LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 194
In the southern part of Bern City, there’s a neighborhood lined with single-family homes.
This is where Victoria used to live.
The last time I saw it, the area was vibrant with colors, but now it looks bleak.
There are traces of fire scattered here and there, and I notice many houses boarded up with planks over their doors and windows.
Houses without such barriers look even more desolate with gaping holes in their entrances.
I passed by these gloomy homes and finally reached my destination.
“Is this it?”
“Yes.”
The entrance door is split in half, swinging inward, and the nearby window is shattered. It’s dark inside, so I can’t see clearly, but it doesn’t look like anyone is living there.
However, just to be sure, I stepped inside.
“It’s a mess.”
The flickering moonlight reveals that the place looks like a tornado went through it.
The kitchen, in particular, is in terrible condition.
I remember that when the logistics of a sizable city get cut off, food disappears in no time. Various memories sparkle in my thoughts. So when you raid a city, if it gets blocked off, it crumbles from within before you know it, as per military tactics and the average amount of food passing through a city. Those memories come flooding back.
In other words, this place was looted.
Is this a city in an apocalypse story?
Then, if they only consume what’s available, survivors will eventually have to fight each other.
If it’s that serious, the defeated side might still be lurking.
So I started rummaging through the house.
Thankfully,
“There’s nobody dead.”
“Oh, is that why you checked inside?”
“Yes.”
While I was checking every corner of the house, Polaris seemed to be tidying up the living room, and the space where we once sat together to watch TV was cleared enough to sit down.
The TV is covered in dust, but since it’s clean, it seems the looting was all about food. If I remember correctly, it’s quite an expensive item.
In other words, it will be challenging to find food in this house or any nearby.
I see Polaris sitting on the couch, trying to catch her breath.
From her perspective, it’s not particularly cold or exhausting, so it must be mental fatigue. That.
I walked over to Polaris and held her hand.
“Why?”
“Follow me.”
And I dragged her into the room where I used to live. It was meant for guests, so there’s not much stuff, and the bedding is stored inside.
In other words, it’s a suitable environment for sleeping.
I pushed her onto the bed and fetched a blanket.
“Wait, you want me to sleep now?”
“Yes, Polaris. You may be okay, but you need to sleep.”
It’s thankfully not too chilly at night since it’s still early fall.
“I’m still alright.”
“But you’re worn out, mentally.”
Pointing at her ample chest to illustrate my point, Polaris seemed ready to say something but ultimately didn’t speak up.
Simply finding someone has morphed into a horrible ordeal through a dangerous area.
It’s like having a mishap.
It’s a harsh experience for a girl.
It feels like warmth is about to wrap around us, and I’m getting comfortable, shaking off the chill.
Worried Polaris might get bothered, I just cuddled her and lay down. Then I closed my eyes.
Polaris sighed softly and shut her eyes. In no time, she fell deeply asleep.
See? I told you she’s exhausted.
When you put some effort in, it becomes easy to clean up someone like me, but when you’re drained, it’s obvious.
I let my body sleep, shifting my focus towards Victoria.
Right now, in the center of Bern City, there’s the Purplish Twilight Society. Among them, two factions have told Victoria to join them, but now they’re fighting over it.
For reference, both factions aim to engulf the Purplish Twilight Society and gain independence. One faction plans to establish a full nation, while the other seems to want to proceed as a religious organization.
The people surrounding Victoria in the center of Bern City no longer seek clarity about the situation.
Having fought against Gaston’s army in Bern City, they’ve learned how powerful they are.
Because they have strength, they want to change the world with it.
That’s what they think.
If I had known it was a guy who frequently appeared in the Harvesting Period’s sights stoking temptation, I might have thought the same.
An ordinary appearance with no particularly notable flaws. But he cunningly roams around, shouting that with such strength, one can accomplish even more.
Sometimes he mingles with the radicals, and at other times, he slips into groups not intending to fight at all.
And then he quickly incites people.
It’s not like he’s using some extraordinary method.
During the day, there are sporadic bombings, so most hide between buildings. But at night, they come out, light fires, and scrounge for survival.
Their tasks include making makeshift beds, reinforcing fortresses, or searching for food.
Once that work is done, there’s a lot of gathering time, and in those places, if he slips in and shares how tough the day has been, forming an internal closeness, and then ends up criticizing the current situation, that’s all it takes.
And just like that, they ignite the flames.
It’s as simple as how in any world, when people start cursing politicians over drinks, they easily get fired up.
Especially in tough situations, it’s easy to blame others.
The result of all that piling up has led to this situation.
After escaping all over Bern City, spreading throughout the entire nation, merely sharing what happened in Bern City should be enough, yet they’ve chosen to isolate themselves and take up arms.
Hmm.
Clearly, corporations have the upper hand.
What happens when a figure appears in such a space, breaking the command of the nobleman grilled by the corporation along with his army?
That person is dangerous.
In the eyes of the Harvesting Period, Victoria is suspected of being a royal henchman, whispering such doubts only loud enough for those nearby to hear.
And astonishingly, that suspicion spreads quite easily around.
Even telling just one or two people, those who hear it quickly rush to their acquaintances to whisper that it might be a threat.
Of course, considering the situation, it’s not odd to warn acquaintances to be cautious.
But what if that’s done intentionally and simultaneously?
Without knowing where it started, it morphs to become the opinion of the masses.
If it were a normal day, it wouldn’t work, but exposed to this extreme situation for over dozens of days, reason is gradually worn away.
If someone was born into this life, it’s not surprising, but most here used to be ordinary citizens living in Bern City.
They are city folk from the most refined city by this world’s standards.
What would happen if Victoria declared she wouldn’t join either of the two most intense factions in such circumstances?
She would become an enemy of both loud groups.
Not just one, but two.
Moreover, the person who feels the farthest emotional distance from Victoria. Even if they knew she was someone who frequently appeared on the news and helped people when significant events occurred in Bern City.
It’s precisely because of this that questions arise like why she is so well off while I’m not, feeding on jealousy.
People often think their own accomplishments are grand while others’ are minor.
Many think like this. Therefore, even if objectively it seems the same or even straightforwardly that person did a lesser job, from their viewpoint, it’s different.
Self-objectivity is an exceedingly tricky skill. Most people either don’t know how to use it, have only heard of it, or are under the illusion they’re using it.
And intertwined with this is jealousy. When others do well, it stings, and the desire to pull them down feels too natural to need explanation.
Thus, Victoria speaks to those hostile towards her, stating she isn’t interested in them and is merely looking for her family.
But those who hear this consider it an excuse. Because she hasn’t joined our side.
In other words, the enemy’s words are all bad.
First, they shout that it’s a lie and try to deny and suppress it. “I’m right, and you’re wrong.”
Where have we seen this before?
As soon as the loudest voice starts cursing, one by one, others join in berating Victoria.
Do you know what’s the scariest part?
Victoria remains completely unshaken in a situation where she could easily be crushed. If she were tense, her breathing would quicken, and she would sweat, but none of that happens.
At that moment.
Someone attacked. It’s definitely not a psychic ability from the Harvesting Period. It’s a stone someone threw. Sadly, no matter how hard I try to recall, I can’t tell who threw it from the perspective of the Harvesting Period.
SWOOOOSH
A column of water fell vertically from the sky.
Not to mention a stone; the entire surrounding area got sucked into the water column.
Dozens of people at the spot where the stone flew were quite literally ground into the water.
Victoria. Doesn’t killing people bother her anymore?
Hehe.
The dark water sways ominously in the night.
“Do I look like someone who can control their strength right now? Is anyone else going to interfere?”
Victoria stood quietly by the roadside and asked.
Everyone fell silent.
They just witnessed what happens if they resist.
Those empowered in Bern City harness their magic power to stop mechanisms governed by magic power in this world while also employing psychic abilities unrelated to it.
That’s why they’re strong.
Even if they’re warriors possessing technology from before the technological period, they still use magic to enhance their bodies. What happens if tainted magic is introduced?
Initially, they use the preserved magic within them, but when that runs out, they draw from the outside. But what happens if edible oil is poured into a car meant for gasoline?
It’s even more lethal, especially for the warrior class.
In their self-perception, they think, “At first, I can swing my sword, so I’ll charge in confidently,” but it quickly breaks down.
So they meet a more tragic end.
Harvesters present in Bern City are confident in their abilities. Until now, any enemy entering Bern City immediately became fools, so they’ve been killing those who were initially stronger yet have now weakened.
Yet, an overwhelmingly superior version of an enemy has now appeared.
Most were terrified while watching Victoria.
Hmm.
What a pity.
If she exhibited just a bit more violence, I feel like warmth would envelop us even more… If this continues, Victoria will persuade those around her and achieve what she desires.
The man who has intermittently appeared in the Harvesting Period’s perspective since earlier.
I wonder if he might do something…