the coffee shop and follow Zihao.
"Your assets must include clothing, outfits, real estate—counting only properly valued outfits. With this accurate asset valuation, including earnings from business activities or other means, Aldo will have 48 gold coins, and Veritas will have 38 gold coins," Zihao says as the three of us walk towards the crowded city square, where a large market is taking place today.
"How on earth does Aldo have up to 48 gold coins? It's like that black outfit of his is invested in to the point where its value must be measured in gold coins!" Veritas exclaims.
"Self-healing mask, enchanted to hide the true face to the point of being able to block even penetrating magic, self-healing clothing when immersed in water, durable fabric, enchanted and installed with some temperature-regulating devices, corrosion-resistant, shock-resistant, fire-resistant, water-resistant, electric-resistant, slightly magic-resistant, and able to adjust to fit the user's body. Because it is individually designed, using expensive technology and materials, the price is so high. You don't understand how convenient it is when facing enemies compared to a normal light armor.", I explain.
"You're being too cautious!", Veritas sighs.
"Of course.", I reply.
"No more private talk, you two. Let's start with this unofficial primer from me.", Zihao stops when he see two guards standing guard in a narrow alley in the city.
"This is the first and most fundamental force: the Ordinary Guards, divided into two branches: Orthodox and Voluntary," Zihao explains.
"This force is tasked with overseeing cities and smaller settlements such as villages and towns by maintaining order and suppressing the population of underage Earth-origin slaves like you. Recruitment occurs through local campaigns where free citizens and loyal Earth-origin underage slaves can enlist, often involving coercive or incentivized programs."
"They are trained in basic combat skills, patrolling, following orders, and maintaining urban order."
"That is incorrect!" I frown, countering. Zihao remains calm, smiling as he turns to me, "Ordinary Guards is a force without distinct branches; the terms 'Orthodox' or 'Voluntary' are used to differentiate between those who are officially conscripted and those who voluntarily join!" I assert.
"Oh, so you've become more astute since arriving in Terre, haven't you? I suppose, before the 23-day uprising preparation, you were assigned as an Ordinary Guard, feigning loyalty to the extent that Heilop entrusted you with managing other slaves, and you exploited that loophole…" Zihao smiles, his calm demeanor so unsettling that it makes it difficult for anyone to read his emotions.
Faced with his accurate assumption, I nod slightly.
"Could you then enlighten Veritas and me on the other three aspects?" Zihao smiles wider, replying patiently.
"Well… alright," I glance at the two guards.
"They are usually equipped with basic armor such as leather or chainmail, standard wooden spears, and short swords. They also carry nets and chains to restrain slaves," I suddenly pause, frowning slightly due to the discomfort of being in a crowd and engaging in more verbal communication than usual, as I typically do not speak at all throughout the day, both on Terre and on Earth.
"Continue, you're speaking very accurately," Zihao encourages.
"Their combat style emphasizes standard defensive formations like line formations or sometimes crescent formations, and crowd-control tactics, primarily using non-lethal force to subdue rather than kill, unlike other forces. Typically, there are 50 to 100 guards for each medium-sized city, with numbers adjusted according to the settlement's size and the level of unrest," I continue.
Zihao smiles again and claps twice.
"You know more than I do in this area. In above-average-sized cities like Al-miraj, there would be 200 guards. Generally, this force is easy to deal with. So, let's move on to the second force: the Executioners," Zihao continues.
"Huh?" Veritas raises an eyebrow, "I thought they were just the Mikhland Federation's executioners, tasked with enforcing justice according to a harsh, medieval-style code and executing those who violate the Federation's laws or participate in rebellions, primarily suppressing infamous Earth-origin slaves like me or Aldo by carrying out executions and harsh punishments. The force is equipped with heavy armor, such as plate armor or reinforced leather, and uses executioner's axes, wearing ceremonial cloaks and carrying various tools for execution, including guillotines. A brutal combat style?"
"Correct, 25%." Zihao responds.
"What? Is the Federation hiding something else from me?" Veritas asks, the curiosity in his voice clearly evident.
"The most basic thing about this force is that Executioners have two branches: Pseudo-religious and Pseudo-executioner. They are recruited from the ranks of Ordinary Guards or through specific tests. However, some members are selected for their cruelty… like a demon, or their loyalty… like a dog." Zihao explains calmly, pausing before each comparison. Veritas and I exchange glances, feeling the bitterness in his calm tone.
"Though both branches study the Federation's laws, the Pseudo-religious branch is entirely independent of the original force. As the name suggests, they are clerics from Islam or Catholicism but are actually imposters. They monitor religious leaders and enforce justice like ordinary Executioners, based on religious doctrine rather than law. They possess Religious Blessing…" Zihao continues his explanation.
My mind suddenly spins when I hear the term "Religious Blessing," while Veritas looks at Zihao with a puzzled expression.
"In other words, by following a particular religion and faithfully adhering to its doctrines, one would receive blessings, which are essentially... buffs?" Veritas nods in understanding as he speaks.
"That's the basic idea. However, no scientific documentation has thoroughly researched Religious Blessings; the concept remains highly ambiguous," Zihao continues, his explanations causing both Veritas and me to mentally ascend to new heights of imagination as we absorb these notions.
"This world is far too complex..." I sigh inwardly, reflecting on the overwhelming intricacies.
"It seems we are in a game-like world because the concept of Religious Blessings is related to Deitification, and ID cards have stats like STR, DEX, INT, CHA, CON, WIS.That is wrong. But in reality, these stats increase or decrease based on our actions, similar to measuring the weight of a piece of meat or the volume of a glass of milk. These concepts are ingrained in the subconscious and can be deduced or more accurately compared to blood test results. In other words, we are not situated in a parallel world with RPG game mechanics, but rather in an alternate reality that mirrors Earth and our original universe." Zihao remarks, his gaze turning skyward as he continues his monologue with fervor.
Veritas pats Zihao on the shoulder, causing him to startle slightly, before he resumes his discourse.
"Returning to the main point: while the Pseudo-executioner carries out public executions, the Pseudo-religious interrogates any civilians they wish with random but subtle questions to identify whether we or the locals are present. You must have witnessed an example of a Pseudo-executioner just over there." Zihao gestures towards a crowd gathered around a platform where three Pseudo-executioners, their heads covered in black hoods, stand by three guillotines with three individuals lying on them. Just as Zihao points and our six eyes turn in that direction, the guillotines slice through the necks of the condemned. The metallic clang echoes through the air as we stand not too far away, startling all three of us. Blood sprays from the freshly cut heads, staining the blades, as each executioner raises the severed heads of the unfortunate souls. Worse yet, the crowd is cheering with enthusiasm.
"I still haven't gotten used to this sight, even after a year in this world of Terre," Zihao mutters, turning away and covering his mouth, his eyes wide from the horror he has just witnessed.
Veritas's eyes widen, his mouth agape, as he stands frozen in place like a statue.
As for me, my throat feels as if it's on the verge of vomiting; I cover my mouth and struggle to suppress the nausea. My head throbs as though my brain is being crushed, my heart races faster, and a burning sensation builds in my chest as my breathing becomes erratic.
"The Pseudo-religious will ask questions like, 'Which festival outside of this place impresses you the most, and why?' Based on your response, they will either send you to the guillotine or set you free. That's why the environment outside is so harsh for people like us, leading to our limited and scattered numbers," Zihao explains, though he has yet to fully recover from the shock. Despite this, he continues, "Worse still, no coalition formed by people like us has been large enough to challenge this system, which has a perfected 100-year history."
Veritas nods, while I lean one hand against the wall, focusing on its scorching surface rather than the horrific scene behind us.
"Perhaps those who were executed were potential allies of ours. That's why we need to act quickly. I'll try to persuade that Japanese guy, Demon Slaughter, to join our team. He's a physical-magic hybrid assassin, more balanced than Aldo, who specializes in chemical-biology. You two should find a quality ally soon..." Zihao speaks with a worry that contrasts with his usual calm demeanor.
Veritas nods again, and I listen intently. Immediately, I think of the group of three Europeans with whom I'm collaborating on small-scale industrial Enzyme production.
"That is only two of the forces; the three remaining forces—Cazador, Thaumatica, and Crusader—are even stronger," Zihao states.
"So many of them!" Veritas sighs.
"These three forces are the perfect products of a century-long process ensuring the summoning of Earth-origin minors as slaves. The Cazador are cavalry units enhanced by machinery or combat machines modified from the Metaller's First Great War era, tasked with swiftly eradicating organized slave uprisings, with two supporting branches: intelligence and rapid assault. Thaumatica either eliminates or forcibly recruits those like us who possess significant magical potential, with three branches funded by distinct sources: the federation, foreign nations, and the royal family. Crusaders are devout Christians, trained to the highest standards to annihilate organized uprisings that have entrenched themselves in any terrain you can imagine, with the most branches, including Urban, Rural, Forest, Swamp, Cold Region, Sea, Mountain, and Elite. That is everything I know."
"I must recruit allies immediately," Veritas declares, clenching his fist resolutely before dashing off.
Zihao watches Veritas, then says, "I have tasks to attend to as well…" He leaves shortly thereafter.
I am suddenly left behind, feeling isolated in the vast square.
From an alleyway, a group of five individuals clad in purple cloaks slowly approaches me from behind…