Chapter 110 – The Value Of Holy War (4)

People nodded unconsciously. Among these many people, there would be some like that, and as a proud city dweller, there was no reason to deny it.

That was enough.
Now, among those who were nodding indifferently, he would draw in even those who were not yet included.

“There are women of the city gathered here as well. Young people, and the elderly are gathered here. Regardless of wealth, occupation, or age, everyone is here, in this place. Therefore, you who are facing me can be said to be a microcosm of this city. Is that correct?”

Scattered responses. Even those who nodded weakly were few.

Difficult. No matter how much one borrows from famous speeches, one cannot expect the same effect. The tone, intonation, gestures, and expressions of the person giving the speech, as well as the perceptions and situations of the audience receiving it, and above all, the difference between a well-prepared speech and an impromptu one are significant.

…No, to be honest. It’s probably because I can’t match the abilities of the historical demagogues. I expected that even if I followed the demagogic texts left in history, the effect would drastically decrease if the demagogue himself was terrible.

That’s why it’s time for the preparation I made to shine.
I sent a whisper to Diana and Cha Hyewon.

“That’s right!”
“Yes, that’s right!”

Cha Hyewon, who was sitting among the mercenaries and guards in the front row, and Diana, who was sitting with the parish priest in the crowd, shouted almost simultaneously.

Only then did the city people nod and say a word or two in response to the two’s enthusiastic reactions. Cold sweat ran into my eyes, but I had no mind to wipe it away.

Damn it. Goddamn it.
Was demagoguery this difficult?

The word ‘failure’ floated around in my head, but I couldn’t stop now. First… first, I succeeded in drawing these people in, so I gestured more passionately and raised my tone.

“Then, everyone. You who are listening to me, the people of the city, are now representing the city. You are the will of the city, and the will of the city is your will. And now! I want to ask you! I want to ask the city!”

I ask the people of the city, still shrouded in gloom. With a passionate tone, with passionate gestures.

“They say that this city has no more hope, that we have no strength to rise against the enemy that seeks to destroy the city. I ask you. Do you think that we, that the city, have no hope!”
“That’s not true!”
“No, we don’t!!”

Following the real-time instructions through whispers, Diana and Cha Hyewon’s shouts were heard. And their shouts began to influence the people around them.

The mercenaries and guards were among the most determined. They had fought the demons lurking in the city’s underground and even defeated the monsters that appeared in the city. Although they were exhausted, they responded to the enthusiastic appearance of the powerful magistrate, Cha Hyewon, who had been with them.

“Our city will not fall!”
“We will not fall! Hope is here, right here!!”

And around Diana, who was sitting with the parish priest. The most faithful, the most devout. Rather than doubting religion in despair and fear, they were more immersed in it, and they reacted enthusiastically to the saint’s response.

“The Saint is here! How can there be no hope when the Saint is here!!”
“This city has the Saint, and the will of God is in the city, so how can we say there is no hope!”

That’s it! The response… a little bit of a response has begun.

“I ask you! Some say that we are tired and exhausted, that we no longer have the strength to fight! Are you truly going to hand over this city to evil, let it be trampled, and hide away!”

Diana and Cha Hyewon’s loud voices. And a few voices following in response. It’s still weak. Most people are still just watching this bizarre scene with a lukewarm or blank expression.

But fire spreads.

“Then I ask you! Will you turn a blind eye to the evil that destroys our city and tramples on our hope! The monsters! The evil! The enemies who trample on your homes, your friends, your families, your city! Will you turn a blind eye!”

There are a few key points in a demagogic speech. One of them is anger and hatred.
As the saying goes, anger and hatred are the most powerful driving forces for exciting the masses, and these primal emotions become powerful driving forces.

Of course, someone is needed to ignite this fuel.

“No, we won’t!!”
“That’s not true!!”

Once again, Diana and Cha Hyewon shouted loudly. And in response to their fierce reactions, a few strong-willed people raised their voices.

“Who’s talking such nonsense!”
“Our city will never fall! We are the city, and we will not fall!”

That’s it!
The fire… the fire has been lit!!

Designate an object to be angry at, but do not present more than two enemies and focus the anger solely on them.
Recalling the basics of demagoguery, I shout again.

“I ask you! As proud citizens of the city! Are you prepared to continue the solemn struggle until victory is achieved, no matter what fate awaits you!”

Like a fire spreading, the response that started from Diana and Cha Hyewon spread to the people around them, and then to the people around them again.

“I have asked, and you have answered me. You are a part of the city, the will of the city, and the city itself! Your answer is the city’s response. Citizens! Are you ready to reclaim our city!”

An enthusiastic response follows. To the point where it is no longer necessary to induce responses using Diana and Cha Hyewon.

The people who had been in despair were shouting enthusiastically, without exception.

“I declare here! While we bid farewell to the tombs of the heroes who were martyred in this place! The battle that began in this city will be more glorious than any record in the civilized world! Since the creation of the world, there will be no record more brilliant than today!”

There are people who are swept up in the crowd and respond enthusiastically without even knowing what I’m saying. Do they even know what I’m saying? Do they know what it means, what it signifies, when they shout?

But people are simple. The masses are even simpler.
The response that started from Diana and Cha Hyewon led to those who followed them and the proactive ones, and their response made the bystanders respond.

And so, little by little… little by little, the responses that increased one by one became everyone.

“Now is the time to drive out evil with the will of God! Citizens, rise up! Drive out evil according to the will of God!!”

I explode the divine power that I had slightly recovered.

A pillar of light that fell from the sky towards the church spire spread majestically. The divine power, amplified with the help of the installed amplification magic circle, dyed the surroundings white and permeated the people, exploding their enthusiasm… no, the people’s madness.

The people’s stomping shook the ground, and fierce shouts colored the city.
I capture the parish priest, who is bewildered by this sudden demagogic situation, in my sight and open my lips for the last time.

“It is the time of holy war!!”

My flushed face was hot. Was it because of the intense gestures? Rough breaths burst out, and I could feel my heart pounding fiercely.

People were stomping their feet like crazy, shouting and cheering for me.

Is this the taste of power? Is this why politicians can’t quit politics?
Are people this simple and foolish?

I am no different from a demon. I have driven these poor people to their deaths for my own gain, my own status, my own position.

The declaration of holy war.
My first cry to the people of this city, and outside of it, will protect me from the criticism and questioning of the clergy, the kingdom, the empire, and the city. And it will give me a weak opportunity to solidify my position as the declarer of the holy war and control all of this as I please.

The deaths, injuries, and damages of countless people that result from this are unavoidable.
After all, the holy war was planned in the game story. I just made it happen a little faster by being the one to declare it.

So… I’m trash. I’m a selfish bastard who pushes countless people into the abyss of destruction for my own sake.

At that moment. I suddenly made eye contact with a young girl.
A young girl who looked to be about 10 years old at most.

I couldn’t help but focus on the sight of the young girl, sobbing and muttering something in the square covered with the enthusiastic shouts of the people.

‘What is she saying? Why is she crying? Was she so moved by my speech? …Oh, dad? Dad… Mom?’

It was as if cold water had been poured over my head.
In the midst of the enthusiastic shouts calling for holy war. No one was paying attention to the young girl looking for her parents.

“Holy war! It’s holy war!!”
“Take up your weapons! Let’s reclaim our city! Our hope!!”
“Waaaaah!!”

A surge that I can no longer stop is sweeping through. The collective madness that spread like wildfire has colored the people and finally made them take action.

“Wait! There’s a child in front! There’s a girl! Stop! Stop it! She’s going to get trampled!”

The girl’s cloudy eyes, whom I barely managed to save, turned to me.

“98… 99… 98… 99….”

The girl’s eyes, muttering meaningless numbers like a broken radio, were empty.
In this scene of burning madness, all I can do is protect this child.

That day.
What the reinforcements from all over the place saw when they broke through the monsters surrounding the city and entered it were countless corpses scattered everywhere.

“…Rian. Yurian!”
“……Huh?”
“It’s time. Let’s go out.”
“Ah, okay.”

I get up from my chair, fiddling with the collar of my fancy formal attire. It’s been a while since I’ve dressed up like this, so it feels awkward.

Well. If we’re talking about awkwardness, Irian is probably more awkward than me.

“You look much prettier now that you’re not dressed as a man?”
“……Shut up.”

Irian, dressed in a formal dress for women, was beautiful. A red flower was decorated on her chest to match her characteristic red eyes and red hair, and her slender legs extending from under her neat skirt were attractive.

Her hair, which had grown to her shoulders, was swaying with Irian’s movements.

“Yurian. Irian. Hurry up. We have to go out now.”
“Ah, Diana. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you in your saint’s robes. You’re still pretty.”
“Heh. Did you say that to Irian too?”
“You caught me.”
“You’re such a womanizer.”

The playful pinch on my side didn’t hurt that much. Diana in her saint’s robes… it’s been a while since I’ve seen that too.

I slowed my pace slightly, and the two women naturally walked ahead. A two-shot of Diana and Irian dressed up nicely. This is a rare sight.

“Welcome!”
“Yeah, yeah.”

I quickly matched my pace to Diana’s glare. When I squeezed in between the two women, Diana poked my side.

“Remember, Yurian. It’s just Irian.”
“I, Irian and I are not like that, Saint.”
“……You two are both so suspicious.”
“It’s a misunderstanding! Please don’t associate me with this guy!”

Geez. It’s noisy on both sides. I grabbed both of their hands tightly, and they finally quieted down.

“You’re both my women, right?”
“……Sigh.”
“……Annoying.”
“Okay, okay, let’s smile a little now that we’re in front of people.”

In the distance, light was coming in from the door. And a little girl who was waiting in front of the door smiled brightly and gestured.

“Hurry! Come on in!”
“Okay, Emily. Is your family doing well?”
“Yes! They’re all doing better thanks to the Cardinal! Thank you so much.”

I patted the little lady’s head as she bowed her head and answered.

“No need for thanks. I’m the one who’s grateful. Thanks to you… I was comforted a lot.”
“Huh?”
“It’s nothing. I’ll invite your family later, so let’s have a meal together. Okay?”
“Yes!!”